Lineage Society Applications
In April of 2017, I counted seventy hereditary and lineage associations listed on Wikipedia.1 Likely, any one of us qualifies for at least one if not several of them!
All lineage societies require the membership candidate to provide documented proof of their lineal descent from a recognized society ancestor. While some are stricter than others regarding acceptable proof documents, generally within the first three generations birth, marriage, and death certificates are required. These documents are also the best sources of proof of descent for the remaining generations, however, other documentation is usually accepted when official vital records are unavailable.
I can help you locate and order many of these records. If you don’t already know your line of descent from a society-recognized ancestor, I begin your research with an Introductory Ten Hour Research Package that includes two hours of preliminary research at no charge. Those two hours are used reviewing any prior work done on the subject and forming a research plan to follow going forward. The remaining ten hours are then spent conducting further research according to plan, documenting all searches (both successful and otherwise), and writing a summary report with suggestions of how to proceed, if further research is required. This process begins with my Client Questionnaire. I’ll review what you’ve told me and then we’ll talk, via email or phone, and go over the details and scope of the project, as well as any preliminary questions either of us may have about the job. A contract outlining our agreement that we both will sign will then be emailed to you. Once signed, I’ll ask that you visit my shop and purchase the above mentioned package via my secure website using PayPal. Next, via email or regular mail, I’ll need you to send me copies of all records and research conducted on the subject to date and the job then begins.
Please keep in mind that finding a lineage society ancestor can take a long time. If you don’t have a good idea of your lineage path, each branch of your family tree must be constructed until a corresponding ancestor is located and then judged as to whether your relationship to them is verifiable. Conversely, if I’m able to complete research in less than ten hours, I will refund you the difference by check at the conclusion of the project.
- Members of the DAR willingly help others seeking membership into their organization identify their patriot ancestors. As a DAR member, I am happy to take a look at your family tree and try to answer any specific questions you might have, free of charge. I can also look up any already recognized patriot ancestors you think you might be related to – or other DAR women in your family line – using the DAR website (you can also visit the DAR website at dar.org and do your own search by choosing the “genealogy” tab on the top right.) While I am happy to review your potential lineage to a patriot free of charge, I am only able to do so as my time permits.
- If you are already a DAR member and are in need of help with supplemental applications, you may hire me to help you extend your number of patriots.
After your lineage is established, it is usually necessary to order official copies of vital records. The cost of these records range from $15.00-$30.00 a piece, on average. You can fill out the request forms and order the needed copies yourself or I can do it for you. I do, however, require payment in advance for time spent, record fees, and required postage.
Most lineage societies have a registrar who fills out your “official” lineage application. Commonly, you are asked to fill in an unofficial preliminary form to the best of your ability when you begin your application process. You can choose to have me fill in your preliminary form with proper citations, or again, do it yourself. All documents provided to you by me will be given proper citation.
¹Wikipedia.com (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hereditary_and_lineage_organizations), accessed April 2017.
