A
lovely honour came my way. Retired from client research as I am, and
having put four personal family histories more or less adequately to paper, I feel a few degrees removed from mainstream genealogy.
Nonetheless, the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) has
awarded me Emeritus status upon my retirement from the
mandatory evaluation system. Not only was it a surprise, it is an
honour few receive and honestly I feel not quite worthy.
It's
true I was board-certified for thirty-eight years and served six
years as a trustee, but so many others contributed much more to BCG
than I. Perhaps it has more to do with growing recognition and
acceptance in Canada of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) and
other principles promulgated by BCG. It is so pleasing to see
increased awareness of the GPS and related standards spreading in
this country among local speakers, workshops, and contributors to the
various newsletters/journals I see.
And
it's not only Canada. The growth of the Association of Professional
Genealogists in many countries is influencing professionalism
which is not some kind of elite word. Family historians are learning
the wisdom of becoming more professional in their research planning,
analysis, conclusions, and writing.
At
formational meetings to establish the Association for Professional
Genealogists, Joy Wade Moulton, CG, was a strong but overruled
advocate for calling it Association for Professional Genealogy. The
distinction is very clear to me.
It
seems eons ago now that the National Institute for Genealogical
Studies (NIGS) undertook from its inception to incorporate
genealogical standards into the curriculum, not without a great deal
of trepidation over how to present it. Teaching online was a new
educational ballgame for us and had to include student-instructor
interaction. Back around Y2K, we didn't exactly have a model to
follow. Teamwork was essential; we had a big team and we pulled!
But
it's really BCG behind the drive for principles and standards to
raise consciousness in both our own beloved field and in the world of
academic social sciences. Besides the board's Genealogy
Standards, brilliant publications flow from board-certified
peers, to mention only a few ―
Elizabeth Shown Mills' Evidence Explained, Citing History Sources
from Artifacts to Cyberspace; Tom Jones' Mastering
Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation;
and Professional Genealogy, a Manual for Researchers, Writers,
Editors, Lecturers and Librarians.
The
BCG, established in 1964, is based in Washington, DC, but its
examination process is open to anyone anywhere in the English
language. The skills, competence, and comprehension of applicants are
judged by board-certified associates ... see bcgcertification.org.
When
I began to do research work for clients, there was just one such
regular researcher at the Archives of Ontario —
Elizabeth Hancocks, once a board-certified genealogist herself. Libby
generously shared her comprehensive knowledge of the records –
sometimes even the archivists consulted her –
with unfailing good humour. I simply can't list all the
inspiring mentors I've had, all the societies that hosted me,
all the fun times (and hard work) at so many conferences, and
all the exceptional friendships that stay with me.
If
I have had any influence at all, I hope it's attesting that we owe it
to our families — past,
present, and future(and to ourselves!)
— to be the best
recorders of our heritage we can possibly be.
Only
a genealogist will understand this image.
Other
pursuits have beckoned but the fire's not out. I may have retired but
one never stops being a genealogist and family historian.
©
2017 Brenda Dougall
Merriman
