BCG is a not-for-profit District of Columbia corporation managed by its board of trustees on behalf of its beneficiary, the general public, and of its associates who have been certified by the corporation in one or more established categories. The goal of the corporation is described in its articles of incorporation as “limited to exclusively charitable, educational, and scientific objects or purposes.” To achieve its objectives, the corporation establishes minimum standards of qualification for certification, examines and issues certificates to persons who meet those standards, and provides information to the public about the standards and those persons who meet them.
The corporation is bound by its articles of incorporation, its bylaws, and its policy manual.
About BCG
Mission Statement
Since its founding in 1964 by leading American genealogists, BCG has fostered public confidence in genealogy as a respected branch of history in two ways:
- We promote attainable, high, and uniform standards of competence and ethics among genealogists through programs of outreach, publication, and education.
- We continue to publish, disseminate, and update these standards as appropriate, and collaborate with others who share this goal.
- We award the Certified Genealogist® credential to persons whose work meets these standards.
The Board's Vision
Genealogical practice advances our understanding of history, and it requires advanced skills learned from training and experience.
Genealogical clients should benefit from the practitioner’s efforts:
– no matter how the results are delivered (in writing, orally, or online);
– regardless if the work is done for fee, for salary, or for free; and
– no matter whose ancestry is being studied.
Genealogical certification is an important step in one’s personal growth as a genealogist, and a vital part of maintaining quality and public confidence in the field.
– For genealogists, certification says, “I care about the quality of work I compile for posterity.”
– For consumers, certification offers reassurance and recourse as they seek professional help in a largely unregulated field.
Competence
During the late 1990s the five-part Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) was developed. Today ninety published standards cover the same ground in more detail. See Genealogy Standards, 2nd edition, revised (Nashville: Ancestry, 2021), which includes standards for documenting, researching, writing, lecturing, and continuing education.
The five interdependent parts of the GPS still serve as a ready-reference condensed version. To meet standards,
– we research thoroughly, emphasizing original records providing participants’ information;
– we cite completely and accurately the source(s) of each information item that is not common knowledge;
– we analyze and correlate our sources, information items, and evidence;
– we resolve any conflicts among evidence items; and
– we write a soundly reasoned, coherent conclusion based on the strongest available evidence.
Ethics
Each individual seeking certification signs the Genealogist’s Code, a pledge to act in every way to protect the public, clients (whether paying or pro bono), and the profession.
Dispute Resolution
For consumer protection, BCG offers the public a dispute-resolution service. Should a problem arise from a professional relationship with one of its associates, BCG will accept a formal complaint (including specific allegations and evidence) and will attempt to mediate the matter. If mediation is unsuccessful, the complainant may elect arbitration, the decision to be binding on both parties to the dispute. BCG reserves the right to rescind certification in instances of flagrant violation of the Genealogist’s Code, or failure to comply with an arbitration decision.
Current Leadership
The Board for Certification of Genealogists consists of fifteen trustees and a professional executive director. All trustees are certified and all serve without compensation. BCG’s associates elect one-third of the trustees each year.
Voting officers of the executive committee (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member at Large) are elected annually by the trustees. Three additional non-voting members complete the committee: the most recent past President willing to serve as an ex officio member for one year after leaving office, the Executive Director, and General Counsel.
Trustees serve three-year terms and may only serve for three consecutive terms. Former trustees regain eligibility to serve after two years.
Board of Trustees
| President | David S. Ouimette, CG, CGL |
| Vice-President | Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA |
| Secretary | Gary Ball-Kilbourne, CG |
| Treasurer | Shannon Green, CG, CGG |
| Member at Large | Karen Stanbary, CG, CGG |
| Member at Large | Scott Wilds, CG |
| Trustee | Matthew Blaine Berry, CG |
| Trustee | Catherine B.W. Desmarais, CG |
| Trustee | LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL, FASG |
| Trustee | Jari Christopher Honora, CG |
| Trustee | Barbara Vines Little, CG, FNGS, FUGA, FVGS |
| Trustee | Mary Kircher Roddy, CG |
| Trustee | Faye Jenkins Stallings, CG |
| Trustee | Mark A. Wentling, CG |
| Trustee | Jennifer Zinck, CG |
General Counsel to the Board
Michael S. Ramage, JD, CG
Executive Director
Appointments and Committees
BCG’s president, the board of trustees, or executive committee appoints committees, assistant officers, managers, or delegates as necessary. Appointments include
| ACTION List | Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA; Mary Penner, CG |
| Advertising Manager | Shannon Terwedo, CG |
| Assistant Secretary | Darcie Hind Posz, CG, FASG |
| Booth Coordinator | Mary Kircher Roddy, CG; Stephanie O'Connell, CG |
| Conference Committee | Shannon Green, CG, CGG; Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA |
| Family Search Library Liaison | Nicole Gilkison LaRue, CG |
| DNA Committee | Karen Stanbary, CG, CGG |
| Intellectual Property | Carolyn Ladd, JD, CG; Pam Pracser Anderson, CG |
| Marketing Committee | Julie Walker, CG |
| Nominating Committee | Mary Kircher Roddy, CG |
| OnBoard editors | Gary Ball-Kilbourne, CG, editor; Michael J. Leclerc, CG, assistant editor |
| News Release and Calendar Coordinator | Lisa S. Gorrell, CG |
| Records Preservation and Access Committee Delegate | Jennifer Zinck, CG |
| Social Media | Sara Gredler, CG |
| Springboard Blog Editor | Jean Atkinson Andrews, CG |
| Webinar Committee | Margaret Fortier, CG |
| Webmaster | Patricia Lee Hobbs, CG, CGG |
| Website Coordinator | Matthew Blaine Berry, CG |
History of BCG
The Board for Certification of Genealogists is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 as a professional credentialing body for genealogists.[1] The founders included four fellows of the American Society of Genealogists (ASG), three leaders of the National Genealogical Society (NGS), and three members of allied professions.[2]
Since 1964, BCG has set the standards for competence and ethics in genealogical research through certification, lectures, and publications. These attainable, uniform standards of competence in research, evidence analysis, writing, and kinship determination became generally accepted for the field. First published in book form in 2000,[3] they were clarified and updated in 2014.[4]
BCG originally offered two certifications: Certified Genealogist (CG) and Certified Genealogical Records Specialist (CGRS). Later additions were Certified Genealogical Lecturer (CGL), Certified Genealogical Instructor (CGI), Certified American Lineage Specialist (CALS), and Certified American Indian Lineage Specialist (CAILS).
All four research credentials—CG, CGRS, CALS, and CAILS—were merged into the CG credential in 2005. This change simplified the system and acknowledged that the essential skills—research, citation, analysis and correlation, conflict resolution, and writing—apply to all specialties. The education credentials were merged into the CGL credential.
After the startup period, BCG trustees have always been elected for staggered three-year terms to provide continuity. Incumbent trustees elected successors until 2000; now all associates in good standing elect trustees. Today there are fifteen trustees, each serving a three-year term, with a nine-year limit. Five trustees are elected each year.[5]
The first issue of OnBoard, BCG’s educational newsletter, was published in January 1995. The newsletter is published each January, May, and September. It carries news, associate profiles, and feature articles on certification, genealogical standards, skillbuilding, and sources.
