Researching American Revolutionary War Patriots
Nearly 250 years ago, America declared its independence from the British Empire, changing the course of history. For those of us with American ancestry from that period, we want to know if—and how—our ancestor served the cause. This five-week online course will delve into the many primary and published records that exist to document your ancestors’ role in the American Revolution and their contributions to the cause for independence.
Image credit: https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/79#technical-metadata
January 3 – Class 1: Getting to Know Your Revolutionary War Ancestor
Presented by Jonathan Hill
This first class will discuss how muster rolls, manuscript materials, published histories, lineage society databases, and more can help you establish your ancestor’s service and explore their role in the American Revolution. We will also review key repositories to begin—and deepen—your research.
January 10 – Class 2: No Battlefield Service Required: Researching Patriotic Ancestors
Presented by Melanie McComb
Your ancestor may not have served on the battlefield, but still supported the cause by furnishing supplies or medical aid to troops, signing petitions or oaths of fidelity, serving as a member of the Continental Congress, state conventions, and assemblies, and more. This class will explore the many records that may shed light on an ancestor’s patriotic leanings and support. We will also examine women’s patriotic service during the Revolutionary War.
January 17 – Class 3: Using Revolutionary War Bounty Land Warrants
Presented by David Allen Lambert
From 1775 to 1855 the United States awarded bounty-land warrants to veterans of the Revolution. These grants may not have only affected your family’s migrations, but greatly impacted the reach and settlement of the fledgling nation. This class will discuss who was eligible to receive bounty land warrants, what records exist documenting the grants, where to find these resources, and ultimately determine if your ancestor received a warrant.
January 24 – Class 4: Using Revolutionary War Pension Records
Presented by David Allen Lambert
Pension records offer a goldmine of information for family historians. This session will discuss who was eligible to receive pension records, where to find them, what information is provided, how to navigate these records, and offer strategies for getting the most out of these important records.
January 31 – Class 5: Compiling Patriot Stories
Presented by Elizabeth Peay
This final class brings together several records and strategies discussed throughout the course to uncover the stories of your patriot ancestor and to understand the greater context in which they lived.
