To learn about someone who fought in the Revolutionary War, start with more recent records and work backward in time. This information can guide your research.

Researching records in the 1700s

As you research records in the 1700s, check dates and relationships carefully. Multiple generations of a family might have used the same given name. Approximate birth years can help you decide if you found the right person.

In 1790, the newly-formed United States held its first census. If the ancestor you’re looking for was not enslaved, you may be able to pair this census with other information you’ve uncovered to link back to the U.S. Revolutionary War. The 1790 United States Federal Census provides the names of people listed on the population schedule and links to the census images.

The U.S., Sons of the American Revolution, 1783-1902 database contains the membership list of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. The list ends at December 31, 1901. It includes the names of deceased members and their lines of descent from Revolutionary ancestors.

The Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 database provides the family trees of people who applied for membership to the society. The family tree proves the applicant’s family relationship to a Revolutionary War veteran.

If you find a connection to someone listed in the Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 database, use the application’s names, dates, and other details to search for more information about your Revolutionary War relative. For example, check military service records and pension applications of Revolutionary War veterans. Search for family members in U.S. Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage books, and U.S. military records.

The Compiled U.S. Revolutionary War Military Service Records, 1775-1783 database contains information about:

Regular soldiers, militia, volunteers, and others who served with the Continental Army
Naval personnel
Members of the Quartermaster General Department
Members of the Commissary of Military Stores Department

The U.S. Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 database is a collection of records kept by the National Archives. It lists men who fought for the colonies in the American Revolutionary War. The records in this database relate to only the Continental Army and the other units that served with the Continental Army. The database doesn’t list everyone who fought in the war.