Have you ever done genealogical research and found out that you have veterans from the Civil or Revolutionary War?

2017-02-20T10:22:01-05:00

How did you do the research?

I am a current member of the Sons of the American Revolution and have also traced my family through almost every engagement our country has had (all the way back to 1648)

Do you have any special veteran members or members of prominence in your lineage?

Also, if you need help I can point you in the right direction for research.

https://www.sar.org/

Sons Of The American Revolution | Homepage

The SAR is one of the largest male lineal organizations located in the United States, with a membership of over 30,000 gentlemen around the world. Each member has traced their lineage, using genealogically accepted documentation, back to an individual, male or female, who supported the American Colonies in their quest for independence from Great Britain. Support could have been either through, but not limited to, participation in the armed...

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 20 at 2017 10:25 AM

2017-02-20T10:25:13-05:00

Sure, Sgt William Biggs. I've been a member of the SAR since 1981. My mother's family can be traced back to Anthony Holland who migrated from northern Ireland and arrived in the Maryland area in the 1650s. I have a genealogical chart somewhere with the exact year.
At least six of my eight great, great grandfathers served in the CSA during the War of Northern Aggression.

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Feb 20 at 2017 10:27 AM

2017-02-20T10:27:54-05:00

I have Revolutionary War ancestors on both sides and a Confederate on one. I also have located documents for every war except the War of 1812 and the Spanish-American War. It's kind of like Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump except we tend to survive the wars.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Feb 20 at 2017 10:36 AM

2017-02-20T10:36:31-05:00

Both sides of the Civil War, War of 1812, Revolutionary War. Unsure about the French and Indian War, but two ancestors were part of one of the first artillery companies in Massachusetts. Five-greats grandfather was one of GW's drummer boys and played Major John Andre's funeral march in 1780. That bit in particular I learned from one of my great grandfather's numerous documents.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2017 10:41 AM

2017-02-20T10:41:50-05:00

So far I have family in every American war except Vietnam and the Golf War. I even found my Irish family inslaved by the English/Ireland War and shipped to the Americas. They were freed during one of the Wars as there were 6 sons and I think 5th or 6th great grandfather. The father came home and my direct line. Not sure about his other sons. They were given a lot of land and African American slaves as tribute to their service to the war and built a large plantation.
There were also two brothers including one directly in my line that fought together in the Indians wars. One was killed by the Indians and the other of my line was captured by them. He ended up going "savage" as it were called and was forced with the migration to the 4 Territories. His sons, even though lived on the reservation also were voluntarily inlisted in the service and fought in those battles in between going west. Would love to get other details of my family.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Feb 20 at 2017 10:51 AM

2017-02-20T10:51:11-05:00

Irish rebellion?

Response by SSgt Kevin Clayborn made Feb 20 at 2017 11:15 AM

2017-02-20T11:15:06-05:00

Hi Sgt Biggs, I started my research my mom believed we were related to CSA Gen Robert E Lee. (We're not. ) However, my Lee ancestor was a member of the 35th VA Cav and was at Gettysburg and Appomatox. The "Commanches" as they were called, did not surrender with Gen. Lee, instead choosing to go back to Loudon Co and carry on a partisan fight like John Mosby. By the time they got home however, they had had a change of heart, laid down their weapons and took parole.
Other anxestors were in the 8th VA Inf. (The Bloody Eigth) and the 23rd Batt, Va Inf -- not to be confused with the 23rd Va Inf. Different units.

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Feb 20 at 2017 11:21 AM

2017-02-20T11:21:10-05:00

My family (on both my parents sides) came over in the late 19th and early 20th centuries so if any of my ancestors were veterans of the Revolutionary war they were wearing red uniforms ;)

My wifes mother is a member of the D.A.R. so that means she's eligible to join as well (but has no interest in doing so). Her family were Quakers but I don't know if that made them more or less likely to have fought in any of the early wars of our nation.

My grandfather on my fathers side was an Army officer in WWII but he died when I was just a baby so I have no recollection of him.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 20 at 2017 12:53 PM

2017-02-20T12:53:59-05:00

Did a little digging, found out that relatives by the current spelling of our last name and the old way fought on both sides, just more fought for the Union, than the Confedaracy.

