DAR Offers Free Genealogical Research System
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in 1890 and has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. They have a lot to offer genealogists who are members of this non-profit organization. DAR has its National Day of Service in October.
DAR is one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country. It has 177,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally. Any woman who is 18 years of age (or older), regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, and who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join DAR.
Those who are members of DAR can make use of an exclusive resource. It is called the Genealogical Research System (GRS). This free resource was created to aid general genealogical research and to assist with the DAR membership process. The GRS contains a collection of databases that provide access to the materials amassed by the DAR since it was founded in 1890.
The GRS online databases are the culmination of 10 years of work by DAR members who volunteered to scan and index the vast resources in the DAR Library. The GRS system of databases will continue to expand as new information is added. It should be noted that the information in the GRS should not be redistributed, reproduced or published in any form whatsoever. It is only for members of the DAR.
If you are a member of DAR, you can delve into the new GRS online resource. There are a series of tabs that connect to a specific database. The Ancestor database includes information taken from verified membership applications. It is not a comprehensive list of everyone who served in the Revolutionary War. The Ancestor database also includes scanned images.
The Descendants database is an index of names found on the lineage page or DAR applications and supplementals. The GRC database and the Bibles database have digitized reports and registers from family Bibles.
October 11 is the National DAR Day of Service. The 2015 Day of Service marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of the DAR. Each chapter will participate in special service projects within their local communities. Together, this will show the National Society’s collective commitment to America on the day of their founding.
Genealogists who want to check out what the various chapters of the DAR were doing on their Day of Service have an easy way to do it. On October 11, 2015, DAR members will use #DARDayOfService on social media. Follow that hashtag on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media. It is expected that there will be a lot of photos included with that hashtag.
Image by Jennifer on Flickr.
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