Research Strategy:  Most hereditary societies want you to contact their local state chapters if they have one and join through them.  To find published documents and books by hereditary societies try the local library, state library, and state archive.  The Family History Library has a large collection of hereditary society publications.  Try the online websites of the national organizations to see what they offer.

Online Hereditary Societies

This website can get you started searching and digging deeper for hereditary societies that have viable websites. 

DAR – National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution    

The National Society of DAR is located in Washington D.C.  They have an exceptional library in their main building there in the heart of D.C.  Anyone can visit this library just pay the $5.00 research fee when you enter the library.  Be prepared to spend a day if not several.  You won’t want to leave.  Down the hall is the microfilm room.  You can use their computers to find applications submitted by members if they are given permission to scan them.  The cost is not cheap but it is well worth it if you are tracing information about your family line. You can search their library catalogue from home.  The Become a Membership section of the website has a step-by-step guide on how to join DAR. The chapters are listed at this link for Washington State.  Individual chapters will have a Registrar that will assist you with your application.  When you contact the local chapter you are interested in you will probably be invited to come to one of their meetings or events. 

The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865

The first stop for this organization is their national webpage at the link given.  Click on contacts to find the local tent in your area.  There are four tents in Washington & Alaska:  Clara Barton Tent #1, Lizabeth Turner Tent #4, Melinda Soles in Puyallup and Betsy Ross in Yakima.  You find the information by clicking on Contacts.  Membership information is given on their website, history, links, upcoming events and more.

The General Society of Mayflower Descendants

They are located in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  They have the Mayflower Museum which is a big beautiful house.  You will be given a tour by one of the docents.  Behind the museum is the Mayflower Library.  Both are worth a visit.  On their website are pictures of the Library and Museum.  So do some exploring.  If you want to get a good overview of New England titles, the Mayflower Library is the place to explore.  They will also search applications and if they find one they will make a copy.  To join Mayflower you will need to locate the state society which can be found at this link:  http://www.themayflowersociety.com/contact.htm

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Washington have a website which was established in 2008.  On their website they give information about the Compact, membership benefits, eligibility & passengers, application information, meetings and list their officers.  They also offer links to Genealogical information around the state and beyond.  It is worth exploring.

 United Daughters of the Confederacy

This is the website of the Robert E. Lee Chapter #885.  They have membership information, research aids, and book on the history of their Chapter and a lot more information. 

Washington State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution  

Their websites lists the chapters where they suggest you attend a meeting to learn how to apply for membership.  Each chapter has a webpage that has more information.