~ Help with Applications Papers ~
FOR DOCUMENTING RECENT GENERATIONS
USE SUGGESTED SOURCES
BIRTH
Complete Birth Certificate
Delayed Birth Certificate
Doctor/Midwife Record
Church Record
HMO Record
Census — Federal, State
Birth Record
Newspaper Announcement
School Record
Baptismal Certificate
Social Security Application
Job Application- Federal, Local
MARRIAGE
Complete Marriage Record
Marriage Bond/Bann
Divorce
Church Marriage Certificate
Newspaper Announcement
Tombstone/Cemetery Record
DEATH
Complete Death Record
Cemetery/Tombstone Record
Commercial Cemetery Record
Funeral Home Record
Insurance Policy
Social Security Death Record
Church Record/Notice
Obituary
Mourning/Funeral Card
Professional Organizations
Fraternal Organization Records
CLASSIC SOURCES
Census- State, Federal
Land Records
Military and Pension Records
Tax Records
Genealogies (use with caution)
Probate Records
Bible and Family Records
Church Registers and Records
Encounters with the Law
County Histories (use with caution)
CONTEMPORARY SOURCES
Employment Record- Private Industry
Church Personnel
Mortgage or Loan Applications
Institutional (Military homes, prisons)
Telegrams
Passports and Visa Applications
Letters from Town Clerks and Town Historians
The National Society Of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
Application Papers
The following information was scanned directly
from the NSDAR booklet APPLICATION PAPERS - Instructions For their Preparation
(Revised Sept 1998). This booklet is free from the NSDAR, and has been placed
on this web page for the convenience of prospective members who are working on
their papers, and for members who wish to submit supplemental applications for
other Revolutionary War ancestors in their direct line.
Only those sections of the booklet pertaining to the accurate completion of the
application papers are represented herein. Sections not included are: Tools
which each Chapter must have, Record Copy, Eligibility Clause, Admission from
CAR to DAR, Short Form Application, Status Reports, and Lineage Research
Committee.
Instructions for Preparation of Papers
The National Society of the Daughters of the
America Revolution was founded October 11, 1890 for historic, educational and
patriotic purposes. Any woman is eligible for membership in the National
Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution who is not less than
eighteen years of age, and who is lineally descended from a man or woman who,
with unfailing loyalty to the cause of American independence, served as a
sailor, or a soldier or civil officer in one of the several Colonies or States,
or in the United Colonies or States as a recognized patriot, or rendered
material aid thereto; provided the applicant is personally acceptable to the
society. NSDAR Bylaws; ARTICLE 111. Sec. I THE OFFICE OF REGISTRAR
GENERAL examines all applications for membership, approves those meeting
eligibility requirements, and presents them to the National Board of Management
for election into membership. [Ed. Note: The Board meets 5 times a year
bi-monthly (except summer). Dates for 1999: Oct 9th and Dec 4th. Dates for
2000: Feb 5th, April 15-21st, June 10th, and Oct 7th. (Date not set for Dec) FH
Application papers must be prepared according to the directions and information
contained in this booklet. The Office of the Registrar General does not do
original research, NOR does this office 'prejudge' the acceptability of
lineage, service, or documentation.
The Chapter accepting a prospective member is responsible for assisting her in
completing her application papers with the required documentation according to
the procedure set forth in this booklet.
* Lineage *
References (Proofs) for Lineage * Ancestor Services * Supplemental Applications
*
Preparation of Application Papers
This is an expanded explanation of the STEP BY
STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING DAR APPLICATION PAPERS, which accompanies each
set of papers.
The application paper is the Society's permanent record of membership. It must
be typed or clearly printed fine black ink (not felt tip) on official DAR
application blanks. *Two copies of the application are to be prepared. (*NOTE:
Effective June 2000 only ONE ORIGINAL application paper is sent to National
Headquarters DAR. The Chapter for their records retains a photocopy until a
verified "Record Copy" of the original is returned to them from
National.) Both original and photocopy are signed by the Chapter Regent, and
Chapter Registrar. The applicant's two sponsors must be active members of that
chapter and personally know the applicant. The applicant's signature is
attested by the Chapter Regent and Registrar.