In 2000 BCG established the BCG Education Fund. An independent charitable trust, the Ed Fund provides an annual day-long educational session, “Putting Skills to Work”; sponsors the semi-annual Helen F. M. Leary Distinguished Lecture Series; and administers the annual Donald Mosher Memorial Award in colonial Virginia scholarship.[6]
Beginning in 2002, BCG began offering skillbuilding lectures at national genealogy conferences. A full track is presented annually at the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Family History Conference.
BCG’s online milestones include a web site (2001), a presence on Facebook (2009), the Springboard blog (2012), and a series of webinars (2014). For the first webinar, Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, presented “Fine Wine in a New Bottle: Guidelines for Effective Research and Family History.”
In 2024 BCG began offering the Certified Genetic Genealogist (CGG) credential to recognize associates who have demonstrated the ability to solve complex genealogical problems using DNA evidence.
Emeritus Status
BCG has awarded Emeritus status to the following individuals who retired after a long and distinguished career with the Board. Those indicated with an asterisk are deceased. Contact information for those holding Emeritus status who have consented to their information being listed can be located in the directory. Select the emeritus designation in the "STATUS" box at the bottom of the filter on the right.
Retired Associates
Retired status is held by individuals who retired from research for clients and from the profession of genealogy for more than incidental monetary gain after holding a BCG credential for twenty years or more. Contact information for those holding retired status who have consented to their information being listed can be located in the directory. Select the retired designation in the "STATUS" box at the bottom of the filter on the right.
Past and Current Board Members
Since 1964, more than 115 men and women have served as trustees and officers of BCG, and seven have served as its executive director.
| Executive Secretaries/Directors | Years | |
| Spurr, Richard E. | 1964–73 | |
| Hotaling, Donna R., CGRS | 1973–82 | |
| Dorman, John Frederick, CG Emeritus | 1982–96 | |
| Hiatt, Marty, CGRS | 1996–01 | |
| McMillion, Lynn C., CG Emeritus | 2001–10 | |
| Birch, Nicki Peak, CG | 2010–18 | |
| Koford, Rebecca Whitman, CG, CGL | 2018–2024 | |
| Darcie Hind Posz, CG, FASG | 2024– |
| Trustees | Years | Executive Committee |
| Allen, Cameron H. | 1964–67 | |
| Anderson, Robert C., CG | 1979–91, 1994–97 | |
| Ashton, Rick | 1976–79 | |
| Baker, O. Kenneth | 1964–74 | Treasurer 1965–74 |
| Ball-Kilbourne, Gary, PhD, CG | 2021– | Secretary 2022– |
| Bamman, Gale Williams, CG | 1995–98 | President 1996–97 |
| Banks, Cindy-Lee, CG | 2007–13 | |
| Banks, Myron C., CALS | 1983–89 | |
| Barlow, Lundie W. | 1964–65 | Treasurer 1964–64 |
| Baty, Laurel, CG | 2013–2022 | Vice President 2018–2019, Member at Large 2019–2022 |
| Bell, Carol Willsey, CG | 1976–82 | Secretary 1979–81 |
| Bell, Mary McCampbell, CGRS, CG, CGL | 1988–92; 1997–2004 | Secretary 1991–92 & 2001–04 |
| Berry, Matthew Blaine, CG | 2021– | |
| Bettag, Claire Mire, CGRS, CGL | 2002–08 | |
| Bittner, Warren, CG | 2012–15 | |
| Bloom, Jeanne Larzalere, CG | 2010–19 | Treasurer 2010–14; President 2014–17 |
| Brown, Barbara, CGRS | 1985–91 | Treasurer 1990–91 |
| Bryan, Mary Givens | 1964 | |
| Campbell, Ann Morgan | 1975–78 | |
| Carousso, Dorothee H., CG | 1972–78 | |
| Carvalho, Joseph III, CGRS | 1990–95 | |
| Colket, Meredith B. | 1964–83 | Vice Chairman 1979–80; Executive Committee 1980–81 |
| Cook, Bettie Anne Cummings, CG | 1989-01 | Secretary 1998–01 |
| Cook-Folger, Lori, CG | 2020 | |
| Curran, Joan Ferris, CG | 1991–2000 | Secretary 1992–94; Vice President 1994–95 |
| Deckler, Edna Perry, CG | 1967–74 | |
| DeGrazia, Laura A., CG | 2005–14 | Member at Large 2007–08 & 2010–11; President 2008–10; Secretary 2011–12 |
| Desmarais, Catherine B. W.,CG | 2023– | |
| DeVille, Winston, CG | 1969–78; 1982–85 | |
| Devine, Donn, CG, CGI | 1992–2006 | |
| Dorman, John Frederick, CG | 1964–83 | Treasurer 1965; Vice President 1970–79; President 1979–82; Vice Chairman 1982–83 |
| Dunn, Victor, CG | 2010–13 | |
| Evans, Stefani, CG | 2011–20 | Member at Large 2012–14; Vice President 2014–18 |
| Faulkinbury, Jim W., CG | 2006–09 | |
| Fay, Mary Smith, CG | 1983–95 | Secretary 1986–91 |
| Filby, P. William | 1974–80 | |
| Fisher, Carlton E. | 1964–75 | President 1964–66 |
| Fleming, Ann Carter, CG, CGL | 2006–12 | Vice President 2008–10 & 2011–12 |
| Fox, Judy, CG | 2015–18 | |
| Fraustein, Rebah M., CG | 1986–91 | |
| Freilich, Kay Haviland, CGRS, CG | 1999–2006; 2008–11 | President 2002–04; Member at Large 2008–10 |
| Garrett-Nelson, LaBrenda, JD, LLM, CG, CGL | 2016– | Treasurer, 2017–2019; President 2019–2022 |
| Geiger, Linda W., CGRS, CG | 2002–05 | Treasurer 2003–05 |
| Giroux, Amy Larner, CG, CGL | 2004–06 | |
| Gondos, Victor, Jr. | 1968–74 | |
| Graham, Paul K., CG | 2015–16 | |
| Green, Shannon, CG, CGG | 2020– | Treasurer 2024– |
| Hait, Michael Grant Jr., CG, CGL | 2013–2018 | |
| Hancocks, Elizabeth, CG | 1984–87 | |
| Handran, George B. | 1999–02 | |
| Hare, Alison, CG | 2009–18 | |
| Hart, Caroll | 1967–76 | 2nd Vice Chairman 1973–78 |
| Helmbold, F. Wilbur | 1973–79 | Secretary 1975–79 |
| Henderson, Harold, CG | 2014–2017 | |
| Henningfield, Melinda Daffin, CG | 2020–2021 | |
| Hill, Ronald, CG | 2001–04 | |
| Hinckley, Kathleen W., CGRS, CG | 1989–95; 1999–2002 | |
| Hobbs, Patricia Lee, CG | 2016–2022 | Secretary, 2017–18, 2021–2022 |
| Hockaday, Rebecca, CG | 2022–2024 | |
| Hoff, Henry B., CG | 1978–89; 1993–99 | Treasurer 1983–89 & 1995–99 |
| Honora, Jari Christopher | 2024– | |
| Hutchison, Brian, CG | 2005–08 | Treasurer 2005–08 |
