Objectives of FFWC

The prime objectives of the First Families of Wood County [FFWC] are to identify the early inhabitants of Wood County and to honor their descendants.

The research necessary to prove descent is intended to stimulate increasing interest in the pioneers of this county, as well as customs, culture, and history.

Requirements

Only members of the Wood County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society who are direct descendants of an individual or individuals who settled in Wood County on or before December 31, 1855, may become members of First Families of Wood County upon acceptance of an application with proof of descent and the payment of an application fee of $15.00. Please note that the application fee covers as many pioneer ancestors as the applicant can prove now or in the future. To become a member of the Chapter, send an additional $10.00 with the FFWC application fee. Two or more persons in a household may join the Society for $12.00. Membershiop is for a calendar year. Dues must be paid for the year of induction into FFWC. Chapter meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

The First Families of Wood County application must be accompanied by copies of ALL documents necessary to: (1) Prove the pioneer ancestor(s) settlement in Wood County on or before December 31, 1855 and (2) prove each step of descent from the pioneer(s) to the applicant. Proof may NOT be omitted for any step. Copies of proof must be either: (1) copymachine copies of the certified original or (2) exact typed, "true copies" notarized or otherwise certified by a court house official, genealogical librarian or other official. All proof documents must show their source and be contained in an 8 « x 11" file folder. Applicants should include a pedigree chart(s) that traces the applicant's lineage back to the pioneer ancestor and a family group sheet(s) for each generation.

FFWC applications must be legibly hand-printed with black ink or typed with a black ribbon and, with all accompanying proofs, sent to the FFWC Committee Chair at the above address. The committee will review the application for accuracy and adequacy of proofs. The application will remain inactive until ALL required proof are received. Dealine for applications is January 31 of the year of induction, without exception.

Accepted applicants will be inducted into the FFWC at the annuall May banquet (4th Wednesday). A certificate and an enameled pin will be presented at that time. Banquet meal costs are minimal and additional to the application fee. Deadline for meal reservations is April 1 of the year of induction and must be prepaid, without exception.

FFWC Committee - Policy

Policy for Accessing Documentation preserved in First Families of Wood County Collection First Families Committee of the Wood County Chapter - OGS [adopted an approved 2003]

The following steps will be followed for any person wishing to obtain photocopies of documented information from one or more files preserved in the First Families of Wood County Collection :

1. A FFWC Committee member will access the file, select, and photocopy the information requested. All living person information will be redacted.

2. No information or name of a living person will be included.

3. A research charge of $10.00 will be accessed for a non-member of Wood County Chapter - OGS; or $5.00 for a person currently holding membership in the Chapter.

4. Additional fees of $1.00 per page photocopied will be charged.

5. A minimum of three weeks to complete the request is required.