Officially called A1158, Numerical Index to Pensions, 1860-1934, this card index from the National Archives covers application and certificate number for men who fought in wars prior to, during, or after the Civil War.

1. National Archives -  Pension Index Examined

2. Fold3-  Pension Number Index

Officially called the General Index, these alphabetical listing include pensions for services in the Civil War, post-Civil War Indian Wars, Spanish American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and the Boxer Rebellion. So even if a relative received a pension for service in a later conflict, it will be also found in the General Index. Typically, there will be one card for soldier.

• National Archive - T288: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
• Fold3 -Civil War Pension Index
• FamilySearch -United States General Index to Pension Files 1861-1934
• Ancestry.com -U.S. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934

General Index will generally include the following:

• The soldier's and all applicant's names and the name of the guardian in the events of a dependent child claim.
• An alias if the soldier had one.
• Index numbers for all applications and granted pension certificates
• The soldier's or marine's unit(s) or sailor's vessel
• Date of original application filing(s)
• Some cards, but very few, have rank information

These microfilms document pensions that based upon the unit(s) or ship to which the individual was officially attached

Typically, the organizational card will have the following:

• The soldier's name and aliases (dependents' names are not listed)
• Units/Ships (the card for a specific unit will be listed as the primary unit)
• Index number for all applications and granted pension certificates
• Date of original application filing(s)
• Rank information may be listed
• Enlisted and discharge information may be listed
• Date and location of death may be listed 
• The date of refiling for additional benefits based on age and/or service.

National Archive - Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900, 1949-1949

FamilySearch - Organization Index to Pension Files

Here's why these pension files are crucial for locating formerly enslaved individuals, understanding their experiences, and learning about the horrors of slavery:

Documentation of Relationships:

Many pension files contain personal narratives, letters, and affidavits from formerly enslaved individuals. These documents often detail relationships between enslaved individuals, slave masters, and their families. By analyzing these accounts, researchers can trace family connections, uncover hidden stories, and gain insights into the dynamics of power and kinship within slave communities.

Living Conditions and Treatment:

Some pension files include accounts of the living conditions and treatment of enslaved people. Formerly enslaved individuals might describe the hardships, abuse, and atrocities they experienced, shedding light on the brutalities of slavery. These firsthand accounts provide a human perspective on the day-to-day life of enslaved people that is often missing from traditional historical records.

Geographical Information:

Pension files can also provide geographical information that helps locate specific plantations, towns, or regions where formerly enslaved individuals lived. This information can be used to connect descendants with their ancestral homes, understand migration patterns, and explore the broader historical context of the communities where slavery existed.

Post-Emancipation Experiences:

After emancipation, some formerly enslaved individuals sought assistance from the government, leading them to apply for pensions based on their service in the Union Army or other qualifying roles. These applications might include details about their lives after slavery, including their efforts to build new lives, secure work, and create communities.

Reconstructing Family Histories:

For descendants of enslaved individuals, these pension files can be invaluable in reconstructing their family histories and genealogies. The information contained in the files can help bridge the gap between the often incomplete and fragmented records available for enslaved individuals.

Historical Context and Validation:

The stories and experiences documented in pension files can validate oral histories and traditions that have been passed down through generations. They offer a tangible link to the past that can help validate the struggles, triumphs, and traumas of descendants and formerly enslaved individuals.