Membership Information
Membership in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is open to all male descendants, whether through lineal or collateral line, and not less than 14 years of age who: (1) are a blood relative of a soldier, sailor, marine or member of the Revenue Cutter Service, who was regularly mustered and served honorably in, was honorably discharged from or died in the service of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service of the United States of America or in such state regiments called to active service and was subject to orders of United States general officers between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865; (2) have never been convicted of any infamous or heinous crime and (3) have, or whose ancestor through whom membership is claimed, has never voluntarily borne arms against the government of the United States.
Males who do not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership, but who demonstrate a genuine interest in the Civil War, who are 14 years of age or older and who can subscribe to the purpose and objects of the SUVCW may become Associate Members. Associate Members may fully participate in Camp, Department and National activities, and may hold elected offices up to, but not including Commander-in-Chief.
The Department of Missouri also provides for Junior membership. Juniors shall be males between the ages of 6 and 14 who meet the qualifications for membership. They may become SUVCW Members at age 14. JUNIOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR MALES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 14 WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP. THEY MAY BECOME ASSOCIATES AT AGE 14.
Members under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian with them at camp meetings and events.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THE 2022 NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT OF THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR VOTED TO TIGHTEN THE PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING A FULL MEMBER. ANY MALE CAN ASK FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP, BUT TO BE A FULL MEMBER YOU NEED TO DOCUMENT EVERY STEP OF YOUR ANCESTRY!
Please review the below file General Order No # 7, Series 2022-2023 which describes how we are to process member applications.
IF YOU NEED HELP, contact a camp or submit a request using the below form. Several of us have memberships with ancestry.com, familysearch.org and fold3.com and can try to help you trace down your ancestry. At present we do not have a fee for doing this, so now is the time to join!
Males who do not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership, but who demonstrate a genuine interest in the Civil War, who are 14 years of age or older and who can subscribe to the purpose and objects of the SUVCW may become Associate Members. Associate Members may fully participate in Camp, Department and National activities, and may hold elected offices up to, but not including Commander-in-Chief.
The Department of Missouri also provides for Junior membership. Juniors shall be males between the ages of 6 and 14 who meet the qualifications for membership. They may become SUVCW Members at age 14. JUNIOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR MALES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 14 WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP. THEY MAY BECOME ASSOCIATES AT AGE 14.
Members under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian with them at camp meetings and events.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THE 2022 NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT OF THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR VOTED TO TIGHTEN THE PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING A FULL MEMBER. ANY MALE CAN ASK FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP, BUT TO BE A FULL MEMBER YOU NEED TO DOCUMENT EVERY STEP OF YOUR ANCESTRY!
Please review the below file General Order No # 7, Series 2022-2023 which describes how we are to process member applications.
IF YOU NEED HELP, contact a camp or submit a request using the below form. Several of us have memberships with ancestry.com, familysearch.org and fold3.com and can try to help you trace down your ancestry. At present we do not have a fee for doing this, so now is the time to join!
Associate Membership Associate membership is available to men who do not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership. Associate membership is available to any man who demonstrates a genuine interest in the Civil War and can subscribe to the purpose and objects of the SUVCW.
Although an Associate is not required to meet the lineage requirement of a Member, he is still subject to the second and third provisions of hereditary eligibility. An Associate may vote and hold any office except those of Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, National Secretary, National Treasurer and Commanding Officer of the Sons of Veterans Reserve. Associates may not exceed one-third of the total membership of the Camp at the time of election.
Although an Associate is not required to meet the lineage requirement of a Member, he is still subject to the second and third provisions of hereditary eligibility. An Associate may vote and hold any office except those of Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, National Secretary, National Treasurer and Commanding Officer of the Sons of Veterans Reserve. Associates may not exceed one-third of the total membership of the Camp at the time of election.
Junior and Junior Associate Membership. Persons under the age of 14 may join the organization, but cannot vote in national or department encampments (camps may allow it). Junior and Junior Associates may participate in SUVCW events, but ANYTIME they are at a meeting or event they MUST be accompanied by one parent or their legal guardian (parents/guardians do not have to be members).