A lineage society – also called a hereditary society – determines its membership by descent from an ancestor who participated in certain activities. Typically, societies are only open to one gender. There are many societies who accept descendants of colonial American ancestors. This list is only a sample.
Women’s Societies:
Colonial Dames of America: “Founded in 1890, The Colonial Dames of America (CDA) is the first women’s colonial-focused lineage society dedicated to honoring American history through preservation and education. With nearly 40 chapters across the United States and in Europe, CDA is proud to be an international community of women committed to protecting the past and inspiring the future.” CDA typically requires ancestors to hold positions of authority in the colonial period. The society requires an invitation.
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America: “Since the NSCDA’s founding in 1891, our organization has worked to help tell America’s many stories and amplify women’s voices.” NSCDA typically requires ancestors to hold positions of authority in the colonial period. The society requires an invitation.
Associated Daughters of Early American Witches: “A hereditary/lineage society for female direct descendants of the victims of the colonial witchcraft trials”
Men’s Societies:
Society of Colonial Wars: As the Connecticut Society explains, “The Society of Colonial Wars is instituted to perpetuate the memory of events in American Colonial History, and of the men who, in military and naval service, and in civil positions of trust and responsibility, by their acts or counsels assisted in the establishment, defense, and preservation of the American Colonies, and who were, in truth, the founders of the Nation.” The society requires an invitation.
Open to All:
General Society of Mayflower Descendants: “The General Society of Mayflower Descendants is committed to research on the lineal descent of the Mayflower Pilgrims and education about the Pilgrims who traveled aboard the Mayflower in 1620.”
Hereditary Order of the First Families of Massachusetts: “Eligibility for membership is open to individuals at least eighteen years old and is determined based on proven lineal descent from an ancestor who was a resident of Massachusetts Bay Colony before the year 1650.”
Looking for ideas about other societies for which you might qualify? The Hereditary Society Community maintains a list.