Eligibility in the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants

Massachusetts is one of fifty (50) state societies plus one in the District of Columbia and one in Canada. By virtue of membership in one of these societies, everyone is a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. You can be a resident of any state or country and still join here in Massachusetts. The advantages of being a member here are listed under benefits.

The requirements to become a member are that you already know your lineage back to a Mayflower passenger, submit an application form with required fees, and are willing to provide two photocopies of all documentation needed under the guidance of the Historian.

Since this is a lineage society, membership for adopted people must be through the birth parents with all the required documentation.

Reasons to join the MSMD

1. Three luncheon meetings per year (two are with educational speakers).

2. Support our educational programs.

a. Outreach to Mass. history teachers who teach Pilgrim history.

b. Mailings to young members in K through 7th grade with a focus on 3rd and 5th.

3. Publications:

a. Pamphlet series on passengers’ descendants and current research on all the passengers.

b. Mayflower Descendant (scholarly journal), published twice a year, 96 p.

c. Books (currently Middleborough Vital Records and Stoughton in progress).

4. Scholarships:

a. Two Sears Scholarships ($1000 to any student at a New England school).

b. Two Thanksgiving Day Awards ($1500 for members of the Wampanoag Nation attending college).

5. Library:

a. Research library open to the public daily.

b. Collection on Pilgrim life.

c. Manuscripts and rare book collection.

d. Databases online and on CD.

6. Website for information about the Pilgrims, how to join, and research aides.

[Under development now]

a. Information on the Mayflower Society and how to join.

b. Forms, directions, and the application procedure.

c. Library resources inventoried.

d. Research aides for the New England states, New York, and Nova Scotia.

e. Digitalized records of members’ application research.

f. Master genealogical database for Mayflower descendants.