Jackson County Pioneer Certificate Program

JACKSON COUNTY, MICHIGAN


The Jackson County Genealogical Society and the Jackson County Historical Society announce the creation of the Jackson County Pioneer Certificate Project. Through the dedication, sacrifice, and hard work of the families that came here during the early years, the county has grown and prospered. The date of 1 August 1832, is recognized as the organization of Jackson County (it was approved on 26 June 1832, but not effective until 1 August). Therefore, the County of Jackson, Michigan will be celebrating 175 years in 2007. It is with this Celebration in mind that the Jackson County Pioneer Certificate Project is being enacted to honor the Pioneers of Jackson County.

Our purpose is to honor and collect data about the early residents of Jackson County, Michigan and their descendants. This information will benefit both the Genealogical Society and the Historical Society in adding valuable history of our early settlers and providing information for future research in our county.

We are asking the descendants of these early pioneers to apply for a Jackson County Pioneer Certificate, which will be given in four categories recognizing the settlement and growth of Jackson County. The Certificate will be based on the year that the Ancestor first settled in Jackson County. The categories are:

First Families-- pre 1841
Founders-- 1841 - 1861
Settler-- 1862 - 1881
Builder-- 1882 - 1907

ELIGIBILITY: The applicant must directly descend from an ancestor who ‘resided’ in Jackson County, prior to the 1907 date. The applicant must be able to prove descent from the ancestor (male or female) by official record or records for each generation, including proof for the applicant. Current Jackson County residency is not required to receive a Pioneer Certificate.

INSTRUCTIONS: The Jackson County Pioneer Certificate Application form may be requested from the

Jackson County Pioneer Certificate Project
c/o J.C.G.S. Library
715 W. Michigan Ave., Suite #2
Jackson, Michigan 49201


Please include a #10 self-addressed, and stamped envelope. You may also print the application here.

All Application Forms and Verifying proofs and materials will become the property of both the Jackson County Genealogical Society and the Jackson County Historical Society.

Do not send Original Documents--Send only photocopies of pertinent material--copies should be clear and readable.

Submission of additional information is encouraged but not required, to give dimension to the subject, such as Biographical Sketch of the Ancestor, Family Group Sheets, etc.

We invite and encourage you to submit your Application Form to this Project, and remember to make a copy of your Application and Information for your own records.

Jackson County Pioneer Certificate Project c/o J.C.G.S. Library, 715 W. Michigan Ave., Suite #2, Jackson, Michigan, 49201.

Return to the Jackson County Genealogical Society Homepage

Steve Shiley