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Archiver > TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM > 2012-02 > 1329482951


From: "Craig R. Scott, CG" <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] CW Pension files
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:49:11 -0500
References: <26f24.5a4432ce.3c6f03e2@aol.com><BAY145-ds14C229AACE92CB800C9CCE92630@phx.gbl><4F3DB39A.5090602@gmail.com><BAY145-ds10F639C744F8A572735A6C92630@phx.gbl><4F3DF757.408@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <4F3DF757.408@comcast.net>


Recognize that when you write the application numbers and/or the
certificate numbers on the form that you are putting the information
in specific blocks which have specific meanings; such as invalid
application (the equivalent of SO) or widow's certificate (the
equivalent of WC). But when you are not writing the information on the
form the numbers have no context and context is required to understand
what it is and each has its own meaning.

XC numbers have nothing to do with either the original applications or
certificates, but with how the Veteran's Administration would file the
material at a later date, after the first accessions of the material
by the National Archives.

C.

On Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 1:44 AM, Karen Rhodes <> wrote:
> On 2/16/2012 9:35 PM, Michael Hait wrote:
>> That is interesting to read.
>>
>> So this archivist is using these prefixes or "series" ("SO," "SC," "WO," and
>> "WC") despite the facts that (1) they do not appear anywhere in either of
>> the two indexes (the General Index or the Organization Index), (2) they do
>> not appear anywhere on any of the paperwork accompanying the files
>> themselves, (3) researchers do not use these prefixes to request the files
>> either in person or by mail, and (4) the other prefixes mentioned in the
>> article ("C" and "XC") DO appear in the indexes and in the files, and ARE
>> used to request the files, and (5) the "S*" and "W*" prefixes ARE used in
>> all of the above situations for the pensions from earlier wars.
>>
>> I'd be interested in hearing from one of the members of this list who has
>> been accessing the pension records regularly for 20+ years to hear what
>> their experience has been.
>>
>
>
> When I ordered the files of two Civil War great-grandfathers of mine, I
> found the application and certificate numbers without the prefixes, and
> entered them on the form.  The paperwork sent back with the copy of the
> file, from the National Archives, showed that their staff wrote in the
> numbers with the prefixes.
>
> Looks to me like you can go either way and it does not seem to matter.
>
> As a side note, I know for a fact that the prefix XC for a child of a
> veteran has been used not just for the Civil War (or earlier) pension
> applications.  When my mother applied for VA benefits for me to go to
> college in 1965, based on my late father's Navy service in World War II,
> the file number they assigned my case began with that prefix.
>
> Karen Rhodes
> Middleburg, Clay County, Florida
> Author of Non-Federal Censuses of Florida, 1784-1945: A Guide to Sources
> The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list.
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