The gravesites of Revolutionary War veterans in the Sears Cemetery in Brewster. The gravesite of…
Online Patriot Research System Working Well
James H. Wood, Chairman
Patriot Records Committee
SAR Magazine
Vol. 113, No. 4 Spring 2019
The Patriot Research System (PRS) had its first birthday on January 15 and the application has been stable. The system seems to be well accepted by its users, with more than one million pages served since its launch. Here is a brief summary of what has been happening with PRS.
This application replaced the old Patriot Index application and was designed to improve the storage of data and make it more accessible to members and the public. It consists of three main files of searchable data about Patriots: grave information, biographic information and lineage information from applications submitted to the society for membership on a Patriot. (In addition, one may search on the name of a member of the society to find a link to his Patriot(s). To those who do not find the lineage data or a member or Patriot, please remember the volunteers may not have added the information yet.)
SAR Patriot Research System
PRS is a “works in progress” for Patriots as they are approved by the society. Official copies of applications from the National Society are being entered by volunteer daily – please write the Patriot Graves Committee to let us know if you would like to help in this effort. PRS is neither a comprehensive list of all individuals who served in the American Revolutionary War nor an indication that an application has been filed on a patriot.
With the cooperation of headquarters staff, a methodology for obtaining digitized records copies in a timely manner has been created so they are available to update and enter information into the application. The data is entered into the application by state-level teams of volunteers in North Carolina, California and Illinois. There are one-man teams in Louisiana, Arkansas, New York, Virginia, Oregon, Pennsylvania and the International District. Programs are starting in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. The focus in 2019 is to find the right volunteers to increase the input of the available data. This year, volunteers have added or updated 11,445 Patriots, 9,850 applications and 2,552 Patriot biographies.
The committee has gained experience the past year in learning the best approach to organizing a team to input data and review the data input for accuracy before it is moved into the application. Most of the record copies from 1985 to today have been entered, thanks to the efforts of the headquarters staff.
Compatriots are encouraged to look at the PRS to see what is available. Compatriots can access the system by going to the SAR National website and selecting “Genealogy” at the top ribbon, then “Patriot Research System” from the drop-down menu. There is a description of the application and a link for access here.
The committee wishes to thank all the volunteers who have made this application a success and a new tool for the society.