Response by MSgt Richard Randall made Feb 20 at 2017 1:41 PM

2017-02-20T13:41:45-05:00

Too many to mention. Of note are Henry Knox, a 1st Cousin 7x removed, 3rd great grandfather, Capt John Randall fought at Stono Ferry South Carolina in 1779, 5th GGF, Isaac Eoff was in the SC Sumpter Regiment at Fish Dam Ford, Blackstock and Eutaw Springs where he was taken prisoner. Cornelius Eoff owned the Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster NJ and hosted George Washington and Henry Knox during the Grand Alliance Ball at the Boylan House. Have many others on both sides of the family. One uncle, 4x removed, was MG Hiram Eoff who won the MOH during the Civil War. Oddly enough, his 3rd cousin, Confederate Private George Washington Eoff was wounded at Vicksburg, taken prisoner and released during a prisoner exchange. According to family documents, Yankee soldiers found him in his wheelchair in Harrison, Arkansas in late 1864, hauled him outside, and shot him dead. My great grandfather, Alfred Randall fought with the 60th Georgia through Appomattox. Have an uncle who fought in WWI and my dad and several uncles fought in WWII. Several uncles also fought in Korea (one is still MIA) and a couple of cousins were in Vietnam. Sam Houston is a 5th cousin and Davey Crockett is a distant great uncle through marriage. Two cousins, Jacob and Isa Walker both died at the Alamo.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 20 at 2017 1:42 PM

2017-02-20T13:42:37-05:00

Over the last year, my wife and I researched our family trees back to the first person on each side of the family to come to the US. We used Family Tree Maker software and Ancestry.com plus two Coe Family books by Robert Coe and a small book my Uncle John Clark Coe.
On the Coe side: Benjamin E. Coe, Jr, served in the Army, Frontier Rangers, PA, as a LT during the Revolutionary War; James Riggs Coe enlisted for 1 year in 1832; James Charles Coe, Corporal, North Dakota Army National Guard, served in WW I, discharged in 1919 after being deployed to France.
On the Fertig (my mother) side: Robert Simins Fertig served 8 Jul 1864-8 Feb 1867, 15th Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Harrisburg, PA, discharged as a Sergeant (Union Army)
On the Higgins (my wife) side: Col Robert Higgins served under Lafayette, and was wounded and captured at Brandywine. He was in the 8th Virginia Regiment. Spent most of the Revolutionary war on a prison ship.
On the Butler (wife's mother) side: Eleazer Butler served in the French and Indian War, 1757, 1st Company, 5th Connecticut.

The research was pretty easy because most of the documentation is available on line. Seeing the old documents recording military service was quite interesting. We have considered applying for membership in Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2017 2:43 PM

2017-02-20T14:43:33-05:00

My family has been here since the 1600s. My family consists of veterans of the French and Indian Wars, Revolutionary War, Civil War, 1812, WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and OEF.

Loose connections to Desert Storm (cousins of cousins)

This is my great-great...great uncle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Caswell

Also several other members (great grandfathers and great uncles) in the Revolutionary and Civil War.

Richard Caswell - Wikipedia

Richard Caswell (August 3, 1729 – November 10, 1789) was the first and fifth governor of the U.S. State of North Carolina, serving from 1776 to 1780 and from 1785 to 1787.

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 20 at 2017 5:33 PM

2017-02-20T17:33:49-05:00

Yup...
Initial family go back to 1612 in "Carolina"...
Military members in every American conflict since 1753... French and Indian War... to My sister who retired Christmas Eve 2016...

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 20 at 2017 5:36 PM

2017-02-20T17:36:43-05:00

Had Family members In every major Conflict since 1753... French and Indian WAR, all the way till Christmas Eve when Baby Sister retired...

Response by Maj William W. 'Bill' Price made Feb 20 at 2017 6:32 PM

2017-02-20T18:32:45-05:00

Revolutionary, 1812, and Civil War ancestors, Sgt William Biggs.

