We received the first results, kind of like early election returns, of the Rockstar genealogist voting today, which announced the silver and bronze winners.
I’m stunned, honored and humbled. I had hoped with my donation committment to raise awareness of genetic genealogy and it looks like that was certainly successful.
Why did I offer to make the donation to the Preserve the Pensions? Twofold. First, and it goes without saying, that I am extremely committed to preserving our original records and I think this project not only preserves records and makes them available for everyone, but it also raises awareness of the needs and the records themselves. Plus, I think benevolence is contagious…at least I hope so. Hint – you too can donate in honor of someone.
Second, because there is no I in team. Genetic genealogy is a team sport, and the genetic genealogy nominees are all tireless players in this field.
But that walk has not been a stroll in the park.
I remember, years ago, when Rootsweb (owned by Ancestry, ironically) would delete any post that referred to DNA for genealogy except for the genealogy DNA mailing list. As hard as it is to believe today, and as unimaginable as it seems, DNA was treated as some kind of pox and was verboten…and it went on for years. I never fully understood why, but I believe it was most likely fear that DNA would unhinge some of the treasured long-standing genealogy works of the past – and perhaps the researchers of those works as well. Thankfully, we now have the opportunity to confirm those works…or not.
When Megan Smolenyak was appointed as Ancestry’s official genealogist, the genetic genealogy community was ecstatic because as one of the earliest genetic genealogists, we were very hopeful that Megan could make a difference and bring that embargo to an end.
Fortunately, those days are long in the past now, but for a very long time, genetic genealogy was an uphill struggle through the briar patch with those at the top of the hill casting a suspicious eye upon us.
The real turning point for genetic genealogy was when the National Geographic Society began the Genographic project in 2005 in partnership with Family Tree DNA. Not only have the Genographic projects versions 1 and 2 brought hundreds of thousands of testers into the community, it has raised awareness throughout the world and lent unquestionable credibility to genetic genealogy. No longer does anyone wonder if genetic genealogy is even possible. National Geographic brought genetic genealogy mainstream – in retrospect, it was the infamous tipping point.
Megan is clearly, and without question, not only a professional genealogist, as well as a genetic genealogist, but has also been a long-standing ambassador in the genetic genealogy world. We would not be where we are today without her efforts. She opened many doors that were firmly sealed shut and greased many skids. Thank you Megan for all of your efforts for so many years that continue today.
Like I said, there is no I in team. As more genetic genealogists came into the fold, each one brought a special skill and passion and focus. Each person on the list of candidates and winners has contributed profoundly to this community in their own unique way.
Family Tree DNA held their first conference for their project administrators back in 2004. The conference in Houston next month marks the 10th anniversary. For many years, this was the only genetic genealogy education other than an occasional general session at a genealogy conference or speakers at genealogy groups. Administrators did, and do suck up advanced education like thirsty sponges, even if it does sometimes feel like we’re drinking from the firehose.
Today, through ISOGG and the newly formed Institute for Genetic Genealogy (i4gg), CeCe Moore and Tim Janzen, along with their many volunteers speakers have brought education specifically focused on genetic genealogy to the masses – the public and professional genealogists alike. Thanks to their efforts, genetic genealogy is becoming mainstream. Soon, genetic genealogy won’t be something separate, just another tool that every genealogist understands and is able to utilize. Maybe it will be another specialty under the genealogy umbrella, just like regional or country specialties are today.
Today, ISOGG, still free, serves thousands of members worldwide. Katherine, as an unpaid volunteer, continues to champion genetic genealogy around the world. Megan referred to Katherine as the “godmother of genetic genealogy,” and indeed, she is. I think of her as the fairy godmother actually, because more than once at the conferences where she works (volunteers) for ISOGG she has found testers for my surnames or even documents for my family. I love her magic wand!!!
The success of genetic genealogy is a result of everyone bringing their own chisel to the brick walls that surround us. Genetic genealogy is the result of tools and technology, social media, communications and plain old elbow grease grunt work court house basement genealogy research. It’s a special brew, all ingredients stirred into the soup called collaboration – and the results are discoveries the likes of which we could never have imagined. No, there is no I in team.
Some of the people on the list of Rockstar candidates are professional genealogists, some professional genetic genealogists, and some unpaid. All of us, bar none, are volunteers and donate a huge amount of time and effort into the community. Some of us are bloggers, and if you think bloggers make lots of money from their endeavor, think again. Every article we write is an investment of our own time with very little, if any expectation, of a return.
Some of us have a particular focus and private commitment that involves genealogy.
In Bennett’s case, his focus has always been Jewish genealogy.
If anything, genetic genealogy has shown us over and over again how widespread our “cousins” are, how trivial today’s political borders are and how closely related the world is. I hope it has changed our perspective a bit of other people. Of the genetic genealogists, CeCe Moore and I share an ancestor someplace along the line, but as irony would have it, we haven’t had time to figure out the identity of our common ancestor. The cobblers kids never have shoes….
Congratulations to all of the winners, in each category. I’m so honored to be included! What an incredible group.
Thank you, everyone, for voting in this fun Rockstar exercise. Thank you John Reid for being a fine emcee:) And thanks, everyone, for making me pay!!!
Now, it’s time for me to figure out how to best donate my $250 so that it receives the best matching possible for the Preserve the Pensions project.
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