What happened after the ink dried on the Declaration of Independence? For many of our ancestors, the "Spirit of ’76" was immediately tested by the grueling reality of the New York campaign and a desperate winter retreat across the Jerseys.

This presentation explores the pivotal 14-month window from the Spring of 1776 to the Summer of 1777. We will trace the political courage required to sign a document of "high treason" and the physical endurance of the Continental soldiers who saved the Revolution at Trenton and Princeton.

Designed specifically for genealogists, this talk goes beyond the history books to focus on the records. We will discuss how to locate your Revolutionary ancestors in NARA record groups, interpret pension narratives of the "Ten Crucial Days," and find the hidden stories of those who risked their lives and "Sacred Honor" during the nation’s darkest hour.