Membership Eligibility

Those persons being a citizen of good repute in the community, is the lineal descendant (using standards generally accepted in the genealogical community) from an ancestor who was of African descent who (a) lived in English America before March 5, 1770, the date of the Boston Massacre and the death of Crispus Attucks the first patriot casualty of the American Revolution and/or (b) participated in the founding of the United States of America by serving in the military during the Revolutionary War or contributed directly or indirectly to the war cause. Membership to the Society also includes descendants of an individual who lived in that part of French or Spanish North America and later became part of English America who meet all the eligibility requirements. Collateral descent is not acceptable.

Why Join

A prospective applicant would want to join the Society of the First African Families of English America because it offers both recognition and responsibility: recognition of ancestral presence, perseverance, and contribution during the earliest chapters of American history, and responsibility to preserve those stories with accuracy and dignity. Membership affirms documented lineage to Africans and African-descended families who lived in the English colonies, restoring names and identities that were too often minimized or omitted from traditional narratives. It provides a structured and scholarly framework for genealogical research, ensures that family histories are permanently recorded, and connects descendants to a community committed to historical truth, education, and legacy-building. At a moment when the nation is reflecting on its origins—particularly during America 250—joining the Society is a meaningful way to honor one’s ancestors while helping to shape a more complete and inclusive understanding of America’s founding generations.

Application Process

The Society of the First African Families of English America welcomes membership to all regardless of race, gender, creed, religion or national origin, so long as the applicant meets the eligibility criteria. NOTE: Each bullet is hyperlinked to the appropriate page.

Application Criteria

The following criteria are used to determine whether a colonial settler may be included as a qualifying ancestor for purposes of membership in the Society of the First African Families of English America.

The individual:

  1. Can be documented by name in an accepted colonial record, such as a Land patent, Court Order, Deed, Will, birth/marriage/death certificate, military record are examples (but not limited to) that will meet this criteria (serving in the Revolutionary War does NOT of itself qualify an individual); 
  2. Can be found by name in a widely accepted book of abstracts for the designated colonial period;
  3. Is previously proven by previous applicants and proof is provided of direct lineal descent from a previously qualified ancestor.

Application Fee

As with all lineage societies a prospective applicant along with their application pays an administrative/ genealogist processing fee to verify descent to a colonial ancestor ...click here for more information.

Supplemental Applications

Following admission to the Society of the First African Families of English America under one proven ancestor, a Member may submit supplementals, which are papers that establish additional lines of descent from a proven colonial of African heritage. The same application forms are used for submitting supplementals as for new member applications. Supplemental applications and guidelines are provided by the society or may be downloaded from this page. Supplemental applications may be submitted for an administrative fee of $30.00 each.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Many prospective members ask very similar questions. Please follow this link to some some of the Frequently Asked Questions we are often asked. Hopefully our responses will help you with applying for membership by simplifying the process ...click here for more information.