Bemis Historical Society hosts genealogy event to trace Revolutionary War ancestors

BEMIS, Tenn. (WBBJ) – The Bemis Historical Society hosted a program to help the public trace their family lineage to the American Revolution as part of America’s 250th anniversary.

The event provided guests with resources, tips and methods to trace themselves back to someone who served in the Revolutionary War. The Daughters of the American Revolution defines service in the Revolution as signers of the Declaration of Independence, military service, civil service or patriotic service.

Kathey Williams, a member of the Bemis Historical Society, said people should start with recent relatives.

“You would want to put in someone like your grandmother or grandfather, somebody you think might’ve descended from a patriot that maybe somebody had proven lineage to that patriot and their descendants are in the website,” Williams said.

Younger people interested in learning more may need to research a great grandparent or beyond to get a lead. The DAR website has tools to get started, but having names, birth and death dates, and locations could make the search easier.

“The older generations, and I know now most of us are the older generations in here, so try to find cousins anybody that can help you with information,” Williams said.

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