Sources of Service

What’s a privateer?

Although we generally focus on conflict on land, the American Revolution also occurred at sea. The British had a powerful Navy. The colonists – not so much. To help supplement their forces, they employed privateers. A privateer is a privately owned ship, given permission by their government to attack an enemy ship during wartime. TheContinueContinue reading “What’s a privateer?”

…”nothing is certain but death and taxes.”

Benjamin Franklin’s quote may date to after the Revolutionary War, but the payment of taxes is considered to be a source of qualifying service for both the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. But which taxes? The Sons of the American Revolution requires that the taxes “support the War.” The Daughters of the AmericanContinueContinue reading “…”nothing is certain but death and taxes.””

Profiles of Service: What role did my ancestor play in the American Revolution?

In addition to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Daughters of the American Revolution classifies three types of Revolutionary War “service”: military, civil, and patriotic. Clients often wonder how I know they’ve assigned the wrong service to their ancestor. There are actually profiles of the “typical” ancestor with each kind of service. IfContinueContinue reading “Profiles of Service: What role did my ancestor play in the American Revolution?”

My ancestor has been red lined because of the “Last Act” policy. How do I get their status updated?

The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution have a policy often referred to as the “Last Act” policy. In brief summary, that policy says that your ancestor’s ability to be considered “qualifying” for either DAR or SAR is based on their documented last act – and that to qualify,ContinueContinue reading “My ancestor has been red lined because of the “Last Act” policy. How do I get their status updated?”

Where else can I find sources of service in Connecticut records?

We’ve talked about military records, the Connecticut Archives, office holding, and more. Where else can you find sources of service? In one place many people think they’ve already checked… town meeting records. Town meeting records don’t just record who was elected to hold what office. They also can include who has donated money or purchasedContinueContinue reading “Where else can I find sources of service in Connecticut records?”