Frequently Asked Questions

The Sons of the American Revolution, or SAR, is a historical, educational, and patriotic non-profit organization that seeks to maintain and extend:

  • the institutions of American freedom
  • an appreciation for true patriotism
  • a respect for our national symbols
  • the value of American citizenship
  • the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people.

This is achieved by perpetuating the stories of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy, and triumph of the men who brought about the independence of the American people. It is our belief that these are universal stories of man’s eternal struggle against tyranny and will inspire and strengthen each succeeding generation as it is called to defend our freedoms.

Historical Goals:
  • We commemorate and provide memorials for the people and events of the American Revolution.
  • We help preserve records relating to the events leading up to and during the American Revolution.
    • The National SAR was a major force behind the construction of the National Archives in Washington DC and the collection of historic documents there.
  • We support research and presentations (books, articles, and talks) related to the history and people of the period 1750-1800.
    • The national SAR Magazine publishes authoritative descriptions of historical events in a quality magazine of archival value.
    • The SAR Revolutionary War Graves Committee published information on some 54,000 grave sites of patriots in the NSSAR Revolutionary War Graves Register, published in 1993. More names have been collected and the entire 140,000 names and locations have now been published on CDROM.
    • The Patriot Index Committee is publishing a CD-ROM with information on 732,000 patriots and their descendants.

Patriotic Goals
  • We inspire the community with the principles on which our nation was founded.
    • Many chapters and states have color guards that wear Revolutionary War uniforms and participate in civic and patriotic events and observances such as Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Patriots Day (April 19), Bill of Rights Day, Yorktown Day, Constitution Day, and important battles of the Revolutionary War.
    • Each year the SAR National Congress passes resolutions to stimulate personal and national action based on these principles.
  • We maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom. In 1994 the NSSAR formed a Task Force to Preserve U. S. History to help focus public attention on profound problems in some proposed national standards for teaching pre-college U. S. History.
  • We help carry out the promises expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution.
  • We provide recognition for public service. The state societies and chapters of the NSSAR present thousands of awards each year to law enforcement officers, public safety officers, and other citizens who exemplify the best civic traditions of our nation. This includes young men and women who are leaders in our communities: high-ranking high school students of history, Eagle Scouts, JROTC and ROTC cadets and midshipmen.
  • We honor, respect, and support veterans, especially those confined to residential and hospital facilities provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Educational Goals
  • We sponsor contests — essay and oration — for high school students, based on historical and patriotic themes.
  • We distribute history curriculum at no cost to the recipient. This curriculum was developed by the Houston Independent School System in cooperation with the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation and the American Heritage Education Foundation, Inc.
  • We inform the community about the events and philosophical bases of the American Revolution and the Constitution. Color Guards in Revolutionary War uniforms participate in civic events and patriotic celebrations throughout the United States, providing pageantry, drama and a sense of the nation’s history. Important events and persons of the Revolutionary period are portrayed for students and the public at large.
  • The SAR Magazine provides a public record of the activities of the society and has numerous articles detailing the history of the initial and continuing struggle for independence.
  • We help people locate and evaluate genealogical records. Our state and chapter registrars have excellent resources, and the NSSAR library is a major national repository of genealogical information.

The SAR is a “lineage” society. This means that each member has traced their family tree back to a point of having an ancestor who supported the cause of American Independence during the years 1774-1783. The NSSAR Bylaws do not provide for “associate members.”

  • If you already know that you have a patriot ancestor, then you are ready to move onto our JOIN page.
  • If you aren't sure whether any of your ancestors lived in the United States during the Revolution, don’t lose heart. Many people who never set foot in the United States supported the American colonists struggle against British domination — for example the king of Spain. Many patriots (or their descendants moved to foreign lands and their descendants moved back later, not knowing their ancestors were here before. Many French, German, and Spanish soldiers and sailors fought in support of American independence and returned home without making their descendants aware of their participation in gaining American independence.

Even if you do not identify an ancestor who participated in the struggle for American Independence you can still have hours of fun searching for information on your ancestors. Getting involved in your genealogy usually produces interesting family stories and an improved appreciation for the problems and opportunities that your ancestors had to deal with.

While the lack of a documented patriot ancestor will prevent you from joining the SAR, there are many other societies that can help you explore your family history, meet other people of the same lineage that you have, and support the political institutions that make the United States a great nation.

You can apply in 4 east steps.

  1. Determine Eligibility
  2. Find a Local Contact
  3. Collect Your Data
  4. Start Your Application

For more information on each of these steps, visit the National SAR site or visit our JOIN page today.