Those persons, male or female of the age of 18 years or more, who can prove a blood relationship to a Signer within the second degree of kinship.

For a preliminary application and informational materials, contact :

An applicant must furnish proof of his or her blood relationship within the second degree of kinship to a Signer of the Bush Declaration on March 22, 1775. By way of explanation see the following:

Direct descent is self-explanatory. The applicant is lineally (directly) descended from the Signer.

Collateral descent (or 1^st degree of kinship) means the applicant’s ancestor and the Signer have the same parents.

Consanguine relation (or 2^nd degree of kinship) means the applicant’s ancestor and the Signer have same grandparents.

Should you have any questions about the genealogical issues in the HOSBD please direct them to the Genealogist General: