Posted on: Sep 13, 2024
The Canadian Society of Mayflower Descendants (CSMD) marked its 44th anniversary on September 13, 2024.
It was established in 1980 when it became the first Mayflower Member Society of the
General Society of Mayflower Descendants to be formed outside the United States.
Article II of our Constitution sets out our Society’s objectives.
The formation of our Society was largely due to the efforts of our first Governor,
Reverend James S. McGivern, SJ. CSMD received its Charter on September 13, 1980, with 29 charter members.
The General Society of Mayflower Descendants was formed in 1897 and in addition to Canada, has
Member Societies in every American state and the District of Columbia. In 2016, the Society of
Mayflower Descendants in Europe was established.
In 2005, the Canadian Society celebrated its 25th anniversary with 60 members
and friends on a three-day trip to Plymouth, Mass. During this trip we planted a tree with a memorial
stone in the garden of the Mayflower Society House in Plymouth. The stone remembers our founder,
Father James McGivern. The same year we published a beautiful hard cover account of our first 25 year history.
The Society Charter was presented by General Society of Mayflower Descendants Governor General, Frederick Low
on October 18, 1980 and the first Annual Compact Meeting and Dinner was held on November 21, 1981.