Pioneer Certificates
PURPOSE
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To honor the pioneers, early residents, and families with Muskegon County roots.
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To encourage interest in genealogical research (a valuable source of information to your family).
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To add to the history of Muskegon County.
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To encourage higher standards of genealogical documentation.
ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for a Pioneer Certificate, the person must be directly descended (bloodline only) from an ancestor who resided in Muskegon County, State of Michigan, by and within the following years: “Pioneer” category (1859 thru 1894)
APPLICANTS MUST PROVE TWO THINGS:
(1) They are a direct descendent (bloodline only) of the Pioneer ancestor.
(2) The Pioneer ancestor settled in Muskegon County by the years listed above.
Applicants do not need to be residents of Muskegon County or members of the Muskegon County Genealogical Society. You may do the research yourself, enlist the services of the Muskegon County Genealogical Society or hire a professional genealogist to prepare your paperwork and proof documents.
FEE
$25.00 for each pioneer that you apply for (non-refundable), payable to MCGS. Check or money order only.
$10.00 (for non-members) to receive a digital copy of a previously approved Pioneer application file.
CERTIFICATION
Both the residence of the Pioneer ancestor, as well as the descent from the Pioneer to the applicant (each ancestor, each generation), must be proved by documentary evidence.
Eligibility, determined by a committee of the Muskegon County Genealogical Society, shall be final. Applications not approved will remain in pending file until proof is established.
The certificates are suitable for framing.
Ownership of Applications and Material Submitted and Privacy
All applications and verifying material submitted for the Pioneer Certificate become the property of MCGS. Names of Muskegon County Pioneers and their direct descendants may be published on our website. You agree to this by submitting your application—you must sign and date the application.
Click here for: Pioneer Certificate Application
Click here for: Pioneer Certificate Instructions