If the time at home has you thinking about finally joining the Colonial Dames – like your friends have been urging – there’s one question you need to ask first. Which one?
There are three societies that go by “Colonial Dames.” All require an invitation but the difficulty in obtaining such an invitation varies by locale.
- The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century ( XVII Century or variations thereof): Open to women 18 and older whose ancestors lived and served in the colonies prior to 1701. XVII Century has the broadest definition of service.
- The Colonial Dames of America ( CDA): Open to women whose ancestor served between the founding of Jamestown in 1607 and the battle of Lexington in 1775. Review the eligibility list at https://cda1890.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Ancestor-Service-Eligibility-List-3.5.2020.pdf.
- The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA): Open to women whose ancestors served before 5 July 1776 and had “distinguished” service. Qualifying service varies by colony.
Questions or want help with an application? Contact us.