How about the Scotch-Irish Society of the USA?

http://www.rootsweb.com/~sisusa/

:D
Adrienne

*BIG GRIN*
That's how we started, too - just proving the family stories, filling out the family tree! I can distinctly remember a time when my mama & I made the conscious decision to abandon all hopes of any lineage society and search for the truth. Well, the truth led down the road to the DAR, UDC, etc! Many people think that the DAR is all about snootiness, and don't realize that the DAR has supported schools for the Native Americans and several other charities LONG before it was in vogue! The ladies of the DAR are there when new citizens are sworn in, and to help with veterans hospitals. We're more hands on than most people realize.
[/soapbox]

Okay, I have the newest Patriot Index open in my lap. There are 2 John Sullivans - the first born in VA, died in SC and the second born in MA and died in NH. That doesn't mean that there ISN'T a Major General; it just means that his lineage hasn't been pursued by someone in the DAR. Both Adrienne & I had to prove a New Patriot; it's a bit more work, but worthwhile. Working on a new lineage means a chance to see more clearly exactly what they did; in my case, I actually held the Fort Day Book and saw where my ancestor signed for his pay. A lot of people don't get that rush!

But let's back up to Newport in the mid-1800's: my one ancestor, Catharine McCann married Peter Carlin on September 27, 1857, with Ann and Andrew McCourt as witnesses at St. Mary's (incidentally, where JFK got married), but supposed she was a Baptist. It's her parents, Michael McCann & Caroline Challis, that have us hung up. Any help from your research? :)


ETA: I have ancestors on both sides of the Civil War - and they fought in the same battles! Talk about your inlaw troubles! Anyhow, we did join the United Daughters of the Confederacy (which is a whole story unto itself, as we didn't want to be involved with any racism), and have a sponsor lined up for the GAR/Union Ladies. Both are in DC, though. We used to get there about once a month, but not as much since my daddy died. We were to go this weekend, but it looks as if it's off. :(

YES!!! YES!!! We really DO need an Insignia Chairman!!!

I have asked and asked for a proper etiquette on what to wear when, and the best I get is, "Ask the State Insignia Chairman," or "Here's what to do when your pins get heavy." I would gladly purchase a diagram, because I really don't want to do it wrong!

Thus far, I have my pin (non-diamond encrusted, but we did spring for the 14k instead of gold filled), my chapter bar, and the Victory at Yorktown pin. I'd like to get my Patriot bar before "unveiling" my pin. Obviously, I need to make a little trip to Tennessee and see how it's really done! ;)

Do you have the Cameo, Silver?

Yes, but many people'll continue to believe that the DAR is "snooty" because it is a "linage" association. Because of this, the DAR will unlikely be as "diverse" as other women's organizations who may have been perceived as "snooty" in the past (or still are seen as "snooty"..I can't tel). However, this is a POV from an outsider.

NP re: POV.

But any time you have an organization with a selection process, private activities, effort required to meet the standards, and a situation where not everyone is permitted to join, someone is going to think it is "snooty". Keep in mind GLOs have the same accusations thrown at them. Sometimes the subjective selection criteria helps that perception along.

I say, live and let live. Whatever. People are going to organize themselves in whatever way they are comfortable. GLOs and lineage/heritage societies are part of that.

--add
:)

OK, but what about this. Say your family has had a long history of DAR membership. You marry, but you find out that you and your husband can't have kids, so you adopt. You don't know the little girl's family history, so she can't be a member. End of linage in your family (or at least your branch), unless she marries a guy who can trace his family back.

Re: DAR/lineage societies. Very good question, and one I am working with right now because adoption is an option my husband and I are considering at this moment.

To be totally honest, I do not have an answer--at least for myself. When I have one, I'll post it. As you can imagine, adoption is a very personal process, so the answers you get from different people will all vary and I won't try to speak for anyone else.

Re: family histories in general. I just PMed a part of this to someone else so I'll repost the bulk of it.

Family history is not *only* about direct lineage. Family history is also about your racial/ethnic heritage. Most importantly (IMHO) it is about how you find your place in the world via your parents, siblings, or other relatives, including adoptive ones. The story of how and why a person is adopted can be a more inspirational story than some family lineages. It can also be a powerful footprint in history itself. Since the advent of international and interracial adoptions, a family history of an adopted child can be a living representation of socio-political changes in their lifetime, and they can be a personal witness to it. That's every bit as powerful as a person's claim of descent from......(inset historical figure here.) In lineage societies, we remember history through ancestors. But adoptive families MAKE that history, here and now.

My matron-of-honor (straight German descent) just adopted two boys (ages 3 and 5) of Brazillian descent. No big deal for her - she has two Korean brothers and sisters. I learned the above from their continuing example.

So, that's my short story made long and MHO on the topic.

Adrienne
:D

Count me in, we'll start a chapter. ;)

This has happened in my chapter, several times. We have always welcomed guests, with the exception of the annual business meeting.

Same thing happens if you only have sons. It's a chance you take.

OK, how about this one: DAR family has two daughters. One is biological, the other one isn't. Wouldn't the adopted one always feel really left out at meetings because she is only a guest? Also, I've seen a DAR commercial on TV, and I've always thought it was weird to see the Asian kid, since there probably weren't any Asians in the US at the time. Oh well, the adopted girl always has the Junior League

Ummmmmm - who were you directing this to?
I think I pretty much summed up my feelings on the adoption topic above.

If you meant this for honeychile, I'll butt out.

--add
:)

It was mostly meant for honeychile....I forgot to quote...sorry...:p

LOL!!!! We have three - count 'em, three! - "Asian kids" who will be full members of our chapter when they reach 18!! Their father has the DAR lineage, and their mother just enjoys coming to the meetings.

Seriously, imagine a tea party, or a ladies' luncheon. Nice clothes, nice food, nice ladies event. Some wear pins or other insignia, but not all of them. Some are members, and some are not. Now, I'm only speaking for the chapters which I have visited, but I have NEVER, EVER felt as if I didn't belong simply because I wasn't a member. And I was going to meetings long before I was able to prove my lineage.

See, the vast majority of the DAR ladies that I've met are terribly nice. Everyone goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. So, would an adopted daughter feel left out? I would think that would be how the mother approached the topic - just like any other adoption-related topic.

Silver, your PM box is full - and THANK YOU for your kind offer! :)

honeychile, I think it might be the second J.S. from MA and NH. He was the Major General according to any research I have done. I just googled him and came up with this and this and this.

It's a small world regarding St. Mary's Church. My great-grandparents and great great grandparents were married there. My great-grandfather's brother was a priest, Rev. John F. Sullivan, in the area who wrote a few books about the Catholic Church. This is the problem. They all have the same name. :) Of course, they are all gone now and have been for many years. It was exciting finding and reading the actual documents that my great great (great?) grandfather signed when he purchased his house in the 1850s or 1860s for the enormous sum of $750. Imagine buying a house for $750. :)

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to go back further in my family tree? I have no idea how to do it. My mother is the oldest living person in that branch, and I have all the information that she has. Thanks in advance. :)