California Pioneer Certificate Program

What Is the California Pioneer Certificate Program?

The San Diego Genealogical Society presents, along with their partner organizations like the Whittier Area Genealogical Society, the California Pioneer Certificate Program honoring early pioneers who shaped the state of California. The program is designed to assist those researching their California roots and issues formal acknowledgement of their ancestors' contribution to the development of California.

On the SDGS website, the California Pioneer Honor Wall was created to highlight the contribution early pioneers made to the development of California. There, entry portals provide organized access to more than 1 million eligible California pioneer records, along biographical, genealogical , and historical information. The database consolidates pertinent records to aid research and is continually updated as new information becomes available. Displayed on the Honor wall is the Pioneer Gallery containing the names of pioneers who have been honored and their descendants.

Those interested in recognizing their descendance from early California pioneers are encouraged to complete an application. Instructions for the program can be accessed here. Supporting documentation must show their ancestor was associated with one or more of the four following California historical events:

• California's Admission to Statehood (1850)
• The Gold Rush (1848-1860)
• The San Francisco Earthquake (1906)
• California Mission Period (before 1850)

Upon verification of submitted doumentation, applicants will be issued a Certificate of Authenticity and Lineage Chart showing the pioneer's relationship to the applicant.

For assistance with research or documentation, a Virtual Workshop provides research guidance on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Access is free to everybody.

Details about the virtual workshop may be found on the San Diego Society website.

How Does WAGS Partner with SDGS in this Program?

WAGS helps SDGS to publicize the program on our website, in our newsletter, and in our meetings. In exchange, SDGS will share half of the proceeds from your certificate fee with WAGS when you identify yourself as a WAGS member. So, if you take advantage of this program, please make sure to identify yourself as a WAGS member!

How Can I Find Out More About
The Pioneer Certificate Program?

All of the details of the program can be found on the San Diego Genealogical Society website at https://casdgs.org/Ca-Pioneer-Certificate-Program.

If you have more questions, you can contact Colin Whitney, Chairman of the California Pioneer Certificate Program at pioneercertificateprogram@gmail.com.