Hello List, Since I began tracing my family roots, my research has been where I can go look at the records, plus a time period where there are fairly good records. Now the research is going out of state and into a time period where records are scarce. If anyone can help me, it will be so much appreciated. I am sorry I have made this letter so long. Lorena McNeely Mitchell, IN I came across this on the internet: North Carolina US GenWeb Archives-Military-Pension Roll, 1835 NC Pension Roll of 1835 James Compton Guilford Co. Private Maryland Cont'l Line $96.00 Annual Allowance $1,170.06 Amt. received May 21, 1819 pension started age 81 Died Sept. 5, 1831 Where can I find out more about this? Here is what I have done so far: 1) Wrote to National Archives, Washington DC for pension papers. They do not have the papers, suggested I write to State Archives. 2) Checked DAR Patriot Index. My James not listed. 3) Wrote to North Carolina State Archives and requested declaration made in Guilford Co by James Compton. They do not have any record on a James Compton. 4) Wrote to North Carolina State Archives and requested estate papers for James Compton who died Sept. 5, 1831. Did not have any estate papers. In notes received from a friend who was also researching the Compton surname, she writes that James Compton appeared in Guilford Co, NC in Oct 1818. From same court & place in 1820, James Compton appeared, age 69, tailor by trade, now unable to work, etc. The friend died several years ago. Another question: If the military record shows death date; and my friend has this information about appearing in court, what have I failed to look for? A) Should I be checking court records? B) Military records on microfilm?