Lineage Society Websites with Free Genealogy Resources

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When most genealogists think of lineage societies, the first thing that comes to mind is membership. Am I eligible? What documents do I need? How do I apply? (If those are your questions, I have a post for that: How to Join a Lineage Society: 6 Tips for a Successful Application.)

But there’s another side to lineage societies that often gets overlooked, and you don’t need to be a member to take advantage of it. Many of these organizations make their research databases freely available to the public. That means you can search their records, find ancestors, and pick up valuable clues for your own research without ever submitting an application.

What Can You Find in These Databases?

The scope of what’s available online varies widely. Some societies, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution, maintain robust searchable databases with detailed information about ancestors, descendants, and lineages. Others offer little more than a list of names. But in genealogy, a single name in the right place at the right time can break down a brick wall. Even a simple list of names is worth checking.

If you are striving for reasonably exhaustive research, you know that means casting a wide net. We want to look at as many sources as possible, including sources we might not always think to check. Lineage society databases are one of those often-missed resources. The information in these databases was submitted and verified through each organization’s application process, which means it has been reviewed, at least to some degree, for accuracy. That review process varies from one society to the next, so it’s always wise to treat what you find as a lead and verify the information independently. But as a starting point for new research or confirmation of what you already know, these databases can be surprisingly useful.

Lineage Society Websites with Free Genealogy Information

Below is a curated list of lineage and hereditary society websites that offer some form of free genealogical information to the public. I’ve organized them into sections and included a brief description of what you can expect to find at each site.

Military Service

American Ex-Prisoners of War – Biographies of ex-POWs from WWII, Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf War conflicts
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War – Select gallery showcasing veterans from the GAR.
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War – Laura Belle Stoddard Tent 22 – Member-submitted ancestor biographies, some photos, and lineages.
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution – Lineages, downloadable documents, and applications. Free to use, but fees apply for downloadable applications and supporting documents.
National Society Sons of the American Revolution – The SAR Patriot Research System (PRS) combines the former Patriot Record Index, Revolutionary War Graves Registry, and patriot biographical sketches.
National Society United States Daughters of 1812 – Birth date and place, death date and place, type of service, spouse’s name, child’s name and child’s spouse’s name.

First Families

Daughters of the Republic of Texas – Date and place of birth, date and place of death, spouse’s name.
Daughters of Utah Pioneers – Surname, given name, maiden name, dates of birth and death (Be sure to search the other indexes under the History Department tab)
First Families of Alabama – Name and certificate number of member, name of ancestor, surnames in lineage
First Families of Kentucky – Name, date, and place of birth, date and place of death, name of society member
First Families of Ohio – Scroll down to “Search” > “PDF of the list.” See navigation menu on the left and repeat for other groups of interest.
First Families of Pennsylvania – Name, residence location, and date
First Families of Tennessee – Name, birth date and place, death date and place, spouse’s name, county of arrival in Tennessee, child of ancestor, proof of ancestry.
First Families of the Twin Territories (Oklahoma) – Click “Search Index to FFTT Lineage Book” at the bottom of the page. Name, residence location, page number of Lineage Book.
Hereditary Societies of Early New England – Seven hereditary and first families societies represented in the New England area. Visit each one for a list of qualifying ancestors.
Missouri First Families Program – Scroll to “For all Applications approved through March 31, 2026: Click here” to open the PDF list. Includes the type of certificate, the ancestor’s name, and the applicant’s name.
The Order of the First Families of Maryland – PDF of Qualifying ancestors. Also see “Stories of a Few Qualifying Ancestors.”
Order of First Families of North Carolina – List of names only.
The Society of First Families of South Carolina 1670–1700 – List of names of documented residents of South Carolina from 1670–1700.
Texas State Genealogical Society – Texas First Families – Various certificate programs for those with pioneers and for those with notable service to Texas in their lineage.

Occupations

Flagon and Trencher: Descendants of Colonial Tavern Keepers – Name, “life dates,” residence location, date of application/license.
National Society Descendants of American Farmers – Search the database of qualifying ancestors.
Hereditary Society of Teachers – Names, state of residence, years of birth and death.
Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565—1861 – Names, residence, service type, year(s) of service.
National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607–1861 – Names and colony.

Colonial, Heritage, and Special Interest

Associated Daughters of Early American Witches – Select the “Ancestors” button to access the PDF file. Qualifying ancestors and their spouses.
Baronial Order of the Magna Carta & Military Order of the Crusades – Name, place of residence.
General Society of Mayflower Descendants – There are many research resources on this site.
Huguenot Society of America – List of names only.
Jamestowne Society – Under the Membership tab, visit the Lineage Paper Project and Qualifying Ancestors. There are many research resources on this site.
La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan, Inc. – Check out the King’s Daughters and Regiment Soldiers lists.
National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century – Searchable ancestor database on the homepage, Lists ancestors who rendered service from 1607 to 1699.
National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars – List of qualifying ancestors who were colonial-era military officers or officeholders.
National Society Daughters of the American Colonists – Ancestors were residents of the American colonies and served in one of 28 categories of civil or military service prior to 4 July 1776.
National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) – Searchable database of over 10,000 eligible ancestors.
Society of Daughters of Holland Dames (Dutch settlers of New Netherland) – Names only.
Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford – Biographies of each founder; some genealogies are also available.
United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada – List of people of the Loyalist era, especially United Empire Loyalists.

Wrap Up

It’s important to remember that this list is not exhaustive. There are hundreds of lineage and hereditary societies in the United States alone, and new ones continue to emerge. Some maintain their records exclusively in print, and others limit online access to their members. But the sites included here all offer something to the general public, and I encourage you to spend some time exploring them.

A few tips as you work through these resources:

First, don’t limit yourself to societies that seem like an obvious fit for your research. Your ancestor may turn up in a database you never expected.
Second, when you find a name, make a note of it and follow up. An ancestor listed in a lineage society database means that someone, at some point, gathered enough evidence to “prove” that lineage (according to the society’s standards in effect at that time). And that documentation, or at least a record copy of the application, may be available for purchase from the society.
Third, keep in mind that website structures change. If a link in this list no longer works, try navigating from the organization’s main page or searching for the society by name.

If you are interested in learning more about lineage societies or want tips on preparing a successful application, be sure to read How to Join a Lineage Society: 6 Tips for a Successful Application.

Do you know of a lineage society website that offers public access to genealogical information and should be included in this list? Please leave a comment below and let me know!

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Lineage Society Websites: Free Genealogy Research Resources You Can Use Without Joining

What Can You Find in These Databases?