NGS Names Winners of Top Contributors to the Field

Long before Who Do You Think You Are? and Faces of America brought genealogy into the mainstream, Americans have used sound research, solid methodology, and a passion for history to trace their family roots. At the National Genealogical Society’s 2010 Family History Conference in Salt Lake City, top genealogists were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field of family history.

NGS has been committed to excellence, scholarship, and training in family search techniques since its inception in 1903. It supports numerous awards and competitions in a variety of categories to honor those who exemplify this commitment.

“This year’s submissions really showed the breadth of work being done today in genealogy, biography, and history,” said Lynda Suffridge, Vice President and Chair of the NGS Awards Committee. “We can honestly say that ‘business is booming.’” Suffridge also acknowledged the panel of 27 judges who volunteered their time and expertise to review this year’s applications.

Awards and recipients for 2010 are:

NGS Genealogy Hall of Fame, honoring individuals of the past who made significant contributions to the field and set high standards for genealogists:

• Rosalie Fellows Bailey (1908-1991), a leading authority on the history and records of the early families of New York City and the lower Hudson River Valley

President’s Citation, in recognition of outstanding, continuing, or unusual contributions to the field of genealogy or to the Society:

• Peter Broadbent, (Richmond, Virginia)
• Connie Lenzen, CG (Portland, Oregon)
• Elissa Scalise Powell, CG (Wexford, Pennsylvania)

NGS Award of Merit in recognition of exceptional contributions to the field of genealogy over a period of five or more years, significantly aiding research or increasing interest in genealogy:

• The Louisiana Creole Research Association
• Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, (Haddonfield, New Jersey)
• Jean Nudd, (Pittsfield, Massachusetts)

Award of Excellence: Genealogical Methods & Sources, presented to an individual or nonprofit organization for a book, article, or series of articles published during the past three years that discusses genealogical methods and sources to foster excellence in genealogy:

• Schelly Talalay Dardashti (Tel Aviv, Israel)

The NGSQ Award for Excellence, for an article or series of articles that foster excellence in genealogy:

• Rachal Mills Lennon, CG (Cottontown, Tennessee)

The NGS Family History Writing Contest for a compilation of a three- or four- generation family history:

• Patrick Quigley (Poconco Pines, Pennsylvania)

The NGS Home Study Course Scholarship, encouraging an NGS member pursuing a career in genealogy:

• Terri Hildreth (Madison, Alabama)

NGS Filby Award, sponsored by ProQuest, for a librarian at a public, academic, or special library whose full-time focus is in genealogy and local history, for significant contributions to research, scholarship, support, and other activities:

• Randy Riley (Lansing, Michigan)

The NGS Newsletter Competition, recognizing newsletters for their compelling content, variety, originality, quality, readability, and attractiveness:

Major Genealogical Society Newsletter

• First Place: Anglo-Celtic Roots (British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa) edited by Chris McPhail (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada);
• Runner-Up: Nuestra Herencia, edited by Debbie Figueroa (New York, New York)

Local Genealogical Society Newsletter

• First Place: Collin County Genealogical Society Newsletter, co-edited by Mary Ann Thompson and Fran Faitt (Plano, Texas)
• Runner-Up: BIGWILL News (British Interest Group of Wisconsin and Illinois), edited by Karen Glass (Richmond, Illinois)

Family Association Newsletter

• First Place: The Chandler Family Association Newsletter edited by Claudia Chandler Brocato (Brandon, Mississippi)
• Runner-Up: The Goodrich Gospel edited by Kay Waterloo (Greenwood, Indiana)

Congratulations to all these award winners, and thanks for your contributions to the field of genealogy!