$500 Scholarship Available for the Gen-Fed Institute

Are you interested in attending the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed)? Are you an experienced researcher holding either a paid or volunteer position in the genealogical community? There is a $500 scholarship available and you may be the lucky person to win it. NIGRAA is still accepting applications, but time is short as the deadline is February 15^th. The scholarship application can be found at http://www.gen-fed.org/home/scholarships/

The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records is held at the National Archives in Washington D.C. and provides in-depth instruction on how to use federal records for genealogical research. This includes military, federal land, immigration, court and other federal records. For more information on the institute visit www.gen-fed.org.

The scholarship covers full tuition for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records, ticket to the —alumni dinner; and partial travel, hotel, and meal costs. The application will ask you to list the name of the organization you work or volunteer for, and explain how attending the Institute would benefit the work you do for the genealogical community. 

Scholarship Available for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

Here is a unique opportunity to receive a full tuition scholarship to the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. The Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship is available to someone who shows a commitment to genealogical excellence and community involvement. If you are interested act quickly as essay applications are due May 15th.

 

Salt Lake City, UT, April 8, 2015–The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association, is pleased to announce that essay entries for the Jimmy B. Parker Essay Scholarship are now being accepted.

The scholarship recipient will receive full tuition to the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2016. The scholarship will be awarded to the individual whose essay and application reflect a commitment to genealogical excellence and community involvement. Past winners are Debra Hoffman of New Windsor, Maryland, Susan LeBlanc of Gladstone, Oregon, and Patti Gillespie of Decatur, Texas.

Since 2012, the Utah Genealogical Association has offered this scholarship in honor of Jimmy B. Parker, a Utah family historian and teacher of more than 50 years. He said, “Few things have greater impact on us in this life than knowing about our heritage—who we are, where we have come from, our culture, our ancestors.” The winning essay with be posted on the Utah Genealogical Association’s blog.

Applicants are asked to submit the following via email to sligdirector@ugagenealogy.org:

• A one page essay detailing how attending the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will prepare you to give back to the genealogical community.

• A short biography or resume detailing your previous volunteer and research experience.

• The name of the course you hope to attend, and why.

• A letter of recommendation from someone who has benefitted from your volunteer service.

Essays and applications are due May 15, 2015, and the winner will be announced June 15. The winner will be chosen by a committee comprised of SLIG committee members and the family of the late Jimmy B. Parker.

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy registration opens June 20, 2015 at 9:00 AM MST.

Scholarship to the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

Jimmy B. Parker Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2015 Scholarship

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is pleased to announce we are now accepting essays for the Jimmy B. Parker Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy scholarship. Full tuition to SLIG 2015 will be awarded to the student whose essay and application exemplify the culture of giving back to community, lived by Jimmy B. Parker. The scholarship will be awarded by a committee
comprised of SLIG committee members and the family of the late Jimmy B. Parker.

Applicants are asked to submit the following via email to luanadarby@gmail.com:

1.      A one-page essay detailing how attending SLIG will help you prepare to give back to the genealogical community.
2.      A short biography, including previous volunteer and research experience.
3.      The name of the course you would like to attend.
4.      A letter of recommendation from someone who has benefited from your volunteer service.


Applications and essays are due by July 1st and the winner will be announced July 15th.

The Salt Lake Institute runs from January 12-16, 2015 and the winning student will have their choice of the following tracks:

1.       The Family History Law Library (with Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL and Rick Sayre, CG, CGL)

2.      Beyond the Library: Researching in Original Resource Repositories (John Colletta, Ph.D., FUGA)

3.      Finding Immigrant Origins (David Ouimette, CG)

4.      Advanced Research Tools: Post-War Military Records (Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA)

5.      Advanced German Research (F. Warren Bittner, CG)

6.      Resources & Strategies for United States Research, Part 1 (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA, FGMS)

7.      From Confusion to Conclusion: Writing Proof Arguments (Kimberly Powell and Harold Henderson, CG)

8.     Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (with Angela McGhie and Kimberly Powell)

9.      Advanced Genealogical Methods (with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS)

10.  Getting Started with Genetic Genealogy (Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL)

11.   Diving Deeper into New England ? Advanced (D. Joshua Taylor, MA)

12.  Advanced DNA Analysis (CeCe Moore and Angie Bush)

Applications and essays are due by July 1st and the winner will be announced July 15th.

