Genealogy Resources

The SAR uses genealogy to identify “the lineal descendant of an ancestor who was at all times unfailing in loyalty to, and rendered active service in the cause of American Independence.”  To that end the following links will prove useful in your genealogical journey.

SAR Patriot Research System

The SAR Patriot Research System (PRS) is a database combination of the previous SAR Patriot Record Index, the SAR Revolutionary War graves registry, and information from the SAR Patriot Index CD (2002), plus additional information and updates from various state grave registry databases and patriot biographical sketches submitted to tell the story of our patriot ancestors.

Genealogy Resources

National SAR Genealogy Resources. NSSAR created the following resources to assist in staying within accepted policies of the Society. These resources are useful tools when working through the various documents and the SAR membership application to finally find that connection to an ancestor and possibly establish membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.  One such resource on this SAR website page concerns "Virginia Land Certificates as Oath of Allegiance Evidence." 

Patriots to Passenger Project. As a lineage organization, we have all traced our ancestors to one or more Patriots of the American Revolution. But our roots do not stop there....  the signers of the Mayflower Compact, as the first document to establish a framework for self-governance in what became the United States. The SAR and DAR has joined forces with the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) in support the Patriots to Passenger Project to identify and honor those patriots who descend from passengers of the ship Mayflower.

Virginia SAR Resources

The Virginia SAR and its chapters actively engage in genealogical research to support the applications for membership processed across the Commonwealth. In addition, the Virginia SAR has formed committees centered around particular focus areas on genealogical research, typically those unique to the Commonwealth of Virginia, to include:

• Virginia Revolutionary War Graves Publication. The book "Genealogical, Burial and Service Data for Revolutionary War Patriots Buried in Virginia" (Version 2, 2020 edition) is an excellent resource and made possible through the dedication and volunteer hours of numerous compatriots. Starting again in 2024, work has begun to evaluate and update this publication and synchronize its content with the SAR PRS.
• Virginia Revolutionary War and Colonial Taxes. The Genealogy Committee has made available online a subset of document images that indicate "a payment of a tax to a state or a local jurisdiction" during the Revolution shall be deemed Patriotic Service by virtue of providing material aid.

Other Genealogical Resources of Virginia

The following third-party links and resources are provided for your convenience: 

• Library of Virginia.  An excellent resource of Virginia Revolutionary War Service Records including Public Service claims, Bounty Land, Pensions and Service Records.
• Colonial Williamsburg. A gathering of various resources focused on Virginia.
• NARA Revolutionary War Pension Project. The National Park Service (NPS) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) are teaming up on a unique project to transcribe the pension records of over 80,000 of America’s earliest veterans and their widows, ensuring a lasting addition to the historical archives for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. These files contain transcripts of direct interviews and testimonies from patriots, often with vivid accounts of their service.