Either type two original official DAR
application blanks and obtain all signatures on both, or prepare one original
paper with all signatures then photocopy to provide the second copy. All
original application papers shall be typed with black ribbon or clearly printed
with black ink, including signatures.
Application Blank Forms may be computer
generated using the approved disk (available in IBM or MAC versions) and
acid-free, rag content paper as specified by NSDAR. Care must be taken to
ensure that computer generated papers have the same spacing and printed
appearance as the standard blank forms used by NSDAR.
The APPLICATlON consists of four pages. Page One is the official record of DAR
membership.
Page one
1. STATE - state in which chapter is located; omit for member-a-large
2. CITY -city or town in which chapter is located. NAME OF CHAPTER - full
name for member-at-large state 'member-at-large'.
3. COMPUTER CODE NUMBER - assigned by the National Society; found on
computer printout from Treasurer General.
4. DAR NATIONAL NUMBER - leave blank; to be assigned by Office of
Registrar General following meeting of National Board of Management at which
member is accepted. A national number once granted to a member is always
reserved for that member, even if her chapter affiliation changes.
5. NAME - Cross out Miss or Mrs., whichever is inappropriate; use full
name, not initials (first, middle, maiden, last). This name and applicant's
signature (page 4) shall be identical.
6. WIFE/WIDOW/DIVORCED - Check appropriate square. Give full name of
husband, not initials. Documentation regarding previous marriages should be
submitted for NSDAR record.
7.RESIDENCE - Give Post Office box number and street address if you have
both. Print or type name exactly as you wish it to appear on DAR Certificate
(on page one of the application papers, page four of older papers.) This name
need not agree with name above and with notarized signature.
8. REVOLUTIONARY ANCESTOR - Name in full, if known, not initials. Do not
add titles, rank or state of service.
9. SIGNATURES - Regent and Registrar must be current officers Sign first
name, middle or maiden name, surname.
10. DATE - Registrar affixes date and signs when paper is complete.
11. ENDORSED BY - (at bottom of page). Fill in DAR national number. Endorsers
sign given names, middle or maiden names and surnames, their residence (city or
town and state) and Chapter name in full (must be same as above). Endorsers
should be members in good standing of this chapter to whom applicant is
personally known and they recommend to be acceptable and of good moral
character. This determination is the chapter's responsibility.
Page two
Lineage
Full name of applicant, first, middle, maiden, last, (no initials.)
Born on - day, month, year (i.e.: 14 Jan 1940) at City/Town/Twp./ County,
State.
Married on day, month, year at (Place of marriage).
To (Full name of husband, if married).
Born on (date as above) at Place of birth.) If the applicant has been married
more than once, she is encouraged to send proof of any marriages not listed on
the lineage paper.
I am the daughter of (Name of natural father, not adoptive) (male name on first
line).
Born on -date of father's birth at City/Town/Twp. County, State.
Died at - City/Town/Twp./County, State on date of death and his (if first wife,
underline first; or fill in number as 2, 3).
His wife (Name of applicant's natural mother using her maiden name - i.e.: Mary
Ann Smith, or if a widow, Mrs. Mary Ann (Smith) Jones).
Born on - date (format as mentioned above) at (Place of birth)
City/Town/Twp./County, State.
Died at City/Town/Twp./County, State on (Date of death), married (date and
place).
This procedure shall be followed for each succeeding generation, including that
of the Revolutionary Ancestor.
Applicant's birth date shall be supported by birth certificate or other
documentation naming both parents and child's full date of birth.
Proof submitted must clearly tie each generation to the preceding one.
Acceptable proof includes birth and death certificates, wills, probate records,
Bible records, church records, and court records.
In each generation, give the names of the natural parents as part of the lineal
descent of the applicant. The term Jr. and Sr. are NOT to be used on page two:
the Society reserves these terms to distinguish between father and son of the
same name when both were of an age to have provided service during the
Revolution. Omit tides such as Dr., Rev., etc.
An applicant shall give complete dates and places for the first three
generations. In rare cases when such proof cannot be obtained, a notarized
statement must accompany the paper showing steps taken to acquire the data, and
reason it was not obtainable.