Scholarship for the National Institute on Genealogical Research

As a member of the National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association (NIGRAA) I am excited to let you know about a scholarship available to attend the institute. I attended in 2008 and have loved working with federal records ever since. Beverly Rice, the current president of NIGRAA, has asked me to publicize this scholarship. Apply quickly if you are interested, as the deadline is January 15, 2014.

16 December 2013

The National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association (NIGRAA) announces the Richard S. Lackey Memorial Scholarship for 2014. This scholarship is awarded to an experienced researcher employed in a paid or volunteer position in the services of the genealogical community. The amount of the Scholarship is $500, which covers full tuition for the National Institute on Genealogical Research, attendance at the Alumni Association Dinner, and will partly defray hotel and/or meal costs.

Applications must be submitted in PDF or Word format. The completed application form and attachments should be e-mailed to Beverly Rice at and received by 15 January 2014. The application form can be found at the bottom of the NIGRAA website at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nigraa/. 

The winner will be notified no later than 15 February 2013. The scholarship winner will automatically be accepted for the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), to be held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., from Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18, 2013. NIGR is an intensive program offering on-site examination of federal records and is intended for experienced genealogical researchers. Note: an application to attend in 2014 must also be submitted to NIGR.

Membership in NIGRAA is open to anyone who has completed one or more sessions of the National Institute on Genealogical Research or who has lectured at any session.

Scholarship Available to Attend IGHR

Earlier today I posted an announcement about a Scholarship Available to Attend the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. My friend Deena Coutant reminded me that there is also a scholarship available to attend the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) at Samford University. The scholarship is through the Birdie Monk Holsclaw Memorial Fund.  The deadline is October 1st, so there is just a short time to apply, but the application process is very simple. For more info see the Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies webpage at http://cocouncil.org/awards.html#Holsclaw

Birdie Monk Holsclaw Memorial Scholarship

Distributions are awarded to those who have an interest in genealogy and wish to pursue genealogical related education at the Samford University Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR). Application is open to all genealogists and consists of a short resume listing genealogical experience and a 150-200 word essay describing how IGHR will help advance their genealogical research skills. Deadline for applications is October 1 each year. 

This is a great way to enhance your education and attend IGHR. The 2014 course offerings are listed here.

Scholarship Available to Attend SLIG

Have you always dreamed of attending the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy? Do you need a little help managing the cost? Well this is your lucky day. There is a scholarship available to cover tuition for one lucky person who wants to give back to the genealogical community. You need to hurry if you are interested, as the deadline is October 15th.

Debra Hoffman, the new publicity chairman for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, shares her experience:

I was honored to be the first recipient of the Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship last year. Through the generosity of Jimmy's family, I was able to realize my dream of traveling to Salt Lake City for the first time. Not only was I able to spend a week learning from leading experts in the genealogical field at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, but I was also able to research my ancestors at the Family History Library. It was a fantastic educational experience and one I will never forget! Get your application in and good luck!

Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship Announcement 

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is pleased to announce we are now accepting essays for the Jimmy B. Parker Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy scholarship. Full tuition to SLIG 2014 will be awarded to the student whose essay and application exemplify the culture of giving back to community, lived by Jimmy B. Parker. The scholarship will be awarded by a committee comprised of SLIG committee members and the family of the late Jimmy B. Parker.

Applicants are asked to submit the following via email to luanadarby@gmail.com:

1.      A one-page essay detailing how attending SLIG will help you prepare to give back to the genealogical community.

2.      A short biography, including previous volunteer and research experience.

3.      The name of the course you would like to attend.

4.      A letter of recommendation from someone who has benefited from your volunteer service.

The winning essay will be posted on the UGA blog at http://ugagenealogy.blogspot.com/.

