DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and SAR (Sons of the American Revolution)

United States U.S. Military  Revolutionary War  Societies  DAR and SAR

See also Revolutionary War Veterans' and Lineage Society Records.

Background
The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is an organization of women who can prove direct lineal descent from a patriot who served or aided in the American Revolution. The organization was founded in 1890 for the purpose of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism.

Search the current DAR database
Use the Ancestor Search to find previously verified DAR membership and supplemental applications for an ancestor. Click on the "See Ancestor Record" and then click "Purchase" for the application you want to buy. The information can then be downloaded by using the Record Copy tab.

Search the classic DAR collections at the Family History Library
Search the DAR Patriot Index and the Rolls of Honor (Ancestor Index) and Lineage Books at the Family History Library. These collections include information from charter members from 1890 to 1939. The data was compiled from original DAR membership applications, documentation, and published sources.


 * FHL book 973 C42da 2003, DAR Patriot Index, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 3 vols. Washington, D.C.: N.S.D.A.R., 2003. These books are found in the U.S. and Canada reference areas on the second and third floors, and in the book collection on the third floor. They list birth, death, spouse, rank, type of service, and state of residence or service. The existence of pension papers may also be noted. Some patriots aided the war effort as civilians. Their service is classified as Patriotic Service (PS) or Civil Service (CS). Military service includes the highest proven rank attained.


 * FHL book 973 D2d Index, Index of the Rolls of Honor (Ancestor’s Index) in the Lineage Books of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Daughters of the American Revolution. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing, 1977.This set of four books is found in the United States and Canada reference areas on the second and third floors and is bound in two volumes. Each patriot is listed by name with references to the Lineage Books by volume and page. Search for your ancestor in each of the four indexes. Record the volume and page number of all possible references on your research log. Also available on Family History Library microfiche number 6051293 [set of 20 fiche].
 * FHL book 973 D2d, Lineage Book, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Washington, D.C.: Daughters of the American Revolution, 1891–1939, 2003. The 160 volume set of Lineage Books lists early DAR members, application numbers and abstracts of their relationship to a patriot. These books are found in the book stacks on the third floor of the Family History Library. Many of these volumes are available digitally here. Add a volume number to find a specific volume. These volumes are also available on Family History Library microfilm numbers 432609–432613; Family History Library microfiche 6051226 [set of 793] and at www.ancestry.com.

Search for references to your ancestor by volume and page in the Lineage Books, recording all information found, including the name of the applicant and their membership number. Use caution when searching these volumes. Lineages were not verified until recent years and may contain some misleading information.

Use the Ancestor Search to find your ancestor with the information found in the Patriot Index or Lineage volumes. Click on the green purchase button to order photocopies of the Membership Application. You can also order them through the mail at: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution 1776 D St., NW Washington, DC 20006-5303, telephone: 202-628-1776.

Applications contain information used to prove eligibility, linking each generation from the applicant to the patriot.

SAR (Sons of the American Revolution)
The National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is an organization of men who can prove direct lineal descent from patriots who wintered at Valley Forge, signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the American Revolution, served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise supported the cause of American Independence.

Search the current SAR database
Search the SAR's Patriot and Grave Index at www.sar.org, find your ancestor and then click on the blue star at the bottom left of the page. This link will take you to order forms where you can order previously verified SAR membership and supplemental applications using their Record Copy service. Ancestry.com has an index to U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 with digital copies of the applications available on their website.

Search the classic SAR collections at the Family History Library

 * If you are at the Family History Library, use the SAR Patriot Index on Family History Library Compact Disc no. 193, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Buffalo, N.Y.: Progeny Publishing, 2002, . Check out the CD at the third floor Access Services window. The CD contains records of over 610,000 patriots that are lineage-linked and include information on birth, marriage, death, spouse, and children. Use the computers on the FHL third floor designated for CD access, read the Quick Start instructions to access and print from the database, and summarize the results on your research log.
 * Search the Register Lineages of Associates, 1896-1993, with supplements to 2002, Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, 2002, Baltimore, Maryland: Gateway Press, 1994, . This seven volume set is available in the United States Reference Collection on the second floor of the Family History Library. Each book is individually indexed by surname with the first name and page number of the patriot. The book contains lineages used to establish membership in the The National Society, (SA R).
 * Search Membership Records and Applications. Search Membership Information and Application Forms for the Sons of the American Revolution, 1776–1996. Sons of the American Revolution. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1993–1996. This collection is on 1087 Family History Library microfilms beginning with number 541457. It includes 1) catalog of members to 1970; 2) index of ancestors to 1993; 3) membership applications filed by number; 4) and documentation relating to membership applications filed by name of patriot.

Use the Family History Library Catalog Film/Fiche Numbers Search and type in the first film number 541457. Search alphabetically for the film number that would include the SAR member’s name or ancestor’s name. Write the film number on your research log.


 * Search for the name of the SAR member, if known, or search for the name of the patriot.
 * View the applicable microfilm located on the second floor of the Family History Library
 * Record the national membership application number, name of applicant, the patriot’s rank and unit of service, and other information in your research log.
 * Return to the catalog listing of this collection and locate the microfilm filed by the application number. The applications include forms filed for SAR membership, lineal descent, patriot service, and documentation.
 * Return to the catalog listing of this collection and locate the microfilm matching the membership application documentation filed by the name of the patriot. Documentation may include copies of birth, marriage and death records, pension files, wills, histories, and letters.
 * Make copies of the documents and record the results on your research log.

Additional resources
Wiki article on the DAR Library

Search the Family History Library Catalog Place Search for the name of the state, and select the topic Societies to find other records for the DAR and SAR.

There are numerous other sources compiled and published by the DAR and SAR. Use the Family History Library Catalog Author Search and type in Daughters of the American Revolution or Sons of the American Revolution.

Search the FamilySearch Research Wiki at www.wiki.familysearch.org for information on the DAR and SAR and related topics.

See also Sons of the Revolution Library.