Contains more than 28,000 files, many of which include the names of the wife. Most pension applications and their supporting papers contain information of much interest to soldiers" descendants, to genealogists, and to other researchers. They are more informative than official service records because they give more detailed information about a soldier"s military, personal, and family history. The application lists the veteran"s place of enlistment, unit, period of service, battles participated in, and whether he was wounded or captured. Made out in questionnaire form, it also asked such information as place of birth, number of children, and value of personal and real property owned by the veteran. Pensions for soldiers" widows were first issued in 1905. Their applications show place of birth for both widow and husband, and in many instances the names and ages of children. As proof of marriage was required for admission to the pension rolls, a copy of the marriage certificate is often...