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    • Main contributor: Thomas MacEntee
    United States Railroad Retirement Board seal
    United States Railroad Retirement Board seal

    The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board was established during the New Deal era as a response to the needs of aging railroad workers. An initial Railroad Retirement Act was passed in 1934 to create a pension system for railroad employees, but it was ruled unconstitutional in 1935. A revised law, the Railroad Retirement Act of 1935, successfully created the current Railroad Retirement Board as an independent federal agency on August 29, 1935. The RRB’s mission was to administer a national retirement and pension program exclusively for railroad workers, separate from the Social Security system which covers most other industries.

    Beginning in 1936, the RRB started maintaining records of railroad employees’ earnings and service to manage their benefits. Over the years, the RRB’s role expanded beyond basic pensions. It now administers comprehensive retirement and survivor benefits, as well as unemployment and sickness insurance for railroad workers and their families. In essence, the RRB program mirrors Social Security and state unemployment programs but is tailored to the railroad industry.

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    What Are Railroad Retirement Records (and Why Do They Matter)?What Are Railroad Retirement Records (and Why Do They Matter)?

    Railroad Retirement records are the files and documents associated with a railroad employee’s pension or benefit claims under the Railroad Retirement Board. When a railroad worker (or their survivor or spouse) applied for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, the RRB created a claim file containing the application forms, supporting evidence, and correspondence related to that individual’s benefits. In essence, these are pension files for railroad workers, similar to Social Security pension files but maintained separately by the RRB.

    These records are incredibly valuable for genealogical research because they often contain detailed personal information that goes beyond basic vital records. A typical RRB claim folder can include documents and data such as:

    • Personal Identifying Information: Full name, date of birth, and place of birth of the railroad employee. Often the person’s race and gender were noted on early forms.
    • Family Details: Names of parents (including mother’s maiden name), and names of spouse(s) – including maiden names of wives – and dates/places of marriage. Former or deceased spouses might be listed as well.
    • Children and Dependents: Names of any children (particularly minor children at the time of retirement) and their addresses, which can confirm family units and residences.
    • Employment History: A record of the person’s railroad service, including the railroad companies they worked for, job positions, and years of employment. One form, for example, is the “Employee’s Statement of Compensated Service Prior to 1937,” where the worker listed all railroad jobs held before the new retirement system began – with job titles, dates, departments, and locations for each. Another document may list wages or compensation by year, showing how much the employee earned in various years.
    • Military Service: If the individual had military service that could count toward retirement (common for those who served in wartime), the file might note branches and service dates.
    • Proof of Age and Vital Records: Since proof of age was needed for pension eligibility, files often contain or reference birth certificates or alternate proofs of birth. In cases where a birth certificate wasn’t available, the RRB might include records like U.S. Census extracts. For example, some files used copies of the 1900 census showing the person’s birth month and year as evidence of age. Likewise, marriage certificates, death certificates, or even divorce decrees could appear in the file to document family events. One genealogist found a long-sought marriage date in an ancestor’s railroad pension application, complete with a marriage certificate copy, which provided details not accessible from the county clerk due to privacy restrictions.
    • Death and Survivor Information: If the employee died, the file may include a death certificate or funeral home record to prove the date of death for survivor benefit claims. There are often applications for widow’s or widower’s annuities (pensions for the surviving spouse), which include the survivor’s birth information, marriage details, and even the survivor’s later address and phone number in mid-20th-century cases.
    • Affidavits and Personal Statements: In cases of discrepancies or missing records, you might find affidavits. For example, if an employee had a common-law marriage with no formal certificate, the file might contain sworn statements from the couple or from family and neighbors attesting to the marriage and its date. Similarly, if there were previous marriages, the claimant might have provided statements or evidence about how those ended (death or divorce).
    • Administrative and Legal Forms: The file will include the formal application for an annuity (retirement pension) which recaps personal and employment info. It may also contain a Certificate of Relinquishment of Rights (signed when the employee retired and gave up the right to return to work) with signatures and addresses of witnesses. Later amendments to the law required updated information; for instance, a 1950s form in some files asked for confirmation of the worker’s and spouse’s details (including Social Security number, if any, and children under 18).

    As you can see, these files go well beyond a simple pension ledger. They often bring together genealogical gold: birth and death data, multi-generational family names, marriage information, and detailed evidence of an ancestor’s working life. For genealogists, such records can fill gaps left by missing vital records or confirm relationships. They matter because they can reveal personal stories and connections: for example, an RRB file might show an ancestor’s career progression or that they moved across states for various railroad jobs, or it might reveal previously unknown family members listed as beneficiaries.

