Applications are now being accepted for the ASG Scholar Award for 2019 (deadline: August 31, 2018). This annual grant of $1000 is awarded for study at one of six major academic genealogical programs in the United States (listed below). Candidacy for the award is open to all genealogists, genealogical librarians, and researchers working in related fields. Applicants submit a published work or a manuscript of work in progress, to be judged by a panel of three Fellows. The goal of the award is to recognize talent and build genealogical expertise by providing promising genealogists the opportunity to receive advanced academic training in genealogy.

The award granted in October of each year is to defray costs of attending a program in the following calendar year.

The ASG Scholar Award provides financial assistance for a developing scholar to attend one of six academic programs in American genealogy: the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), held in Athens, Georgia, under the auspices of the Georgia Genealogical Society (formerly based at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.); the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), formerly NIGR, in Washington, D.C.; the Certificate Program in Genealogical Research at Boston University; the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG); or the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), or one of two online courses, Advanced Genealogical Research (GENE 350) or Genetic Genealogy (GENE 201), at Excelsior College, Albany, New York. The recipient of the ASG Scholar Award may register for the program of his or her choice. The award is given in October of each calendar year, with the intention that it is used for genealogical study in the following calendar year.

• The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), formerly NIGR, held for one week each July and based at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., is the nation’s oldest institute for genealogical education, founded in 1950. Gen-Fed provides a unique program of advanced instruction in the use of National Archives records. Write to: Gen-Fed Director, P.O. Box 24564, Baltimore, MD 21214.
• The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), held for one week each June, was founded in 1964 to provide a structured program of genealogical study at an academic level. Based through 2016 at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, it moved to Athens Georgia in 2017, and is affiliated with the Georgia Genealogical Society. IGHR offers tracks of study, ranging from beginning to advanced research methodology, professional genealogy, and other specialized topics. Contact: Laura Carter, IGHR Director, 3710 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens GA 30605-4712.
• The Certificate Program in Genealogical Research at Boston University consists of five modules, offered on Saturdays in seven-hour sessions: Foundations, Technology, Evidence, Forensic, and Ethnic and Geographic Specialties. Write to: Center for Professional Education, 1010 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, Boston MA 02215.
• The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association, is in its 20th year and is a week-long intensive educational experience that takes students deep into their topic of choice. SLIG is dedicated to offering courses that fill a high-intermediate and advanced-level educational need. However, each year a handful of courses are included which provide a wealth of information and background information required to help intermediate and transitional genealogists strengthen their core understanding of the research process. Write to: The Utah Genealogical Association, PO Box 1144, Salt Lake City, UT 84110 or contact info@ugagenealogy.org.
• The Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The instructors are all experienced genealogical researchers, lecturers, and writers who bring their expertise into the classroom with case studies and problem solving exercises. The students come from a wide variety of backgrounds but all share their passion for family history and for learning how to efficiently break down “brick wall” genealogical puzzles. Various different week-long genealogical courses which incorporate hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art and friendly community atmosphere. Write to: GRIP of Pittsburgh, PO Box 44, Wexford, PA 15090.
• GENE 350 (Advanced Genealogical Research—15 weeks) or GENE 201 (Genetic Genealogy—8 weeks) at Excelsior College, Albany, New York. These undergraduate credit-bearing courses are taught online by leaders in the field and meet or exceed standards for both genealogy and genetic genealogy.

Applications

Applicants for the ASG Scholar Award for 2019 should apply before August 31, 2018, by submitting the items below:

• a résumé that emphasizes activities relating to genealogy and lists the applicant’s publications in the field, if any (prior publications are not necessary).
• 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. If the submission is to be returned, it should be accompanied by an envelope or bagging with sufficient postage.
• a statement (100–150 words) which (1) identifies the individual’s choice of program and (2) explains why the individual feels that attendance will enhance his or her growth as a genealogical scholar.

The ASG Scholarship Committee, chaired by the ASG vice-president, will make the selection for the award. Announcement of the award winner will be made by October 15, 2018. Applications should be addressed to:

Joseph C. Anderson II, Chair
ASG Scholar Award Com­mittee
5337 Del Roy Dr.
Dallas TX 75229-3016

Email submission is preferred, to: jca2nd@gmail.com

Read more about the award and see a list of past recipients at Awards > ASG Scholar Award.

The Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists (ASG) held their annual meeting on Saturday, October 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rachal Mills Lennon of Hendersonville, Tennessee, was elected to the Society as its 167th Fellow.

Rachal Mills Lennon has been a Certified Genealogist since 1987. Her research focuses on challenging problems in the American South, especially those involving African Americans, Native Americans, and white yeoman farmers. Along with numerous scholarly genealogical articles in The National Genealogical Society Quarterly and The American Genealogist, her published work includes a compiled genealogy, Some Southern Balls: From Valentine to Ferdinand and Beyond (Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1993), and a methodological guide, Tracing Ancestors among the Five Civilized Tribes: Southeastern Indians Prior to Removal (Baltimore, 2002), which is one of the cornerstone references for Native American genealogy.

