Two FGS Awards Given at Southern California Genealogical Societies' Annual Jamboree

Paula Johnson Hinkel and J. Paul Hawthorne (Photo Credit: Mike Provard)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies presents awards throughout each year to volunteers and organizations. On June 3, 2016, FGS presented two awards during the Southern California Genealogical Society’s Annual Jamboree in Burbank.

Paula Johnson Hinkel 

Paula Johnson Hinkel was presented with a Distinguished Service Award. The Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) nominated her for this award for a multitude of reasons. She has been instrumental in increasing the visibility of the society and in easing it into the 21st century, enabling it to continue to fulfill its mission of fostering interest in family history, preserving genealogical materials and providing instruction in accepted and effective research techniques.  

Among her many accomplishments at SCGS, Paula has volunteered as President and 2nd Vice-President of the society, as a member of the Long-Range Planning Committee, as champion of the 1890 Project, and as co-chair for the Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree from 2005-2014. Together with her co-chair Leo Myers, she grew Jamboree from a small, local event into one of the most respected and well-attended genealogical conferences. From concept to marketing design and product development, Paula was instrumental in the successful evolution of Jamboree. Paula was also the first to identify and market the use of an App for genealogical conferences. She also expanded the society outreach by making Jamboree available to researchers who could not attend. Her launch of live-streaming Jamboree sessions allowed members of the genealogical community to participate from all over the world.

In 2011, Paula pioneered the launch of the Jamboree Extension Webinar Series. This was the first time a genealogical society had offered regularly scheduled live webinars. This program is one of the most celebrated programs of SCGS, and has helped extend the awareness of the society and promote genealogical education around the world. Paula has utilized her marketing skills through the redesign of the SCGS website, the development of the Jamboree website, and the design of both the SCGS and Jamboree blogs. She was also one of the early champions of social media creating a presence on Facebook and Twitter for both SCGS as Jamboree.

J. Paul Hawthorne

In a few short days at the end of March 2016 the world of genealogy exploded in many shades of color. While genealogy is a world of many shades of color, this specific explosion resulted in the colors of our ancestral migration patterns.

J. Paul Hawthorne, Historian and FGS Delegate for the San Diego Genealogical Society, posted this hashtag on Facebook and Twitter:

#MyColorfulAncestry 

Then he showed what that meant! As he stated on Facebook, “A little visual I created in Excel. 5 Generation chart of my direct ancestors birth state -- starting with me. A good way to visualize migration patterns. He used other Twitter hashtags, too: #genealogy and  #GoofingOffAtWork.”

Goofing off? This meme is still going strong on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other media around the world! Variations of the meme arose. People from across the U.S, Canada, Australia, and other countries participated and posted their charts on social media. They asked questions of one another. They learned about research in specific places from others whose colorful charts showed ancestry in those same places. For spearheading this colorful worldwide sharing of genealogy, the Federation of Genealogical Societies presented J. Paul Hawthorne with the Technology Advances Award.

Please consider nominating a deserving person, organization, or project for an FGS award at http://fgs.org/cpage.php?pt=56.

Awards are presented at various times during each year, but if you are interested in a nomination for an award to be presented at the FGS 2016 National Conference, the deadline is 15 July 2016, which will be held August 31 — September 3, in Springfield, Illinois. Join fellow genealogists and family historians at "Time Travel: Centuries of Memories," designed to inspire you and enrich your family history! Register today at FGSConference.org.

Paula Stuart-Warren

FGS Awards Committee Chair

It's time to recognize those amazing volunteers and organizations!

Submit your nominations today!

This year FGS has scheduled two conferences, which means two times the opportunity for all of you to nominate a well-deserving society or volunteer. Even though the FGS annual conference was already held in February this year, FGS will also be a part of the New York State Family History Conference, September 17-19, 2015 in Syracuse, New York.

In February many deserving individuals were presented with FGS awards. More will be given in September. It’s time to nominate your favorite deserving society or volunteer for a FGS award. We have many unsung folks in the areas of genealogy and history. Let's recognize them for all they do.

Check out the awards categories and use our easy nominations form to let your volunteers know how much you appreciate their hard work for your society. To be considered for the awards presentation in September, the nominations must be received by August 20th.

