Since 1978, I have been interested in my Ancestry. I have wondered who my many ancestors were, where they came from, why they came to this country. So began my search and my passion for genealogy took hold, with very deep roots. A couple of years ago, I became interested in joining the DAR - never believing I'd actually get in. It is very hard to find all the data you need and that they will accept. You must prove a straight line from yourself, back to your Revolutionary War Ancestor. From the year they were born in the 1700's to the year you were born. About a year ago I decided to give it a try. I spent many hours pouring through census information, military records, going to cemeteries, to courthouses, sending to other states for birth, death and marriage certificates, making copies and last but not least meeting many times with the local DAR chapter representative who would look over my data and send me back home to look for more, or to arrange it in a different format. Finally the day arrived when the local chapter accepted my data and said it was ready to be sent to Nationals in Washington, DC. I was told that it could be rejected once there or 'they' could request more data. So with baited breath I waited and waited. Then two week ago the local chapter contacted me and said I was accepted and I would be receiving my certificate soon. On Monday of this week I got it. I just sat and looked at it in awe! My goodness - such a wonderful feeling. Then I began to think back to this ancestor who never knew me, never knew that anything like the DAR would ever exist, never knew I would try to join using his name. Then I also realized that if it had not been for this ancestor, I would not be here today - a new member of the DAR. His name is Isaac Grindstaff.
