Welcome to SMDPA

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (SMDPA) was organized in 1896 by two Philadelphians, Francis Olcott Allen and Edward Clinton Lee, who were members of the New York Society. The charter was issued on 14 October 1896.

Although its governing Board of Assistants has been based historically in the Greater Philadelphia area, the Society has two Colonies. The Susquehanna Colony is located in Central Pennsylvania in the greater Harrisburg area and the Western Colony is located in Western Pennsylvania in the greater Pittsburgh area. Members are invited to participate in the State and Colony levels or merely through our award-winning quarterly newsletter, The Pennsylvania Mayflower.

From the Governor's Desk - 10/17/2020

Four hundred years ago today, our ancestors were more than half way to the new country as pilgrims. Crowded quarters and seasickness were the first of many challenges ahead.

As fall enters Pennsylvania, leaves show bright color as they dance through the wind. To date, all 2020 events have been canceled due to the virus.

The General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) recently met virtually using Zoom on June 20^th. A virtual Congress was held September 26^th lasting over 7 hours.   The resolution to increase fees from $15 per member to $35 as costs to maintain services was approved. This is a catch up as fees have remained the same for many years.

Our current yearly membership rate is $40 per adult member of which we pay GSMD $15 and have paid our two colonies, historically $10 per member. The expenses of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Pennsylvania (SMDPA), are paid for from the residual and earnings from our market funds. Previous BOAs made wise decisions over the decades to insure we are in a solid financial position, regardless of what GSMD decides on fees. It is our intention to ramp up the increases slowly.

I have personally contacted the new Governor General, Jane Hurt to advocate for a capital expense budget focusing on technology to streamline our processes. This is something only the GSMD can do as the cost upfront would be significant, but the saving and capacity increase, promise to be more than offsetting. Reaching our younger potential members with “APPS” is a game changer for communication in ways that are modern and expected. The data bases we use can also be moved to searchable formats removing some of the clutter in the Historian’s application processes.  

Our historians have been hard at work adding over 53 new members, and over 100 more are in process! May I wish the warmest of welcomes to all!

As we hoped to celebrate the landing this year, we expect to celebrate the first Thanksgiving in 2021 and I look forward to seeing everyone in person at one of our events.

Our newsletter is on the way with plenty of interesting articles and sporting the freshly minted Mayflower USPS stamps. It costs a little more but will arrive quicker and will provide a small keepsake in the stamps.

We have a very talented team of leaders volunteering thousands of hours yearly. You are welcome to join in the 400-year celebration of the landing and first Thanksgiving next year.

Thank you for your membership, our BOA is striving to give you value in a year that is so unusual.

May God bless you and your family, keeping all healthy and in faith during this very unique time!

Respectfully,

Reed Kneale

Governor SMDPA, [email protected]