2014 FGS Distinguished Service Award: Judi Cook of Nebraska

During the last FGS Conference, a FGS Distinguished Service Award was presented for dedicated volunteer Judi Cook, of Nebraska. Judi is a member of the FGS Member Society, Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society. Judi did much to increase visibility of her society.

Among her accomplishments are library educational activities that promoted and highlighted the LLCGS library's extensive resources to members and the public.

She expanded society outreach that resulted in:

• A new dedicated group of individuals (attendance 30-35) attending weekly genealogy classes at the public library.

• Increased public connection as Judi and the society worked with the public Library to promote and highlight "One Book-One Lincoln."

• More participation in the genealogy library resources from members and the public in and out of state.

Don’t forget to nominate other deserving individuals or organizations for consideration by the Awards Committee. Visit http://fgs.org/ and click on Awards for the details of each award category and the nomination form. Awards will be presented at various times during 2015.

2014 FGS Award of Merit Presented to Michael Nolden Henderson of Georgia

Over the next few days, we will know what individuals and organizations have been presented with special awards from the Federation of Genealogical Societies at the annual conference.

In the meantime, we give you another of the 2014 winners. Michael Nolden Henderson, LCDR USN Ret. of Georgia, was presented with an FGS Award of Merit. Henderson is pictured here with FGS President, Josh Taylor.

This award was in honor of his efforts to discover many men of color who served valiantly in the American Revolution and the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.

These forgotten patriots—free and enslaved Africans, Creoles, Haitians, Mexicans, and Native Americans fought to help secure an America that later rejected their descendants. Many of these men made critical inroads towards victory and were honored for their bravery, skill, and service. Unfortunately, their stories remain untold and Henderson has developed a kindred connection to them and to their stories and continues bringing to light their contributions and stories so that others can appreciate them too. His research has been displayed in temporary exhibits at the National Archives at Atlanta and at the Louisville International Airport.

Please think about others that deserve to be honored. Visit http://fgs.org/ and click on Awards for the details of each award category and the nomination form. Awards will be presented at various times during 2015.

FGS Award of Merit: Shirley Sturdevant, Ontario, Canada

FGS Award of Merit: Shirley Sturdevant, Ontario, Canada

Another of the deserving 2014 FGS Award winners was Shirley Sturdevant from Ontario, Canada. Shirley won the Award of Merit. She is a member of the FGS Member Society, Ontario Genealogical Society. She almost single-handedly guided the Society through a complete restructuring process with a Governance Review Committee and has been key in implementing many of its key strategies with the ad hoc Governance Task Force.

Shirley revitalized many of the committees that had slowly dissolved (Awards, Nominations, Policy Procedure & Bylaws committees). She has also overseen the utilization of many new electronic media and the establishment of the Technical Services & Innovation Committee and Webinar Committee. She & her committee personally interviewed all applicants for the new Board structure and put together an innovative & thriving Board for the future.

Congratulations, Shirley Sturdevant!

This is just one example of how wonderful volunteers can assist a society in thriving. Does your society have some of these giving volunteers? Please visit the FGS website to nominate these members or others. Visit http://fgs.org/ and click on Awards for the details of each award category and the nomination form. Awards will be presented at various times during 2015 but if you are interested in a nomination for an award to be presented at the next FGS conference, the deadline is 1 January 2015. The next conference will be held 11-14 February 2015 in Salt Lake City in conjunction with RootsTech. Details are on the FGS website and everyone is welcome! Register now. [An inside note: we can accept awards nominations for a few more days if you want the award to be considered for presentation at the February conference.]

2014 FGS David S. Vogels, Jr. Award

FGS’ David S. Vogels, Jr., Award is given to an individual in recognition of outstanding career contributions to FGS. Former FGS President, David S. Vogels (1980s), personified such contributions to FGS. At the FGS conference, instead of beginning with the winner’s name, the presentation began with the reasons why this specific person was being presented with this award. This is the text that was given that day:

Where to begin to describe the current winner This person had made immense and dedicated contributions to FGS over many years and has been a devoted conference and event planner with innovative ideas. In addition, has played key roles in FGS leadership, often stepping in when major help and time commitments. Vacations and family events have been arranged around FGS needs whenever possible

As a past president of FGS, this person made many trips related to conference planning for FGS. As of that isn’t enough for a key volunteer, this person also parked her car in the driveway to provide a space in their garage for storing many FGS conference materials. Then she volunteered to handle the voluminous FGS mail, email, phone calls, mailings, and other office duties for several years.

