National Society Daughters of the American Colonists
Oregon State Society
Membership Eligibility
Any woman who is a citizen of the United States of America, is of good moral character, and has attained her eighteenth year, shall be eligible to membership, provided that she shall be acceptable to the Society and shall meet each of the following requirements:
1. Lineal descent: The applicant shall be a lineal descendant from those men and women who were actual
residents of America when it was under foreign government as colonies and who served prior to July 4, 1776 in
any of the twenty-six categories listed below.
2. Proof of eligibility: The applicant shall submit evidence of lineal descent. Legal adoption shall not qualify for
lineal descent. Adoptees who can prove valid lineal proof through their biological parents is acceptable.
References submitted shall be independent of any other lineage society.
3. Allegiance to the United States of America: The applicant shall not be pledged to, or advocate by force of
violence, the overthrow of the government of the United States of America or that of any state or territory therein,
or be guilty of treasonable practices. This Society shall have the right to expel from its membership any person
for any of these causes; any questions arising under this proviso shall be determined by the Society.
Classes of Membership
There are two classes of membershiip within the Society, Active Members and Members with Restricted Privileges. Active Members may attend the General Assembly and the State Assembly.
Golden Acorn members are those who join the Society from the age of 18 through the age of 35. They remain
Golden Acorns until their 45th birthday. These members have the privilege of serving as Pages at State and
General Assemblies. Benefiting American Indians has always been the special project of the Golden Acorns
Committee.
Members with restricted privileges are not eligible to be delegates or alternatives at the General Assemblies or State Assemblies; to hold a national, state or chapter office; nor serve on a national or state committee. However, she may attend either the General Assembly or State Assembly.
Members-at-large are members who, after one full year of membership has been fulfilled within a chapter, request a transfer to membership-at-large.
Members-in-abeyance are new members who are in the process of organizing or reorganizing a chapter. They
shall be called "Organizing Members" upon confirmation of the chapter.
Associate Members are current active members who have been invited to join a second chapter and elected in
the same manner as a new member. Associate members are responsible for any local dues required by the
second chapter. No associate member shall have the right to vote, to hold office, or to represent the second
chapter as a delegate of alternate at any General or State Assembly.
Ancestor Service Categories
The 26 categories of acceptable service are:
1. In battle under colonial authority.
2. Under the banner of Great Britain in North America in any of the wars in which the colonies participated.
3. All military and naval service of the colonies (Proof must establish that such service was rendered prior to July 4,
1776.
4. Furnished troops or funds (Proof of payment of tax assessments is not acceptable service).
5. Filled office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Deputy Governor.
6. Member or Delegate to Council or Assembly.
7. Member of House of Burgesses.
8. Deputy or Representative to the General Court.
9. Commissioner of the United Colonies, of Boundaries or Treaties, of Import or Excise, the the French or Indians.
10. Secretary, Magistrate, Selectman, Justice, Judge of any Court of Law or Equity, Attorney, Advocate, Solicitor,
Juryman, Sheriff, Constable, or other forms of civil service.
11. Founder or Trustee of any College in North American founded prior to 1775.
12. Minister of the Gospel or Commissary of the Bishops of London (Proof must be submitted that the ministry was
entered prior to July 4, 1776).
13. Member of the Committee of Safety of the Continental Congress, 1774 and 1775.
14. Member of the Council of Safety of 1689.
15. Signer of the Mayflower Compact.
16. Speaker of sician or Surgeonthe House of Deputies.
17. Physician or Surgeon (Proof must establish ancestor as practicing prior to July 4, 1776).
18. Member of the Provincial Congress.
19. Signer of the Declaration of Independence (Proof must establish that the signer was elected to represent the
colonists prior to July 4, 1776.
20. Huguenot Refugee
21. Signer of teh Oath of Allegiance to Great Britain (The Oath of allegiance was taken by the Freeman in New
England, the Dutch in New Amsterdam, the Swedes in Delaware, and other early settlers. Proof must be submitted
that the oath was taken prior to July 4, 1776.)
22. Original Land Owner, not inheritor (Proof must establish that the ancestor received the land through a grant or
patent, or from the Indians; that he was actually th first colonial owner of teh specified tract of land; and that he did
not buy it or inherit it.)
23. Member of the London, Plymouth or Virginia Companies who actually came to the colonies, or the first immigrant
descendant of any member of these companies who resided in the colonies
24. Palatine Settler
25. Convenanter from Scotland who actually came to the Colonies or the first immigrant descendant of a Convenanter from Scotland.
26. Saltzburger of Georgia