Response by Maj William W. 'Bill' Price made Feb 20 at 2017 6:38 PM

2017-02-20T18:38:20-05:00

As to the research question, Sgt William Biggs, I started off with what my Mom had put together via microfilms (primarily Census) and Bible records before she began to succumb to Alzheimers. It was amazing what she had accomplished. Based on that research alone I have documented 12 lineal and co-lateral Civil War veterans, 2 War of 1812 veterans, and 7 Revolutionary War veterans. I am truly blessed.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Feb 20 at 2017 11:52 PM

2017-02-20T23:52:45-05:00

My 2nd Great Grandfather, Samuel Bodle and his brother James (my 3rd Grand Uncle) enlisted into Company E, 45th Pennsylvania Infantry. Samuel enlisted September 1861 and left in October 1864 when his contract expired. James enlisted in July 1863.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Feb 21 at 2017 5:42 PM

2017-02-21T17:42:15-05:00

I have proof of muster for some of my Civil War relatives.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jun 30 at 2017 8:56 AM

2017-06-30T08:56:03-04:00

To answer your question, Yes I do Family Research. In fact I have been doing it for almost 60 years. My goal was to prove what the family knew by word of mouth being passed down for generations that my 5th Great Grandfather fought in the American Revolution. Two Years ago I found that proof! He served in the New York 2nd Regiment of the Continental Line, Capt. Charles Graham's Company. Under Col Philip Van Cortlandt. His regiment was at Valley Forge in 1778. Fought at battle of White Planes, and Monmouth. My proof was accepted by the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and I am now a very proud member of the Vermont Society Sons of the American Revolution (VTSSAR). I proceeded to do My wife's family and she too is now a member of the DAR.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 9:34 AM

2017-06-30T09:34:46-04:00

Yup. ON my dad's side, related to Timothy Matlack, Penman of the Declaration of Independence, Colonial Army Colonel, Founding Trustee of Univ of Pennsylvania, witness in U.S. vs. Benedict Arnold.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 9:45 AM

2017-06-30T09:45:48-04:00

Our family has done a book on genealogy and I have done genetic tests as well. The earliest we had in my family was WW1. Came from Austria-Hungary to get away from the war and got drafted. The part that stayed fought for the central powers, so we had family on both sides.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 30 at 2017 10:45 AM

2017-06-30T10:45:50-04:00

I am a Yankee with profound respect for the Confederacy!

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 30 at 2017 11:16 AM

2017-06-30T11:16:38-04:00

I received an email asking about my family. I asked them why they contacted me. I replied. I was the only one who did. Then they send the book to my dad. We go back to 1725 but in the Netherlands

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Jun 30 at 2017 2:21 PM

2017-06-30T14:21:51-04:00

UPDATE: I have noticed that 43% of active duty members have a potential SAR ancestor. THAT'S CRAZY! The veterans are doing well as well. It really shows that patriotism and service runs in families. Thank you for you and your families service.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Jul 1 at 2017 12:05 AM

2017-07-01T00:05:59-04:00

First German immigrant, Tobias Moser, fought for the 1st company 8th Battalion Northampton County, PA in 1784-85, as a private. His son, Michael Moser, was a member of the Militia of Pottstown, Pa in Oct 1785. Michael's son fought for the 4th Virginia Regiment Continental Line engaged south of the James River near the end of the Revolution. Tobias's oldest son, Peter Moser, KIA during the French and Indian war fighting in Virginia. The Moser family had many member represent Ohio during the Civil War. My mother's mother was a Moser.

My wife's mother's mother was a member of the Semmes family. Her great uncle was Adm Raphael Semmes of CSN. The only person during the war who was a general and admiral. He became famous as captain of the commerce raider Alabama. One of the great sea battles in American history was Alabama v. Kearsarge off the northern coast of France.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jul 25 at 2017 10:51 AM

2017-07-25T10:51:27-04:00

I have been doing Genealogical research for close to 60 years. I was 10 years old when my Great Grandmother told my about my 5th Great Grandfather. He was a Pioneer, Surveyor, Teacher and served in the American Revolution. I was hooked and wanted to know more. Thus started my genealogy hobby. You have to realize that in the early 1960's Genealogy was not as easy as it is today. There were no computers, no internet, no Google. But hooked I was. I set my self a goal to prove all that my Great Grandmother told me, not because I thought what she told me was not true, but because the SAR (Son's of the American Revolution) needed rock solid proof of service and proof of lineage from myself back to the Patriot. Proving my 5th Great Grandfather MacClure (as he spelled it) served in the Revolution turned out to take me almost 58 years to do. To make a long story short I proved my 5th Great Grandfather served in the Revolution with his service in the NY Continental Line, 2nd Regiment under Col Phillip Van Cortlandt, Capt Charles Graham's Company. They joined Washington's Army at Valley Forge 1778 his company and Regiment was involved in the battle of Monmouth NJ, and the Battle At White Plains, NY. I have copies of the actual hand written 9 months of Musters for his company. I am a member of the Vermont State Society of the SAR

At he same time I was doing this work, I also proved my wife was a DAR, (Daughter of the American Revolution) as well! Her patriot gave his all. He was killed on Chestnut Hill on the outskirts of Germantown, near Philadelphia, while his unit was in support of Washington's Army in an attempt to take back Philadelphia from the British. My wife is a member of the Vermont Society of the DAR. I am now working on writing a book of my family's History. Please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be happy to advise you on your search for your Patriot!

