For over 25 years the Oregon Genealogical Society (OGS) has issued Pioneer Certificates to qualifying applicants. These applicants submitted information proving a direct relationship to a person who lived in Oregon, or the Oregon Territory, prior to 1872 when the railroad arrived in Oregon.

Information on the pioneers for whom a certificate has been granted is in publications that are produced and sold by the Society. OGS began publishing this information in 1982. The applicants responsible for the presence of a pioneer or pioneer family in our publications have given permission to publish their work.

Below we list the names of the Pioneers and their spouses as given in accepted applications. This and more information is archived at our facilities. Public information from these files is available for research review. To learn how to access these files please read our Pioneer Certificate Access Policy. You may email us if you have any questions.

As of Sep 2015 the list contains the ancestor surnames from all our files. The surnames are being confirmed and will be posted soon.

This list is based on information held in our archives, submitted by individuals, and is not considered by us to be a complete accounting of those persons who braved the wilderness to open this land for settlement. If you do not see your Pioneer below there may be information at our library in one of the many biographies, histories, trail diaries and volumes of county records in our holdings. If you want to see your Pioneer in our list, help us and apply for a Pioneer Certificate.

You may request to have further research done on any of the people on this list by submitting a Research Request.

Notes on How to Read Symbols and Abbreviations in Our Web List

(1, 2)	A number in parentheses behind the given name of a Spouse or Pioneer indicates which number spouse this person was to their partner. (We have not noted every instance of this found in our records, here in the web list. At this time our files contain far more information than our computer databases, as we continue to improve and update our databases this information will be included in our web lists.)
(Cornutt)	A name in parentheses before another surname indicates a Maiden Name. A name in parentheses after a surname or given name indicates either an alternate spelling or an additional legal name.
“Mary”	A name in quotes after a given name is a nickname or common use name.
c. 1870	Means the traveler’s arrival was around this date even if we do not have proof of an exact date. For example a traveler likely arrived in 1869-70 if we can find a family in an 1868 Directory in Ohio and in 1870 they are in a Federal Census for Clackamas County, Oregon.

Ranks, seniority, and occupations are noted after a comma behind the given name of a person.

Cdre.	Commodore	Jr.	Junior
Col.	Colonel	Lt.	Lieutenant
Cpt.	Captain	Maj.	Major
Dr.	Doctor	Rev.	Reverand
Hon.	Honorable Judge	Sr.	Senior

Thank you for your interest!

OGS Pioneer Certificate Committee