Membership

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a heritage society.  Membership exist on two levels:

Regular membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is open to all male descendents of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces - meaning that you must prove a genealogical descent from a qualified individual.  Membership can be obtained through either direct or collateral family lines. The minimum age for membership is twelve (12).

Legionnaire Membership does NOT require genealogical proof - therefore, it is perfect for those who have not yet proved lineage, or, those who wish to support and participate in SCV activities but not have a lineage. However, this type membership does have some restrictions, including restrictions on voting.

Records to prove kinship to a Confederate soldier can take many forms.  These records are usually available from the state archives for which state the soldier fought; they may include veteran's military service record, records of pensions to veterans and their widows.  All of these records contain a wealth of information that can be used to document military service.  There is usually a nominal fee for such records obtained from state archives.

Fortunately, the SCV is composed of people who have already done what you must do - so they have some knowledge of the process.  A local camp most likely has helpful members who have some expertise in genealogy.

There is also a SCV network of genealogists to assist in tracing Confederate veteran ancestors.