The remaining generations MUST be as complete as possible and proof submitted
for each date and place given. When dates of places of birth, marriage or death
are unknown, leave the space provided blank. No application can be accepted with
a large amount of data lacking for these generations. Exceptions may be made
when it can conclusively be proved that the lineage is correct. An application
cannot be accepted without documentation for at least one place and date (or
age) per person in each generation.
Dates and places of birth and death must be given for the Revolutionary War
ancestor. When exact dates cannot be given, approximate dates, such as those
based upon the date of marriage, the dates of wins, deeds, etc. shall be
furnished. In all cases, it must be shown that the ancestor was living in the
place where the service is claimed, and was of sufficient age to have performed
the service claimed for him.
The Revolutionary ancestor is always the last generation in the line of
descent. On some older papers it was also required as a separate entry. If
known, please give the place of burial of Revolutionary ancestor, name of
cemetery, town, or township, county and state.
Page Three
References for Lineage
One copy of each piece of evidence used to prove birth, marriage, and death in
each generation must be submitted. Beginning with applicant, list all proof of
generations. First Generation (applicant), birth certificate showing her
complete name, date and place of birth and name of both parents. This is also
proof of connection between the first generation and the second generation
(parents of applicant).
Do not mark proof with highlighter.
Underline proof with red pencil only. Do not send original proof. Send clear
readable copy of proof that can be photocopied on to fiche. Documentation
becomes the property of DAR and is not returned to the applicant or chapter.
After listing all proof by generations to Revolutionary ancestor, write on
reverse-side of each piece being submitted: last name of applicant, name of
Revolutionary ancestor, name of DAR Chapter, date submitted, and number of
generations for which it is proof. Attach all tombstone pictures to 8-1/2 x 11
paper and identify name and location of cemetery. If reference is made to a book
not in the NSDAR Library, please furnish a photocopy including title, author,
and date of publication, edition and copies of all necessary pages. For
unpublished material, such as deeds, probate records, etc., submit a photocopy
or a notarized copy of the original and note the source such as county, state
and book with page number.
On page three of the application paper, in space allotted list proof for each
generation, including documentation to prove the relationship between
generations. Do NOT glue or staple a separate sheet onto the application.
Proof is required for ALL dates, places and relationship given in the lineage
if not previously furnished. Example: applicant's mother or grandmother may
have been DAR member who was not required to furnish proof of birth or
marriage, applicant does need to submit that data. If a previous application
paper is used for reference, check a copy of that paper to be sure all required
documentation is furnished. Be sure that the parentage of each person in the
direct line is documented. Examples of acceptable proof are birth, death,
marriage records, Bible records with title page and date of publication, wills,
deeds, diaries, old letters, etc. Provide enough evidence to prove beyond
question that the name, date, and place of service belong to the correct
person.
If you cannot obtain a date or place of birth or death in generations earlier
than great grandparents, leave the space blank. You must furnish sufficient
evidence (date and place) to prove that the persons listed were living and of
an age to be the parents of the child through whom the applicant descends.
To identify a Revolutionary Ancestor with place of residence, data concerning
his/her parents may be needed. This proof should be submitted on a separate
sheet, clearly marked. DO NOT add this name to the lineage.
List DAR national number, if known, from paper used as 'proof' with
relationship to applicant, being sure that the paper is for the same ancestor
and lineage.
Lineage papers from other organizations, family group sheets and charts are NOT
acceptable as proof.
Internet—undocumented lineages, accessible via the Internet, are NOT acceptable
by DAR.
References to documented sources, with copies, verifying the information, must
accompany applications for membership and/or supplemental applications.
Spouse of Revolutionary
War Ancestor
Name the spouse(s) of the Revolutionary War Ancestor with date and place of
marriage. If additional space is required, list on separate paper, clearly
identified.
Children of Revolutionary
War Ancestor
Name all children with dates of birth and name of spouse(s). If the ancestor's
children are from more than one marriage, please indicate above the child, 1st
marriage, 2nd marriage, etc.
It is not necessary to prove children of ancestor other than the one through
whom the applicant descends. Prospective members should be aware that other
children listed by previous applicant might not have been proved. Documentation
is required to prove descent when the lineage has not already been accepted. IF
YOU HAVE PROOF FOR THIS INFORMATION, PLEASE INCLUDE.
