Hi all, I have a question on applying for Mayflower Society membership. Can I just tie in to my ancestor that is documented in Brenton Washburn's book as down from John Washburn-Elizabeth Mitchell marriage, or do I need to prove it all the way back to John Washburn. My gg grandfather is James Washburn the son of Bethuel Washburn and Eunice Gifford. If I can prove that my great grandmother Mary Washburn was his daughter with a birth record does that qualify or do need more? Marc Chambers

Hi Marc. At 07:24 PM 1/8/2001 EST, you wrote: >Hi all, > I have a question on applying for Mayflower Society membership. Can I >just tie in to my ancestor that is documented in Brenton Washburn's book as >down from John Washburn-Elizabeth Mitchell marriage, or do I need to prove it >all the way back to John Washburn. My gg grandfather is James Washburn the >son of Bethuel Washburn and Eunice Gifford. If I can prove that my great >grandmother Mary Washburn was his daughter with a birth record does that >qualify or do need more? > > Marc Chambers > > Chuch Washburn is correct. You must provide your own documentation now, except that the Mayflower Society does accept the generations from Francis Cooke through Josiah Washburn and Mercy Tilson as already proven, if you reference their publication, which is "Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Volume 12: Francis Cooke of the Mayflower." It also includes the birth record for Josiah Washburn (Jr.), on 3 June 1716, but carries the line no further. You will need to prove that Josiah married Abiah or Abigail Curtis on 29 Jan. 1745/6 in Bridgewater (Bridgewater VRs, 2:569), and that they were the parents of Peter Washburn, born 9 Sept. 1750 in Bridgewater (Bridgewater VRs 1:334), and that this Peter Washburn married Sarah Ayres on 8 Apr. 1776 in Brookfield, (Brookfield VRs, p. 432), and that they had a son Bethuel Washburn born 11 July 1790 in Brookfield (Brookfield VRs, p. 227), and that this Bethuel married Eunice Gifford and they were the parents of James. You will need to supply as much information as you can gather, including probate records and deeds that support your case. You'll also need to get birth, marriage and death certificates for your grandparents, if possible, your parents, and yourself. (I don't believe they have to be certified.) Good luck with your application. John A. Maltby Redwood City, CA jamaltby@creative.net