Hereditary Membership consists of those individuals who can prove descent from one of the following: (1) St. Margaret of Scotland; (2) an early king or queen of England, Wales, Scotland, or Ireland; (3) an American ancestor of HRH Diana, Princess of Wales; or (4) an ancestor who lived in the British Isles before 1600.  Male members are referred to as Protectors of the Guild.

Associate Members are those who subscribe to the ideals and principles of the Guild.  Membership is not restricted by age or gender.

Hereditary Membership is open to males and females of good moral character and reputation, at least eighteen years of age,  who are lineally or collaterally descended from any person who rendered civil or military service on either side in the Civil War. , including service in battle under confederate and Federal authority; in military or naval units of the two governments, in a political role (statewide or higher), or as a physician, surgeon, chaplain, or nurse in wartime service.

There is a special path to membership that is lineal or collateral descent from an ancestor who in their lifetime had military or civil service at the state level or higher in both the Federal and Confederate governments during their lifetime. The qualifying ancestor for this special membership category must have served both the Confederate States of America and the United States of America at some time during his or her lifetime. The Federal service can be before, after, or during the Civil War.

Eligibility for membership is based upon Royal Descent from Ruling Houses of Europe and the British Isles and a member in good standing in one or more recognized American lineage societies, having to do with periods of American history anterior to the American Revolution.  In addition, a woman candidate must be a member of either the Colonial Dames of America or the National Society Colonial Dames of America.

Membership is available to any child, male or female, of good moral character, from birth through twenty-one years of age, who is lineally descended from an ancestor who rendered civil or military services to any of the Colonies prior to July 4, 1776.

Any boy or girl under the age of twenty-one is eligible for membership in the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution who is lineally descended from a man or woman who, with unfailing loyalty, rendered material aid to the cause of American Independence as a soldier, sailor, civil officer, or recognized patriot in one of the several Colonies or States, or of the United States, provided that the applicant is personally acceptable to the Society.

Membership is limited to American woman, eighteen years of age or over, of good moral character, provided she has been invited by the Society and is the lineal descendant of an ancestor who lived and served prior to 1701 in one of the Original Colonies in the geographical area of the present United States of America.

Any woman of good moral character and reputation, past the age of eighteen years, lineally descended from an ancestor who rendered service between 1607 and 1700 according to the following eligibility list, may be considered a candidate for membership: Passengers of the Mayflower, male or female; Governors; Governors' Assistants; Lieutenant Governors; Magistrates; Magistrates' Assistants; Overseers and Trustees of Towns; Members of the First Town Councils; Selectmen; Secretaries; Deputy Secretaries; Judges; Clerks of the Courts; Justices of the Peace; Commissioners for Colonies; Councilors; Members of Courts of Session; High Sheriffs; Constables; Deputies; Court Messengers; Members of the House of Burgesses; Crown Printers; Members of Assembly; Members of Important Councils and Commissions; Recorders; Presidents of Towns; Town Clerks; Treasurers; Ministers; Ruling Elders; Deacons; Interpreters; Commissaries; Surveyors; Members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery; Members of Town and County Militia; Officers, Soldiers and Sailors of Colonial Wars; Owners of Garrison Houses and defenders of the same; Founders of Towns named in the first patent of a town, provided they settled in the town named, Vestrymen, Wardens, Teachers, Physicians, Attorneys, and First Settlers of Jamestown, Virginia.

Membership shall be limited to any woman who eighteen years of age or older, who is lineally descended in the male or female line from an ancestor who, from the time of the settlement of Jamestown, May 13, 1607, to the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775: 1) Served as a military or naval officer, or as a soldier, sailor, marine, or privateersman, under the authority of the 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 which the said Colonies were engaged.  2) Served in any civil position of high trust and responsibility in the colonies such as: Director-General, Vice-Director-General, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Governor, Governor's Assistant, Lord Proprietor, Secretary, or Treasurer of a Colony or Province, member of the King's or Governor's Council, or Legislative Body in the Colonies, or Commissioner to the United Colonies of New England, or Member of the Council, or Body of Assistants.

Any woman of at least 18 years of age, who is in sympathy with the object of this society is eligible to membership, provided that she is descended in an unbroken paternal line of either father or mother from an ancestor  who settled in any of the Colonies now included in the United States of America during the period from the settlement of Jamestown, May 13, 1607 to May 13, 1687, and provided that in this unbroken line, is an intermediate ancestor who, by personal service in a civil or military capacity or by other acts proving his unfailing loyalty, assisted in establishing American independence during the Revolutionary Period, 1775 to 1784.

Any woman who is a citizen of the United States 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 be the lineal descendant of an ancestor who rendered civil or military service in any of the colonies prior to July 4, 1776. Legal adoption shall not qualify for lineal descent.  Furthermore, the ancestors' services must pertain to one of the thirteen original colonies which joined to form the United States of America.

Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. The National Society reserves the right to determine the acceptability of all service and proof thereof. The National Society accepts service, with some exceptions, for the period between 19 April 1775 (Battle of Lexington) and 26 November 1783 (withdrawal of British Troops from New York) as follows:  Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Military Service, certain types of Civil Service (under authority of Provisional or new State Governments), and certain types of Patriotic Service. Admission to membership in the NSDAR is either by invitation through a state chapter or unit overseas.

