Sort of off-topic here...
Something I’ve always wondered about the D.A.R. — my adoptive father’s family, as well as my adoptive mother’s mother’s family fought in the Revolutionary War, however does my status as an adoptee prevent my applying to join the organization? (Keep in mind I am not allowed to access my original birth record with the name of my biological parents on it, by law without petitioning the court — and most requests are soundly rejected depending upon stated “need”.)
I’ve always wondered if I would have been eligible for some of the scholarships and such, but having just found out about my adoption myself the same year I started applying to schools, I didn’t really want to deal with those questions at the time...
Also, do you know how this would affect my daughters’ ability to apply to join? Is it all “by blood” or do legal adoptions count as well? (My daughters are all my husband and I’s biological children).
"Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death."
When questions come up regarding can an adopted child join the following is the official response:
"Yes, but only through your birth parents' lineage, not that of your adopted family. All lineage for DAR membership must be bloodline descent."
Seems cruel to adoptees, I know. Maybe this should be a push to unseal those records???? Adoptees have the right to know their blood lineage!!!