Courthouse Records and Your Civil War Soldier: Can You Find Anything There?

You’ve been researching your Civil War ancestor’s service for a while now. You’ve searched the Federal censuses, NARA pension records, Compiled Military Service Records, regimental histories and more. You’ve been a captive to your laptop as you’ve documented your veteran’s actions. Let’s change it up a bit. We’ll get up, get out and get going. It’s time for some research out in the field away from the computer. We’re going to check out Courthouse Records.*

Keep in mind that the courthouse records you seek will depend on the location your Civil War ancestor was living at the time the record was generated. These records were produced during the war and depending on your ancestor’s movements, your search may cover a couple county courthouses. 

Money Account – The first time I heard of this type of record I was attending a Civil War presentation in a neighboring county. “Money Accounts” or “Statements of Moneys” were set up at this county’s local courthouse during the early part of the Civil War. Because soldiers did not receive their pay regularly due to troop movement these accounts were set up for families to deposit money for their soldier’s use. This money was to reach the soldier in the field allowing him the opportunity to buy provisions until his next pay. This system was to work both ways. A soldier, on being paid could send money home to his family to be picked up at the county courthouse.

The records from the brief time the system was in effect show who deposited money, their rank and regiment, amount of deposit, name of who could withdraw the money, their post office, county, date money withdrawn and the amount withdrawn. This system was only in existence in my neighboring county about 18 months. Unfortunately some of those who handled the money were less than honest and the money never made it to its appropriate destination. So the system was abandoned.

These records which originated at the courthouse are now on microfilm at that county’s library. Perhaps the county where your ancestor lived established a similar program. Maybe not with the same name but with the same purpose.

Discharge Papers – Union soldiers did receive discharge papers at the end of their service in the Civil War. Of course those papers were not nearly as important to the Civil War veteran as they are to veterans today. Now veterans are encouraged to file their DD214 (discharge papers) with their County Clerk in the event it may be misplaced over time. The DD214 is necessary for today’s veteran to file for VA healthcare benefits, the GI Bill and other benefits. Of course this didn’t apply to the Civil War veteran. So there wasn’t a necessity for him to file his discharge papers at the courthouse. Yet there were some county courthouses that did record veteran discharges. It wouldn’t hurt to check if your ancestor’s discharge papers were one of the few that were recorded. 

*During these COVID times remember to always call a courthouse first before making the trip. Not only do you want to make sure the location is open to the public, you’ll also want to know their hours and available parking and if the records you seek are stored there. Most of the documents we’ve talked about were generated around 150+ years ago. Due to space limitations they may be housed off site at an entirely different facility. The public may not have access to these records any longer and as a researcher you may need to put in a search request with the results mailed or emailed to you. Also the records may not belong to the county anymore having been donated to a local library, university collection or state archives. Your research may then take you to a different repository other than a county courthouse. So always call the courthouse first before making the trip to avoid wasted time and disappointment.

Good luck in your research!