Membership

PROCESS FOR MEMBERSHIP

1. The prospective member is recommended, in writing, by two chapter members.
2. The chapter votes on the recommendation, if the prospective member is approved, the Regent issues a written invitation to the prospective member.
3. A set of lineage papers is sent to the proposed member after she accepts the invitation to membership.
4. Should an applicant be unable to complete her lineage papers within one year, the invitation shall expire unless an extension is granted.

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility. Any woman who is a citizen of the United State of America, is of good moral character and has attained her eighteenth year, shall be eligible to membership, provided that she shall be acceptable to the Society and shall meet each of the following requirements:

a. Lineal descent. The applicant shall be of lineal descendant from those men and women who were actual residents of America when it was under foreign government as colonies and who served prior to July 4, 1776, in any of the twenty-six categories listed below.

b. Proof of eligibility. The applicant shall submit evidence of lineal descent. Legal adoption shall not qualify for lineal descent. References submitted shall be independent of any other lineage society.

c. Allegiance to the United States of America. The applicant shall not be pledged to, or advocate by force or violence, the overthrow of the government of the United States of America or that of any state of territory therein, or be guilty of treasonable practices. This Society shall have the right to expel from its membership any person for any of these causes; any questions arising under this proviso shall be determined by the Society.

d. Conformity with Bylaws. The applicant shall agree to conform to the Bylaws adopted by the National Society.

THE 26 CATEGORIES OF ACCEPTABLE SERVICE ARE:

1. In battle under colonial authority
2. Under the banner of Great Britain in North America in any of the wars in which the colonies participated
3. All military and naval service of the colonies (Proof must establish that such service was rendered prior to July 4, 1776.)
4. Furnished troops or funds (Proof of payment of tax assessments is not acceptable service.)
5. Filled office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Deputy Governor
6. Member or Delegate to Council or Assembly
7. Member of House of Burgesses
8. Deputy or Representative to the General Court
9. Commissioner of the United Colonies, of Boundaries or Treaties, of Import or Excise, to the French or Indians
10. Secretary, Magistrate, Selectman, Justice, Judge of any Court of Law or Equity, Attorney, Advocate, Solicitor, Juryman, Sheriff, Constable, or other forms of civil service
11. Founder or Trustee of any College in North America founded prior to 1775
12. Minister of the Gospel or Commissary of the Bishops of London (Proof must be submitted that the ministry was entered prior to July 4, 1776.)
13. Member of the Committee of Safety of the Continental Congress, 1774 and 1775
14. Member of the Council of Safety of 1689
15. Signer of the Mayflower Compact
16. Speaker of the House of Deputies
17. Physician or Surgeon (Proof must establish ancestor as practicing prior to July 4, 1776.)
18. Member of the Provincial Congress
19. Signer of the Declaration of Independence (Proof must establish that the signer was elected to represent the colonists prior to July 4, 1776.)
20. Huguenot Refugee
21. Signer of the Oath of Allegiance to Great Britain (The Oath of Allegiance was taken by the Freemen in New England, the Dutch in New Amsterdam, the Swedes in Delaware, and other early settlers. (Proof must be submitted that the oath was taken prior to July 4, 1776.)
22. Original Land Owner, not inheritor (Proof must establish that the ancestor received the land through a grant or patent, or from the Indians; that he was acturally the first colonial owner of the specified tract of land; and that he did not buy it or inherit it.)
23. Member of the London, Plymouth or Virginia Companies who actually came to the colonies, or the first immigrant descendant of any member of these companies who resided in the colonies
24. Palatine Settler
25. Descendant of Covenanter from Scotland
26. Saltzburger of Georgia