| Ingalls, Kay Germain, CGRS | 1994–2005; 2008–11 | Member at Large 2001–04; Vice President 2010–11 |
| Jones, Thomas W., PhD, CG, CGL | 1997–2007; 2011–14 | 2nd Vice President 1997–98; Member at Large 1998–99 & 2005–07; President 1999–02 |
| Joslyn, Roger D., CG | 1990–94 | |
| Kellogg, Lucy Mary, CG | 1964–74 | Executive Committee 1964–66 |
| Lackey, Richard S., CG | 1975–83 | President 1982–83 |
| Leary, Helen F. M, CG, CGL | 1982–95; 1996–2005 | Vice President 1983–84 & 1988–89; Secretary 1984–86; Vice Chairman 1986–87; President 1989–94 & 1996–2005 |
| Lenzen, Connie, CGRS | 2004–10 | Member at Large 2004–05, President 2005–08 |
| Little, Barbara Vines, CG, FNGS, FUGA, FVGS | 2022– | |
| Little, Edward H., CALS | 1992–95 | Treasurer 1994–95 |
| Livingston, Virginia P., CG | 1966–84 | Secretary 1966–75; Assistant Secretary 1975–79; Chairman 1979–84 |
| Lower, Dorothy, CALS | 1983–86 | |
| Mathews, Barbara, CG | 2004–12 | Secretary 2004–05 & 2008–09, Vice President 2005–08 |
| Maver, Kate S., CGRS | 1964–69 | |
| McDonald, David, CG | 2008–2017 | President 2010–12; Secretary 2015–2017 |
| McFee, L. Worrick | 1968–74 | |
| McGhie, Angela Packer, CG, FUGA | 2018– | Vice President 2019–2021, 2024– |
| McMillion, Lynn C., CG, CAILS | 1983–98 | Vice President 1986–88; Secretary 1994–98 |
| Melchiori, Marie V., CGRS, CGL | 2000–06 | |
| Merriman, Brenda D., CGRS, CGL | 1998–2004 | |
| Mieszala, Debra S., CG | 2012–18 | |
| Mills, Elizabeth Shown, CG, CGL | 1984–2005; 2007–10; 2012–15 | Vice President 1989–94; President 1994–96; Member at Large 1996–97 |
| Myrth, Isabel E. | 1964–74 | Secretary 1964–66 |
| Nichols, Roy F. | 1964–72 | Executive Committee 1964–66 |
| Olmsted, Virginia, CG | 1982–88 | Vice President 1984–86 |
| Ouimette, David S., CG, CGL | 2016– | Vice President 2022–2024; President 2024– |
| Parker, Jimmy B. | 1974–83 | |
| Peters, Nancy A., CG, CGL | 2014–20 | Member at Large 2018–2019 |
| Peterson, Allen R., CG, AG | 2017–21 | |
| Posz, Darcie Hind, CG | 2020–2024 | Member at Large 2021–2022, Treasurer 2022–2024 |
| Powell, Elissa Scalise, CG | 2006–15 | President 2012–14 |
| Ramage, Michael S., JD, CG | 2010–16 | Member at Large 2011–12; Vice President 2012–14; Treasurer 2014–16 |
| Rasmussen, James A., CG | 1989–90 | |
| Reisinger, Joy, CG, CGRS | 1995–2007 | Vice President 1995–2005 |
| Rhodes, Phillip Wayne, CG | 1991–97 | |
| Rice, Beverly, CGRS | 2005–10 | Secretary 2005–08; Treasurer 2008–10 |
| Rising, Marsha Hoffman, CG, CGL | 1991–98 | Member at Large 1995–97 |
| Roddy, Mary Kircher CG | 2021– | |
| Rose, Christine, CG, CGL | 2007–12 | |
| Rubincam, Milton, CG | 1964–85 | Chairman 1964–78; President 1978–79 |
| Russell, Judy G., JD, CG, CGL | 2012–2021 | Member at Large 2014–2019 |
| Saxbe, William B. Jr., MD, CG | 1997–2001 | Member at Large 1999–2001 |
| Sayre, Richard G., CG, CGL | 2015–2024 | Member at Large 2015–16; Treasurer 2016–2017; President 2017–19; Secretary 2020–2021 |
| Schmidt, Elizabeth W., CALS | 1995–99 | Member at Large 1997–98 |
| Schreiner-Yantis, Netti, CG | 1976–82 | Executive Committee 1979–80 |
| Scott, Leon Lake | 1969–75 | |
| Scribner, Sara Anne, CG | 2018–20 | Member at Large 2019–20 |
| Seversmith, Herbert F. | 1964–67 | |
| Sheppard, Walter Lee, Jr., CG | 1964–82 | Vice President 1964–70; President 1970–78; Chairman 1978–79 |
| Shuler, Beverly Sloan, CGRS | 1985–94 | Treasurer 1991–94 |
| Slater, Dawne, CG | 2007–16 | Secretary 2009–11& 2012–15 |
| Smallwood, Grahame T. Jr., CG, CALS | 1983–94 | Vice Chairman 1984–86; President 1986–88 |
| Speakman, Mary N., CG | 1981–90 | Secretary 1983–84; Chairman 1984–87; Vice President 1987–88; President 1988–89 |
| Sperry, Kip, CG | 1995–99 | |
| Spurr, Richard E. | 1974–83 | Treasurer 1974–83 |
| Stallings, Faye Jenkins, CG | 2020– | Vice President 2021–2022, President 2022–2024 |
| Stahr, Beth, CGRS | 1998–2007 | Treasurer 1999–2003, President 2004–05 |
| Stanbary, Karen, CG, CGG | 2017– | Member at Large 2023– |
| Stephenson, Jean, CG | 1964–73 | President 1966–70; 2nd Vice Chairman 1970–73 |
| Stevenson, Noel C., CG | 1965–78 | |
| Stryker-Rodda, Kenn, CG | 1964–81 | 1st Vice Chairman 1964–78 |
| Thompson, Neil D., CG | 1977–89 | 2nd Vice Chairman 1978–79; Vice President 1979–83, President 1983–86 |
| Ullmann, Helen, CG | 2005–08 | |
| Ulmer, Mary Lewis, CG | 1977–83 | |
| Vidlak, Mary O'Brien, CG | 2020–23 | |
| Walker, James D. | 1975–81 | 3rd Vice Chairman 1978–79 |
| Wayne, Debbie Parker, CG, CGL | 2018–2020 | Secretary 2018–2020 |
| Webb, Morrison DeSoto “Toby,” JD, CG | 2018–2019 | |
| Wentling, Mark A. CG | 2024– | |
| White, Willis H., CG | 2009–12 | |
| Whitehill, Walter Muir | 1964–71 | 2nd Vice Chairman 1964–71 |
| Wilcox, Shirley Langdon, CG | 2000–09 | |
| Wilds, Scott, CG | 2019– | Treasurer 2019–2022, Member at Large 2022– |
| Wood, Ralph Van Jr., CG | 1986–92 | |
| Zabriskie, George O., CG | 1970–76 | |
| Zinck, Jennifer, CG | 2024– |
BCG Presidents
|
Carleton E. Fisher 1964–1966 |
Jean Stephenson 1966–1970 |
Walter Lee Sheppard Jr. 1970–1978 |
Milton Rubicam 1978–1979 |
John Frederick Dorman 1979–1982 |
Richard Stephen Lackey 1982–1983 |
|
Neil D. Thompson 1983–1986 |
Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. 1986–1988 |
Mary N. Speakman 1988–1989 |
Helen F. M. Leary 1989–1994 and 1996–1997 |
Elizabeth Shown Mills 1994–1996 |
Gale Williams Bamman 1997–1999 |
|
Thomas W. Jones, PhD 1999–2002 |
Kay Haviland Freilich 2002–2004 |
Beth Stahr 2004–2005 |
|
Connie Lenzen 2005–2008 |
Laura DeGrazia 2008–2010 |
David McDonald 2010–2012 |
|
Elissa Powell 2012–2014 |
Jeanne Bloom 2014–2017 |
Richard Sayre 2017–2019 |
|
LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson 2019–2022 |
Faye Jenkins Stallings 2022–2024 |
David S. Ouimette 2024– |
Celebrating 50 Years
The BCG began its 50th anniversary celebration in 2013 with the following presentations.
David McDonald, D. Min., CG
FGS Conference, BCG luncheon, 22 August 2013, Fort Wayne, Indiana, “No Diamonds, No Cherries: Celebrating a Jubilee.”
Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL
ASG-BCG Banquet, 12 October 2013, Salt Lake City, Utah, “‘We’ve Come A Long Way, Baby’—Standards for the 21st Century.”
[1] American Society of Genealogists, “About ASG” : accessed 13 June 2024.
[2] ASG: Dr. Jean Stephenson, John Frederick Dorman, Walter Lee Sheppard, Jr., and Milton Rubincam. NGS: Colonel Carleton E. Fisher, Mary Givens Bryan, and O. Kenneth Baker. Archivists/Historians/Librarians: Dr. Roy F. Nichols, Dr. Walter Muir Whitehill, and Mary Lucy Kellogg. See Kay Haviland Freilich, “BCG History,” OnBoard 7, Number 1, (January 2001).
[3] Board for Certification of Genealogists, The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual (Orem, UT: Ancestry, 2000)
[4] Board for Certification of Genealogists, Genealogy Standards, fiftieth-anniversary edition (Nashville, TN: Ancestry, 2014).
[5] Kay Haviland Freilich, “BCG History,” OnBoard 7, Number 1, (January 2001).
BCG Bylaws
BCG’s bylaws govern the formal actions of the Board and BCG’s bylaws provide for a system of discipline and dispute resolution in order to enhance public confidence in the work of Board-certified genealogists.
Ten-Year Revision Adopted 20 September 1998 Amended 9 August 1999, 19 October 2003, 16 October 2005 Ten-Year Revision Adopted 10 October 2009 Amended 8 May 2013, 12 October 2013, 10 May 2017, 2 May 2018, 12 May 2021 Ten-Year Revision Adopted 4 October 2021 Amended 25 May 2022, 9 October 2022
Article 1: Name
The name of the Corporation shall be Board for Certification of Genealogists [hereinafter the Corporation].
Article 2: Nonprofit Character
The Corporation shall function as a not-for-profit corporation pursuant to the laws of the District of Columbia for the purposes set forth in its Articles of Incorporation. No part of its net earnings shall inure at any time to the pecuniary benefit of any private individual.
Article 3: Corporation Offices
The principal office of the Corporation shall be in Washington, D.C., but other offices may be maintained at the place or places approved by the Board of Trustees.
Article 4: Seal and Insignia
The official seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form and bear the name of the Corporation, the year 1964, and the words “Corporate Seal, District of Columbia.” At the center shall be a shield charged vertically with a genealogist's tree for three generations.
Article 5: Board of Trustees
1. Management of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in a Board of Trustees [hereafter the Board], who shall serve without compensation, except that expenses directly related to their duties may be reimbursed by the Corporation. 2. Composition:
2.1. The Board shall be composed of fifteen (15) members but no act of the Corporation otherwise regular shall be void if fewer than fifteen trustees are in office.
2.2. Trustees shall serve for three years or until a successor is elected and takes office. If a trustee cannot complete his or her term, the Board may elect a qualified person to fill the vacancy. A trustee who has served three consecutive full terms shall not be eligible to serve again as a trustee until the close of the second annual meeting following the end of the final consecutive term, thereby providing for a two-year interval between maximum periods of consecutive service.
2.3. Trustees shall be certified persons only and shall maintain certification throughout their term of office.
3. Duties:
3.1. The Board may adopt insignia to be protected by appropriate means, to identify persons who have met qualification standards established by the Corporation, and may authorize such persons to use after their names initial-letter designations, also to be protected by appropriate means, that identify their certification.
3.2. The Board shall establish standards, requirements, and procedures for certification in each of the certification categories established by the Corporation; shall determine the conditions of tenure for those whose applications are approved; and shall decide all appeals brought to it in writing by persons denied initial certification or renewal, or by persons disciplined by the Executive Committee.
3.3. The Board shall approve the annual budget of the Corporation and supervise directly the permanently invested funds, securities, property, and assets of the Corporation. The annual budget shall constitute authority to expend up to the amounts approved.
4. Meetings:
4.1. The annual meeting of the Board shall take place at the Corporate office in Washington, D.C. between 20 September and 21 October or at an alternative place and time designated by the Executive Committee. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given in writing to all trustees at least four (4) months prior thereto.
4.2. Special meetings of the Board shall be held at any time and place upon the call of the Executive Committee or upon the request of five (5) trustees. Special meetings shall be held virtually. Notice of special virtual meetings shall be provided at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the start of the meeting. The purpose of the special meeting shall be included in the call for the meeting. No business may be transacted at a special meeting without the presence of a quorum.
4.3. A majority of the members in office shall constitute a quorum. Proxy votes shall not be permitted. As permitted under District of Columbia law, trustees may participate by personal attendance, or by a means of communication which permits simultaneous hearing of and oral participation in the deliberations by each trustee.
5. Committees:
5.1. There shall be an Executive Committee, composed of the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and at least one other trustee elected at the annual meeting. An immediate past-president who is a trustee and is willing to serve shall also serve as a nonvoting member of the Executive Committee for one year after the expiration of the immediate past-president’s term. The Executive Committee shall have all the powers of the Board when the latter is not in session except the power to amend or rescind policy decisions or such other powers as the Board shall reserve to itself or delegate to other committees or officers. Actions by the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Board at its next annual or special meeting.
5.2. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three certified persons elected annually and shall include at least one trustee who shall serve as the Committee chair. A vacancy in a Nominating Committee position, by death, resignation, or otherwise, may be filled by Executive Committee appointment until the next regular elections.
5.3. The Board may appoint other committees and delegate to them those duties and powers that it may deem necessary or desirable for the furtherance of the purposes of the Corporation. Such committees shall cease to exist immediately upon completion of the task for which they were appointed.
6. Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, current edition, and the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Board shall be the authority for all matters of procedure not covered by these Bylaws.
