Gainsforth in New York/New Jersey

[nbrome]

Here I am again.
The Gainsforth obituary I finally found, helped by people on here, gave me this:

Thomas Gainsforth born June 1st 1832 Ireland.
Arrived New York 1842 and settled there and in New Jersey until 1856 when he went to Wisconsin.

I have him in Wisconsin and from there till his death in Nebraska in 1920. It's that new info which I thought was going to  be easy, but it's not.
I've been through ships' lists, NY and NJ 1850 censuses, and what I can get of NY naturalisation records but to no avail.
If 1842 is right he may have been with his parents (Richard and Sarah??) or with another relative.
I'd be grateful for any help. The name is difficult (different on every census I have!) but on the other hand it's not common!

[Cheryl_US]

Hi!

It looks like he received a pension.  The pension file might be useful.  Unfortunately, it isn't cheap!

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/pre-ww-1-records.html

http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=8904


Cheryl

[nbrome]

Thanks, Cheryl.
He served in the 44th Wisconsin Regiment Infantry. I don't know if this comes under them or State Militias, which are held by the state. Anyone know?

[Cheryl_US]

Hi, 

He appears in the Civil War Pension Index, which is an index of pension files housed at the National Archives in DC.  In the index there would be a file #, but I can't view the number without an Ancestry membership.  That number should be included when ordering the file. 

His service record can be ordered on a state level, but if you are ordering the pension file his proof of service should be included in there. 

Just some additional info:
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/roster/results.asp?image_id=2742

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/genealogy/ogrs/recordType.asp?recordType=Civil+War

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=14666&term_type_id=3&term_type_text=Things&letter=C

Cheryl