Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Missouri - Eligibility

How can I become a MEMBER?

We are a lineage organization that is open to anyone who can satisfactorily demonstrate descent from a Mayflower passenger. Any person who is able to document their line of descent from one or more of the passengers on the Mayflower voyage, which terminated at Plymouth, New England, in December 1620 is eligible to apply for membership. Our principal function is to collect and validate information about descendants of the Mayflower passengers. The following are the male passengers on the Mayflower known to have left descendants:

John Alden * Isaac Allerton * John Billington * William Bradford * William Brewster * Peter Browne * James Chilton * Francis Cooke * Edward Doty * Francis Eaton * Moses Fletcher * Edward Fuller * Samuel Fuller * Stephen Hopkins * John Howland * Richard More * William Mullins * Degory Priest * Thomas Rogers * Henry Samson * George Soule * Myles Standish * John Tilley * Richard Warren * William White * Edward Winslow.

Uncertain if you may be eligible?

First we suggest you review the Mayflower Families publications that are available on many of the Mayflower passengers. These publications about the Mayflower passengers are not yet complete to the fifth generation, but that is the goal.  Those that are available are a wonderful resource of information.  These books will document the first five generations of descent from a passenger and are very helpful to support your research.

We do not do research for you, but will be glad to review a synopsis of your lineage.

1) Print out the synopsis form below.

2) Fill out the form beginning with the name of your Pilgrim ancestor, listing the offspring and spouse through which you descend until your own name is reached.

3) Send this synopsis form and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

State Historian

If it is determined that you are eligible for membership, complete instructions on how to proceed will be returned.

What will be needed to complete my application?

You will need documentation to support the births, deaths and marriage for each generation.

What records would be considered as documentation?

Books from the General Society of Mayflower Descendents and the lineages of previous members are your greatest source of acceptable materials.  For these, contact the General Society, or local libraries.

Records that support the facts of your line of descent include: Vital Records of birth, marriage or death of an individual. Official records that support the date of an events include probate records, land records, family bible records, county histories, federal census records, and printed genealogies, to name a few.  These are available from State, County and City Historical Societies.  US Census data may mention the location of birth for each person enumerated.

We do not require certified copies of records; photocopies are acceptable. Copies from any publication should contain a copy of the title page and any additional pages that affect and support the date. We do not accept materials of other lineage organizations. Vital Records are required for dates occurring since 1900.

It is a gratifying experience when you have made a big step toward learning of your family background that qualifies you and future descendants of the unique opportunity of membership in the Mayflower Society.

Family papers have a habit of being 'lost' through the years, and people fail to remember who was who.  But to register your material is to preserve it for the future.  The General Society strives to protect these valuable materials by the most current means possible.  They have a large, climate-controlled vault in which to store all relevant documents which gives one a sense of security and safekeeping.  Nothing is infallible but the General Society does an excellent job.

Click here to return to the Missouri Society's Main Page

Comments and queries concerning the Missouri Mayflower Society should be addressed to Corresponding Secretary Keith Morris

Last modified April 11, 2005  by Webmaster James Shoemaker