The prime objective of First Families of Seneca County is to identify and to honor the memory of the earliest settlers of the county, showing their lasting mark on the land and honoring their descendants.
The research necessary to prove descent is intended to stimulate increasing interest in the pioneers of this county, their customs, culture, genealogy, and history, and to awaken the descendant to the sacrifices and contributions of his/her ancestor. Encouraging descendants of the settlers to identify and prove their lines will honor as many as possible of the courageous pioneers of Seneca County.
Applicants must be able to prove that their ancestor(s) resided in Seneca County prior to 31 December 1840 for Gold membership, or prior to 31 December 1860 for Silver membership.
Application deadline is 31 March each year.
Requirements for Membership in First Families of Seneca County
Any current member of the Seneca County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society who is a direct descendant of any individual who settled in Seneca County, Ohio by the dates indicated above may be considered for membership. The member does not need to be a resident of Seneca County. Applicants should complete and submit the following:
With your application, attach photocopies of the documents (do not submit the original documents) that prove your relationship to your ancestors. Read our Basic Rules of Evidence, which describes the types of proof that are considered acceptable. Please provide the citation (complete bibliographic information) on each document that is included.
Information for additional ancestral lines should be included on additional pages, showing how they tie in with the lines on the basic application. An additional ancestor page (without the ancestor number) is included with the application, which can be copied, as needed, in order to include additional ancestors. If more than one family line is submitted, include an ancestor chart for each line to show how they are interconnected.
Each completed application and its supporting documentation should be submitted for review to the Committee established for this purpose. This Committee will determine eligibility and may request additional proof, as it deems necessary, for final approval.
Send your completed application and payment for fees to:
Seneca County Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 157
Tiffin, Ohio 44883-0157
Each year approved applications are presented and the memberships are awarded at our regular meeting on the first Tuesday in June. New First Families members are encouraged to attend, to be acknowledged and to receive their certificates, but attendance is not mandatory.
- A completed application form furnished by the Chapter or printed from the Chapter website.
- The application fee of $15.00 for the first ancestor, plus $5.00 for each additional ancestor.
- A five-generation ancestor chart showing the names of every ancestor claimed.
- Optional, but recommended: A biographical sketch of each ancestor claimed. The focus could include the person's occupation or profession; church affiliation; political, patriotic, or community involvement; migration; an interesting family story; physical description -- anything that will give dimension to that person.
With your application, attach photocopies of the documents (do not submit the original documents) that prove your relationship to your ancestors. Read our Basic Rules of Evidence, which describes the types of proof that are considered acceptable. Please provide the citation (complete bibliographic information) on each document that is included.
Information for additional ancestral lines should be included on additional pages, showing how they tie in with the lines on the basic application. An additional ancestor page (without the ancestor number) is included with the application, which can be copied, as needed, in order to include additional ancestors. If more than one family line is submitted, include an ancestor chart for each line to show how they are interconnected.
Each completed application and its supporting documentation should be submitted for review to the Committee established for this purpose. This Committee will determine eligibility and may request additional proof, as it deems necessary, for final approval.
Send your completed application and payment for fees to:
Seneca County Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 157
Tiffin, Ohio 44883-0157
Each year approved applications are presented and the memberships are awarded at our regular meeting on the first Tuesday in June. New First Families members are encouraged to attend, to be acknowledged and to receive their certificates, but attendance is not mandatory.
