First Families

First Families of Lake County, Ohio is the lineage society of the Lake County Genealogical Society. It was created to identify and honor the memory of the early pioneers who settled within the boundaries of present Lake County prior to 1841. These men and women left a lasting imprint on the land they carved from the wilderness. This lineage society also confers recognition and honor on the descendants who choose to establish their connections to these early pioneers.

Eligibility

Membership is open to anyone who can prove direct descent from one or more ancestors who settled within the boundaries of present Lake County prior to 1841 and who fulfills all of the requirements listed below. Eligibility is restricted to blood lines only.

Application

The First Families of Lake County Ohio Application Form must be filled out completely and accompanied by copies of all documents containing evidence necessary to

1. support the ancestor’s settlement in Lake County prior to 1841;
2. support the direct ancestral relationship for each generation, beginning with the applicant.

The Application Form must be signed by the applicant and by the person who compiled the application for the submitter (if applicable). A five generation chart, either computer generated or filled in by hand,
must be included as part of the application.

You are encouraged, but not required, to submit a written biography of your First Family ancestor(s). This biography will be considered for publication in the LCGS newsletter, LAKElines.

The application fee is $35.00 for non-members and $25.00 for members of the Lake County Genealogical Society. The fee is required when application is submitted.

Review

The application will be examined by the First Families Review Committee which can accept or reject the application. If additional evidence is needed, the applicant will be given three months to produce the requested documentation for acceptance in that year. Once the First Families Committee accepts it, the application will go to the LCGS Board for final approval.

All applications submitted by December 31 of each year will be reviewed for possible acceptance in the next calendar year. If accepted, membership will be conferred by certificate and special pin at an induction ceremony during the regular June meeting of LCGS.

For complete details, download the application packet.

First Families of Lake County Pioneers