Membership In
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) operates at three levels: Camp (local), Department (state) and National. The lifeblood of the Order is the membership and the Camps to which the members belong. It is the Camp which carries on the work of the Order. The Department exists to support and assist the Camp. The National Organization exists to support the Department.

The Department of Michigan is one of 26 Departments, serving 37 states (some Departments are made up of more than one state). Currently, there are 25 Camps in the Department of Michigan. There is also a “Camp-At-Large” to serve members who do not live in an area serviced by a Camp.

Membership in the SUVCW is for male descendants of Union soldiers, sailors, marines or members of the Revenue Cutter Service who served from 1861-65, who never bore arms against the United States of America and who were honorably discharged from their services. The genealogical link may be either lineal or collateral. Lineal lines go straight back to the veteran. Collateral linage refers to those who are directly descended from a brother, sister, half-brother, or half-sister of such qualifying veteran. These memberships are for men, fourteen years old, or older.

Associate Memberships are available for men who share our interests and mission but have yet to find a hereditary link to a Union Civil War veteran. Associates may hold any office except certain higher offices at the National level. Associates may not comprise more than one third of the total membership of their Camp.

Junior and Junior Associate memberships are available, under certain stipulations, to boys from six to fourteen years of age.

Applicants must be of good moral character and never convicted of an infamous or heinous crime and never have born arms against the United States of America.

Meeting in Mayville, Michigan, the LeValley-Heusted Camp #255 serves the greater "Thumb" area. Though it draws its principal membership from this area it welcomes members from across the world. If you are interested in becoming a member of Camp #255 or would just like to stop by and get to know us drop our Membership Committee a line. If you are interested in membership in another of Michigan's 25 Camps please visit the Department of Michigan site to find a Camp near you.

Although the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War does not accept female applicants, there are a number of parallel “Allied Orders” for ladies. The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Women’s Relief Corp, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic are waiting to welcome interested ladies.