Category Archives: Lineage Society

What’s the militia, and why does it matter?

In discussing lineage society applications, we often talk about militia service. The institution such a part of the colonial period no longer exists today. But what was it, and why does it matter? In the British colonies, the militia was the standing defensive force for a community. Service was required of men of a certainContinueContinue reading “What’s the militia, and why does it matter?”

Resources for the Research of New York Loyalists

In Unfriendly to Liberty: Loyalists Networks and the Coming of the American Revolution in New York City, Christopher Minty argues that commerce was at the center of the political divide in pre-Revolutionary New York City. The city, he suggests, was both the center of commerce for the American colonies and highly dependent on supplying BritishContinueContinue reading “Resources for the Research of New York Loyalists”

Why is my lineage society telling me I can’t use the ancestor I want?

It can be really frustrating when a lineage society tells you that your chosen ancestor can’t be used. It’s important to remember it’s not a statement on you or your ancestor! Typically there are three reasons why they’re not accepting the ancestor: The ancestor’s service doesn’t meet their qualifying ancestor guidelines: Lineage societies require ancestorsContinueContinue reading “Why is my lineage society telling me I can’t use the ancestor I want?”

Are the SAR applications on Ancestry usable as proof?

Older Sons of the American Revolution applications are available on Ancestry as part of the “U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970” collection. It can be tempting to take these applications as evidence of an accurate lineage and even to try to use them as the basis of future SAR applications. After, they’veContinueContinue reading “Are the SAR applications on Ancestry usable as proof?”