When you say you've 'looked them up" (military records at the NARA), does that mean that you have requested military paperwork from them and they have told you there is none on file? 'cause the military records are not the same as pension records. I have many Rev War military papers from the NARA for some of my ancestors, but none of them applied for a pension....so, don't confuse the two. What documentation did the old DAR papers give for the service record of these fellas? That's important....but to know how much credence to give it and where, perhaps, to look for it, we need to know WHAT it is. Not all old DAR paperwork is invalid.......the biggest problem they have with the old records is that pension records are no longer accepted as proof of service, as they once were.......they've discovered, in later years, that there were a TON of fraudulent pensions paid out...so, pension records are no longer accepted. You say that there are no pension records?....therefore, whatever they used as proof of service is NOT this....so, what IS it? (inquiring minds want to know.) To understand Rev war records, you need to know, too, that not everyone who served did so at the Federal level....and those that did are the only ones who will be found in the NARA records. Many units were local/state units, and as such will not be found in federal records.....they['d only be recorded at the state level, if then. Unfortunately there is no giant book or repository of Rev war soldiers you can use....things are scattered everywhere, in all sorts of places, so it's really impossible to tell you where what you wish will be found........and, there's a good possibility that it won't be found at all! Many, MANY are no longer extant. So, let us know what documentation of service the DAR papers list, and we'll go from there. Sandra Another thing about the DAR....often times multiple women will join on the save Vet, many times descending from different children of this vet...so, when you request the paperwork it's important to ask for any that come through, and give the child YOU descend from....if you don't request a specific child, they'll just send you any copy. Nadine, the chapter of the DAR I belong to is VERY hands on when it comes to helping potential members collect the documentation they need. Not only do we tell you what, but often where, but will even meet you at the local state archival library, to help. One of our ladies volunteers for 'day trips' to other county seats, and makes a yearly trek to the archival library in Richmond, Va, doing days of research for others. She is, of course, NOT the norm, but I'm sure there are others who are extremely helpful....... each chapter is different. "I recently posted that I was looking for more information on Capt. Sam Roberts Company. I have church and cemetery records for this line, but I do not have much in the way of military records and do not know how to go about getting them. The DAR forms that I'd requested and received were to help me find clues to other resources only. One person has shared a source with me that does include two of my ancesters in the Capt. Sam Roberts Company: Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol III, 1907, Page 26. Sandra has reminded me of NARA, but I've looked them up, and their familied did not collect pensions which DAR confirmed. Not being familiar with military records, can anyone tell me of other sources that I might find useful? I am willing and able to travel into Chester County or Philadelphia, but that's not much use if I don't know what I'm looking for. As for the FHC, I've spent a great deal of time at one, but they did not know how to help me locate military records." -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006

Sandra & Nadine, thanks! DAR form approved for Barnet RAPP on 18 February 1971: Ancestor's Service: "Barnet Rapp was a Private with Capt. Sam Roberts Company, Chester County, Pa. Militia. 13 pieces of data returned with duplicate." Also on the form underneath the service item: "The said Barnet Rapp is the ancestor who assisted in establishing American Independence, while acting in the capacity of Private, capt. Roberts Co., Chester County Pa., Militia." and "Vol 120 p 307-308 DAR Lineage Books" and "Nat. No. 119992 - Add. 150" Using the online search function for ARIAS, I have found this: Inactive Duty Militia Rapp, Barnet Chester County, Battalion 4th, Company 7th, Class 4th Authority: Appeal Book For 4 First Classes 1780 Date Apr. 19, 1781 Muster Fines $610 "Military Accounts: Militia," Records of the Comptroller General, RG-4 The other Rapp that I have a form for I also have information for. This is the one I confess to not understanding at all. I'd love to make sense of it, and if someone was able to provide 13 pieces of data to prove service, then I'd like to research to get that data as well. I'd no idea it could take so long to get this information, so thanks for the heads up and the information on how to write for records. Laurie