Join Our Chapter
Who Can Join
The SAR is a male “lineage” society. To establish eligibility, you must be able to prove that you are a direct bloodline descendant of a Patriot who supported the cause of American Independence during the years of 1774 to 1783. Remember, applicants must be bloodline descendants. Adoptees may only apply on a bloodline-biological parent’s lineage. If you live within Broward County, Florida you will join SAR through the Fort Lauderdale Chapter.
Age Requirements
In order to join SAR you must be 18 years of age or older. Under some circumstances you can apply before reaching age 18 but you must be 18 at the time of approval. For younger individuals, it is recommended that you apply through the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) where your membership to either SAR (for men) or DAR (for woman) can easily be converted to the parent organization upon reaching age 18.
To learn more about C.A.R., you can look at the NSSAR page on C.A.R.
Patriotic Service
Qualifying an eligible Patriot can be done through multiple types of service. In addition to service in the military or navy, there are many recognized forms of “patriotic” or “civil” service that qualifies an ancestor who rendered such service during the Revolutionary War.
For a complete list, see NSSAR page: "Determine Eligibility."
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Step 1 - Getting Started
If you know or believe you are a direct bloodline descendant of a qualifying Patriot and you live in Broward County, Florida, you should complete and submit to us the Interest Form below before registering and starting an application. We will contact you by e-mail and phone to make a preliminary determination confirming the eligibility of the Patriot and your ability and willingness to prove the lineage. All we need from you to get started is the name of the Patriot and his state of service. You can also see whether or not SAR or DAR already has a record of the Patriot. Depending on the age of previously approved applications, we may be able to use a SAR or DAR record in support of your application.
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For DAR, follow the link to their: Genealogical Research Databases.
For SAR, follow the link to the: Patriot Research System.
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If you find your ancestor in one of these databases, write down and include in your e-mail the DAR Ancestor # or the SAR Patriot #. Do not buy a record copy of the lineage at this time. Do not worry if your ancestor is not found in one of these databases but try to be prepared by giving us the published source(s) that list your ancestor as having provided patriotic service.
Step 2 - How to Apply
The Fort Lauderdale Chapter only accepts applications prepared using the online application available to prospective applicants who formerly “register” with SAR. Once we communicate with you and invite you to proceed, you will register with SAR. Registration entails providing your full name, birth date and contact information. When registering be sure to join through the Florida Society and Fort Lauderdale Chapter. Once completed, click the menu button which allows you to start an application. When the application form opens, at least enter the name(s) and vital dates and places for you as generation 1 and then click the "save" button. You can stop and start at any time by saving your work until coming back and completing the draft of all generations ending with the Patriot. On the first complete draft, leave the "reference" section of each generation blank. The Chapter Registrar/Genealogist will review all supporting documentation that you are able to provide and assist you in properly entering the abbreviated source citations.
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To register:
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Genealogical Assistance
If you know your direct bloodline lineage to a Patriot ancestor but are unsure of how to document some of it, you are welcomed to contact the Fort Lauderdale Chapter Registrar/Genealogist for guidance. If you maintain an online family tree, such as at Ancestry.com, by granting us access, our Chapter Registrar/Genealogist may be able to find the acceptable documentation that you can use for your SAR application.
Proof of Lineage
The proof of lineage can be very challenging. The application lists by generation the vital events of birth, marriage and death and the associated place of the event for each direct line descendant and his or her spouse starting with the applicant as generation 1 and proceeding through the lineage to the Patriot’s generation. The vital events are supported by copies of birth and death certificates and marriage licenses, or SAR acceptable alternative sources of documentation for earlier generations that were born or died typically before or around 1900. Use of undocumented sources is strictly prohibited.
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For more information, click the link to the NSSAR page on "Starting an Application." At this page you can access and you may want to review the Application Preparation Manual and the SAR Application Formatting Guide. If you are actively working with the Chapter Registrar/Genealogist you do not need to be thoroughly familiar with this material but it does explain what SAR requires and what we will assist you in doing to prove your lineage and submit an acceptable application to SAR.
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