Pensions - Country of Arrival Records Pension records can be an untapped source of information for anyone researching an ancestor in the 20th century. While the laws regarding pensions have changed numerous times in the last 100 years, at some point, an employee may have had to provide proof of birth to his/her employer. Pension records are a long shot in genealogical research. Many companies have ceased to exist, others have merged, records have been destroyed. If you are able to ascertain which company your ancestor worked for and that company is still in business - then it's worth trying. If he/she worked for a major company, it's possible the records have been archived. Also, don't forget government employees, whether it's city, state or federal. If you're able to locate pension records, you may find some invaluable information!