It's Now or Never - save 75% on pension register copies

Register of old age pension applicants

Until 15 Nov 2020 you have a once-only, never-to-be-repeated opportunity to save a massive 75% on the cost of digital images of entries in Old Age Pension registers 1908-1909. Most people listed in these registers were born in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany or Scandinavia. A few were born in other parts of the world, including Australia. All of them later lived (at least for a while) in Queensland.

These registers give information about people who received the pension, plus hundreds whose applications were rejected. Most rejections were on the basis of age, period of residence or annual income, but some of the other reasons provide a clue to the applicant's character. Although many applicants were under the required age, pensions were only granted to those aged at least 65 years (that is, born before about 1843-1844).

In 1908-1909, electoral enrolment was not compulsory in Queensland. Old age pension registers give the place of residence of many people who were not on electoral rolls. This includes some applicants who were not British subjects and not naturalised (and thus not eligible to vote) but who applied (though in vain) for a pension.

The vast majority of register entries give the claim date; surname; given name; country or Australian State of birth; alleged age; total number of years in Queensland; town or suburb of current residence; whether the application was approved or rejected; if approved, the amount of pension payable, date payment commenced and town where paid; if rejected, the reason for rejection; and sometimes other remarks such as 'sent to Dunwich Benevolent Asylum', 'intemperate', 'deserted his wife', etc. For many residents of Ravenswood and Townsville, a second register gives extra details (marital status, spouse's name, full address and exact birth date).

Names of over 9,200 pension applicants are on my Web site. There is also an explanation of the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908 and its implications for family history research, and advice about pension records and related sources before and after 1908-1909.

If you email your request (no later than 15 Nov 2020)... (snipped - this offer ended on 15th November 2020 AEST)

Step 1: Search the names (opens in a new window).

Step 2: Make a payment and email your request as explained above.

As I said, this is a one-time offer. I've started to wind down towards retirement, so my copying service (even at full price) will not be available forever.

You may also be interested in my indexes to other historical records.

(This post first appeared on https://qld-genealogy.blogspot.com/2020/11/its-now-or-never-save-75-on-pension.html.)