The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-15
Application Papers.

Application Papers.
 In the issue of March 30th. a letter was published from the office of the Regis frar-General. stating that hereafter no papers would be received that did not state the dates of birth and death of ancestors and other details which have not heretofore been considered. All Southern Chapters know the hardship of such rule in the absence Of published records, genealogies. church and family documents. Many of the biographies of our great men omit important dates be- ] cause they are impossible to obtain. NO one knows the exact date of.Washington' 8 wedding day. but that casts no doubt upon the validity of his marriage No Francis Marion, but that does not mar the splendor of his glory. After the lapse of more than one hundred years. we have found it difficult to verify the services of our ancestors and 1t has been np-hill work to form Chapters. and now if we are to be hampered by such string eI1tt rules, there will be little chance for growth. What difference does it make when a man was born if he was good patriot and soldier during the Revolu- fion? It is said that mistakes have been made Tn geneaology and members have been admitted under false pretenses. This is true beyond a doubt but in the gem eral search after knowledge, these mis- takes will right themselves these gene alogfes will be corrected. and truth es- abolished. Mistakes are made by the most competent psychologists with all the data of dates etc. to fortify them. Those who have read the Lewis discussion in The Atlanta Constitution have seen the different opinions hotly maintained by skilled genealogists. When this Is true. why not devote ourselves to the chief point in question for us as Daughters of the American Revolution, that Of prov ing revolutionary services of our ances- tors, furnishing dates if possible to add interest to the family history. but not making them a chief requisite. These x.~Etv ov-to fnlx sionaf psychologists for it will force most people to employ them.
 But the National Society of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution was not made for the benefit of the professional genealogist but to pay homage to the glory of the soldier of the Revolution, from the general who Is so illustrious that it is not necessary to give dates to prove that he existed, down to the hum ble private militia soldier. ragged and footsore, whose descendants are proud of his sturdy courage and patriotism, even If he did not leave them a date outside of a land grant, pension, or company roll. These prove his faithful services and that is all that should be required Many of these militia rolls are signed by cross marks, showing that the. soldier was unable to sign his name. Is 1t prob able that he kept family records? Plo- neers did not have the advantages Of schools and many excellent families have had illiterate members. But soldier was a soldier. whether he could read or not, and whether he kept family record or not, and his descendants have right to demand that his services should be re- cognized when they have been carefully investigated and proved.
 We are glad to learn from the State Regent that the services of those sol diers, who have been already verified, will enfitle new members to entrance into the Society although the dates may be still missing: they can be supplied later if they are ever found. and If they are not found the loss will never dim the glory of the soldier.
 The Registrar General writes to the State Regent:
 T am sorry if the wording of the com munication regarding data should have led to a misappreher sion. All those ap- plying for membership through the ser vices of any Revolutionary soldier now on record in this office will. if descent IS proved, be admitted.
 We are endeavoring. however, as far as possible. to complete the records and all applicants are requested to furnish this information if obtainable. am sure every member of this Society must wish her record complete and will do Regarding the circular to which you re- fer, 1t is not a new ruling, but was sent out last year and applies only to new re- cords of Revolutionary soldiers-names that are not now on file in this office.'
 This letter Is from Mrs. Pealer, Reg. tstrar-General. who Is always kind and courteous. We trust she may see her way clear to forming rules that may aid and not hamper the growth of our
 - >-,,' '' ' State Historian.