Article 6: Elections
1. Certified persons in good standing shall elect annually from among themselves one-third of the members of the Board. Those elected shall take office upon adjournment of the annual meeting in the year elected. Each certified person in good standing is entitled to one vote. 2. Certified persons in good standing may offer nominee suggestions in writing to the Nominating Committee no later than the first day of May of the year in which the election will be held. Late nominee suggestions made in the form of write-in votes on the election ballot will not be accepted. The Nominating Committee may solicit other suggestions. The Nominating Committee shall inform all those nominated of the duties of the respective office, obtain their agreement to serve if elected, and notify them of election results with reasonable promptness. 3. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a paper ballot that consists of one or more nominees for each vacant office, and may also conduct balloting electronically through a secure Internet program that provides for the same choices as the paper ballot, for those certificants for whom an e-mail address is on file and who have not requested a paper ballot. Paper ballots shall be distributed through the Board office to each certificant for whom no e-mail address is available, or who has requested in writing that the office provide a paper ballot. A Teller appointed by the president shall count and total both votes submitted electronically and votes submitted on the official paper ballot and report the results to the president immediately, to the trustees at their annual meeting, and to the editor of the Board newsletter before 1 November. Ties that result from the ballot count shall be decided by majority vote of the trustees. 4. The Board shall elect annually a Nominating Committee, and from among incumbent trustees a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, one or more at-large Executive Committee members, and a Chair of the Nominating Committee. Those elected shall take office upon adjournment of the annual meeting in the year elected.
Article 7: Officers and Appointees
1. The officers of the Corporation shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer. Each officer shall serve for one year or until a successor is elected and takes office. The Board or the Executive Committee may appoint one or more assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and such other officers as the business of the corporation may require. At the direction of the Executive Committee the assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers shall perform the duties of the secretary or treasurer respectively. 2. The president with the approval of the Executive Committee may contract for the professional services of an executive director, auditor, parliamentarian, and general counsel to the Corporation. 3. A vacancy in any office of the Corporation except that of the president, by death, resignation, or otherwise, may be filled by Executive Committee appointment until the next regular elections or until a special meeting is called for election or appointment of successors. 4. Duties:
4.1. The president shall be the principal executive officer and have active management of the business affairs of the Corporation. The president shall preside at all meetings of the Board and Executive Committee; shall serve ex officio on all committees except the Nominating Committee; shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried out in an orderly manner; and shall execute all agreements and instruments under seal of the Corporation, including but not limited to certification certificates.
4.2. The vice-president shall perform the duties of the president in the absence or incapacity of the latter and shall assume the office of president in the event of a vacancy in that office by death, resignation, or otherwise; shall review annually the minutes of that year's meetings and update the Policies and Procedures Manual; and shall perform other duties that may be requested by the president, the Executive Committee, or the Board.
4.3. The secretary shall have charge of the records and seal of the Corporation and countersign with the president all sealed agreements and instruments of the Corporation including but not limited to certification certificates; shall be responsible for reporting the proceedings of the Board and the Executive Committee and distributing the report to members with reasonable promptness; shall give timely notice of all meetings of the Board and the Executive Committee; and shall perform other duties as requested by the president, Executive Committee, or Board. The secretary may delegate any of these duties except signing certificates to an assistant secretary or executive director.
4.4. The treasurer shall have custody of the Corporation funds and deposit or disburse them as directed by the Board; shall maintain accurate books of accounts and collect debts owed the Corporation; and shall file the Corporation tax returns within relevant deadlines and make payments as required. The treasurer shall prepare and present annually to the Board a proposed budget; shall render to the Board whenever required an account of the Board's financial status; and shall in any event submit to the Board prior to its annual meeting a report of the Corporation's property, receipts, and disbursements.
Article 8: Judges
1. Judges shall serve by appointment of and at the pleasure of the Executive Committee. 2. The submission by each new applicant for certification shall be evaluated by at least three judges who shall hold appropriate certification and shall follow procedures pursuant to the directions of the Board. Renewal portfolios shall be evaluated by at least two judges. Judges shall review applications with reasonable promptness and render their evaluations and recommendations in writing. 3. The Board shall grant certification or renewal to applicants whose submissions receive unanimous recommendations for approval by the judges. The Board shall deny certification to applicants whose submissions receive unanimous recommendations for disapproval by the judges. A submission that receives mixed recommendations shall be reviewed by an arbitration judge. 4. The arbitration judge shall examine the application and review the evaluations of the other judges before recommending approval or disapproval of the application. 5. Appeals:
5.1. Anyone who fails certification may appeal the decision to the full Board in which case the appellant shall resubmit the application as it was when judged and without alteration and shall set forth in writing the grounds for the appeal. The judges of the application shall be notified of the pending appeal and have the right to support in writing their evaluations.
5.2. The Board may adopt, as a condition for accepting appeals, a fee bearing a reasonable relationship to the cost of processing. Appeals may be decided at any regularly called meeting of the Board. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the trustees present shall be required to alter the decision of the panel of judges. Such alterations may extend to: (a) certifying the applicant forthwith; and (b) submitting the application to a new panel of judges for review de novo. Failing a vote to alter the panel's decision, the denial of certification shall stand. The appellant shall be notified in writing of the results of the appeal.
6. Judges may receive nominal compensation, the terms thereof to be established by the Executive Committee, in addition to reimbursement for postage and other expenses directly related to their duties.
Article 9: Dispute Resolution and Discipline of Certified Persons
1. Disputes and Unprofessional Conduct.
1.1. Certified persons shall be subject to a dispute resolution process, which any person may invoke where a dispute has arisen out of a professional relationship with a certified person. A complainant must submit to the president a written statement containing specific allegations of wrongful conduct, accompanied by supporting evidence. Upon receipt of a complaint, the president shall initially attempt, either personally or through a designated officer or trustee, to resolve the matter through mediation and agreement among those concerned.
1.2.(a) Certified persons shall also be subject to individual discipline for conduct in violation of the Genealogist’s Code or otherwise deemed unprofessional, however evidence of such conduct may come to the attention of the president.
(b) Emergency temporary suspension of associates
(i) Any officer of the Board, upon the receipt of a complaint demonstrating facts that the continued certification of a Board-certified associate is causing immediate and substantial public or private harm because of the commission of a crime, or their actions are likely to
cause the Board to incur criminal or civil liability, or because of other egregious conduct, in manifest violation of the civil or criminal laws, may request the Board’s Executive Committee, by a two-thirds affirmative vote, to temporarily suspend the Board- certification of the accused associate with or without notice to the associate (a temporary suspension without notice will only be entered if the negative impact appears imminent and cannot reasonably await notice to the associate). If the Executive Committee decides to proceed on such complaint, a copy of the complaint shall be served upon the respondent-associate by the Executive Director by emailing a copy of the complaint, and mailing a copy of the complaint by regular and certified mail addressed to the address furnished by the respondent-associate in the last registration by the respondent-associate with the Board. Service is complete upon emailing and mailing. Whether the decision is to proceed with or without notice, the Executive Committee may enter a directive directing the respondent-associate to show cause why the respondent-associate should not be placed on or continued on temporary suspension, which directive shall be returnable within ten days.
(ii) If a rule to show cause has been issued under paragraph 1.2(b)(i), and the period for response has passed without a response having been emailed or mailed to the Executive Director, or after consideration of any response, the Executive Committee may enter a decision, by a two-thirds affirmative vote, requiring temporary suspension of the respondent-associate’s Board-certification pending further definitive action under the remaining provisions of Bylaws Article 9.
