SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS
IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
INSTRUCTIONS
[BOTH LONG AND SHORT FORMS]
The typical genealogical society application requires a lineage followed by
documentation keyed to generation number. This is true for the Society of
Colonial Wars. Every single fact in a lineage must be accounted for in the
documentation if possible.
1. The starting place is, of course, with generation #1 – yourself. This will
require a copy of your birth certificate... If applicable, you will need to
supply a copy of your wife’s birth certificate and you wedding certificate.
2 Proof of birth, marriage and death is required for both husband and wife in
Generation #2 and #3 (your parents and grandparents). As primary
proof becomes harder to find, evidence may be drawn from other sources
(Family Bibles, newspaper clipping, wills, probate records etc.)
3 Each supporting proof should be clearly marked with the generation
number to which it applies. Highlight or underline in red the pertinent
information. Dates should be entered as day, month, and year: i.e., 29
August 1998. Your name should be in CAPS and also the name of your
ancestors though which are tracing your ancestry. This makes clear the
line of descent (and helps the genealogist to follow the trail).
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If copies of the certificates are not at hand, they can usually be obtained
from the county where your ancestors lived. You often may have to go to
the state vital records. The charges for these certificates vary from state to
state. You can find the addresses and procedures for obtaining these
records on the internet. The people at the Winnetka Library can also give
you the information. For events prior to about 1900, state records are
often not available and information will be at the county level. If your
ancestors were from New England, your search may be relatively simple.
Vital Records for many towns were published about 1850 and go back to
the establishment of the towns. The Newberry Library has most of these
volumes.
5 All names, dates, and places used should be proven with documentation.
Do not enter approximate dates. Leave blank if not clearly documented.
Approximate dates and possible conclusions can be put in as footnotes
under references.
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6 If the service of your qualifying ancestor has already been approved by
the Society, the page number in the Index of Ancestors can be used as
proof. We can look this up for you or most genealogical libraries have the
book.
7 If proofs of descent or services are in published books, the author’s name,
the exact title of the book, the date of publication, volume and page
numbers are to be given under References for that Generation. Published
records must be photocopied including the title page. Newspaper
obituaries are another source. Family Bibles can be used also. However,
the title page showing the date of publication and the pertinent pages
must be photocopied.
8 To document the relationship of one generation to the next, it is desirable
to locate probate records for the estates of your ancestors Wills will
name heirs or if they died intestate, letters of administration are helpful.
Census records are also helpful.
9 The Newberry Library in Chicago has one of the best collections of family
history materials in the country. And of course the Mormons have many
regional family history libraries with access to all that is in Salt Lake City.
The Winnetka Library has a small but significant collection. The
genealogist of the Illinois Society is willing to help if he can and is
available if you have any questions.
10 The internet is increasingly becoming a source for genealogists.
However, there is a lot of material out there that is not documented and is
usually just copied (mistakes and all) from some other web site
11 And finally you can always hire a professional genealogist to do the work
for you, and we can be of help to find someone. ‘Remember, half of the
fun is in the chase. Good Luck!
12 The application should be printed out on Archival paper and sent to me in
duplicate with Final Application Fee of $75.00. (Dues must be current.)
Allen G. Carter, Jr., Registrar
Society of Colonial Wars
in the State of Illinois
1919 N. Sheffield Ave, Apt. #1-R
Chicago, IL 60614
E-Mail: allen.carter@ubs.com
November, 2008
(revised September, 2013)
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