In our never-ending pursuit to bring researchers potential brick wall breaking research material, the West Nebraska Family Research & History Center applied for and was chosen as the new home for the Nebraska State Genealogical Society’s Family Recognition files. The NSGS plans to digitize the files and place them on their website but the actual original paper copies will remain here at the Center for patron perusal. An index of names is being compiled and will be available on both this website and the state society’s website at nsgs.org.

The Nebraska State Genealogical Society’s Family Recognition Certificate program began in 1981 as a way for early Nebraska families to be recognized and honored for their contributions to the development of the great state of Nebraska. The award certificate is issued by the Nebraska State Genealogical Society and is signed by the society’s president, the certificate then travels to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office for their endorsement and signature by the current Nebraska Secretary of State.

In order to be eligible to receive recognition through this program a descendant must fill out an application and submit proof of residency for the individual(s) that will be named on the certificate. There are three levels of recognition each of which covers a specific time period in Nebraska’s early history. First Family recognition is available for families that settled in Nebraska prior to statehood in 1867, Pioneer Family recognition is available for families that settled in Nebraska between 1868 and 1879 and finally Century Family recognition is for families that settled in Nebraska at least 100 years prior the application date.

The following table lists all the families recognized through this program, the type of certificate issued, name of applicant, date of certificate issuance and whether the file has been digitized or not.  Digitized files are ONLY available through the Nebraska State Genealogical Society’s website at https://nsgs.org, however the actual paper application and physical files are housed here at the Center and can be viewed anytime during normal business hours.