Among the other FGS responsibilities of this person

• Past member, FGS Board of Directors
• Past President, FGS
• Has been active with several FGS member societies
• Continues to be active with FGS

Plus she is always smiling!

In case you didn’t already guess, the person to whom these statements applied is Pat Oxley of Texas. Pat has had a health challenge this past year and there weren’t many dry eyes in the hall as she came forward to accept this award from Josh Taylor, the current FGS President. Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved award, Pat.

Learn more about the lineup of FGS awards for which someone in your organization might be eligible at http://fgs.org/  Then fill out the nomination form for an individual or organization and submit it online.

FGS Presidential Citation: Henry and Loekie Boersma.

Henry and Loekie Boersma with FGS Vice-President Kris Rzepczynski and WMGS President Don Bryant

Another of the awards presented at the 2014 FGS conference in San Antonio, was given for an amazing series of efforts by a couple from Michigan. They were not at the FGS conference so Federation of Genealogical Societies Vice President Kris Rzepczynski of Michigan presented the award personally to them at a recent monthly meeting of the Western Michigan Genealogical Society for "For their contributions in cemetery preservation and historical research that benefits the genealogical community and as an inspiration to the rest of us.”

The audience at the FGS conference learned this about Henry and Loekie:

In 1995, a few years after their retirement, Henry and Loekie found an unknown cemetery in Tallmadge Township, close to where they live in Michigan. The cemetery was completely overgrown with brush and weeds. The markers had fallen over and some buried beneath the earth. They spent the next few months working to restore the cemetery, headstones, and the history of those burials, the early residents of Tallmadge, most who were from New York.

Next they volunteered to be the Tallmadge Township historians. They retrieved boxes of unorganized records from the township office, organized each book and every piece of paper from the beginning of records in the 1830s. Loekie then indexed every name in records pertaining to the people who have lived in Tallmadge, up to the early 1900s.

In their 80's today, they continue working on the records of Tallmadge and help neighboring townships who ask for help with their own records."

An article last June on http://www.mlive.com/walker/index.ssf/2014/06/local_historians_honored_for_2.html was published after the couple were awarded the Grand Rapids Historical Society's Albert Baxter Award for their contributions "to the preservation and interpretation of the history of the Grand River Valley."

Please consider nominating other deserving persons, organizations, or projects for an award. Visit the FGS website http://fgs.org/ and click on Awards for the details of each award category and the nomination form. Awards will be presented at various times during 2015 but if you are interested in a nomination for an award to be presented at the next FGS conference, the deadline is 1 January 2015. The next conference will be held 11-14 February 2015 in Salt Lake City in conjunction with RootsTech. Details are on the FGS website and everyone is welcome! Register now.

FGS Award of Merit: Jim Dempsey of Ohio

FGS Award of Merit: Jim Dempsey of HCGS.

At the 2014 FGS Conference in San Antonio, the Award of Merit was given to Jim Dempsey of Ohio. Jim is a member and volunteer with FGS member society, Hamilton County [Ohio] Genealogical Society. Jim built a working relationship with the county's Probate Court and Recorder's Office to preserve their historical records. For more than a year, Jim coordinated a huge project with FamilySearch to digitize thousands of county records. He works 40+ hours most weeks on this project and is always on the hunt for additional records to digitize. He recently expanded his efforts to include the Common Pleas court records.

Visit the society’s website at http://hcgsohio.org/

Please consider nominating a deserving person, organization, or project for an award. Visit the FGS website http://fgs.org/ and click on Awards for the details of each award category and the nomination form. Awards will be presented at various times during 2015 but if you are interested in a nomination for an award to be presented at the next FGS conference, the deadline is 1 January 2015. The next conference will be held 11-14 February 2015 in Salt Lake City in conjunction with RootsTech. Details are on the FGS website and everyone is welcome! Register now.

FGS 2014 Awards: The Inaugural Technology Advances Award Recipient

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) presents awards for excellence in a variety of areas related to genealogy and history. At the recent FGS conference in San Antonio, Texas, an array of awards were presented and accompanied by a Power Point presentation extolling the reasons for the awards. Over the next several weeks, watch this blog for postings about the specific individuals and organizations who were the recipients.

