Men’s Lineage Societies: Brotherhood and Service

While women’s lineage societies are often more visible, men’s lineage societies have a long and influential history in preserving family heritage and civic memory. These organizations bring together men who can prove descent from specific ancestors or participants in historical events, blending genealogy with fellowship, public service, and historical preservation. For genealogists, men’s lineage societies are valuable not only for the community they foster but also for the detailed records they preserve.

What Are Men’s Lineage Societies?

Men’s lineage societies are membership organizations that require proof of direct descent from a qualifying ancestor—often military veterans, colonial leaders, or early American settlers. Like their women’s counterparts, these societies preserve genealogical records and provide opportunities for camaraderie and civic work.

Men’s Lineage Societies

Sons of the American Revolution (SAR, founded 1889)

Open to men descended from patriots of the American Revolution. The SAR emphasizes education, historic preservation, and patriotic service. Its archives include thousands of documented genealogies and applications.

Society of the Cincinnati (founded 1783)

One of the earliest hereditary societies, created by officers of the Continental Army and their descendants. Membership passes through male descent and is considered one of the most prestigious hereditary organizations.

Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (founded 1896)

Requires descent from a colonial settler who arrived before 1657 and from a patriot of the Revolutionary War, connecting colonial beginnings with the fight for independence.

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (founded 1881)

Open to male descendants of Union veterans, this society preserves Civil War history through education and preservation projects.

Other Specialized Societies

There are also organizations for descendants of Jamestowne colonists, colonial governors, and other notable historical groups, often with male membership traditions.

Why Men’s Lineage Societies Matter

For genealogists, men’s lineage societies are significant because:

Archival Value – Applications, once approved, become part of a permanent genealogical record, preserving family lineages across generations.
Educational Outreach – Many sponsor scholarships, essay contests, and youth programs in history and civics.
Historic Preservation – From maintaining battlefields to marking graves, these societies protect tangible links to the past.
Fellowship and Service – They provide a sense of brotherhood and community rooted in shared heritage.

Applying to a Men’s Lineage Society

Like women’s organizations, men’s lineage societies require rigorous proof of descent. Steps include:

Identify an eligible ancestor (Revolutionary War patriot, Civil War soldier, colonial settler, etc.).
Document each generation from yourself back to that ancestor using birth, marriage, death, census, probate, and military records.
Work with a chapter registrar or genealogist who reviews your paperwork.
Submit your application with supporting documents and membership fees.

📌 Tip: Many men’s societies have searchable databases of previously proven ancestors, making it easier to confirm eligibility.

Genealogical Impact

Membership applications to societies like SAR or the Society of the Cincinnati preserve meticulously documented lineages. These records are a goldmine for genealogists, often filling gaps where public records are incomplete. Researchers decades later benefit from the careful proofs gathered by earlier generations.

Legacy and Brotherhood

Beyond genealogy, men’s lineage societies embody ideals of leadership, heritage, and community service. They give descendants of historical figures a way to actively honor their ancestors while contributing to present-day civic and educational efforts.

Men’s lineage societies stand alongside women’s organizations as vital preservers of family and national heritage. For genealogists, they offer not only a way to honor one’s ancestors but also access to archives that document thousands of lineages. Whether through the SAR, the Society of the Cincinnati, or specialized groups, these societies turn individual family trees into part of a broader shared history.

Sources

Sons of the American Revolution. Membership Information and Archives. Louisville, KY.
Society of the Cincinnati. Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, 1783. Washington, D.C.
Order of the Founders and Patriots of America. Membership Requirements and Historical Archives.
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. History and Preservation Projects.
Cossons, Neil. Hereditary Societies in America: Preserving History Through Lineage. American Heritage Press, 1998.