The Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrants contain images of original records. The National Records and Archives Administration originally microfilmed these records, and genealogists have used those microfilms for years. Heritage Quest has now scanned images of the same microfilms and made them available on CD-ROM disks. Each CD-ROM disk holds the contents of one reel of microfilm. The order number of the CD-ROM disk that I looked at, M805-293, is the same as the reel number of the microfilm.

The indexed files originated from a variety of sources, including:

Pensioner application statements
Muster rolls
Orderly books
Witness affidavits
Family Bibles
Diaries
Pay receipts
Enlistment papers
Commissions
Warrants
Other original records from this period

The extracted information usually found in these applications includes:

Last Name
First Name(s)
Organization (typically state)
Application Number
Roll Number

The M805 series reproduces papers that the National Archives considered genealogically important from each file. Original papers may provide:

Applicant's place of enlistment
Age
Birthplace
Unit(s) served
Battles
Campaigns
Individual activities
Widows who filed pensions provide:
Maiden name
Age
Place of birth
Current residence
Place and date of marriage
Place and date of husband's death

The Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrants CD-ROM disks use Heritage Quest Resource Viewer software to display the data. The required Windows software is included on each CD-ROM disk. Installation only took a minute or so and was simple to follow.

Upon inserting the CD-ROM disk, an image of the first page appears. Below this page is a listing of all the images on the disk. Since the list is in alphabetical order, I found it easy to scroll down to the one I wanted. This list shows the surname and given name of the applicant. A wife’s name is often included. The list also displays the state, the image number and the page number. To display a particular record, all you have to do is click on the entry in the images list.

I have viewed these same records on microfilm in years past, so I was able to quickly locate records of interest. I simply scrolled to the name I was interested in and clicked on it; an image then appeared on my screen, showing the pension application. The image on CD-ROM is identical to the image on microfilm. I first looked at the application of Jacob Eastman and his wife, Abigail. I was able to "page" through the multi-page application by clicking on the forward and back buttons. On every page I was able to zoom in and out on the image as much as I pleased. This capability of "zooming in" is a big help when reading poor handwriting.

I spent some time viewing the CD-ROM "enhanced image." I then dug out a photocopy that I made from microfilm some years ago and compared it to the image on my screen. I also made a printed copy from the CD-ROM disk and compared it to the photocopy made from microfilm. The CD-ROM version seems clearer and easier to view than the copy I made from microfilm. Admittedly, this depends upon the quality of the microfilm copy and of the photocopying machine used. I suspect the CD-ROM images were made from a rarely used "master copy" of the microfilm, not from a well-used and scratched copy that typically is found in your local genealogy archive. The images I printed on my inkjet printer are clearer and easier to read than the photocopies I made at the National Archives’ Regional Library. Obviously the CD-ROM images will not deteriorate from constant use, another advantage of CD-ROM disks over microfilm. The printouts made from CD-ROM are also labeled, "Copyrighted by Heritage Quest" and include the date and time the local copy was produced.

These CD-ROM disks require a modest Windows system to operate. The minimum requirements include: Windows 2000/ME/NT/98/95, a Pentium or compatible CPU, 16 megabytes of RAM memory, 88 megabytes of hard drive space, a 4-speed or faster CD-ROM drive, 16-bit color depth and at least 800x600 screen resolution. Any Windows computer sold in the past few years should meet or exceed those requirements.

The "Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrants" on CD-ROM is an excellent example of the use of today’s technology for genealogy research. The CD-ROM contains images of original source records. It stores the data in high-quality scanned images. Unlike the microfilm version, the CD-ROM images do not deteriorate with usage. The CD-ROM disks are both cheaper and easier to store than the microfilms. Best of all, Windows computers are more plentiful than microfilm viewers. And I dare say today’s computers are probably cheaper than microfilm readers.

The Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrants CD-ROM disks are selling right now for $14.96 U.S. funds. Members of Heritage Quest’s Research Club receive a discount, with a final price of $11.21. These prices do not include shipping. For more information about the Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrants on CD-ROM, or to order the disks directly from Heritage Quest’s safe and secure Web site, go to http://www2.heritagequest.com/qsearch/sr.asp?s=M805

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