Do you believe that you may have an American Revolutionary War ancestor? Or perhaps you already know you that you do and would like to connect with others who also have Revolutionary Era roots?
If so, you may qualify to become part of one of the most respected membership organizations in the US, The Daughters of the American Revolution.
Started in 1890 as a way for women to showcase their patriotism and serve their country, this lineage-based organization now has nearly 200,000 members who take part in a wide variety of important projects. Members come from many backgrounds, a testament to the rich diversity of our country and its history.
DAR members have access to many special opportunities, but perhaps the most intriguing is the chance to connect their family trees with the detailed, proven lineages that comprise such an important part of America’s past. And DAR has made it easy to begin finding such a connection with two free online databases for genealogical research.
If you have already done some research and believe one or more of your ancestors may have served in the Revolutionary War, you can do a search now to see if they, or their descendants, appear in one of these databases.
DAR Ancestors Database – a simple free search for Revolutionary Era ancestors
DAR Descendants Database — free search for known descendants of those who served in the Revolutionary War, over 7 million names
Here’s What a Search Result in the DAR Ancestor Database Looks Like
If you have not yet traced your roots back to the Revolutionary period, try searching the descendants database first to find a connection to someone in your tree that you suspect may have a Revolutionary lineage.
Or spend some time building your tree on lines you suspect may be a good match first, and then go back and search on DAR. Find free research resources here.
These two databases are also wonderful tools for anyone researching ancestors during the Revolutionary period in the US, even if you don’t intend to apply for membership. In fact, DAR offers many interesting resources for family historians that anyone with early American roots will not want to miss. Find their complete genealogy section here.
Of course, simply finding an ancestor in one of these databases does not secure you a spot in the organization. Membership requires a documented and approved direct lineage. See DAR’s how-to on applying for membership here.
Note: DAR is a women’s organization. Men with Revolutionary War ancestors can take a look at SAR, Sons of the American Revolution, which also has free research databases.
We’d love to hear if you are currently applying for membership or are a member of DAR. Tell us about it in the comments.
By Melanie Mayo, Editor of Family History Daily
Image: D.A.R. of Virginia pay tribute to Unknown Soldier of Revolutionary War. 1929. Library of Congress
I want to register but I don’t get out much. So I probably won’t be able to attend events etc. maybe later that might change. For now, I’ve done my DNA, I know who my ancestors were, I know the one who was in the AR but do I have to order and pay for all those records etc? I’m on a fixed income and can’t afford to. So if I just fill out the application with my lineage and give a screen copy of your search where it shows he was in the AR… is that enough to qualify? I’m a little confused, apologies I’m almost 71.
There must be a direct ancestor of the prospective member, either male or female, who provided military or material support for the cause of American freedom during the years of the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783.
This link will give you an opportunity to explore names you may know: http://www.dar.org/national-society/genealogy Look at the Genealogical Research (GRS) heading to enter surnames of possible ancestors and descendants of those ancestors. You may very well find a familiar name!
Please, follow up on your interest! DAR is a fun and rewarding organization whose Mission is Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism. Members of local chapters enjoy speakers who present programs about history, women’s issues, education, conservation, patriotic information, etc. Among many activities, we volunteer in our communities, celebrate our national patriotic holidays, as well as take opportunity to pursue genealogical interests.
Enter your zipcode or your city & state on this chapter locator page to see what chapters are close to you. http://www.dar.org/national-society/become-member/chapter-locations If there are chapters nearby, you should see little white shields with blue stars on the map. Click on each to see the chapter name, website, & a link to provide information to show your interest in membership.
I am extremely interested in applying for this, but have hit a brick wall in my research. Also, when first discussing this with someone from the DAR, I was directed to a state society that is over 350 miles away. How do I find a chapter that is closer, and the assistance necessary to becoming a member of the DAR?
Thank you!
I don’t think so. It has to be a direct ancestor of yours.
I have a very simple question, I should have asked my Mother-in-law when she was still living. Can I join based on my Husband’s family?
I am a daughter and really enjoy this organization. My grandmother was a daughter too. Have old roots back to first families of Virginia and Jamestown. Wish I had joined sooner.
Yes I have researched on my own and at this point I have 6 – 5th and 6th generation grandfathers who were Revolutionary War Veterans.
I have been a member of NSDAR since 2007 through patriot Martin Roberts of VA. My daughters are members also: one through Patriot Thomas Hutchins; one through William Depriest and one through James Mead of Vermont. I treasure the friends I have made from all over the country and the service work that we do.
We are proud to say that Rosemary’s paperwork was completed with help from our Lineage Research team. She is now a member of the Zebulon Pike Chapter in Colorado Springs, CO. You do not have to do your application alone. There are resources and helpers in each chapter to assist you with the process.
Today’s DAR is not just for older women. We are a very active, non-political, service organization. We are actively looking for women 18-35 to be involved in our communities and schools to preserve history, educate children, and promote patriotism. Don’t wait until you are older, then regret the time you could have been making a difference in your community, with our military, and helping to educate children. I only joined 9 years ago, and wish I had joined when I was much younger.
I am eligible a few times, using Jabez Beckwith, Benjamin Barrett, and several other lines (Stone, etc.)
At the moment I see no reason to peruse membership. Perhaps when I am older ❤️
When I informed my mother and grandmother of our eligibility they were over the moon.
My line goes back to Thomas Jefferson. And further to Pocahontas!
Yes, I am a daughter! Have all the paperwork to prove it. Even met with people! Grandma was a member too. But turned out too expensive to join at the time.
My line goes back to William Stone born 1720 in Scotland moved to Virginia with his wife Victoria and fought on Kings mtn
Is the registrar of a local chapter working with you? If not, you can find out who to contact through the National Society of DAR. They can be very helpful. Mine did most of the work for my first patriot. I’m still working on the second one and have hit a brickwall. My registrar has been faithfully working with me, but neither of us can get just one piece of documentation that I need.
I am now in the process of applying for membership in the local chapter of DAR. However, the amount of documentation has me stalled at present. My line goes back to William Tomlinson of Virginia– born in 1730. Any help would be appreciated.
I have been a member of DAR since 1996 when I joined on the line through David Kingman, Massachusetts. My mother had been a member since the mid 1970s and I was able to link to her membership. Since then I have expanded her research to update the files and also extend it to several other Revolutionary War ancestors.
I am a member of DAR through Moses Bedunah, the first time he was used. I am preparing a supplemental for William Hovey who is already established. My daughter, 2 granddaughters, and the granddaughter of a cousin have followed me in through Moses Bedunah.
Marshal Catlin
My grandmother was Gertude Catlin, her father was Marshaling Catlin. I believe his ancestor landed in 1640