About Membership
Membership in the Descendants Association of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps Historical Society is available to individuals who can document genealogical descent from a soldier who served in the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps during the American Civil War.
Descendants Association membership recognizes verified lineage and supports the Society’s ongoing work in research, preservation, and public education.
What Your Membership Supports
Membership dues support the Society’s core operating needs, including:
Insurance and volunteer coverage, Website hosting and digital infrastructure, Publication and distribution of the Society’s journal and Administrative and compliance costs.
By maintaining this foundation, our Society can responsibly pursue research, publications, educational programming, and preservation initiatives across Pennsylvania.
Membership Dues
Descendants Association membership is $200 for the first year. If registering more than one qualifying ancestor, an additional $40 applies for each additional ancestor.
After the first year, your membership will automatically transition to our General Membership Plus level, and annual renewals will be billed at the current General Membership Plus rate.
For additional information about the benefits and renewal cost of this membership level, please visit our General Membership page.
Membership Benefits
Descendants Association members may receive:
• Subscription to the Society’s biannual printed journal, “Three Years or the War: A Journal of the Pennsylvania Reserves”
• 10% discount on PRVCHS events and merchandise
• One (1) authentic reproduction Civil War–style Dog Tag featuring the name of your ancestor, his company, regiment of service, as well as his hometown/county (if known). This dog tag is a one-time issuance when you sign up. Renewals are done at a discounted rate, and will not include a second issuance dog tag.
• Formal recognition as a documented descendant
• Inclusion (with consent) on the Descendants Association page & printed journal
• A Descendants Association certificate
• Access to Society updates and research highlights
• Opportunities to participate in memorial observances and special programs
• The option to support the preservation of their ancestor’s historic memory through Society projects
The following are examples of a Civil War Era Dog Tag, or “ID Disc” from the time period. The reproductions are authentically reproduced, to match your ancestors name, unit and location of residence, if known.
Below is an example format of our Descendants Association Certificates.
Fees & Support
Membership fees help offset the costs associated with documentation review, certificate production, and administrative processing, and they support the Society’s broader mission.
Non-Descendant Support
Individuals who do not qualify as genealogical descendants are encouraged to support the Society through general membership, volunteering, or program participation. The Society values broad public engagement alongside descendant involvement.
Ethical Standards
The Society applies consistent genealogical and historical standards to all Descendants Association applications. Recognition is based on evidence and documentation, not tradition or assumption.
For questions regarding eligibility or the application process, please visit the Contact page.