    Coverage and Types of Railroad Retirement RecordsCoverage and Types of Railroad Retirement Records

    Who Is Covered (Time Periods and Scope)Who Is Covered (Time Periods and Scope)

    The Railroad Retirement Board’s records primarily cover railroad employees who worked after 1936 – the point when the federal system began. If your ancestor was employed in the U.S. railroad industry (interstate railroads) at any time from 1936 onwards and had sufficient years of service to qualify for the pension, they likely have an RRB claim file. This includes workers who retired or died decades later, as well as those who became disabled or had survivors claim benefits.

    However, there are some important caveats on coverage:

    • No Records for Pre-1936 Employment: The RRB did not exist before the mid-1930s, so if an ancestor left the railroad or died before 1936, they would not have a Railroad Retirement Board file. Many rail workers of earlier eras did not live to collect a federal railroad pension. In such cases, you must turn to other records (company employment files, railroad company pension archives, etc.) rather than the RRB. Fortunately, some earlier records survive in various archives – for example, the Pennsylvania Railroad’s employee insurance and pension records (dating back to the 1860s) are kept at the Pennsylvania State Archives, and the California State Railroad Museum holds Southern Pacific Railroad employee record cards from 1900–1930 with birth dates, addresses, and wage info. These are separate from RRB files but are invaluable for pre-1936 railroad ancestors.
    • Length of Service: The RRB files generally exist only for employees who spent a substantial part of their career in railroad service. Someone who worked only a short time (a few months or a year) likely did not qualify for the pension and thus would not have a Railroad Retirement claim folder. The National Archives notes that they do not have records for individuals whose rail service was casual or short-term, nor for those who worked for non-covered employers.
    • Non-Covered Railroads: Not every rail-related employer was part of the Railroad Retirement system. For instance, streetcar lines, interurban railways, or local trolley systems were typically not covered by the Railroad Retirement Act. Employees of those lines would not appear in RRB records. Similarly, many private industrial railroads (like a factory’s internal railroad) or certain shortlines might not have been covered. If your ancestor’s rail work was with a non-covered employer, you may need to seek records from local historical societies or company archives instead of the RRB.
    • 1930s Transition: When the RRB system began, workers who had been with railroads for many years had to document their prior service (before 1937) to get credit towards their new pensions. Therefore, even though the RRB has no files for purely pre-1936 workers, those who straddled the change (hired before 1937 and continued after) often have early career details captured in their RRB file. As noted, employees filled out special “service record” forms listing all their railroad jobs before 1937. This means an RRB file can yield insight into an ancestor’s 1920s–1930s work history as well, even though the federal system wasn’t in place until 1936.

    In summary, Railroad Retirement records cover roughly 1936 to present, focusing on employees of the major railroads (and their families) who qualified for benefits. For earlier periods, genealogists must look to company records and other archives to find railroad employment information. It’s a good practice to identify which railroad company your ancestor worked for and check if any corporate archives or historical societies have records (employment applications, seniority lists, or private pension ledgers) from that company’s pre-1936 era.

    Types of Records in RRB FilesTypes of Records in RRB Files

    When we talk about “Railroad Retirement records,” we are usually referring to the inactive claim folders of individuals, which are essentially pension files. Here are the key types of documents and records one might encounter:

