Those persons who are direct descendants of an individual who settled in the area now encompassed by the State of Ohio, before December 31, 1820, may become a member of the First Families of Ohio, upon the acceptance of an application with proof of such descent and payment of the application fee. Although membership in the Ohio Genealogical Society is required to join, maintaining membership thereafter is no longer required to remain a member of First Families of Ohio.

Membership is available to men and women who are not less than eighteen years of age, and who descend from a man or woman who arrived in South Carolina prior to 1700, and with unfailing belief in the New World left his native land to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty.

Membership is open to individuals who can prove each generation of their lineage back to an ancestor or ancestors who resided in one of Oklahoma's territories on a prior to November 16, 1907.

Members of the First Settlers of the Shenandoah Valley  are men and women who lineally descend from pioneer ancestors (First Settlers) who arrived in the Shenandoah Valley prior to 31 December, 1799.  First Settlers also include the “Knights of the Golden Horseshoe” members of Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood’s party of government officials and gentry, Native Americans, soldiers and servants who crossed into the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, 5 September 1716.

The Shenandoah Valley region is defined as western Virginia, from Winchester to Roanoke, Virginia, which is bordered by the Blue Ridge mountains to the east and the Allegheny mountains to the west, as well as the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and Maryland, "Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley".

During the Charter Membership period, applicants will be automatically endorsed by the Governor General. Following the Charter Term, membership will be by invitation only. Of note, previously approved lineage society applications may be submitted in the stead of full genealogical documentation.

Membership is open to proven lineal descendants of Dr. Samuel Fuller and Edward Fuller, whom came to Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1620.  Regular membership is also open to anyone having an interest in the Fuller Pilgrims.

Hereditary Membership in the General Society of Colonial Wars is open to any male person above the age of eighteen years of good moral character and reputation, provided he be lineally descended in the male or female line from an ancestor who served as a military or naval officer, or as a soldier, sailor, or marine, or as a privateersman, under authority of any of the Colonies which afterward formed the United States, or in the forces of Great Britain which participated with those of the said Colonies which afterward formed the United States, or in the forces of Great Britain which participated with those of the said Colonies in any wars in the which the said Colonies were engaged, or in which they enrolled men, during the period from the settlement of Jamestown, May 13, 1607 to the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775; or who held office in any of the colonies between the dates mentioned above, as  Director General, Vice-Director General, or member of the Council or legislative body in the Colony of New Netherland; Governor, Lieutenant or Deputy Governor, Lord Proprietor, member of the King's or Governor's Council, or of the legislative body, in the Colony of New York, the Jerseys, Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Delaware; Lord Proprietor, Governor, deputy Governor, or member of the Council, or the legislative body in Maryland, the Carolinas, or Georgia; Governor, Deputy Governor, Governor's Assistant, or Commissioner to the United Colonies of New England, or member of the Council, body of Assistants, or legislative body, in any of the New England Colonies; a Justice, Judge, Justice of the Peace, or other Judicial officer.

The General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD), founded in 1897, is a membership organization that requires proof of lineage from the Pilgrims who travelled on the Mayflower. The Society has over 28,000 members around the world, with 52 societies representing all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. The national headquarters is in Plymouth, MA, where the Society  operates a genealogical research library and the Mayflower Society House, an 18th century home originally built by Edward Winslow, a direct descendant of the pilgrim Edward Winslow. It is the mission of the Society to honor their Pilgrim ancestors who arrived in America aboard the Mayflower in 1620, and to join together the people who share this heritage.

Any person able to document their descent from one or more of the Mayflower Pilgrims listed below is eligible to apply for membership in the Mayflower Society:

Any male person of good character, and lineal descendant of one who, as a military, naval or marine officer, soldier, sailor, or marine, in actual service, under the authority of any of the thirteen Colonies or States or of the Continental Congress, and remaining always loyal to such authority, or a lineal descendant of one who signed the Declaration of Independence, or of one who, as a member of the Continental Congress, or of the Congress of any of the Colonies or States, or as an official appointed by or under the authority of any such legislative bodies, actually assisted in the establishment of American Independence by services rendered during the War of the Revolution, becoming thereby liable to conviction of treason against the Government of Great Britain, but remaining always loyal to the authority of the Colonies or States, or, who served honorably in a military or naval expedition against the British during the War of the Revolution under the authority of the French or Spanish Governments shall be eligible to membership in the Society. Both Senior and Junior (the latter under the age of eighteen years) memberships are available.

