OBJECTIVES OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS

1.     To perpetuate to a remote posterity the memory of our Pilgrim Fathers.

        To maintain and defend the principle of civil and religious liberty as set

        forth in the Compact of the Mayflower,  “For the glorie of God and the

        advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our countrie.”

2.   To cherish and maintain the ideals and institutions of American freedom

       and to oppose any theories or actions that threaten their continuity.

       To transmit the spirit, the purity of purpose and steadfastness of will

       of the Pilgrim Fathers to those who shall come after us, an undiminished  

       heritage of liberty and law.

3.    To propose the interests that are common to all by the State Societies

       of the Mayflower descendants which can best be served by a federal body,

       and to secure united effort to discover and publish original matter

       in regard to the Pilgrims, together with existing data known only to

       antiquarians, and to authenticate, preserve and mark historical spots

       made memorable by Pilgrim association.

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Any person able to document their descent from one or more of the following

Mayflower Pilgrims is eligible to apply for membership in the Mayflower Society:

John Alden Isaac Allerton Mary (Norris) Allerton Bartholomew Allerton Remember Allerton Mary Allerton John Billington Mrs. Elinor Billington Francis Billington William Bradford William Brewster Peter Browne James Chilton Mrs. James Chilton Mary Chilton Francis Cooke John Cooke Edward Doty

Francis Eaton Mrs. Sarah Eaton Samuel Eaton Moses Fletcher Edward Fuller Mrs. Edward Fuller Dr. Samuel Fuller Samuel Fuller Stephen Hopkins Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins Constance Hopkins Giles Hopkins John Howland Richard More William Mullins Mrs. Alice Mullins Priscilla Mullins Degory Priest

Thomas Rogers Joseph Rogers Henry Samson George Soule Myles Standish John Tilley Joan (Hurst) Tilley Elizabeth Tilley Richard Warren William White Mrs. Susanna White Peregrine White Resolved White Edward Winslow

Many families hold a tradition that they are descended from the Pilgrims, which often kindles an interest in finding out more. Sometimes the stories of a Mayflower heritage are true and it is easy to document a descent. More often the documentation is missing and must be researched and supplied to prove your line. The good news is that advanced research techniques, improved genealogy library collections and computerized resources have made it easier to track down your Pilgrim roots.

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 the Society, you may be able to use their lineage documentation to help you with your research.