Service Awards

The Indiana Genealogical Society recognizes deserving individuals for their contributions and service, particularly contributions to genealogy in your area. Individuals are nominated by IGS members and fellow genealogists. The awards are presented at the IGS annual conference in April. See a list of previous winners.

Fill out the nomination form (PDF) and mail by January 15, 2009 to:

Honors & Awards Chair
Glenn B. Mather
1215 S. Brooks Dr.
Bloomington, IN 47401
E-mail gmather@sbcglobal.net

Please explain in detail what the nominee has accomplished. If the nominee has compiled books, for example, please provide exact titles, dates of publication, etc.

Service to Local Counties

Awarded to an individual for ten or more years of service to the field of genealogy in a local area. The nominee does not have to be a member of IGS. Nomination is made by 2 IGS members.

Awarded to an individual for recognition of a singular, outstanding contribution to the field of genealogy in a local area. The nominee does not have to be a member of IGS. Nomination is made by 1 IGS member.

Service to the Society

The Society's Highest Awards

The honor of a Fellow of the Indiana Genealogical Society may be bestowed for life upon a member of the Society:

• In recognition of exceptional service to Indiana genealogy and the Society over a period of 10 years or more.
• A person must be nominated by 5 IGS members who reside in separate districts of the Society or in states outside Indiana.
• Nominations shall cite qualifying services in the collection, preservation, or dissemination of genealogical or historical related information which pertains to areas beyond the county or adjoining counties of the nominee's residence.

The Willard Heiss Award may be bestowed upon an individual:

• In recognition of exceptional lifetime achievement in the field of genealogy throughout Indiana which emulates the body of Mr. Heiss' work.
• The award may be presented once in any given year, but no more than twice in any five consecutive years.
• Individuals must be nominated by 3 IGS members from separate counties of Indiana or states outside Indiana.

The Willard Heiss Award was established by the IGS Board of Directors to recognize those individuals whose lifetime contributions to Indiana genealogy merit association with those of Mr. Heiss, whose name for years was synonymous with Indiana genealogy at the national level. Heiss was a pioneer in record microfilming, newspaper column writer, journal editor abstractor of Quaker records, and organizer of genealogical seminars and conferences.

© 2008 Indiana Genealogical Society