Application Process

This page describes the procedure for adult members. For Junior Members click here.

If you have identified your lineage to a Mayflower passenger, and have some evidence that it is correct, we invite you to proceed with a Preliminary Application Form. To make your application process as efficient as possible, and reduce the potential of unnecessary expense we recommend waiting until you receive your personalized worksheet and instruction guide before obtaining additional documentation.

Your application goes through a process on the journey for you to become a member. The average time for candidates from the office’s receipt of your application to the acceptance of your membership is six to twelve months, depending on the complexity of your application.

The application form is three pages. The first page is for the contact information and explains the membership types and fees. The second page is the Synopsis of your lineage starting with the Mayflower passenger down to the applicant. Feel free to make as many copies of this form as you need, but only submit one lineage when applying for membership. The third page provides a list of Mayflower passengers and documentation guidelines.

Please do not submit documentation at this stage.

Step Two – The Worksheet/Review Meeting

• Once your preliminary application and fee have been received, the Historian will compare and research your lineage against all previously submitted applications to both the Massachusetts Society and the General Society, and create an application worksheet citing all previously recorded documentation on your lineage.  This takes approximately 2-4 weeks.
• After the worksheet has been created, an online meeting (Google Meet) is scheduled to review your lineage and discuss the next steps in completing your application.  These meetings typically last 20-25 minutes.
• During the meeting, the Historian will:
  • Review your specific lineage
  • Identify required documents (birth, marriage, or death certificates)
  • Answer any questions about the process
  • Offer guidance on gathering the necessary documentation
• At the conclusion of the meeting, the Historian will provide you with
  • a copy of your worksheet, which will identify the required documentation needed to complete your application.
  • access to a personalized Dropbox folder for uploading your materials. This is the most secure and organized way to submit your documentation.

Step Three – Documentation

• You will personally begin researching and collecting your documentation and upload it to your digital folder.
• Documentation can be submitted in any standard format or a combination of formats (e.g. jpg, PDF, Word, etc.). Copies of vital records are accepted. If you do not have this capability, most office supply locations will convert your high-quality printed documents for you.
• Documentation should be from primary sources wherever possible.  (This is covered during your online meeting with the Historian.)
• Documents can be loaded as they become available to you, or all at once.

Step Four – Review

• The Historian will review all the documents you have supplied.
  • If further documentation is needed, the Historian will email a revised worksheet with the remaining issues highlighted.
  • There may be an explanation of the different steps you can take to solve the problem areas. Please feel free to call or email with any questions you might have during this part of the process.

Step Five – General Society Review and Approval

• Once the Massachusetts Historian has determined that your application is complete, it will be submitted to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) for final verification and approval by the Historian General, who has the final say over what is approved.
  • Applications submitted to GSMD will be processed in the order they are received from all member societies.
  • The Massachusetts Historian will provide you with an estimate of the current processing time depending on the complexity of your application. This part of the process can take anywhere from 3-6+ months.
  • We do not receive updates from the General Society during this time.
• Once your application is approved by GSMD, MSMD will mail you your welcome packet including your Membership Certificate, Member ID Card, and a copy of your final application as approved by the Historian General. Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?