Lineage Society

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?”

Handout, From Local Militia to the Continental Line

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What’s a Final Pension Payment Voucher, and why does it matter for your lineage application?

The link between the patriot and their children is often one of the most challenging links to document in a lineage society application. Yet, the documentation needed to claim the balance of a Revolutionary War veteran’s pension after the passage of an 1832 law can help. Check out my presentation for VGA’s 6th Birthday toContinueContinue reading “What’s a Final Pension Payment Voucher, and why does it matter for your lineage application?”

Can I use AI to translate the vital records for my lineage society application?

Some lineage societies require that a translation be provided if a non-English language document is submitted as part of an application. Would it be okay to use AI to create that translation? I used a French language baptismal record as test. Human transcription and translation: B. 64 Z. Edouard CharestLe trente-un Juillet, mil huit centContinueContinue reading “Can I use AI to translate the vital records for my lineage society application?”