To complete the thread about Civil War Naval records for sailors I will try to respond to Maureen's questions and answers. ***SNIP I did send the request in on a form. I don't have a copy in front of me, but it is the one where you can choose either military records or pension application records. I chose the former. SNIP****** Sounds like you used the correct form. Veterans Records, use NATF Form 80 Certain military records, pension files and bounty-land applications can be requested with this form. One file for one person will cost about $10.00. You must provide them with as much information as possible. The minimum is: name, branch of service, state from which he served, war, whether union or confederate. Additional information: such as unit in which he served and place and date of birth, certainly would insure a favorable result. If your soldier was named Jones or Smith you should have very detailed information before requesting the file. They, in general, will not do research for you. Often they will not photo copies the entirety of a large file unless you make a specific request. If there were several with the same name or not enough information you will simply not get the requested information. ********SNIP Sometime after the Civil War, he was killed "by Indians" while going out west. I have assumed, perhaps wrongly, that he never lived long enough to apply for a pension. SNIP****** Yes, It is always possible that a parent, wife or child applied for a pension based on a soldiers or sailors service. They didn't always get a pension but the denied applications are on file. Had a soldier once with two wives, it was a huge folder. *******SNIP All I know is that he was in the Union Navy and, if memory serves correctly, was an Ass't Paymaster on a vessel that was involved in the Battle of Charleston[?]. SNIP********** The navy file that I spoke of ("Indexes to Rendezvous Reports, Civil War, 1861-1865") are not often used. > > I suspect that your previous researcher found your sailor in > "Indexes to Rendezvous Reports, Civil War, 1861-1865. T1099, 31 rolls." > This index is on film but the records to which they refer are not on > microfilm. These actual records are available at the National Archives in > Washington DC. *******SNIP So, if someone shows up in the index, it is likely that there *are* surviving records? SNIP*********** As a rule yes, there are some exceptions or instances where there is little or no useful information but generally if they are in the Index, there is a file. ********SNIP What kind of application? Pension? (see above)>> SNIP******** The same form can be used for either Military Records or Pension Records, but NOT BOTH on the same form. If you want "William Sternhagen's" military record and his pension application you must submit 2 (two) form 80's. One form must have the Military record box checked and the other form must have the pension application box checked. The information you supply the more likely you will get the correct information. Ralph Komives RalphK@aol.com http://members.aol.com/RalphK/DocumentSearch.html Document Searches in Washington, D.C. Area and Annapolis, MD. Problem searches and Common Names a specialty. Research at: DAR Library, National Archives, Library of Congress, MD State Archives