FGS was pleased to present its inaugural Technology Advances Award to GEDmatch.com in recognition of an innovative product that enhances the genetic genealogy experience. GEDmatch is a free website that allows us many ways to compare and analyze our autosomal DNA results from different companies and ​with that of fellow DNA testers. There are other components of the website that do require a small fee but the basic comparisons may be done at no charge.

Curtis Rogers and John Olson, the Co-Administrators of GEDmatch, acknowledged the award with these words:

“We are thrilled, and humbled by this award from an organization so long established and recognized as the Federation of Genealogical Societies.  It is an indication to us that our efforts are achieving some success in reaching our goal of helping family history seekers by providing useful genealogical tools. It is all about people.”

They further said “we know that our volunteers, while few in number, will be equally honored and encouraged to continue improving GEDmatch. Please thank your Awards Committee and membership for this strong endorsement of our activities.”

If you or your genealogical or historical organization is interested in nominating a person or project for an award, please visit FGS Awards.

Awards will be presented at various times during 2015 but if you are interested in a nomination for an award to be presented at the next FGS conference, the deadline is 1 January 2015. Full details and a nomination form are on the FGS website. The next conference will be held 11-14 February 2015 in Salt Lake City in conjunction with RootsTech. Details are on the FGS website and everyone is welcome!

FGS Call for Award Nominations

2013 Award of Merit given to Cynthia Grostick
Photo Credit: Jane Haldeman

Not only is the month of April National Volunteer Month, but this week is National Volunteer Week. Without volunteers genealogical societies could not possibly function without the efforts of those who "go that extra mile."

And in that spirit, FGS is excited to announce its call for award nominations. Each year, the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) recognizes and thanks genealogical and historical organizations as well as individuals who make significant contributions to family history. The FGS awards program honors the award winners’ activities and products, highlights their efforts, and provides examples and ideas on how others can accomplish similar goals.

FGS awards are given to societies and members of societies for outstanding or notable service to the genealogical community. Other awards may be presented throughout the year and announced in FGS publications.

Do you know a person in your genealogical or historical society, library, or archives who has gone above and beyond to benefit the genealogical community on the local, state or national level? Is there a volunteer or group you feel needs special recognition? Has your society or another society produced a publication, done indexing, cleaned up a cemetery or spearheaded a worthy cause? Has your society's newsletter or website grown due to the efforts of specific people? Do you know a society or individual who has organized a fantastic effort to digitize records or advance an organization in today's world of technology?

The Federation invites you to nominate individuals or societies to receive these awards of recognition. You know the societies and the people that do the fantastic work. You know the activities and projects that an individual or society has successfully undertaken. These are the people, societies, and activities that FGS is looking for in order to recognize them and offer our gratitude with these awards.

Please consider those who you know for an FGS award. The deadline for submission of awards is June 15, 2014. FGS especially encourages its member societies to recognize their great volunteers. FGS Delegates should make their society boards aware of this opportunity.

Also, check the FGS awards page after May 1st to see some exciting additions to the lineup of FGS award categories.

For more information about the specific awards categories and a link to the awards nomination submission form, please visit: www.fgs.org/awards/awards.

Thank You,

Paula Stuart-Warren

FGS Director and Awards Committee Chair

Nominations for FGS Youth Award Due July 15, 2012

The FGS Outreach Committee is accepting nominations for The FGS 2012 Youth Award, which honors volunteers under the age of 18 who have made a significant contribution to an FGS member society. The award will be presented during the opening sessions at the FGS Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. Award recipient will receive complimentary registration for the FGS 2012 Conference along with other prizes.

Nominees must be affiliated with an FGS member society, and be eighteen or younger as of July 15, 2012.

Nominations should be submitted via email to fgsoutreach@fgs.org by July 15, 2012 and include the following:

• The society and contact information (include the society president and/or FGS delegate)

• The youth’s name and contact information.

