New package pricing takes effect January 1, 2027.
Lineage Society Applications
Lineage society applications, proven generation by generation
DAR and other hereditary and lineage societies. There are many societies that are possible beyond DAR, SAR, and Mayflower. Almost everyone has at least one society they qualify to join.
I work to prove every name and spouse on your chart (birth, marriage, and death) and prepare the application with every source cited, to the standard today's genealogists expect.
A note before we begin:
Not every lineage can be proven. Some family trees and older applications contain links that don't hold up under today's standards. Sometimes the records needed to prove a generation were lost, destroyed, or never created. I can't promise that a lineage will be proven or that a society will approve an application. Each society makes its own final decision.
What I can promise is an honest answer. If a generation can't be proven, I'll tell you what I found, what's missing, and what options remain. Those might be other record sources, a different line, or a different patriot or ancestor.
All packages will be worked into the researcher's existing schedule in the order purchased.
***Research hours are billed for the work done, whatever the outcome.
Important information
Standards have tightened. An application that was approved years ago may not meet today's proof requirements, and a supplemental application often needs new proof for dates that were once accepted. I work from the best current records, not just what an older application says.
Testimonials
Noble Company of Saint Mary of Walsingham
17 September 2026
I am pleased to report that the application for Mr. (redacted) has been approved. A letter of welcome will be mailed to him.
If you have any questions, please let me know. In the meantime, I was also asked to compliment you as the genealogist on the quite thorough and professional compilation.
In peace,
Fr. G. Smith
October 11, 2026
About three years ago my wonderful researcher became ill and referred me to Jessica McManus Paul as a possible replacement. The transfer was smooth and I couldn't be happier with her work. I am not able to do much research as I am 86 so after preliminary research, I have turned final research over to her for proofs and preparation of DAR and Mayflower application forms. She has actually found and proved Patriots that I was previously unaware of in my previous 25 years of research.
June A.
California
Apr 15, 2022
The state registrar said everything looks good! I will get it printed and sent out for signatures. Great job with your first SAR application!
Drake Rinesmith
Louisville-Thruston Chapter Registrar
Beyond DAR, SAR, and Mayflower
Additional Information
There are hundreds of hereditary and lineage societies in America. Many of them honor ancestors who never fought in a war or held high office: tavern keepers, teachers, railroad workers, miners, and midwives. If you've been told you don't qualify for the "big" societies, there may still be one that honors your ancestor. These are a few of my favorites. Rules change, so I always check each society's current requirements before we begin.
Texas Societies
Alamo Defenders Descendants Association
For descendants of the defenders, non-combatants, couriers, and survivors of the Battle of the Alamo. You can join through a direct ancestor or through a brother or sister of one. Open to men and women 16 and older.
Website: https://alamodescendants.org/Membership
Sons of the Republic of Texas
For men who descend directly from a resident of the Republic of Texas before February 19, 1846.
Website: https://srttexas.org/membership/
The Children of the Republic of Texas
For boys and girls under 21 who descend from someone who lived in or served the Republic of Texas before statehood in 1846. It uses the same ancestor rules as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Website: https://www.crttexas.com/
Colonial America (1607–1783)
The Winthrop Society
For men and women 18 and older who descend from a passenger of the 1630 Winthrop Fleet, or from anyone who settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony or "Down East" by December 31, 1640.
Website: https://www.winthropsociety.com/how-to-join
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts
Founded in 1638, it is the oldest chartered military organization in North America. Men who descend directly from a member who served before 1738 may apply as members "by right of descent."
Website: https://www.ahac.us.com/
The Colonial Dames of America
For women who descend from an ancestor who served one of the thirteen original colonies between 1607 and April 19, 1775. That service can be holding public office or a military commission, or another qualifying role. Membership is by invitation.
Website: https://cda1890.org/aboutcda/eligibility/
Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens, 1607–1783
For descendants of a physician, surgeon ("chirurgien"), or midwife who practiced in the American colonies between 1607 and 1783.
Website: https://ordercolonialpandc.weebly.com/membership.html
The Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen, 1607–1783
For men and women 18 and older who descend from an artisan or tradesman in the colonies between 1607 and 1783, such as a blacksmith, cooper, silversmith, or weaver. Farmers and livestock dealers do not qualify. Membership is by invitation.
Website: https://guildcolonialartsandtrades.weebly.com/membership.html
Flagon and Trencher: Descendants of Colonial Tavernkeepers
For men and women who descend directly from someone who kept a tavern, inn, ordinary, or other hostelry in the American colonies on or before December 31, 1783.
Website: https://flagonandtrencher.org/membership-2/
First Settlers of the Shenandoah Valley
For descendants of an ancestor who lived in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia or West Virginia before December 31, 1799.
Website: http://www.firstsettlersshenandoahvalley.com/
Hereditary Order of the Descendants of Loyalists and Patriots of the American Revolution
For descendants of an ancestor who stayed loyal to the British Crown during the Revolution (1775–1783). Members of a Patriot society, such as DAR or SAR, may also join as Patriot members.
Website: https://loyalistsandpatriots.org/membership/
Son of a Witch
For men who descend from, or are related to, someone in the American colonies before 1776 who was accused, tried, imprisoned, or executed for witchcraft. That includes the Salem trials of 1692. Membership is by invitation.