Note: Should you have in your possession a Will, a Bible, or other definite
proof of children of the Revolutionary ancestor, we would appreciate a
photocopy for our records.
Page Four
Ancestor's Service
There are numerous versions of application papers in use The ancestor’s data
may be located at the top of page two, on page four, or as the last generation
of the lineage.
On page four give the place of residence (town and/or county and state) of the
ancestor during the Revolutionary War, his highest rank (Revolutionary War
only) and list his service(s). For references in published military records,
give title, author, volume, and page. Where reference is to an unpublished or
record not available in NSDAR Library, the applicant should file a photocopy or
attested copy of the official record. The applicant is requested to give name
of cemetery, city/town, county, state, where ancestor is buried if known.
Please include the source of the information. The place of residence during the
Revolution must be given as fully as possible. If there is more than one man of
the same name, it must be CONCLUSIVELY proved that the service belongs to the
ancestor claimed. When the service can be clearly identified with the ancestor
in some other way, such as pension and bounty land applications, the exact
residence may not be required.
It must be demonstrated that the ancestor, with unfading loyalty to the cause
of American independence, served as a sailor, soldier or civil officer in one
of the Colonies or States, as a recognized Patriot, or rendered material aid.
Acceptable Services
The National Society reserves the right to determine the acceptability of all service and Proof thereof.
Signers
of the Declaration of independence.
Military Service in the Revolution begins, with few
exceptions, on 19 April 1775 (the Battle of Lexington) and ends on 26 November
1783 when the British troops withdrew from New York. DAR recognizes
participation in the:
1. Army and Navy of the Continental Establishment
2. State Brigades and local militia
3. State Navies and Coast Guard
4. Day of Battle of Point Pleasant 10 Oct. 1774
Civil Service in the new American States occurred only when
(1) the Royal Governor was removed from power and (2) a form of statewide
government was established. In those states which were occupied by British
troops, civil service might not occur during the period of British occupation.
Civil service ended when the state lost control of its government (until it was
reestablished) or on 26 November 1785 when the last of the British troops left
the United States soil. DAR recognizes those persons who served as:
1. State Officials
2. County and town officers
3. Justices of the Peace and judges of the Courts, jurors
Patriotic Service might begin as early as April 1774 when news
of the Boston Port Bill reached the colonies. DAR recognizes, for this early
period, membership in:
1. Committees of inspection, Correspondence and Safety
2. Continental Congress, State Conventions and Assemblies
Some forms of patriotic activity existed only when a statewide
government existed, such as:
1. Oaths of Adjuration and Allegiance and Signers of Association Tests
2. Signing of petitions which recognized the authority of the new state
governments
3. Rendering of material aid, such as furnishing supplies with or without
remuneration
4. Lending monies to the new state or federal governments
5. Defense of frontiers and forts
6. Providing a substitute for military service
Other forms of patriotic activity also recognized by DAR are:
1. Members of the Boston Tea Party
2. Doctors, nurses and others rendering aid to the wounded (other than to their
immediate families)
3. Prisoners of War or refugees from occupying forces
4. Signers of local declarations of independence
5. Ministers who gave patriotic sermons and encouraged patriotic activity
6. Those who served in the Spanish Troops under Galvez or in the Louisiana
militia from 24 December 1776
7. Privateers
The best evidence possible should be used to prove Revolutionary War service.
Federal records, such as the compiled military service records and papers of
the Continental Congress. Records of military service rods, civil and patriotic
activity, are acceptable. Applications filed for federal pensions are usually
available from the National Archives, Washington, D.C. 20408. Original
petitions are often available in the courthouses of the counties in which they
were made. Records of military and other service may be obtained from state
archives and town or county accounts.
Contemporary letters from the persons Strong, or from someone receiving the
information directly from the person who performed the service, may be proof of
service.
If unpublished sources are used, photocopies of the original record should be
submitted and must contain the date and place of record; town or county and
state.
