Members of SAR seek to preserve the memory of those whose service and sacrifice during the American Revolution secured independence for the American people

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Are you descended from a Revolutionary War patriot?

It’s time to look more closely at your family tree, say members of the Sacramento Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) as the 250^th anniversary of the American revolution draws near.

The chapter is actively looking for men whose ancestors fought and sacrificed for the nation we have today, said chapter treasurer Donald B. Littlefield. Littlefield currently serves as treasurer and board member of the SAR, Sacramento Chapter. In April, he finished his term as president of the California Society Sons of the American Revolution for 2020-2021. He also served as a chapter officer in 2010, 2011, 2017 and 2018.

Littlefield outlined the history of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), helpful tips to determine membership eligibility and examples of how and where Sacramento chapter members actively participate in our local community.

Members of SAR seek to preserve the memory of those whose service and sacrifice during the American Revolution secured independence for the American people. Through their example of public service, they also seek to encourage a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers.

Littlefield said its members also actively add to and encourage further historical research regarding general history of the American Revolution. In general, SAR members seek to encourage an appreciation for true patriotism, a respect for our national symbols, and the value of American citizenship.

SAR is a historical, educational, and patriotic United States 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Its members are direct descendants of those patriots that achieved the independence of the American people.

The organization’s objective is to perpetuate a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers, Littlefield said. Members strive to carry out the promises expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution.

Littlefield said the Sacramento SAR chapter supports the men and women in military service, law enforcement and fire safety on the chapter, state, and national level through their Partners in Patriotism (the American Legion, VFW, AmVets, etc.) to recognize the ongoing sacrifices of our service members throughout the world in activities such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day celebrations, and Wreaths Across America, held at national veteran’s cemeteries.

“Our active members work on various programs, donating time and resources to keep our programs going,” Littlefield said. “We need more new members who understand what we are, what we do, and want to be part of the important legacy we are trying to leave for our posterity,” he said.

Individual Sacramento SAR chapter members visibly inspire patriotism through their color guard which participates in local parades and ceremonies and posts the national colors.

SAR color guard members wear Revolutionary War-era uniforms and participate in civic and patriotic events and observances such as the Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Patriots Day, Bill of Rights Day, Yorktown Day, Constitution Day, and important battles of the Revolutionary War.

Historically, the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is the largest male lineage organization in the United States and consists of 50 state-level societies with more than 500 local chapters, several international societies (including Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom), and over 36,000 active members.

In all, some 220,000 men have joined since the SAR was founded in 1889 on the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our first president.

“We perpetuate the stories of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy, and triumph of the men who achieved the independence of the American people in the belief that these stories are universal ones of man's eternal struggle against tyranny, relevant to all time, will inspire and strengthen each succeeding generation as it too is called upon to defend our freedoms on the battlefield and in our public institutions,” Littlefield said.

Prominent SAR members include 16 U.S. presidents, U.S. senators and representatives, local business and community leaders, as well as foreign dignitaries such as Sir Winston Churchill, and Kings Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI of Spain.

Throughout its history, SAR members have also answered their country’s call in every major American conflict beginning with the battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, and continuing to the present day, with military service Operation Desert Storm, Bosnia, and the recent actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. SAR members have also received the highest awards America can bestow, including the Medal of Honor.

Where to begin?

A search for a Revolutionary War male family ancestor begins seven to nine generations back.

“Most men seeking membership at this time are looking at ancestors who would probably be their 4^th to 6^th great-grandparents,” said Littlefield.

“Consider that by doubling the number of ancestors in each succeeding generation (two parents, four grandparents, eight great grandparents, etc.), we might have over 3,000 direct ancestors who were alive during the Revolution,” he said.

“It is likely that if you had any ancestral line living in this country for many years, you could possibly find one or more patriots in your family tree. The search can be rewarding, as you learn how your own family participated in the ongoing history of this country,” he said.

What does SAR do?

The state-level societies and chapters of the SAR 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.

“Our mission is to inspire patriotism, educate our youth about the sacrifices that were and still are required to keep our freedoms, and to support and recognize those who, as members of the armed forces, law enforcement and/or fire safety, continue to defend our freedoms,” said Donald Littlefield.

Members of the Sacramento SAR chapter also help to bring American history alive in the classroom through a living history program where its members in period dress can give first person accounts of very real Revolutionary War era events to fifth grade school assemblies, he said.

SAR requirements and Resources

The supporting documentation to establish each link in the lineage to a Revolutionary War patriot is needed for membership eligibility, Littlefield said. Hearsay evidence in published family histories and online family trees is not acceptable unless it provides the actual specific sources where the information originated.

With today’s online technology, many original records can be found on sources like FamilySearch.org (free), or subscription sites like Ancestry.com and Fold3.com.  The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as well as the SAR have online research systems that can help with clues.

Usually vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates can be found for most of the events in the 20^th century. For example, the national 1850-1920 census records can often show children living in their parent’s household connecting those links.

Documented published records can help with the earliest generations but sometimes it is necessary to look at the original probate, land, church or other records as needed to find the necessary proof.  Littlefield said Jim Faulkinbury, the Sacramento chapter’s genealogist can offer membership applicants helpful information in where to begin their research.

How to Become a Member

Since membership in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) requires a direct descent from a patriot who helped establish this nation between 1775 and 1783 when the Treaty of Paris gave us our national independence examples of specific eligibility can take many forms, Littlefield said.

According to the SAR website, such examples of service can include:

• Military service in either the Continental Army or in local militia units.
• Civil service in local or state governments.
• Members of the many committees that assisted in the war effort.
• Oaths of Allegiance supporting the war for independence.
• Providing supplies and/or funds.
• In Spanish North America (California, Texas, etc.), the soldiers who manned the Presidios gave financial support to the colonies. For the purpose of membership eligibility, these soldiers are also considered patriot ancestors. Spanish soldiers who served in Florida and Louisiana kept the British out of the Mississippi River allowing vital resources to reach the colonies from the south are also eligible for membership.

Historical origins

Nationally, the SAR Archives and Education staff has been digitizing the materials that comprise the SAR Institutional Archives located in the SAR Genealogical Research Library. Some 30,000 files have been recorded and placed in digital storage.

The first file chosen for this series showcases the exceptional historical depth of the SAR; was the Record of Proceedings of the Convention of Delegates, convened on April 30th, 1889.

This document records the first Congress of the SAR when delegates from across the country came together to formally unify the different state societies. Delegates from 17 states met in New York City in 1889. Fittingly, it was the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of President George Washington.

Fraunces Tavern has long been associated with the American Revolution and the founding of our nation. In 1783, the tavern hosted the most prominent leader of them all, General George Washington. On the night of December 4th, 1783 at Fraunces Tavern, General Washington bid farewell to the officers of the Continental Army. Washington gave an impassioned speech and then delivered a personal word to each of the men who had helped secure American independence.

Under the Articles of Confederation, which placed the capitol of the nation in New York City, Fraunces Tavern also served as the offices of the Foreign Affairs, War, and Finance Departments. Over 100 years later, as the first delegates of the Sons of the American Revolution gathered there, the tavern once became the backdrop to a scene of national unity and patriotism.

Today, SAR is a thriving historical, educational, and patriotic United States 501(c)3 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, and the unifying force of “e pluribus unum” that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people.

Interested applicants can begin their journey at www.sar.org/how-to-apply and visit sar-sacramento.org. Email [email protected] for more information.