sar – Page 5

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.””

Is it possible to honor an Indigenous ancestor through lineage society membership?

The short answer: yes! Historically, racism has limited the number of Indigenous ancestors documented by lineage societies. That is beginning to change. The Daughters of the American Revolution has made a concerted effort to document new patriots of all backgrounds. The society now offers a “Patriots of Color” database that provides resources to identify serviceContinueContinue reading “Is it possible to honor an Indigenous ancestor through lineage society membership?”

My ancestor served in the American Revolution. What lineage societies might my family be able to join?

Women’s Societies: Daughters of the American Revolution (https://www.dar.org/): From “Who We Are” – The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children.Open to women 18 and over. Members must beContinueContinue reading “My ancestor served in the American Revolution. What lineage societies might my family be able to join?”

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?”