Welcome to the Boston Tea Party Descendants^® Program

Below you will find a list of member tiers and benefits, and all the materials you will need to apply to the program, as well as a manual with information about the proper documentation to submit, and where to submit it. Please read this page, and the manual in its entirety before sending your application materials.

Once you have downloaded your materials, please click here (insert hyperlink to Memberful) to pay your application fee. The fee for applying to the program is $250 which includes processing and vetting by genealogists at the American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS). Founded in 1845, NEHGS is the country’s leading resource for historical family research. The process for acceptance and vetting of application materials and lineage items will take at least 6-8 weeks. During this time, we may contact you if more information is needed from the genealogists before a determination is made. You can find more information about hiring genealogists for additional work in the Application Manual downloadable PDF at the bottom of this page. Upon acceptance to the program, you will receive an email from administrators with next steps, and should expect your welcome package in the mail.

When sending your materials, there are two options (please do not mail original documents unless arranged prior to sending, only send copies):

1. Mail hard copies of all application materials and documents to:
Boston Tea Party Descendants Program®
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum®
306 Congress St.
Boston, MA 02210

2. Email digital scans of all application materials and documents to descendants@bostonteapartyships.com


If you are accepted to the program, member tiers and benefits are categorized as follows:

The Boston Tea Party Descendants® Program aims to offer a genealogical application process to descendants of participants in the Boston Tea Party, through a vetted application process filtered through the American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) that will lead to a yearly membership status that will offer the following (final membership prices pending):

For those in the Lineage Member category:
NEHGS defines this field as anyone who is a descendant with documented lineage to any of the following groups:
Boston Tea Party Participants, Loyal Nine, Boston Sons of Liberty, North End Caucus, St. Andrew’s Lodge, Ship guard volunteers, Signers of November 1773 petitions to town selectmen
$250 application fee/$125 annually for members will include:

Access to genealogical resources via the Boston Tea Party Descendant website, vetted lineage information from NEHGS, Coupon code to sign up for American Ancestors (upon acceptance) with access to NEHGS online portal etc., Complimentary copy of Defiance of the Patriots by Benjamin Carp upon sign up, Complimentary packet of 5 teas in Robinson Tea Chest upon sign-up, 15% discount to the museum/gift shop/tea room, Commemorative pin, 15% discount on merchandise specific to descendants program, Decorative Membership Certificate and wallet card (used for in-person discounts), Access to webinars, members-only events, other public events, quarterly newsletters, and special content throughout the year.

For those in the Eyewitness to History category:
NEHGS defines this field as descendants with documented lineages to the following groups:
Inhabitants of Boston in 1773, Eyewitnesses to history (family lore etc.)
$250 application fee/$100 annually for associate members will include: Access to genealogical resources via Quartex, vetted lineage information from NEHGS, Coupon code to sign up for American Ancestors, with access to NEHGS online portal etc., 10% discount to the museum/gift shop/tea room, Commemorative pin, 10% discount on merchandise specific to descendants program, Decorative Membership Certificate and wallet card (used for in-person discounts), Access to webinars, members-only events, other public events, quarterly newsletters, and special content throughout the year.

For those in the Co-Conspirators category:
A yearly fee for researchers, educators, or the general public that would like to support the program, with access to the Boston Tea Party Descendants landing website, as well as the following:
10% discount to the museum/gift shop/tea room, Commemorative pin, 10% discount on merchandise specific to descendants program, Decorative Membership Certificate and wallet card (used for in-person discounts), Access to webinars, members-only events, other public events, quarterly newsletters, and special content throughout the year. $75 annually.