(iii) As used in this section, the term ‘‘crime’’ means an offense that is punishable by imprisonment in the jurisdiction of conviction, whether or not a sentence of imprisonment is actually imposed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subdivision (h), the term ‘‘crime’’ shall not include parking violations or summary offenses, both traffic and non-traffic, unless a term of imprisonment is actually imposed.
1.3. Both dispute resolution and individual discipline processes shall be conducted privately, without identification of those concerned unless public sanctions are imposed.
2. The president shall present to the Executive Committee any dispute that could not be resolved through mediation, or any disciplinary matter, whether or not initiated by a written complaint. The Executive Committee may delegate to any member of the Board its responsibility to investigate the matter and frame the issues but the Executive Committee itself shall in each case make a determination of the fact of the breach and the nature of sanctions, if any, to be imposed. The Executive Committee shall consider but not be limited by the relief requested by a complaining party.
3. A copy of the complaint, or the written issues as formulated by the investigating trustee, shall be sent to the certified person, soliciting an answer in writing within thirty (30) days. After the answer is received or thirty (30) days has elapsed, unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, the Committee shall make its determination in writing to the certified person, other parties to a dispute, and to the secretary or executive director for inclusion in the certified person's permanent file. All Committee communications with the parties shall be by postal service, with notice of delivery requested.
4. Action by the Executive Committee shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote and be measured by the gravity of the conduct alleged and the weight of the evidence supporting the allegations. The matter may be: (a) dismissed as ill-founded; (b) dismissed because both parties are found at fault; (c) found meritorious and the certified person admonished or censured; (d) found meritorious and the certified person directed upon pain of decertification to refund all or part of the fee received or take other appropriate corrective actions; (e) found to be so flagrant that certification may be suspended, terminated immediately, or directed to be terminated at the end of the certification period without opportunity of renewal. Sanctions imposed are intended to be corrective, rather than punitive, and public sanctions are appropriate when privately-imposed sanctions have not been complied with, or are necessary to protect the Board’s own interests. A decertified person may apply for certification de novo after not less than five years by directing such application to the Executive Committee.
5. Appeals
5.1. The certified person shall have the right to appeal the determination of the Executive Committee as to individual discipline to the full Board in writing within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Executive Committee’s determination. The decision of the Board shall be by two-thirds affirmative vote, shall be final and binding, and shall be made available to the certified person in writing with reasonable promptness and included in the certified person’s permanent file.
5.2. Dispute resolution awards, whether reached through mediation or arbitration processes, are not appealable.
Article 10: Fiscal Matters
1. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on 1 July each year. 2. The treasurer shall prepare and present annually to the Board a proposed budget; shall render to the Board whenever required an account of the Board's financial status; and shall in any event submit to the Board prior to its annual meeting a report of the Corporation's property, receipts, and disbursements. 3. The permanently invested funds, securities, property, and assets of the Corporation shall be under the direct supervision of the Board. 4. At any time the Board may cause the accounts of the Corporation to be audited by an independent accountant whose written report shall be distributed to trustees at least thirty days before the annual meeting.
Article 11: Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the Corporation, its assets shall be transferred to a non-profit tax exempt organization chosen by the Board of Trustees.
Article 12: Effective Date and Amendment
1. These Bylaws shall become effective as of 8 May 2013. 2. These Bylaws may be amended by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Board present at any regularly called meeting provided that notice of proposed amendments is given to trustees at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. 3. Subject-headings for Bylaws articles and sections are provided for convenience but are not part of the text. 4. The Board shall provide for full review of these Bylaws at least every ten years.
> View/Download the BCG Bylaws as a PDF
BCG Service and Certification Marks
BCG currently uses several service and certification marks. Our name, Board for Certification of Genealogists, and certification marks, Certified Genealogist and CG, are trademarks registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Our credentials Certified Genealogical Lecturer, its acronym, CGL, Certified Genetic Genealogist, and its acronym, CGG, are service marks. If a mark is not registered with the USPTO, the trademark owner may not legally use the ® symbol in connection with the mark. Certification and service marks may be used under license by certificants after periodic competency evaluations (and only during the current five-year period for which they are certified).
Use of BCG's Service Marks and Certification Marks
The following provides guidance about acceptable practices and uses—the methods of using and displaying all marks other than the newly registered certification marks remain the same as previously suggested; see, e.g., Michael S. Ramage, “A Primer on the Use of BCG Trademarks,” OnBoard 17 (May 2011): 1; and latest version of The BCG Application Guide (Washington, D.C.: Board for Certification of Genealogists).
Use by Editors
Where a single publication may contain references to credentials conferred by a number of organizations, BCG suggests a notice like the following be included in the front matter, acknowledging intellectual property rights in credential designations of each body:
Genealogical Credentials: CG and Certified Genealogist are registered service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®. CGL, Certified Genealogical Lecturer, CGG and Certified Genetic Genealogist are common law service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Accredited Genealogist and AG are registered service marks of the International Commission for Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. Individuals are licensed to use the credential designations after meeting the competency standards of those organizations. FASG identifies fellows of the American Society of Genealogists, an honorary society limited to fifty living members chosen for the quality of their published genealogical scholarship. Fellowship in other societies awarded based on scholarship, rather than service or support to the society, may also be recognized by a postnominal designation incorporating the society’s initials.
In cases where only BCG-credentialed individuals are cited the notice may be shortened as:
CG, Certified Genealogist are registered service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation. CGL, Certified Genealogical Lecturer, CGG and Certified Genetic Genealogist are common law service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation.
The proper use of BCG’s credentials by board certificants will strengthen its marks and reduce the workload of BCG’s Intellectual Property Committee that polices the proper use by BCG’s certificants and third parties.
Use by BCG Associates
Use in Text or Speech
It is not proper usage to state, “I am a Certified Genealogist,” as that is a generic usage. On the other hand, it is proper usage to state, “I am Certified Genealogist John Doe,” “I am Jane Doe, Certified Genealogist,” or “I hold a Certified Genealogist credential.”
Use in Stationery
Examples of proper listing of this credential in letterhead:
John Doe
Certified Genealogist, CG®, CGGSM
Jane Doe, CG®, CGLSM
When we use the superscript ®, it is not necessary to provide any further notice of who owns the marks. If an associate prefers to not use the superscript abbreviations, they may be omitted if an appropriate notice is placed in a footer on the page when the postnominal first appears. The following notices are examples of acceptable usage:
“Certified Genealogist” is a registered service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, used under license by authorized associates following peer-reviewed competency evaluations. Certificate No. XX, renewed, expires 3 January 2029.
CG and Certified Genealogist are registered service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation, and the board name is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. CGL and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are common law service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation.
Note that when the ® symbol is used, the phrase “and the board name is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office” is not required as this would be redundant.
Use in Email and Websites
When your e-mail program and website support superscript and symbols, the same rules apply as with stationery. However, when your e-mail program and website do not support superscript and symbols, the following practices are acceptable:
Instead of superscripting the registration symbol, place it in parentheses, as in (R). Instead of superscripting the unregistered service mark symbol, place it in parentheses, as in (SM).
Instead of placing the symbol ® after BCG’s name, substitute (R) or the phrase “and the board name is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.”
