As an offshoot of the Delaware County Genealogical Society, the Delaware County Pioneers (DCP) began in 1988 to recognize the early residents of Delaware County. Descendants must prove their lineage back to an ancestor residing here before December 31, 1850 to become a Silver Member, or to an ancestor who resided here before December 31, 1830 to become a Gold Member. The first annual DCP banquet was held in October 1988 at the Methodist Theological School In Ohio. Jana Freed, daughter of James & Judi Freed, designed a pin to be presented to each incoming Pioneer along with their certificate.