Lineage societies have a vocabulary of their own. If you’re in the process of applying, knowing what the terms mean can make your life much easier! Here are a few common terms: Lineage Society: Also called a hereditary society, this is an organization that decides membership based on the actions of an applicant’s ancestor. QualifyingContinue reading “What does this word being used by my lineage society mean?”
Tag Archives: applications
My ancestor supposedly loaned money to the Continental government. How do I find evidence?
An ancestor who loaned money to the Continental government during the American Revolution would be considered to have “patriotic service” by the Sons of the American Revolution or the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Daughters of the American Revolution has begun digitizing records of the loans made from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.Continue reading “My ancestor supposedly loaned money to the Continental government. How do I find evidence?”
Do I need to have documents translated for my lineage society application?
As you’re preparing a lineage society application, you may discover some of your ancestor’s records are written in a non-English language. Because of the settlement patterns of the United States in the 18th and 19th century, French, German, and Spanish commonly appear in records. That usually raises a question: do I need to have theseContinue reading “Do I need to have documents translated for my lineage society application?”
Family Bibles: a valuable source for a lineage society application
Many families become extremely difficult to trace in the early 1800s. Migration routes were opening across the United States. New European settlements may have kept land records, but they often didn’t have the resources to keep civil registration or easily store church records. Many of the records we would typically use to document birth, death,Continue reading “Family Bibles: a valuable source for a lineage society application”
Can the same person be a qualifying ancestor for multiple societies?
Don’t worry, you’re not the first one to wonder! Your grandmother or sibling has joined one society, and you’d like to join another – using their paperwork. Is it possible? Maybe. First of all, review the qualifying ancestor guidelines for the society you’d like to join and the society your family member joined. Is thereContinue reading “Can the same person be a qualifying ancestor for multiple societies?”
How do I start my application to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants?
The General Society of Mayflower Descendants (“Mayflower Society”) is made up of 54 member societies. To start your application, you need to begin by choosing the society to which you would like to apply. Some applicants choose a society based on emotional ties to an area. They may have grown up there, or it mayContinue reading “How do I start my application to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants?”
How reliable are lineage society application databases?
From the GRS system of the Daughters of the American Revolution to the recent collaboration of FamilySearch, American Ancestors, and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, many of the American lineage societies are placing the details of older applications online. In some cases, it is just a transcription or image of the application; others includeContinue reading “How reliable are lineage society application databases?”
4 Common Lineage Society Application Mistakes – and how to avoid them
It doesn’t matter whether you’re joining the Dames or the Mayflower Society, lineage society application mistakes happen. But when they do, they can derail the process and leave you frustrated and struggling to finish your paperwork. Know the common errors going and learn how to avoid them. Know from the beginning this is NOT aContinue reading “4 Common Lineage Society Application Mistakes – and how to avoid them”
Common DAR + SAR questions: Will the Daughters of the American Revolution help with my application?
The simple answer is yes, the Daughters of the American Revolution will help with your application – but you may have to ask for it. The DAR has a couple of different systems for offering help, and each chapter participates differently. On the chapter level, your chapter registrar may do research, or the chapter mayContinue reading “Common DAR + SAR questions: Will the Daughters of the American Revolution help with my application?”
My lineage society says I need a birth, marriage or death certificate. What do I do now?
Whether you hope to join the Daughters of the American Revolution or the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, you’ve probably been asked to provide some birth, marriage or death records or certificates. You don’t have them in the house. How do you proceed? Here are a few hints to get you started: You need toContinue reading “My lineage society says I need a birth, marriage or death certificate. What do I do now?”
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