Membership Application Form Instructions

The following instructions are intended to assist in the completion of the application form for membership in the Huguenot Society of Maryland.

1. Read carefully and understand all instructions fully before proceeding with your application.
2. Your completed application must be submitted on acid-free 8½ inch by 11 inch paper and must be accompanied by proofs (copies of supporting documentation).
3. Your application form must include the complete information for both individuals (i.e., husband and wife) for each generation and documented proofs for each generation must be included with it.
4. All dates are to be written as day, month and year, such as 16 Dec 1999. All entries must be complete with dates, names and places for all individuals whenever possible (see #6 and #12 below for a further explanation).
5. If dates cannot be proven, leave them blank or use words such as “circa” or “about”, but please do not make any other comments on the application.
6. Proofs must be provided for both husband and wife for each and every generation. If a record is not available, explain why not on a separate sheet of paper and include it with your application.
7. Primary Sources: Copies of wills or other court documents and vital records must be identified as to the original source (i.e. the origin of the original record must be identified). When obituaries are used as proof of lineage, include the name of the newspaper and date of publication which is on its masthead. Photocopies of Bible records should include the title page, publisher, etc. Information off the internet, unless it is a copy of an original record (like the image of an actual census page), will not be accepted.
8. Secondary Sources: Undocumented family histories and other sources which are not properly referenced to primary sources are not acceptable. Copies of any pages from books and CD’s must include the title pages.
9. Application papers for other hereditary societies are not acceptable as proofs. All lineages must be through blood line and not through adoption.
10. Under “Proofs” following each generation on the application form, spell everything out when referring to sources. Do not abbreviate anything.
11. Each proof or document is to be marked in the upper right corner with the generation number to which it pertains on the application form.
12. Births, deaths and marriages must be proven with photocopies of the original documents for the first three generations. If such cannot be obtained, a written statement why not must be provided on a separate sheet of paper.
13. It is your responsibility as the applicant to provide acceptable proof of your lineage. It is not the responsibility of the Registrar to obtain it for you.
14. Sign your application and have your proposer and seconder sign it. Then send it with your documentation (proofs) and a $50.00 check payable to “The Huguenot Society of Maryland” to the Registrar. If your application is not approved, you shall become entitled to a $25.00 refund from the Society.
15. Please do not send anything by Registered Mail or UPS or FEDEX that requires a signature. If you have any questions, contact the Registrar:
    Henry C. Peden, Jr., Registrar
    The Huguenot Society of Maryland
    707 Bedford Road
    Bel Air, MD 21014-4424
    e-mail: pedenroots@msn.com
    telephone: (410) 879-8717