Provided that, when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor in the "minute-men" or "militia", it must be satisfactorily shown that such an ancestor was actually called into service of the State or United States, and performed garrison or field duty; and

Provided further that, when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor as a "sailor" or "marine", it must in like manner be shown that such service was other than shore duty and regularly performed in the Continental Navy, or the navy of one of the original thirteen states, or on an armed vessel, other than a merchant ship, which sailed under letters of marque and reprisal, and that such ancestor of the applicant was duly enrolled in the ship's company, either as an officer, seaman or otherwise than as a passenger; and

Provided further that, when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor as an "official," such service must have been performed in the civil service of the United States, or one of the thirteen original States, and must have been sufficiently important in character to have rendered the official liable to arrest and imprisonment, the same as a combatant, if captured by the enemy, as well as liable to conviction of treason against the Government of Great Britain.

Service in the ordinary duties of civil office, the performance of which did not particularly and effectively aid the American Cause shall not constitute eligibility.

In the construction of this article, the volunteer Aides-de-Camp of General Officers in Continental Service, who were duly announced as such and who actually served in the field during a campaign, shall be comprehended as having performed qualifying service.

The civil officials and military forces of the State of Vermont, during the War of the Revolution, shall also be comprehended in the same manner as if they had belonged to one of the thirteen original States.

No service of an ancestor shall be deemed as qualifying service for membership in the "Sons of the Revolution" where such ancestor, after assisting in the cause of American Independence, shall have subsequently either adhered to the enemy, or failed to maintain an honorable record throughout the War of the Revolution.

No person shall be admitted unless he be eligible under one of the provisions of this article, nor unless he be of good moral character and be judged worthy of becoming a member.

Any male person who is a lineal descendant of one who served during the War of 1812, offering proof thereof satisfactory to the State Society to which he may make application for membership, and who is of good moral character and reputation, may become a member of this Society when approved of by said State Society, under such regulations as it may make for passing upon applications for membership.

Service in the following capacities at any time between November 7, 1811 (Battle of Tippecanoe) and July 18, 1815 (Treaty with the Pottawatomie Indians) shall be regarded as satisfying the requirements of the preceding paragraph: as an officer, warrant officer or enlisted man in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Revenue Marine, Flotilla Service or Voluntary Corps; as a member of the ship's company on any public armed vessel of the United States or any vessel sailing under Letters of Marque and Reprisal issued by the United States; as a member in the militia of any state or territory or the District of Columbia duly called out for service against an armed enemy or for coast or border defense; as the President of the United States, Secretary of War, Secretary of the Navy; or as a Governor or Adjutant General of a state or territory of the United States.

No service, however, shall be regarded as qualifying if the person who rendered such service voluntarily bore arms against the United States at any time between the dates named or if such person's latest service between said dates was terminated by a separation from the service under conditions other than honorable.

Collateral descendants may be admitted provided that such representation shall be limited to the descendant of either a brother or sister of the participant in the war, in right of whose services application for membership is made.

Membership is open to proven lineal descendants of William Bradford who came to Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1620, and served as first Governor of the Colony.

Membership in the Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783 is extended to men and women 18 years of age or older who are of good moral character and who are lineally descended from an artisan or tradesman who lived in the American Colonies from the founding of Jamestowne, 13 May 1607, to the Treaty of Paris, signed 3 September 1783. Artisans and tradesmen are defined as those who made a living in the arts and those who crafted or traded items and/or were part of select Royal Guilds previously established in the Old World who continued their practices in the American Colonies. Farmers or those dealing in the raising or selling of livestock or poultry are not included.

Regular Membership is available to those persons who can prove lineal or collateral descent from an ancestor who, during the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783, was loyal to the Crown of Great Britain and who are currently a member of an organization requiring proof of descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution.  The Loyalist ancestor cannot be more collateral than a third cousin.

Associate Patriot Membership is available to persons who are currently a member of a organization requiring proof of descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution.