The Salt Lake Institute runs from January 13-17, 2014 and the winning student will have their choice of the following tracks:

1.      American Research and Records: Focus on Families (with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA, FMGS)

2.      Researching New York: Resources and Strategies (with Karen Mauer Green, CG, FGBS)

3.      Research in the South (with Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA)

4.      Advanced Research Tools: Land Records (with Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL and Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL)

5.      Credentialing: Accreditation, Certification, or Both? (with Apryl Cox, AG and Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL)

6.      Producing a Quality Family Narrative (with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D., FUGA)

7.      Researching in Eastern Europe (with Kory Meyerink, MLS, AG, FUGA)

8.      Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (with Angela McGhie and Kimberly Powell)

9.      Advanced Genealogical Methods (with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS)

10.  Problem Solving (with Judith Hansen, MLS, AG)

11.  Utilizing Social History (with Gena Philibert-Ortega, MA, MAR)

Applications and essays are due by October 15^th and the winner will be announced October 30^th.

Scholarship Available for the National Institute on Genealogical Research

The National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association has issued a press release on the scholarship available for the 2013 institute. The scholarship is open to any experienced researcher employed in a paid or volunteer position in the services of the genealogical community. The deadline is early this year, December 15th, so if you are interested  in the $500 scholarship apply right away.

Richard S. Lackey Memorial Scholarship Available

The National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association (NIGRAA) announces the Richard S. Lackey Memorial Scholarship for 2013.  This scholarship is awarded to an experienced researcher employed in a paid or volunteer position in the services of the genealogical community. The amount of the Scholarship is $500, which covers full tuition for the National Institute on Genealogical Research, attendance at the Alumni Association Dinner, and will partly defray hotel and/or meal costs.

Applications must be submitted in PDF or Word format.  The completed application form and attachments should be e-mailed to Beverly Rice at and received by 15 December 2012.  The application form can be found at the bottom of the NIGRAA website at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~natgenin/

The winner will be notified no later than 15 February 2013. The scholarship winner will automatically be accepted for the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), to be held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., from Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19, 2013.  NIGR is an intensive program offering on-site examination of federal records and is intended for experienced genealogical researchers.  Note: an application to attend in 2013 must also be submitted to NIGR.

Membership in NIGRAA is open to anyone who has completed one or more sessions of the National Institute on Genealogical Research or who has lectured at any session.

Scholarship Available to Attend IGHR at Samford University

If you work at a library and would like to attend the Institute on Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University, then you may like to apply for this scholarship. The Jean Thomason Scholarship, named for a former director of the institute, covers the cost of tuition and is awarded annually to an individual currently employed at a library.


The 2013 Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) will be held Sunday, June 9 through Friday, June 14, 2013 and registration will open Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time.



Beth Ashmore from the Samford University Library sent the following message about this year's deadline:

Applications for the Jean Thomason Scholarship for IGHR are due by December 1, 2012, and will be reviewed by a Samford University Library committee. The winner will be announced in January.

Please include the following in your application:

    * Name
    * Address
    * Email
    * Phone
    * The name of the Library where you are employed
    * The length of time you have worked in a library
    * The average number of hours (monthly) spent working with patrons
    * The name of the course you plan to attend
    * In 500 words or less (1 printed page), a description of how participation in this course will benefit your patrons
    * A letter of support from a supervisor or colleague

Please send your application:

      Via email to: jszurek@samford.edu

      Via regular mail to:  
       Thomason Scholarship
       Samford University Library
       800 Lakeshore Drive
       Birmingham, AL 35229
  
For more information or to submit your application via email, visit the IGHR website at http://www4.samford.edu/schools/ighr/IGHR_scholarship.html.

Elizabeth Shown Mills Ten-point Study Blueprint

In December 2007 I joined a new Rootsweb mailing list called the Transitional Genealogists Forum (TGF). This list provided a place for genealogists transitioning into professional work to network and ask questions. Respected professional genealogists also joined the list to answer questions and share their advice.

