Opal, when I said VA archives, I meant Virginia State Archives for both the military records and pension records. I have had no trouble getting Missouri and Illinois war records for members of my family from World 1 and !! and Civil war service records and pension records. Our records are online now but have received them by mail in the past. Also in researching in some communities found that most churches have bi-centennial brochures and list members and events of the past. Rosemary