Associate Loyalist Membership is available to persons who are currently a member of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada or who prove lineal or collateral descent from an ancestor who during the American Revolution remained loyal to the Crown of Great Britain.

Membership is available to those men and women who are lineal descendants of those men who, prior to 1775, singly exercised supreme executive power in the American Colonies, authorized as a Colonial Governor or Acting Governor as listed in the Order's publication.

Eligibility for membership is open to individuals at least eighteen years old, and is determined based on proven lineal descent from an ancestor who was a resident of Massachusetts Bay Colony before the year 1650.  Descent in each generation must be from parents who were lawfully married.  Applicants must be acceptable to the Committee on Admissions. 

3) Consanguine relation (or 2^nd degree of kinship) through which the applicant's ancestor and the Signer have same grandparents.

To obtain membership a woman needs these characteristics:  to be at least eighteen (18) years of age; a citizen of the United States who is of good moral character and reputation; and who is lineally descended from her father's direct male line to the Founder ancestor who must have settled in any of the colonies now included in the United States prior to December 31, 1656.  A current member of HSDFFA must submit a letter of recommendation, in writing regarding the assets of the prospect, to the President General, who will then consult with the Membership Committee.  If the prospect is found to be acceptable, the President General will send a written invitation to her welcoming her to the Society once the approved proofs and fees have been collected.

Membership is by written invitation from the President General only.

The membership of the Society shall be limited to men and women who are 18 years of age or older and are lineal descendants of School Teachers.  The term “school teacher” is limited to anyone (male or female) who can be proven to have conducted “classic curriculum” lessons on United States soil OR obtained a teaching certificate or degree in education.  The term “teacher” includes tutor, headmaster/mistress, professor, instructor, or governess.  School Board members, Sunday school teachers, ministers (who who did not teach “classic curriculum”) are not eligible.  Deans and College/University Presidents and coaches/trainers must have proven classroom experience.  A current teaching professional may use his/her experience by supplemental application only. Only Life Membership shall be offered.

Categories of Membership:  Any member may join under any of the categories below with the exception oc current teachers who must first join on an ancestor and may then file a supplemental for themselves.

* Ancestor who taught in the 17^th Century represented by a Quill
* Ancestor who taught in the 18^th Century represented by a Bell
* Ancestor who taught in the 19^th Century represented by a Lamp of Knowledge
* Ancestor who taught in the 20^th Century represented by an Open Book
* Ancestor who taught in the 21^st Century represented by a Computer

A Member with an educator in each of the above categories achieves Golden Apple status and is authorized to wear the Golden Apple insignia. 

Membership is by invitation of the President.

Applicants for membership shall be individuals at least eighteen years of age, of respectable standing in society, of good moral character, and descended in the direct male line of a Dutchman who was a native or resident of New York or of the American colonies prior to the year 1675.  This shall include those of other former nationalities who found in Holland a refuge or a home, and whose descendants in the male line came to this country as Dutch settlers, speaking Dutch as their native tongue.  This shall also include descendants in the male line of Dutch settlers who were born within the limits of Dutch settlements, and the descendants in the male line of persons who possessed the right of Dutch citizenship within Dutch settlements in America, prior to the year 1675; also of any descendants in the direct male line of a Dutchman, one of whose descendants became a member of this Society prior to June 16, 1886.

Any person above the age of eighteen years, whose religion is consonant with that of the Huguenots, shall be eligible to regular membership provided he or she is a lineal descendant in the male or female line of a Huguenot who emigrated from France and that such Huguenot emigrant or one of his or descendants in the same line either settled in what is now the United States of America or left France for countries other than America prior to the promulgation of the Edict of Toleration on November 28, 1787.

Membership is available to (1) all descendants in the direct male or female lines of the Huguenot families which emigrated to America prior to the promulgation of the Edict of Toleration, November 28, 1787, (2) representatives of other French families, whose profession of the Protestant Faith is prior to the promulgation of the Edict of Toleration, November 28, 1787, (3) Pastors of French Huguenot congregations in South Carolina, and (4) writers who have made the history, genealogy, principles, etc., of the Huguenots a special subject of study and research, of whatever nationality they may belong.  The members of the Society may consist of three classes: Resident, Corresponding, and Honorary, but the rights an privileges of each class shall be the same.

