DAR question (Daughters of the American Revolution)

[empress of self-improvement]

I found out I have an ancestor who had been in the American Revolution and 2 family members that were members of the DAR (long long time ago). I have their numbers and all that. Anyone know exactly what they do? Why would joining be useful? My coworker who helped me find these relatives is thrilled about it and thinks I should join. I don't know. I'm surprised about it, that's for sure. Of course, not as surprised as finding out my great grandfather died by accidentally shooting himself in the head. That was a treat.

[zibazinski]

For a lot of people it's a huge deal. Congratulations!

[Deleted]

My great aunt was in this, no clue what it gets you besides invites to some events.

My moms side fought my dads side in the Revolutionary War, I think it actually still continues through them.

I did find out I likely have a distant relative that welched on a loan from George Washington.

[simser]

I could be DAR on each side of my family. It's kinda like a social networking place for those with "old roots". And it's way more common on the East Coast to be concerned with it than anywhere else. I view it as almost another Junior League? But admittedly I have never looked into joining.

[alabamagal]

It is a big deal for some.  The promote historical preservation, and you get to connect with others who are "like you are" meaning your ancestors were in the US during the revolutionary war.  They opened their membership not too long ago to others who were here during the revolutionary war and "supported the war effort", so they are open to some minorities, but I think it is still pretty much a WASP organization.

I don't guess I am eligible since 1/2 of my ancestors came to the US in late 1800s, and the other half I don't have any documentation but were probably some type of immigrants.  But they did give my son a citizen scholarship of $100 in middle school because he scored the highest grade in his school on a history citizenship test.

[Malarky]

I got a scholarship from the DAR (back in 1979) for writing an essay.  I don't remember the exact details but it was a nice chunk of change towards my first semester at college. 

I wonder if they still do that sort of thing.

[wyouser]

Obviously, I am not a member, (wrong gender) but I have had relatives who belonged. The group does get involved with historical preservation. If you are into history on the revolution , there is a DAR library that I think is accessable without being a member. They do sponsor scholarships. (they give one out at  the local high school here) If you are into geneology they can be helpful as well.

[Gardening Grandma]

I'm a current, active member.  PM me if you want to join.  Today's DAR is not your grandmother's DAR (  .  We don't sit around drinking tea and eating crumpets.
Today's Daughters are active in community service, supporting veterans and active service members, preserving Historic sites, genealogy research and much more.

Lots of women say they COULD be in the DAR, but you actually have to prove the lineage with documentation (not family trees).  But they have people in the chapter whose job it is to help you with that proof.  I've actually proven 7 patriot ancestors.  I have more, but haven't been able to find all the proof I need to submit the lines.

You do get a pretty frameable certificate and bragging rights that you have an ancestor who served in the cause of American independence.  It wasn't all military either.  I have a Quaker ancestor (Quakers did not fight) who provided horses and funds to the Revolutionaries.  He also allowed his home to be used as a hospital for injured troops.

For more info
www.dar.org/


Edited to add that the DAR does provide some great scholarships.  The WA State DAR owns a parking lot on Bainbridge Island and proceeds from that go to some generous scholarships to the UW medical school.
We also give out scholarships to graduating HS seniors - some years there are no applicants. 

Senator Tammy Duckworth is a proud DAR member.

The DAR Constitution Hall is used by concerts (Samantha Bee recently taped her program there), the DAR Genealogy Library is one of the primo genealogy libraries anywhere, and they have a DAR museum.  If you go to DC, I'd visit the DAR headquarters (very close to the White House).  It looks a lot like the WH and has been used in movies and TV shows as a setting.   All open to the public at no charge.

[empress of self-improvement]

May 9, 2017 17:12:13 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

I'm a current, active member.  PM me if you want to join.  Today's DAR is not your grandmother's DAR (  .  We don't sit around drinking tea and eating crumpets.
Today's Daughters are active in community service, supporting veterans and active service members, preserving Historic sites, genealogy research and much more.

Lots of women say they COULD be in the DAR, but you actually have to prove the lineage with documentation (not family trees).  But they have people in the chapter whose job it is to help you with that proof.  I've actually proven 7 patriot ancestors.  I have more, but haven't been able to find all the proof I need to submit the lines.

