On the 252nd anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, which is dedicated to accurately interpreting a pivotal period in American history (1773-1775), in partnership with American Ancestors, the nation’s first and leading center for family history research, unveiled the first-ever officially vetted list of Boston Tea Party participants. This historic achievement marked a major milestone in the study of Revolutionary-era America.
A new plaque bearing the fully vetted names of these brave Patriots was revealed at the museum and placed on permanent display, honoring the individuals who took part in one of the most iconic protests in American history.
A Historic First
“This legacy project, which began during the Boston Tea Party’s 250th anniversary in 2023, honors the Boston Tea Party participants as we approach America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Until now, no comprehensive genealogical project has fully vetted the participants of the Boston Tea Party specifically,” said Shawn P. Ford, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum executive director. “In Boston, and at our museum, ‘the single most important event leading up to the American Revolution’ is celebrated every day. This vetted list and new plaque permanently memorialize the courageous individuals who risked everything for the cause of liberty.”
Because many participants swore an oath of secrecy, compiling a complete list has remained elusive for generations. The newly vetted list represents the most thoroughly researched and well-documented roster to date, utilizing modern genealogical standards to evaluate Revolutionary-era evidence.
The list is organized into two categories:
- Boston Tea Party participants — Men who were present aboard the ships, destroying tea on Dec. 16, 1773
- Eyewitnesses to history — Individuals who were not aboard the ships but have documented family connections to participating in or witnessing the event
The new memorial plaque features names from both categories.
“History is personal,” said Ryan J. Woods, American Ancestors president and CEO. “The Boston Tea Party participants and planners put themselves at great risk for their principles, and in doing so, they helped light the spark that ignited the Revolution. Their descendants honor their legacy by acknowledging the pivotal role their ancestors played in shaping the American experience. These discoveries remind us that we are all descended from people whose everyday actions shaped history and created the world we live in today.”
The Boston Tea Party Descendants Program
The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museums has also partnered with American Ancestors to create The Boston Tea Party Descendants Program, the first-ever digital archive and collaborative research platform dedicated to exploring the history of Boston Tea Party participants and their descendants.
Originally launched in March 2023, the program has been newly updated with additional research, genealogical profiles, and biographies for vetted and confirmed Boston Tea Party participants. Membership options vary based on qualifying ancestry and include Lineage Member, Eyewitness to History Member, and Co-Conspirator tiers.
Lineage Member and Eyewitness to History applications require genealogical documentation and are vetted by professional genealogists from American Ancestors. The Co-Conspirator tier is open to anyone interested in supporting the program, exploring the broader history of The Boston Tea Party, and receiving the program’s quarterly newsletter.
The program invites anyone with a documented family connection to a Tea Party participant to join this membership-based lineage society, with all research validated by experts at America’s oldest and largest genealogical organization. The Boston Tea Party Descendants Program seeks to build, preserve, and honor the legacy of those who participated in or witnessed the “single most important event leading up to the American Revolution.”
Membership Information
The initial application fee for The Boston Tea Party Descendants Program is $400, which includes processing, genealogical vetting, and — new this year — the first year of membership is included in the application fee.
Depending on the qualifying ancestor, accepted applicants may join one of the following tiers:
- Lineage Member: Descendants of verified Boston Tea Party participants; the Loyal Nine; Boston Sons of Liberty; North End Caucus; St. Andrew’s Lodge; ship guard volunteers; or signers of the November 1773 petitions to town selectmen. Annual fee is $125.
- Eyewitness to History Member: Descendants of documented inhabitants of Boston in 1773 or eyewitnesses to the Boston Tea Party. Annual fee is $100.
- Co-Conspirator Member: Open to researchers, educators, and members of the public who wish to support the program. No application fee required. Annual fee is $75.
Applications may be submitted at https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/boston-tea-party-descendants. The vetting and approval process typically takes six-eight weeks.
