Genealogy Resources

DAR staff genealogists can only go by the information that is provided on any documents submitted with your application. So you’ll want to be thorough with your search. You are responsible for obtaining the documents needed for your application; however, the chapter registrar can assist you with locating exactly what is needed. In the event that additional help is needed, the registrar can tap into DAR’s very large volunteer network for assistance. You are not by any means alone in this process. The following are more ways to help you gather evidence in finding and proving your family’s American Revolutionary War Patriot.

DAR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH SYSTEM

In order to help you in your general genealogy research, and to assist with the DAR membership process, please explore our DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS). The GRS is a free resource provided by the NSDAR that includes a collection of databases that provides access to the many materials obtained by the DAR since its founding in 1890.

SPECIAL LINEAGE WEBSITE FOR PROSPECTIVE DAR MEMBERS

Debbie Duay has created a wonderful online resource for prospective DAR members. Here you can download the Pedigree DAR Worksheet and the Five Generation Chart to help get started. You can read more about Debbie HERE.  

FREE GENEALOGY WEBSITES

Use free genealogy websites such as familysearch.org or Ancestry.com (free at many public librarys) to search for family records. Thousands of vital records are being added every day, with sources cited that are acceptable to the DAR. You can search by names and by location of where your family lived. Many original documents are now available to download for free, but sometimes going through non-indexed original documents may be necessary.

US CENSUS RECORDS

Use census records from 1850 to 1940 to find your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so forth. These can be searched online through FamilySearch.org (free), Ancestry.com, which is available for free at many public library, at the California Genealogical Society library in Oakland, at Sutro Library (located at 1630 Holloway Avenue on the San Francisco State University campus), and at any LDS Family History Library. The 1880 Census is unique because it tells where each person's parents were born. The 1900 Census gives birth month, year and number of years married. Go back as far as you can on lines that seem promising to research — in other words, persons seen to be living in America in 1850 and who included their states of birth. Every generation doubles itself for the lines you can research. You have four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, and so on, so there are many opportunities to find Patriots.

Documenting Proof of Acceptable Service During the Amercian Revolutionary War

Proof of correct acceptable service must be provided with your application. Decisions regarding service are based on the last known act performed by an individual within the Revolutionary War time frame. These services are categorized as military service, patriotic service, civil service and as Signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Our Patriots are proof of the unfailing loyalty to the cause of American independence. You can get started documenting your genealogy and discover more about accepted proof of service by visiting the national NSDAR website or contact us to connect with the chapter registrar for assistance.