I am pleased to post this announcement that may be of interest to Va-Hist and Va-Roots subscribers: The Library of Virginia is pleased to announce the release of the finding aid to the John K. Martin business records. This new finding aid increases availability to researchers of the records of the chief pension agent in Richmond, Virginia, during the middle 19th century. The collection principally consists of Martin's pension files for military veterans of the Revolutionary War, Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, War of 1812, Native American Wars, Mexican War, and Civil War. The pension claim files principally consist of correspondence and notes concerning land warrants and military service, but there are also wills, deeds, and even Bible records and genealogical notes proving lineage of an heir to the veteran or land ownership. These files are organized chronologically by war or conflict. Pensioners' individual files are arranged alphabetically by surname. This collection also contains Martin's personal and business correspondence, financial files including receipts and account books, Martin's files while serving as an administrator of the estate of Elijah Brown (1781-1850), military files and discharge papers, deeds and plats, publications, and Martin's land warrant notes. To access the finding aid, visit the Library of Virginia's homepage at http://www.lva.lib.va.us/, click on "What We Have," then click on "Archives and Manuscripts Catalog," perform an author search for John K. Martin, select the "hit" for "John K. Martin Records," and you will then be taken to the catalog record for the collection. If you then select URL link, you will be taken to the finding aid for the collection. This finding aid was made accessible through the Virginia Heritage Project, a database of guides, or finding aids, describing archives and manuscripts in eleven repositories in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Collection material can be accessed in the manuscripts reading room at The Library of Virginia. For more information please contact Archives Reference staff at (804) 692-3888 or by electronic mail at [log in to unmask] To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html