You do get a pretty frameable certificate and bragging rights that you have an ancestor who served in the cause of American independence.  It wasn't all military either.  I have a Quaker ancestor (Quakers did not fight) who provided horses and funds to the Revolutionaries.  He also allowed his home to be used as a hospital for injured troops.

For more info
www.dar.org/


Edited to add that the DAR does provide some great scholarships.  The WA State DAR owns a parking lot on Bainbridge Island and proceeds from that go to some generous scholarships to the UW medical school.
We also give out scholarships to graduating HS seniors - some years there are no applicants. 

Senator Tammy Duckworth is a proud DAR member.

The DAR Constitution Hall is used by concerts (Samantha Bee recently taped her program there), the DAR Genealogy Library is one of the primo genealogy libraries anywhere, and they have a DAR museum.  If you go to DC, I'd visit the DAR headquarters (very close to the White House).  It looks a lot like the WH and has been used in movies and TV shows as a setting.   All open to the public at no charge.

Thanks for the info. I'll PM you. In my case, it would be my paternal great-grandmother's DAR. The patriot was her descendent. I have lineage papers for that side of the family somewhere. I should ask my aunt who lives outside of DC if anyone on my dad's side is amongst them. I would not be surprised since someone is supposed to have come over on the Mayflower a billion years ago.

[MarleyKeezy78]

My grandma, aunt and I have talked about joining. I might have to bring it up and see how they feel about it.

[Gardening Grandma]

One reason to join: if you have family history you want to preserve for future generations, this is a great way to do so.
My sons have no interest. When I die, I imagine all my research will go to the . But the information I've submitted to the DAR genealogy library will be preserved. Perhaps, someday, a great granddaughter might want to join. All she'd have to prove would be her line to me. From there on up to the ancestor, it is all in the DAR database.

[Gardening Grandma]

May 10, 2017 8:15:51 GMT -5 MarleyKeezy78 said:

My grandma, aunt and I have talked about joining. I might have to bring it up and see how they feel about it.

If you all do join, you'd be eligible to join a club inside the DAR called the "Cameo Club". It's for close family members who are all Daughters (mother/daughter, sisters, etc)

[MarleyKeezy78]

May 10, 2017 9:18:35 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

May 10, 2017 8:15:51 GMT -5 MarleyKeezy78 said:

My grandma, aunt and I have talked about joining. I might have to bring it up and see how they feel about it.

If you all do join, you'd be eligible to join a club inside the DAR called the "Cameo Club". It's for close family members who are all Daughters (mother/daughter, sisters, etc)

Thanks!  That sounds pretty cool, I will have to let them know about that 

[Bonny]

May 9, 2017 19:33:28 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

May 9, 2017 17:12:13 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

I'm a current, active member.  PM me if you want to join.  Today's DAR is not your grandmother's DAR (  .  We don't sit around drinking tea and eating crumpets.
Today's Daughters are active in community service, supporting veterans and active service members, preserving Historic sites, genealogy research and much more.

Lots of women say they COULD be in the DAR, but you actually have to prove the lineage with documentation (not family trees).  But they have people in the chapter whose job it is to help you with that proof.  I've actually proven 7 patriot ancestors.  I have more, but haven't been able to find all the proof I need to submit the lines.

You do get a pretty frameable certificate and bragging rights that you have an ancestor who served in the cause of American independence.  It wasn't all military either.  I have a Quaker ancestor (Quakers did not fight) who provided horses and funds to the Revolutionaries.  He also allowed his home to be used as a hospital for injured troops.

For more info
www.dar.org/


Edited to add that the DAR does provide some great scholarships.  The WA State DAR owns a parking lot on Bainbridge Island and proceeds from that go to some generous scholarships to the UW medical school.
We also give out scholarships to graduating HS seniors - some years there are no applicants. 

Senator Tammy Duckworth is a proud DAR member.

The DAR Constitution Hall is used by concerts (Samantha Bee recently taped her program there), the DAR Genealogy Library is one of the primo genealogy libraries anywhere, and they have a DAR museum.  If you go to DC, I'd visit the DAR headquarters (very close to the White House).  It looks a lot like the WH and has been used in movies and TV shows as a setting.   All open to the public at no charge.

