Membership

Any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence is eligible to join the DAR. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death, as well as of the Revolutionary War service of her patriot ancestor.

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In applying for DAR membership, women must document their lineage back to an ancestor who aided the cause of American independence. These efforts may come through military, civil, or patriotic service, and must occur during the period between 19 April 1775 (Battle of Lexington) and 26 November 1783 (withdrawal of British Troops from New York).

The National Society accepts service as follows:

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• Signers of the Declaration of Independence

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• Military Service, such as participation in the Army and Navy of the Continental Establishment, the State Navy, the State and Local Militia, Privateers, or Military or Naval Service performed by French nationals in the American theater of war

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• Civil Service, under authority of Provisional or new State Governments, such as State Officials or County and Town Officials (Town Clerk, Selectman, Juror, Town Treasurer, Judge, Sheriff, Constable, Jailer, Surveyor of Highways, Justice of the Peace, etc.)
   

• Patriotic Service, which includes:

  --Members of the Continental Congress, State Conventions, and Assemblies

  --Membership in committees made necessary by the War, including service on committees which furthered the cause of the Colonies from April 1774, such as Committees of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety, committees to care for soldier's families, etc.

  --Signer of Oath of Fidelity and Support, Oath of Allegiance, etc.

  --Members of the Boston Tea Party

  --Signers of Petitions acknowledging the right of the new provincial and/or state government to represent the people. In addition, the content and wording of the petition must clearly demonstrate loyalty to the cause of American independence. Petitions regarding religious issues do not qualify.

  --Defenders of Forts and Stations: Individuals who lived on the frontier, from the Great Northern Lakes to Georgia, who are documented as having actively defended the western frontiers against British forces and their allies, the Indians.

  --Doctors, nurses, and others rendering aid to the wounded (other than their immediate families)

  --Ministers who gave patriotic sermons and encouraged patriotic activity

  --Furnishing a substitute for military service

  --Prisoners of war or refugees from occupying forces

  --Prisoners on the British ship Old Jersey or other prison ships

  --Service in the Spanish Troops under Galvez or the Louisiana Militia after 24 December 1776

  --Service performed by French nationals within the colonies or in Europe in support of the American cause

  --Those who rendered material aid, in Spanish America, by supplying cattle for Galvez's forces after 24 December 1776

  --Those who applied in Virginia for Certificates of Rights to land for settlement and those who were entitled to and were granted preemption rights

  --Those who took the Oath of Fidelity to the Commonwealth of Virginia from October 1779 to 26 November 1783

  --Those who rendered material aid and supported the cause of American Independence by furnishing supplies, with or without remuneration, loaning money and/or providing munitions. Some states enacted special tax laws to raise money for supplies. Payment of these “supply” taxes is considered patriotic service.

The National Society reserves the right to determine the acceptability of all service and proof thereof.

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For information about joining the Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR, please email us and the registrar will get in touch. If you'd like to learn more about the National Society, please visit the National Society's website here. To find your local NSDAR chapter, please see the complete list of chapter locations. To get started on your genealogy search, visit the DAR Genealogy section of the website.