Tips on Applying to Lineage Societies

1.  Read the Rules 2.  Properly fill out the front page of the application and sign the       application 3.  Fill out the Ascent Chart starting with yourself and working       backwards 4.  Collect the documentation required to prove the facts stated on       the Ascent Chart – names (including maiden names of females),       dates, and places. 5.  Put your documentation in order according to the Ascent Chart:           a. Your birth certificate           b. Your spouse’s birth certificate           c.  Your marriage record 6.  Continue in this manner until you have the documents in order       for each ancestor 7.  Use source citations on your documents. Source citations state       the Who, What, Where and When of your document 8.  Make sure your name and contact information is on the back of      each page of documentation submitted 9.  Do not use abstracts and indexes – always look for the original      document 10. Census records only need to include the family in question, if        needed, along with the proper source citation 11. Find-A-Grave information cannot be used to prove lineage. Just       the picture of the tombstone to confirm dates of birth and      death can be used. 12. Biographical articles are generally not used to prove lineage,       but can be used to prove a date of residency 13. All name changes must be documented. Females must be        proven by their maiden names 14. Just because you have been accepted in to a lineage society,        does not mean you will be accepted in to another lineage       society. All have their own rules, guidelines, and expectations. 15. Read the Rules 16. Feel free to contact the chair of the individual lineage society if       you have questions