Thanks for the info. I'll PM you. In my case, it would be my paternal great-grandmother's DAR. The patriot was her descendent. I have lineage papers for that side of the family somewhere. I should ask my aunt who lives outside of DC if anyone on my dad's side is amongst them. I would not be surprised since someone is supposed to have come over on the Mayflower a billion years ago.

DH's cousin who lived not too far from you supposedly was rejected by DAR. She was pretty upset about that. The family makes a claim to being related to Hugh Mercer but I gather the research (at the time) was insufficient.

Of course said relative was pretty creative with some of the family history. When FIL was young she created this great family story about how his father had been a pilot in the RAF and was killed and that's why he was put up for adoption. Years later his second wife who was also adopted did some research and pulled both of their birth certificates. On FIL's birth certificate the space for father said "unknown"  He was pretty upset and embarrassed that he had never been told the truth.

I'm sure said cousin took a few more family secrets to the grave.

[empress of self-improvement]

May 11, 2017 12:38:09 GMT -5 Bonny said:

May 9, 2017 19:33:28 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

Thanks for the info. I'll PM you. In my case, it would be my paternal great-grandmother's DAR. The patriot was her descendent. I have lineage papers for that side of the family somewhere. I should ask my aunt who lives outside of DC if anyone on my dad's side is amongst them. I would not be surprised since someone is supposed to have come over on the Mayflower a billion years ago.

DH's cousin who lived not too far from you supposedly was rejected by DAR. She was pretty upset about that. The family makes a claim to being related to Hugh Mercer but I gather the research (at the time) was insufficient.

Of course said relative was pretty creative with some of the family history. When FIL was young she created this great family story about how his father had been a pilot in the RAF and was killed and that's why he was put up for adoption. Years later his second wife who was also adopted did some research and pulled both of their birth certificates. On FIL's birth certificate the space for father said "unknown"  He was pretty upset and embarrassed that he had never been told the truth.

I'm sure said cousin took a few more family secrets to the grave.

Sounds like it's a bit up there with finding out after my grandmother died that he, who we (my sister and I) thought was her father, was in fact not. Could have knocked me over with a feather. Most of the family tree work in my family gets done on my grandfather's side and if I am following it correctly, we do have at least one patriot there as well.

[Bonny]

May 11, 2017 19:58:29 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

May 11, 2017 12:38:09 GMT -5 Bonny said:

DH's cousin who lived not too far from you supposedly was rejected by DAR. She was pretty upset about that. The family makes a claim to being related to Hugh Mercer but I gather the research (at the time) was insufficient.

Of course said relative was pretty creative with some of the family history. When FIL was young she created this great family story about how his father had been a pilot in the RAF and was killed and that's why he was put up for adoption. Years later his second wife who was also adopted did some research and pulled both of their birth certificates. On FIL's birth certificate the space for father said "unknown"  He was pretty upset and embarrassed that he had never been told the truth.

I'm sure said cousin took a few more family secrets to the grave.

Sounds like it's a bit up there with finding out after my grandmother died that he, who we (my sister and I) thought was her father, was in fact not. Could have knocked me over with a feather. Most of the family tree work in my family gets done on my grandfather's side and if I am following it correctly, we do have at least one patriot there as well.

I think that makes the DNA testing so interesting. Uncovering the family secrets!

[Gardening Grandma]

May 11, 2017 20:38:33 GMT -5 Bonny said:

May 11, 2017 19:58:29 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

Sounds like it's a bit up there with finding out after my grandmother died that he, who we (my sister and I) thought was her father, was in fact not. Could have knocked me over with a feather. Most of the family tree work in my family gets done on my grandfather's side and if I am following it correctly, we do have at least one patriot there as well.

I think that makes the DNA testing so interesting. Uncovering the family secrets!

Is that ever the truth! For 60 years, my father kept a secret from his family. The secret was that he'd had a previous family, two daughters. DNA blew his secret up in his lying face when his childten from his second marriage discovered their half siblings..(my sister and me).