Be a Star for DAR: Genealogy Updates from the Registrar General

Genealogy Committees Overview

With the Wright Administration restructuring the Genealogy Committees, we are reaching for the stars and new heights. There are lots of exciting new committees, faces and procedures worth sharing about. The Shooting Stars blog will be posted on my webpage monthly, which will include highlights from the genealogy guidelines, and information from the genealogy department. Genealogy is a team sport and each individual committee is collaborating together to assist our registrars. Be sure and check out their webpages and Committee Corner in the Daughter’s Newsletter for updates and new tidbits.

In addition, the DAR Genealogy Commission was established with the focus on communication between all the Genealogy Committees, much like the Chapter Development and Revitalization Commission (CDRC) focuses on membership and retention. The DAR Genealogy Commission includes the Committees of Lineage Research, DAR DNA Network, Volunteer Genealogists, Specialty Research, Patriot Records, DAR Genealogical Preservation, Application Task Force and Genealogical Records. This commission will provide a bi-monthly newsletter, The Genealogy Gems, to provide up-to-date information from the National Chairs on their Committees and projects.

Red Pencils

The purpose of using a “red pencil” is to highlight important information you want to convey. For the staff genealogist who is examining an Application or Supplemental it helps to focus on the needed information provided. Not a requirement, but a welcome addition when information is underlined to highlight the names, places, dates and relationships.

It is so important to provide clear and readable documents. Many times that old will, letter or Bible record is so faint that underlining the information is extremely helpful to our staff genealogists. The Shooting Stars blog will continue with that thought in mind, to inform, communicate, highlight, and underline the important new information, changes, and friendly reminders to assist our hard-working chapter and state registrars with success and verified applications.

Registrar Training and Tips

With each chapter election, new chapter and state registrars join the ranks of experienced registrars. I encourage every new registrar to take the free Registrars Training Course, which is a sampling of the GEP 1, 2, and 3 courses. For our seasoned registrars, please continue your investment in your registrar journey with the additional GEP courses. Have you checked out the informative courses on eApps and Mid-level Review? The use of eApps has increased since the pandemic required closure of the NSDAR headquarters. Also, it’s a big hit with our prospectives who don’t use a checkbook! There’s even a new National Vice Chair of Electronic Applications who’s available to assist and answer questions.

Out of curiosity, I asked a staff member of our genealogy department, “What is the number one reason genealogists send AIR letters?” Care to guess? I was surprised to learn that it “was incomplete documentation for the first three generations!”

• Vital records are VITAL and necessary to be included with each application and supplemental being submitted.

• It is a must that the first three generations of the application and supplemental have complete dates and places.

• When you are citing from an older verified application or supplemental with incomplete dates and places, you will need to include that “new information” with the application or supplemental.

The old adage is “cite what you send and send what you cite.” Please reacquaint yourself with the updated Genealogy Guidelines, they are available to assist you and an excellent resource.

Today’s “red pencil” reminders:

• All AIR letters are being sent via e-mail with the exception of the 6 month warning letter, which is mailed because of outdated email addresses.
• Correctly type the email addresses for the chapter registrar and applicants on page one of the application.
• Update chapter officers email addresses in eMembership.
• AIR letters are posted in eMembership after 5 working days.