The contest portion of the Pioneer Pursuit ends October 31, 2023, so you’ve got a month to earn a prize!
The top three individuals that submit genealogies for pioneers who lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889 will win cash prizes of $150, $100 and $50. EVERY person who submits will receive a year’s membership to WSGS.
In addition to individual prizes, local societies will receive cash prizes, too! The three societies with the most submissions (based on the number of members in the society) will receive $300, $200 and $100. EVERY society that participates in Pioneer Pursuit will receive $20.
Pioneer Pursuit Continues After October 31
Just as people continued to come into Washington after statehood, WSGS will continue to amass genealogies of pioneers. We want to document as many people who lived in the territory as we can. So even after October 31, 2023, we’ll accept genealogies.
How to Submit a Pioneer
We’ve made it easy to submit a pioneer. We’ve got instructions, examples, hints and how-to’s on our website here: https://www.wasgs.org/cpage.php?pt=96. If you don’t find what you need, please email us at Info@wasgs.org.
If you are like me none of my ancestors was in Washington Territory before Washington became a state in November of 1889, but we estimate over 350,000 people were in Washington Territory in 1889.
There is a lot of pioneers in our Pioneer Pursuit Index ( https://wasgs.org/cpage.php?pt=110 ) and you may be related to one of them and not know it without checking the index.
More than 1,500 Washington Pioneers have been documented in our Pioneer Pursuit Contest. Thank you to all who have submitted genealogies, but we’re looking for more! It is estimated there were nearly 350,000 people living here in 1889, and thousands more who came and went before 1889.
As an incentive for submitting (and having approved) a genealogy of a Pioneer and his/her descendants, you will earn a prize. Yes, everyone earns a prize:
Top three local societies with the most submissions (based on the number of members in the society): $300, $200 and $100.
Each society that participates will receive $20.
Top three individuals submitting the most submissions: $150, $100 and $50.
Each individual who participates will receive a year’s membership in WSGS.
Remember, you don’t have to be related to a Pioneer — just pick someone. Here is a list of places to start.
We want to document every man, woman and child living in Washington Territory on or before Nov. 11, 1889. YOU can help us do that! For more information, visit the Pioneer Pursuit web page or email us at Info@wasgs.org.
Many of you have embraced the Pioneer Pursuit contest with enthusiasm and vigor. We’re very excited about all the submissions (more than 1,500 so far!). It’s hard to know exactly how many people lived In Washington Territory, but there are estimates that about 350,000 individuals were here in 1889, so we have a ways to go.
We acknowledge we’re a little behind on posting the submissions in the index, but we’re working hard to get caught up. Thanks for your patience.
Even though we’re still posting your submissions, don’t let that slow you down. We’re still looking to document every man, woman and child who lived in Washington Territory on or before 11 Nov 1889. And don’t forget there are prizes for every individual and genealogical society that submits a Pioneer.
The submission form, instructions, examples, frequently asked questions and research hints are all available here. If you have other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at Info@wasgs.org. We’re here to help!
The Washington Pioneer Pursuit contest is a little over half done. So far, we have more than 600 pioneers identified in our index and many more in the review process. While the contest part (a prize for everyone!) ends October 31, 2023, the program will continue as we march toward identifying every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before Nov. 11, 1889.
We’re sure you’re not the only one with a question or two about the Pioneer Pursuit Contest. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. To see a list of other FAQs, click here.
I don’t have any ancestors who were in Washington Territory. Can I still participate in Pioneer Pursuit?
You bet you can! You don’t need to be related to any Pioneer to submit their name (& two subsequent generations) in the Pioneer Pursuit. Just pick a Pioneer from a census record, land record or any other good source, and start researching!
I don’t belong to WSGS or a genealogical society. Can I still participate?
Yes! You do not have to be a member of WSGS to participate, but please consider it. To join, click here. Or if you’re interested in a local genealogical society, click here. But if you’d rather go it alone, we’re happy to accept your submissions.
Click HEREfor a video presentation explaining Pioneer Pursuit and answering questions. This video recording is from the Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable discussion, 24 Apr 2023.
The Washington Pioneer Pursuit contest is a little over half done. So far, we have more than 500 pioneers identified in our index and many more in the review process. While the contest part (a prize for everyone!) ends October 31, 2023, the program will continue as we march toward identifying every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before Nov. 11, 1889.
