We’ve been in business since 2004, and in that time, Legacy Tree has had countless numbers of people contact us about joining various lineage societies, with the most popular choice being the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution (SAR/DAR).
While the documentation requirements for these societies differ slightly, the general steps for obtaining membership are the same. (For more information about the SAR and DAR, and additional details about each step listed below, see http://sar.org and http://dar.org.
1) Determine If You are Eligible to Join
This can seem like a daunting task! In order to join the SAR or DAR, you must be descended from a person who provided support to the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War. A common misconception is that the ancestor has to have actually been a soldier. This is not the case! Some examples of non-military service include farmers who provided food or supplies, men or women who donated money or goods to support the cause, nurses who provided care, and ministers who promoted patriotic acts. The difficulty is that not only do you need to prove your lineage back to that ancestor, which is usually 7-9 generations back, you also need to prove that they provided some kind of service. Also, the lineage has to be a direct blood-line, which means there can be no adoptions, no step-parents, no uncles, etc. However, you do NOT have to follow one surname all the way back. You can jump from paternal line to maternal line and back again as much as needed. What this means is that since most Patriot ancestors are 7-9 generations back, many people have anywhere from 64 to 128 ancestors who potentially provided some kind of service, which gives you a lot of options.
2) Find and Contact Your Local SAR or DAR Chapter
While both the SAR and the DAR are National lineage societies, neither allows you to join the National Society without first joining your local or State chapter. It is recommended that you contact your local chapter early-on in the process because they will assign someone to your case, provide guidance about what is needed for your application, and help you prepare your application for submission.
3) Collect and Organize Your Documentation
Once you’ve determined which line you will use for your application, you’ll need to collect all the required documentation to prove your lineage back to your Patriot ancestor. This is where the requirements for the SAR and DAR vary somewhat, and your local chapter representative will come in handy. They can tell you what kind of documentation they want to see for each generation on your application. While this step can also be a daunting task, it’s not always as bad as it sounds. Both the SAR and the DAR keep databases of lineages submitted by other members. If your Patriot has already had their service proven by someone else, you can purchase a copy of that application with its accompanying documentation and use it for your own application. It’s even better if the member who submitted the application shares common early generations with you, because then you’ll receive documentation for those generations as well, and you won’t need to collect as much documentation of your own.
4) Fill Out and Submit Your Application
Each lineage society has a specific application form that will need to be filled out, and each has spaces to include source citations for your documentation. It is fairly common to turn in your application and have it come back stating that you need additional documentation for certain generations. Don’t get discouraged! This can be a good thing, because it gives you an idea of how close you are to being accepted, and what kind of documentation they are still looking for. Applications are always submitted to the local chapter first, and they will take care of forwarding them to the State and National level. There are different fees associated with applying to each level (local, State, National), and these fees vary depending on the state you live in, so your chapter representative will help you determine how much you need to pay, and to whom. After that, the only thing left to do is wait! Applications can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months to be reviewed and accepted, but your chapter representative will contact you as soon as they hear back.
5) Celebrate!
Once you are accepted to either the SAR or the DAR, you can give yourself a huge pat on the back! Not only have you proven you are descended from a Patriot who helped make the United States the amazing place it is today, but you’ll have learned a lot of history and details about your family in the process, and that information is priceless.
How can Legacy Tree help you?
We can research your family tree to help you determine if you are eligible for membership, and then we can also help you obtain the documentation you’ll need to complete your application. While your chapter representative will provide you with guidance about what you need and help you fill out your application, they are generally not in a position to help you with the actual research. Since we have access to the largest collection of genealogical records in the world (at the Family History Library), and we also have professional genealogists on our team who have worked on lineage society applications for others, we can help you fill in holes in your family tree and find the documents you need.
If you need help evaluating evidence in your family history research, the team at Legacy Tree Genealogists is here to help! We’re experts at scouring every possible record source for clues to ensure our client’s genealogy is accurate and verifiable. Get started today by requesting your free quote.
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If my parent, now deceased , was a member is there a way for me to get a copy of information in her records?
Hi Sherron,
You can obtain a copy of a DAR application by searching by member, descendant, or ancestor on the DAR site (http://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/?Tab_ID=1). Copies of applications are $10 and are delivered electronically immediately. You should be able to find the application your parent used there.
Very useful
I have at my 5 great grandmother . Sharh Hawks was a member of sat . can you help me please.
Hi Debra – we’d love to help. Email details to [email protected] and we’ll go from there!
I had been a member of DAR for over 40 years when I decided to do Supplementals on all of my DAR soldiers and patriots. However, I am running into trouble with the DAR genealogists who are checking my applications. They don’t understand the documentation for one of the families I sent them.
Any suggestions for dealing with these genealogists?
It would be necessary to know what kind of proof you are talking about and what they are saying about it.
Hi Eleanor,
Have you worked with Legacy Tree Genealogists regarding the challenges you are encountering? We have researchers that specialize in societies and can most likely help. Please contact us by filling out the form on our Get in Touch page. We can point you in the right direction and give you a free estimate if research is needed.
I have been a genealogical researcher for over 50 years going personally to the places where my ancestors lived.
My problem is that I send complete and professionally done research to DAR. Here is one example of their answer to me.
I stated that there were two families. I stated that I came from the FIRST family. I stated the names of the issue and the two wives. This is what they said on an AIR Letter:
“How do you know that the RW ancestor didn’t die when your ancestor was a baby?”
Hi Eleanor, advice from a professional might be helpful, especially someone who specializes in working with societies. Because you’ve been a DIY researcher for many years, perhaps a 45-minute consultation would help. If you’d like to schedule a consultation, please contact us here: https://www.legacytree.com/genealogy-consultation
I am a daughter of the Sons and Daughters of The America Revolution. Fitch Senior High School nominated me in 1979. I would like to participate in some of the meetings.
Hi Jacquelyn. We suggest you contact your local chapter to see meetings are held.
Those are two separate organizations but what does a high school have to do with it?
Did they perhaps nominate you for the DAR Good Citizen Award? That’s not quite the same as being a member of the organization. For that you must prove that you are descended from someone who rendered military service or some type of patriotic or material aid.
Hi Nancy, good question. Yes, these are different organizations. From the DAR website: “The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. These students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.”
I know which six great grandfather was in the war. I know the genealogy line, but I’m having problems getting a hold of the documentation of birth certificates. I.have seen census papers I do not know how to get them. I would like to have copies for myself and my brothers and sisters. Would someone be able to advise me please.
Hi Calleen, it sounds like research strategies and advice from a professional genealogist might be helpful. We offer 45-minute consultations that will help you continue your research. Contact us here: https://www.legacytree.com/genealogy-consultation
I have a certificate of admission to SAR for my great grandfather dated 1954 district of Columbia society…. What would I need to become a member?
Hi Wendal! This is what the SAR website says about what you’ll need to become a member. Good luck!
My mother and I are both Daughters of the American Revolution. What are the steps for my uncle (my mother’s brother) to become a Son of the American Revolution? He’s 88 and I’d love to be able to present him with everything he needs to do to become one (if possible at our get-together on 9/16/23 to celebrate my mother’s 96th birthday).
Hi Diane! Thank you for your inquiry! If this article didn’t give you all the information you need for your uncle, try visiting the Sons of The American Revolution website. If you still need help, you could schedule a consultation with one of our professional genealogists. Thanks, Diane!