In one post to the list I asked Elizabeth Shown Mills about educational preparation for certification through the Board for the Certification of Genealogists [1]. She recommended studying Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians [2] and attending genealogical institutes and university-sponsored programs. Another participant on the discussion list asked about options for those unable to attend formal programs. Ms. Mills wrote a ten-point blueprint for enhancing the skills of any serious genealogist [3]. She has given me permission to share it on this blog as it is excellent advice for anyone seeking to improve their genealogical skills.

Elizabeth Shown Mills wrote:

What I have to offer is a 10-point blueprint that would provide solid grounding and enhanced skills for any genealogist who is making or considering the transition from "family researcher" to
"professional."

TOTALLY FREE:

 

1. www.bcgcertification.org
Read all the "Skillbuilding" articles, study all the work samples, and do the "Test Your Skills" module at the Board for Certification of Genealogists website.

BASE-LEVEL STUDY:

 
2. Greenwood, Val D. Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. 3d ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2001.

Read Greenwood from cover to cover--several times or until you feel you have well learned its content. For three decades, this has been the leading textbook for genealogical study, and Greenwood has kept it up to date. It's big, but easily digestible. This is the textbook for the NGS Home Study course and is the equivalent of Samford IGHR's Course 2 (Intermediate Genealogy).

3. Professional Genealogy: A Manual For Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2001.

For skillbuilding (as opposed to building a business practice), focus first on these chapters:
1 "Defining Professionalism," Donn Devine, J.D., CG, CGI
14 "Problem Analyses and Research Plans," Helen Leary, CG,CGL, FASG
15 "Research Procedures," Linda Woodward Geiger, CGRS, CGL
16 "Transcripts and Abstracts," Mary McCampbell Bell, CLS, CGL
17 "Evidence Analysis," Donn Devine
18 "Research Reports," Elizabeth Shown Mills
20 "Proof Arguments and Case Studies," E. S. Mills
23 "Family Histories," Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG
24 "Lineage Papers," Mary Bell & Elisabeth Schmidt, CLS

4. Mills, E. S. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007.

Thoroughly study the first two chapters (ca. 90 pages of the 885 pp. total):
1 Fundamentals of Evidence Analysis
2 Fundamentals of Citation

(These are not the same as chapters 1 and 2 of the little 1997 "briefcase edition" of Evidence.)

5. The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual. Provo: Ancestry, 2000.

Read *all* of the standards, starting with the Genealogical Proof Standard. Examine the appendixes for the models they provide.

MORE ADVANCED STUDY:

6. (for Methodology)
National Genealogical Society Quarterly , 1987-to date. 

**Study** the case studies in every issue you can get your hands on. It does not matter what family or what region the case study deals with. You are studying it for techniques and methods. Almost every library with a genealogical collection,as well as many university libraries, have NGSQ. At www.worldcat.org you can identify libraries in your region that carry it. NGS has also begun to put back issues online at www.ngsgenealogy.org, if you are a member.

7. (for Methodology)
Rising, Marsha Hoffman, CG, FASG. The Family Tree Problem Solver. Cincinnati: Family Tree Books, 2005. 

8. (for Sources)
Luebking, Sandra Hargreaves, and Loretto D. Szucs, The Source. 3d ed. Provo: Ancestry, 2006).

GROUP STUDY:

9. If you live within driving distance of other serious genealogists, consider starting a study group along the Litchman Model that has been discussed over the years in various NGS and APG forums. Basically: the groups that follow the Litchman Model meet monthly, choose a case study (usually from NGSQ) for each month's meeting, require participants to read the assigned case study at least three times, make notes, and come prepared to discuss the methodology, sources, and strengths and weaknesses in the research or analysis. Check the APG-L archives for discussions particularly by the late Ken Aitken regarding his group.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

10. Scholarships and awards to attend conferences and institutes (typically in the $500 range) are available through several genealogical channels, particularly these:

A. ASG Scholar Award (for attendance at either IGHR or NIGR)
http://www.fasg.org/asg_scholar_award.html

B. BCG Education Fund Scholarship (for attendance at IGHR, NIGR, NGS Conference, or FGS Conference)  http://www.bcgcertification.org/educationfund/index.html#SCHOLAR
[Note: This scholarship has been discontinued since the study blueprint was originally posted in 2007]

C. IGHR Jean Thompson Scholarship (to attend IGHR)
http://www.samford.edu/schools/ighr/IGHR_scholarship.html

D. NGS Family History Writing Contest (to attend NGS Conf)
Http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/comfamhist.cfm

E. NIGR Richard Lackey Scholarship (to attend NIGR)
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nigraa/

Needless to say, winning any of these scholarships puts one on the fast-track professionally, from the standpoint of recognition of one's merit.

