Lineage Society Applications FAQs: Can I use my Daughters of the American Revolution paperwork to join the Colonial Dames?

This is one of the more frequent questions I see as a genealogist specializing in lineage society applications. And the answer? Maybe. Remember that there are three societies that use the nickname “Colonial Dames.” (To learn more, visit our blog post on the topic.) Ancestors qualifying for the DAR would be too young to beContinueContinue reading “Lineage Society Applications FAQs: Can I use my Daughters of the American Revolution paperwork to join the Colonial Dames?”

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?”

Five Tips for Making Your Lineage Society Application Easier

Whether you’re applying in the National Society Colonial Dames of America, the Daughters of the American Revolution, or another lineage society, the membership application process can easily start to feel a bit overwhelming. These tips can help you save time, money, and stress. Get to know the society. Just because you can join a societyContinueContinue reading “Five Tips for Making Your Lineage Society Application Easier”

Can this source be used for a lineage society application?

As a professional genealogist who helps with lineage society applications, I often spend time sorting through an applicant’s prior research to determine what sources can or cannot be submitted. Here is some guidance to get you started on that process for your own work: Birth, death, and marriage certificates: Yes! Societies tend to prefer theseContinueContinue reading “Can this source be used for a lineage society application?”

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?”