FAQ - Marquis de Lafayette Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution

Why would I want to join?
The Sons of the American Revolution is an organization for men who believe in Patriotism, the importance of Democracy, and respect for our American Heritage. We share a strong belief in these priorities and try to educate others about the sacrifices of our mutual forebears. We want to assure that our Nation will continue the practice of these attributes into the future.

Who’s eligible for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution?
Any male over 18 years of age who can trace his ancestry back to either a soldier or sailor of the Revolutionary War, or to an individual who was an active supporter of the Revolutionary War effort.

Yes, SAR has a “Junior Member” membership for young men under the age of 18 who become and maintain memberships in the National Society, Children of the American Revolution. SAR also has a “Youth Registrant” program which allows young men to become pre-approved for SAR membership and their full memberships can be activated at any time after their 18th birthday.

Where can I find out if I’m eligible to join?
If you believe that your ancestry may go back to a Revolutionary War Patriot, then start snooping around any old family records you may have. Begin with a simple ancestral chart, including names, dates of birth, dates of death, dates of marriage, and locations. When you run out of information, take a look in local public records. Check out Genealogy forums on CompuServe, AOL, and the World Wide Web. Ask at your local library for some help. Visit your local library’s genealogy department, or that of your local Historical Society. Contact the SAR for assistance. There are even professional Genealogists who will help you trace your ancestry.

Do I have to be descended through the male line from the soldier to the applicant?

Not so. The soldier may be your mother's mother's mother's father's mother's father, or any formula back and forth between male and female. Some of the patriots who served the cause were, in fact, women. Women played important roles in the Revolution as couriers, spies, and suppliers of essential material to the soldiers.

Does my Patriot have to have been a soldier in the Continental Army or State Militia?

Not everyone who served in the American Revolution were soldiers. Many were too old to take up arms, and served instead by joining Committees of Safety, held public office, supplied arms or food, served as nurses and doctors, a hundred different ways. Like today, our soldiers were supported by their families and communities. This support is formally recognized by NSSAR if it has been documented, or if you can prove this support.

Many members of the SAR have multiple ancestors who served the cause. The member joins under one ancestor (referred to as primary ancestor). He may then continue registering his other ancestors who served (supplemental applications).

What if all I know of my family history indicates my ancestor was a Loyalist?

Your first attempt at identifying an American Patriot ancestor may, in fact, produce a Loyalist. That, in itself, is interesting, but if your heart is set on finding an American patriot, keep looking. Let's say the Loyalist had a daughter who was your ancestor. Look to her husband or his father. Families were just as divided on political questions then as they are today. Don't give up, you can't lose. The more you search, the more you will discover about your family, American Patriot or Loyalist. Either way, you can't lose.

I am already a member of another Hereditary Society. Will this help me join SAR?
The SAR will accept approved applications from the DAR, CAR, Mayflower Society, Order of Cincinnati, Colonial Wars, Founders & Patriots, War of 1812, Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company, and Colonial Dames. Additional material may need to be supplied for final approval.

Do I have to buy a uniform?
No, there is no uniform that needs to be bought. Only the Color Guard members wear special uniforms.

How many members to you have?
Our chapter has over 70 members. There are over 26,000 SAR members in over 470 chapters in 50 state societies. The DAR, with similar requirements has about 130,000 members. Since organization, these two societies have probably processed more than 750,000 applications. No doubt, the number of qualifying ancestors is in the hundreds of thousands.

What kind of research errors can be made with military service and residence?
Example, you may have three (3) George Rodgers living in the same state, county, and even township for that approximate time period. You could have father, son, and grandfather with the same names, or father, son, uncle, and maybe a cousin with the same name. The ages could also be very close. This becomes confusing in research.
1. When you are checking books on military service and residence, they may not give you enough detailed information about the family to make sure you have the correct connection.
2. When you find more than one name, it is best to do a time line on each name to follow his residence and family history.
3. Always check more than one source for information on your ancestor's military service.

When copying information from a book, what all do I need to copy?
The following items are recommended:
1. Copy the title page.
2. Copy the beginning of the chapter, also the complete paragraph. Do not copy just the sentence pertaining to your ancestor or the generation.