• A brief description of the youth’s contribution to your society

2011 FGS Awards - Distinguished Service Award: Oriene Springstroh

Distinguished Service Award: Oriene Springstroh

As Founder and prime organizer of Fox Valley Genealogical Society (FVGS) in 1981, Oriene describes herself as the FVGS “mother hen,” a kind of cheerleader whose job is to encourage members in their research and to help keep the society active, relevant, and inviting. Oriene served as president in 1981,1999 and 2000, at other times she was 1st vice president, librarian, chaired, co-chaired and served on the conference committee. Oriene has made substantial contributions to fundraising; hosting society garage sales at her home and has creating and donating raffle quilts. With the help of other members, she organized three research trips to Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, IN. During the past thirty years Oriene’s continued dedication to FVGS and genealogy is evident through her hosting of the society’s summer picnic, initiating and implementing the transfer of society’s library collection from a private residence to the Oswego [IL] Public Library District, serving as editor of a short-lived society newsletter, and teaching various genealogy classes throughout the community. She has served as a genealogy research assistance and helped organize the society’s Scholarly Writing Group (SWG) to encourage members to write their research results for publication.

While this list is impressive, her volunteering goes beyond the local society. Oriene has extracted, transcribed or indexed numerous records for various local organizations. Since 2008 she is editor of the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly. On a personal level she published the history of her maternal grandparents, Andrew Porter and Ellen Gollings: Their British Origins and Illinois History.

2011 FGS Awards - Distinguished Service Award: Diane Smekler

Distinguished Service Award: Diane Smekler

As president of the San Mateo County Genealogical Society (SMCGS), Diane decided that the multiyear effort to find a permanent home for the society library needed to move forward. She followed every possible lead and possibility, spending hundreds of hours in the effort. An impassioned letter finally drew the attention of a local community college librarian and negotiations commenced. Diane led the society through nearly a year as the project unfolded. Her realistic approach to contracts and collection weeding resulted in a wonderful home for the SMCGS library, complete with a computer lab available for occasional classes, free Internet access for patrons, a magnificent view, and even a little room to grow. She has also been instrumental in getting SMCGS volunteers to work with the college students in various projects. Now that the move is complete, Diane is ready to move on from the office of President and tackle the job of Library Manager, working with the Canada College staff to keep the library working for everyone.

2011 FGS Awards - Distinguished Service Award: Roger S. Laske

Distinguished Service Award: Roger S. Laske

Roger S. Laske, of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan, (PGSM) is the editor-in-chief of the Polish Eaglet. Prior to taking this position, publication had ceased. Roger worked tirelessly and within six months had completed the missing issues, providing an uninterrupted publication. For twenty-five years, Roger has worked on extracting burial records for the Sacred Heart of Saint Mary Cemetery identifying 15,000 of the approximately 25,000 burials. Roger has also researched and written about many Polish families from Wayne, Macomb and Huron Counties in Michigan. Serving as the society’s webmaster is one of the many additional ways Roger has volunteered his time and talent for the betterment of PGSM.

2011 FGS Awards - Distinguished Service Award: Ervin “Ernie” Jaskolski

Distinguished Service Award: Ervin “Ernie” Jaskolski

In 1994, after his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, Ernie Jaskolski joined the New Mexico Genealogical Society. Membership involvement was needed so Ernie became actively involved with developing topics for the monthly meetings and setting up an editing- publication-mailing schedule for the society publication New Mexico Genealogist. Ernie initiated the Primeras Familias de Nuevo Mexico Project that honors New Mexico settlers and ancestors. During his seventeen years of membership Ernie has served in every aspect of a genealogical society from the setting up of meetings to being President. His involvement with his Boy Scouts on cemetery projects is an additional reason Ernie is receiving the Distinguished Service Award.

2011 FGS Awards - Distinguished Service Award: Patricia Ibbotson

Distinguished Service Award: Patricia Ibbotson

Patricia Ibbotson has contributed to the preservation and publication of historical and genealogical materials. She transcribed and arranged for the publication of Reports of Physicians, Detroit, Michigan, DSGR 1995; Record of the Juvenile Inmates of the Home for the Friendless, Detroit, Michigan 1996; Elmwood Cemetery Register 1862-1874, Detroit, Michigan 1998; and Westlawn Cemetery, Wayne, Michigan, with Patricia Gee 2008; as well as writing: Eloise: Poorhouse, Farm, Asylum and Hospital 1839-1984, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, SC 2002; Some Patients at Eloise Hospital (1933-1945) 2003; Detroit’s Hospitals, Healers, and Helpers, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, SC 2002; Bird and Mott Funeral Register 1922-1944, Detroit Society for Genealogical Research, Detroit, MI, 2004; and Detroit’s Historic Hotels and Restaurants, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, SC 2007.

