Congratulations go out to my friend, Dick Eastman. He’s one of three people and one archive to receive the new Certificate of Recognition from the Society of Genealogists. He certainly earned it – and continues to do a terrific job.
The following is from Else Churchil, with the Society of Genealogists.
A special Certificate of Recognition has been newly created by the Society of Genealogists to recognise exceptional contributions to genealogy by individuals and institutions worldwide. In the first year nomination forms were made available to Fellows of the Society for their suggestions and four candidates have been recognised by the newly formed awards panel for the new Certificate in 2013. The successful candidates were:
Dick Eastman for having the vision to promote family history through the CompuServe Genealogy Forum and by founding and maintaining the daily Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter.
Dr Hugh Kearsey for actively ensuring a wider availability of materials enabling others to pursue family history in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
Rosemary Cleaver for her continuous back-room contributions to all aspects of the West Surrey Family History Society over many years.
The Polish Archive of Przemyślu in recognition of outstanding maintenance of local family records, particularly appertaining to Akcja Wisła*, and in the efforts to making them accessible to researchers from far and wide.
Formal presentations will be arranged over the coming months.
Nominations for 2014 are now open the public and forms (along with nomination guidelines) are available from the Chief Executive, June Perrin at ceo@sog.org.uk
Note:
*Akcja “Wisła (Operation Vistula) was the codename for the 1947 forced resettlment of post-war Poland’s Ukranian Minority carried out by Soviet controlled Polish Communist Authorities.
The Polish archives of Przemyślu holds and makes available information on the communities and families affected drawn from identity cards and other documents.
I readily concur with Leland’s assessment that this award is well-deserved