U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970

This database contains applications for membership in the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution approved between 1889 and 31 December 1970. The applications are arranged in packets. It may be helpful to scroll through the images to find all information relating to the applicant.

As the Sons of the American Revolution website explains:

“The SAR is a ‘lineage’ society. This means that each member has traced their family tree back to a point of having an ancestor who supported the cause of American Independence during the years 1775–1783.”

These 145,000 applications with 1.2 million records can give you a direct link to an ancestor who served the cause of freedom during the Revolutionary War Era. When you find an ancestor here, you'll go back generations in a single document.

Applications require a pedigree and accompanying information to demonstrate a generation-by-generation link to a patriot ancestor. Genealogical information submitted may include references to Revolutionary War pension files, baptismal records, marriage records, cemetery records, census records, family Bible records, deeds, court records, documented family and local histories, and copies of applications to other lineage societies. Applications also typically include a short summary of the ancestor’s service.

These records can be an excellent source for names, dates, locations, and family relationships. Applications can be searched by name, place and date of birth and death, and application year.

If you wish to submit an application for membership in the SAR based on an old SAR application, please be advised that the SAR will require a 'record copy' of the old application. To obtain a record copy, please click here. Also, please be advised that many older SAR applications are not sufficiently documented pursuant to current SAR genealogy standards. You may need to supplement the old SAR application with additional documentation. Please review the SAR's genealogy standards and procedures on its website.

See who else has proven their patriotism

A list of prominent Americans can be found in the Sons of the American Revolution applications, proving their patriot pedigree. Take a closer look and see what kind of information you can discover in each application.

Discover more about your Revolutionary War ancestors

Some 217,000 American service members fought in the Revolution, each with their own unique tale of bravery, sacrifice and honor. Search our vast collection of Revolutionary War military records to find them.