Good luck,
Elizabeth
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG

Comments by Angela:

Those of us on the TGF list at the time took Elizabeth's advice to heart. She had recommended participating in study group and so we organized online study groups to connect with others across the country. The first was an NGSQ study group, which still meets monthly and accepts new participants. Contact Sheri Fenley at sherifenley@gmail.com for more information. The second is the ProGen Study Group studying the manual Professional Genealogy. This study group was very successful and many others wanted to participate. There are now eighteen ProGen Study Groups with over 300 people participating. For more information on this program see www.progenstudy.org

Reference Notes:

[1]  Angela McGhie, "Thanks Elizabeth " Transitional Genealogists Forum, discussion list, 18 December 2007 (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM/2007-12/1198006142 : accessed 6 June 2012).

[2] Professional Genealogy: A Manual For Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2001.

[3] Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Educational prep & mentorships," Transitional Genealogists Forum, discussion list, 19 December 2007 (http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/transitional-genealogists-forum/2007-12/1198123606 : accessed 6 June 2012).

American Society of Genealogists Scholarship

The following announcement was written by the American Society of Genealogists:

 

The American Society of Genealogists gives an annual $500 scholarship that can be applied to any of three genealogy institutes: (1.) the National Institute of Genealogical Research at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.; (2.) the Institute of Genealogy and Historical research at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama; and (3.) the Certificate Program in Genealogical Research at Boston University. 

For details, see the ASG website at www.fasg.org.

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship

I received the following announcement about a new scholarship available for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy: 

April 17, 2012

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is pleased to announce we are now accepting essays for the Jimmy B. Parker Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy scholarship. Full tuition to SLIG 2013 will be awarded to the student whose essay and application exemplify the culture of giving back lived by Jimmy B. Parker. The scholarship will be awarded by a committee comprised of SLIG committee members and the family of the late Jimmy B. Parker.

Applicants are asked to submit the following via email to sligdirector@ugagenealogy.org:

1.      A one-page essay detailing how attending SLIG will help you prepare to give back to the genealogical community, following Jimmy B. Parker’s example.

2.      A short biography including previous volunteer and research experience.

3.      The name of the course you would like to attend.

4.      A letter of recommendation from someone who has benefited from your volunteer service.

The winning essay will be posted on the UGA blog at http://ugagenealogy.blogspot.com/.

The Salt Lake Institute runs from January 14-18, 2013 and the winning student will have their choice of the following tracks:

American Research and Records: Focus on Localities (with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA, FMGS)

Bridging the 1780-1830 Gap: From New England to the Midwest (and Points in Between) (with D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS)

Researching Your English Ancestors: Beyond the Parish Register (with Apryl Cox, AG)

Advanced German Research (with F. Warren Bittner, CG)

Researching in Washington D.C. without Leaving Home (with Richard G. Sayre, CG, and Pamela, Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL)

A Genealogist’s Guide to the Internet Galaxy (with Thomas MacEntee)

Principles of Forensic Genealogy (with Melinde Lutz Byrne, CG, FASG and in partnership with Boston University)

Producing a Quality Family Narrative (with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D.)

Advanced Genealogical Methods (with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS)

Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (with Angela McGhie and Kimberly Powell)

Problem Solving (with Judith Hansen, MLS, AG)

Applications and essays are due by May 15^th and the winner will be announced May 31^st. SLIG registration opens June 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM Mountain Time.

