That old adage
There’s an old adage that says you’re best known by the company you keep.
And boy does The Legal Genealogist hope that’s true.
Because I find myself today in the kind of company that leaves me in absolute awe. And fills me with pride.
And it’s all because of you.
John D. Reid of the blog Anglo-Celtic Connections recently asked genealogists around the world to vote for their favorite genealogy “rockstars” — people he described as “those who give ‘must attend’ presentations at family history conferences or as webinars. Who, when you see a new family history article or publication by that person, makes it a must buy.” “Who is it,” he asked, “that you hang on their every word on a blog, podcast or newsgroup, or follow avidly on Facebook or Twitter?”1
And yesterday and today, the results of that voting were announced. Leaving me with my jaw somewhere down around my knees. I mean, I would have put very large wagers on the Gold and Silver Medalists for the United States… but that bronze…? Now that was a total surprise.
Here they are, according to the voting:
Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA
For 16 years, editor of The National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Author of, among other works, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace2 and, with the late Gary B. Mills, of the hot-off-the-presses The Forgotten People: Cane River’s Creoles of Color.3 Genealogical lecturer, writer and educator. Member (and past president), Board of Trustees, Board for Certification of Genealogists. And more other accomplishments than will fit in this space.
Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D. CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS
Co-editor of The National Genealogical Society Quarterly and, twice, winner of the NGS Award for Excellence for NGSQ articles. Author of the recently-published Mastering Genealogical Proof.4 Professor emeritus at Gallaudet University. Genealogical lecturer, writer and educator. Member (and past president), Board of Trustees, Board for Certification of Genealogists. And, similarly, more other accomplishments than will fit in this space.
Judy G. Russell, J.D., CG, CGL
Author of The Legal Genealogist blog. Genealogical lecturer, writer and educator. Member, Board of Trustees, Board for Certification of Genealogists. Key accomplishment: having the good sense to study with both Elizabeth Shown Mills (Advanced Methodology) and Thomas W. Jones (Writing for Genealogists) and to have chosen them as role models. Not to mention having the good fortune to be able to consider both as mentors… and the honor of having both as friends.
SOURCES
- John D. Reid, “Rockstar Genealogists: Who Do You Think They Are?,” Anglo-Celtic Connections, posted 1 Sep 2013 (https://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog : accessed 17 Sep 2013). ↩
- Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace (Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2009). ↩
- Gary B. Mills and Elizabeth Shown Mills, Forgotten People: Cane River’s Creoles of Color (Baton Rouge, La. : LSU Press, 2013). ↩
- Thomas W. Jones, Mastering Genealogical Proof (Arlington, Va. : National Genealogical Society, 2013). ↩
Yeah!!! Toot-Toot-Toot!! Balloons!!! Banners!! Streamers!!
Cheers indeed (clink!) Well-earned.
– Celia
🙂 Thank you, Celia!
Woohooooo! Well deserved, indeed.
Thanks so much, Nan!
I can’t think of a more-deserving bronze winner. Congrats Judy!
Thanks so much, Debbie! I’m so thrilled to be in such company.
Wow! Congrats, Judy. This demonstrates the impact you have made.
“Wow” was what I said, Rondina! Thanks!
I am so glad you were in the top three for all genealogists out there, because you are my TOP ONE! Congratulations and thank you for all the great blogging.
Thanks so much, Annick!
What Annick said! You’re a Star among Stars! Congrats, Judy!
Thanks for the kind words, Skip!
Judy, that’s great! You really deserve it.
Martha
Thanks, Martha! Sure appreciate the kind words.
Congratulations – you would have been #1 if could have voted more.
That’s so nice of you to say, Dotty! Thank you!
Wow – congratulations! That is AWESOME and well deserved!
Thanks, Debi! I dunno about “awesome,” but I’m surely in awe of the company I’m in!
Congratulations, Judy! It’s a well-deserved award. 🙂
Thanks so much, Dawn!
Well, I am not surprised at all! I love to listen to your presentations because of your elevated threshold for performance in both substance and delivery, no matter what method of communication is being utilized. You take the difficult and make it uncomplicated, which is managed through both content AND delivery style. You scrutinize the mundane and show its extraordinary content, often shining that little courthouse flashlight into dark corners of discovery we might never investigate without your prompting. Some brilliant people are difficult to listen to — but not you! I hang on every word! Bravo, Judy — this was really well deserved.
Barbara… you’re making me blush. (Thank you.)
Well deserved!!!!! Yay. You provide such a great service through your blogs. Love it in every way. Congrats!
Thanks, Kelly! Kind of you to say so.
Congratulations Judy! You Go Girl!
Thanks, Talea!
Wow. I’m impressed. Not surprised, just impressed. Congratulations on this well deserved honor.
Aw…. thanks, Bob! (Hey, genealogy these days is more fun than watching the Bombers bomb at least…)
So proud of you, Judy!! Way to go!
Thanks, Gabby! Doesn’t quite compare to a Ph.D., y’know…
Brava! You rock, Judy (but we always knew that)!
Thanks, Dick! Appreciate the kind words!
Congratulations! You are tops in my book. Congratulations to the other winners, as well.
Thanks so much, Judy!
I thought you should get the gold!
But you still need a new photo!
Someday, Ginny! Someday! (And thank you!)
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Judy! You rock (literally)! What fabulous company you are in.
Thanks, Shelley — and isn’t the company grand?
Congratulations ! No one does what you do. And says it so well.
Aww… thanks so much, Peggy!
Congrats! (Don’t let em know we’re related)
Thanks! (Don’t worry — nobody will figure it out.)
Judy Dahling! Congratulations! Now please replace your current photo with one that has you smiling – you should be smiling because everyone absolutely adores you!
Thanks, Sheri — and I will get another photo done. Eventually. Maybe.
Been away a few days,this is awesome. Congratulations!!!
Thanks so much, Charlie!
Woo hoo! I’m a little late to this party, but just wanted to say Congrats! And, you obviously need to have your photo taken in front of some books. 😉
Thanks, Karen! And as for the photo… um… check the blog tomorrow or so…