You may have heard through the years that your family is descended from the Mayflower, but to join the Louisiana Society of Mayflower Descendants, you must research and supply documentation to prove your line. Today, advanced research techniques, improved genealogy library collections and computerized resources have made it easier to track down your Pilgrim roots.
In the past, to join the society, a new member was required to prove lineage to one of the signers of the compact. Today, with proper documentation, members are allowed to join under any man, woman, or child who traveled on the Mayflower. If more than one line can be proved, members can obtain supplemental certificates that list all ancestors who traveled on the ship.
The best documentation to look for is vital records such as the birth, marriage, and death certificates for each person. Other documentation might be published genealogies, family documents and other official records. If you have a relative who is a member of any lineage society, you may be able to use their lineage documentation to help you with your research.
Memberships are handled through individual state societies. Here in Louisiana, you may contact Margo Moffatt, our state historian, or you may use the first link below to help you take the initial steps of researching your family’s possible Mayflower lineage. The contact information for other state societies can be found at the General Society of Mayflower Descendants’ contacts page.
To aid in the application process, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, offers an optional lineage review. Fill out the Preliminary Review Form online and submit it. It will be reviewed as quickly as possible and you will receive a report on the findings with instructions on how to proceed. There is a $75.00 fee per inquiry for this service.
The lineage review is not necessary if you have a close family member that has recently joined the Mayflower Society. In that case, please contact the Louisiana Mayflower Society and we can instruct you on completing your application.
If you have further questions, contact State Historian Margo Moffatt at: Historian@louisianasocietyofmayflowerdescendants.org