    • Claim (Pension) Files: This is the core file for each eligible railroad worker. A claim file is opened when a person applies for an annuity (retirement pension) or when their survivors apply for benefits. It can include:
      • The Application for Employee Annuity – the form the worker filled out to claim their retirement benefits, listing personal info, employment summary, and sometimes family info.
      • Supplemental Proof Documents – copies of or information from birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, or census records used to verify ages and relationships.
      • Prior Service Questionnaire – a form documenting all railroad service before 1937, as described earlier, with job roles and dates.
      • Earnings Records – forms or printouts showing the individual’s credited railroad earnings and months of service, which determined their pension (the example in one file listed bi-monthly wages for each year in the 1920s–30s).
      • Retirement Transaction Forms – such as the Certificate of Termination of Service (showing the employee officially quit and retired on a certain date) and internal RRB audit sheets.
      • Spouse and Survivor Applications: If the employee had a spouse eligible for a spousal annuity (available in later years, particularly after 1951 amendments), there will be a Spouse’s Annuity Application filled by the wife or husband, containing her/his birth and marriage details. Likewise, if the employee died, a Widow’s/Widower’s Application for benefits will appear, with information about both the deceased and the survivor.
      • Beneficiary Forms: Some files have designation of beneficiaries or next of kin, or forms regarding lump-sum death benefits if those were paid out.
      • Correspondence and Memos: Letters between the RRB and the claimant (or their family) might be included, such as requests for additional information or notification of awarded benefits.
      • Internal Index Cards: The RRB often kept summary index cards. The blog author Debbie Mieszala mentions a “retirement board card” that listed key personal info like the spouse’s parents’ names, birth date, and the benefit rates. These cards summarize the case in brief.
    • Personnel and Service Records: It’s worth noting that personnel files (like detailed employment files with evaluations or day-to-day records) were not maintained by the RRB. Those remained with the railroad companies. However, the RRB’s Bureau of Wage and Service Records did compile and store each worker’s career service data for pension calculations. While a genealogist typically won’t request those internal bureau files separately, the essential data from them (employment dates, etc.) is reflected in the claim file. In short, the RRB records are more about benefits and credited service than the minutiae of daily employment. For deeper personnel details, one would seek railroad company archives.
    • Administrative Records: The RRB also generated many reports, board minutes, legal decisions, etc., which are part of the National Archives Record Group 184 (Records of the Railroad Retirement Board). These are of interest to historians but usually not to a specific family history. One exception might be if you’re researching an RRB employee or an overall history of the pension system. Genealogists generally focus on the individual claim folders rather than these administrative files.

    In practical terms, when you request “Railroad Retirement records” for a person, you will receive their claim file, which may be dozens of pages long, filled with the various types of documents above. As an example, one retiree’s file measured about 1/8-inch thick (~30+ pages) while another’s was even larger. The volume can vary widely depending on how much documentation was required for that person (long careers and survivor claims tend to produce bigger files).

    Where to Find and Access Railroad Retirement RecordsWhere to Find and Access Railroad Retirement Records

    National Archives (RRB Claim Files at NARA)National Archives (RRB Claim Files at NARA)

    Most historical Railroad Retirement Board claim files are preserved by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The collection is enormous – the National Archives at Atlanta alone holds approximately 54,000 cubic feet of RRB Inactive Claim Folders, representing about 1.5 million individual files. These are the inactive records, meaning the railroad workers are deceased and the files are no longer needed by the agency for current business.

    The RRB claim files have been transferred to NARA in batches over the years. Currently, the National Archives at Atlanta (in Morrow, Georgia) is the central repository for these records. If an ancestor’s railroad employment ended long ago (and especially if the person has passed away), their file is likely among NARA’s holdings. The National Archives handles public requests for these files on behalf of the RRB.

    It’s important to note that the RRB retains ownership of active or recently active files. By agreement, NARA only has files that have been inactive for at least 7 years. This generally means if a person was still receiving benefits until a few years ago, or if a surviving spouse is currently receiving benefits, that file might still be with the RRB (active) and not yet at NARA. If you suspect the file is recent (for example, the individual died in the last decade or so, or the survivor only stopped collecting benefits recently), you may need to contact the RRB directly (more on that below). But for the majority of genealogical cases, especially for mid-20th century workers, NARA is the place to go.

    Key NARA details: The Atlanta Archives staff will search their records to confirm if a file exists for your ancestor and then provide copies (for a fee). You do not necessarily have to go in person; requests can be handled by mail or email. NARA’s email for RRB records requests is atlanta.archives@nara.gov. When making a request, provide as much identifying information as possible about the railroad worker, such as:

    • Full name (including middle name/initial)
    • Railroad Retirement Board Claim Number (if you found an index entry with this number)
    • Social Security Number (SSN) – since the RRB coordinated with Social Security, an SSN can help locate the file
    • Date of birth (or at least year of birth)
    • Date of death (year of death)

    Including those details will assist the archivists in finding the correct file, especially if the name is common. If you already located your person in an index (like the Midwest Genealogy Center’s index – see below), be sure to mention the RRB Claim ID or Claim Number shown there, as well as the indicated location (often an “X” code for the NARA facility).

    NARA will typically confirm if a file is available and then give you an estimate of the copying cost. As of recent NARA fee schedules, copies are $0.80 per page for these records. An average file might cost $20–$60, but extensive ones could be more. You can then decide if you want to order the copies. Keep in mind that these files are not digitized online, so ordering copies (either paper or sometimes scanned digital copies) is how to see the contents.

