Thank you for registering for the online seminar, Revolutionary War Research: Tracing Patriot and Loyalist Ancestors
Nearly 250 years ago, America declared its independence from the British Empire, changing the course of history. For those of us with ancestry in the American colonies from that period, we want to know if our ancestor served the cause—and on what side. 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, be it as a Patriot or a Loyalist.
This course includes five 90-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation. These recordings and all course materials will be available for the foreseeable future.
JOIN THE LIVE BROADCAST
Click here to join the live sessions: https://zoom.us/j/92667481149
Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
If you are unable to attend the live session, you will be able to view a recording on this webpage.
CLASS TOPICS
April 2 – Class 1: Getting to Know Your Revolutionary War Ancestor, Sheilagh Doerfler
This first class will provide a brief, historical overview of the American Patriots and those who remained loyal to the British Crown, offering definitions of key terms, statistics, demographics, motives, and the general movement of people during and after the way. We’ll also look at 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.
April 9 – Class 2: Researching Service to the Cause, Melanie McComb
Your ancestor may not have served on the battlefield, but still supported the war by furnishing supplies or medical aid to troops, signing petitions or oaths of fidelity, and more. This class will explore the many records that may shed light on an ancestor’s patriotic or loyalist leanings and their support. We will also examine women’s roles during the Revolutionary War.
April 16 – Class 3: Using Revolutionary War Pension Records, David Allen Lambert
Both Patriot and Loyalist pension records exist, and they offer a goldmine of information for family historians. This session will discuss who was eligible to receive a pension, 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.
April 23 – Class 4: Using Revolutionary War Land Grants, Melanie McComb
Many patriots and loyalists received land grants following the American Revolution. From 1789 to 1833 the United States awarded bounty-land warrants to veterans of the Revolution. Likewise, the British government compensated United Empire Loyalists with lands in Canada. These grants very well could have affected your family’s movements. This class will discuss who was eligible to receive land grants, what records exist, where to find these resources, and ultimately determine if your ancestor received a warrant.
April 30 – Class 5: Applying to Revolutionary War Lineage Societies, David Allen Lambert
Now that you have confirmed your ancestry to a participant of the American Revolution, you may wish to apply for a lineage society. In this final class, David Allen Lambert provides a step-by-step look at applying to these organizations including the general application process and tips for when you can’t find vital records. The lineage societies covered in this presentation will include National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Revolution, The Society of the Cincinnati, The Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, and the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada.
COURSE HANDOUTS
Class 1 Handout
Class 1 Slides (Large)
Class 1 Slides (Worksheet)
Class 2 Handout
Class 2 Slides (Large)
Class 2 Slides (Worksheet)
Class 3 Handout
Class 3 Slides (Large)
Class 3 Slides (Worksheet)
Class 4 Handout
Class 4 Slides (Large)
Class 4 Slides (Worksheet)
Class 5 Handout
Class 5 Slides (Large)
Class 5 Slides (Worksheet)
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: Getting to Know Your Revolutionary War Ancestor
Original broadcast: April 2, 2025
Presented by Sheilagh Doerfler
Running time: 1:49:33
Class 2: Researching Service to the Cause
Original broadcast: April 9, 2025
Presented by Melanie McComb
Running time: 1:37:33
Class 3: Using Revolutionary War Pension Records
Original broadcast: April 16, 2025
Presented by David Allen Lambert
Running time: 1:45:58
Class 4: Using Revolutionary War Land Grants
Original broadcast: April 23, 2025
Presented by Melanie McComb
Running time: 1:38:40
Class 5: Applying to Revolutionary War Lineage Societies
Original broadcast: April 30, 2025
Presented by David Allen Lambert
Running time: 1:45:19
OTHER RESOURCES
Archived Webinar: Researching Black Patriots and Loyalists During the Revolutionary Era
Archived Webinar: Applying to Revolutionary War Lineage Societies
Archived Author Event: Stacy Schiff with The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Sheilagh Doerfler, Genealogist joined American Ancestors as a member of the Research Services team in 2013. She received her B.A. in History and Communication from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Sheilagh is a frequent contributor to American Ancestors magazine and the American Ancestors blog, Vita-Brevis. Her areas of expertise include: DNA, adoption, New England, New Netherland, Ireland, Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Norway, and Sweden.
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.
Melanie McComb, Senior 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.