Welcome to the official web site for the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Utah. This society is a nonprofit hereditary organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of our Mayflower ancestors through genealogical and historical research, commemorative activities, and educational outreach. In the spirit of the brave souls who sailed the Mayflower to the shores of Plymouth in 1620, the society celebrates the ideals of democracy and religious freedom that brought the Pilgrims to this land. The Utah Mayflower Society was founded in 1948. The Utah Mayflower Society is an official state society of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Utah Society Held its Spring Banquet on May 2, 2025
The Utah Society met for its Spring 2025 Banquet on Friday, May 2nd at the Sons of Utah Pioneers National
Headquarters. The view of the Wasatch Mountains provided a beautiful backdrop for the meeting, and a
painting of the Pilgrims was on display for all to see. One special highlight of Utah Society business was
honoring Past Governor Susan McEvoy for her many years of service. As a gesture of appreciation, she
was presented with a certificate and brooch. In other business, Assistant General Jill Dewsnup shared
news of the upcoming General Board of Assistants Meeting in San Antonio. Historian Kevan Barton will
be stepping down in November, and Dan Newbold will serve as a Co-Historian for the next six months as
he receives training. Acting Governor Vicky Dewsnup then informed all members present that the Society
is looking for volunteers to serve on a Nominating Committee and prepare a slate of nominees to fill some
Board offices at the November meeting. The Utah Society also thanked Clair Hopkins for his service as
Elder, and Jay Ashworth was asked to serve as Acting Elder until the November election. Next, Deputy
Governor General Thomas Portlock reported on RootsTech 2025. He reported that there were many
interested prospective members who stopped by the Mayflower Society booth. Visitors were warmly
greeted by representatives from GSMD and the Utah Society.
At the banquet, a new addition to the Utah Society’s Pilgrims to Pioneers initiative was unveiled. A
specially designed certificate is now available for purchase on the Utah Society website. The certificate
includes your Mayflower Passenger and Pioneer ancestor names, GSMD member number, and Utah
Society member number. It is a beautiful way to honor both your Pilgrim and Pioneer heritage!
~Contributed by Utah DGG Thomas Portlock
Pictured from left to right: Assistant General Jill Dewsnup, Past Utah
Society Governor Susan McEvoy, and Deputy Governor General Thomas
Portlock pose next to the Utah Society Charter.
Utah Society Members enjoying the Spring Banquet
Report on the Utah Society Fall 2024 Banquet
| The Utah Society met for its Fall 2024 Banquet at the Wheelhouse Restaurant at Gardner Village in West Jordan, Utah on Nov 8th. We had a wonderful dinner in a quaint setting. After conducting Society business and presenting new members with their certificates, the program was enjoyed by over 71 society members. We were enlightened by Society members who gave stories of our passenger ancestors. We need to hear more. This past year the Utah society celebrated our “Pilgrims to Pioneers” initiative which included our past pilgrim ancestors’ descendants who crossed the plains as Pioneers before 1869 when the Transcontinental Railroad was completed. We also included lapel pins, medallions, challenge coins, and mugs for sale with a newly created design. There will be special certificates available as well. Fellow Mayflower Cousins had an enjoyable evening and look forward to meeting at the next banquet in May at the Sons of Utah Pioneers Headquarters. Thank you for your attendance and best wishes for a beautiful and joyous Christmas and Happy New Year. |
Utah Society of Mayflower Descendants Spring 2024 Banquet
The Utah Society met for its Spring 2024 Banquet at the Sons of Utah Pioneers Headquarters on May 3rd. After conducting Society business and presenting new members with their certificates, there was an interesting “Pilgrims to Pioneers” presentation given by Dr. Brian Cannon of Brigham Young University. His presentation focused on the life stories of selected 19th century descendants of our Pilgrim ancestors after they migrated to the Western frontier.
To celebrate this initiative, the Utah Society offered lapel pins, medallions, challenge coins, and mugs for sale with a newly created design.
There is much told about the migration west, the journeys across the plains and mountains to the Great Basin, and the causes of that massive movement out of the United States. Our story for the evening is not to repeat those stories, but to reveal the account of the historical settlement of the Great Basin and the even larger Latter-Day-Saint (LDS) area of colonization – from Mexico to southern Canada. While our pilgrim ancestors never came west, their descendants did! Many of these, our ancestors, didn’t end their travels upon arrival in what was to become the Utah Territory! What happened to them? A great many continued for many miles as part of the planned and organized settlement of the Great Basin. No where in American history was there such an ordered methodology employed in the settlement of land. What was that methodology, how was it decided where to send a group of folks, what were the requirements – skills, numbers, demographics, how long did they have to stay in place? Where did our Pilgrim descendants settle? What other Pilgrim descendants came west and became part of the story? Miners, soldiers guarding the Mormon trail at Fort Laramie…. The stories are fascinating and its time their tales are told.