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Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
from deciphering codes on pension files on Fold3.com
XC/C: Veterans who lived to an older age, had their files renumbered to either an XC number or a C number. That means the file was still active after 1928 and was transferred to the Veterans Administration.
[if you request the pension make certain that you include the XC or C number, because they are stored separate from other pensions]
The A usually appears on a pension issued later, which hers definitely was. It is common to see it for War with Spain pensions, which are included in what is commonly referred to as the Civil War Pension Files.
If she applied for a pension in February, I would guess that the 4-14-33 was the date that her pension was approved, which would be stated in the file.
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Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
Thank you.
Are such files still in possession of the Veterans Administration or have they been transferred back to NARA? That is, if I go to St. Louis personally to pull this pension file, would I go to one of the Veterans Administration offices there or to the National Personnel Records Center at 1 Archives Drive (once it is open after COVID)?-
Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
Bob, have you tried Familysearch.org (free after registration)? They seem to have an index to pensions and might have additional information (https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Union_Pension_Records.), at least on how to request (https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Requesting_Copies_of_Civil_War_Service_and_Pension_Records) Hope this is of some help and not duplicate information. joan
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Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
I have the index card for his pension file, thanks. The full file has not been digitized.
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Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
Holly Rivet
Sep 15, 2020 10:18 AM
1 person found this helpfulDear Mr. Velke,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
Benefits associated with military service vary greatly over time due to how the funding is made available. Congress passes acts to provide different sorts of benefits to groups of people related to military service. For example, prior to 1930, widows had to have been married to the veteran before June 26, 1905 and at least for ten years. Under the Act of June 9, 1930 (38 U.S.C § 291b), such widows could then be able to draw pensions, but they could be subject to age limitations. Typically, when women or their families wrote to the Bureau of Pensions, they would include the Act under which they were applying for pension. Correspondence between the Bureau of Pensions and the families are included in the Deceased Veterans Claims (XC Files).The National Archives at St. Louis (RL-SL) has custody of pension records ranging from XC 2 to XC 3990713. It is important to remember that because of how the cases close, several cases were still open at the time of transfer, causing gaps in our record series. These files are arranged by their XC number and files closed as of 1955 have been accessioned into the National Archives. To access these records, provide as much information as possible such as the veteran’s complete name (including alternate spellings), service number, dates of birth and death and email this information to RL-SL at stl.archives@nara.gov.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RL-SL. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!Holly Rivet-
Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
Do I understand you to say that some pension files (i.e., those not closed by 1955) are still in the custody of the Veteran's Administration in St. Louis? With whom would I correspond about those? Thanks again.
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Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
Holly Rivet
Oct 7, 2020 9:39 AM
2 people found this helpfulDear Mr. Velke,
Thank you for posting your follow-up request on History Hub!
If the Civil War pension file was still active in 1955, please file a FOIA request with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their FOIA website is https://www.va.gov/foia/. All questions regarding VA’s FOIA procedures and fees may be emailed to VACOFOIAService@va.gov.
We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
Sincerely,
Holly Rivet
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