Genealogy Writing Competitions

I believe that experience is the best teacher, and one of the best ways to learn is by doing. I am going to challenge myself, and invite you to join me, in developing genealogical writing skills. You can work on writing a formal genealogy, a biographical sketch of an ancestor, an article, or any other piece of genealogical writing you choose.

I also know that competition and a deadline can be a great motivator. Listed below are genealogical writing competitions where you can be recognized and rewarded for excellent writing. Even if you do not plan to submit a piece to one of these competitions this year, it can be a goal for the future. The challenge I issue is to work on improving your writing skills and honor your ancestors by telling their story.

GENEALOGY WRITING COMPETITIONS
Thanks to Michael Hait for compiling this list of writing competitions. 
http://haitfamilyresearch.com/freeresources.aspx

American Society of Genealogists
ASG Scholar Award
http://www.fasg.org/asg_scholar_award.html
2012 Deadline: Interested applicants for the award should apply before September 30, 2011.
“The ASG Scholar Award provides financial assistance for a developing scholar to attend one of three training programs in American genealogy: the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), or the new Certificate Program in Genealogical Research at Boston University. The recipient may register for the program of his or her choice.” Submit “a manuscript or published work of at least 5,000 words, demonstrating an ability to conduct quality genealogical research, analyze results, and report findings in an appropriately documented fashion.”

BCG Education Fund
Donald Mosher Memorial Award for Colonial Virginia Research
http://www.bcgcertification.org/educationfund/index.html#MOSHER
2011 Deadline: The annual deadline is 31 December.
“This competitive Award was established in 2001 by Merrill Hill Mosher, CG, of Oregon, to honor her late husband in gratitude for his support of her genealogical endeavors. The $500 grant funds scholarly research on colonial Virginia topics in the following categories: family genealogy, study of immigrant origins, or projects focused on obscure or difficult unpublished Virginia resources.”

Connecticut Society of Genealogists
2011 CSG Literary Awards
http://www.csginc.org/csg_literary_awards.php
2011 Deadline: Entries must be received in CSG’s Office by February 15, 2011.
“Entry Categories are:
a.) Genealogy, related to New England (begins with someone in the past and moves forward in time through all of his/her descendants).
b.) Family History, related to New England (begins with someone living today or recently and moves backward in time usually in a direct line).
c.) Genealogical Resource related to New England (might include cemetery abstracts, compilations, court records, etc.)”

Connecticut Society of Genealogists
“Tell Your Family Story” Essay Contest
http://www.csginc.org/csg_literary_awards.php
2011 Deadline: Entries must be received in CSG’s Office by February 15, 2011.
“Essays may include transcriptions of excerpts from an ancestor’s journal/diary; transcriptions of cemetery markers; oral histories; family histories/traditions and socio-economic background surrounding/affecting an ancestor. Essay writers are encouraged to use their imagination when deciding on a topic. Please bear in mind that essays must have some relevance to New England (see #2 above).”

International Society of Family History Writers and Editors
Excellence in Writing Competition
http://isfhwe.org/
2010 Deadline: The contest will begin 1 October 2010. Entries must be received by the coordinator no later than 31 December 2010.
National Genealogical Society
The Family History Writing Contest
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/family_history_writing_contest
Deadline for Submissions: 31 December Annually
To encourage members to write a family history that covers at least three generations and not more than four. Full rules on website.

Ohio Genealogical Society
The 4th Annual Ohio Genealogical Society Writing Competition
http://www.ogs.org/writing2011/index.php
2011 Deadline: Entries will be accepted from 1 December 2010 through 1 February 2011.
“Showcase your genealogical writing talent in one of the Ohio Genealogical Society’s outstanding journals. OGS is sponsoring its fourth annual genealogical writing contest which is open to authors of genealogical and historical material. In doing so, OGS will reward genealogical authorship and will feature the winners in its journals. Two OGS journals will reach our 5,400-member base while the two subscription journals reach genealogical and historical groups with special interests in early Ohio history and in Ohio’s Civil War soldiers. The contest is for articles dealing with Ohio history and genealogy, Ohio records groups, Ohioans who left to settle elsewhere and Ohio families. OGS welcomes articles ranging in size from 750 words up to 5,000 words, depending on the subject.”

