New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-01

Secretary General Cresap advised an entire revision
OF the constitution ofhc society," in order to place II
above criticism and 10 avoid antagonism with Othcr
kindred societies, Membership In the BODY Is ex-
tended not only 10 past presidents general ana past
e-presidents- general bit also to nearly seventy
Others rs honorary members, from the President OF
the United states to the Governor OF Alaska or
these dignitarles rot has awaited himself OF
the privilege OF attending the meetings. IL suD]ccu
the society TO the criticism Of seeking men In prom
inent places TO magnify its Importance Lie men,
bership Is extended by Section to past presidents
general ard past vlce-presidcntS general, NUMBER
ing at present about thirty. With the present
annual increase hi, portion Of the Congress VIII III
crease with greater rapidty than the growth OF the
society and soon become majority o: the whole.
The secretary general urged the appointment OF COM
mi,tee 10 prepare revised constitution and by laws
OF the society, which should be printed and submitted
TO the several State societies for suggestion and crit
csm, and which shall be acted upon finally at The
Congress of lie also discussed the cOors Of the
society
The report Of the acting registrar general. A. How
ard Clark showed that the National archives now
tain 3o27 individual records Of lneal descendants OF
patriots Of the Revolutionary War. These papers
fled in numerical order. and, when bound, with full
indexes series OF folio volumes OF history OF
the patriots OF the Revolutionary War and their de-
scendants ready for easy reference. Family tradition
Is frequently the sole claim of applicants but there
many instances when tradition is verified by the me-
drum OF papers Of other applicants.
The study of the composition OF the membership and
their exhibited by the society's archives
is interesting Descendants OF nearly all the siners
OF Declaration OF Independence I'm the member
ship as well those Of the hundreds Of famous
soldiers and sailors who led the American Army and
Navy 10 victory. Northumberland Goode said that
he had exercised rigid scrutiny OF papers before issu-
Ing certificates permits for badges. As this record
IS really the basis OF the society, the officers are
IN yprf hem n
the National officers.
Treasurer General Otis reported that there $500
remaining In the treasury of the society.
Henry Hall, historian general, presented elaborate
report In explanation OF the sources of information 10
which man or a woman can apply for proof Of an
ancestor In the American Revolution. The following
is epitome Of the report:
The armies OF the American Revolution were com.
posed OF total OF 231 1857 Continental troops. ~
militia and ~ ,654 additional militia; total 1913 345.
Tho population then about 100000, and thus
at least Ii per cent OF Ihe whole served In the war
In one capacity another These figures give an
indication OF how many persons there must now be
in the United states eligible to membership in these
societies.
The first step is TO trace back ones lineage by as
many lines possible 10 the times Of the Revolution.
guided by family tradition. Family Bibles the memory
oil relatives the records OF towns and counties, wills
or woman who begins upon Til, fascinating
search will never stop until he discovers whether he
actually had an ancestor or not
For proof OF service Of ancestor recourse must
States or in Washington. Several. etaics have pub,
shed books. none OF them absolutely complete. but
all OF them exceedingly valuable. New-Ilampshire
has published four volumes Of rolls OF her troops In