In their own words, the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York is committed to "perpetuating among their descendants the memory of the brave and hardy men who assisted in establishing the Colonies of America during the period from the settlement of Jamestown, May 13, 1607, to the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775."
Applications to the Society can provide a wealth of information to both genealogical and biographical researchers. Volumes A through S, which consist of applications dated from 1892 to 1919, are now available online with a searchable index.
Background on the Collection
These records represent over 25 years worth of applications, beginning with the 1892 incorporation of the society. Applications document pertinent information from the colonial period, such as birth, immigration, and military service records. Additionally, these applications represent significant pieces of biographical history for late 19th and early 20th century members of New York society.
Applicants to the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York must trace their ancestry to a person who fought in one of the four colonial wars—King William's War (1689–1697), Queen Anne's War (1702–1713), King George's War (1744–1748), and the French and Indian War (1754–1763). The applications include information about the “qualifying ancestor,” such as date and place of birth, followed by details of the applicant’s genealogy. Also included are the applicant’s occupation, education, names and birth details of wives and children, and any records of their own military, naval, or civil service.
The search field allows researchers to locate applications based on the name and place of birth of either the applicant or qualifying ancestor.
Diagram of an Application
Click one of the pages below to open a PDF reader with diagram notation explaining the parts of the application.
