Whether you’re researching Revolutionary War Patriot ancestors or ancestors living in the United States in the late 1700s or early 1800s, the databases created by Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) should absolutely be on your list of go-to resources. Even if you have no interest in membership, they can serve as a powerful shortcut, sometimes even handing you multi-generation lineages.
At the center of it all is the DAR’s Genealogical Research System (GRS): a free online portal that pulls together multiple databases built from over a century of lineage applications and research.
What is the DAR Genealogical Research System?
The GRS is not just one database. It’s a collection of several linked tools that draw from DAR membership applications, library collections and indexing projects.
The core collections include:
- Ancestor Database
- Member Database
- Descendants Database
- Genealogical Records Committee (GRC) database
- Rev War Database
- Bibles Database
All are free to search. However, to view the records themselves, you must order copies.
Making the Most of the DAR GRS
Before you start clicking through the DAR’s databases, it’s worth going over what these tools do well and how to use them in a way that strengthens your research—instead of derailing it.
The GRS databases have strong coverage of Revolutionary War-era families. And because the applications have been previously reviewed, the genealogical information in them tends to be relevant and more accurate than some other sources. And because the Ancestor, Member and Descendants Databases are all interconnected, it’s easy to bounce from one set of records to the next.
However, the system has its drawbacks as well. Errors exist, especially in older applications (some of which are noted). And the applications haven’t created a comprehensive index of every soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War. Thus, absence of an individual in these databases does not mean that they didn’t serve in the Revolutionary War.
How to effectively use the DAR GRS
- Search for a potential Revolutionary War Patriot ancestor in the databases
- Review associated lineage applications
- Look for familiar names in descendant listings
- Identify a possible connection with your family
- Order the applications (and supplemental documents) tied to that line
- Rebuild the lineage yourself using independent records
The bottom line is that the databases of the GRS, especially the Ancestor and Descendants databases, can save you time and point you in the right direction, but you will still have to do your own research and confirm the family connections with other sources. Think of it this way: the GRS will give you a map, but you still need to navigate the route to get to your final destination.
Overview of the GRS Databases
Ancestor Database
The Ancestor Database is usually the best place to start if you have DAR member relatives or ancestors with significant documentation of Revolutionary War service. Maintained by the staff of the DAR’s Office of the Registrar, the collection is actively used by DAR staff when evaluating new member applications.
Note that the Ancestor Database is not a comprehensive list of every individual who served in the Revolutionary War. It’s a database of patriots who have been proven through DAR verified lineage applications for DAR membership, meaning that someone has already documented descent from that individual. New applicants use the information here to support their claim by connecting to one of these verified ancestors.
The database also includes lines that have been closed—that is, disproven or coded as errors. These are highlighted in search results in red.
If you find an application that you would like to view, you can order a copy using the DAR’s Online Library Documents Service. You can order the application ($15/copy) and supporting documentation ($30/file) together or separately.
To begin, click the Ancestor tab on the GRS website. Fill in as much as you know about the ancestor who you think qualifies as a DAR patriot. You must fill in at least one of the fields starred in red.
One of those fields, “Ancestor Number,” is the unique ID of the patriot in the database. If you have relatives that have joined the DAR as members, ask them for the Ancestor Number.
If you’re searching using name, bear in mind that the DAR assigns standardized surnames that cover variant spellings. Oftentimes, the DAR’s preferred spellings are at odds with the historical record, but they are based on the Library of Congress’ classification system. As a result, don’t assume that a possible patriot ancestor isn’t a match just because a differently-spelled surname. For example, my patriot ancestor is recorded as David Randall, but I descend from a line that used the surname Randol.
The workaround for this is using Advanced Search, found under “Search Options” on the right hand side. Advanced Search has a checkbox that you can click to use Soundex in the search.
Also under Advanced Search, you can add details about a person’s patriot service. However, you probably won’t need that much filtering to find matching patriots. Don’t miss the link under “Search Options” for Child Search, which you can use if you only know the name of a child of a potential patriot: you might be able to extend your family tree a generation right there.
Once you press Search, you’ll either be taken to a list of results in the database or a page that says “No ancestor records found.” If the latter, make sure to use Soundex in Advanced Search to check for similar surname spellings.
.
The database 25 results at a time, sorted in alphabetical order by first name. The results displayed will include notices in large red letters indicating whether errors have been found in at least one previous verified membership paper. For now, you can skip those warnings, but note that this will require further research later.
To view a full database entry, click on either the name of the patriot (in blue), the Ancestor Number, or the purple person icon on the right.
On each page for a patriot’s full database entry, you will find:
- Reminder alerts: The DAR includes alerts at the top of the page, reminding researchers that a “listing does not constitute proof of lineage.” The page also reminds users of DAR’s copyright claims over the information, as well as surname spellings.
- An abstract of the patriot’s service, including: the colony/state they served in the Revolution; any ranks recorded; pension number; service source (in this case, the pension); and description of service. You’ll also find known any known birth and death dates and places.