Two articles written by Patricia and published are Seeking the Burial Location of Jane Dixon Ibbotson Stonehouse, Families, Ontario Genealogical Society, February 2008 and Burials in the Eloise Cemetery of Polish Birth or Polish Surnames 1935-1938, Polish Eaglet, Vol. 28, No. 3, Fall 2008.

From 1990-1994 Patricia was the Assistant Editor of the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research Magazine, Detroit Michigan. She then became Editor and from that time to the present, Patricia continues to bring a high standard of excellence, transcribing most of the records herself. Hundreds of genealogists have been able to further their research through the previously unpublished records she has made available through her publications.

2011 FGS Awards - Archives Award: Roscoe Hastings

Archives Award: Roscoe Hastings

Roscoe Hasting is a Warren County, New York native. Among his many digitizing and indexing projects for placement on the Warren county website are the New York State Censuses, Warren County Civil War Registrations and the 1827 Surrogate Court Minutes Book and the Surrogate Court Index Book 1813-1940. Held by the Town Clerk of Warrensburg are Roscoe’s digitized and indexed Warrensburg Birth Records 1883-1945, Death Records 1882-1966 and the Marriage Records 1883-1973. Housed at the Warrensburg , New York Historian’s office are the indexed Warrensburg Funeral Home Records 1881-1966 (3,958 images on-line), four indexed Warrensville Cemetery Records and the indexed Warrensburg 1790-1930 census records which was done by Roscoe. For Chestertown, New York Roscoe has indexed the 1790-1905 census records, 1865 deaths and marriages and the Civil War deaths. Roscoe also participates in the Rochester Genealogical Society Church Record Preservation Project. Every county would be fortunate to have such a volunteer.

2011 FGS Awards - Distinguished Service Award: J. William Gorski

Distinguished Service Award: J. William Gorski

W.J. Gorski of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan (PGSM) has given a lifetime of service and dedication in a wide variety of capacities to the genealogical and historical societies in which he has been involved. Among his accomplishments are serving as Editor-in-chief of twenty-seven issues of the Polish Eaglet, the PGSM’s tri-annual publication and the indexing of over 60,000 obituaries in the Hamtramck Citizen (a suburban Michigan newspaper). William has shared his artistic abilities and genealogical knowledge through lecturing with many organizations within Michigan. His entire collection of genealogical and historical memorabilia, containing hundreds of books, historical artifacts and thousands of historic photographs, was donated to the State of Michigan Library in Lansing, Michigan.

2011 FGS Awards - Archives Award: Willie L. Covington

2011 FGS Awards - Archives Award: Willie L. Covington

The Durham County, North Carolina vital records of births, delayed births, marriages and deaths were in a state of rapid deterioration. Many were crumbling, torn and had broken bindings that needed repair. They were transferred to the Registry of Deeds Office within the last five years and a project to ensure their long-term preservation was immediately initiated and has been accomplished through the leadership of the Register of Deeds, Willie L. Covington. The records were encapsulated in acid-free protective sheets, placed on high-density storage shelves and are openly available for examination by family historians and others who desire access. Mr. Covington is to be commended for his vision and immediate action to preserve these vital records for future generations of those with an interest in the history of Durham County.

2011 FGS Awards

On Thursday, September 8, 2011, the 2011 FGS Awards were presented during the Opening Session of the 2011 FGS Conference. The award recipients included:

Archives Award

• Willie L. Covington, Register of Deeds, Durham County, North Carolina
• Roscoe Hastings, Rochester (NY) Genealogical Society

Distinguished Service Award

• J. William Gorski, Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan

• Patricia Ibbotson, Detroit Society for Genealogical Research

• Ervin “Ernie” Jaskolski, New Mexico Genealogical Society

• Roger S. Laske, Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan

• Diane Smekler, San Mateo County Genealogical Society

• Oriene Springstroh, Fox Valley Genealogical Society

Over the next few posts, the FGS Voice blog will profile each of these award recipients and their contributions to the genealogy community.