Central Oregonian

In search of family roots

The Daughters of the American Revolution will be offering a workshop in Prineville next week

Ramona McCallister

August 02, 2012

Do you know your family history, and where they came from?

This is a question that many Americans cannot answer, but would really like to know. A Central Oregon chapter of a national women’s organization will be bringing some unique learning opportunities next week to local residents who want to know the answers to these questions.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has been an active force in American communities for more than 100 years. It was founded Oct. 11, 1890, by an act of Congress. One of their contributions to American History is their comprehensive website—which provides online research tools for researching ancestors and descendants.

The Juniper Butte Chapter of DAR will be sponsoring a workshop next week in Prineville on lineage on-line research. Kathryn Andrews, Vice Regent for the Juniper Butte Chapter, will be presenting the information and training. Andrews is a chapter officer, Vice Regent (Like a vice-president) of the Juniper Chapter, a state officer, and OSSDAR Registrar. She is also trained as a genealogy consultant and volunteer field genealogist.

Andrews will be using the DAR online Genealogy Research System (GRS) to help participants navigate and learn how to use the system to do research on ancestors and descendants. She will cover what the codes mean and how the GRS information can help prove their lineage. She emphasized that the online website is open to the public, and those accessing the site don’t have to be a member. It is a great tool to search for ancestors, and it is open to anyone interested in working on family lines.

“Anyone can use it to do their research,” noted Andrews.

She explained that several months prior, the television program, “Who Do You Think You Are?” was aired on NBC, hosted by actor Rob Lowe. While hosting the show, he was working in the national DAR library in Washington D.C.

“It was a great program, and it gave just a tip of the iceberg about what material is available to research,” explained Andrews. “A lot of it is online, but most people don’t know about it. If they do, they don’t know how to access it, and if they know how to access it, they don’t know what it all means. That is what this training program is going to be all about.”

The site is very different from many of the ancestry websites that require memberships or a fee. This research tool is free and the information is from a variety of sources.

“Everything has been proven by documented sources,” she added.

The site contains several different data bases, including an ancestor database, a member database, and a descendent database.

Andrews said that during the class, they will use these different tabs and learn how to go back and forth between the data bases and work within the system.

“To me, the value is in knowing that the information you can glean in DAR is proven,” said Andrews. “For those of us who are really genealogy buffs, it is fun to be able to trace your way back and to know that it is accurate.”

She said that the information is constantly updated, as well.

“The most current information and accurate information is available. And for those of us who are snoopy, it’s just fun.”

The Training session for DAR Lineage Research On-Line will be Aug. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the COCC Crook County Open Campus, 510 S.E. Boulevard, Prineville. There will also be a training on Aug. 17 at the COCC Campus in Madras.

For more information about the training, call Kathryn Andrews at 541-416-0679.

About DAR

“Daughters of the American Revolution” is a volunteer service organization based on lineage to someone who fought or gave aid to the American Revolution. They preserve historic buildings and artifacts, provide contests, awards and scholarships, support schools, and develop good citizens while celebrating the exceptional events in our American history.” — Attributed to President General of DAR National Headquarters, Merry Ann Wright.

To be a member, women must be at least 18 years of age — regardless of race, religion, or background. They must prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution to be eligible.