Many families hold a tradition that they are descended from the Pilgrims, which often kindles an interest in finding out more. Sometimes the stories of a Mayflower heritage are true and it is easy to document a descent. More often the documentation is missing and must be researched and supplied to prove your line. The good news is that advanced research techniques, improved genealogy library collections, and computerized resources have made it easier to track down your Pilgrim roots.

The best documentation to look for is vital records such as the birth, marriage, and death certificates for each person. Other documentation might be published genealogies, family documents, and other official records. If you have a relative who is a member of the Society, you may be able to use their lineage documentation to help you with your research.