Saturday, May 18, 2013

Genealogical Speakers Guild Leadership for 2013-2014 Announced


The Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG) is pleased to announce the following officers and chairmen for 2013-14, announced at the GSG Annual Meeting in conjunction with the NGS Conference in Las Vegas.
2013- 2014 Officers and Standing Committees

  • President: Billie Stone Fogarty
  • Vice President: Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG
  • Secretary: C. Ann Staley, CG
  • Treasurer: Diana Crisman Smith
  • Director: Eric Basir
  • Director: F redrea Gregath Cook
  • Speak! Editor: Phyllis Matthews Ziller
  • Webmaster: Debby T. Horton
  • National Conference Coordinator: Gary M. Smith
  • Mail List Manager: Jeannette Piecznski
  • Web Page Review Committee: Wevonneda Minis

ISFHWE Leadership for 2012-2013 Announced


The International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE) is pleased to announce the following officers and chairmen for 2013-14, announced at the ISFHWE Annual Meeting in conjunction with the NGS Conference in Las Vegas.

2012- 2013 Officers

  • President: Leland Meitzler, Utah, president@isfhwe.org
  • 1st Vice President: Wevonneda Minis, South Carolina, 1vp@isfhwe.org
  • 2nd Vice President - National Conference Chair: Gary M. Smith, Ohio, 2vp@isfhwe.org
  • Secretary: Nancy Lauer, Maryland, secretary@isfhwe.org
  • Treasurer: Diana Crisman Smith, Ohio, treasurer@isfhwe.org


2012- 2013 Directors

  • Northeast Region: Debra Braverman, New York, northeastregion@isfhwe.org
  • Southeast Region: Tina Sansone, Tennessee, southeastregion@isfhwe.org
  • Central Region: Juliana Smith, Indiana, centralregion@isfhwe.org
  • Great Plains Region: Cheryl Roach, Colorado, greatplainsregion@isfhwe.org
  • West Region: Jean Wilcox Hibben, California, westregion@isfhwe.org
  • International/At Large: Elizabeth Lapointe, Canada, internationalregion@isfhwe.org
  • COLUMNS Editor: Phyllis Matthews Ziller, North Carolina, editor@isfhwe.org
  • COLUMNS Proofreader: Lauren Maehrlein, New Jersey, heirlines@aol.com
  • Webmaster: Debby T. Horton, California, webmaster@isfhwe.org
  • ISFHWE-L Mailing List Moderator: Robbi Ryan, Nebraska, mailinglistmoderator@isfhwe.com

ISFHWE 2012 Excellence-in-Writing Competition Deadline June 15, 2013


The International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE) is reminding writers IN ALL MEDIA (magazines, newspapers, journals, websites, blogs) that the 2012 Excellence-in-Writing Competition is still open for entries through 15 June 2013.

The competition is open to both MEMBERS and NON-MEMBERS of ISFHWE; both published and non-published authors may enter (see category list below). The Genealogy Newsletters category is returning to the competition this year. Members of ISFHWE receive a discount on the entry fee (after logging in to the ISFHWE members’ corner).

The categories are:

Category I – Columns. This is for columns of original content, published on a regular basis, in any medium, published in 2012. Entries
should consist of two columns, each submitted as a single file, and must be shorter than 2,000 words. These are entries from the author’s regular column-not features. Note that these may be print or online columns.
.
Category II -- Articles. These one-time articles (not part of the author’s column) must have been published in 2012 in a journal, magazine, newsletter, blog or website. Entries cannot exceed 5,000 words. Note that these may be print or online articles.

Category III –Genealogy Newsletter. This category is for society or family association newsletters published in 2012. Entries should consist of two issues, each submitted as a single file in PDF format. The judging will be based on originality, content, visual appeal, writing and editing quality, and accuracy.The
award is to the editor of the publication. These may also be print or online newsletters.

Category IV –Unpublished Authors. Entrants in this category aspire to be published writers or columnists in the field of genealogy, family or local history. The submissions in this category are original and unpublished, between 500 and 2,000 words. Since these are UNPUBLISHED, blogs are not eligible for this category.

Category V–Unpublished material by Published Authors. This category is for original unpublished genealogically related articles by previously published authors. Entries should be between 500 and 3,000 words. Since these are UNPUBLISHED, blogs are not eligible for this category.

Winners in each category will be awarded a cash prize and a certificate. The awards presentation will take place during the FGS Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 21-24 August 2013. (Those unable to attend will receive their awards by mail after the conference.)

Entries must be submitted in PDF, Word, WordPerfect, or JPG format by e-mail in time to meet this deadline. Send entries to: Competition@ISFHWE.org

Appropriate entry fee(s) - and membership dues to receive the discount - may be paid via PayPal on the ISFHWE website at ISFHWE.org.

Full information on the competition is available on the ISFHWE website in the “2013 Excellence-in-Writing Competition - Information and Online Entry Form” link, which leads to: http://www.isfhwe.org/competition.php

For questions, contact the Competition Coordinator at: Competition@ISFHWE.org

Friday, May 17, 2013

Findmypast.com Offers Free Access to Military Records in Honor of Memorial Day


In honor of Memorial Day on May 27, and in remembrance of all who died while serving our country, findmypast.com will offer its collection of US and International military records for free in the days leading up to national observance.

With more than 26 million US and International military records available, findmypast.com is encouraging people to explore and learn about the heroic efforts of their ancestors this Memorial Day. Record sets such as ‘Draft Registration Cards,’ ‘Casualties Returned Alive,’ ‘POWs’ and others will offer a captivating glimpse into the lives and experiences of our veteran ancestors.

The US and International military records will be available free of charge starting at midnight EDT on Thursday, May 23 until midnight EDT on Monday, May 27. Anyone can access the records by registering for free at findmypast.com.