War of 1812 Records in ALE

During this 200th anniversary year of the onset of the War of 1812, one might be inclined to learn more about their "War of 1812" veteran ancestor.  Ancestry Library Edition has 54 databases that will help you do that. Here are ones that will likely prove most useful:

War of 1812 Papers, 1789-1815
This database contains a variety of papers relating to the War of 1812. The Returns of Enemy Aliens and Prisoners of War records are searchable by name. All of the other papers are only searchable by browsing the images.

War of 1812 Pension Application Files Index, 1812-1815
This database contains an index to War of 1812 pension application files. Pensions were applied for and granted to War of 1812 veterans or their survivors. The records include the name of the veteran, name of widow (if she applied), pension claim or file number, and service type or organization.

War of 1812, Prisoner of War Records, 1812-1815
This database contains records relating to Prisoners of War from the War of 1812. Most of the records are regarding American soldiers, but some regard civilians and British soldiers. In addition to the actual records and manuscripts, this database also contains a set of index cards. These index cards list soldiers’ names and the manuscript numbers of the records in which they appear. These index cards are arranged in alphabetical order according to surname and are useful for locating individuals in the actual records.In addition to the soldier’s name, his rank, company, and regiment may also be listed on the record.

U.S., War of 1812 Service Records, 1812-1815  

When the United States declared war on Great Britain in 1812, Congress authorized the President to accept and organize volunteers in order to win the war. This database is a listing of men mustered into the armed forces between 1812 and 1815. Taken from records in the National Archives, each record includes the soldier's name, company, rank at time of induction, rank at time of discharge, and other helpful information. It provides the names of nearly 600,000 men. For researchers of early American ancestors who may have served in the military, this can be a helpful source of information.

War of 1812 Papers, 1789-1815
This database contains the following papers related to the War of 1812:

• Letters Received Concerning Letters of Marque, 1812-1814


• Letters Received Regarding Enemy Aliens, 1812-1814


• U.S. Marshal’s Returns of Enemy Aliens and Prisoners of War, 1812-1815


• Requests for Permission to Sail from the United States, 1812-1814


• Passenger Lists of Outgoing Vessels, 1812-1814


• Correspondence Regarding Passports, 1812-1814


• Agreements for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, 1812-1813


• Misc. Letters Received Concerning the Release of Prisoners, 1812-1815


• Reports of William Lambert, Secret Agent, 1813


• Misc. Intercepted Correspondence, 1789-1814

ALE can be accessed through our public computers in the branch libraries during regular hours of operation.

Reminder:  The Research Room is closed Noon until 1 pm from Mon., July 23rd through Mon., August 13th.