Bryna O’Sullivan

Lineage Society Application FAQs: Do I need to document both spouses?

This question is a point of confusion for many lineage society applicants. The qualifying “bloodline” runs through a single spouse. Do you really need to document both? The short answer: yes. This has actually changed within the last decade or so. Originally lineage societies were focused on just documenting the bloodline. Now, they’ve realized thatContinueContinue reading “Lineage Society Application FAQs: Do I need to document both spouses?”

My Lineage Society has suggested a genealogist or a genealogy firm. Do I actually need to engage them?

The short answer: no. That being said, take some time to try to make an informed choice about how best to proceed. Are you hesitating because you would prefer to do the application yourself (because of interest or finances)? Ask for instructions and be sure to take the time to read them. Lineage societies oftenContinueContinue reading “My Lineage Society has suggested a genealogist or a genealogy firm. Do I actually need to engage them?”

Invitation or Papers?

If you’re going to bring in a professional genealogist to assist with your lineage society application, when should you do so? Applicants will often start the application themselves and wait until they’re involved with the process to ask for help. At this point, they do have the advantage of having access to the society’s referralContinueContinue reading “Invitation or Papers?”

Documenting the American Revolution in Westchester County, New York

Located between British occupied New York City and patriot Connecticut, Westchester County, New York has sometimes been referred to as Revolutionary War “neutral ground.” Yet, neutral did not mean without conflict: as one author described, from 1777 to the end of the War, “[…], there was no systematic campaign in Westchester county, but continuous fighting.”ContinueContinue reading “Documenting the American Revolution in Westchester County, New York”

Why not just use the death certificates for the “first three” in a lineage society application?

Before we go any further, what do we mean by “first three”? “First three” or “first three generations” is a term used by many lineage societies discuss the generations of the applicant, the applicant’s”s parents, and the applicant’s grandparents in the same line as the ancestor. Application guidelines are typically more specific for these generations,ContinueContinue reading “Why not just use the death certificates for the “first three” in a lineage society application?”