Protection of BCG's Service Marks and Certification Marks
BCG has an affirmative obligation to make sure that its marks are used properly, to ensure the legal protection of its rights.
The Board’s Intellectual Property Committee monitors potential infringements of the Board’s registered certification marks (such as improper use of the term “certified genealogist” in a descriptive or generic way), as well as its service marks. It is essential that BCG associates and others use our marks (trademarks and service marks) properly.
Any concerns or questions about an incorrect use should be directed to the .
The Donn Devine Award
For Extraordinary Service to the Board for Certification of Genealogists
Established in 2018, the Donn Devine Award for Extraordinary Service to the Board for Certification of Genealogists recognizes that the foundation of any great organization is rooted in service; it is the nurturing force which fuels all growth. Any board member can nominate any individual in writing, setting out the service justifying the award. The essential criterion is extraordinary service to the Board. The award is intended to recognize a current associate who has rendered the level of service epitomized by Donn Devine. From those nominated, the BCG president selects one or more awardees and submits that selection to the board with the reasons for the award. It is not limited by numbers, thus more than one individual may be recognized in any year, and there may be any number of years in which no award is made.
Donn Devine, JD, CG℠ Emeritus, FNGS
The award itself is named in honor of a man whose extraordinary service to BCG truly exemplifies those whose activities may be honored by the award in years to come. A New Jersey native and Delaware resident, Donn Devine, JD, CG℠ Emeritus, FNGS, first became a board-certified genealogist in 1987—a credential he last renewed at the age of 88. His extraordinary service to the Board for Certification of Genealogists spanned more than a quarter century, first as a trustee and later as its general counsel. In his four-decade genealogical career, he served the broader genealogical community as a society leader and through research, lecturing, and scholarly publications. His work earned him recognition as a Fellow of the National Genealogical Society (2013), honorary lifetime membership in the Association of Professional Genealogists (2014) and, in 2018, election to Certified Genealogist Emeritus status. A renaissance man, Donn has been a chemist, an urban planner, a lawyer, a National Guardsman rising in rank from private to brigadier general, an archivist and, perhaps most importantly, a husband and father. To BCG, he will always be a cherished colleague.
On 10 May 2019, the president of BCG announced the first recipients of the Donn Devine Award. The honorees are Alison Hare, CG, of Ottawa, Canada, Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA, of Monroe, New York, and Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA, of Hendersonville, Tennessee. BCG President Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA, said, “BCG thanks each of these individuals for their service. They truly epitomize the level of dedication and service shown by Donn Devine. Their contributions are extraordinary and enduring.” Their citations and biographies are located here:
Alison Hare, CG
Alison Hare, CG, has continuously maintained her certification since 1999. For over a decade she has worked for BCG behind the scenes. In 2008 she was appointed as BCG’s Judge Coordinator, a role she filled for ten years. From 2009 to 2018 she served as a trustee. Because BCG judges are anonymous, Alison’s service received no public acknowledgment. Working as a full-time volunteer for BCG left her little time to pursue her own genealogy career. During her tenure as Judge Coordinator Alison facilitated improvements to BCG’S judging system. Her first major accomplishment was implementation of rubrics for portfolio evaluation—a ‘game changer’ for both applicants and judges. The rubrics had been developed several years previously but had not been put into effect. Alison developed the supporting infrastructure, coached judges in their use, and monitored evaluations to improve results. During her decade as Judge Coordinator, Alison mentored more than forty new judges as well as provided guidance to senior members of the judging pool. She developed curricula for and led five day-long judges’ training meetings, and oversaw and strengthened the Review Committee. Alison’s writing and editing skills honed as a journalist and editor have served BCG well. She produced a judging procedure manual, guidelines for evaluation comments, and a renewal manual still in use. She revised The BCG Application Guide five times between 2011 and 2017 and rubrics numerous times to improve clarity. She wrote OnBoard articles explaining BCG’s evaluation system and standards for continuing education. She served on the standards revision committee leading to the publication of Genealogy Standards (2014). More recently she worked on the ad hoc DNA standards committee tasked to produce the improved DNA standards approved in 2018, leading to the 2019 revision of Genealogy Standards. Alison’s interest in genealogy began in the early 1980s when she discovered a gravestone in a family cemetery for an ancestor named Busteed Green. She was determined to learn more. “Had Busteed been less elusive and less uniquely named,” she said in her January 2009 OnBoard Spotlight profile, “I probably would not be a genealogist.” BCG owes a debt of gratitude to Busteed for sparking Alison’s interest. It is now time to recognize Alison’s tremendous impact on BCG with the Donn Devine Award for Extraordinary Service to the Board for Certification of Genealogists. The Donn Devine Award was presented to Alison Hare on 10 May 2019.
Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA
Inspired by the stories of his elders, Thomas W. Jones launched his passion for family history research at age fifteen. Midway in a thirty-year career in higher education, Jones achieved BCG certification in 1994. He earned the Certified Genealogical Lecturer credential in 2000. Since his certification, his contributions to BCG’s mission include a collaborative leadership role in the development and evolution of genealogical standards, education of thousands of genealogists, and a body of literature considered essential reading.
Jones served as a BCG Trustee from 1997–2007 and 2011–2014. He was a member of the Executive Committee for three years and President from 1999–2002. He was a key player in BCG’s publication of The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual (2000). He served as editor of Genealogy Standards (2014) and edited its second edition published in 2019.
Always an advocate for genealogical standards, Jones delivered a keynote address at the 2016 Association for Professional Genealogists (APG) Professional Management Conference, which jump-started the movement to create DNA-specific standards. He served on the BCG Genetic Genealogy committee tasked with drafting DNA standards and on the ad-hoc committee that incorporated public feedback.
Jones penned methodology articles published in OnBoard, the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ), and other peer-reviewed journals. Two articles were awarded the NGSQ Award for Excellence. Jones coedited the NGSQfor sixteen years (2002–2018). He authored three chapters in Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (2018). His textbooks, Mastering Genealogical Proof (2013) and Mastering Genealogical Documentation (2017), provide foundation skills necessary for BCG certification. He developed and taught companion week-long institute courses in both genealogical proof and documentation.
In 2007 the American Society of Genealogists elected Jones as a fellow in recognition of his scholarly published work. APG recognized him with the Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit (2004) and the APG Professional Achievement Award (2011). Other honors include his election as Fellow of the National Genealogical Society (2009) and as Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association (2009). His scholarly contributions earned him the UGA Silver Tray Award (2011). Jones continues to support the board with advice, mentoring, and leadership. He is truly deserving of the Donn Devine Award for Extraordinary Service to the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
The Donn Devine Award was presented to Thomas W. Jones on 10 May 2019.
Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA
Elizabeth Shown Mills, one of the world’s best-known genealogists, is a Mississippi native who earned her degree in Southern and Family History at the University of Alabama, has authored or edited sixteen books and more than 1,000 articles, delivered over 1,000 lectures, and appeared on multiple radio and television networks. She regularly consults as a genealogical expert in national and international media.
In 1981 the American Society of Genealogists (ASG) elected her a fellow, recognizing her scholarship in published works. She served ASG in various executive positions including President. She was named a fellow of the National Genealogical Society (1989) and the Utah Genealogical Association (1990). The Association of Professional Genealogists honored her with the first Professional Achievement Award (2007) and Lifetime Membership (2016).
