U. S. Lineage Societies for Women
Requirements Include Documented Pedigree
Aug 24, 2008 Rosemary E. Bachelor
Colonial Dames of America and National Society, Colonial Dames of America are separate organizations. CDA membership is open to women descending from an ancestor who arrived before 1776 and NSCDA to an ancestor arriving by 1750. Both require the ancestor to have served the country by founding a town or commonwealth that survived, by holding an important position in colonial government, or by contributing to the achievement of American independence as a statesman or officer.
Colonial Dames of the 17th Century members descend lineally from an ancestor who was an historic founder or who rendered distinguished civil or military service in the Colonies prior to 1701.
Colonial Daughters of the 17th Century requires descent from an ancestor who rendered services in the American English Colonies between May, 1607 and December, 1699.
Dames of the Court of Honor (National Society) requires lineal descent from a commissioned officer of one of the American wars between 1607 and 1865.
Daughters of American Colonists (National Society) requires lineal descent from a man or woman who rendered civil or military service in an American colony before July 4, 1776.
Daughters of the American Revolution (National Society) members descend lineally from a man or woman who served as a soldier, sailor or civil officer in an American colony during the Revolutionary era or who, as a recognized patriot, rendered material aid to the cause of independence.
Daughters of the Barons of Runnemede requires lineal descent from one or more of the 25 barons selected to enforce the Magna Charta, or one of those barons instrumental in helping to secure it.
Daughters of the Cincinnati members descend from an officer of the line who joined the Society of the Cincinnati in his own right, or from an officer of the line who died prior to that society’s first meeting in 1784; by special consent, a person may join on descent from an officer who was eligible, but did not join.
Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America (National Society) members must descend in a direct, unbroken paternal line of either father or mother from an ancestor who settled in an American colony between May 13, 1607 and May 13, 1687, provided that during the Revolutionary War an ancestor in that direct line assisted, in either civil or military capacity, in establishing American independence.
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic accepts female blood kin of an honorably discharged Union soldier, sailor, marine or army nurse of the Civil War, 1861-1865.
Magna Charta Dames are lineal descendants of one or more of the barons of England who--in or before 1215--rendered service toward securing articles of constitutional liberty, known as the Magna Charta, from King John.
United Daughters of 1812 requires lineal descent from an ancestor who gave civil, military or naval assistance to the United States between 1784-1815; service must be in capacities or insurrections specified by the society.
United Daughters of the Confederacy members originally consisted of widows, wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and other female relatives of men who served in the Confederate Army, performed civil service or loyally aided the cause. Today female lineal descendants of those who served in the Confederate Army are eligible.
There is also information on lineage societies for men only, societies for men and women, and lineage societies on the state level.
For additional societies, consult Robert R. Davenport’s Heredity Society Blue Book in your local library or the nearest library with a genealogy section. It gives mailing addresses and other information for 147 lineage organizations.
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