Documenting my Mayflower line / need to find a lookup volunteer or service to obtain a birth certificate

Question

I have a potential Mayflower descent from William Brewster and recently discovered sources for generations six through eight from him so will likely be able to apply for a Society of Mayflower Descendants membership. I have most records I need for generations nine and later except for things like a death certificate for my grandmother died 1980s (so the image is not on ancestry.com). I live out of state and the Pennsylvania DOH wait time (if you add mailing time) by mail or phone is almost 5 months: http://www.health.pa.gov/myrecords/certificates/pages/11596.aspx#public.

Would it be reasonable to expect to be able to find a genealogy lookup volunteer who would be willing to go to a PA vital records local office and obtain a certificate copy with a much faster turnaround time. For example, at the Scranton PA office it says for Walk-in Services, same-day counter service is available. Of course, I would provide the application and any power of attorney or other forms that are necessary for them to obtain a certificate copy.

Again I don't know if it's even something that volunteers do. I did a Google search and found scattered volunteers doing cemetery lookups, etc. but not much else. Any advice would be welcome.

Also, one grandfather was born in Chicago in 1897. The vital records site says his birth was not recorded. See:http://cookcountygenealogy.com/Cart.aspx.

Is a statement to that effect by me enough for the state Mayflower Society Librarian or would I have to order and birth certificate anyways and receive a "no certificate" statement from Cook County vital records to submit with my Mayflower application?

Also, is this the proper forum for these questions and if not, can somebody recommend on active genealogy forum where volunteer lookup services are offered.

Thanks

Comments

I don't think it took that long to get my great uncles death certificate from Pennsylvania, through the mail.

And yes I suspect that the Mayflower Society will want the official document that says no birth certificate.

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Hi Anne,

My own recent experience is a death certificate I ordered 4 months ago and I still haven't received it.

From website...current processing times:

http://www.health.pa.gov/myrecords/certificates/pages/11596.aspx#ordering

Birth Applications/Orders
All processing times are based upon application/order receipt date and do not include delivery time.

• VitalChek UPS, VitalChek regular request for certified copy - 17 weeks
• Overnight carriers, priority mail, certified mail, regular mail request for certified copy - 21 weeks
• Multi-year application - 15 weeks

Death Applications/Orders
All processing times are based upon application/order receipt date and do not include delivery time.

• VitalChek UPS, VitalChek regular request for certified copy - 17 weeks
• Overnight carriers, priority mail, certified mail, regular mail request for certified copy - 23 weeks
• Multi-year application - 15 weeks

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I didn't order through Vital check. I assume you know where she died. Check the website for the town where she died. Call the town clerk. That works in Connecticut. It costs $20.

Answer 1

I apologise if this response upsets sme, but as a person coming from those parts of the World associated with where the Pilgrims came from, rather than where they finally ended up, I find myself not understanding anything at all about this question.

What on earth is a Mayflower membership? And why can a birth certificate be relevant to those intrepid souls who left these shores - since there was no such thing as a birth certificate in those days?

Comments

Hi John, Here's the Mayflower Society Website, which should give you information on the society itself and how to join. If I were to summarize it's purpose in one word, "educational." They have very "tight" standards for joining. You must prove without a shadow of a doubt that you are descended from a Mayflower passenger. It's a pretty big deal in some circles to be able to join. I am a member.

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Hello Anne

Thanks for the response, most enlightening. I shall not be requesting membership myself, for the good reason that I have no connections with the Mayflower or the other vessels. I was just curious because this is not the first time I have seen queries about it, but clearly they are written on the assumption that those of us out here will know what the society is.

As it happens I lived for four years near Gainsborough, where many of the Pilgrims gathered and held meetings prior to the expedition. I lived in Southampton for eight years, from whose West Quay, the Mayflower first set sail (and at which there is a Mayflower monument (perhaps erected by the Mayflower Society?). I also lived and worked for many years in or around the Port of London, where the ships were initially provisioned before the trip around to Southampton and later Plymouth.

So mine are merely geographical connections with the Mayflower and nothing to do with my family history. My paternal line comes from Wiltshire, so I guess we are looking for connections with the builders of Stonehenge and Avebury?

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Or King Henry.

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Well I do have quite a few relatives buried in Burbage and Grafton churchyards, and Wolf Hall is close by, but Henry?

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The reference to Henry is anecdotal. I could have used any one considered to be of significant historical importance.

Answer 2

I am currently applying for membership for the Mayflower Society. Your question sounds like you had not applied yet, so I would suggest you at least start the process. In my state chapter (California) it has worked like this so far. I filled out a worksheet sent it in, and waited about a month and a half for a response. Then I got the preliminary membership application, sent it in and waited about a month. Then I got  final application last week, and am filling it out now. I need only six vitals to document my line, and I they gave me a year to get them, but will extend the application time if I show I am working on it. So in your case, if you have to wait five months for a vital, you would still have time to complete the process for membership and receive the document you need. It seems to me, the Society is aware of some of the long wait times for documents and accommodates that time for the membership process. If you know your line is solid, apply now and gather your documents while you are waiting. Good luck!

Answer 3

In my family I found a hand written marriage certificate that I needed for my application. It was written by the minister. Iit is worth checking with relatives to see if they have any family papers. In the absence of a certificate try to get a baptismal certificate. Often there are church records you can find. I also looked for wills and probates and obits. In Canada every province has some sort of Archives. They are helpful too. Here in Alberta you can also find records of homesteads. Keep a record of where you search and what you find. If you have enough other circumstantial evidence the person working with you on your application may approve it anyway. The point is to show you have done good research.

Comments

Is it unusual for a volunteer who's assisting with your initial Mayflower application to say, 'you may have to hire a genealogist?' There is an early 1800s marriage in the line that I haven't been able to get a certificate or even date.  I have documented references in published genealogies saying they were married, census showing them living together, and a marriage record for one of their children naming them as mother and father.  The place and date of the marriage isn't available.  Hiring a genealogist to search for an item that may not exist seems chancy.  Is it necessary or are there other alternatives?  --the remainder of the line is thoroughly documented.