Reference to published records must give the name of the author, title of the
book, date of publication, volume and page number. The DAR Library may not have
privately printed collections or ones of limited circulation. If they are
cited, furnish copies of the title page, which shows the copyright date, and
pages that contain pertinent information. Examples of works often used as proof
of Revolutionary War service are:
1. Lists of Revolutionary War soldiers or accounts compiled entirely from
official sources
2. Records of the various states or of the Federal Government
3. Records taken from town or county giving the exact entry for service as it
appears in the record of that town or county
Family genealogies stating that a person performed Revolutionary War service is
NOT acceptable as proof. These claims
must be documented by copies of the original record. The location of a grave marked
as a Revolutionary soldier is NOT proof of service.
Supplemental Applications
Application for a supplemental ancestor may ONLY be submitted after the member
is accepted into the NSDAR and issued their National #. Supplemental
applications follow the exact same procedures and documents of proof as those
required of the regular application EXCEPT:
1. It must include the member’s National #, chapter and state
2. It must state “Supplemental” on the top of the form above “Application”
3. It requires only the signature of the member, the Chapter Registrar*. (NOTE:
In the event the Chapter Registrar is unavailable, the Chapter Regent, or
Vice-Regent, or Secretary, or Treasurer may sign in her place. However they
must identify their officer standing next to their name)
4. The fee of $25 may be submitted via the member’s personal check
5. A certificate is not generated for supplemental ancestors unless the
applicant requests one. The fee for the certificate is $10 made payable to
Treasurer General NSDAR and mailed to Office of Registrar General - Clerical
The Genealogical Staff has been instructed not to furnish reports on status of
applications or supplemental applications by telephone. The staff corresponds
only with the applicant and/or Chapter Registrar. (NOTE: Effective June 2000,
all verified supplemental applications will have a post card sent to the member
indicating the verification date and supplemental number.)
RESPONSIBILITIES OF
CHAPTER REGISTRAR
It is the responsibility of the Chapter Registrar to ensure that the
application papers are properly prepared. Generations earlier than the
Revolutionary War ancestor are not to be listed on the lineage paper. The
Chapter Registrar is responsible for checking the application for:
1. Complete lineage with correct dates. (One original and one photocopy or 2
sets of the original application.)
2. All signatures on both papers -- applicant's signature, two members
signatures, plus notarization OR attest of Chapter Regent and Registrar.
3. Identification on back of each piece of data (See instructions for Page
Three).
4. Chapter check for correct amount of fees and dues, payable to Treasurer
General, NSDAR. 5.Send original to National Headquarters and retain one
photocopy for Chapter Registrar's file with list of documentation submitted
(necessary if additional information is requested).
It should be noted (in pencil) in the upper left-hand margin of page one of the
application if the paper is needed for Honor Roll. Applications must be in the
Office of the Registrar General least six weeks prior to the date of the
scheduled Board Meeting.
The Chapter Registrar shall assist the applicant when a request for further
documentation is made by the Genealogical Division. Communication with the
National Society shall be made in the name of the prospective member, exactly
as her name appears on the application paper. It should be stated that the
paper is either an application or a supplemental; include name of ancestor.
The Chapter Registrar should inform the applicant of the Two Year Limit for
verification of papers. The Two Year Limit is in fact from date the paper is
received by the Office of the Registrar General. All applications not verified
within that time limit will be turned to the Chapter with National dues. The
application fee will be retained by National and applied to the examination of
the application.
The Chapter Registrar shall keep a record of all applications and supplemental
applications filed, noting the date that the chapter copy was returned. The
Chapter Registrar is responsible for the preservation of chapter copies of
verified applications and must not allow access of the general public to these
applications.
The application paper is submitted with the application fee and annual national
dues for a member joining through a chapter. A member joining at large submits
the application fee and annual national dues.
Fees and dues are submitted on chapter checks, made payable to the Treasurer
General, NSDAR, and signed by the Chapter Treasurer or other authorized
officer. NOTE: An applicant's personal check may be remitted for supplemental
application papers.
The fee for applications is retained by the National Society whether or not the
paper is verified. The national dues are returned to the chapter if an application
cannot be verified. Before an application is returned, the prospective member
will be given an opportunity to submit a substitute set of papers for
verification, and her application fee will be transferred to the new set of
papers.
The complete booklet 'Application Papers - Instructions for Their Preparation'
is available from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution,
Office of the Registrar General, 1776 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-5392
Page 9
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