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Jul 25 at 2017 11:02 AM

2017-07-25T11:02:08-04:00

I remember back when my dad was doing a lot with genealogy he found out that we have had a relative of some sort in every single war. And as of lately my grandfather, and cousin was in the army, my great grandfather on my mom's side was a marine, my dad was in the navy, and my brother and I were in the Air Force so we have every branch covered other then the coast guard

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2017 11:08 AM

2017-07-25T11:08:14-04:00

I've been doing ancestry on my side and my daughter's father's side for her to have someday. I think I found some revolutionary soldiers on his mom's side. One of her branches. I might have found some in one of my branches but I can't remember I haven't done it in awhile. On his dad's side I can't get too far back. I get back to like 1848 on his paternal grandfather's side and not much farther on his paternal grandmother's side. Ancestry is very time consuming. I've used ancestry, familysearch. org (through church of latter day saints), compiled it in family echo. I've also heard from a couple people. One on ancestry - he actually did research on my grandpa's uncle. His uncle died in combat in WWII. He said he had found some of his medals online or something so he researched the guy for like 15 years. Found out that when he died his wife got remarried sometime later and she never told her kids about her first husband and then they found a trunk with all this military stuff and I guess they put it on Ebay. This guy said he got it and donated it to a museum where he lives. My mom said my grandpa had mentioned his uncle. He was 14 when he died or something I think. Then a lady on family research messaged me about my mom's great grandmother. That one I ran into a wall because I guess my mom's great grandma and grandpa separated but never divorced and my mom's grandma would never talk about it. And her mom told my mom and the other kids don't ask grandma about it because it will upset her. I finally figured out who he was and I think his parents and he had a sister but that's it. His death record said "married" so they never divorced (which happened then). I found their marriage record. She and her sister got married the same day. I guess my great grandma was between 10-20 when they separated based on census records. It's just weird makes me wonder what caused that and why no one talked about it.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 25 at 2017 11:11 AM

2017-07-25T11:11:06-04:00

I used Ancestry.com to trace my Wife's ancestry and mine. I also used Robert Coe's books, The Coe Family of Maryland and Virginia, to confirm what I found on the Coe side. My wife has the more resplendent relative being related to Col Higgins of the Continental Army. Unfortunately he spent most of the Revolutionary war in prison after being captured by the British.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wienke made Jul 25 at 2017 12:15 PM

2017-07-25T12:15:48-04:00

Both, as well as the War of 1812. My G-g-granda was a voluntary substitute in the 48th NY Regiment. during the ACW. He was paid to replace someone who was drafted and didn't want to go. I received his service record from the National Archices.

Another Great Grandpa served with Frances Marion in SC during the Revolution, and lost a leg in combat. I always like to say, " and inch or two to the left or right and I wouldn't be here today".

His Grandson served in the West Tennessee Militia during the War of 1812, and was given land in Illinois for his service. That branch of the family eventually made its way to NE Montana, where I was born.

Response by 1stSgt Carl Pappert made Jul 25 at 2017 12:23 PM

2017-07-25T12:23:53-04:00

I am just getting started on what I trust will be membership in the SAR. Through Ancestry.com, I've traced my maternal line back to a Captain John Nicholson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nicholson_(naval_officer) who was a Revolutionary war vet. I have a LOT yet to hook up the history from me to him (which isn't easy when trying to rundown stuff that's almost exclusively in Maryland when you live in Wyoming!!), but hope to get there at some point.

John Nicholson (naval officer) - Wikipedia

The son of Joseph and Hannah Scott Nicholson, he was born in Chestertown, Maryland. John Nicholson entered the Continental Navy as Lieutenant in October 1776 and the next month was promoted to Captain to command sloop Hornet.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 2 at 2021 4:56 PM

2021-09-02T16:56:05-04:00

All of the above, strangely no link to WW I or II

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2021 9:57 PM

2021-09-02T21:57:28-04:00

Yes and I have their paperwork from the civil war.