Joining the Sons of the American Revolution

Requirements for Regular Membership Any man shall be eligible for membership in this Society who, being a citizen of good repute in the community, is the lineal descendant of an ancestor who was at all times unfailing in loyalty to, and rendered active service in, the cause of American independence, either as an officer, soldier, seaman, marine, militiaman or Minuteman, in the armed forces of the Continental Congress, or of any one of the several Colonies or States; or as a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, or as a member of a Committee of Safety or Correspondence; or as a member of any Continental, Provincial, or Colonial Congress or Legislature; or as a recognized patriot who performed actual service by overt acts of resistance to the authority of Great Britain. The applicant must also be personally acceptable to the Society.  Family tradition in regard to the services of an ancestor will not be considered. David Jessel, Col. John Powledge, 1st Lt. Russell Powledge and President Tomme presenting membership certificates to father and son. No preliminary decision will be given on a line of descent, service or evidentiary value of proposed evidence. When examined with all available evidence, such preliminary decision might prove to be incorrect and the National Society cannot accept responsibility for such a decision. Junior or Youth Membership Junior membership is for males less than 18 years old. The admission requirements for Junior Membership are the same as those for Regular Membership except that a Junior Member must also become a member of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) Junior Members do not have voting privileges nor can they hold office in the SAR. Upon reaching 18 years of age, they automatically become Regular Members. Junior Members pay SAR dues, a portion of which is used by NSSAR to pay their National Society C.A.R. dues. Acceptable Revolutionary Service Signer of Declaration of Independence. Military or naval service. Battle of Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774. Service from April 19, 1775 to November 26, 1783, inclusive. Civil service under the Colonies from April 19, 1775 to November 26, 1783, inclusive. Patriotic service by men or women during the Revolutionary period, including - Member of committees made necessary by the war, such as Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety; Committee to care for soldiers' families; including Committees from six months before the Battle of Point Pleasant which furthered the cause of the Colonies. Any pledge to support the cause of the Colonies, such as signing the Oath of Fidelity and Support, the Oath of Allegiance, Articles of Association, or the Association Test. Members of all Continental Congresses. Furnishing a substitute for military service. Signers of Mecklenburg Declaration, 1775; Albemarle, Virginia, Declaration; and similar declarations. Signers of petitions addressed to and recognizing the authority of the provisional and new state governments. Persons accepting obligations or acting under direction of the provisional and new state governments, such as persons directed to hold elections, to oversee road construction, to collect provisions, etc. Members of Boston Tea Party; Kaskaskia Campaign; Galves Expedition; Cherokee Expedition; Edenton Tea Party. Physician, surgeon, nurse, or others rendering aid to the wounded, and ministers known to be in sympathy with the Colonies, either by sermon, speech, or action. Defenders of forts and frontiers; rangers. Prisoners of war, including those on the British ship, "Old Jersey," and other prison ships. Rendering material aid, such as furnishing supplies with or without remuneration; lending money to the Colonies, munitions makers, and gunsmiths; or anything which furthered the Cause. Don't give up the search even if you aren't sure whether any of your ancestors lived in the United States during the Revolution.  Many people who never set foot in the United States supported the American colonists' struggle against British domination -- for example, the King of Spain.  Many Patriots (or their descendants) moved to foreign lands and subsequent descendants returned to America unaware of their ancestors having lived here earlier.  Many French, German, and Spanish soldiers and sailors fought in support of American Independence and returned home without making their descendants aware of their participation in gaining American Independence.  Remember to consider all possibilities.  Your search is a fun way to learn more about your family tree.