Napa County Pioneer Certificates

     The Society issues Pioneer Certificates to direct descendants of early settlers who resided in Napa County between 9 September 1850 (prior to statehood) and 31 December 1899. The applicant must prove DIRECT descent from a person who was  in Napa County prior to 31 December 1899.  The ancestor need not have been born in Napa County but resided in the County during the period specified.  They need not have stayed here but it must be clearly proved that they were here any time during this period. 

Documented proof includes: census records, birth certificates, marriage records, tax records, land deeds, church records, dated newspaper articles, and other primary documents.  As of 2020, the Napa Valley Genealogical Society has issued 52 Pioneer Certificates.  The Society maintains a file on each named pioneer that includes the family genealogy and corroborating documentation.  Many of these pioneers have gone unnoticed in our history.  This is a way to gather information about them.  In addition to receiving a Pioneer Certificate, successful applicants will be helping to preserve the history of our county.