    Railroad Retirement Board (for Recent or Active Records)Railroad Retirement Board (for Recent or Active Records)

    If the file you need is not yet at NARA (for example, a railroad retiree who died just a few years ago), your request will be handled by the Railroad Retirement Board itself, which is headquartered in Chicago. The RRB is subject to privacy laws, so they will only release information to authorized individuals or for certain purposes. Generally, records on living individuals are protected and require the person’s consent to obtain. For deceased persons, the RRB can release information if you qualify under their rules (often next-of-kin or executor, or via the Freedom of Information Act for historical/genealogical inquiry).

    In practice, many genealogists won’t need to contact the RRB directly because NARA has the older files. But if you do, the RRB handles such inquiries through their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office. They have a FOIA request procedure which involves writing to the RRB’s General Counsel or using their online FOIA portal. You should be prepared to demonstrate the person is deceased (e.g. providing a death date or even a death certificate if they ask) and clarify your relationship or reason. The RRB’s FOIA page notes that they may require a signed authorization from the person or proof it’s in the interest of the person’s estate if the data is sensitive.

    For genealogical requests, often providing the death date and stating you are researching family history is sufficient, as long as the individual is long deceased. The RRB, like NARA, will charge fees for search and copies per their fee schedule. However, given that NARA now holds the vast bulk of older files, most genealogy researchers start with NARA to save time.

    Tip: If you’re unsure whether the file is with NARA or RRB, you can simply send your inquiry to NARA Atlanta. If the file is not in their holdings (because it’s too recent), they will usually inform you and direct you to contact the RRB. NARA’s website explicitly says if a file may have been recently active (within last 7 years or so), one should begin by contacting the RRB.

    Online Indexes and Finding AidsOnline Indexes and Finding Aids

    While the content of Railroad Retirement files is not online, there are indexes that can help you identify whether your ancestor has a record and retrieve key details like their claim number. Here are the main resources:

    • Midwest Genealogy Center – RRB Claim Records Index (1936–2010): The Midwest Genealogy Center (part of Mid-Continent Public Library in Missouri) has created a free online index of 1.5 million Railroad Retirement Board claim records, covering roughly 1936 into the 2000s. You can access it via the MGC’s Genealogy Quick Look tool on their website. In the Quick Look search page, select “U.S. Railroad Retirement Board” from the database drop-down menu and enter your ancestor’s name. The search results will show matching names along with birth date, death date, a Record ID, a Claim ID, and a claim location code. The claim location usually indicates which NARA facility holds the file (for example, “X019” vs “X008” as seen in the index results). The MGC index interface even provides a link to request the record; if you click to order, it essentially routes your request to NARA Atlanta (for those records held there). The MGC index is very useful for finding people beyond 1987, capturing later retirees up to about 2010. (Note: If a record has no death year listed in the index, it might indicate the person was alive as of the index’s creation or the claim was still active.)
    • FamilySearch: As of now, FamilySearch does not have the Railroad Retirement Board records themselves, but it provides guidance and may link to the above indexes. The FamilySearch Wiki notes the RRB was formed in the mid-1930s and suggests using the RRB’s online resources or the MGC index to find records. It’s worth checking FamilySearch’s catalog or digital collections in case an index has been added. (FamilySearch sometimes hosts partial indexes for certain record sets; if not, use the free MGC index which doesn’t require any subscription.)
    • Other Platforms: As of 2025, the MGC site is the primary online index. The safest bet is to use the known resources above.
    • Guide to Railroad Records: If you need help identifying what railroad company records (aside from RRB) exist, there are directories such as “Guide to Railroad Historical Materials” by Gordon Sponholz. Also, the Railroad Retirement Board’s website historically had a page listing railroad archives and resources. These can be useful for pre-1936 research or supplemental info like employee magazines, seniority lists, and union records, which sometimes mention individuals (e.g., railroad company newsletters often published employee news, retirements, obituaries, etc., which can be a genealogical boon).

    In summary, start with an index search. If you find your ancestor listed, note the claim or pension number and any location info. Then proceed to request the full file from NARA or RRB. If no index hit comes up, it could mean no RRB file exists (perhaps the person didn’t have enough service, or worked only before 1936, etc.), or it might be a misspelling issue – try variations of the name. You can also contact NARA with what you know; they can often locate a file even if the name was indexed slightly differently.

