ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP

The applicant should start with their parents and then grandparents on the line which descends from the Pilgrim ancestor, going backwards to connect each generation by proving the parents of both the Mayflower line-holder and their spouse.  By setting up a lineage worksheet, and documenting each statement of birth, marriage, and death as one goes along, the applicant is likely to find it all working out like a picture puzzle with a few missing pieces at first.  Meticulous documentation is the key to success in proving a lineage.  Family genealogies, town or county histories, are secondary source material, and are acceptable only when there are references to primary sources cited, or they are used only as back-up to primary sources. 

Other documentation is only acceptable once it has been reviewed and the documentation must show the parents' names. You will need to submit birth, death and marriage certificates wherever they are available (usually from the late 1800's on, depending on the state,) linking each person to their parents in the prior generation. For the last three generations, you, your parents and line holding grandparents you will need to submit birth, death (where applicable) and marriage certificates all showing the parent's full names. This includes all multiple spouses to ensure accuracy of lineages for future generations! If you use popular genealogy websites, make sure that you download the actual document (in a .JPG format). 

Warning: all documentation is NOT created equal. Tiny footprints on hospital birth certificate may be precious family keepsakes, but they are not acceptable for genealogy purposes. The same thing applies to decorative marriage licenses. Long-form marriage licenses that include parent’s names ensures lineage accuracy. Also, note, that Find a Grave written bios or information not written on the grave stone are not acceptable as proof; Census records that do not show the relationships such as wife or son (prior to 1880) cannot serve as proof of parentage alone without some other Primary source of documentation, and approved DAR/SAR lineages themselves cannot be used as proof. Also and birth, death and marriage indexes are not accepted as the index indicates that the certificate is available and you are expected to get the actual certificate (remember to always ask for the long-form version showing the parents' names.

NOTE: There is no need to pay for a certified copy. A copy for genealogical use is acceptable (event if it is stamped across the certificate). 

• Primary Sources consist of: ​​
  • Vital records of birth, marriage, and death.
  • Marriage applications, bonds, or licenses.
  • Church records.
  • Bible records that provide relationships, a title page from the Bible is required. If the title page is not provided, the Bible is referred to as a “Family Record” and not considered a primary source.
  • Deeds or land records.
  • Cemetery Records and Mortality Schedules (applies to death only).
  • Probate records, wills, guardianships, or orphan’s court records.
  • Military or pension records,
  • Family letters and diaries contemporary to the time of the event.
• Secondary Sources include:
  • Biographies​
  • Regional, state, county, and community histories
  • Family genealogies (with caveats)
  • Federal & state census records that identify relationships
  • Newspaper obituaries
  • Newspaper marriage announcements
  • Gravestone inscriptions