THE PATH TO MEMBERSHIP

The SAR does not restrict membership on basis of race, color, religion, national origin, nation of citizenship or residency. The first step to membership is to determine your eligibility. To establish eligibility you must be able to confirm that you are a direct ancestral line descendant of a Patriot.

If you meet eligibility requirements, the next step is to find a SAR sponsor in close proximity to you (often the local SAR Chapter Registrar). This person will help guide you through the SAR membership application process and can help review information assembled to enter into SAR membership application forms. Visit the link below and click on your state of residence. This will help you get the sponsor needed to proceed.
Your local contact

After you have established contact with a member. You must start collecting your data. Properly documenting a genealogical line to a patriot ancestor can often be accomplished with only modest effort, provided you know what to look for and where to find it. If you have an ancestor who lived in the United States prior to 1900, chances are you may be the descendant of a Revolutionary War patriot.

This material will help you get a basic understanding of how to look for genealogical in-formation. Please note however, that the primary focus of this resource is obtaining the documentation needed for an SAR membership application, therefore it does not cover other fascinating aspects of researching your ancestry such as immigration records. As you become more experienced at finding information, you will become a treasured resource for your local SAR chapter, SAR state-level society, and community.

Now that you have collected your data it is time to start your application.

Why join the Virginia SAR --- one the most active state societies as a new or dual member? Find out more!