To the best of my knowledge the organizatison only traces from the minimum.....
My mother recently applied for membership in the DAR, her patriot was a proven participant as was the lineage down to about three generations down. She only had to prove through birth and death certificates and perhaps marriage licenses the lineage from that point to her. when I submit my SAR app I will only have to submit my birth certificate tacked onto her DAR number.
I hope this helps.