- On the right, you’ll find the Ancestor Number, as well as a red pedigree symbol, which if you click, will take you to a list of known DAR member descendants (cross-linked with the Descendants Database and the Member Database).
- Residence information for the time they served in the Revolution.
- Spouse’s name
- All associated applications and supplementals pertaining to DAR membership applications.
- Name of the patriot’s children and the child’s spouse that DAR members descend from.
- The national number (membership ID) of a specific DAR member. Clicking on the number will take you to a list of all Revolutionary ancestors that member descends from. (Many DAR members will join under one ancestor and add additional ancestors later with supplemental applications). Under “Add Vol” you will find the volume number for supplemental applications.
- The docs section will tell you what documents are on file for each descendant: S for supporting documentation and/or D for a descendants list. Click on the latter to see a descendant list pulled from the Descendants Database. A blue circle next an S indicates the member filed a short-form application.
- If you identify an application of interest, you can purchase a copy.
Member Database
To protect the privacy of current DAR members, the Member Database is very limited in search options. However, you can search for basic information on a member’s ancestor using their national number. For example, if you have a relative that is a member, you can ask them for their national number and search for them here.
Descendants Database
The Descendants Database is the GRS’ real goldmine. This database is an index of every name listed on the lineage page of DAR applications and supplementals, including a Patriot’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and later descendants.
You can search this database for a known ancestor (for example, a third-great-grandparent) to potentially connect them to a DAR Patriot, then identify an already-researched and -proven lineage. It’s essentially a reverse-engineered family tree index built from verified applications.
The DAR notes that this database contains lineages from most original applications, National Number 1 through 889,069. My lineage (being in the 980,000s) is also included; the first three generations are restricted.
.
On the Descendants List page, you’ll find an Ahnentafel pedigree documenting the lineage from a specific member to a Patriot. Many of the older membership applications are not censored for privacy. If you find a Descendants List page that does have “Name Restricted” for the member or “Generation Restricted,” the member is likely active in the DAR and chose to censor that information.
Once you have found a connection, you can order a copy of the application you need using the DAR’s Online Library Documents Service.
GRC Database
The GRC database covers records of the DAR’s Genealogical Records Committee (GRC) and Preservation Historic Records. The DAR has been collecting genealogical material since its founding in 1890. And in 1913, the DAR established the GRC to coordinate its preservation of genealogical records.
The result is over 20,000 typescripts of records from across the country, referred to as the Genealogical Records Committee Reports or GRC Reports. Details in the GRC Reports include transcriptions of Bible records, cemetery records, wills, genealogies, death records and obituaries, church records, and much more.
Since the late 1990s, the GRC has sponsored a project to index all names in each report—this database is the result of those efforts.
Importantly, the records indexed in the GRC Reports often include otherwise unpublished data and span hundreds of years—not just the Revolutionary War era.
The GRC Reports are digitized. However, they are only available to view at the DAR Library’s Seimes Technology Center. Researchers can order copies of pages in the GRC Reports by contacting the DAR Library’s Search Service.
Bibles Database
The Bibles Database is a subset of the GRC Reports database. As of writing, it includes 40,000 searchable family register entries. However, if you don’t find the surname you are looking for, make sure to cross-check with the every-name GRC Database.
Rev War
The Rev War section of GRS is a collection of primary sources and research guides compiled by the DAR. It’s focused specifically on the Revolutionary War, including:
- The Patriot Records Project Index contains every readable name within over 500,000 Revolutionary War documents. You can search the index and access images of the original documents on the website. It is an ongoing project; more records are continuously being scanned and indexed.
- The Revolutionary War Pension Index was created by DAR staff genealogists and volunteers, who visited abstracted, typed, and indexed thousands of files needed to prove Revolutionary War service. Though they didn’t abstract every pension, the transcribers produced 340 typescript volumes of pension abstracts. Even though pensions are now available online through other resources, the online card index here is still important because it includes not only the name of the pensioner or widow, but also the names of other people mentioned in the pension papers.
- Forgotten Patriots Research Guide, also titled African American and American Indian Patriots of the Revolutionary War: A Guide to Service, Sources, and Studies, records the service of African Americans and Native Americans. Included are servicemembers’ names, article indexes, grave markings, and historical plaques—all cited to allow for further research.
- Patriots of Color is a newer database that builds on the work done by the Forgotten Patriots Project. It broadens the scope of that project, including the names of individuals who assisted the Revolutionary War effort and came from a variety of origins: African, African American, Native American, Latin American and more.
- DAR Revolutionary War Grave Marker Index references Patriot graves that have been marked with DAR symbols, maintained by the government, or reported by chapters.
This article was published online in April 2026.
Related Reads
Author
Katharine Korte Andrew MS/LIS is a digital editor for Family Tree Magazine and professional genealogist.
