The first thing to do is to determine which branch of your family tree leads you by bloodline (not
through adopted children) to a Patriot Ancestor. That means that you don't need to know an entire
family tree, just a single line back.
Be brave! Even though this branch of your family tree may be seven to ten generations long and
you are not sure that you have a patriot ancestor, there are large databases of ancestral chains and
records showing links between generations (birth certificates, wills, etc.). Many genealogical
societies, Web sites, and lineage organizations provide assistance with family history searches.
The SAR has many volunteer helpers to guide prospective members in their development of a
lineage to a patriot ancestor. In many cases a quick scan of some of the resources on THIS SITE
or a linked site could reveal a likely ancestor, promising leads, or suggestions of good references in
libraries near to the prospect.
You will notice various links (on the above site) to some items that can help you get started with
your application or your research.
The SAR application requires listing your lineage and must be accompanied by copies of the
documents that support this lineage. This means finding documents linking parents to children
through seven to nine generations or more, so it may seem rather overwhelming. However, the
task can be simple if someone in your family has already done the research. If the information is
already on file with the SAR or DAR (from an earlier application) you need not submit it again, but
can simply refer to the earlier application.
Example #1 -- In the last century many SAR and DAR members have submitted documentation
for lineages from their Patriot Ancestors to themselves. If your great- aunt or your second cousin
(a person you may not know) is or was a member of the SAR, they have already submitted the
documentation to cover the generations from your Patriot Ancestor to your great-grandfather.
Your New Member Helper can look into the SAR and DAR records to see if we already have
information about some of your lineage.
Example #2 -- You know your lineage only back to your great grandfather, who lived in upstate
New York. Was he the descendant of a Patriot? Your New Member Helper may know where to
get county biographical histories that tell the ancestry of the citizens of that county. Or he may
know how to contact a contract researcher in upstate New York who can get the information you
need for a modest fee.
From these examples you can see how a New Member Helper can assist you. If you already have
all the information together and are ready to file your SAR application your Helper can assist you
through the process. One of the requirements for membership in the SAR is that you join a State
Society (or one of the International Societies if you reside outside the U.S.).
For more information about joining the Sons of the American Revolution in the Naples and Collier
County area contact NaplesSAR.org Webmaster Sam Cahill at samcahill@naplesSAR.org or by
telephone at (239) 597-6266. He can get you into contact with our Registrar Richard Hazen.
on this page came from
the National Society of
the Sons of the American
Revolution website at:
www.sar.org.
For a usable PDF of the
Application Worksheet go
to THIS LINK. Now you
will be ready to plan out
your Genealogy!!
