If you’re working on a lineage society application, you may have already realized that there’s often a two (or more) step application process. One of those steps is a preliminary application, an early form that just requires the applicant to indicate who they think is the qualifying ancestor and how they connect to that ancestor. Proof is required when the full application is submitted.
Many applicants complete the preliminary application using only family lore or a limited amount of research, a choice that should be made carefully. Some societies decide how the application is going to be reviewed based on the preliminary application. In most societies, it also starts the “clock” on how long you have to complete the application. If you end up not being able to document the line, you may end up having to pay an extra fee to switch to a new line or needing to request an extension to find the paperwork.
In the societies that use the preliminary application to check what’s already on file (and what documents you’ll need to provide), there may be other options. The Mayflower Society, for example, offers Lineage Match. For a fee, they’ll search prior applications and let you know what additional information might be needed. Unlike the completion of a preliminary application, it does not “start the clock.” (However, it can become outdated as new applications are submitted.)
As a genealogist specializing in lineage applications, I’m becoming increasingly fond of waiting until the full application can be documented before having applicants complete the preliminary. It seems to save stress and cost. And if you plan to hire help, do so early!