And the winners are…
On 1 September 2014, for the third year in a row, John D. Reid of the blog Anglo-Celtic Connections 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, where you “hang on their every word on a blog, podcast or newsgroup, or follow avidly on Facebook or Twitter?”1
Now last year, you — my dear friends and readers — surprised and honored me by voting me into the bronze medal position for the United States behind two people whose accomplishments leave me in awe. They are my mentors and my friends, Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA, and Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D. CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS. Just being nominated with them was amazing; winning with them was a total surprise.2
But this year — this year — you, my dear friends and readers, have shocked me right to my core by your votes.
Here, as announced in John’s blog today,3 are the 2014 winners for the United States:
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. On the faculty of the Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University (IGHR), the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and coordinator of the Boston University Center for Professional Education’s course, Civilly Uncommon: Advanced Legal Analysis for Genealogists.
Roberta Estes
Professional scientist and business owner Roberta has been an obsessed genealogist since 1978. She founded DNAeXplain in 2004 following a successful 25 year career in IT. Roberta manages over 20 surname projects and is teamed with Family Tree DNA to offer personalised DNA analysis for customers and custom analysis for surname projects. And she was the Gold Medal winner in the DNA category this year. Her blog, DNAeXplained, is a must-read for genealogists.
Megan Smolenyak
Author of (among other books) Who Do You Think You Are? The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History, and formerly Chief Family Historian for Ancestry.com, Megan is a researcher, writer and lecturer who has worked for years in military repatriations and forensic genealogy. An expert in using DNA for genealogy, she may be best known for finding celebrity roots, such as Michelle Obama’s family tree and the true story of Ellis Island’s first immigrant Annie Moore. Her website is www.megansmolenyak.com.
I am delighted to be in Roberta’s and Megan’s company, and honored and humbled to be in the gold medal position for the USA.
Make sure you check out the gold medal winners from around the world, too! John’s blog today lists them all — and all week we are learning more about the voting from all parts of the world.
SOURCES
- John D. Reid, “Rockstar Genealogists: Who Do You Think They Are?,” Anglo-Celtic Connections, posted 1 Sep 2014 (https://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog : accessed 16 Sep 2014). ↩
- See Judy G. Russell, “The company you keep,” The Legal Genealogist, posted 17 Sep 2013 (https://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog : accessed 16 Sep 2014). ↩
- John D. Reid, “Rockstar Genealogists: Gold Medalists,” Anglo-Celtic Connections, posted 16 Sep 2014 (https://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog : accessed 16 Sep 2014). ↩
Congrats, Judy! See you next month at the GFO fall seminar.
Thanks, Valerie! See you then!
Congratulations, you earn it with your informative posting and you deserve it.
Thanks, Charlie! Sure appreciate it.
Well deserved recognition, Judy. Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Ginny!
I don’t recall (when I voted) seeing anything identifying persons from specific countries: it was just one big list of names. Many names I recognized, but not to the point of “rock star” status. Except yours! And I was so disappointed I could only vote once, but it seems that my once was enough. Congratulations Judy! But please don’t let this go to your head: we hang on your every word and the world will end if you stop 🙂
Um… I pretty much guarantee the world won’t end. Really. 🙂
But thanks so much for the kind words, Tim!
Congratulations, Judy. You certainly deserve a gold medal for your talent and hard work, and in such good company, too.
Thanks so much, and yes — GREAT folks to be teamed up with, for sure!
Hooray, Judy! Many congratulations!
Thanks, Judy! Sure appreciate it!
Congratulations! Well deserved.
Thanks, Amy!
Congratulations! Because I am still a beginner and have learned so much from the three of you, I voted for You, Randy Seaver and Cousin Russ. My criteria was: Is ALWAYS ready to help beginner genealogists and is NEVER condescending to them. I am so glad you won!
I’m honored to be in Randy’s and Russ’ company in your voting, Annick! Thank you!
So well deserved! Thank you for all you do for the whole genealogy community.
Thanks so much, Sara! It means a lot coming from you.
Congratulations, Judy! Humbled I understand because you’re that kind of a person but shocked, really? You’ve got to know how much *we* love hearing your presentations – whether it’s via a webinar or in person. I was in no doubt I was in the presence of a “rockstar” in April! (Now I just have to figure out how to get into The Villages in February, maybe if I invest in a wig and some old lady clothes?)
Awww… thanks so much, Emma!
Such a wonderful community here – the top people are indeed the top people! They are all kind, generous, talented, thoughtful and, wonderful educators as well. I learn so much from your blog, Judy, and on webinars. Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition!
Thanks for the kind words, Celia! Sure appreciate your support.
Congratulations, Judy – well deserved!
Thanks, Debi!
Congrats! I hope to see you speak in person some day!
Thanks so much, Dana!
Congratulations Judy! A very well-deserved honor indeed!
Thanks for the kind words, Jana!
Whoo! Whoo! I am so happy for you!!! congratulations!
Thanks so much for the kind words!
Judy,
I want to let you know that two of your blog posts are listed in today’s Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/09/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-september_19.html
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks so very much, Jana!
Rats. Now she’ll never speak to we underlings again. But, then again…
Darn it all, Bob, you KNOW better than that. It’s “US underlings,” not “we underlings”! 🙂
“The fault, dear Brutus [er, Judy], is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
Thanks for your correction, Judy. Poor usage is something up with which I will not put…. ;=) Bob
Way to go Judy, we loved having you as our speaker at our society’s summer conference. You earned that gold medal. If you are at the NGS conference 2015, our neck of the woods, let’s have dinner again, that was also fun. Nancy
Thanks so much for the kind words, Nancy — and I will definitely be there at St. Charles for NGS 2015 next May!