Sons of the American Revolution

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is an organization of men who can prove direct lineal descent from patriots who wintered at Valley Forge, signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the American Revolution, served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise supported the cause of American Independence. Organized in 1889, the SAR is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and teaching American history to future generations.

Visit the National SAR Genealogical Research Library
809 West Main St.

Louisville, KY 40202

Telephone: 502-589-1776

E-mail: https://library.sar.org/contact/

Website: https://library.sar.org/

Catalog: https://library.sar.org/library/library-catalog/

This national genealogical research library houses over 55,000 items, including family histories, local, county and state records - with a collecting focus that spans all 50 states and the breadth of American history.. The Library also provides access to the SAR special collections containing both institutional archives and Revolutionary period items. The online catalog allows you to see what is available - with many titles connected to digital or e-book editions that can be accessed through their corresponding catalog record - just look for the "E-book" designation, and click on the link found within the expanded catalog record.

The SAR Library is a Family Search Affiliate library and also provides onsite patrons with FREE access to Ancestry Library Edition, Heritage Quest, Fold3, and American Ancestors (NEHGS). The online catalog allows you to see what is available - with many titles connected to e-book editions through their corresponding catalog record.

The library is open, M-F, 9:30am-4:30pm, and every 3rd Saturday of the month, 9am-4pm.

The Library is open to the general public for $5 admission per day with FREE admission to Friends of the SAR Library (FOL); SAR members and their spouses; members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Children of the American Revolution (CAR), and Sons of the Revolution (SR). The SAR Library is a non-circulating, reference facility only.

Search the Patriot Research System (PRS)
The SAR Patriot Research System (PRS) database can be accessed freely by anyone, anywhere, and is a combination of the previous SAR Patriot Record Index, the SAR Revolutionary War Graves Registry, and information from the SAR Patriot Index CD (2002), plus additional information and updates from various state grave registry databases and patriot biographical sketches submitted to tell the story of our patriot ancestors. This link will take you to order forms where you can order previously verified SAR membership and supplemental applications using their Record Copy Service. Ancestry.com has an index to U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 with digital copies of the applications available to view on their website.

Search the classic SAR collections at the FamilySearch Library

 * If you are at the FamilySearch Library, use the SAR Patriot Index on Family History Library Compact Disc no. 193, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Buffalo, N.Y.: Progeny Publishing, 2002, At various libraries (WorldCat). Check out the CD at the third floor Access Services window. The CD contains records of over 610,000 patriots that are lineage-linked and include information on birth, marriage, death, spouse, and children. Use the computers on the FS Library third floor designated for CD access, read the Quick Start instructions to access and print from the database, and summarize the results on your research log.
 * Search the Register Lineages of Associates, 1896-1993, with supplements to 2002, Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, 2002, Baltimore, Maryland: Gateway Press, 1994, At various libraries (WorldCat). This seven volume set is available in the United States Reference Collection on the second floor of the FamilySearch Library. Each book is individually indexed by surname with the first name and page number of the patriot. The book contains lineages used to establish membership in the The National Society, (SAR).
 * Search Membership Records and Applications. Search Membership Information and Application Forms for the Sons of the American Revolution, 1776–1996. Sons of the American Revolution. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1993–1996. This collection is on 1087 FS Library microfilms beginning with number 541457. It includes 1) catalog of members to 1970; 2) index of ancestors to 1993; 3) membership applications filed by number; 4) and documentation relating to membership applications filed by name of patriot.

Use the FamilySearch Catalog Film/Fiche Numbers Search and type in the first film number 541457. Search alphabetically for the film number that would include the SAR member’s name or ancestor’s name. Write the film number on your research log.


 * Search for the name of the SAR member, if known, or search for the name of the patriot.
 * View the applicable microfilm located on the second floor of the FamilySearch Library
 * Record the national membership application number, name of applicant, the patriot’s rank and unit of service, and other information in your research log.
 * Return to the catalog listing of this collection and locate the microfilm filed by the application number. The applications include forms filed for SAR membership, lineal descent, patriot service, and documentation.
 * Return to the catalog listing of this collection and locate the microfilm matching the membership application documentation filed by the name of the patriot. Documentation may include copies of birth, marriage and death records, pension files, wills, histories, and letters.
 * Make copies of the documents and record the results on your research log.

Additional resources
Search the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search for the name of the state, and select the topic Societies to find other records for the DAR and SAR.

There are numerous other sources compiled and published by the DAR and SAR. Use the FamilySearch Catalog Author Search and type in Daughters of the American Revolution or Sons of the American Revolution.

Search the FamilySearch Research Wiki for additional information on the DAR and SAR and related topics.