Reprinted from Wake Genealogy Watch newsletter, Spring 2026, Vol.9.4
Have you found any Patriots on your family tree? I know you know to look for the soldiers. Did you know to look for signers of the Declaration of Independence or members of the Continental Congress? Have you found anyone on a Safety Committee or who took an Oath of Fidelity? Did you know that even women could qualify if they were involved in various support or heroic rolls during the course of the war?
If you haven’t found your Patriot yet, go back and look for mention of any of these qualifiers from a list of auxiliary roles provided by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) at their War Service page on their website.
The standard used by DAR to define Patriotic Service is surprisingly broad and inclusive. You might be surprised to find that an ancestor who never picked up a rifle still qualifies as a Patriot.
The DAR recognizes a wide range of contributions that helped sustain the Colonies during the fight for independence. These generally fall into four key categories.
Civil and Government Roles
This includes anyone serving in the Continental Congress, state assemblies, or local government roles including town clerks and selectmen, judges, sheriffs, and even local jurors.
Logistical and Material Support
The war was won in the storehouses as much as the field. Providing cattle, food, munitions, or loaning money to the cause is recognized as essential patriotic service. Even those who paid specific "supply taxes" intended to fund the war effort are often included.
Community and Social Support
Patriotism took many forms. It includes ministers who encouraged the cause from the pulpit, doctors and nurses who tended to the wounded, and those who served on essential committees of safety or correspondence.
Extraordinary Circumstances
The DAR also honors those who faced unique hardships or contributed from afar, including those held on infamous British prison ships (like the Old Jersey), refugees displaced by the war, and even international allies, such as French nationals or those serving in Spanish troops under Bernardo de Gálvez.
How to Verify Your Ancestor
If you suspect an ancestor participated in the American Revolution, the best place to start is the official DAR Genealogical Research System. The DAR maintains the definitive list of accepted service types and documentation standards to help you verify your lineage.
You can review the full list of recognized activities and explore their research database at the DAR Accepted Revolutionary War Service Page.
Whether through a government post, a community committee, or the donation of essential supplies, your ancestors’ contributions fueled the American Revolution. Happy hunting!
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