This page provides you with more detailed information about how one qualifies for membership in our Society. Please take a few moments to scan through this information and then complete the Contact form below to get more information.
Genealogical documentation or proof is required for each generation from the veteran ancestor to the applicant. Forms will be provided for this purpose. All application papers are examined carefully by competent genealogists before approval for election to membership is granted.
General Genealogical Qualification
Any male person fourteen (14) years of age or older and who is a lineal descendant of one who served during the War of 1812, in a military service of the United States, offering proof thereof satisfactory to the Utah Society may make application for membership, and who is of good moral character and reputation, may become a member of this Society when approved of by the Society Registrar.
Qualifying Military Service
The following service and no other shall be regarded as satisfying the requirements of the preceding paragraph:
- Service as an officer, warrant officer or enlisted man in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Revenue Marine, Flotilla Service or Voluntary Corps at any time between November 7, 1811 and July 18, 1815;
- Service at any time between November 7, 1811 and July 18, 1815, as a member of the ship’s company on any public armed vessel of the United States or any vessel sailing under Letters of Marque and Reprisal issued by the United States;
- Service in the militia of any state or territory or the District of Columbia duly called out for service against an armed enemy or for coast or border defense between November 7, 1811 and July 18, 1815;
- Service in the forces of the United States at the Battle of Tippecanoe on November 7, 1811;
- Service as the President of the United States, Secretary of War or Secretary of the Navy between November 7, 1811 and July 18, 1815; and/or
- Service as a Governor of a state or territory of the United States between November 7, 1811 and July 18, 1815.
In case of the failure of lineal descendants of an actual participant in the War on behalf of the United States, one collateral descendant, who is deemed worthy, may be admitted to represent the said participant. Provided, that such representation shall be limited to the descendant of either a brother or sister of the participant in the war, in right of whose services application for membership is made
Classes of Members
The Utah Society has three classes of membership: lineal, collateral, and junior
- A lineal member shall be a male of direct blood descent (not by adoption) from a person who served in the military during the War of 1812 and can offer proof of such service. He must be of the minimum age as prescribed by the Constitution of The Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Utah and the General Society of the War of 1812.
- A collateral member must follow the same criteria as a lineal member except that a collateral member shall be admitted upon proving his blood descent from the brother or sister of a person who served in the military during the War of 1812. He must be of the minimum age as prescribed by the General Society of the War of 1812.
- A non-voting junior membership to The Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Utah may be granted to a male descendant of a lineal member under the following conditions:
a. The junior member is at least 14 years of age and less than the minimum age as prescribed by the Constitution of the General Society of the War of 1812.
b. The junior member must submit an application, with genealogical documentation, accompanied by the regular application fee and one-half of The Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Utah annual dues.
Application Process
Applications for membership shall conform to the specification of the General Society of the War of 1812. Each applicant shall submit two (2) typewritten or computer generated applications, with one (1) accompanying set of documentation and the appropriate fees. The Registrar-Genealogist shall check the application for genealogical accuracy and that the applicant’s ancestor’s service qualifies him for membership.
If the Registrar-Genealogist determines the qualifications of the applicant are in order, he will submit one (1) application to the National Society and maintain one (1) application with the supportive documentation for the membership file of the Utah Society. If the Registrar-Genealogist determines that the applicant does not qualify, he may request the applicant to provide additional information.
Click this link to download the Membership Application for the Society of the War of 1812.
Fees
Membership Fee = $37.50
Annual Dues = $27.00
Fee for Supplemental Applications = $30.00
(includes $10 for Utah Society & $20 for the General Society)
For more information please use the contact form below to contact our state’s Registrar, Eric Richhart at: refoals1@msn.com.