Ask a Genealogist

Question:  Can you refer me to a source at NEHGS to determine whether a family legend is true?  My ancestor's brother was a Humphrey Fullerton was a doctor from Viriginia.  It is rumored that served in the Revolutionary War.

Answer:  This is true according to Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register of the Officers of the Continental Army during the War of the Revolution. (Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1982).  His listing in Heitman states the following: Humphrey Fullerton (Virginia).  Surgeon of Hospital Department in Virginia, 1776 to 1781.

Question: Is there a resource to determine whether ancestor got a pension from the Mexican War?

Answer: The National Archives in Washington,D.C. has the pension files for United Statesveterans of the Mexican War.  The indexfor this series is NARA Microfilm publication T317.  The Family Search website has indexed andplaced this scanned index online: https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1979390 

Question: At one of your lectures you mentioned a good resource for Vermont in the Civil War.  I lost your handout can you refresh my memory?

Answer: The website I believe you are referring to is Vermont in the Civil online at: http://vermontcivilwar.org/index.php  It is a very good site and has many good resources, and images.

Question: I saw a military marker at a cemetery with abbreviations I do not recognize.  Can you refer me to a cheat sheet?  For instance what is a "T SGT."

Answer:  I would suggest a a list that I found online PDF from the Veterans Administration - http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/docs/abbreviations/Ranks_Army.pdf     To answer your question regarding "T SGT." that is a Technical Sergeant.

Question: Can you refer me to a listing of the Liberty Ships in World War II?

Answer: My father served in the Army Engineer Construction Corps and traveled to Europe on two ships including the Charles B. Aycock.  A complete list can be found online here of the Liberty Ships: http://www.usmm.org/libertyships.html#anchor430779

Question: I am looking for a later issued Civil War pension. At your Civil War lecture I heard you explain about “C” or “XC” on a pension index card.  I do not recall  the reason these were not at the Archives.  I have found one I would like to request.

Answer: These pensions are not at the National Archives, and are under the custody of the Department of Veterans Affairs.   These are generally pensions that were considered to be closed by the year 1929.  To obtain a copy of this file write a letter to the Veteran’s Administration Freedom of Information Officer.  You will want to mention that you would like to request a pension with the permission of the Freedom of Information Act.  Supply them the soldier’s information that you have.  Make sure you state you are willing to pay the fees to copy the pension file.  Contact them at:

FOIA / Privacy Act Officer, Veterans Benefits Administration Officer (20M33)

Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20420