State Lineage Societies and Pioneer Programs

Reasons for joining a lineage society are varied. Some join as a way to validate their research. While there are a few exceptions, nearly every lineage society will ask you to prove the dates and places of birth, marriage, and death for each person on the application and then prove the child to parent relationship for each generation starting with you, and going back to your qualifying ancestor. This is also a way to preserve history for future generations. Others join for the social and community service aspect.  Being around people who share your interests is a wonderful thing.

In my previous post, I listed some of the general lineage societies.

This post is a listing of some of the many First Family or Pioneer Certificate Programs at the state level.

I have only listed those who have a listing of proven ancestors or pioneers on their website.

If you don't see a state listing of your choice - just ask The Google if one exists.

Order of First Families of North Carolina

Lineal descent from an individual who resided in that part of the Province of Carolina that became North Carolina, before the creation of the Royal Colony in 1729.
List of Proven Ancestors

Order of the First Families of New Hampshire 1622 - 1680

Lineal descent from an ancestor who was a resident of, owned land in, was the chief proprietor of a business, or performed military or civil service, between 1622 and 1680 within the boundaries of present day New Hampshire.
Proven Ancestors

Order of the First Families of Maine 1604 - 1652

Lineal descent from an ancestor who was a resident of, owned land in, or was the chief proprietor of a business between 1604 and 1652 within the boundaries of present day Maine.
Proven Ancestors

THE ORDER OF THE FIRST FAMILIES OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

Lineal descent from an ancestor who was resident on land presently a part of the State of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations prior to January 1, 1647/8
Proven Ancestors

First Families of Ohio

Sponsored by the Ohio Genealogical Society
First Families of Ohio is a lineage society open to OGS members who prove their descent from an ancestor who lived in Ohio by the end of 1820.
Proven Ancestors

Order of the First Families of Maryland

Lineal descent from either: (1) Sir George Calvert, The First Lord Baltimore, who was granted the Palatinate of Maryland by King Charles I of England, or (2) an ancestor who aided in the establishment of the Palatinate of Maryland or who was an office holder, real property owner or resident in Maryland prior to December 31, 1734.
Proven ancestors

Washington State Centennial Pioneer Certificate Program

Sponsored by the Washington State Genealogical Society
Proven Ancestors

Sons and Daughters of Oregon Pioneers

Direct descendants of pioneers who arrived and settled in the Oregon Country – the present states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, parts of Montana, Wyoming and most of the Province of British Columbia – prior to the entry of Oregon to the Union on February 14, 1859
Links to assist you in proving your ancestor

First Families of Alabama

Sponsored by the Alabama Genealogical Society
Proven ancestors

Prairie Pioneers

Sponsored by the Illinois State Genealogical Society
Proven Ancestors

Society of Indiana Pioneers

Proven Ancestors

Pioneer Descendant Certification Program

Sponsored by the Florida State Genealogical Society
Proven Ancestors

Missouri First Families

Sponsored by The Missouri State Genealogical Association
Proven Ancestors

Texas First Families

Sponsored by Texas State Genealogical Society 
Proven Ancestors

First Families and Early Settlers of Montana

Sponsored by Montana State Genealogical Society
Proven Ancestors

Order of the First Families of Mississippi:  1699-1817

Proven Ancestors

Daughters of Utah Pioneers 

Proven Ancestors

Native Daughters of the Golden West

The only requirement to join this society is that you be female and born in the State of California.  A real gem on their website is the database of California Pioneers who resided or were born in California before December 31, 1869.
You can access it HERE.