Membership is open to any person, male or female, who is a descendant of a Manakin Huguenot Founder, male or female, or descended from a Huguenot resident of Virginia prior to 1786, provided the applicant is personally acceptable to this Society and meets all requirements of the organization.

Membership is open to any woman who is over the age of eighteen years, of good character, and a lineal or legally adopted descendant of an ancestor who came to Utah before the completion of the railroad, May 10, 1869.

Membership is composed of present life members of the Jamestowne Society, an unincorporated association, and of the descendants of stockholders in the London Company and the Virginia Company, and of descendants of those who owned land, or who had domiciles in Jamestowne, or on Jamestown Island, prior to the year 1700.  Because of the nature of their duties, all Governors, Secretaries of State, Treasurers, Attorneys General, and Auditors General of Colony, and Clerks and Deputy Clerks of the general Court prior to the year 1700, shall be conclusively presumed to have had their domiciles on Jamestown Island during their terms of office.

To be eligible for membership in the Knights of the Order of San Jacinto, a person must be either an active or an honorary member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and in addition thereto, must have performed an outstanding service to or have made a sacrifice beyond the bounds of duty in behalf of the State of Texas or must have by his talents contributed to the development of the heritage of Texas.  Election to this elite corps within the Sons of the Republic of Texas may be granted to no more than three men each year.

Should a Knight of the Order of San Jacinto resign his membership, either active or honorary, in the Sons of the Republic of Texas or otherwise cease to be a member of such Organization, he shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Knights of the Order of San Jacinto.

Post Office Box 220144

Chantilly, VA 20153-6144

Full membership is for direct descendants of a King's Daughter and/or a soldier of the Carignan Regiment. 

The filles du roi, or King's Daughters, were some 770 women who arrived in the colony of New France (Canada) between 1663 and 1673, under the financial sponsorship of King Louis XIV of France. Most were single French women and many were orphans. Their transportation to Canada and settlement in the colony were paid for by the King.  The filles du roi were part of King Louis XIV's program to promote the settlement of his colony in Canada. Some 737 of these women married and the resultant population explosion gave rise to the success of the colony. Most of the millions of people of French Canadian descent today, both in Quebec and the rest of Canada and the USA (and beyond!), are descendants of one or more of these courageous women of the 17th century. 

The pleas of the colonists of New France for assistance in their struggle with the Iroquois were answered in 1665 with the arrival of the first French regular troops in Canada, the Carignan-Salières Regiment. Between June and September 1665, some 1200 soldiers and their officers arrived in Quebec, under the leadership of Lt. General Alexander de Prouville, Sieur de Tracy. Over 450 of these troops remained in the colony, many of whom married the newly arrived filles du roi. Most persons of French Canadian descent can claim one or more of these brave soldiers as ancestors.

Wives, widows, mothers, foster and stepmothers (who have performed the duties of parent), grandmothers, daughters, granddaughters, foster and stepdaughters (who attained that status prior to age sixteen and for whom the duties of parent were performed), sisters, half sisters, foster and stepsisters (who attained that status prior to age sixteen) of persons who were or are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Authorization is shown on the veteran's separation document.

Women eligible for membership in the VFW are also eligible for membership in the Ladies Auxiliary. Members must be citizens of the United States and at least sixteen years of age.

Junior Girls Unit Members are daughters, foster daughters, stepdaughters, granddaughters, sisters, half-sisters, foster sisters, or stepsisters of persons eligible for the VFW.  They must be unmarried and between the age of six and sixteen.

Hereditary Membership is open to female descendants, and legally adopted daughters, ten years of age or over, of honorably discharged Union soldiers, sailors and marines of the Civil War, 1861 to 1865, ex-army nurses of that War, are also eligible for membership.

Honorary Membership Any Circle may admit to honorary membership any son, grandson, great-grandson, or blood kin nephew of an honorably discharged soldier, sailor, marine who fought in the Civil War, 1861-1865.

Associate Members are those who have received the Silver Cross for Heroism awarded by the Legion of Valor for actions involving the saving or preservation of life.

