July 4, 2025

It’s the Fourth of July. Today is the perfect day to do some research into your Revolutionary War ancestors. The Revolutionary War began in 1775 and ended in 1783. If your ancestors were in America by that time, it’s likely that you will have Revolutionary War Ancestors.

 

In my family only one of my eight great grandparents was born in the United States. For years I doubted that I had any Revolutionary War ancestors. However, my one native born American great grandfather had lineage stretching back to the 1600s in New England. Through him I have three direct Revolutionary War ancestors as well as several collateral Revolutionary War relatives.

 

With so many records available online now, it’s easier than ever to locate elusive Revolutionary War soldiers and supporters. A good starting point is the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Genealogical Research System (GRS).

 

This free resource is a helpful tool developed by the DAR to aid general genealogical research. It is especially useful to anyone who is trying to become a member of the DAR. It is available on the DAR website. You may search for an ancestor at https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/?Tab_ID=1 .

 

Although the GRS features an extensive list of Patriots, not everyone who served will be included in the database. You may need to consult other sources such as Fold3 and Ancestry as well as the National Archives for additional information.

 

Don’t forget that some of your ancestors may also have been Loyalists. It is often stated that only one-third of Americans were Patriots who supported independence from England. Another third were Loyalists who supported the King of England. Another third didn’t support either side and were neutral.

 

Thousands of Americans served Great Britain during the Revolution. Approximately 60,000 Loyalists relocated to Canada after the war. Family Search Wiki has an informative article about American Loyalists at https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/American_Loyalists . This can help you start your research into these often-under-researched ancestors.

 

The fourth of July seems an appropriate time to spend some time looking into our ancestors’ experiences in the Revolutionary War, whichever side he or she supported.

 

Happy Fourth of July and Happy Hunting!

 

Carol Stetser

Researcher

Larimer County Genealogical Society