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The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, October 19, 1781

Researching American Revolutionary War Patriots

Seminar
Online
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2024
Live broadcasts: Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:30 pm ET
David Allen Lambert
Melanie McComb
Elizabeth Peay

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.

Education and Programming
David Allen Lambert
Military Records
New England
Eastern Canada
Areas of expertise: New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; American and international military records; DNA research; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England. 
Education and Programming
Melanie McComb
DNA
Ireland
Eastern Canada
Areas of expertise: Irish genealogy, DNA, Atlantic Canada, Jewish genealogy, and military records.
Books and Journals
Elizabeth Peay
Elizabeth studied at the University of Connecticut and Smith College, earning a dual B.A. in History and Classical Studies. Before joining the NEHGS team she worked as a Lead Guide at Roseland Cottage for Historic New England.