Main contributor: Thomas MacEntee

After the American Civil War (1861–1865), the U.S. government established the Southern Claims Commission (SCC) to review and settle claims filed by loyal Unionists in the former Confederate states. These claimants sought compensation for property seized by the Union Army during the war.[1] The Commission operated from 1871 to 1880, evaluating thousands of claims and creating detailed testimonial records. For today’s genealogy researchers, these records offer a unique window into the lives, loyalties, communities, and day-to-day experiences of individuals who lived through the Civil War era.

Why the Southern Claims Commission Records Are Valuable

Approved Claim Files from Beaufort County, South Carolina - Smith, Harriet, Claim No. 10086
Approved Claim Files from Beaufort County, South Carolina - Smith, Harriet, Claim No. 10086

The SCC records often go beyond a simple property inventory. They can contain:

  • Personal Biographies: Claimants had to prove unwavering loyalty to the Union, so they frequently included detailed narratives about their personal histories, political leanings, and wartime activities.
  • Family Relationships: Depositions from relatives, neighbors, and friends were common. Witness testimonies often describe the claimant’s family members, providing names, occupations, residences, and details on how individuals were connected.
  • Local Community Context: You may learn about the claimant’s neighborhood or town, social networks, and economic conditions. This can offer broader context about where and how your ancestors lived, worked, and interacted within their communities.
  • Detailed Inventories of Property: The claims often list items taken from the family, from livestock and crops to furniture and tools. These inventories offer a snapshot of daily life and household economies, which can enrich your understanding of family lifestyles.

Where to Find Southern Claims Commission Records

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA):

  • In Person: The main repository for SCC materials is at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Most are found in Record Group 217 (Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury).
  • Online Databases: NARA has partnered with digital platforms and certain genealogical websites. Some SCC claims are indexed and available in digital form at services like FamilySearch.

Libraries and Historical Societies:

  • Some state archives, university libraries, and local historical societies have microfilm or printed indexes of SCC claims.
  • Regional repositories may have reference books or guides to claims specific to certain states or counties.

Published Indexes and Transcriptions:

  • Several genealogical societies and historians have published guides or partial transcriptions, organized either by state or claimant surname.

Determining if Your Ancestor Filed a Claim

Check the Indexes:

  • Start with a comprehensive index of claimants. Free indexes are sometimes available on genealogy websites.
  • Once you have a name, verify the correct state and the specific claim number, which will help locate the actual files more efficiently.

Consider the Geographic and Political Context:

  • The Commission only considered claims from residents of Confederate states and border states who supported the Union.
  • If you know your ancestor’s political loyalties and where they lived during the war, use that information to narrow your search.

Broaden Your Search to Associates:

  • Even if your direct ancestor did not file a claim, they may appear as a witness in someone else’s file. Searching by neighbor, known associates, or surnames common in the community can uncover your family’s involvement and circumstances.

How to Search and Analyze the Records

Locating the Claim File:

  • Using the index reference and claim number, request the file from NARA if not found online.
  • When using online databases, enter the ancestor’s name and relevant keywords like “Southern Claims Commission” or the county/state they resided in.

Reading the Depositions and Testimonies:

  • Start with the summary pages to understand what was claimed and what was allowed or disallowed.
  • Delve into witness testimonies, as these often contain the richest genealogical details. Note all personal references, relationships, places, and occupations.
  • Record the name variations and spellings. Claimants and witnesses sometimes appear under slightly different name spellings, which can guide you to other records.

Extracting Family Details:

  • Highlight every mention of family members, in-laws, neighbors, or employers. This can help you build a more comprehensive family tree.
  • Look for clues about migration patterns. Testimonies may mention where a relative moved before or after the war, helping you track family movements across states and decades.

Cross-Referencing Information with Other Sources:

  • Combine what you learn from SCC records with census records, land deeds, probate files, and newspaper archives.
  • SCC claims can provide new leads that point you toward other historical documents to support or expand what you’ve found.

Tips and Best Practices

  • Be Patient and Thorough: Reading through a claim file can be time-consuming. These records were often handwritten and may contain 50 or more pages of depositions and supporting documents.
  • Take Detailed Notes: Keep meticulous notes on each name, date, and place mentioned. Use spreadsheets or genealogy software to organize and link the data.
  • Contextualize the Information: Understanding the cultural, political, and economic landscape of the Reconstruction era can help you better interpret what you find in the SCC records.
  • Consult Local Historians: If something in a record is unclear, consider reaching out to local historical societies, genealogical groups, or online forums. Experts may help decode ambiguous references or point you to helpful secondary sources.

Conclusion

The Southern Claims Commission records offer more than just compensation requests—they are a genealogical treasure trove that can breathe life into the names, dates, and places on your family tree. By locating, analyzing, and cross-referencing these historically rich documents, you can gain a deeper understanding of your ancestors’ loyalties, hardships, and everyday lives during and after the Civil War.

References


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