Researching Your US War of 1812 Ancestor

Often called the “Second American Revolution,” the War of 1812 records can offer valuable information when researching your family history. Especially important are pension records which name other family members as well as friends and neighbors - prior to 1850, the US Federal Census only listed the head of household by name. The War of 1812 involved the United States and Great Britain, starting on 18 June 1812 and ending with the Treaty of Ghent on 24 December 1814. The treaty was ratified by the United States Congress on 17 February 1815 (this is why there was a major battle fought at New Orleans on 8 January 2015). What we know today as Canada was considered a group of British colonies during the war; it bordered the United States and therefor was heavily involved with many naval battles fought on the Great Lakes. And several Native American or “First Nations” tribes were also participants, some fighting on the side of the British and others on the side of the United States. Major battles of the war include Battle of Queenston Heights (1812), Battle of Lake Erie (1813), Battle of Lundy’s Lane (1814), and the Battle of New Orlean s(1815). In addition, the British invaded Washington, D.C. in September of 1814 and burned the US Capitol, the White House and several other buildings. Close to 60,000 members of the United States Army fought in the war, supported by over 475,000 men who were part of state militias or volunteers. While researching whether or not your ancestor served in the War of 1812, you’ll need to determine whether or not the ancestor served in the Regular Army (the United States Army), served in a state militia, or served as a volunteer. View Less