Hi all, I am thrilled to be pursuing a line for my first paying client!  I have found digital copies of a pension file index and General Index for Isaac O. Lowe of C Company 31 Indiana Infantry, but fold3, familysearch, and ancestry do not have copies of the actual service file or actual pension.  I also didn't see anything that looked like it might have the service record for him in the SLC library that I could order or get a look-up for.  I'm guessing I need to go to NARA to pull these (I live in the vicinity, so I could arrange this).  Before I attempt this - for some reason tackling NARA is terrifying - I had some questions I hope you all can answer for me/guide me through; I  have needed to educate myself on this for a long time.  And when I actually go to get it, I want to be efficient and a responsible steward of my client's resources. 1 - if there is an index card, does that mean there is a service record to find? or can there sometimes be just index cards without a service record? 2 - how do I tell where that service record is when all I have is the index card?     - the General Index card for his service includes only his rank, name and Co.     - the Pension index includes filing dates for Invalid w/ application and cert #s, and dates, application and cert #s for Widow 3 - what the heck do I do when I get to NARA? My inclination is to go to the first desk I see and beg for mercy. Any guidance and assistance you all can provide is most appreciated!! ~Molly~