Battle of Brooklyn Chapter Sons of the American Revolution
Honor Your Heritage. Join the Sons of the American Revolution.
Membership in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is a meaningful way to honor your patriot ancestors, preserve our nation’s history, and promote patriotism for future generations.
Eligibility Requirements
To become a member of the SAR, you must:
- Be a male of good repute in the community.
- Be able to prove biological, direct lineal descent back to the Revolutionary War Patriot.
- Provide acceptable documentation showing your ancestor’s military or patriotic service between April 19, 1775, and November 25, 1783 (with some exceptions).
- Be sponsored by two current SAR members (your local chapter can assist).
Examples of Military or Patriot Service
Your ancestor may have:
- Served in the Continental Army, Navy, or militia.
- Signed the Declaration of Independence or other revolutionary documents.
- Rendered material aid (supplies, funds, munitions).
- Took an Oath to a Colonial State or paid a tax that supported the revolutionary cause.
- Served in civil or religious leadership roles supporting independence.
- Been a prisoner of war, physician, nurse, or defender of forts/frontiers.
View the complete list of accepted service categories.
What’s Not Required
- Membership is not restricted by race, age, religion, or national origin.
- Legitimacy through marriage or family status does not affect eligibility as long as descent can be documented.
- Both legitimate and illegitimate bloodlines are eligible with proper proof.
- Plural marriage families are not excluded.
How to Get Started
Getting Started on Your Own
If you’d like to begin researching independently, see the trusted resources listed below under Genealogy Research Help. These tools can guide you in tracing your ancestry, locating records, and uncovering connections to potential Revolutionary War Patriots.
Ready to Apply or Need Assistance?
If you meet the membership requirements — or would like help confirming your lineage — we encourage you to reach out to our chapter registrar for guidance and support with the application process.
Our Chapter Registrar will guide you through the process of documenting your ancestry and preparing your application.
Richard Rossin
Registrar
Email: rjrossin@optonline.net
Genealogy Research Center
Tracing Your Lineage Back to a Patriot Ancestor
Tracing your family line back to a Revolutionary War Patriot can feel overwhelming, but there are excellent resources to guide your search. Begin by gathering family records, speaking with relatives, and reviewing birth, marriage, and death certificates. Church, cemetery, and local historical society records can also provide valuable clues.
To assist your research, here are five top websites widely used for genealogy:
- Ancestry.com – Extensive census, military, and immigration records with powerful search tools.
- FamilySearch.org – A free resource from the LDS Church with millions of global records.
- Fold3.com – Specializes in military records, including Revolutionary War service documents.
- FindAGrave.com – Searchable cemetery records and headstone images.
- DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS) – Free database with patriot service records and verified lineage information.
With these tools, you can begin building the documentation needed to complete your generational link to your Patriot ancestor.
