Revolutionary War Pension Project

Uncover stories of the American Revolution told by the people who lived it

The National Park Service and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) are collaborating on a special project to transcribe the pension records of more than 80,000 of America’s first veterans and their widows. The project will make a permanent contribution to the historical record for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

View the Revolutionary War Pension Records (NARA Record Group 15, M804).

A watercolor illustration of a Continental Army encampmemt on the shores of the Hudson River

Volunteer as a citizen archivist

You are invited to help transcribe these records and uncover new stories from the Revolution. You could be the first person in 200 years to learn their stories!

Get started by registering as a volunteer with the National Archives. Add "NPS" to the beginning of your username to be counted as a National Park Service referral. For example, NPSNatalieM.

Learn more about the project

Hand-colored lithograph of George Washington on a horse in front of a line of troops

Be a Citizen Archivist! Make a permanent contribution to the historical record by helping to transcribe these pension files.

What are the Revolutionary War Pension Files and why are they important?

About Revolutionary War Pensions

Following the War of 1812, the US felt it was time to finally pay the national debt of gratitude due to its Revolutionary War veterans.