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Where Should You Start?
The first thing to do is to
determine which branch of your family tree leads you by bloodline (not
through adopted children) to a Patriot Ancestor. That means that you
don't need to know an entire family tree, just a single line back.
Be brave! Even though this branch of your family tree may be seven to ten
generations long and you are not sure that you have a patriot ancestor,
there are large databases of ancestral chains and records showing links
between generations (birth certificates, wills, etc.). Many genealogical
societies, Web sites, and lineage organizations provide assistance with
family history searches. The SAR has many volunteer helpers to guide
prospective members in their development of a lineage to a patriot
ancestor. In many cases a quick scan of some of the resources on this
site or a linked site could reveal a likely ancestor, promising leads, or
suggestions of good references in libraries near to the prospect.
The SAR application requires listing your lineage and must be accompanied
by copies of the documents that support this lineage. This means finding
documents linking parents to children through seven to nine generations or
more, so it may seem rather overwhelming. However, the task can be simple
if someone in your family has already done the research. If the
information is already on file with the SAR or DAR (from an earlier
application) you need not submit it again, but can simply refer to the
earlier application.
Example #1 -- In the last century many SAR and DAR members have submitted
documentation for lineages from their Patriot Ancestors to themselves. If
your great- aunt or your second cousin (a person you may not know) is or
was a member of the SAR, they have already submitted the documentation to
cover the generations from your Patriot Ancestor to your
great-grandfather. Your New Member Helper can look into the SAR and DAR
records to see if we already have information about some of your lineage.
Example #2 -- You know your
lineage only back to your great grandfather, who lived in upstate New
York. Was he the descendent of a Patriot? Your New Member Helper may
know where to get county biographical histories that tell the ancestry of
the citizens of that county. Or he may know how to contact a contract
researcher in upstate New York who can get the information you need for a
modest fee.
From these examples you can see how an New Member Helper can assist
you. If you already have all the information together and are ready to
file your SAR application your Helper can assist you through the
process. One of the requirements for membership in the SAR is that you
join a State Society (or one of the International Societies if you reside
outside the U.S.). With this in mind, please check out our New Member
Helper page and choose a helper in the state you are located.
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