How to Find Loyalists in the United States Revolution

Not everyone who lived in the land that would become the United States supported the country separating from Great Britain. Many remained loyal to the British monarchy. The Revolutionary War divided both communities and families along political lines, and you may have ancestors on both sides of that divide. 

Historical clues can help you find out which side your relatives supported. 
 

Historical background

In 1775, 13 British colonies in North America began a rebellion as some Americans declared their independence from the British Crown. But many Americans had family connections and business ties with Britain, and some valued the protection of the powerful British Empire. 

People who sided with the British were called Loyalists or Tories. They often faced intimidation, violence, and loss of property at the hands of their revolutionary neighbors. In the face of this persecution, many fled to Canada or the United Kingdom. It’s estimated that more than 70,000 Loyalists fled the American colonies. Of that number, about 50,000 found their way to Nova Scotia and Quebec. With this massive influx of people, the British government struggled to accommodate them all in camps. 

Many Loyalists served with the British forces, sometimes fighting against family and former neighbors. The British offered freedom to enslaved people who served in the British military, enticing many African Americans to join the British cause. Loyalists who didn’t fight for the British sometimes offered material support instead. 

Loyalists who relocated to Canada were rewarded with the title of United Empire (U.E.) Loyalists. They were allowed to add the U.E. post-nominal to their names. Loyalists and their descendants (both male and female) were also granted lands in Canada. The size of the land grant depended on their military rank and whether they were the head of their household. 
 

Finding someone in Loyalist records

Refugee support, military service, and Loyalist rewards created a paper trail in the U.S., Canada, and England. To find your relative in the records, check state, provincial, and national archives. Also check historical organizations. Some publications provide lists of Loyalists. Records can include correspondence, land records, records of refugees, claims for lost property, and information about military service. 

In the U.S., check state and local archives for records of your ancestor. In the UK and Canada, check these collections: 

 

Also, search the records and publications below.
 

UK and Canada records

UK and Canada publications

U.S. records

U.S. publications


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