NGS Presents Its Filby Award

The National Genealogical Society Announces

the Winner of the Filby Award

Timothy Gleisner and Bill Forsyth from Pro Quest

Today the National Genealogical Society (NGS) presented the Filby Award along with its $1,000 prize to Timothy Gleisner, former Head of Special Collections at the Grand Rapids Public Library at the Librarians’ Day event of the NGS 2018 Family History Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Created in 1999 by NGS, the award is named for the late P. William Filby, former director of the Maryland Historical Society and author of many core genealogical reference tools that genealogists have relied on for decades. It is presented annually at the NGS Family History Conference and has been sponsored by ProQuest and Mr. William Forsyth since 2006.

During his time at the Grand Rapids Public Library, Gleisner sought to find, and preserve all aspects of the city’s history and culture. He worked at the library and throughout the city to share his knowledge. He made available archival documents that tell the stories of Western Michigan families and the communities’ past history. He left the Grand Rapids Public Library to work at the Herrick District Library as assistant director in Holland, Michigan, and recently accepted a position at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing, Michigan, where he serves as the manager of Special Collections.