Once the preliminary application is returned, the Historian will review it for lineage viability before additional research begins. Our Historians will work with and guide you through the process to ensure you have all the required documentation. The State Historian will type a formal application and document the first 5 generations and the birth of the 6th and let the applicant know what else is required and where to get this documentation. Generally speaking, if a certificate of birth, marriage, or death is available GSMD will require the applicant to write for it. Most states, counties, and municipalities will issue only certified copies, but an applicant can order an uncertified copy in those cases where a less expensive uncertified copy is available. Please refer to the CDC website and click on the Vital Records link to access details of where to request certificates and the date these records started being filed. Secondary documentation such as published books, census records, etc. may be used when primary documentation is not available. Please note that the GSMD now requires full documentation for all of the last three generations (yourself, your parents, and your grandparents) including spouses as well as line carriers. Specifically, this means that the General Society requires all marriages and divorces for both line carriers and spouses on all three generations.

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