If you’ve taken an Ancestry DNA test, you may be wondering if you can use the results in a lineage society application. The short answer: maybe.
The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution both permit the use of autosomal DNA testing as support for an application.
But there are restrictions.
- There must not be “paper” supporting documentation for the relationship.
- It can only be used for certain generations. The Sons of the American Revolution only permits autosomal DNA to be used to establish the relationship between the applicant and his parents; the Daughters of the American Revolution only permits autosomal DNA to be used to establish the relationship between the applicant and her parents or the applicant’s parent and grandparent.
- Any matches must give consent and in the case of DAR, be willing to submit their DNA to DAR’s group.
- Any matches must be willing to provide documentation of their relationship to the parent/grandparent.
This policy is primarily designed to help support adoptees. As it’s somewhat challenging to use, if you have alternate options – such as an original birth certificate – it’s best to use those instead.