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• 2026 SPRING LUNCHEON MEETING

  • When
    2 May 2026
  •  
    11:15 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Greencroft Country Club, 575 Rodes Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22903
  • Spaces left
    50

  Register

  We are delighted to announce you may register for the Spring Luncheon to be held Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Greencroft Club in Charlottesville, Va.

  Address:  
  The Greencroft Club
  575 Rodes Dr.
  Charlottesville, VA 22903

  Keynote speaker:

  • Martin W. "Marty" Beerman ~ Secretary General, General Society of Mayflower Descendants
    
    Marty is a longtime leader of the Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants and currently serves the General Society of Mayflower Descendants as Secretary General. In that role, he also chairs the Meeting and Events Committee and the New Product Committee, while serving on the Bylaws, Long-Term Planning, Personnel, and Technology Committees.
    
    An intrepid genealogical researcher, Marty is active in numerous lineage and historical organizations and is a member of more than40significant societies. He currently serves as President of The Warren Cousins. Alongside his Mayflower ancestry, he proudly claims Irish and German roots, eight American Revolutionary War Patriots, a generous population of Quakers and Palatines, and—because no good family tree is complete without them—a few scoundrels and bigamists along the way.
    
    

  The schedule of events is as follows:
  

  • 9:30 am – 11:00 am - Board of Assistants meeting – Eades Room – coffee, regular and decaf, hot tea, iced water
  • 10:30 am  –  Registration opens
  • 11:15 am – 12:00 pm – Reception:  wine/beer cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, shrimp cocktail, caprese skewers, honey chevre plum tarts.
  • 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Seated Luncheon

  Plated lunch – seasonal salad, grilled chicken breast on risotto with artichokes and charred tomatoes, seasonal cobbler.

  Vegetarian or gluten free option – baked salmon filet with mashed potatoes and broccoli or individual quiche with spinach and gruyere.
  
  If a special menu is required, please be specific about these needs and indicate on your registration form.

  Children’s menu - chicken tenders, French fries, seasonal cobbler.

  Dress code - Business attire, coat and tie for gentlemen.

  Cost (including tax and service):

  • Adult meal:   $65
  • Child’s meal: $12

  Registration Deadline:

  Registration will close on Wednesday, April 15 at 6PM. The final headcount is required by Greencroft at this time. Please complete registration before this deadline. If possible, please register online.

  If mailing a check, please mail it at least 7 days before the deadline, to allow for the check to be received and processed. The mailing address is:

  John Copenhaver, P.O.B 1038, Fredericksburg, VA 22402.

  
  

  Here is the Pilgrim Pledge that all our "cousins" read in unison at the start of each of our luncheon meetings:

  

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• VMS Speaker Series: Blaine Bettinger, Genetic Genealogy & DNA expert

  • When
    2 Aug 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    Online / Zoom
  • Spaces left
    100

  Register

  Zoom Presentation – Sunday, 2 August 2026 at 1:00 pm

   with speaker Blaine Bettinger, DNA expert

  The Virginia Mayflower Society is pleased to welcome renowned DNA expert Dr. Blaine Bettinger as our featured speaker for a special Zoom program on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET.

  Dr. Bettinger is one of the most respected voices in the field of genetic genealogy. A professional genealogist for more than two decades, he is best known as the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy and creator of the popular blog The Genetic Genealogist. His clear, accessible teaching style has helped thousands of family historians understand how DNA can break through brick walls, confirm lineages, and deepen our understanding of ancestral connections.

  

  He is also the founder of the Shared cM Project and a leader in developing tools and standards that genealogists around the world rely on today. Dr. Bettinger has spoken internationally, served on advisory boards, and continues to shape the future of DNA‑based research.

  During this special presentation, Dr. Bettinger will introduce the latest developments in genetic genealogy, explain how DNA can support Mayflower‑line research, and answer member questions.
  

  Whether you are new to DNA testing or already using it in your research, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the field’s foremost experts.

  We encourage all members—and especially those exploring their Pilgrim ancestry—to join us for this informative and engaging session.

  Please register on the Members section of the website under Events. There are limited spaces so be sure to register so you do not miss this opportunity.  The Zoom link will be sent to all those who have registered the week before the presentation. 

  Nancy Saul, Governor 
  Virginia Mayflower Society

  How to Attend:

  
  

  1.  Register here on the website now.  Capacity is capped at 100 attendees.

  
  

  2.  About 15 minutes prior to the event start, login and return to the event and select the Zoom link provided (it will be provided in your event confirmation email). 

  
  

  3.  Get comfortable with your favorite tea or beverage and enjoy the presentation.

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