News Flash! Third Annual First Families of Bay County Certificates Award Ceremony
Last year this program generated a huge amount of interest in the history, heritage, and pioneers of Bay County. We presented 83 certificates to 54 descendants honoring 17 Bay County pioneers. We also presented 15 researcher certificates.
This year ten brand new pioneers and 16 descendants were certified at the Annual Pioneer Picnic on June 5, 2010, hosted by the Historical Society of Bay County. There are now 30 certified pioneers. Check for your ancestor at the bottom of this page.
Certification Program
The First Families of Bay County, Florida, Certification Program seeks to identify and
honor the first families of Bay County, recognize their proven descendants, and promote
interest in the rich genealogical heritage and history of Bay County. This program is
administered by the Bay County Genealogical Society of Florida.
First Families of Bay County Certificate
The certificate will be awarded to any person who shall provide documentary evidence sufficient to
establish that said person is credibly descended directly from a pioneer who settled within
the present-day boundaries of Bay County, Florida, before the county was created.
The evidence submitted must establish, in the opinion of the First Families Committee,
that the specified pioneer was, in fact, a bona-fide resident of what is now Bay County
on or before 24 April 1913; and that the applicant is credibly descended from that pioneer.
Requirements
The applicant need not be a resident of Bay County.
The applicant need not ever have been a resident of Bay County.
The applicant must submit a complete package of information, as described below, that credibly
establishes residency of the pioneer and descendancy of the applicant.
The applicant must include a non-refundable fee of $25 with the application.
However, if the applicant is a member in good standing of BCGS, the fee will be $15.
Applications may be submitted at any time. Initial applications must be postmarked by 31 January, and revisions, if any, must be submitted by 30 April to be eligible for the annual June awards ceremony.
Decision of the judges regarding the adequacy of the submission is final.
Rules of Evidence
The Bay County Genealogical Society places great emphasis on the credibility of its
certificate program. We believe that to be meaningful, each certified pioneering family
and its descendant connection must be historically accurate. Therefore, BCGS adheres to
the highest standards presently in effect for genealogical evidence.
How to Apply
You may download a complete application package in PDF form here: Application Package. Study the instructions carefully.
When you are ready to begin filling out your application, you have several choices.
Most applicants prefer to type their information into their computer using one of these forms: Application Forms for WordPerfect; Application Forms for Word.
You may also download the forms in PDF format and fill them in with a typewriter or pen (please print clearly): Application Forms for PDF.
Research Assitance
If you feel you need help with your family research or with filling out the forms, here
are a few researchers who may be able to help.
Certified First Families of Bay County Pioneers
Name
Birth-Death
Yr. cert'd
Anderson, John Duncan
1858-1927
2010
Boyer, Della Florence (Holmes)
1880-1922
2010
Boyer, Enos F.
1849-1928
2010
Boyer, Mary Frances
1910-2003
2010
Bullock, Ferdinand
1866-1935
2008
Carden, Richard I.
1887-1951
2008
Carden, Thomas B.
1861-1939
2008
Daffin, James Horace
1867-1930
2009
Harmon, Turner Hunt
1838-1910
2009
Holley, Ella Sophronia
1880-1960
2009
Holley, John Calvin
1850-1916
2009
Holley, Sophronia (McDuffie)
1859-1940
2009
Holmes, Della Florence
1880-1922
2010
Holmes, Louisa Virginia (Weeks)
1840-1930
2010
Holmes, William Leonard
1856-1936
2010
Holmes, William Wesley
1830-1884
2010
Laird, Ada Victoria (Zorn)
1875-1912
2009
Laird, John Henry
1873-1956
2009
Laird, Ruby Kade
1909-1991
2009
Loftin, Eliza
ca1811-<1870
2009
Loftin, William Marion
ca1785-ca1838
2009
McDuffie, Sophronia
1859-1940
2009
Parker, Retha Vann
1881-1975
2010
Porter, Ann M.
ca1838-ca1894
2009
Porter, Charles T.
ca1804-<1860
2009
Porter, Eliza (Loftin)
ca1811-<1870
2009
Ross, David Monroe
1876-1965
2010
Ross, Lee Monroe
1910-1990
2010
Ross, Mary Frances (Boyer)
1910-2003
2010
Ross, Retha Vann (Parker)
1881-1975
2010
Sowell, George Leslie
1890-1973
2008
Vickery, Ann M. (Porter)
ca1838-ca1894
2009
Vickery, Ella Sophronia (Holley)
1880-1960
2009
Vickery, Lelon Ephriam (elder)
ca1826-1892
2009
Vickery, Lelon Ephriam (younger)
1869-1954
2009
Wallace, William Craig
1848-1930
2009
Weeks, Louisa Virginia
1840-1930
2010
Welch, Ruby Kade (Laird)
1909-1991
2009
Weller, Alfred Daniel
1872-1964
2009
Zorn, Ada Victoria
1875-1912
2009
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