Pioneer Certificates (or similar certificates with a variety of names) are available for those people who meet the requirements given by the folks offering the certificates. If you check other postings on this board, you can see some of the types of certificates offered. For example, the Illinois State Genealogical Society offers Prairie Pioneer Certificates to those who descend by blood from a person who lived in Illinois in 1880 or before. There are three types of certificates: Prestatehood, Statehood to 1850, and from 1850 to 1880. I may be off on the exact wording for 1850. (Others readers who might be interested in a Prairie Pioneer Certificate can check that out for themselves via this message board or the ISGS website.) The PPCs are very nice and make wonderful gifts for "relatives" who descend from the same ancestor. In Illinois, information from the applications is put into book form. I have found some helpful information, because one of my very distant relatives took the time to apply for a certificate. The books are useful if you are researching maiden names of ancestors. You might not know your ancestor's maiden name but an applicant just might have the information you are seeking. My grandmother had a certificate from The Sons and Daughters of Soddies since she was born in a sod house. Many local genealogical and historical societies offer certificates for their areas as well. I was not quite sure what prompted your question. Perhaps others will give a better explanation than I. Hope this helps. Kathleen (STANFIELD) COOK