Eligibility:  To qualify for a Pioneer or Old Settler Certificate, an applicant must be directly descended from an ancestor who settled in Whatcom County as follows:

 

Pioneers (settled prior to 1890 – Washington Territory) – Gold Seal

 

Early Settlers (1890-1910) – Silver Seal

 

Each ancestor in the direct line must be proved.  Applicants need not have ever been residents of Whatcom County to apply.  After proof of direct descent has been submitted and eligibility has been determined, we will present you with the appropriate certificate.  Separate certificates will be issued for each ancestor properly submitted.  The nonrefundable fee for each application is $25.00.

 

Purpose: 

 

• To honor our Whatcom County pioneer forefathers, and to keep their memory alive. 

 

• To encourage a basic knowledge of genealogical research by asking any direct descendant to put together their family history and apply for a certificate. 

 

The information gathered from this project will become a valuable research tool, and will add to our knowledge of the history of Whatcom County.

 

Document copies submitted as proof will be kept by the Whatcom Genealogical Society, and, if permission has been granted by the applicant, the information will be made available for family history research.  Documents pertaining to living relatives will be noted and disposed of by WGS.  A list of surnames/ancestors may be available on the WGS website in the future.

 

We hope you will join in our effort to record and preserve our early Whatcom County history.

 

Please click here for more information and an application form. 

 

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