Any male person of good character,
and lineal descendant of one who, as a military, naval or marine officer,
soldier, sailor, or marine, in actual service, under the authority of
any of the thirteen Colonies or States or of the Continental Congress,
and remaining always loyal to such authority, or a lineal descendant of
one who signed the Declaration of Independence, or of one who, as a member
of the Continental Congress, or of the Congress of any of the Colonies
or States, or as an official appointed by or under the authority of any
such legislative bodies, actually assisted in the establishment of American
Independence by services rendered during the War of the Revolution, becoming
thereby liable to conviction of treason against the Government of Great
Britain, but remaining always loyal to the authority of the Colonies or
States, or, who served honorably in a military or naval expedition against
the British during the War of the Revolution under the authority of the
French or Spanish Governments shall be eligible to membership in the Society.
Both Senior and Junior (the latter under the age of eighteen years) memberships
are available.
That when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor
in the "minute-men" or "militia", it must be satisfactorily shown that
such an ancestor was actually called into service of the State or United
States, and performed garrison or field duty; and
That when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor
as a "sailor" or "marine", it must in like manner be shown that such service
was other than shore duty and regularly performed in the Continental Navy,
or the navy of one of the original thirteen states, or on an armed vessel,
other than a merchant ship, which sailed under letters of marque and reprisal,
and that such ancestor of the applicant was duly enrolled in the ship's
company, either as an officer, seaman or otherwise than as a passenger;
and
That when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor
as an "official," such service must have been performed in the civil service
of the United States, or one of the thirteen original States, and must
have been sufficiently important in character to have rendered the official
liable to arrest and imprisonment, the same as a combatant, if captured
by the enemy, as well as liable to conviction of treason against the Government
of Great Britain.
Service in the ordinary duties of civil office, the performance of which
did not particularly and effectively aid the American Cause shall not
constitute eligibility.
In the construction of this article, the volunteer Aides-de-Camp of General
Officers in Continental Service, who were duly announced as such and who
actually served in the field during a campaign, shall be comprehended
as having performed qualifying service.
The civil officials and military forces of the State of Vermont, during
the War of the Revolution, shall also be comprehended in the same manner
as if they had belonged to one of the thirteen original States.
No service of an ancestor shall be deemed as qualifying service for membership
in the "Sons of the Revolution" where such ancestor, after assisting in
the cause of American Independence, shall have subsequently either adhered
to the enemy, or failed to maintain an honorable record throughout the
War of the Revolution.
No person shall be admitted unless he be eligible under one of the provisions
of this article, nor unless he be of good moral character and be judged
worthy of becoming a member.
If you would like information about joining the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution, we welcome your inquiry. Please note, however, that according to the Society By-laws "an applicant for admission to membership in the Society must be proposed by two (2) members in good standing to whom the applicant is personally well known".
Click here to download the Application instructions in Word format.
Then click here to download the Proposal for Membership form in Word format.
After the Admissions Committee accepts the "Proposal for Membership" the Society Office will then contact you to begin completing the application papers required for membership. Click here to download the Application for Membership form in Word format.
For help in completing your Application, click here to download Suggestions to Applicants for Membership in Word format.
OBTAINING BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES
As of February 1, 2003, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Division of Vital Records have instituted new procedures for issuing copies of birth and death certificates to help stop identity theft.
All vital records requests now require that the appropriate application be completed and signed. Photo identification is also required. The division will no longer accept telephone requests.
The Division of Vital Records issues only certified copies of birth with a Commonwealth raised seal that are acceptable for numerous uses, such as passport, Social Security, employment, and personal identification. Each record is issued at a fee of $10.00. Those who are seeking a copy of a birth certificate must be 18 years of age and be the person named on the birth record, a legal representative, or an immediate family member.
Death certificates are available for all Pennsylvanians who are deceased since 1906 until the present, at a fee of $9.00. Those seeking a death certificate must be a legal representative of the decedent's estate or a family member of the decedent.
For more information regarding the new process for distribution of birth and death certificates go to PA Dept. of Health.
