DAR~ A Free Genealogy Resource

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DAR Logo

DAR- Daughters of the American Revolution is a free resource for genealogists and offers aid in their research. The (GRS) Genealogical Research System is a collection of databases, which provides access to the many materials that have been collected over time. The DAR was founded in 1890, the members are passionate about their research findings and are committed to preservation of the history of our ancestors.


This genealogical resource has many volunteers who have scanned and indexed years worth of documents and other materials which can be found in the online database. There is a drawback to sharing this information with others, because of proprietary information and data, and under no circumstances may it be shared or published.


If you are like me, an amateur genealogist, or you may even be a genealogy expert, the DAR could be a stepping stone to finding your ancestral ties that you may have been seeking for so long. It is definitely worth a try, don't you think? Maybe we can knock down some of these brick walls we have encountered and find some really valuable documents that will only further our research and prove who we are and where we come from. It's not just about where you, your parents or grandparents were born and the dates of birth, or even how many children they may have had. To me, and this is my own personal opinion on the matter, genealogy research is about finding out more about who my family really was, what they looked like, their way of life, the career choices they may have made and so many other points of their lives and the direction that those points have taken them over the years. 


I recently received an email from a family member, who as it turns out, was researching the same family surnames that I was. Imagine not knowing that you had a family member and didn't even realize that they were family until you connected through a genealogy resource! Anyhow, back to the email! She has been verified by the DAR and is in the process of getting it signed by officials in Washington D.C. So I can't wait to find out if she was successful in finding the data she needs to prove her lineage and connection to James Canute Cornett! 


I am definitely going to be researching this DAR to gain a more in-depth understanding. So you may see future postings related to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Who knows, maybe I will also find information on some of my Sutherland and Canute ancestors.


Good luck in your research!

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Searching For the Root of Your Family Tree...

Are you ready to throw in the towel? Have you come to, what seems an endless brick wall? Are you looking at the big picture or just an element of that picture? If the wall seems endless, are you able to go around it? No? Then climb over it! There's always a different way to approach an obstacle, than the one that seems to be right in front of your face. In my experience with my family tree, I have faced plenty of obstacles! But there has to be a different resource to utilize right? Have you thought about seeking out classes on Genealogy? You can do this online, if you aren't the type to be on campus with the younger generation of students. Which is okay; you may be younger, older, and wiser, or already have your desired degree. Nobody says that you have to go back to school again, just to be fulfilled with your family tree results and research. So what will your next step be and where will it take you?


You may just want to organize what research you have already accumulated; or you may want to research your family to pass on to the younger generation, namely your own children or grandchildren one day. But for whatever reason, the online classes may help you. It sure couldn't hurt right? One day, you may find your perfect family treasures!

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Treasure Chest

Below you will find a link to the classes that are offered. This isn't your run of the mill mini-course!
There are four different sections, the first section is more or less your introduction and leads into other topics as you go. So in this first section, there are 14 lessons; in the second section there are 31 lessons! I won't drone on about each section here because you can view it for yourself!


I am seriously thinking about starting this course too! Can't have enough knowledge right? What are you waiting for? Let's DO this!


Online Genealogy Classes~ Click Here To Learn More!

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Sir Francis Bryan I

 Aloha!


I hope everyone is having a great day, wherever you may be. Currently, it is 8 a.m. here in Hawaii, and I can see it's going to be another beautiful day! I have just been taking it easy with the multiple postings each day, but some days I just get really chatty on the subject of genealogy. Currently, I am utilizing multiple resources to build upon my Cornett family tree. A few days has passed since I started using the Ancestry.com web site and I am pretty impressed by the features so far. Another great resource I am using and (I just have to share it with you) is the My Heritage Family Builder software. This site is a great tool and as a Premium Plus member, I have many more features to utilize to expand my tree. First off, the site creates your own personal family tree website, where you can use Smart Match to merge your tree with others and upload family photos, if you have access to them. Some other features are slide shows, time lines, time books, charts, reports etc. I uploaded a GEDCOM file to this site which displays over 5000 of my ancestors! This is a great system that allows anyone like you and me to create a private site for their family, build their family tree and share family photos. I will provide the download link for you to try if you wish. 


