News Flash! Ninth Annual First Families of Bay County Certificates Award Ceremony

Certification Program
The First Families of Bay County, Florida, Certification Program seeks to identify and honor the first families of Bay County, recognize their proven descendants, and promote interest in the rich genealogical heritage and history of Bay County. This program is administered by the Bay County Genealogical Society of Florida.

First Families of Bay County Certificate
The certificate will be awarded to any person who shall provide documentary evidence sufficient to establish that said person is credibly descended directly from a pioneer who settled within the present-day boundaries of Bay County, Florida, before the county was created.

The evidence submitted must establish, in the opinion of the First Families Committee, that the specified pioneer was, in fact, a bona-fide resident of what is now Bay County on or before 24 April 1913; and that the applicant is credibly descended from that pioneer.

Requirements

• The applicant need not be a resident of Bay County.
• The applicant need not ever have been a resident of Bay County.
• The applicant must submit a complete package of information, as described below, that credibly establishes residency of the pioneer and descendancy of the applicant.
• The applicant must include a non-refundable fee of $25 (check or money order - no cash) with the application.
• However, if the applicant is a member in good standing of BCGS, the fee will be $15 (check or money order; no cash).
• Applications may be submitted at any time. Initial applications must be postmarked by 31 January, and revisions, if any, must be submitted by 30 April to be eligible for the annual June awards ceremony.
• Decision of the judges regarding the adequacy of the submission is final.

Rules of Evidence
The Bay County Genealogical Society places great emphasis on the credibility of its certificate program. We believe that to be meaningful, each certified pioneering family and its descendant connection must be historically accurate. Therefore, BCGS adheres to the highest standards presently in effect for genealogical evidence.

How to Apply
You may download a complete application package in PDF form here: Application Package. Study the instructions carefully. When you are ready to begin filling out your application, you have several choices. Most applicants prefer to type their information into their computer using one of these forms:
Application Forms for WordPerfect;
Application Forms for Word.
You may also download the forms in PDF format and fill them in with a typewriter or pen (please print clearly): Application Forms for PDF.

Document labels may be printed on adhesive mailing labels. Select Avery type 5260 if you use a laser printer or type 8160 for an ink jet printer. They are supplied with 30 labels per sheet. If you do not wish to purchase an entire package of 25 sheets, you may buy them from BCGS for $1.00 per sheet. You may download a document labels template here:
Document Labels Template for WordPerfect;
Document Labels Template for Open Office.org;
Document Labels Template for Word 2003 or later.

Research Assitance
If you feel you need help with your family research or with filling out the forms, here are a few researchers who may be able to help.

Certified First Families of Bay County Pioneers

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