As a professional genealogist, I’m sometimes asked about joining a lineage society and what the process looks like. You may have heard of groups like the Mayflower Society or the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), but you’re not sure how to join or even if you qualify.
This post will help you understand what these societies are, why they matter, and how to know if you might join one.
What Is a Lineage Society?
A lineage society is an organization you can join if you can prove you’re descended from a specific person or group. That might be a Revolutionary War patriot, a Mayflower passenger, a colonial settler, or someone who served in a particular period of history.
You don’t need to be an expert.
Your family tree doesn’t have to be perfect.
You don’t need noble or royal ancestors.
You just need a documented line from you back to the qualifying ancestor.
That’s it. One link at a time. It’s what we do every day in genealogy. Start with what you know, move back one generation at a time verifying the links as you go.
Why Would Someone Want to Join One?
There are more benefits than people think. Here are a few big ones:
1. Preserving Your Family History
Joining a society means you’ve proven your lineage. It’s a way to make sure future generations can see the work you’ve done and understand where they came from.
2. Research Help
Many societies have historians or local chapters that offer help. Some also have member-only databases, libraries, or publications that can provide new research clues.
3. Community
You’ll meet others who care about genealogy and history as much as you do. For many members, this becomes a place to share discoveries and learn together.
4. Leaving a Legacy
For some, it’s a way to honor ancestors who served, settled, or contributed to early American history. It’s a way of making their stories matter.
Lineagy Society Examples
There are hundreds across the country, but here are a few well-known examples:
- General Society of Mayflower Descendants
- Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
- Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)
- Society of Colonial Dames
- General Society of Colonial Wars
- State or regional heritage societies
Each society has its own requirements. Some focus on military service. Others focus on early settlement. Some are national, while others are for a single state or region.
You don’t need to know every rule before you begin. You just need to start with one possible ancestor.
What You Need to Apply
First, know that this can be a lengthy process. Each link represents a parent-child relationship. Your goal is to document every step from you back to the qualifying ancestor.
Here’s the basic procedure:
1. Identify the Ancestor
Did someone in your family tree live during a qualifying time period? Did they serve in a war? Were they an early settler? Even a family story can be a starting point.
2. Prove Each Parent-Child Link
This is the heart of your research. You must show how each generation connects to the next. This can be done through common records like:
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Census records
- Probate records
- Land deeds
- Church registers
- Military records
For more, read my blog “Why It’s Important To Prove Parentage In Genealogy Research.”
3. Complete the Application
Most societies provide a form or worksheet that leads you step-by-step through the process.
4. Submit to the Registrar or Historian
They review your documentation and verify your line. If something is missing, they’ll usually let you know what to fix.
Common Challenges (And How to Handle Them)
Every application has problems. Here are a few typical ones:
1. Missing Vital Records
Not every birth or marriage was recorded. In those cases, societies often accept other records, such as baptism records, probate files, land deeds, or church registers.
2. Conflicting Information
Names and ages can vary from record to record. That doesn’t disqualify you. It just means you’ll need to show a consistent pattern across multiple sources.
3. Same-Name Individuals
Your “John Smith” might not be someone else’s “John Smith.” That’s where location, family composition, witnesses, neighbors, and occupation can help.
4. Handwriting or Spelling Issues
Early records weren’t standardized. Spelling differences were common. Societies understand this and are not looking for perfection.
The key is simple: document clearly and stay patient.
What If You’re Not Sure You Qualify?
You don’t need a fully built tree before exploring the idea. Here are a few ways to start:
- Look at ancestors living in the 1600s, 1700s, or early 1800s.
- Check for military service during major conflicts.
- Review family stories about early settlers or migrations.
- Ask relatives if they’ve heard of someone joining a society. You might be able to piggyback on their application.
- Focus on one line at a time—don’t try to cover them all.
What to Do Next
Here’s a simple action plan if you’re thinking of joining a lineage society:
- Pick one ancestor who lived during a qualifying period.
- Write a research question based on them.
- Identify which records you already have.
- Make a short list of what you need.
- Decide whether you’d like guidance or want to try it yourself.
That’s all you need to get started.
Need Help with the Process?
If you think you might have a qualifying ancestor and you’re feeling unsure about where to begin, I can help:
- Review your family line
- Identify gaps in documentation
- Recommend record sets
- Build a proof summary
- Guide you through the application steps
You don’t have to do this alone. Lineage society applications are simply another form of genealogy research, and they’re absolutely manageable when you take them one step at a time.
Finally
Joining a lineage society isn’t about status or competition. It’s about honoring those who came before us, preserving history, and making sure future generations know their heritage.
If you’re ready to go down this path, this could be the week you take the first step. Find your qualifying ancestor and look online to see which society you can join.
Genealogy tip: Take it slow and keep good notes. It’s easy to get confused, especially if you come from a long line of people with the same name.
I’m available to help if you want to do this yourself and need guidance or if you want me to do the work for you. Click below to get started.
