Pioneer families were honored with eight First Families of Hill County, Texas 1853-1903 certificates in 2016.

 

The certificate program originated before the Hill County and Hillsboro Sesquicentennial Celebration and the awards ceremonies were part of the celebration in 2003. Three hundred and ninety certificates have now been issued by the Hill County Genealogical Society in honor of early Hill County settlers.

 

The first certificate of 2016 was issued to Brock Merritt of Aquilla with C. J. Marsh as his ancestor.  Marsh was honored with certificate 383.

 

Col. James Jackson Gathings is listed on certificate 384 as the ancestor of Jo Ann Gathings of Woodland Park, Colorado.

 

Wylie Fuller Basham is honored on certificate 385 as the ancestor of Wylie Douglas Basham of Clifton.

 

Lynda Lanette Frank of Hillsboro is the recipient of certificate no. 386 honoring her ancestor, Lemuel Walter Battles.

 

Wylie Fuller Basham and his wife, Tommie Bragg Basham, are named as ancestors on certificates no. 387 and no. 388 with David Thomas Basham and Wylie Raymond Basham of Clifton as recipients.

 

Ellis Faulkner, Jr. of Whitney, received two certificates for his ancestors.  Bennett M. Frank was honored on certificate no. 389 and Jefferson J. Connolly was named on certificate 390.

 

Early settlers who were living in Hill County between 1853 and 1903 can be honored with a First Families of Hill County, Texas, 1853-1903 certificate by one of their direct descendants. To quality, a person must prove that their ancestor settled in Hill County sometime during the first fifty years of its existence, 1853 to 1903. Evidence must also be presented to support that the applicant is a descendant of the family. It is not necessary to be a member of Hill County Genealogical Society to apply.

 

Applications may be obtained from HCGS website sites.rootsweb.com/~txhcgs. Click on First Family application print PDF file to print an application. Or request an application by mail at Hill County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 363, Hillsboro, TX 76645. Forms are also available at Hillsboro City Library. Enclose $10 with each completed application. Approved applications are filed in the Genealogy Section of Hillsboro City Library and are a valuable resource for researchers. For information contact the society by mail. You may also call Mollie Stinson at 254 582 3242 or E-mail: [email protected] .