DAR | Library - Publications

"This book had its beginnings in the late 1980s with proposals to write a guide to research in DAR collections. Unfortunately, many other projects had priority. With the celebration of the Centennial of the founding of the DAR Library in 1996, the composition of a guide to genealogical research at the DAR was a timely commemorative project. It is long overdue. DAR has "hidden its light under a bushel" for far too long. American genealogists need a clear understanding of the many family history treasures DAR owns and makes available for research."

"Chapters on the major departments at DAR Headquarters, including the DAR Library, which maintain genealogical collections begin the guide and provide detailed information on holdings, procedures, and finding aids. Chapter 13 presents portions of these DAR collections arranged in subject categories to highlight the interconnections between the departments and to inform researchers of the many unique and less well known sources."

"Many researchers are surprised to learn that DAR collections are not limited to famous individuals, supposedly "blue-blood" families, and those with colonial English ancestry. American history and records are the result of a great mixture of peoples and traditions, and the same applies to DAR collections. Interspersed throughout are major holdings relating to many European immigrant groups, to African Americans and to Native Americans."

"Generally, DAR collections compliment and partially duplicate those of the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Although much smaller than these massive institutions, so much unique material resides at DAR that researchers frequently comment that they have found genealogical gold they could not find anywhere else. The holdings themselves, which do not circulate, coupled with open bookstacks in the Library, quick processing of new materials for use, and major in-house finding aids draw researchers from across the nation every day. American Genealogical Research at the DAR presents the DAR's research materials, gathered for over a century, to American genealogists with the hope that more will visit and find what they could not find elsewhere."