The Chas. A. Stevensstore in Chicago sold fabrics and clothing across the U.S. starting in the 1880s. Beyond typical direct advertising and sales, Chas. A. Stevens used an unusual method to grow its business nationally: it recruited independent woman entrepreneurs to represent the brand and sell to their local markets. Read More
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Tracing Your Westward-Bound Ancestors
American Ancestors is California-bound! Join our experts in person for a one-day seminar that will provide you with strategies for tracing ancestors who settled in California. We’ll discuss the New England roots of many westward migrants and discuss tips for researching ancestors on the move. Seminar includes five lectures, breakfast, and lunch. Two dates available!
Share your thoughts about the survey!Please limit submissions to 150 words or fewer. Your submission may be featured in an upcoming newsletter or shared on social media; please note in your email if you do not want your story to be shared. Published responses may be edited for clarity and length.
20%, I belong to at least one lineage society through more than one ancestor.
7%, I am in the process of applying to one or more lineage societies.
19%, I intend to apply to at least one lineage society in the future.
19%, I have (or had) a leadership role in at least one lineage society.
17%, I volunteer (or used to volunteer) for at least one lineage society.
5%, I wish my ancestry qualified me to join a lineage society.
29%, I qualify, but I have no interest in joining a lineage society.
8%, I do not believe I qualify for any lineage societies, but I would not be interested in joining one even if I did.
Readers Respond
Michael Hogan, Georges Mills, New Hampshire: Like all descendants of Stephen Hopkins, I qualify for both the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (which I’ve joined) and the Jamestowne Society (which I haven’t—yet). I never tire of the reaction I get from telling Stephen’s story, even from people who are otherwise not very interested in family history topics.
Ralph D. Nelson, Jr., Durham, North Carolina: My father joined the Sons of the American Revolution during the 1976 Bicentennial. My mother used a commercial pattern to sew a period uniform for him. I later joined the SAR and inherited the uniform. As a member of the color guard and a national officer, I wore the uniform at meetings across the U.S. and on several SAR tours of Europe. The threads gradually deteriorated, so my wife created a new uniform from an identical pattern. I intend to wear it during the 2026 anniversary.
Marilyn L. Darnell, San Luis Obispo, California: During COVID-19 I traced my paternal ancestors to the early 1600s in America. I found myself sitting back in my chair in amazement as the wave of ancestors kept coming from farther back in time. After finding ancestors who served during the American Revolution, I felt it would be an honor to my family if I were accepted to a lineage society. I have been working with the registrar of my local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. The challenge has been tracing my lineage through women. I am hopeful that one day I can say I am a member—and then I may also consider joining Colonial Dames!
Anita M. McConnell, Waynesboro, Virginia: Joining lineage societies has allowed me to preserve my genealogical research for my descendants. Acceptance to these societies affirmed that my research and sources were correct. The lineage societies I joined had similar missions—to preserve history, educate others, and promote patriotism. Gaining new friends and having volunteer options were further reasons to join.
Joseph Smith, Yonkers, New York: Since 2022, I have served as Founder and Governor of the Descendants of Swiss Settlers, the first lineage society for the Swiss. Our mission is to remember and celebrate the unique legacy and achievements of Swiss men and women who settled in North America prior to March 5, 1798 (the end of the Old Swiss Confederacy).
Deb Conken, Sanford, North Carolina: I have joined eleven societies and am currently active in six. I am regent of my Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter and have been chaplain in two DAR chapters and in my Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America (DFPA) chapter. I have seven Mayflower lines and thirteen DAR patriots. I am a Master Guildsman (six categories) in The Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen. I especially enjoy the challenge of joining hard-to-prove societies. The Order of the Crown of Charlemagne was forty-one generations. DFPA requires an unbroken paternal or maternal line of the same last name—I have proven both lines. The Colonial Dames of America is prestigious and requires two sponsors, a meeting, and an officer vote just to apply. Having a proven accused witch ancestor in the Associated Daughters of Early American Witches is just fun. Lineage societies are like potato chips—can’t stop at one!
What We’re Reading
The Most Common Last Name in Every Country, Mapped After determining each country’s most common surname, researchers placed each of them into one of six different categories: ancestral, occupational, geographical, toponymic (or place name), personal characteristics, and patronage.
“France’s Sécurité Civile . . . estimates that at current rates, it could take up to 700 years to completely clear all remaining WWI shells and grenades from France’s soil.”
How the Arrival of Iodized Salt 100 Years Ago Changed America In the early 20th century, iodine deficiency so affected the northern United States that the region was widely known as the “goiter belt.” Michigan was at the epicenter of the crisis.
Since 1739, 130 Roman dodecahedrons have been discovered across northern and western Europe. No consensus has ever emerged on their purpose.
Spotlight: Community History Archive, Greene County, New York
by Valerie Beaudrault
The village of Catskill is the seat of Greene County, located in southeast central New York. The Catskill Public Library Community History Archive is a digital newspaper collection comprising nearly 336,000 pages from nine local titles, including the Daily Mail (1970-2019), Greene County News (1967-2002), The Daily Mail (2019-2023), Daily Mail And Greene County News (2002-2004), and Cairo Herald (1924-1967). Search by keyword or browse individual titles. Search Now
Database News
Indigenous Newspapers in North America
Find your indigenous ancestors! From historic pressings to contemporary periodicals, Indigenous Newspapers in North America from AM Explorer covers nearly 200 years of Indigenous print journalism from the US and Canada. This collection includes a large spectrum of publishers and audiences. Join American Ancestors today to access this collection and many more from our external database partners. Learn More About External Databases
Non-probate assets such as an IRA, 401(k), or life insurance policy are not covered in your will or trust—you must name beneficiaries separately. Our friends at FreeWill.com have provided a free and secure online tool to guide you through naming beneficiaries for your non-probate assets. Learn More