As an author and editor, her publications annually reach thousands of genealogists in print and across multiple platforms. They include ground-breaking works on evidence analysis and problem-solving strategies, classic references on professional genealogy, and insightful probes of Southern culture. Mills edited the peer-reviewed NGS Quarterly for sixteen years (1987―2002), fourteen of which she coedited with her late husband, Gary B. Mills, PhD. For thirty years she taught the Advanced Methodology track at Samford University's Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research and for twelve years at the National Institute on Genealogical Research at the National Archives.
Since earning the CG credential in 1976 and CGL in 1988, Mills has continuously served the BCG behind the scenes and publicly as a trustee and officer totaling twenty-seven years. She held the executive offices of President (1994–96), Vice President (1989–94), and Member at Large (1996–97).
Mills’s service to BCG has extended beyond the offices she held—notably in her roles as scholar and mentor. She led the movement to elevate the field of genealogy to an academic social science. Mills encourages new genealogists and seasoned associates to uphold genealogical standards, seek the best sources, assess their validity, and critically analyze the evidence to solve genealogical problems. Perhaps her most valuable contribution has been shaping the intellectual direction of the field through writing, editing, teaching, and modeling amity, generosity, inquiry, and integrity. Her decades of BCG service and resolute dedication to our field deserve recognition with the Donn Devine Award for Extraordinary Service to the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
The Donn Devine Award was presented to Elizabeth Shown Mills on 10 May 2019.
Michael S. Ramage, JD, CG
Michael Ramage, J.D., CG, has maintained his certification continuously since 2002. He was elected to serve as a BCG Trustee in 2010 and served for six years from 2010–2016. He was elected Vice President in 2012 and as treasurer in 2014, the latter being one of the most demanding executive committee positions. In 2016, he accepted the appointment to the critical post of General Counsel to the BCG. His genealogical practice focuses on the field of forensic genealogy (missing and unknown real estate, heirs in estate and trust matters, adoption, and intellectual property descendants work). He is also a qualified expert witness in the field of missing and unknown heirs. He has been a professional researcher for over 30 years. He was Vice President and Counsel (2012–2014) of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) and is a senior member. He happily served as the certifying genealogist for The Colonial Society of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution.
Michael has also been an active genealogical educator providing professional presentations to CAFG, Boston University, BCG skill building lectures, and for institutes such as the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) and Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy’s Academy (SLIG). In 2020, he became the first President of the Forensic Genealogy Special Interest Group, Association of Professional Genealogists. He is the author of “Forensic Specialization” and “Ethical Considerations” chapters in Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards.He has also published in professional legal journals such as "What Lawyers Need to Know about the Heir-Hunting Industry," The Pennsylvania Lawyer (May/June 2013), and "Missing and Unknown Estate Heir Law Practice and Procedure," The Pennsylvania Bar Association Quarterly (July 2005). He has also authored articles for OnBoard, the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and he was the Forensic Genealogy column author for FORUMmagazine, Federation of Genealogical Societies (2016). Michael was a member of the Standards Manual Revision Committee for publication of Board for Certification of Genealogists®, Genealogy Standards (2014). He also served on the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania Board of Directors, and as its Counsel (2002–2006).
As the BCG General Counsel, he has provided sage advice to the President and the Board. He has been the voice of experience steering the board clear of past difficulties. His critical efforts include mediation involving associates, contract reviews and disputes, intellectual property issues, and interpretation of the bylaws and the policy manual as those governing documents apply to a myriad of situations. To maintain attorney-client confidentiality, it is not possible to detail all of Michael’s activities in his role as General Counsel. Suffice it to say that he continues in the tradition of the General Counsel for whom this award is named, providing first class service on a pro bono basis.
Michael continues to support the board with advice, mentoring, and leadership. He is truly deserving of the Donn Devine Award for Extraordinary Service to the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
The Donn Devine Award was presented to Michael S. Ramage on 12 May 2021.
Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
The Donn Devine award is awarded for extraordinary service to the Board. For those of us who were fortunate enough to know Donn, we recognize the spirit of continued devotion and creative enthusiasm that Donn Devine’s influence helped build BCG into what it is today. Richard G. Sayre is a similar type of person, motivated to move this organization forward.
Rick was first certified in May 2007, and then earned his CGL in October 2012. He is well-known to the BCG Board as its past president from 2017–2019 and current trustee. It may not be as well-known that Rick also served in the following positions.
Richard G. Sayre's years of dedicated service to BCG include the following:
- Trustee, October 2015–October 2024
- Booth Coordinator, 2015–2016
- Executive Committee Member-at-Large, 2015–2016
- Treasurer, 2016–2017
- President, 2017-2019
- Co-designer of the ED Roster, 2017–2018
- Member of the DNA committee, 2019-present
- Secretary, 2019–2021
- Nominating Committee Chair, 2023–2024
In each of these positions he contributed significantly to the mission of the Board. Especially noteworthy was his service as the President of the Board. His leadership led to the publication of the second edition of Genealogy Standards that established DNA standards for genealogical proof. Another significant contribution was that during his tenure as the chair of the webinar committee, he led the effort to establish the partnership with Legacy Family Tree Webinars that has resulted in the BCG methodology track on their website.
As a young man, Rick earned a BA in Chemistry from the University of Colorado and a MA in Administration Sciences (Management Information Systems) from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. He is a retired colonel who served 31 years in the US Army. Along with his volunteer work with BCG, he is a long-time researcher and instructor in genealogical topics. He coordinates the Using Maps in Genealogy course offered by the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and was the long-time coordinator of the Advanced Land course at SLIG and still instructs in several other courses at SLIG and GRIP. Particularly, he co-coordinates with Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL, the Law School for Genealogists course at Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) and the Family History Law Library course at SLIG. He also teaches at GRIP on Advanced Irish Research with David Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIRGS. He lectures at national conferences and presents nationwide seminars. His areas of expertise encompass records of the National Archives, the Bureau of Land Management, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), as well as anything to include military records, land records, using maps in genealogy, urban research, and government documents. Rick specializes in the localities of western Pennsylvania and Ohio. He, with his wife, Pamela Boyer Sayer, CG Emeritus, have always been extremely generous teachers, volunteers, and friends.
The Board is grateful to Rick for his service rendered to BCG and all that he continues to do for the genealogical community.
With thanks to Successories Awards & Recognition for the award image.
BCG Education Fund
The BCG Education Fund, founded in 2000 as an independent non-profit charitable trust, advances the educational aims of the Board for Certification of Genealogists® by funding learning programs consistent with standards promulgated by the Board and by providing incentives for study and scholarly research in accordance with the Board’s standards.
Current activities are the Helen F. M. Leary Distinguished Lecture Series presented semi-annually, Putting Skills To Work presented annually, and the annual competition for the Donald Mosher Memorial Award. The Education Fund is always considering avenues for extending its educational offerings, and suggestions are heartily welcomed.
More information about the BCG Education Fund can be found at the Education Fund’s website, https://bcgedfund.org.
The Education Fund relies upon the generosity of contributors to support its educational outreach to current and future genealogists. The programs exist only because of that on-going generosity. Contributions are tax-deductible, and may be mailed to:
BCG Education Fund
P. O. Box 14291
Washington, DC 20044