Membership is limited to women who are lineal descendants of one or more of the twenty-five Barons selected to enforce the Magna Charta, and of those Barons who were instrumental in helping to secure it.  Descent through either the male or female line will be acceptable.

Membership is extended by invitation to women residing in the U.S. who are of British or British Commonwealth heritage by birth, naturalization or proven ancestry.  Women, whose husbands are, or whose husband's parent(s) or grandparent(s) are, of British or Commonwealth birth, are also eligible.

Membership is open to any woman eighteen years of age or over provided she is a direct lineal or collateral descendant of a man or woman who rendered military or civil service to the Union during the years 1861-1865.  Legal adoption shall not qualify for lineal or collateral descent.  Documentary proof of the ancestor's service in one the following categories is necessary for admission into the Society: (1) served honorably in the Union Army or Navy, (2) a military or pension record from the National Archives or honorable discharge certificate is required, when available, (3) served in a pro-Union county or state militia or home guard, (4) served as a civilian employee of Union forces, (5) rendered material aid, medical attention, or comfort to Union forces, (6)  served as a member of President Lincoln's cabinet, (7) served as an employee of the Federal government, or (8) suffered the loss of personal property or personal liberty due to unfailing allegiance to the Union.

Junior membership is open to an female child under eighteen years of age who meets the eligibility requirements above.

3878 Oak Lawn Avenue

Men, women and children who establish descent, either lineal or collateral, from an early member of The Society of Friends (1835 or before), throughout the world, shall be eligible for membership. Junior members are eligible for membership from birth to age twenty-five years.

Membership eligibility is based upon lineal descent from an ancestor who settled, prior to statehood on May 11, 1858, in territory that is now the state of Minnesota.

San Antonio, TX  78213-2113

Membership is limited to women who are lineally descended from a man or woman from Scotland who either immigrated to and settled in Colonial America prior to 4 July 1776, or those men and women from other countries who are lineally descended from Scottish ancestors and later immigrated to or settled in Colonial America prior to 4 July 1776.

Eligibility for membership in this Society is based upon lineal descent from one or more of the twenty-five Sureties for the Magna Charta or from a Baron, Prelate, Knight or other influential person present on the field of Runnemede in June 1215 on behalf of the Charter.

This is one of the Old World Hereditary Societies.  The National Society Magna Charta Dames is a registered trademark.

Men and women above the age of eighteen years, and who are lineally descended from a settler of Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, or the Eastern Shore of Virginia (Delmarva Peninsula) prior to 1700, are eligible for membership.  The Eastern Shore of Maryland consists of the following counties: Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester, Talbot, Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne, Dorchester, and Cecil.  The Eastern Shore of Virginia consists of the following counties: Accomack and Northhampton. 

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Eligibility is open to any woman eighteen or older descended from one or more ancestors born in New England prior to the signing of the Constitution of the United States in 1789.  Junior membership is available to girls six to seventeen years old..

Membership is restricted to women who are lineal descendants of an ancestor of worthy life who came to reside in an American Colony prior to 1750, and who rendered efficient service to his country before July 5, 1776,  including service as a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, either in the founding  of a Commonwealth, or an institution which has survived and developed into importance, or who shall have held an important position in a Colonial government, or who, by distinguished service shall have contributed to the founding of the United States of America.

Women not less than sixteen years of age, and of good moral character and reputation are eligible for membership. Eligibility shall consist of lineal descent from a commissioned officer who has served in one of more of the American Wars during the years 1607 through 1865 or from a Colonial Governor. The periods of the various wars are: Colonial Wars, 1607-1775; American Revolution, 1775-1783; War of 1812, 1784-1815; Mexican War, 1845-1848; War Between the States, 1861-1865.

Membership eligibility is based on lineal descent from a legitimate textile worker, including, but not limited to: mill owners, workers, sales persons and fiber producers.

The Society is composed of men and women who are descended in their own right, direct and legitimate, from the First Baron of Baltimore or from one or more of the Colonists who were granted by the Lord Proprietor of the Province of Maryland a manor in fee simple with manorial rights and privileges or from his or her heir at law.

For purpose of membership, a manor is defined as a tract of land of not less than 1000 acres granted by patent to a Maryland Colonist prior to the year 1722. The grant must have invested the patentee with all manorial rights and customs of Feudal England including the privileges of Court Leet and Court Baron.  The title of Lord of the Manor must have descended in primogeniture as fixed by the laws of Ancient England.

Any man shall be eligible for membership in this Society who, being of the age of eighteen years or over and a citizen of good repute in the community, is the lineal descendant of an ancestor who was at all times unfailing in loyalty to, and rendered active service in the cause of American independence, either as an officer, soldier, seaman, marine, militiaman, or Minuteman in the armed forces of the Continental Congress of any one of the several Colonies or States; or as a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, or as a member of a Committee of Safety or Correspondence; or as a member of any Continental, Provincial, or Colonial Congress or Legislature; or as a recognized patriot who performed actual service by overt acts of resistance to the authority of Great Britain.  The applicant must also be personally acceptable to the Society.

