SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Vol. XXX No. 1 Spring 2018 Darvin L. Martin to discuss DNA & Genealogy Governor’s Message at SMDPA’s Annual Meeting on April 14, 2018 Page 2 Darvin L. Martin began to construct his own initiated a DNA pilot project through the family tree by the age of ten, and at that Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society in time could not have even dreamed about October 2010, which has currently tested the future ways science would enable us to over 300 individuals and is providing the New Members connect everyone into a world family tree. basis for specifically constructing family Always passionate about history, lineages from before the time of surnames. Page 4 particularly local history not found in The project includes the gamut of human common textbooks, Martin blended a diversity across the globe and is open to career of scientific research with the pursuit everyone. of his own ancestry, seeking to determine the cultural, religious and societal norms Martin will outline some of the findings from Upcoming Meetings and that shaped the choices of his forebears. this project, as well as looking into the Events Martin has degrees in both agriculture and variation of DNA found within descendants analytical chemistry, a combination which of the Mayflower pioneers and other early Pages 8 - 9 oriented his interests towards scientific American pioneers, and those who lived instrumentation, eventually leading him to here even earlier—the Native Americans. the Swiss homeland of his ancestors. For Martin will describe which tests to take the last decade Martin has worked in (depending on your interest), how to get Thanksgiving Service product management and technical sales tested and how to interpret results. And Dinner for two separate Swiss companies focused Page 12 in the agricultural, environmental and This event has limited seating, please refer pharmaceutical industries. He has also to page 15 for reservations. The meeting chaired the Lancaster Family History will be held at the Merion Cricket Club, 325 Conference since 2003. Montgomery Ave., Haverford, PA 19041. For Health’s Sake Martin first embraced the idea of using DNA to trace family history while reading Brian Page 13 Sykes' book, The Seven Daughters of Eve, in 2002. During his second year of chairing the Lancaster Family History Conference, Martin invited noted genealogist Megan SMDPA Scholarship Smolenyak to describe the upcoming world Application of DNA analysis and how this applies to family history. Soon after, Martin began his Page 14 own epic DNA journey. Eventually the time would appear when anyone could quickly, with little cost, find a genetic connection to anyone else on the planet. That time has now descended upon us as more and more people have decided to look within their own bodies to expand their genealogies beyond the standard paper trail. Martin From the Governor’s Desk Hello members of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania! As you are aware, before the Mayflower The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Compact, former charters of freedom, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania notably the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights, were efforts to gain rights from powerful monarchs. 2017 Board of Assistants The Mayflower Compact was different. It was the first document to portray Governor: Peter M. Adams power being vested in its people as the Mayflower Pilgrims first acknowledged Assistant Governor: Reed Kneale that the source of power comes from within. In so doing, the Mayflower Pilgrims Secretary: Christine Hoffman first established popular constitutional liberty. Assistant Secretary: Scott Bond The signing of the Mayflower Compact has been studied, praised and held in Treasurer: Michael Gardner, Esq. the highest esteem throughout the world for centuries - as if it were a beacon of Assistant Treasurer: Acting Assistant Treasurer Scott Bond light illuminating the world. To quote John Quincy Adams, “the Mayflower Compact is perhaps the only instance in human history of that positive, original Historian: John Lapham, D.Mgt. social compact, which speculative philosophers have imagined as the only Registrar: Pamela Kolyer legitimate source of government.” Membership: Reed Kneale Elder: Rev. Judith Meier We will continue to carry high this torch of truth and spread our educational Surgeon: Dr. Ronald W. Simonsen mission throughout the entire Commonwealth as we sail forward together. Counselor & Assistant General: Thomas R. Kellogg, Esq. Please plan to attend our Annual Meeting and Tea on April 14th at the Merion Captain: Acting Captain John Cricket Club, Haverford, PA at 11 AM. I look forward to seeing you all. I