We’re sure you’re not the only one with a question or two about the Pioneer Pursuit Contest. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. To see a list of other FAQs, click here.
Are Pioneer Pursuit and the Pioneer Certificate program the same?
No, they’re not the same. The Pioneer Pursuit Contest is designed to document every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. The Pioneer Certificate (and First Citizen) program is a way to purchase a certificate signifying that your ancestor was in Washington Territory on or before statehood. If your ancestor was in Washington on or before December 31, 1900, you may be eligible to purchase a First Citizen Certificate. To get more information about the Pioneer Certificate program, click here.
I already have a Pioneer Certificate. Can I use that information for Pioneer Pursuit?
Absolutely! All you need to do is complete the Pioneer Pursuit application form, noting your pioneer ancestor is in the Pioneer Certificate program. We’ll pull the information over from one program to the other.
Click HEREfor a video presentation explaining Pioneer Pursuit and answering questions. This video recording is from the Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable discussion, 24 Apr 2023.
The Washington Pioneer Pursuit contest is a little over half done. So far, we have more than 250 pioneers identified in our index and many more in the review process. While the contest part (a prize for everyone!) ends October 31, 2023, the program will continue as we march toward identifying every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before Nov. 11, 1889.
We’re sure you’re not the only one with a question or two about the Pioneer Pursuit Contest. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. To see a list of other FAQs, click here.
What is the Washington Pioneer Pursuit challenge?
Our goal is to research and document the family histories of every man, woman and child who lived in Washington Territory on or before Statehood was declared on November 11, 1889.
At a minimum, we want genealogies for the Pioneer, his/her children, and his/her grandchildren – a total of three (3) generations. If you want to include additional generations, please do so.
The family histories are posted online for any interested family history researcher. There is no charge to access the histories and you do not have to be a member of WSGS.
Are Pioneer Pursuit and the Pioneer Certificate program the same?
No, they’re not the same. The Pioneer Pursuit Contest is designed to document every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889. The Pioneer Certificate (and First Citizens) program is a way to purchase a certificate signifying that your ancestor was in Washington Territory on or before statehood. If your ancestor was in Washington on or before December 31, 1900, you may be eligible to purchase a First Citizen Certificate. To get more information about the Pioneer Certificate program, click here.
How do I get started?
Before beginning your research, we suggest you check the WSGS Pioneer Index. You may find the Pioneer you’re planning to research has already been researched. If you do find the Pioneer in the index, please send an email to Washington State Genealogical Society asking to see the genealogical data associated with the pioneer. If you are a WSGS member, you already have access to the complete Pioneer histories in the Members’ Only section. If you’re not a member, we encourage you to join so you have full access to all the data. It is only $12.00 per year.
We also suggest you take a look at the Hints and Helps document available here.
Click HEREfor a video presentation explaining Pioneer Pursuit and answering questions. This video recording is from the Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable discussion, 24 Apr 2023.
Participants in the recent WSGS Pioneer Pursuit Roundtable heard details about the program from how the applications should be completed to how the data are reviewed. Using the Pioneer Pursuit web pages as a starting point, listeners were walked through each step of the process to document every man, woman and child that lived in Washington Territory on or before November 11, 1889.
After the presentation, an open Q&A period answered specific questions in more detail. The roundtable was recorded and is availablehere. Note: If you are asked for a password, it is Dj%t1tfJ.
The contest runs from November 1, 2022 until October 31, 2023. For more information, email WAPioneerPursuit@gmail.com.
Are you interested in learning more about the Pioneer Pursuit? Well, join us for a roundtable presentation on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
We’ll show you what resources are available, how to complete the forms and how the review process works. PLUS, there’ll be plenty of time to get your questions answered. There is no pre-registration. Attendance is limited to 100 participants. The roundtable will be recorded and available on the WSGS website.
Congratulations to Saundra Middleton of Anchorage, Alaska! Saundra is the first to submit applications for the Pioneer Pursuit Contest. She has submitted six names independently and three names on behalf of the Kirkland Heritage Society. Job well done, Saundra.
Please join us in trying to document all of the people and families who were in Washington Territory when statehood was achieved in 1889. Help us leave a legacy for future genealogists. For more information and instructions, go to our homepage at www.wasgs.org and follow the links.
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