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Researching American Revolutionary War Patriots Conference 2020

  

|  Topics |  Special Offers & Door prizes |  Recorded Presentations & Materials |  Instructor Bios |

 

Welcome!

Thank you for registering for the online conference, 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 online conference will explore the many primary and published records that exist to document your ancestors’ role in the American Revolution and demonstrate how you can prove your descent from an American patriot.

Through your participation in this online conference, you will be able to:

  • Access 5+ hours of presentations 
  • Hear from renowned speakers, authors, and professional genealogists
  • Interact with the instructors and fellow attendees 
  • Take advantage of special offers and virtual “door prizes” 
  • Download and/or print handouts, worksheets, and other resources
  • Access recordings of each presentation until March 31, 2021

SESSION TOPICS

Class 1: Getting to Know Your Revolutionary War Veteran Ancestor, Presented by David Allen Lambert  
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.

Class 2: Researching Women in the American Revolution, Presented by Melanie McComb  
Men were certainly not the only ones affected by—or involved in—the American Revolution. Women boycotted British goods, produced home-spun cloth and supplies for soldiers, and some even took to the battlefield. This presentation will look at women’s role in the fight for American Independence and how to research your female ancestors during this period.

Class 3: Using Revolutionary War Bounty Land Warrants in Your Family History Research, Presented by Ann Lawthers  
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.

Class 4: Using Revolutionary War Pension Records, Presented by David Allen Lambert  
Pension records can 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.

Class 5: Proving Your Descent and Applying to Lineage Societies, Presented by Katrina Fahy  
This final presentation will highlight some of the many lineage societies that exist to honor our patriot ancestors. We will discuss their application process and requirements, demonstrate how to prove—and document--your descent, and offer strategies for when you can’t find necessary vital records.

Q&A with the Instructor, LIVE! (Recording Below)
Saturday, December 12 2:00 - 3:30 PM EST  
Chat with the instructors, interact with fellow participants, and get your questions answered! 

SPECIAL OFFERS & DOOR PRIZES

SPECIALS: For conference attendees only! — Save $10 on an order of $30 or more at our  online bookstore. Just enter REVWAR1220 as your promo code at the time of online checkout. Offer valid until December 19, 2020. Start browsing today!

DOOR PRIZES: Everyone was entered to win a 30-minute consultation with a genealogist (two chances to win). Congratulations to Jan Thompson-Kelley and Elizabeth Galbreath. Winners will be notified by email.

RECORDED PRESENTATIONS

Click on a session below to access class recordings, handouts, and slides.

INSTRUCTOR BIO

Katrina Fahy, Genealogist earned a B.A. in History and Art History from St. Anselm College. Previously, she interned at the New Hampshire Historical Society, constructing biographies of New Hampshire quilt makers as well as transcribing a mid-nineteenth century New Hampshire diary and creating an educational program based on its contents. Katrina's research areas include New England and South East regions, the American Revolution, and lineage society research.

David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist has been on the staff of American Ancestors since 1993 and is the organization’s Chief Genealogist. David is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. His genealogical expertise includes New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; military records; DNA research; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England. Lambert has published many articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, The Mayflower Descendant, and American Ancestors magazine. He has also published A Guide to Massachusetts Cemeteries (American Ancestors, 2019). David is an elected Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Mass., and a life member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati. He is also the tribal genealogist for the Massachuset-Punkapoag Indians of Massachusetts.

Ann Lawthers, Genealogist assists American Ancestors library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and the Harvard School of Public Health, and has completed the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research program. She has conducted genealogical projects as an independent researcher. Ann’s areas of interest are New England and New York, the Mid-Atlantic, Ireland, Eastern Canada, and migration patterns.

Melanie McComb, Genealogist assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She also provides lectures on a variety of genealogical topics. Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. Her areas of research interest include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Kansas, Prince Edward Island, Québec, and Ireland, and she is experienced in DNA, genealogical technology and social media, Jewish genealogy, and military records.

 

COURSE HANDOUTS

Class 1 Handout
Class 1 Slides Worksheet
Class 1 Slides (large)
Class 2 Handout
Class 2 Slides Worksheet
Class 2 Slides (large)
Class 3 Handout
Class 3 Slides Worksheet
Class 3 Slides (large)
Class 4 Handout
Class 4 Slides Worksheet
Class 4 Slides (large)
Class 5 Handout
Class 5 Slides Worksheet
Class 5 Slides (large)

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

Additional Resources from the Chat Panel (Live Q&A)

Prisoner of War Resources