    Access Procedures and Privacy ConsiderationsAccess Procedures and Privacy Considerations

    Accessing Railroad Retirement records for genealogy is very doable, but there are a few procedures and legal considerations to keep in mind:

    • Deceased Individuals Only: Both the National Archives and the Railroad Retirement Board will only release information on deceased persons for genealogical research. If the person is living, or possibly still living, you will need that person’s written consent (which is rare in a genealogical context). Practically, most railroaders from the mid-20th century are now deceased. Ensure in your communications that you clarify the individual has passed away (include the death date, if known). If the person died recently, you might be asked for proof of death (like a death certificate copy), especially if dealing directly with the RRB under FOIA.
    • Submitting a Request: As detailed earlier, you can submit a request to NARA via email or mail. Provide the personal details and mention the Railroad Retirement Board records. If using the MGC Quick Look, their site can generate a request form for you to fill out online, which is then forwarded to NARA. There is no special form required by NARA Atlanta beyond a written request containing identifying info. Be prepared to wait a few weeks for a reply; response times can vary with staff availability.
    • Fees: NARA will usually inform you of the page count and cost. At $0.80 per page, costs can add up, so some researchers request a page count or summary first. In some cases, NARA might allow you to limit the copy order (for example, only copy the vital record documents). However, given the genealogical value, most people eventually order the entire file. Payment is typically handled via credit card if you proceed, following instructions they provide (often through an online payment portal once they’ve set up your order).
    • Privacy Redactions: Because these are government files, occasionally you might see some parts redacted (blacked out) if they involve a living person’s information (for example, a beneficiary who might still be alive). But in most cases, if the main subjects are deceased, you receive the file in full. The RRB’s privacy and FOIA rules allow release when it’s clearly in the interest of the decedent’s estate or for historical research, so genealogists usually get what they need.
    • Information You Need vs. What’s in the File: If you are specifically hunting for particular data (like a birth date or marriage proof), note that in your request. The archives staff might highlight whether that information is present. However, they will not typically do detailed research for you – they will copy the file as is. You, as the researcher, will extract the genealogical info from it once received.
    • Turnaround Time: From anecdotal evidence, NARA’s response might take a couple of weeks to a month or more. The Heritage Discovered blog author mentioned hearing back in a few weeks after writing to NARA. If you haven’t heard anything in, say, 4-6 weeks, a polite follow-up to NARA is reasonable.
    • Alternate Access: If you live near the NARA Atlanta facility or plan a trip, in-person research might be possible by appointment. In-person, you might be able to view the file and take notes or request copies of select pages, potentially saving cost. However, for most, the mail/email route is simpler.

    By following these procedures, you’ll be able to obtain the Railroad Retirement records in compliance with the rules and enjoy the wealth of information they contain.

    Genealogical Value: What You Can Learn from Railroad Retirement RecordsGenealogical Value: What You Can Learn from Railroad Retirement Records

    Railroad Retirement records have proven to be a gold mine for genealogists. To illustrate their value, consider a real example (as documented by researchers who’ve obtained these files):

    A railroad engineer on the job (circa 1940s). Many Americans who “worked on the railroad” later applied for Railroad Retirement benefits, leaving behind detailed files about their lives.

    In one case, a genealogist obtained the RRB file for her ancestor, Luther Loy, who was born in 1880 and worked for the railroad until the 1940s. From Luther’s Railroad Retirement claim folder, she learned the following:

