Legacy in Leadership: The Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America

In the landscape of American lineage societies, few organizations hold such direct ties to the nation’s executive leadership as the Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America (HOFPLFA). This unique society recognizes and brings together individuals with familial connections to the highest offices in the land—those of the President and First Lady of the United States.

Formed in the spirit of preserving national heritage and honoring family legacies, HOFPLFA reflects a distinctive corner of American genealogy—one where personal ancestry meets public history.

Origins and Founding

The Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America was founded in 2003. It was created by members of the broader hereditary and patriotic community who saw a need to formally recognize and preserve the legacies of families who have occupied the White House or were connected to it by blood or marriage.

The society was organized to:

“Recognize the genealogical and historical connections to Presidents and First Ladies of the United States, and to promote the study, preservation, and respect for their families and contributions to American history.”

Headquartered in the United States, the society accepts members nationally and internationally, many of whom are descendants of U.S. presidents, their spouses, or closely related family members (such as siblings, children, or cousins).

Purpose and Mission

The mission of HOFPLFA is multifaceted, rooted in history, genealogy, and education. Its stated goals include:

Documenting and preserving genealogical lines connected to U.S. Presidents and First Ladies.
Encouraging public education about presidential family history and American executive heritage.
Fostering fellowship among descendants and researchers.
Supporting historical preservation projects, particularly those involving presidential homes, libraries, and artifacts.
Commemorating anniversaries and milestones associated with Presidents and First Ladies.

In doing so, the society not only helps maintain the genealogical integrity of presidential lineages but also contributes to broader conversations about American identity and leadership.

Membership and Eligibility

Membership in the Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America is by invitation or application and is open to:

Lineal or collateral descendants of any individual who served as President or First Lady of the United States,
Individuals related by blood, marriage, or legal adoption to a President or First Lady,
Members of families that intermarried with presidential lines (including cousins, nieces/nephews, and in-laws).

Applicants must provide genealogical documentation supporting their relationship to a President or First Lady, including:

Vital records (birth, marriage, death),
Census records,
Wills and probate records,
Published genealogies, biographies, or family histories,
Presidential library or archival material.

Membership is extended with care and may require review by a genealogical committee to ensure accuracy and integrity.

Notable Presidential Lineages

Many U.S. Presidents came from distinguished or traceable families, often with deep colonial American or European roots. For example:

George Washington had ties to the Washington and Ball families of Virginia.
Thomas Jefferson was related to the Randolph family of Virginia.
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt shared Dutch colonial ancestry and belonged to New York’s elite.
John Adams and John Quincy Adams were father and son, both with notable ties to Massachusetts Bay colonists.
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady and fifth cousin to Franklin D. Roosevelt, was also a descendant of early New York families.

These genealogies form the backbone of much of the society’s work, offering a window into how leadership, family, and heritage intersect in American history.

Activities and Outreach

Although relatively young, the Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America has taken steps to:

Participate in historical commemorations at presidential birthplaces and burial sites,
Collaborate with historical societies, such as the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association or the Adams National Historical Park,
Offer genealogical assistance and educational resources,
Recognize and promote the achievements of presidential descendants, many of whom have played influential roles in American civic life.

The society’s members contribute to research efforts, museum exhibitions, and digital archives that document presidential family history.

Conclusion

The Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America provides a unique and deeply meaningful connection to the highest offices in American history. By celebrating and safeguarding the genealogical and historical ties to Presidents and First Ladies, the society not only honors family legacy but also helps ensure that the human stories behind the White House continue to educate, inspire, and inform.

Whether you descend from one of America’s Founding Fathers or are connected by kinship to a more modern President, this society offers a home for those whose personal heritage intersects with the public story of American leadership.