Lineage Societies

I’m completing a Sons of the American Revolution Application. Do I turn in original copies of my documents?

Absolutely not! Whether the application is for the SAR, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, or another lineage society or heritage organization, DO NOT turn in original copies of your records. There are two reasons for this. First, they’re not required. Second, some societies now scan the documents and shred the packet. Not only willContinueContinue reading “I’m completing a Sons of the American Revolution Application. Do I turn in original copies of my documents?”

I’m working on a lineage society application. What’s the best way to organize my paperwork?

Are you part way through a Daughters of the American Revolution or Colonial Dames application and struggling to figure out how to handle a pile of paperwork? Here are a few hints that might help: You’ll need to know where everything came from. Don’t just print out the document from Ancestry and add it toContinueContinue reading “I’m working on a lineage society application. What’s the best way to organize my paperwork?”

I’m starting a lineage society application. What do I need to do first?

When you’re trying to gather dozens of records for a lineage society applications, it can be hard to know where to start. There are two steps that can save you time, effort, and stress: Verify that you can make all parent-child connections. Try to find documents tying the parents and children together, because if youContinueContinue reading “I’m starting a lineage society application. What do I need to do first?”

Do I need to have an identified ancestor before joining a society?

If you’ve been invited to be considered for lineage society membership, it can be tempting to jump in feet first – but that’s not always a good idea. You may want to take some time to learn your family history and/or identify likely lines before proceeding. Here’s why. Some societies, such as the Society ofContinueContinue reading “Do I need to have an identified ancestor before joining a society?”

How do you document Revolutionary War service for a Rhode Island ancestor?

If you’re in the process of completing an application for the Colonial Dames of America, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the American Revolution or one of the other lineage societies for whom an ancestor’s service in theContinueContinue reading “How do you document Revolutionary War service for a Rhode Island ancestor?”