More than 200 years ago men and women supported a radical movement to separate from their king and country across the sea and begin anew on the shores of a new continent. Farmers, merchants and tradesmen, with the help of their families and friends, took up arms and won the revolution and the United States of America was born.

Today these humble founders of our great nation are honored and their rich history preserved by several organizations. Among these, one of the most successful has been the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

With a mission "to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism," DAR was founded in 1890 as a service organization by women who could trace their bloodline back to the American Revolution and prove relation to a "patriot." DAR defines a "patriot" as anyone who fought or aided in the American independence.

DAR has 168,000 members in 3,000 chapters worldwide, including the Gold Trail Chapter that serves Granite Bay and the South Placer area.

Longtime Granite Bay resident Dorla (Deanie) Eaton Kemper founded the chapter in 1974, after being a member of the Emigrant Trail chapter in Auburn for three years. Kemper realized that many of the members were driving up to Auburn from the booming Roseville area. It seemed logical to start a new chapter serving South Placer County.

Encouraged by her mother-in-law, who was a member, Kemper considered joining the organization in 1971. At the time, Kemper had two young children and little interest or time to search her ancestry for a patriot.

Kemper's mother-in-law hired a professional genealogist to trace Kemper's father's line and eventually found a blood relative who fought in the American Revolution. She presented the lineage to Kemper as a Christmas present and Kemper joined DAR.

Kemper started the Gold Trail chapter with 13 members, but the chapter has grown to its current 76 members - significant numbers for history buffs. Kemper was the first regent or chapter president. The current regent is Io Beyer, also of Granite Bay, who has been a member since 1993.

"I've always liked history," says Beyer. "I'm more aware of our American history now than I was before."

Unlike Kemper, Beyer's main interest in getting involved with DAR was the genealogy side. In fact, in addition to being regent, Beyer is also the chapter's registrar, a position that takes up much of her time as she assists new members in documenting their lineage and proof of relation to a patriot. Beyer's search took more than two years.

"He wasn't an established patriot at that time and we didn't have the resources at that time," she says. "So it took me going up to the family history center and finding the information."

DAR requires documented proof of both the patriot and the member's connection to him. Beyer says that birth, death and marriage certificates, as well as letters, newspaper clippings, military records and the census can all be used to trace lineage, but the relatives must be related by blood. Kemper says this rule is being revisited as more time bridges the distance between the Revolutionary War and the current era and complications such as adoption and sperm donation become common.

"I think we are coming to a point where it's hard for younger members to become active members," says Beyer.

"We've talked in many executive sessions and in many national board of management meetings of what could we do to eliminate the bloodline requirement," adds Kemper. "It is not an easy thing to decide how to overcome that."

And Kemper is in the know on what the national organization is up to. In 1995, she became president general of the National organization. For three years she lived at the headquarters in Washington, D.C., and represented DAR at meetings and events throughout the world.

"I've made many friends from all over the world who I would have never known otherwise. I've had red carpet experiences I would have never had otherwise," says Kemper. "I've just made friends from all over the world and when (my husband) Charles passed away two years ago March 23, I had a copper kettle full of cards from everywhere, remembering him and how much fun we had and how their husbands enjoyed being with him.

"It opened doors of experiences that have been treasured," she adds. "When you get to be older in life, the most valuable things are your memories."

As president general, which is like a chief operating officer, Kemper initiated organizational management positions, which now oversee the organization while the president is traveling. She also initiated the cleaning of the DAR's three historic buildings located in the heart of The Mall district and within sight of the White House.

The oldest of the three buildings is Memorial Continental Hall. Finished in 1905 as the headquarters, library and meeting hall of DAR, the hall has been converted several times. The hall now houses the extensive DAR library that holds thousands of books and documents specific to American lineage.

"I initiated the cleaning up and cleaning out of all these buildings," says Kemper. "Constitution Hall was completely renovated and that is probably one of the things I am most proud of."

Nearby Constitution Hall, built in 1929, is still one of the largest auditoriums in the area. With 4,000 seats, the building is leased to numerous organizations for events that include operas, concerts, lectures, graduations and, of course, the DAR national convention.

"(The renovation) was a $2 million project and I was in charge," says Kemper. "It is just beautiful now and we are making more money now than at any time in the past because it is so beautiful."

Though built in 1920, the Administration Building that sits between Memorial Hall and Constitution Hall was expanded to connect the two larger landmarks. The Administration Building houses DAR offices, museum and state period rooms.

Founded by women who were refused entry into the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) because of their gender, a friendly competition has risen as DAR members list their accomplishments.

"Well, if you look at our building and look at all the others, we have outdone them in membership and real estate," says Beyer.

Though similar in nature, DAR is an entirely different group and has no connection to SAR or any other organization. Their resources, however, are entirely open to the public and many a historian, author and genealogist has used their extensive library for research.

"We helped ("Roots" author Alex) Haley do his research," says Kemper. "He worked with our genealogist."

DAR isn't just about preserving buildings and lineages, however. Another goal is to preserve patriotism. But just what is patriotism?

"To me, it's recognizing my patriot ancestors and the wonderful work they did in securing our liberty," says Beyer.

"An appreciation and respect for what others have given up to give you freedom," adds Kemper.

To accomplish this and their other goal of educating youth about the importance of American History, DAR offers scholarships and holds essay contests on both the national and local levels.

In February, the Gold Trail chapter honored local youth who submitted essays. Among the honorees were four high school seniors, who entered the DAR Good Citizens Essay on the topic "Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for preserving it;" four junior high students, who wrote about Benjamin Franklin; and three outstanding teachers. The chapter also hosted the local SAR, which made an historic flag presentation.

"The event Saturday (Feb. 18) was fabulous; it really showed how intelligent our youth are and the parents came and supported them. I think the world will be left in good hands," says new DAR member Susie Glover of Granite Bay.

"One of our goals is to get sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders involved in the American history essay contest. This year we had 23 (entries)," adds Beyer.

The Gold Trail Chapter of DAR meets once a month at Renaissance at Sierra Point (formerly Cordia) in Roseville during the school year, but members volunteer for committees and other duties, like fund-raising. Meetings are open to public and prospective members are always welcome.

"We have about four board meetings a year, trying to keep everything going and making sure we have enough money to operate," says Beyer of her duties as regent.

History buffs, genealogy experts and service-oriented patriots, the women of DAR have a common goal in preserving the foundation of the United States. Whether it is passing on knowledge, recognizing the flag or preserving an historic landmark, members of DAR believe they are bettering the country.

"I really think that it's important to have roots," says Kemper. "It's important to know what your history has been in order to avoid things that could change your life later on. I just think history - to know where you came from and what your parents did and how they worked and what they did - I think that gives people roots and I think that's what makes a country strong."