Why should you be interested? For further information… What You Need 1. You would be honoring the memory of those Questions about the Society of Descendants Mayflower ancestors (102) who sailed in 1620, in Pennsylvania or more details about membership to Know across the Atlantic on the Mayflower, searching requirements please contact; for a life of religious and civil freedom, and About the inspiring the foundation for our great democracy. Nancy Larsen Membership Officer 2. To honor our ancestors and keep their story alive [email protected] Pennsylvania by joining together with “cousins” who share a Visit www.SAIL1620.org similar lineage. Society 3. Having your records securely filed with the Society, would enable your descendants to of establish their genealogical lines. If you are already a member, make your family heritage available by purchasing a membership gift Pilgrim History Mayflower certificate for a loved one. Most people know the story of the Mayflower, which set sail in 1620 and arrived on the New England coast Descendants 4. If you should move to a new location, your of America. It carried 102 passengers of English origin. membership can be transferred. This would Most passengers were Pilgrims seeking a new home enable you to meet new Mayflower cousins free from religious persecution, yet one in which they more quickly and easily. could retain their English identity and a way of life (known as Separatists) The remainder of those on board 5. As a member, The Mayflower Quarterly the Mayflower ship were seeking a new home for the Magazine would be mailed to you quarterly, betterment of their personal situations, or for possible (providing the latest news of the General financial gains (known as Merchant Adventurers) Society), as well as our SMDPA award winning newsletter, The Pennsylvania Mayflower.

6. As a member, you are encouraged to join the The activities of the State Society and its two- When the Mayflower was safely anchored at Cape colonies; Western (Pittsburgh area) and Cod, the Pilgrims drew up a civil document which Susquehanna (Harrisburg area). established the system by which they wished to govern themselves. The document has come to be 7. As a member, you would receive an official known as The Mayflower Compact. GSMD membership certificate, access to “members only” area of GSMD website, free John Quincy Adams described The Mayflower 1620 Plymouth 1896 tours of the historic Mayflower Society house Compact as “the finest example in modern times of (built by the grandson of Pilgrim Edward a social compact or system of government instituted Winslow in 1754), and access to mtDNA test by voluntary agreement comfortable to the laws of The General Society of Mayflower Descendants results as part of Mayflower DNA project and nature, by men of equal rights and about to establish (GSMD) is one of the three largest, most respected, and prestigious hereditary much more! their community in a new country.” organizations in America. There are Mayflower Societies in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Europe. How to Prove Your Lineage Documenting Your Facts Other Research Options www.SAIL1620.org Remember as you work through your family lineage that https://www.themayflowersociety.org The most difficult part of anything is getting you must document each statement for each generation. 1. “Mayflower DNA Project” - GSMD maintains a started. It will be easier in the beginning to start You should begin collecting photographs or scanned project through FTDNA that incorporates Y chromo- with yourself and work back through generations. images of all the source materials which prove the somal DNA (Y-DNA), mitochondrial DNA, and auto- somal (nuclear) DNA. If interested, in discussing ad- Keep in mind that you are interested in four key validity of each statement. Do not cut corners in an effort to speed the process! The more sources you can provide ditional Y-DNA testing and genealogical record reviews items; names, relationships, dates, and places that could be performed to confirm your potential May- the stronger your proof will be. Any extra documentation (birth, marriage, death). Set up a simple form flower lineage, contact; “GSMD Mayflower DNA Proj- or use genealogy software to follow as you work you have may serve as supplemental proof for a given ect” Mike Terry at [email protected] your way through the generations back to your statement. Mayflower ancestor. 2. Application - Immediate Family proven and accept- ed lineage applications on file at GSMD. Source Materials 3. Patriot Project (a work in progress)-As more in- Lineage Work Sheet Your documentation should consist of Source materials formation becomes available on the Internet, descen- such as the following: dants are reaching out to connect their Revolutionary There are many different companies produc- War Patriot with the Mayflower Society. Many Sons ing genealogical software which can be used to 1. Vital records of birth, marriage, and death & Daughters of the American Revolution Societies are asking if they also have an ancestral tie to a Mayflower track your lineage or a worksheet can be used 2. Bible or church records as represented below: passenger and are interested in finding how they may 3. Marriage bonds and licenses become a member. The Patriot Project is a growing Step 1 published list of Patriots who descend from Mayflower 4. Mortality schedules and cemetery records passengers and an effort to build a bridge between two Your Name born at Your Birth Place on important Societies. Your Birth Date married at Your Marriage 5. Probate records, Guardianship or Orphan’s court records Place on Your Marriage Date to Your Who Is Eligible? Spouse born at Spouse’s Birth Place on 6. Land records of deed or division of property (son of Spouse’s Birth Date. Bartholomew Allerton Edward) 7. Contemporary family letters and records Mary (Norris) Allerton Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins 8. Tax assessments or exemption lists Remember Allerton Giles Hopkins Step 2 Elinor Billington Stephen Hopkins 9. Military or pension records Francis Billington Father’s Name born at Father’s Birth Place Richard More 10. Federal or State Census Records (which state William Bradford Priscilla Mullins on Father’s Birth Date died at Father’s family relationships) William Mullins Death Place on Father’s Death Date mar- Mary Brewster ried at Parent’s Marriage Place on Parent’s 11. Cattle and Hog Marks William Brewster Joseph Rogers Marriage Date to Mother’s Maiden Name Peter Browne Thomas Rogers born at Mother’s Birth Place on Mother’s Mrs. James Chilton George Soule Birth Date died at Mother’s Death Place on Mother’s Death Date. John Cooke John Tilley Joan (Hurst) Tilley Francis Eaton Repeat the form for each generation Samuel Eaton Sarah Eaton Susanna (Jackson) White Edward Fuller William White Mrs. Edward Fuller Samuel Fuller