    • Verified Birth Information: The file confirmed Luther’s birth date and exact location. The RRB had even contacted the Census Bureau for a 1900 census record to verify his birth month and year, since he had no birth certificate. This provided independent documentation of his birth details.
    • Parents’ Names: Luther’s forms listed his father’s full name and mother’s full maiden name. This was crucial because his mother’s name had been spelled inconsistently in other sources – seeing it in the RRB file (even with some variations) helped confirm her identity.
    • Complete Employment History: He had meticulously listed every railroad job he held prior to 1937, including the job titles (laborer, machinist helper, carpenter, etc.), the locations (e.g. Missouri Pacific RR shops in different cities), and the years he started and ended each position. This is essentially a mini résumé of his railroad career. Such details can lead you to other records (like local railroad shop records or company newsletters mentioning him).
    • Salary Data: One document showed his earnings by period – for instance, how much he earned in 1924 vs. 1931. This not only gives a sense of his economic situation, but also can be contextualized with historical wage data. For family historians, knowing an ancestor’s income can enrich the story (was he relatively well-paid or struggling?).
    • Marriage and Family Insights: Luther’s file contained a copy of his 1902 marriage certificate to his wife, Winnie. Interestingly, this included the marriage license and return with details like parents’ names and even the witnesses. The local county clerk’s office would not release the full marriage record due to modern restrictions, but it was preserved in the RRB file, providing the genealogist with information that was inaccessible elsewhere. Additionally, when spousal benefits became available in the 1950s, Winnie applied for her own annuity; her application in the file listed her maiden name, birth place, parents’ names, and confirmed she had no prior marriages or any children under 18. This essentially doubled as a genealogical record for the spouse.
    • Multiple Marriages and Relationships: If an employee had prior marriages, those had to be documented. In Luther’s case, he certified that he was married to Winnie and noted he had no prior marriages. In another example from a different file, a man’s pension was delayed because it came out that he had a common-law marriage – the file contained affidavits explaining the relationship and its start date. For genealogists, this can reveal previously unknown marriages or explain family situations (like why no formal marriage record exists).
    • Military Service and Other Jobs: Luther did not serve in the military, but if he had, that too would have been recorded (the form had sections for any military service to ensure it was counted or at least noted). Some files might indicate other non-railroad employment if it affected the claim (for instance, if someone had a mix of Social Security and Railroad credits).
    • Retirement and Death Details: The file showed when Luther officially retired (the exact date in 1945 when he signed off his employment). It also included Luther’s death certificate from Illinois when he died in 1963. The death certificate, as usual, provided cause of death, burial place, and the informant’s name, among other data. For genealogists, getting a death certificate through an RRB file might save the trouble of ordering it separately from a vital records office, and it also confirms you have the right person.
    • Post-Death Benefits: After Luther’s death, his wife Winnie applied for a widow’s annuity. That application was in the file, recording Luther’s dates of birth and death, as well as Winnie’s birth date/place and her parents’ names yet again, plus her signature in 1963 and even her address and phone number at that time. Little details like an address or phone number can be fascinating (you might recognize it as a family home, or use it to find obituary listings, etc.).
    • Signatures and Personal Touches: Seeing original signatures of ancestors is a special perk – the file had signatures from Luther, Winnie, and even witnesses to events. Sometimes you’ll catch glimpses of personality: perhaps a shaky handwriting in old age, or a note they scribbled to the Board.

    This example demonstrates how genealogical puzzles can be solved by RRB records. The researcher discovered an elusive marriage record, confirmed ancestral names and dates, and even uncovered new leads (like checking the 1900 census used for verification, which in that case also listed the household members). The records can validate family stories or disprove them with solid evidence.

    Even if your ancestor’s file is not as lengthy, it can still offer confirmations of vital data. At the very least, most files will confirm birth date, employment period, and death date of the individual – which are key genealogical facts. Many will go further and provide family context as described.

    ConclusionConclusion

    For genealogists, United States Railroad Retirement Board records are a prime example of an occupational record set that yields far more than just proof of employment. They reflect the life events of thousands of railroad families, preserving bits of personal history: from how much a man earned in 1925, to where he married his wife, to the names of children he claimed as dependents. The historical background of the RRB shows why these records exist – a product of 1930s social reform – and today they serve as a bridge to the past for those of us investigating our family trees.

    In pursuing railroad retirement records, remember to leverage indexes like the Midwest Genealogy Center’s to pinpoint your ancestor, and then work with the National Archives or RRB to obtain the file. Be mindful of privacy rules (focus only on deceased individuals) and prepare to supply identifying details to assist in the search. The effort is well worth it. As we’ve seen, a single RRB pension file can unveil multi-generational information and even solve mysteries (like confirming a parent’s name or finding a marriage date) that aren’t recorded elsewhere.

    If your ancestor “worked on the railroad,” don’t overlook this rich resource. Railroad Retirement records provide a window into your ancestor’s working life and the legacy they left for their family. They add depth to your genealogy research, ensuring that your railroad forebears’ years of service are remembered not just in company ledgers, but in the story of your family.

    Explore more about United States Railroad Retirement RecordsExplore more about United States Railroad Retirement Records

    References


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    Thomas MacEntee. (2025, July 24). *United States Railroad Retirement Records*. MyHeritage Wiki. https://www.myheritage.com/wiki/United_States_Railroad_Retirement_Records