8 Replies Latest reply on Jul 11, 2021 12:34 AM by Claire Kluskens

Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate

Bob Velke Sep 2, 2020 11:57 AM

I have a Civil War pension index card (RG15 and microfilm pub. T288) which has an XC number at the bottom. I understand that it means that the pension file is held in St. Louis. The veteran applied for a pension on 3 Jan 1879 and it was approved (Cert # 1019060). He died on 5 Jan 1933. His widow then applied for a pension on 1 Feb 1933 and my question is about her certificate number. Instead of a standard number, it is "A-4-14-33". I'm told that such a number means that the applicant qualified for a pension based on age alone, not a disability. It is not clear to me why her age would be a factor. Her deceased husband had qualified because of a disability so it seems that she would have been entitled to continue receiving that pension (once she provided documentation of their marriage, etc.). But what can be deciphered from the date "4-14-33"? Can I use it to calculate her (or his) birth date or some other threshold date? Thank you.

Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate

Susannah Brooks Sep 2, 2020 9:55 PM (in response to Bob Velke)

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
  
  Bob Velke Sep 5, 2020 6:02 AM (in response to Susannah Brooks)
  
  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)?
  
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  - Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
    
    joan stachnik Sep 6, 2020 10:41 AM (in response to Bob Velke)
    
    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
      
      Bob Velke Sep 6, 2020 11:12 PM (in response to joan stachnik)
      
      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
    
    Claire Kluskens Jul 11, 2021 12:34 AM (in response to Bob Velke)
    
    Bob,
    There's a good chance it's in St. Louis. Send an email of inquiry to
    
    National Archives at St. Louis (RL-SL)
    1 Archives Drive, Room 340
    St. Louis, MO 63138
    Phone: 314-801-0850
    Fax: 314-801-9187
    Email: stl.archives@nara.gov
    
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Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate

Holly Rivet Sep 15, 2020 10:18 AM (in response to Bob Velke)

Dear 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
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- Re: Seeking explanation of Civil War Pension XC number and A-certificate
  
  Bob Velke Oct 5, 2020 6:32 PM (in response to Holly Rivet)
  
  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 (in response to Bob Velke)
    
    Dear 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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