Website: https://sonofawitch.org/
Occupations Through the Centuries
National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters, 1607–1861
For men and women 18 and older who descend from a "planter" in the continental United States between 1607 and April 12, 1861. A planter is a farmer or rancher who owned at least 500 acres. Membership is by invitation.
Website: https://antebellumplanters.org/membership/
National Society Descendants of Early Quakers
For men, women, and children who descend from an early member of the Society of Friends, from 1835 or before, anywhere in the world.
Website: https://earlyquakers.org/membership.html
Descendants of Sheriffs & Constables of Colonial & Antebellum America
For men and women 18 and older who descend from a law officer who served before 1861, such as a sheriff, deputy, constable, marshal, jailer, Texas Ranger, or night watchman.
Website: https://sheriffsandconstables.weebly.com/membership.html
Descendants of Early Postmasters, 1607–1900
For descendants of anyone who helped build the American postal system between 1607 and 1900. That includes postmasters, tavern keepers, stagecoach drivers, Pony Express riders, ferrymen, and railway mail clerks.
Website: https://descendantsofearlypostmasters.weebly.com/
Descendants of Miners, 1607–1907
For men and women 18 and older who descend from anyone who worked in mining in what became the continental United States between 1607 and 1907. Mine owners and investors also count, and so do merchants whose work was tied to the mines.
Website: https://www.descendantsofminers.org/membership
National Society Descendants of American Railroad Workers
For men and women 18 and older who descend from a railroad worker who served between 1825 and 1950. That includes engineers, conductors, porters, brakemen, section crews, and station agents. Census records listing an occupation can serve as proof.
Website: https://www.nsdrailroad.com/membership
The Hereditary Society of Teachers
For men and women 18 and older who descend from a schoolteacher, tutor, governess, or professor who taught in what is now the United States, from the 1600s to today.
Website: https://hereditarysocietyofteachers.org/membership/
Order of Descendants of Pirates and Privateers
For descendants of the officers and crew of pirate ships and American privateers, including Confederate privateers, from 1609 to 1865. You can join through a direct ancestor or a relative.
Website: https://www.piratesandprivateers.org/become-a-shipmate
Civil War
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
For men who descend from a Union soldier, sailor, or marine who served honorably between 1861 and 1865, or from that veteran's brother or sister.
Website: https://suvcw.org/membership
Sons of Confederate Veterans
For men who descend from a veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces, either directly or through a relative.
Website: https://scv.org/eligibility/
United Daughters of the Confederacy
For women 16 and older who descend from, or are related to, someone who served the Confederacy in the army, navy, or civil service, or who gave it material aid.
Website: https://hqudc.org/join-the-udc/eligibility/
Order of the Steel Magnolias
For men and women 18 and older who descend from, or are related to, a woman who supported a Confederate soldier. She can be his mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, or sweetheart.
Website: https://orderofthesteelmagnolias.weebly.com/membership.html
Other American Wars
Aztec Club of 1847
One of the oldest military societies in the country. It is for men who descend from, or are related to, an Army, Navy, or Marine Corps officer who served in Mexico during the Mexican War of 1846–1848. Membership is by invitation.
Website: https://www.aztecclub.org/requirements
Order of the Second World War
For men and women who descend from, or are related to, someone who served in World War II (1939–1945). That includes the armed forces and home-front war work such as defense plants, the Red Cross, and the USO.
Website: https://www.ordersecondworldwar.com/
American Rosie the Riveter Association
Honors the women who worked during World War II. Daughters and other female descendants of a "Rosie" can join as "Rosebuds," and male descendants can join as "Rivets."
Website: https://rosietheriveter.net/membership/become-a-member-now/
The National Order of the Korean War
For Korean War veterans and for men and women who descend from, or are related to, someone who served in the Korean War.
Website: https://www.nokw.org/membership
Military Order of the World Wars
Mainly for military officers and veterans. Their spouses, children, and grandchildren can join as hereditary members.
Website: https://moww.org/become-a-companion/
Royal and Medieval Descent
Baronial Order of Magna Charta
For men and women who descend from one of the barons named as sureties for Magna Charta in 1215.
Website: https://www.magnacharta.com/membership/
The Military Order of the Crusades
For men and women who descend from a Crusader of knightly or higher rank who fought between 1096 and 1291.
Website: https://www.magnacharta.com/moc/crusaders/
Colonial Order of the Crown
For descendants of the Emperor Charlemagne. Membership is by invitation.
Website: https://www.hereditary.us/directory-alphabetical
Legion of Vikings and Valkyries
For adults who descend from one of the society's approved Vikings or Valkyries through a "gateway ancestor": an immigrant to America with a proven royal line.
Website: https://vikingsandvalkyries.org/about/
Famous Relatives
The Hereditary Order of the Families of the Presidents and First Ladies of America
For people who descend from, or are related to, a U.S. President or First Lady. Most members are cousins.
Website: https://presidentsandfirstladies.org/membership/
The Registry of Infamous and Famous Relatives in American Families (RIFRAF)
For people related to a famous, or infamous, American who has died. That includes inventors, artists, writers, athletes, scientists, and notorious figures.
Website: https://rifraf.org/about/
Find more societies
The Hereditary Society Community keeps an alphabetical directory of hundreds more societies: https://www.hereditary.us/directory-alphabetical
Not sure which society fits your family? Contact me and I'll help you find the right one and build a proven application.
