A Brief History of The Mayflower Society

• Founded in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1897, a group of descendants of the Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, saw the need for a national society to honor their memory. The intention was to remember these Pilgrims who established Plymouth Colony, in what was then called the northern part of Virginia.

  Today there are tens-of-millions of individuals descended from these brave souls. It is the goal of The Mayflower Society to join together people who share this heritage and to carry on the memory of our Pilgrim ancestors.  

  The Society of Mayflower Descendants in Alabama was founded on December 6, 1952, in Birmingham, Alabama,and has grown to include four colony charters: 

  GULF COAST COLONY – Founded April 26, 1986 – Spanish Fort, Alabama

  CAPITAL COLONY – Founded April 7, 1990 – Montgomery, Alabama

  TENNESSEE VALLEY COLONY – Founded October 21, 1991 – Madison, Alabama

  CAHABA RIVER COLONY – Founded February 18, 2016 – Birmingham, Alabama

Membership Benefits

• Uphold the Mayflower heritage in the face of a rapidly changing world.
  
  
  • The principles established when the Mayflower Compact was written in 1620 exemplify the democratic form of government upon which our U.S. Constitution is based.

  • We need to highlight this heritage for our descendants as the schools drift further away from the early history of our country and the spiritual foundation of our country is further eroded by contemporary perspectives.

• Establish a friendship with others whose roots hark back to the Mayflower.
  • Commit yourself to keeping our Mayflower Society strong and vital by joining our committees.

  Committees can include By-Laws, Computer Scanning, Education, Finance, Hospitality, Insignia, Juniors, Membership, Newsletter, Nominations, Press and Publicity, Programs, Reservations, and Scholarship. If you have the time and willingness to help, we can use you.

  • Receive special privileges.
    • The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, headquartered in Plymouth, MA, provides extensive genealogical and historical information. See http://www.themayflowersociety.org

    • Every third September members from all over the country gather in Plymouth for special meetings and tours.

    • Plymouth Plantation welcomes Mayflower members at a special rate and provides a window into the past through its recreation of the original colony.

    • See http://www.plimoth.org/.
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    • The Mayflower Quarterly, published by GSMD, provides a wealth of information about history, genealogy, and current activities of the various societies.