Lapham, D.Mgt. guarantee you will enjoy the annual meeting, our planned festivities and learning Deputy Gov. General: Joan Reed Miller more about the “Mayflower Compact Signing.” Learning Development Coordinator: Debra Georgantis-Miller Thank you for your membership and involvement and I look forward to meeting Editorial Staff you. There is no history like our history. We are blessed and fortunate to host a very important role in America because “We Are Thanksgiving.” Editor: Sherri Smith [email protected] Blessings, CoEditors: Sharyn Davis [email protected] Peter M. Adams, Governor Deb Miller [email protected] Page 2 The Pennsylvania Mayflower SMDPA Officers & Assistants Slate 2018-2019 The Nominating Committee Chair Joan Reed Miller and committee members Dr. Robert Heinsohn, Dorothy Lees, and Debra Georgantis-Miller submit the following slate of Officers and Assistants to be considered for election at our Society’s Annual Meeting on April 14, 2018. An asterisk (*) signifies incumbent. OFFICERS ASSISTANTS The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Governor: Peter M. Adams* Term Expiring April 2019: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Deputy Governor: Reed Kneale* James Buckner* Secretary: Christine Hoffman* Peter Dustin* Asst Secretary: Brent Jones Cathy Smith* Treasurer: Scott Bond Asst Treasurer: Scott Bond* Term Expiring April 2020: 2018 Committees Historian: Dr. John Lapham* Sue Henning* Co Historian: Cinda Hartman* Daniel Lute* Registrar: Pamela Kolyer* Sharyn Davis* Membership Officer: Stephen Dargitz, Esq. WE WANT YOU! Elder: Rev. Judith Meier* Term Expiring April 2021: Would you like to participate in one of Captain: George Wilcox George Wilcox Counselor: Thomas R. Kellog, Esq.* Bruce Miller SMDPA’s committees? A great way to Surgeon: Dr. Ronald Simonsen* Judi Biederman meet people and become more involved. DDG: Joan Reed Miller* AG: Thomas R. Kellogg, Esq.* If interested, please contact our Nominating Chair, Joan Miller at Any additional nominations may be delivered to the SMDPA secretary, [email protected]. The Christine Hoffman, at least one week prior to the Annual Meeting in following committees are looking for accordance with the Bylaws, Article IV, Section 2. Christine Hoffman, SMDPA members: Secretary, 457 South Saddlebrook Circle, Chester Springs, PA 19425. Phone: 484-653-8610 or email: [email protected] or Annual Dues Parliamentarian & [email protected] By-Laws Archive Pink Book Member Audit Directory Update Junior Corner Education/ Publicity/Community Juniors let’s get together to learn about your ancestry and to have fun! We Scholarship Relations know how busy you all are, but we would love to hear from you with your Finance Sales ideas, thoughts and interests. Current Committee program ideas: Junior Membership Social Events For 21 and over: a meet and greet, sporting event or a concert, a run or walk Membership Social Media for a charity or cause? Newsletter Thanksgiving For our younger juniors: visits to a colonial plantation for a step back in time; Nominating Webmaster Winterthur for an Enchanted Summer Day on June 16th includes story telling, games, musicians and face painting; Winterthur Truck and Tractor Day on Oct. 6th includes hayrides, arts and crafts, tractors and fire trucks? Let us know Look forward to meeting you soon! what interests YOU! The Junior Committee: Debby Markowitz - [email protected], Cathy [email protected], Sue [email protected] Spring 2018 Page 3 Embarkation of the Pilgrims from Delfthaven Holland, By Robert Walter Weir (1843) Welcome Our New Members Stephen Dale Dargitz - 13th generation descent from John Billington Richard Arland Brewster - 13th generation descent from William Brewster Norbert Wade Geer - 11th generation descent from Stephen Hopkins Keith Clayton Quimbach - 12th generation descent from George Soule Joyce Helen (Reese) Hentschel - 14th generation descent from Stephen Hopkins James Richard Holt, Jr. - 12th generation descent from John Alden Cynthia Mae (Weber) Fluder - 13th generation descent from John Howland Heather Louise Horton - 13th generation descent from Francis Cooke Thomas Earle Brown - 12th generation descent from George Soule Margaret Ellen (Slater) Lerch - 12th generation descent from John Alden Gayla Jacque McCluskey - 13th generation descent from William White Judith Louise (Duncan) Diehl - 14th generation descent from Francis Cooke In Memoriam William Bradford Ritter (Member since 1951) - descent from William Bradford Robert Stevens Fuller (Member since 1976) - descent from William Bradford Thomas Nason Chandler (Member since 1978) - descent from John Howland Robert Lindley Gifford Jr. (Member since 1980) - descent from William White John Thomas Decker (Member since 1991) - descent from William Brewster Robert Edgar Garland