How to Submit a Correction to a Mayflower Families Silver Book

 By Bonnie Wade Mucia, AG®

One of the most common questions I receive as the Silver Books Director is: How do I submit a correction or update to a Silver Book? This blog post walks you through that process in detail.

For more than 66 years, the Silver Books Project has set the standard for Mayflower scholarship. Since the publication of Volume 1 in 1975, documenting the descendants of the Mayflower passengers has remained at the heart of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants' mission. But in the decades since this ambitious project began, the field of genealogy has evolved significantly. Research standards have been refined, source accessibility has expanded, and expectations for genealogical proof are now more rigorous than ever before.

Over the years, thousands of corrections and additions have been submitted to the Silver Books—each one helping to improve the accuracy and scope of our collective history. These updates come from many sources: lineage applicants, verifying historians, genealogists studying specific families, and even researchers working on unrelated projects who happen across new evidence. Whether it's a missing child, an incorrect marriage, two people rolled into one, or a misattributed record, these discoveries play an important role in keeping the Silver Books up to date. But not every new discovery is enough to rewrite history. 

Think of it like a touchdown in football. Once the referee calls it, that decision stands—unless there is clear, indisputable evidence to overturn it. In genealogy, that level of evidence comes from adhering to the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). When someone proposes a correction to a Silver Book sketch, the burden of proof lies with the submitter. It must be more than just possible—it must be conclusive. That’s the only way the historical “call” in a Silver Book can be reversed.

To help guide researchers through this process, we’ve created a formal Silver Book Correction Procedure. This new documentation outlines exactly what’s required to submit a correction or addition for consideration. Every submission must include:

• A fully completed Correction Request Form
• A written explanation or proof argument, especially if the evidence is indirect or conflicting
• Clear source citations
• Digital copies of all supporting documents (JPEG format preferred)

Each submission is reviewed by our Silver Books corrections team. If accepted, the correction will be logged for inclusion in future updates or volumes.

This project was a collaborative effort, and I want to extend special thanks to Shellie Karol-Chik, our Silver Books Correction Coordinator, and Jennifer Zinck, CG^® our new Silver Books Editor, for their careful review and contributions in developing this procedure. Their expertise and dedication were invaluable in making this process clear, consistent, and aligned with modern genealogical standards.

Corrections matter. They strengthen the integrity of the Silver Books and ensure that our work reflects the best evidence available. We’re grateful for the community of researchers—both professional and amateur—who contribute to that effort.

www.mayflowersociety.org 

You can find the correction procedure and form here under the section “Submit a Proposed Correction/Change to a Silver Book” where can you download the form and requirements:

 If you have questions or aren’t sure if your information qualifies, we encourage you to review the documents carefully or reach out to sbcorrections@themayflowersociety.org before submitting.