Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

Prepared by Elisabeth Lindsay.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage society open to women eighteen years of age or older who can can prove a direct line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. However, membership is not based solely on military service, other types of "acceptable service" such as civil or patriotic service may also qualify. Applicants must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death. Prospective applicants must be invited to join through a local chapter.*

Membership is a four-step process.

1. Establish lineage.
2. Identify your patriot ancestor.
3. Find a chapter.
4. Complete the application process.

1. You will need to provide proof for each date and place, for each generation, starting with yourself and going back lineally to your Patriot.
2. In the first three generations, these proofs would consist of photocopies of birth, marriage, and death documents.
3. For other generations back to the Patriot, one or more of the following items would usually be considered acceptable proof: cemetery records, tombstone inscriptions, obituaries, probate records, wills, census records, Bible records, local histories, and well-documented genealogies.
4. Relationships between generations MUST be proven.
5. Data submitted as proof is subject to DAR standards and interpretation.

For further information concerning acceptable proof or for locating sources of proof, contact the Chapter Registrar or Chapter Lineage Research Chairman.

* According to the DAR website, you need not complete an application worksheet before attending a chapter meeting, nor even have identified your Patriot Ancestor. By attending a local chapter meeting, you will meet other members who have the experience to assist you in obtaining you goal of DAR membership.

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