Where FSSV Members can be found

The FIRST SETTLERS OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY, a non-profit organization, is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for membership.

Thank you for your interest. We strive to invite men and women of good character who have an appreciation for genealogical preservation. Joining FIRST SETTLERS OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY is by invitation. {See NOTE below under How To Apply.} The qualifying FIRST SETTLER ancestor is an individual who, prior to 31 December 1799, resided in an area that is located in a SETTLEMENT in the present-day Shenandoah Valley. (Please click on the First Settlers page for detailed information on qualifying towns, settlements, and locales.)

You can be a Charter Member - Approved Members during this first term will be noted as CHAPTER MEMBERS. The first approved 100 Members will be designated ORGANIZING CHARTER MEMBERS. For our purposes, the postmark and order of receipt to the Registrar General will define and determine the first 100 Members.

First, please click on the links below to download the application instructions and the FSSV application (select either PDF or Word file):.

• Application Instructions (PDF file)
• Application (PDF file)- to send in by postal mail
• Application (Word document file) - to complete online and return electronically

Complete the information required in the letter, attach the application fee, and send to the Registrar General by email (terrymitchell2@verizon.net) or by postal mail to:

Terry R. Mitchell, Registrar General, FSSV
701 Donaghe Street
Staunton, VA 24401-2838

NOTE: During the Charter Membership period, if interested in joining, FSSV applicants will automatically be endorsed the Governor General. After the Charter Term applicants must be endorsed by a current member.

Within a few weeks of approval of your application, a beautiful 10” x 12” FSSV Certificate with your name beautifully hand-lettered will be mailed to you. The certificate was commissioned and designed to depict colorful vignettes characterizing eighteenth century Shenandoah Valley...the peopling, events, occupations, the wilderness and the distinctive beauty of the Valley of the Daughter of the Stars. Only one First Settler name is permitted on the certificate.

Children and Grandchildren Certificates are available on your approved ancestor. These make great gifts. Your children or grandchildren must be age 18 or under in order to be eligible to receive their certificates at a reduced fee.

Spouse Certificates are available as well at a reduced rate. Spouse is defined as the First Setter’s Spouse. A spouse of a Supplemental First Settler is eligible for this discount as well.

The Lifetime Membership fee for Charter Members in First Settlers of the Shenandoah Valley is $50 which is to be submitted along with the application. Your check or money order should be made out to J. Sherman/FSSV.

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATIONS on other direct ancestors who qualify as FIRST SETTLERS are welcome at a fee of $30 for any member of the society. No letter of intent is necessary for supplemental applications. A certificate with the new ancestor’s name will be sent to you.

A certificate on the SPOUSE of the FIRST SETTLER ANCESTOR is $20. As long as the spouse’s data includes proof of marriage and/or settlement with the FIRST SETTLER, then s/he will be also approved on the initial FIRST SETTLERS application without the need to put in an additional application.

A certificate for each Children and/or Grandchildren is $18/ea.

Your membership allows this society the opportunity to offer a website listing FIRST SETTLERS of the Shenandoah Valley for the purpose of identifying and recognizing the early founders of the Shenandoah Valley. This genealogical project will be an on-going, educational, ultimately inclusive list of those documented early adventurers and their descendants.

I hope to welcome you as a descendant of a FIRST SETTLER of the SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

Janie Sherman, CG, Governor General

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