Pioneer Certificates The Iowa Genealogical Society issues certificates to persons who are directly descended from Iowa Pioneers.  Applicants must prove direct descent and prove that the ancestor settled in Iowa: by 1846, to receive a Statehood Certificate; by 1856, to receive a Pioneer Certificate; More than 100 years prior to the date of application, for a Century Certificate.  Applications may be obtained online at this link. The Linn County Genealogical Society also issues the following: Gold Seal Certificates, for ancestors in Linn County prior to 1850; and a Silver Seal Certificates, for ancestors in Linn County after 1850. The following names have been submitted to IAGenWeb by individuals  who indicate that they hold Pioneer Certificates:  Submitted by: Pioneer Names: Rita Guzzo "My great-grandparents lived in Linn County from about 1854 to at least 1895.  I also have Pioneer Certificates for them from the Heritage Hunters, Linn County Genealogical Society." My great-grandfather is George W. ZIMMERMAN, b 1823 in Ross County, Ohio; d 10 Jan 1895 in Center Point, Linn County, Iowa.  He married first Sarah Jane SAXTON 14 Mar 1849 in Hardin County, Ohio.  She was born about 1829 and died before 1860 in Iowa.  They had 3 children, G. W. born about 1850 in Ohio, Isabel born about 1852 and Joseph born about 1855 in Iowa (birth dates are from the 1860 Federal Census for Washington Township, Linn County, Iowa). He married second Maria Jane CHURCH 23 Feb. 1862 in Center Point, Linn County, Iowa.  She was b. 1845 in Allen County, Ohio, d. 17 Apr 1916 in Marengo, Iowa.  My grandfather was the youngest of 11 children, born in 1887.  Their children are Clinton, Alice Cara or Clara, Henry, Frank, Elizabeth, Florence, Arthur, Earl, Frederick and Walter, my grandfather, born in 1887.     Do you have any Linn County Pioneers to add to this list? Contact the Linn County Coordinator Home