National Genealogical Society Awards

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) held its annual banquet on Friday evening, 12 May, at the NGS 2017 Family History Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, to present awards that acknowledge and honor genealogical scholarship and service.  The banquet speaker, Stuart Watson, spoke on the topic “Who is Family.” Each year, these awards are presented to organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to NGS programs or have performed outstanding work in the field of genealogy, history, biography, or heraldry.

The Shirley Langdon Wilcox Award for Exemplary Volunteerism

The Shirley Langdon Wilcox Award for Exemplary Volunteerism recognizes a volunteer whose generosity of spirit and time has greatly benefited the NGS and the genealogical community over a period of years.  Ruth J. Turner of Vienna, Virginia, was this year’s award recipient. Ruth has been a very active member of the National Genealogical Society, the Fairfax Genealogical Society, and the Virginia Library Association for many years.  She managed the NGS book store at Glebe House and would often stuff conference envelopes and assist with other projects.  She has also served on the board of the Fairfax Genealogical Society in a number of positions.

The Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes dedication to the work of the National Genealogical Society.  Recipients must have been a member of the society for at least one year. This award may be presented to an individual more than one time.

In recognition of her efforts on behalf of the National Genealogical Society, the Board of Directors has awarded Sharon L. McKinnis of Temple Hills, Maryland, its Distinguished Service Award. McKinnis took over the Member Ancestor Charts scanning project in December 2010.  In the first six months, she scanned more than 8,400 charts.  She has continued to work at least ten hours a week since taking over the project and completed the project in April 2017.  As a result of her efforts, all 58,614 MAC charts in the NGS collection have been indexed.

The second recipient of the NGS Distinguished Service Award is Jane Van Tour of Redondo Beach, California. At the 2013 conference in Las Vegas, Van Tour observed how busy the staff was at the conference and offered to help.  At every conference since she has assisted in the registration booth whenever she was needed.  She has reprinted badges, stuffed conference bags, helped attendees with directions, helped with technology issues, and many other jobs, often with a funny story and always with a smile.

National Genealogical Society Past President, Jordan Jones, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was awarded the NGS Past President’s pin for his service as president from 2012-2016.

National Genealogical Society Quarterly’s Award for Excellence

The NGSQ Award for Excellence is presented for an outstanding article published in the NGSQ in the previous calendar year. For 2016, the editors have chosen Rafael Arriaga, a Mexican Father in Michigan: Autosomal DNA Helps Identify Paternity by Karen Stanbary, CG^SM of Chicago, Illinois, published in the June 2016 issue of the NGSQ.

Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources

This year’s recipient was Aaron Goodwin of New York, New York. The title of his entry was New York City Municipal Archives: An Authorized Guide for Family Historians.  This award is for a specific, significant single contribution in the form of a book, an article, or a series of articles that discuss genealogical methods and sources.

Award for Excellence: Genealogy and Family History Book

This year’s recipient was Karen V. Sipe, of Seattle, Washington. The title of her entry was A History of the Youtsey Family in America. This award is for a specific, significant single contribution in the form of a family genealogy or family history book published in the past five years. Entries serve to foster scholarship and/or otherwise advance or promote excellence in genealogy.

The President’s Citation

The President’s Citation is given in recognition of outstanding, continuing, or unusual contributions to the field of genealogy or the society. This year, the President’s Citation honors Charles “Chuck” S. Mason Jr. of Virginia who has given generously of his time and talents to benefit the genealogical community by acting as Chairperson for the NGS Awards and Benefits for a number of years.

 Senior Rubincam Youth Award

Ryan Patrick Day of Burlington, New Jersey, was the winner of this year’s Senior Rubincam Youth Award (for students in grades 10–12 or between the ages of 16 and 18). The title of his entry was The Day/Richmond Family History Five Generations.  The Senior Rubincam Award was established in 1986 to honor Milton Rubincam for his many years of service to NGS and the field of genealogy. The award encourages and recognizes our youth as the next generation of family historians.

Junior Rubincam Youth Award

Katie Cowart of Kenneth Square, Pennsylvania, won this year’s Junior Rubincam Youth Award (for students in grades 7–9 or between the ages of 13 and 15).  The title of her entry was Katherine Violet Matchie Cowart’s Biography.

The Senior and Junior Rubincam Awards were established in 1986 to honor Milton Rubincam for his many years of service to NGS and the field of genealogy. The award encourages and recognizes our youth as the next generation of family historians.

Please join me in congratulating these worthy winners!