Since the 1960s, the American Society of Genealogists has occasionally granted a Certificate of Appreciation to an individual or organization in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the discipline of genealogy. At its Annual Meeting on October 7, 2017, the Society awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Eric G. Grundset, in recognition of his superlative series of definitive state-based bibliographies of the American Revolution, published since 2013. To quote from the nomination:

“Our field’s most important bibliographic work to appear in the past decade is Eric G. Grundset’s series of source guides to the American Revolutionary era. To say that Grundset’s work is comprehensive is an understatement. His lifetime of study, across a career as Library Director and Director of Publications for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, is now compiled into seven oversized volumes focusing on eight key states—nearly 5,000 pages of explicitly cited materials. Grundset’s coverage of books, periodicals, manuscripts, and maps—in print, online, and buried in archives—embraces all regions, ethnic groups, and churches, as well as individual families and political and military leaders.”

Here are 24 of the Fellows at the ASG annual meeting held Saturday, 7 October 2017 at the Plaza Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Seated: Mathews, Hatcher, J. Anderson, H. Jones, Dearborn, Williams, Baldwin, Byrne, T. Jones.
Standing: Taylor, Murphy, Joslyn, Harris, Dwyer, Reed, Sperry, Smith, Hill, Bamberg, Hart, Saxbe, C. Hansen, Hinchliff, Remington.

At their meeting in Salt Lake City on October 7, 2017, the Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists granted their annual ASG Scholar Award to Stephanie K. West of Lodi, California, for her article, “Who Was the Father of George W. West of Tioga County, Pennsylvania?” The ASG Scholar Award rewards talented genealogists with stipends to pursue advanced academic training in genealogy.

This past January, the American Society of Genealogists lost one of its senior members, an FASG who epitomized the Society’s emphasis on scholarship and its value to the scholarly world.

Cameron Harrison Allen was born in Springfield, Ohio, on 7 February 1928, son of George Badger Allen and his wife Dorothy (Spencer). He died in Palm Springs, California, on 23 January 2017, aged 88. In 1962 at the age of only 34, he was elected a Fellow of The American Society of Genealogists, as number 78 on the roll. He served the ASG as Secretary (1989-92), Vice-President (1992-95), and President (1995-98). When he died, he was second in seniority among the Fellows.

Cameron completed his Bachelor’s degree in 1947 at Otterbein College, Westerville Ohio, and a Master’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin in 1951. He then served in the Corps of Engineers, US Army, from 1951-53 in Korea. In 1956, he earned a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois and the degree of Juris Doctor in 1959 from Duke University.

His entire professional career was at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, beginning in 1959 as Assistant Law Librarian and retiring in 1983 as Librarian and Professor of Law. He published prolifically both in law and genealogy, the latter in The American Genealogist, of which he was a Contributing Editor for many years, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, The Virginia Genealogist, the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, The Detroit Society for Genealogical Research Magazine, and the Society’s journal, The Genealogist. He specialized in the early French families of Manakintown, Virginia, of which he was the leading expert. His genealogies of the Chastain, Soblett, and LeVillain families are definitive.

Cameron was a life-long Episcopalian, serving on several parish vestries and seldom missing Sunday worship, even when he had to be out of town. His last published work was a book-length study entitled The History of the Holy Trinity American Episcopal Church, Paris, 1858-1979, which he completed in 1984, but did not publish until 2013 when publication was supervised by a nephew through iUniverse.

Despite his employment at Rutgers, Cameron considered his home to be Columbus, Ohio, until he moved to Palm Springs, California, during his last years. In Columbus, he was a partner in the family firm of Strawser and Allen, which dealt in commercial real estate.

Cameron Allen was a “genealogists’ genealogist.” Everything he published was thoroughly researched, fully documented, and carefully analyzed. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his brother, Spencer Allen, his sister Carolyn Allen Swavely, and nieces and nephews, as well as by his surrogate family, Mike Ridenour and Roy Caffarel, to all of whom the Society sends its deep sympathy.

David L. Greene
ASG Biographer

Applications are now being accepted for the ASG Scholar Award for 2018 (deadline: August 31, 2017). This annual grant of $1000 is awarded for study at one of five major academic genealogical programs in the United States (listed below). Candidacy for the award is open to all genealogists, genealogical librarians, and researchers working in related fields. Applicants submit a published work or a manuscript of work in progress, to be judged by a panel of three Fellows. The goal of the award is to recognize talent and build genealogical expertise by providing promising genealogists the opportunity to receive advanced academic training in genealogy.

The award is granted in October of each year to defray costs of attending one of the following genealogical programs in the next calendar year.

• Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), formerly NIGR, held for one week each July and based at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., is the nation’s oldest institute for genealogical education, founded in 1950. Gen-Fed provides a unique program of advanced instruction in the use of National Archives records. Write to: Gen-Fed Director, P.O. Box 24564, Baltimore, MD 21214.
• Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), held for one week each June, was founded in 1964 to provide a structured program of genealogical study at an academic level. Based through 2016 at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, it moved to Athens Georgia in 2017, and is affiliated with the Georgia Genealogical Society. IGHR offers tracks of study, ranging from beginning to advanced research methodology, professional genealogy, and other specialized topics. Contact: Laura Carter, IGHR Director, 3710 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens GA 30605-4712.
• Certificate Program in Genealogical Research at Boston University consists of five modules, offered on Saturdays in seven-hour sessions: Foundations, Technology, Evidence, Forensic, and Ethnic and Geographic Specialties. Contact: Center for Professional Education, 1010 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, Boston MA 02215.
• Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association, is in its 20th year and is a week-long intensive educational experience that takes students deep into their topic of choice. SLIG is dedicated to offering courses that fill a high-intermediate and advanced-level educational need. However, each year a handful of courses are included which provide a wealth of information and background information required to help intermediate and transitional genealogists strengthen their core understanding of the research process. Contact: The Utah Genealogical Association, PO Box 1144, Salt Lake City, UT 84110 or contact info@ugagenealogy.org.
• Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The instructors are all experienced genealogical researchers, lecturers, and writers who bring their expertise into the classroom with case studies and problem solving exercises. The students come from a wide variety of backgrounds but all share their passion for family history and for learning how to efficiently break down “brick wall” genealogical puzzles. Various different week-long genealogical courses which incorporate hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art and friendly community atmosphere. Contact: GRIP of Pittsburgh, PO Box 44, Wexford, PA 15090.

Applications

Applicants for the ASG Scholar Award for 2018 should apply before August 31, 2017, by submitting the items below:

• a résumé that emphasizes activities relating to genealogy and lists the applicant’s publications in the field, if any (prior publications are not necessary).
• 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. If the submission is to be returned, it should be accompanied by an envelope or bagging with sufficient postage.
• a statement (100–150 words) which (1) identifies the individual’s choice of program and (2) explains why the individual feels that attendance will enhance his or her growth as a genealogical scholar.

The ASG Scholarship Committee, chaired by the ASG vice-president, will make the selection for the award. Announcement of the award winner will be made by October 15, 2017. Applications should be addressed to:

Joseph C. Anderson II, Chair
ASG Scholar Award Com­mittee
5337 Del Roy Dr.
Dallas TX 75229-3016

Email submission is preferred, to: jca2nd@gmail.com

Read more about the award and see a list of past recipients at Awards > ASG Scholar Award.

Here are 27 of the Fellows at the ASG annual meeting held Saturday, 8 October 2016 at the Plaza Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Seated: Greene, J. Anderson, H. Jones, Saxbe, Hatcher, Hyde, Hill, Dearborn.
Standing: C. Hansen, Arthaud, Dwyer, Ullmann, Joslyn, Remington, Bamberg, Stott, J. Hansen, Sperry, Harris, T. Jones, Baldwin, Mills, Smith, Mahler, Reed, Byrne, Hart [Photo: Taylor].

Alternate view: Seated: Greene, J. Anderson, H. Jones, Saxbe, Hatcher, Hyde, Hill. Standing: C. Hansen, Arthaud, Dwyer, Ullmann, Joslyn, Remington, Bamberg, Stott, J. Hansen, Sperry, Harris, T. Jones, Baldwin, Mills, Smith, Mahler, Reed, Byrne, Hart, Taylor [Photo: Dearborn].

At their meeting in Salt Lake City on October 8, 2016, the Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists granted their annual ASG Scholar Award to Steven W. Morrison, MPA, of Olympia, Washington, for his article “Quaker John Starr of Antrim and Cavan, Ireland, and His Five Sons Who Sailed to Pennsylvania.” The ASG Scholar Award rewards talented genealogists with stipends to pursue advanced academic training in genealogy.

The Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists (ASG) held their annual meeting on Saturday, October 8, 2016, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nathan W. Murphy of Saratoga Springs, Utah, and Alicia Crane Williams of Plymouth, Massachusetts, were elected to the Society as its 165th and 166th Fellows, respectively.

Nathan W. Murphy has been a professional genealogist for many years, specializing in both British and Colonial Virginia research. His research ability is of the highest caliber, as evidenced by his numerous publications in the major genealogical journals over the last decade. His awards include, among others, an International Student Scholarship from the University of Leicester (2004) and the Donald Mosher Memorial Award for Colonial Virginia Research from the Board for Certification of Genealogists (2010). In addition to his publications, he created the Immigrant Servants Database, which has received high praise for its scholarship.

Alicia Crane Williams is currently the Lead Genealogist for the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s “Early New England Families, 1641–1700” project. Previously she served as the Assistant Historian General at the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Her scholarly publications, produced over the past thirty-five years, include numerous articles in all of the leading New England journals and many books on eastern Massachusetts families.