Heritage Certificates

Since 2016, the FCGS volunteers have aided members, relatives, and community members to earn one or more Heritage Certificates, totaling over 105 certificates thus far. These certificates recognize those directly descended from Texas pioneers or for those with notable service to Texas in their lineage.

Are you interested in applying for a Texas Heritage Certificate? FCGS can help! Please contact FCGS and indicate your interest in heritage certificates and researching if you or your family qualify for one or more of the certificates. Include in your communication that you want to work with one or more of the following FCGS volunteers:

• Phyllis Brown
• Don Easterling
• Teri Siddens

These FCGS members and volunteers have years of experience helping community members conduct genealogical research and collect documents necessary for application. They can all provide valuable advice on how to complete the certificate application forms.

There are a variety of heritage awards available to apply for, for both the county and state levels:

County Heritage Certificates

Franklin County, Texas, awards its own heritage certificate, the "Franklin County First Family" certificate. An applicant must be a direct descendant from an ancestor who settled in what is now Franklin County, Texas, by 1880.

State Heritage Certificates 

The following descriptions and heritage certificates come from the Texas State Genealogical Society's Heritage Certificates page, which also includes a link to the form and detailed application instructions:

• Texas First Families Certificate: Individuals who are direct or collateral descendants of settlers who resided in Texas prior to 19 February 1846
• Gone to Texas Pioneer Certificate: Individual direct descendants of settlers that resided in Texas prior to 1886
• West Texas Pioneer Certificate: Individual direct descendants of settlers that resided in West Texas prior to 1901
• 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.