Oklahoma Genealogical Society
Family Story Writing Contest
http://www.okgensoc.org/storywriting-contest.htm
2011 Deadline: postmarked by 30 April 2011
“There is no entry fee and membership in OGS is not required for this year. There should be some connection to Oklahoma, either through the author’s residence or the story itself. There will be two divisions: Adult and Student.”

Pinellas Genealogy Society
Family History Writing Competition
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~flpgs/quarterly/pg-writingcontest.htm
2011 Deadline: All entries must be received no later than 31 October 2011.
“Entries should be based on the author’s research of a family history or a genealogical account of family lines and lives, discussing the steps followed and the conclusions that resulted from the research. Entries must be original, unpublished papers or published papers. If previously published, please submit permission to reprint from the original publisher along with the entry.”

Rogue Valley Genealogical Society, Inc.
Family History 2011 Writing Contest
http://rvgsociety.org/2011WritingContest.pdf
2011 Deadline: Submit entries between March 15, 2011 and April 15, 2011.
“Piece must be written to the theme: “Person, Place or Thing”. Weave a story around an object your ancestor made or used that was passed down through the family, or write about your favorite family member or story. Your story must be factual, with suppositions clearly indicated. Documentation in the form of endnotes or footnotes is required. Length is to be between 750 and 5000 words.”

Southern California Genealogical Society
GENEii Family History Writing Contest
http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/index.php
2010 Deadline: Entries must be received between November 1 and December 31, 2010.
“The contest is for factual articles: either family history or local history, character sketches, or memoirs. The entries should capture a sense of a family’s experience(s), or the character of a locality, or reveal an individual’s character and personality. The best articles will help illuminate the human drama—and will also illuminate the era, and/or the historical or social context of the subject.” FAQs for 2010 Contest on the website.

Texas State Genealogical Society
TSGS Writing Awards
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txsgs/TXSGS-New/Pages/Awards/Writing.htm
2010 Deadline: 1 September 2010
Contest open to TSGS members. Several categories. Full rules on website.

Jean Thomason Scholarship for IGHR

I received the following announcement from Beth Ashmore at Samford University Library. If you are employed by a library and would like to attend the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research then this is a great opportunity to have your tuition paid by scholarship.

Applications for the Jean Thomason Scholarship for IGHR are due by December 1, 2010 and will be reviewed by a Samford University Library committee. The winner will be announced in January.

Please include the following in your application:

   * Name
   * Address
   * Email
   * Phone
   * The name of the Library where you are employed
   * The length of time you have worked in a library
   * The average number of hours (monthly) spent working with patrons
   * The name of the course you plan to attend
   * In 500 words or less (1 printed page), a description of how participation in this course will benefit your patrons
   * A letter of support from a supervisor or colleague

Please send your application to:

   Thomason Scholarship
   Samford University Library
   800 Lakeshore Drive
   Birmingham, AL 35229

Or email it to jszurek@samford.edu with the subject line "IGHR Scholarship"

For more information or to submit your application via email, visit the IGHR website at http://www4.samford.edu/schools/ighr/IGHR_scholarship.html.

NIGR Alumni Association

I wrote on Monday about the National Institute on Genealogical Research, or NIGR. Today I would like to share information on NIGR's Alumni Association. This organization is open to anyone who has attended or lectured at the National Institute on Genealogical Research. The group sponsors an annual dinner on the Friday night of the institute to honor those who have completed the program. They also raise money for two purposes:

1. Funding the Richard S. Lackey Memorial Scholarship for a student to attend the institute.  The scholarship is awarded to an experienced researcher in either a paid or a volunteer position, in the service of the genealogical community.
 
2. Contributing funds to the National Archives Trust Fund for the microfilming of genealogically-significant NARA records that would probably not otherwise be filmed. Once filmed, these records then become available to a much wider audience than those who can to come to Washington, D.C.

These are worthy projects that benefit the genealogical community.