A lineage society is a private, membership-based organization dedicated to the descendants of a particular group of people. There are literally hundreds of them out there, from well-known ones like DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and the Mayflower Society, to lesser-known groups dedicated to a particular person, settlement area, historical even or even occupation.
Membership in most lineage societies is restricted to direct descendants of qualifying ancestors. This means grandfathers and grandmothers, not uncles or cousins. And most lineage societies want proof. And gathering this evidence can be very, very time consuming. So why do it?
Membership in a lineage society can provide social activities, a sense of belonging and comraderie, and even scholarships. For me, I love connecting my family to history in an intimate and personal way, and I love honoring my ancestors. For me, it’s also about finishing the puzzle. Hours of research, generation after generation, collecting documents, writing up evidence…the finish line is getting that official certificate to hang on the wall, and a story to tell the kids about their own family line. That’s why I do it.
When I was growing up, all I knew about my mother’s side of the family was that they were coal miners and farmers from rural West Virginia. I’ve traced the ancestry of those same miners and farmers to the American Revolution, the Mayflower, the first two Crusades and all the way back to Charlemagne, the Holy Roman Emperor, who is my 39th great-grandfather. Imagine knowing your lineage back to the Middle Ages. It’s fascinating! And, they say that most people alive today of European descent can trace back to Charlemagne. That’s fine to say, but what if you knew the exact path?
When we go back this far, the goal is to identify potential gateway ancestors in your past – ancestors for whom substantial genealogical research has already been done. If you can link to a gateway ancestor, you open up hundreds of years of personal family history.
If this is something that interests you, I would love to help you find your path. I’ve already successfully completed some very challenging applications, and know what’s required for different lineage societies – their standards, and what type of documentation they will accept. I can look back into your history and try to find connections – on direct ancestral lines – to qualifying occupations, settlements or historic events. If I find something, I can help you prepare all the records and documentation and navigate the application process.
I am a proud member of The Mayflower Society, The Sons of the American Revolution, The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and several other lineage societies. Let me help you begin your journey through history!
