An often overlooked resource for research is lineage societies. Find fellow descendants of your ancestors, share research, or find that missing link through lineage societies. There seems to be one for every war or important event in history.
There are three major lineage societies that have specialized collections of genealogical information. It is worth investigating them for those hidden clues plus you may find stories about your ancestors to add to your family history.
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution: Many records of the DAR are available to the public. Visit www.dar.org and select Genealogy and Online Research. Their databases include many RW patriots. The three local DAR Chapters are Cache la Poudre Chapter in Fort Collins, Friday’s Council Tree Chapter in Windsor, and Namaqua Chapter in Loveland. For more information, visit their main website and look up chapters.
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is the male version of DAR. Visit www.sar.org to search their database. The local SAR Chapter is Longs Peak Chapter, which covers this area. The General Society of Mayflower Descendants has a Colorado chapter. Visit the Mayflower website at www.themayflowersociety.com, then select Contacts and Proposed Lineage Review Form. You can have your lineage checked for a minimal fee after you give them your family tree data. For membership, select your State Society to join. Visit The Mayflower Library at www.themayflowersociety.com.
These organizations make genealogy fun plus you may want to join. Finding “distant cousins” is an added benefit to lineage societies.
~ Pat Johnson was the Registrar for the DAR Friday’s Council Tree Chapter in Windsor and a member of Larimer County Genealogical Society. This is her last column due to her passing last month. Please visit our website at www.lcgsco.org to learn more about genealogy