The Loyal Legion maintains a close relationship to other military hereditary societies, with many Companions maintaining overlapping memberships. We encourage you to visit their websites to see if you would also qualify for membership in these excellent organizations. Many of these groups also offer associate or affiliate status for those who may not meet the differing hereditary membership requirements.
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War – The SUVCW is a patriotic and hereditary organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the men who served in the Union forces during the American Civil War. Founded in 1881 and the legal heir to the Grand Army of the Republic, the organization promotes loyalty to the United States, historical education, and remembrance of Union veterans’ service and sacrifice. Membership is open to male descendants of Union veterans, as well as associate members who support the organization’s mission. Through memorialization, preservation of records and monuments, youth education, and civic engagement, the Sons work to ensure that the Union cause and its defenders are not forgotten.
The Aztec Club of 1847 – One of the oldest he
reditary military societies in the United States, it was founded in Mexico City during the Mexican–American War by officers of the U.S. Army who served in that conflict. Originally established as a social and fraternal organization, the Club later evolved into an hereditary society dedicated to preserving the history, traditions, and legacy of the officers whose service helped shape the nation’s military and territorial development. Membership is based on documented descent from an eligible officer. Through scholarship, historical preservation, and commemorative activities, the Club honors the enduring impact of its founding generation on American military history.
Descendants of Mexican War Veterans – The DMWV is a hereditary lineage society dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of those who served the United States during the Mexican–American War of 1846–1848. The Society promotes historical research, education, and patriotic service while commemorating the sacrifices and contributions of soldiers, sailors, and support personnel whose service helped shape the nation’s expansion and history. Membership is open to individuals who can document lineal descent from a veteran or qualifying participant of the war. Through preservation efforts, publications, commemorations, and public outreach, the Society fosters an enduring appreciation of this pivotal chapter in American history.
Society of the Cincinnati – The Society of the Cincinnati is the oldest hereditary patriotic organization in the United States, founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army and Navy who served during the American Revolutionary War. Established to preserve the ideals for which independence was achieved, the Society promotes historical scholarship, supports education, and encourages public appreciation of the Revolution and its legacy. Membership is very selective and passed through lineal descent from eligible officers, maintaining a direct link between the founding generation and the present. Through stewardship of historic collections, publications, and commemorative programs, the Society of the Cincinnati honors the service, sacrifice, and principles of the nation’s founders.
General Society of the Sons of the Revolution – Founded in 1876, the SR wished to broaden participation in preserving the American heritage of the Revolutionary War on the eve of the centennial of the Declaration of Independence, but without the strict membership inheritance requirements of the Society of the Cincinnati, but still requiring direct lineage to a Patriot who saw active military service. Through publications, commemorations, educational programs, and stewardship of historic sites and collections, the SR honors the legacy of the nation’s founding generation. The society regularly sponsors restoration of historic monuments and locations related to the American Revolution. Operating as a series of state societies, it remains a smaller, yet vibrant, group focused on historical preservation and scholarship about the American Revolution.
Sons of the American Revolution – With over 37,000 members, the SAR is the largest military hereditary society in the United States. Hereditary members must be in direct descent of a U.S. revolutionary patriot of any rank. Additionally, those who served the revolutionary cause in a non-uniformed capacity may also qualify applicants for membership. Their searchable database of membership applications provide a bedrock research information for those seeking more information about their genealogy. The SAR headquarters and museum in Louisville, Kentucky contains priceless American Revolutionary relics and educational displays. The organization promotes historical education, patriotism, and civic responsibility through youth programs, public outreach, preservation of historic sites, and recognition of exemplary citizenship, ensuring that the principles upon which the United States was founded are remembered and upheld.
General Society of Colonial Wars – The GSCW is a hereditary patriotic organization founded in 1892 dedicated to honoring and preserving the history, memory, and ideals of the American colonial period, broadly defined as 1607–1775. Membership is open to men who can prove lineal descent from an ancestor who rendered civil, military, naval, or diplomatic service to a British colony or colonial government in America. The society promotes historical research, education, and commemoration through publications, scholarships, preservation efforts, and public ceremonies, while emphasizing loyalty to the constitutional principles that emerged from the colonial experience and ultimately shaped the founding of the United States.
General Society of the War of 1812 – Dedicated to preserving the memory and history of those who served the United States during the War of 1812. Founded in 1890, the Society promotes patriotism, historical education, and scholarly research related to the conflict that affirmed American independence. Membership is open to those who can document lineal descent from an ancestor who provided military or recognized civil service to the United States between 1784 and 1815. Through commemorations, publications, preservation efforts, and support of historical initiatives, the Society honors the sacrifices and legacy of the generation that defended the nation in its second war for independence.
Military Society of the War of 1812 – Founded in 1892 to honor the officers who served in the United States armed forces during the War of 1812. Dedicated to preserving the history, traditions, and principles of that formative conflict, the Society promotes historical research, education, and patriotic observance. Membership is open to commissioned officers of the U.S. armed forces and to descendants of eligible War of 1812 officers who can document qualifying service. The Society also offers reciprocity with GSW1812. Through commemorations, scholarly activities, and public outreach, the Society perpetuates the legacy of the officers who defended the nation in its second war for independence.
Sons of Spanish American War Veterans – The SSAWV is an hereditary society dedicated to preserving the memory and honoring the service of American veterans of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American Insurrection, and China Relief Expedition of 1898–1902. Organized to perpetuate the principles of patriotism, national unity, and historical remembrance, the Society supports education, commemoration, and the preservation of associated records and monuments. Membership is open to male descendants of qualifying veterans. The organization ensures that the legacy of America’s emergence as a world power at the turn of the twentieth century is faithfully remembered.
Order of the Indian Wars of the United States – OIWUS was founded in 1896 as a hereditary military society to commemorate the service of U.S. Army officers who served during the Indian Wars of the nineteenth century. Established to preserve the history, traditions, and camaraderie of the Regular Army during America’s westward expansion, the Order promotes historical scholarship, education, and patriotic remembrance. Membership is open to descendants of eligible officers who rendered qualifying service. Through publications, commemorations, and historical preservation, the Order honors the military legacy of the officers who served on the American frontier and in other eras.
The Hereditary Society Community of the United States of America – The HSC is a non-profit organization, founded in 2002, which conveys the public interface for over 300 lineage societies. Their primary mission is to facilitate and increase the community’s aggregate focus on genealogical accuracy; access to information and research tools; accurate public listing of contact data; non-partisan civic outreach; historical education; scholarship; and fraternity and collegiality among organizations. The organization meets every April, in Washington, D.C., for an annual meeting and gala event.
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