Pope Pioneer Program
To honor those who contributed to our county’s rich history, the Pope County Historical Society issues Pope Pioneer Certificates to direct descendants of early settlers who settled in Pope County prior to 31 December 1900. Applicants must prove a direct relationship to the early settler as specified on the application.
The applicant must be a direct descendant from an individual who settled as an adult (age 18 or over) in Pope County, Illinois during specific timeframes. A direct relationship is through bloodline (i.e., “child of a child”). Indirect relationships such as sibling, uncle, aunt, cousin, etc. do not qualify. An adult who settled in the sections of Pope County which later became Hardin County (1839) and Massac County (1843) are eligible.
