Sue, I thought your question was an honest one and not mean spirited at all. Joining a Society is really a matter of personal objective. I don't belong to an individual Society but I may join the John Howland and/or the Warren Cousins groups. That would be strictly for my own enjoyment. I joined the Mayflower Society in honor of my grandparents. To my knowledge, I am the first one in my line to prove and join, and that is a real honor for me. The day I received my certificate, I offered up a prayer to my ancestors and thanked them. It was the culmination of much work and many "coincidences". We "worked" together for that certificate and that is why I am proud to be a member of the National Society of Mayflower Descendants. Karen Flanders Eddy