Early descendants sought
A certificate of descent has been endorsed by the Bicentennial Steering Committee and will be presented to direct descendants who can furnish official records that their ancestors lived in Warren County during that time.
As an official part of the Bicentennial celebration, the Warren County seal is on the left side and is signed by county historian James Dillon. The Warren County Family seal is on the right side indicating the information is certified and will be signed by the chair of the Family Committee, Carolyn Lance.
A committee will check submitted proof of descent for each generation. Members of the Certification Committee include Rachel Hillis and Ladye Jane Hunter, president and vice president of the of the Warren County Genealogy Association, Cheryl Mingle and Carolyn Lance.
A sample of the certificate and proof of descent is currently on display at Magness Library?s genealogy department. The library?s genealogy department, under the direction of genealogist Brad Walker, has valuable historical material that will be a resource for your family research.
Two certificates will be offered. Each will honor and recognize the descendants of families who were living in the newly formed Warren County. A Bicentennial Family Certificate will be issued if your ancestor signed one of the two 1806 petitions to form Warren County or was issued an 1807 land deed or grant.
A Founding Family Certificate will be issued if your ancestor settled in Warren County prior to 1812 and was on the 1812 tax list or was issued an 1808 to 1812 land grant or deed.
You must be a direct descendant of that ancestor and have official records as proof of your descent and their settlement in Warren County.
There is a $10 fee for the certificate. The full fee will go directly to the McMinnville-Warren County Senior Center to help senior citizens.
Most importantly, the Center hopes that interest in the certificate will motivate descendants to become interested in the Bicentennial and the part their ancestors played in the settlement of Warren County.
Application forms are available at the Senior Center, 809 Morrison Street, 473-6559, and the genealogy department of the library at 118 West Main Street. Applications may also be downloaded on the Web at www.hillishunter.com/1807.html.