From the world-renowned genealogist Gary Boyd Roberts—Senior Research Scholar Emeritus of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and the acclaimed author of Ancestors of American Presidents and The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants—comes a new groundbreaking work: The Mayflower 500. Published to commemorate the Pilgrim Quadricentennial in 2020, Roberts's book stands as a testament to the widespread, diverse, accomplished, and sometimes surprising progeny of the Mayflower Pilgrims and a fascinating look into the genealogical evolution of America over four centuries.

The Mayflower 500 outlines the Mayflower descents of 585 figures in American history or contemporary life. Included are political, literary, or artistic figures; actors, actresses, or musicians; inventors; military officers; explorers; business leaders; scientists; social scientists; college presidents and religious notables; athletes; and even two circus performers. A first appendix covers 50 more figures descended from brothers of John Howland or Gov. Edward Winslow, and a third appendix covers Mayflower descents of current staff, and living officers, Trustees, or Councilors of NEHGS.

This pioneering work is the first extensive treatment of famed Mayflower descendants. It will allow all Americans with Mayflower lines, possibly as many as 35 million, to identify cousins (a few to several hundred) often admired, read, or studied. Readers may find ancestors whose Mayflower lines are a surprise, plus numerous shared surnames. Documentation is largely through printed sources, plus for recent generations, a wide variety of Internet items.