- Oconto County Historical Society
- 917 Park Avenue
- Oconto, WI 54153
- (920) 834-6206
- ochs@ocontoctyhistsoc.org
AWARDS
The Oconto County Historical Society has given preservation awards since 1998. The categories and past recipients can be found here.
HISTORIC CERTIFICATES
There are two agencies that issue certificates honoring historic aspects of families. The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society has certificates that can be obtained at any time. The Wisconsin State Fair has Sesquicentennial and Century Farm and Home certificates The deadline for application is March 1 of each year.
WISCONSIN STATE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Pioneer & Century Certificates
The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society issues certificates to persons who are directly descended from Wisconsin pioneer or century ancestors. Applicants must submit evidence to prove direct descent and to prove that the ancestor
- settled in Wisconsin prior to the year 1851 in the case of Pioneer Ancestors, or
- over 100 years preceding the date of application in the case of Century Ancestors.
The purpose of the Pioneer/Century Certificate program is to recognize families with Wisconsin roots, encourage people to undertake genealogical research, develop a database of information for researchers, and to improve the quality of genealogical research. Applicants may apply for certificates to be issued to themselves or to other persons. The person to whom the certificate is issued need not currently live in Wisconsin.
Certificates cost $12.00 for WSGS members and $20.00 for non-members. Checks should be made payable to WSGS. See the Attachments section below for the application form, instructions and tips for filling out the form.
To apply for either Pioneer or Century Certificates simply complete the application form found in the Attachments section, and mail it with a check payable to WSGS for the number of certificates requested to:
WSGS
Pioneer & Century Certificates
P. O. Box 5106
Madison, WI 53705-0106
Family Reunion Certificates
The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society provides an attractive Family Reunion Certificate to honor Wisconsin families celebrating reunions.
The certificate shows the name of the Wisconsin family (for example, "The Smith Family," "John L. Smith Family," or "John L. and Betty (Martin) Smith Family"), the number of the reunion celebrated (1st, 2nd, 20th, etc.), and the date and place held.
- The fee for the first copy of the certificate for any given reunion is $5.00. Additional copies issued at the same time and sent to the same address, are $3.00 each. This makes it possible for all who attend the reunion to receive a certificate.
To apply for Family Reunion Certificates simply complete the application form found in the Attachments section, and mail it with a check payable to "WSGS" for the number of certificates requested to:
WSGS
Reunion Certificates
P. O. Box 5106
Madison, WI 53705-0106
For additional information write WSGS at the above address or send an e-mail message to wsgs@tds.net.
WISCONSIN STATE FAIR
Each year the Wisconsin State Fair accepts applications for either Century or Sesquicentennial farms or homes. The property must be continuously held by the same family. This year’s deadline is March 1, 2011.