An applicant who claims such descent, but is unable to furnish an ancestral lineage chart which meets approval, may become a Provisional Member for one year. The Provisional Membership is renewable for a second year with the approval of the Chairman of the Genealogical Committee.

Membership in Los Floridanos is limited to the descendants of the early Spanish settlers who arrived in Florida during the "First Spanish Period" - 1565-1763.

Membership is open to direct descendents and their spouse from any of the eleven founding families, or from the military escort accompanying them; present at the founding of the city of  Los Angeles on September 4, 1781.

Individuals at least eighteen years of age, of good moral character and who are lineally descended from a colonist in the Louisiana Territory before the transfer of Louisiana to the United States on April 30, 1803, are eligible for membership.

Membership is by invitation of The Order to gentlemen who are lineal descendants of King Henry V or the royals, nobles, knights, esquires, heralds, officers (to include centenars or serjeants), chaplains, priests, or other esteemed personages of gentlemanly status who served with King Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt on October 25, 1415.

In order to recognize the service of those who served with King Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt on October 25, 1415, and who have no currently living descendants, The Order offers membership if direct lineal descent from an actual participant is not possible.  Collateral descent shall be accepted if the participant is believed to have no legitimate lineal descendants, which shall especially apply to all chaplains, priests, and other men of the cloth.  Collateral descendants shall be direct lineal male descendants from a brother or sister of a participant in the battle. 

Gentlemen who are interested in The Order may request further information by post or electronic mail, but membership remains by invitation.

Companionship in the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States is conferred on duly qualified, duly sponsored officers - both commissioned and warrant. Active military service in or during any of our foreign wars or military expeditions will qualify an officer as a Veteran Companion, as will honorable services as a commissioned officer in the armed forces of our allies. Individuals who served in an enlisted status during such wars or expeditions, and who were subsequently commissioned or warranted as an officer, will qualify as a Veteran Companion.

Descent from such an officer may also qualify an individual for Hereditary or Junior Companionship. Such service must be satisfactorily shown to have been performed in one of the following wars or expeditions:
 

The American Revolution The War with Tripoli The War of 1812 The Mexican War The Civil War The Spanish-American War The Philippine Insurrection The China Relief Expedition The Nicaraguan Campaign The Vera Cruz Campaign The Mexican Campaign

Mexican Border Service World War I World War II The Korean War The Vietnam War The Grenada Expedition The Panama Expedition The Persian Gulf Conflict The Somalia Expedition The Haitian Expedition The Bosnia-Herzegovina Expedition

Membership in the Military Order of the Carabao is open to commissioned officers of any of the armed forces who have served, either as an officer or an enlisted person, under one of the following classifications:

Veteran Carabao: Having served in the Philippines between May 1, 1898, and July 4, 1913, or December 6, 1941, and July 4, 1946. 

Amphibious Carabao:  Having served west of the International Date Line incident to the liberation of the Philippines between December 6, 1941, and July 4, 1946. 

Honorary Carabao: Conferred upon the President of the United States, Governors Generals of the Philippines, or those who have served as such.

Membership is comprised of individuals, male and female, of proven lineal descent from one or more Crusaders of Knightly or Higher Rank who participated in one or more of the regular and/or interim Crusades between 1096 and 1291, and who made great personal sacrifices, endured great hardship, performed heroically, and died in great numbers during the Crusades.  On 6 June 1998 the Military Order of the Crusades merged with the Baronial Order of Magna Charta as an entity within its umbrella.

Honorary - Bestowed by the Commandery-in-Chief and Commanderies under the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws.

Any lineal descendant of Thomas Jefferson who applies for membership, and annually pays dues as stated in the By-Laws of this Association, shall be a Regular Member of the Association, provided that a regular member whose dues are more than one year in arrears shall not be considered a member in good standing. Regular members shall be entitled to participate in all proceedings of the Association, except that the right to vote and to hold office is limited to regular members in good standing who have reached the age of 18 years.
    
Adopted children, step-children and spouses of regular members, including widows and widowers of regular members, who assist the Association and show interest in furthering its aims, as evidenced by making contributions to the Association, or by attending its meetings, or by corresponding with the Secretary of the Association, may be elected Associate Members by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at any duly called meeting at which a quorum is present.