Hereditary Societies Part 3 – My Societies

 As my genealogical research deepened, I found myself drawn to hereditary societies—organizations that honor the lives and legacies of our ancestors through documented lineage and shared history. Joining these societies has validated my research and connected me to a broader community that values the preservation of family heritage. While I remain an active member in some, I’ve let others lapse after successfully proving my lineage, simply because there’s only so much time and money to go around. Each one, active or not, represents a meaningful part of my ancestral journey. Here’s a look at the societies, alphabetically ordered, I’ve joined or qualified for through my documented lines:

• American Ex POW
• Bunker Hill Society
• Descendants of Early Postmasters
• First Families of the Twin Territories
• General Society of Mayflower Descendants‡
• Order of Founders and Patriots of America
• Society of Colonial Wars
• Society of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge
• Sons of Confederate Veterans
• Sons of the American Revolution
• Sons of Union Veterans

I’ve enrolled my daughters in several hereditary societies that I chose not to join, mainly to keep the overall expenses down. Since their applications had to include my lineage to establish eligibility, I also automatically qualified. I decided to pay for their memberships and step aside from joining, knowing our family line was still represented.

• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Hereditary Society of Teachers
• Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens

‡ I joined the Mayflower organization after establishing a relationship with Edward Fuller. However, after several years of membership, DNA testing revealed that my connection through Michael Fuller was incorrect. I remain a member of the Mayflower Society, but I am not a descendant of any Mayflower Pilgrim. I continue my search to reestablish that connection.

Other relationships I am currently looking at are:

• Descendants of Sheriffs & Constables of Colonial & Antebellum America Ancestors
• General Society of the War of 1812
• Jamestowne Society
• Son of a Witch