The Evolution of Hereditary Organizations and Lineage Societies in the United States: Why They Formed, How They Are Perceived, and Their Contributions to Historical and Genealogical Research.

This study concerns the perceptions of heritage organizations and lineage societies and the reliability of the genealogy research for those groups. As part of this research, I am conducting a survey plus additional oral history interviews with people involved with these organizations and persons who are not. The study aims to inform a Ph.D. project on insight into perceptions of these organizations, if they contribute to historical preservation or knowledge, and the reliability of genealogical research used for membership.