You’ve done the basic inquiries; if necessary, received the invitation; and are starting on your application to the Sons of the Revolution, the Mayflower Society, or another lineage society. The process can be long and complex. Is there anything you can do make the process easier?
- If you haven’t already, find out what the society already has on file. The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a few other societies offer a means to “link” to the paperwork already submitted by the applicant. Taking advantage of these reviews can often save time and money.
- Talk to your family. You may need access to certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records in order to request missing vital records. However, societies do not require the submission of “original” certificates. Copies or scans from certificates held by other family members can be used. Pay attention: you do want to make sure that all certificates are civil (not church marriage certificates or “hospital” birth certificates) and that all are “long form.”
- Decide your limits. It’s not uncommon for applicants to decide they can’t or don’t want to complete the full application process themselves. Deciding your limits (and budget) early can help you decide if you need to bring in help – and avoid long wait lists.
- Check to see what birth, death, and marriage certificates are available online. Some applicants jump right to ordering certificates from the states in question. However, a number of records are now available online, either from FamilySearch, Ancestry, or that state’s archives. These digital images of certificates will be accepted by the societies.
- Place orders for certificates early (and be sure to follow all directions on the state or local governmental website). It’s crucial that any online request for certificates originate from the state or local agency’s website. Don’t just search “birth certificates” as there are a lot of scam sites. Place the requests early, as it can take up to 3-4 months to get a certificate copy. Be prepared to follow up if a request sits unfulfilled.