Ellis County Historical Society
Pioneer and Early Settler Certificates and Plaques
To honor the first families of Ellis County, the Ellis County Historical Society is offering descendents of pioneers and early settlers, the opportunity to obtain a "Pioneer Certificate", an "Early Settler Certificate";, a "Pioneer Plaque" or an "Early Settler Plaque". The application, with the completed lineage and documentation, will be kept on file with the society. In the future, we may post these pioneer and early settler names on the web site. A certificate, suitable for framing, or a plaque with the name of the ancestor and descendant will be issued upon verification of application. You are encouraged to submit a short biographical sketch of your ancestor along with the application, which will be kept in our files.
Eligibility
To qualify for a "Pioneer Certificate", the applicant must document direct descent from an ancestor who came to present day Ellis County, prior to statehood, November 1907. To qualify for an "Early Settler Certificate", the applicant must document direct descent from an ancestor who came to Ellis County after statehood and prior to December 31, 1920.
An applicant need not be a resident of Ellis County. After proof of descent has been submitted and eligibility verified, the appropriate certificate will be mailed to the applicant. If an applicant wants additional certificates for the same ancestor, proof need only be submitted once. Additional certificates may be ordered by providing the name of the previously documented ancestor.
- Please complete the application and state which certificate you are requesting. Include a pedigree chart showing your descent from the ancestor and a family group sheet for the ancestor.
- Always include the maiden name of all females, as well as all given names of the ancestors.
- Copy of a document per generation should be enclosed to prove your lineage.
Do not send originals. A list of acceptable types of documentation is shown below. Each generation must be documented.
- Include a check or money order, made payable to the Ellis County Historical Society in the amount of $15.00 for certificates and $45.00 for plaques for each application you send. Prices include shipping and handling and are subject to change with postal rates. Send your information to:
Ellis County Historical Society
Route 2, Box 92
Arnett, Oklahoma 73832
Please allow four to six weeks for the processing of the application. Anyone wishing faster service will be accommodated to the best of our ability.
Acceptable Types of Documentation (Proof)
- Federal census of Oklahoma showing your ancestor living in present day Ellis County.
- School records, school census, report cards.
- Donation Land Claim or land ownership, plat maps, deeds.
- Declaration of Intent for Citizenship.
- Church membership, baptism, or confirmation.
- Marriage license certificate showing present day Ellis County location.
- Record showing present day Ellis County birth, marriage or death.
- Newspaper obituary or article showing present day Ellis County residence.
- Estate or probate records.
- Present day Ellis County history or biographies, give source.
- Picture of inscription on tombstone, give location.
- Proof: letters, bible records, diary entries, subject to committee approval.
- Oklahoma Historical Society Centennial Farm and Ranch Certificate.
Cut and paste the following application (all text below the double line) into any word processor program. For best results, before printing, change page set up so that left and right margins are 0.75". Documentation must be included with the application.
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Ellis County Historical Society
Pioneer or Early Settler Certificate Application
Please indicate the certificate or plaque for which you are applying:
_____ Pioneer Certificate ____ Plaque (arrived prior to statehood, November 1907)
_____ Early Settler Certificate ____ Plaque (arrived after statehood and prior to 31 Dec 1920)
Name of applicant _____________________________________________________________
(As it is to appear on the certificate.)
Address __________________________ City ___________________ State _____Zip ______
Name of ancestor _____________________________________________________________
(As it is to appear on the certificate.)
Date of birth ___________________________________________________________________
Place of birth (City, County, State, Country) _________________________________________
Date of death __________________________________________________________________
Place of death (City, County, State, Country) ________________________________________
Place buried (name of cemetery and location) ________________________________________
Father's name __________________________________________________________________
Mother's name _________________________________________________________________
Date and location ancestor settled in present day Ellis County __________________________
Name of ancestor's spouse (include maiden name, if female) ___________________________
Date of birth ___________________________________________________________________
Place of birth (City, County, State, Country) _________________________________________
Date of death __________________________________________________________________
Place of death (City, County, State, Country) ________________________________________
Place buried (name of cemetery and location) ________________________________________
Father's name __________________________________________________________________
Mother's name _________________________________________________________________
Does spouse qualify as a pioneer or early settler of present day Ellis County? Yes ___ No ___
PERMISSION FOR PUBLICATION RELEASE
Please return this portion with your completed application and documentation.
I understand that the Ellis County Historical Society may publish Pioneer and Early Settler Certificate information in the future, which may include information listed on pedigree charts and family group sheets. Therefore, I release the Society from any claims by me under the present or future "Privacy Rights Acts".
Date______________________ Signature___________________________________________
Name (please print) _____________________________________________________________
Address__________________________ City___________________ State______ Zip________
Area Code _____Telephone____________________ E-Mail ____________________________
Pioneer or Early Settler Name ____________________________________________________
OFFICE USE ONLY
Date received: ____________ Date approved: _______________ Amount paid: ____________
Authorized signature: __________________________ Date notified or mailed: _____________
Committee initials: ________ ________ ________ Certificate number: ____________________
You can also contact The Ellis Co. Historical Society by email
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©2003 Donna Dreyer