Society of Descendants of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem
The Society of Descendants of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Augustan Society, Inc. Online data is here.
Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications:
- Descend from an individual who lived or fought in in the Holy Land during the Crusades or during the existence of the various Latin Kingdoms of the Holy Land;
- Belong to an Order of Chivalry which fought in the Holy Land, or to a legally descended Order; or
- Have made a personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
This society was founded in 1967 to further interest in, and show the contributions of, the Latin (Christian) Kingdom of Jerusalem as it existed during the period of the Great Crusades. It was believed by those founding this society that sufficient information was being distributed in the daily press, on television, radio, etc. for the Jewish and Arab positions in the Holy Land.
It was further believed that the Latin (Christian) contributions were being over-shadowed by the incessant warfare of the present contenders for this historical area of the Near East, and that by the presentation of articles, the furtherance of research, and the publication of materials concerning the Latin (Christian) Kingdom of Jerusalem, a new point of view may be obtained.
The society is governed by a Dean, appointed by and answerable to the President of the Augustan Society.
Membership in the society is open to those who meet the following qualifications for each class of membership:
- Outremer Member — Must prove descent from an ancestor who resided or fought in the Holy Land during the Crusades or during the existence of the various Latin Kingdoms of the Holy Land. Because Outremer membership is based on descent it is important that the genealogical proofs submitted be as authoritative and clear in presentation as possible. It is preferred that lineages be submitted as GED files, but other formats are also accepted. Petitioners may submit more than one line of descent; however, for each additional line an additional genealogist's fee must be paid.
- Crusader Member — Must belong to an Order of knighthood having fought in the Crusades in the Holy Land, or being the legal successors of such Orders. A list of those orders recognized to date is here.
- Pilgrim Member— Must submit documentation showing evidence of a religious pilgrimage to Jerusalem, or to the one of the countries of the Holy Land or of the Latin Kingdom (e.g.: Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Cyprus, or Turkey). There is no fixed description of the evidence, each case being reviewed individually.
 | The arms of the SDLKJ is an inescutcheon of the Kingdom of Jerusalem upon the shield of The Augustan Society, as shown to the left. |
 | The insignia of the Society of Descendants of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem is a lapel pin bearing the arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem (Argent a cross-crosslet Or), as shown to the right . This may be worn on the left lapel. Augustan Society members may wear the pin on the ribbon of the Medal of Membership when appropriate. |
All members, in whichever category, must submit the entry fee, and will receive the certificate of membership and the insignia of the Society. Members may belong to more than one class.
The entry fee is $100 for any number of classes at once; $50 for adding classes later; plus a genealogist's fee of $5/generation for each lineage submitted, including corrections and extensions. No fees need attach for lineages or portions of lineages already recognized by The Augustan Society, and a credit will be issued for any such duplication.