Family Tree Builder Software Download


The person in my family tree that I will be discussing for today, is another one of my 10th great grandfathers, named Sir Francis Bryan I. Francis was born June 1, 1490 in Munster, County Clare, Ireland and died Feb 2, 1550 in Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland. He was nicknamed the "Vicar of Hell" and was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. He was also Chief Gentleman for the Privy Chamber for Henry VIII of England. 

Sir Francis Bryan married Joan Bryan, Duchess of Ormond (born Fitzgerald), they had two sons, Francis "Justice of Ireland" II and Edward Bryan, Lord of Upper Ossary. Francis Bryan I parents were Thomas "Thomas de Bryan" III and Margaret Bryan (born Bourchier). 

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Spear & the Spindle: Ancestors of Sir Francis Bryan, 1550

Below is an article found on the web in regards to Sir Francis Bryan I.


SIR FRANCIS BRYAN* (d. 1550), poet, translator, soldier, and diplomatist, was the son of Sir Thomas Bryan, and grandson of Sir Thomas Bryan, chief justice of the common pleas from 1471 till his death in 1500. His father was knighted by Henry VII in 1497, was 'knight of the body' at the opening of Henry VIII's reign, and repeatedly served on the commission of the peace for Buckinghamshire, where the family property was settled. Francis Bryan's mother was Margaret, daughter of Humphry Bourchier, and sister of John Bourchier, lord Berners. Lady Bryan was for a time governess to the princesses Mary and Elizabeth, and died in 1551-2. Anne Boleyn is stated to have been his cousin; 


Bryan is believed to have been educated at Oxford. In April 1513 he received his first official appointment, that of captain of the Margaret Bonaventure, a ship in the retinue of Sir Thomas Howard, afterwards duke of Norfolk, the newly appointed admiral. In the court entertainments held at Richmond (19 April 1515), at Eltham (Christmas 1516), and at Greenwich (7 July 1517), Bryan took a prominent part, and received very rich apparel from the king on each occasion. He became the king's cupbearer in 1516. In December 1518 he was acting as 'master of the Toyles,' and storing Greenwich Park with 'quick deer.' In 1520 he attended Henry VIII at the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and took part in the jousts² there under the captaincy of the Earl of Devonshire;


Bryan was also a student of foreign languages and literature. It is clear that his uncle, John Bourchier, lord Berners, consulted him about much of his literary work. It was at Bryan's desire that Lord Berners undertook his translation of Guevara's 'Marcus Aurelius' (1534). Guevara, the founder of Euphuism, was apparently Bryan's favourite author.


Sources:Lee, Sidney L. "Sir Francis Bryan." Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. VII. Leslie Stephen, ed. New York: Macmillan and Co., 1886. 150-152.


Sir Francis Bryan I

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Finding Reliable, Trustworthy Sources To Aid In Your Genealogical Research

There are hundreds of web pages out there that display family trees, but are they your "go-to" source? Is it truthful or just word of mouth saying it's so? Where did they get this information from? If it was from family members, that's GREAT! But thinking back to when I was in elementary school, I remember my teacher playing a game with the entire class. She would call on one student at random, whisper something in their ear and tell the next person whatever it was she may have said. On and on it went around the room until the last student received the teachers' message. Let's just say that it wasn't the same as what the teacher had told the first student. I guess you know where I'm headed with this...and if not, then I'll explain. When people share things, no matter what the subject, in time they just become distorted.

One resource that I use almost daily to search my own family roots is the Mormon based website called Family Search. They place a religious emphasis on publishing materials or documents after a death, and therefore, baptism has inspired the creation of the world’s largest collection of genealogical materials. So with respect to this web site and others that are similar in nature, I thank you for this great resource tool. After all, do I just want a tree full of collected names or do I want the facts? Granted, sometimes you want to go to a resource that offers free information. But you have to think about what you will be getting in return. I, myself, want the facts that lead me on my journey to find out exactly who my ancestors were, how they lived, and where I come from.

From what I can understand through Family Search, they are in the midst of a gigantic project that will take the millions of records they have of microfilmed documents, for online viewing. When researching your family, think strongly about joining a genealogical society for the area in which you are searching. So for me, I would join one in Virginia, Kentucky, Scotland, and England; my ancestors from the Sutherland line originated from Denmark, Scotland, and England. So this is where I could start searching and collaborating with others that are trying to accomplish the same thing that I am. 

FamilySearch

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