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Wednesday, November 27, 1996

THANKSGIVING:

Holiday celebration special for descendants of PilgrimsBy Toni Dimayuga

Daily Bruin Contributor

A highly anticipated holiday for many Americans, Thanksgiving means more than turkey and a four-day weekend for some people.

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of California ­ as the name implies ­ is composed of members whose ancestry traces back to passengers on the Mayflower in 1620, said Pat Ansite, state education and public relations chairman of the society.

The organization began in 1897, when a small group met in Plymouth, Mass., to record their ancestry and establish The General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Since then, individual states have established their own chapters.

Approximately 25 million people can trace their genealogy back to one of the 26 families who celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621, yet only 25,000 people have documented their ancestry. In California alone there are 16 "colonies," with 200 members in the Los Angeles area, Ansite explained.

To be eligible for society membership, one must provide sufficient evidence of his or her line of descent, such as birth and marriage certificates, wills and census records.

Ansite explained that each colony holds four meetings a year, and each state holds one meeting a year. In addition, every three years, delegates from each colony flock to Plymouth to attend the Mayflower Congress, a major gathering of the entire society.

The meetings usually consist of programs dealing with early American history and includes a reading of the Mayflower Compact, the governing contract drawn by the settlers. The November meetings are different; since it is Thanksgiving month, the Compact is the topic of discussion.

Not a very publicized organization, those who are aware of the society are usually people who already know their roots or those with an interest in history or genealogy.

A magazine photograph of a monument dedicated to her ancestor, Elder William Brewster, motivated Ansite to join the Society.

"After seeing this article that prompted me on getting my papers ready for the society," Ansite said.

Some members of the society have always been aware of their Mayflower origins. Besides Ansite, Los Angeles "Colony Governor" Don Johnson said he had known since childhood.

A UCLA alumnus, Johnson discovered the society at a genealogical convention hosted by the Southern California Genealogical Society.

Johnson said that he decided to join the society because he believed, "it's important to document (ancestry) not only for myself, but for my relatives."

As Ansite pointed out, there are thousands of people still unaware of their Pilgrim origins. Three years ago, Bonnie Whitley's husband Edgar discovered her ancestry through his hobby of genealogy.

Edgar Whitley, through his detective work on the computer, found his wife was related to Thomas Cushman, the husband of Mary Allerton Cushman, the last of the original Mayflower passengers to die.

The revelation caused quite a stir in the Whitley clan.

"Everybody in the family was thunderstruck ... it came as a real surprise and shock," Edgar Whitley recalled.

For Bonnie Whitley, inspiring her grandchildren's love of history was the best part about unveiling her heritage.

"The young ones were very happy and excited. ... It's really very nice because they're learning about their history," Bonnie Whitley said.

Being a Mayflower descendant holds very special meanings for Ansite, Johnson and the Whitleys, especially during Thanksgiving. For example, the Whitleys read the Mayflower Compact during Thanksgiving dinner.

"It's gratifying and interesting from a historical standpoint," Bonnie Whitley said.

Johnson said he feels a sense of respect for his ancestors; however, he emphasized his celebration of Thanksgiving is not unique as a Mayflower descendant.

"Thanksgiving means something to all people. It dates back to the pilgrims but it relates to everyone," he said.

Ansite explained her ancestry leads her to reflect on the trials and tribulations endured by the Pilgrims.

"It causes me to appreciate not only my heritage but my country," she said.

She added that every Thanksgiving dinner her family tells a story of how a three-year drought in the original colony led to strict food rations of five kernels of corn per person per day.

"It causes you to realize that someone paid a price."