Eligibility for membership in the Society is open to persons who can prove their lawful, lineal descent from one of the following ancestors of General George Washington who lived in Colonial America between 1607 and 1732.

1) Colonel John Washington
2) Nathaniel Pope
3) Nicholas Martiau
4) George Reade
5) Augustine Warner, Sr.
6) Colonel William Ball
7) Mary Johnson Ball Hewes

The aforesaid membership shall also be open to the lawful lineal descendants of Lawrence Washington, the brother of Colonel John Washington the immigrant.

Membership is limited to men and women eighteen years of age or older who are lineal descendants of any Pilgrim.  For the purpose of this Society, the term "Pilgrim" shall denote any immigrant who settled before 1700 within the territory which began the forty-eight contiguous states of the United States of America without the regard to religion or place of origin.

Membership is open to any man of the age of eighteen years or more who can prove direct descent from a person who was born in one of the six New England colonies prior to July 4, 1776. The New England colonies are Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Membership is open to any American man, of eighteen years of age and of good moral character and reputation. He must provide proof of lineal descendant from an ancestor who rendered civil or military service in any of the Colonies in America before 4 July 1776, including service in any of the following capacities: (1) in a battle under colonial authority, (2) under the banner of Great Britain in North America in any of the wars in which the Colonists participated, (3) all Military and Naval service of the Colonies, (4) filled office of Governor, Lt. Governor or Deputy Governor, (5) member or delegate to Council or Assembly, (6) member of House of Burgesses, (7) Deputy or Representative to General Court, (8) Commissioner of the United Colonies; of Boundaries or Treaties; of Impost or Excuse; to the French or Indians, (9) Secretary, Magistrate, Selectman, Justice, Judge of any Court of Law, or Equity Attorney, Advocate or Solicitor, (10) Founder or Trustee of any College in North America founded prior to 1776, (11) Minister of the Gospel, or Commissary of the Bishops of London, (12) member of the Committee of Safety of the Continental Congress 1774-1775, (13) member of Council of Safety of 1689, (14) Signer of the Mayflower Compact, (15) Speaker of the House of Deputies, (16) physician or surgeon, (17) member of Provincial Congress, (18) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, (19) Huguenot refugee, (20) Signer of Oath of Allegiance to Great Britain, (21) member of the London, Plymouth and Virginia Companies who actually came to the colonies, and descendants of the members of these companies who resided in the Colonies, (22) Palatine settler, (23) descendants of Coventers from Scotland, (24) original land owner or proprietor, not inheritor, (25) Salzburgers of Georgia.

Eligibility for ancestral membership is based upon descent from an ancestor who came to Utah as a pioneer before the completion of the transcontinental railroad (1869).

Women of Southern Ancestry pertaining to the Southern States of the United States of America are eligible for membership.

Membership is available to women age eighteen and over who can offer satisfactory proof that they are lineal descendants of an ancestor who, during the period of 1784-1815 inclusive, rendered civil, military, or naval service to our country, rendered material aid to the U.S. Army or Navy, or who participated in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  Admission to membership in the National Society is by invitation after an affirmative vote by the chapter or state society.  Applicants shall have the endorsement of two members in good standing to whom the applicant is personally known.  Junior membership is available to girls and boys from birth through age 21.   Young women between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five are known as Flora Adams Darling Daughters in honor of the Society's first president.

Membership is available to any woman over the age of eighteen years, who is lineally descended from  a member of the Ancient  and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, between the years 1637 and 1774, provided she is acceptable to the National Board of Management.

Naval Order of the U.S., is the history and heritage society of the U.S. Naval Services. Founded 4 July 1890 in Boston, MA, the Naval Order is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, celebration and enjoyment of our naval heritage.

Regular Membership is open to current, retired and former US Naval Service members including the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and the commissioned corps of the USPHS, NOAA, USMM and USMS and descendants thereof, over eighteen years of age, who are US citizens.

Associate membership is open to Naval historians and authors and to others with a deep interest naval history and heritage.  Associate Membership is also open to spouses of present and deceased Regular Members, and those other than United States citizens who have served or are serving honorably as commissioned officers in an allied seagoing service

Membership is by invitation.  Visit the Naval Order web site or e-mail NavalOrder@aol.com to inquire about obtaining and invitation to membership.

Persons of Celtic heritage holding genuine titles of nobility are eligible for Class I membership, which is hereditary.  For hereditary membership one must demonstrate proven Celtic lineage, from an ancestor in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Corwall, Northumbria, Brittany, Man, Celtic Spain, etc.

Those holding ranks in Orders less than that of Knight, as well as members of Colonial Wars and the Cincinnati, are eligible for Class II. Classes II and III are non-hereditary. Each hereditary member of Class I may designate a single heir. The society has been limited to fifty members, but this requirement has been expanded to 150, with fifty per class.

Applicants for membership must be either of New England ancestry, have attended a New England school or college, or have part or full-time residence in New England.  Applicants must be at least eighteen years old, and a Proposer and Seconder are necessary.