Revolutionary War Pension Files: Transcription Mission

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the National Archives and the National Park Service are collaborating on a special project to transcribe Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, ca. 1800 - ca. 1912. These Revolutionary War Pension Files consist of applications and other records pertaining to claims for pensions and bounty land warrants.

These records may contain valuable details about Revolutionary War veterans and their families, such as rank, unit, period of service, age, residence, date and place of marriage, and date and place of death of spouse. Also within these records, you may find copies of marriage or other family records, information pertaining to military activities or details about soldier’s lives, along with letters, diaries, or family trees. Read more about these records and what you may find from the National Park Service’s article Tips and a Guide for the Curious (https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/what-might-you-find-in-the-revolutionary-war-pension-files.htm).

Not interested in transcribing cursive? Join the Revolutionary War Tagging Mission (https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/missions/revolutionary-war-pension-files/tagging-mission) - read the transcriptions by other Citizen Archivists and add tags to enhance searchability.

As you transcribe these records, did you find a surprising or intriguing story? An unexpected artifact? Let the project know in the survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RevPenPro)! The stories you share can be used to help others learn more about the lives of Revolutionary War veterans and their families.

Since June 2023, thousands of Citizen Archivist volunteers have transcribed the pension files of Revolutionary War veterans. We’ve uncovered interesting stories that give battlefield stories, sightings of famous generals, a glimpse of life in the 18th century, and more. Explore these amazing stories (https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/missions/stories).