The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) is pleased to announce the winners of scholarships sponsored by the Board. Scholarships will allow winners to attend one of four to five premier national genealogical institutes in 2026. Each scholarship will cover up to $1,700 of institute tuition, travel, and lodging expenses. BCG will also waive its final application fee for scholarship recipients who submit portfolios of work to be considered for certification within three years of the award.
The Board for Certification of Genealogists established the Paul E. Sluby Sr. African American Scholarship in 2020. In 2022, the additional scholarships for those under the age of forty and another for preliminary applicants were established by BCG.
The awardee of the Paul E. Sluby Sr. African American Scholarship for 2025:
Mallard W. Benton (Woodstock, Georgia)
Mr. Benton has been actively involved in family research and genealogy for nine years, and has been an active member of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Metro Atlanta chapter, since his retirement in 2020. His work sample was very well written.
His research has focused on Georgia and other states, including North Carolina and has been conducted at the Athens-Clarke County (Georgia) public library and at the Decatur County Court House in Bainbridge, Georgia, as well as online.
The awardee for the Preliminary Applicant Scholarship for 2025:
Julia Gray Stabley (Portland, Maine)
Gray submitted a proof argument to identify the parents of a Pennsylvania woman married before the 1850 census using church, probate, and tax records.
With bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and meteorology, Gray understands the importance of education. As an over-the-road truck driver, she maximized the use of her time by listening to classes and webinars. She now operates her own genealogical services business.
Gray contributes to the genealogical community in her service to the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society.
“BCG is pleased to provide an opportunity to further the educational
advancement of these individuals in the field of genealogy with the goal of putting them on the path towards certification,” said President David Ouimette, CG®, CGL®. “Thank you to all applicants who expressed interest in furthering their genealogical education. BCG would welcome a submission from you next year for 2026 scholarships.”