Mexican-American War Records

The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) stands as a critical chapter in the history of the United States, catalyzing the nation's territorial expansion. For genealogists, the period's records offer a wealth of information on ancestors who served, including details of their military service, familial connections, and post-war lives. This guide provides a comprehensive approach to accessing these records to uncover your family’s history.

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Types of Records AvailableTypes of Records Available

There are several types of records from the Mexican-American War that can be useful for genealogical research:

Service Records: These documents enumerate individuals who served in the war, detailing their rank, unit, service dates, and occasionally personal information such as age and birthplace.
Pension Records: Veterans or their widows could apply for pensions, with these records often containing detailed personal data, including marriage certificates, children's birth records, and affidavits from neighbors or relatives.
Bounty Land Warrants: As compensation for service, veterans were sometimes granted land. These records provide insights into where your ancestor may have settled after the war.
Muster Rolls: These lists detail soldiers in a specific unit at a given time, often including rank, age, and the location where they joined the unit.
Casualty Records: Documents recording those killed, wounded, or missing during the war.
Discharge Papers: These documents confirm the end of a soldier’s service, frequently including details about their service and sometimes additional personal information.

Accessing RecordsAccessing Records

Many records from the Mexican-American War are held by national and state archives, and some are available online. Key repositories include:

National Archives (NARA): Holds the majority of federal records, including service records, pension files, and bounty land warrants. You can request records via their website or visit in person.
MyHeritage: Database contains military records of soldiers and sailors who served in the Mexican-American War. Records typically include the name of the soldier, the date and place of birth, the date and place of enlistment, and the date of discharge.
FamilySearch: A free online resource with some Mexican-American War records, especially pension files and service records.
State Archives: Some states have their own archives with records related to soldiers who served from that state.

Search Mexican-American War RecordsSearch Mexican-American War Records

Start your search with basic information about your ancestor, such as:

Full Name: Remember that spellings may vary, so try different variations.
Dates of Birth and Death: Helps to narrow down the search.
State of Residence: Particularly important when searching state archives or when trying to determine the unit in which your ancestor served.
Military Unit: If known, it can help refine your search.

Use the following steps:

Service Records: Start by searching for service records. These can confirm your ancestor's participation in the war and provide a foundation for further research.
Pension Files: If your ancestor or their widow applied for a pension, these files can be a goldmine of genealogical information. Search by name and state.
Bounty Land Warrants: If your ancestor received land, these records can reveal where they settled post-war. This can lead to more local records, like census data or land deeds.
Muster Rolls: These can be useful if you know your ancestor’s unit, helping to confirm service and track movements during the war.
Casualty Records: If your ancestor was wounded or killed, these records can provide details and may lead to other sources like cemetery records.
Discharge Papers: These can help confirm the end of service and sometimes include information about the soldier’s life post-war.

Expand Your SearchExpand Your Search

Once you’ve exhausted the initial records, consider looking into other sources:

Newspapers: Articles, obituaries, and announcements from the time can provide additional details.
Books: Unit histories and historical accounts of the war
Local histories: Some communities published histories that include biographical sketches of residents, including veterans.
Genealogical societies: Local or state societies often have specialized knowledge and additional resources that might not be available online.

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United States, Mexican-American War Soldiers and Sailors record collection at MyHeritage