Thursday, October 06, 2011

SAR Membership Applications: A Warning

Recently, Ancestry.com made available the "Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970."  This is yet another fabulous resource for our research.  

Please keep in mind, however, that these are not primary sources.  Instead, they should be used as "jumping off points" for finding further information.  

For instance:  On my Ancestry profile for our Samuel Reed of Barnwell, I find two historical records available under Ancestry Hints.  Both are SAR Applications for descendants of Samuel and Mary Clark Reed.  One traces back to George Reed of Abbeville who was not our Samuel's father.  The other uses for proof an indent for the "other" Samuel Reed who was George of Abbeville's son.  

For further information this "other" Samuel and his father George, please click here:  George Reed and Abigail Leger Were Not the Parents of Samuel Reed of Barnwell