National Genealogical Society: Difference between revisions

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The '''National Genealogical Society (NGS)''' aims to serve and grow the genealogical community by providing education and training, fostering increased quality and standards, and promoting access to and preservation of genealogical records.<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/mission NGS Mission] in ''National Genealogical Society'' (accessed 14 January 2017).</ref>  

Dr. Albert C. Peale, a registrar of several patriotic societies, published in the ''Historical Bulletin'' (2:55 13 April 1903) the following: "As a genealogist, I suggest the formation of a local genealogical society of which your paper should be the official organ." This proposal was taken up by the ''Historical Bulletin'''s publisher, Newton Leon Collamer, who invited interested persons to meet at his residence. On 24 April 1903 the six attendees to the preliminary meeting held in Washington, D.C. appointed an organizing committee. The committee mailed genealogists throughout the United States a prospectus for the "American Genealogical Association." Interest was generated and during the summer work was begun on a constitution. On 14 November that constitution was approved. Then in  meetings on 15 and 21 December 1903 the by-laws were were adopted, officers were elected, and the '''National Genealogical Society''' was officially and formally organized.<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/history History] in ''National Genealogical Society'' (accessed 14 January 2017).</ref>

The early constitution provided for an oak tree seal which was used for the Society prior to 1911, when that was changed to an eagle.<ref>Shirley Langdon Wilcox, ''[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/galleries/aboutngs/history_of_ngs_4.0.pdf  The National Genealogical Society: A Look at Its First One Hundred Years]'' (pdf), (2003), 7 (accessed 14 January 2017).</ref> Early NGS emphasis was on heraldry, and collecting marriage data about the members' ancestors.</ref> Monthly meetings (October to May) were started in 1908; annual banquets in 1910.<ref>Wilcox, 16</ref> An NGS library of genealogical books was begun in 1912, a lending service by mail started in 1964, and in 2001 the collection was moved to the St. Louis County Library in Missouri.<ref>Wilcox, 14-15.</ref>  NGS annual awards were instituted in 1955, a Hall of Fame, and annual NGS conferences in the states in 1981, and annual competitions in 1982.<ref name="W11">Wilcox, 11.</ref> Research trips organized through NGS to various destinations around the world were begun in 1998.<ref name="W11" />

*[http://upfront.ngsgenealogy.org/ Upfront with NGS: the Blog for the National Genealogical Society] with NGS announcements, the latest genealogy news, current events, press releases,  and brief articles to help with your family history research<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/upfront_with_ngs Upfront with NGS] in ''National Genealogical Society (16 January 2017).</ref>

*'''''NGS Monthly''''' digital publication about methodology for genealogists, views on sources, research and techniques, NGS genealogy and conference news, press releases, and comments<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/ngs_monthly NGS Monthly] in ''National Genealogical Society'' (accessed 16 January 2017).</ref>

*'''[[National Genealogical Society Book Loan Collection|NGS Book Loan Collection]]''' is available in the Special Collections room at the [[St. Louis County Library]] (SLCL) in Missouri. The collection consists of 20,000-plus books including more than 6,000 family histories; state, county, and local histories; abstracts of records of cemeteries, churches, courts, deeds, marriages, wills and other probate records; and strong holdings for states along the East Coast and New England.<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/library_book_loan_collection NGS Book Loan Collection] in ''National Genealogical Society'' (accessed 14 January 2017).</ref> Almost every book is available for Interlibrary Loan to NGS members and non-members alike.<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/references_for_researching References for Researching] in ''National Genealogical Society'' (accessed 14 January 2017).</ref> To obtain an item from this collection:<br>  

From time to time NGS sponsors trips with expert guides to various noteworthy genealogical destinations such as Ireland, Washington DC, Fort Wayne IN, Madison WI, or Salt Lake City UT.<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/research_trips Research Trips] in ''National Genealogical Society'' (accessed 16 January 2017).</ref>

NGS recognizes genealogical excellence, scholarship, and achievements by presenting awards to organizations or individuals. They also recognize excellence in genealogical scholarship and service by supporting several annual competitions. They induct one person per year into the [https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/hall-of-fame-members/ National Genealogy Hall of Fame].<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/awards_competitions Awards and Competitions] in ''National Genealogical Society'' (accessed 16 January 2017).</ref>

These guidelines are NGS recommended standards for improving genealogical skills and performance. They are accessable in PDF format on the NGS website:<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/ngs_guidelines NGS Guidelines] in ''National Genealogical Society'' (accessed 16 January 2017).</ref>

* [http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/GenTech_Projects GenTech Genealogical Data Model] a formal model of genealogical data and of the genealogical research process<ref>[http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/GenTech_Projects Genealogical Data Model] in ''National Genealogical Model'' (accessed 16 January 2017).</ref><br><br>

*Committee on Genetic Genealogy

:A. 8:30AM - 4:30PM Mondays through Sundays. Closed holidays.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/pg/ngsgenealogy/about/ About] in ''National Genealogical Society'' page on Facebook (accessed 16 January 2017).</ref>