Pioneer Pride
- Leslie Ryan
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Do you have pioneers in your family tree? This week I completed a client's application for a Texas First Families Certificate from The Texas State Genealogical Society. These certificates are issued to those who can prove a relative was in Texas or served the Republic before February 19, 1846.
Texas gained its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836 and it remained an independent country until 1846 when it became part of the United States.
The Texas State Genealogical Society offers a number of Heritage Certificates you may qualify for based on your pioneers' history:
Texas First Families Certificate: Individuals who are direct or collateral descendants of settlers who resided in Texas prior to 19 February 1846 are eligible.
Gone to Texas Pioneer Certificate: Individual direct descendants of settlers that resided in Texas prior to 1886 may apply.
West Texas Pioneer Certificate: Individual direct descendants of settlers that resided in West Texas prior to 1901 may apply.
Greer County Texas Pioneer Certificate: Applicant must prove direct or collateral descent from a settler in Greer County between 1860-1907. This county included parts of Texas and Oklahoma.
Descendants of Texas Rangers Certificate: An applicant must be directly or collaterally descended from someone who served as a Texas Ranger and who is deceased. A collateral ancestor is a brother or sister of the Texas Ranger.
The TXGS is now accepting DNA evidence for proof of parent-child relationships, and they would welcome your DNA evidence for their building pool of data for First Texans. For the full, and I do mean full, blow by blow description of what they want, click here:
The application process can take from 6-8 weeks. The $30 fee is non-refundable and you can get husband & wife certificates for the same $30. You can request multiple certificates (for all the kids) but it will cost another $30 each and require an envelope with postage if going to multiple addresses These look really nice, and they do make great holiday or birthday gifts, suitable for framing.
The gathering of the documentation is pretty time consuming. You have to be sure to include the exact source for each document. If you'd like some help pursuing a Heritage Certificate in time for Mother's Day or Father's Day, send me an email and let's get started and see what we can find out about YOUR family!
Meanwhile, I'll be spending that next Texas Anniversary weekend ONLINE at RootsTech 2026! This is the Lollapalooza of Genealogy and you might be able to learn more about proving your own pioneer family heritage! March 5-7 bring three full days of FREE genealogy classes for FREE online on YOUR schedule. Read all about it here:
If you are already booked for next weekend, you can watch the videos anytime with your FREE FamilySearch.org account.
Don't forget Who I Come From Genealogy Services offers a FREE two hour review of your tree even if there are only two people in it! Send an email to WhoIComeFromInfo@gmail.com and let's get acquainted.
As always, thanks for reading, subscribing, and sharing,
Leslie Ryan
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