Guidelines for The Rubincam Youth Award

The Rubincam Youth Award was established in 1986 to honor Milton Rubincam, CG, FASG, FNGS, for his many years of service to the National Genealogical Society and to the field of genealogy. These awards encourage and recognize our youth as the next generation of family historians.

The awards may be given annually to a student in either one or two age categories for the appropriately prepared genealogy. Up to two honorable mentions (runners-up) may also be named in each category. The awards will be announced and presented at the annual NGS Luncheon at the spring convention. If the winners are not present, award presentations may be made at another agreed upon time.

CATEGORIES:

Senior (students in Grades 10 to 12, or between the ages of 16 to18 ), known as the Rubincam Youth Award until 2007. The award winner will receive a $500 cash prize, a plaque, the NGS Home Study course, and a one-year NGS membership. The winning submission along with presentation details may appear in the NGS NewsMagazine.

Junior (students in Grades 7 to 9, or between the ages of 13 to 15 years), established in 2007. The award winner will receive a plaque, the NGS Home Study course, and a one-year NGS membership. The winning submission along with presentation details may appear in the NGS NewsMagazine.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE AWARDS:
Students

• Worldwide are eligible to apply.
• Are not required to be NGS members.
• Must apply under the appropriate age/grade award.

Submissions

• Must be in English.
• Must be original unpublished work.
• Become property of NGS and will not be returned.
• Are not eligible for later resubmission.
• Will not be returned if incomplete.

All nominations must include e-mail contact information.

Entry deadline is 31 January of each year. Please send submission to the NGS Youth Award Committee, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22204-4304
Decision of the judges is final. All submissions must include e-mail contact information.

THE AWARDS:

Senior Rubincam Youth Award

Applicants should be students in Grades 10 to 12, or between the ages of 16 to 18.

Each applicant should submit a single-line genealogy in a biographical format for three generations. The genealogy may follow either the male or female line. Applicant may use him/herself, a natural, adoptive or foster parent, or guardian as the principal individual.

The submission should demonstrate understanding of various original and derivative source records. It should apply critical analysis and intellectual skills in compiling the family genealogy. Events should be placed in historical and genealogical context.

Step No. 1: Write a short biography of the selected individual. The biography should include appropriate genealogical information such as: birth date and place, names of parents and siblings. If the biography is of a living person other than the student, include an authorization letter.

Step No. 2: For the next generation, select either the mother or father. Write a short biography of this individual with pertinent genealogical information such as: birth date and place, names of parents and siblings, marriage(s), death date(s), spouse(s), and names of children with birth dates and places. Include an authorization letter for any living persons.

Steps No. 3 and 4: Repeat the previous step by selecting either the maternal or paternal parents for the second and third generations. Provide the same information as described above in written biographies for these generations. If any biography is of a living person other than the student, include an authorization letter.

Each biography should be at least one page in length. Other related information may include occupation, places of residence, religious affiliation, schools attended, and military service, as well as relevant historical events that round out the history of a family.

STYLE:

Submissions should be

• Typed on 8-1/2" x 11" letter-quality paper.
• Double-spaced.
• Have one-inch margins on all four sides.

Title page should include

• Title
• Applicant’s contact information
• Name
• Address
• Telephone
• E-mail
• Submission date

Pages should be numbered consecutively, with the title page counting as the first page.

Supportive evidence (Do Not Include Originals.)

• Must accompany each genealogical biography.
• Includes photocopies or certified statements of fact.
• Identifies the original sources (book, page number, file or jacket number, microfilm number, etc.) and repository.
• Is cited in footnote form.
  
  

Applicant should be a student in Grades 7 to 9, or between the ages of 13 to 15.

Each applicant should submit a written essay in a biographical format of a principal individual, either male or female. Applicants may use a natural or adoptive parent or a guardian as the principal individual.

The submission should contain between 750 to 1200 words. It should demonstrate the applicant’s beginning understanding of various genealogical records and concepts. Applicants should apply intellectual skills in compiling the family genealogy and place events in historical context.

Step No. 1: Families are special and unique. Within every family there are unrecognized heroes. Select a person whom you admire and respect and conduct an in-person oral interview. You may record the interview with the person’s permission.

Some open ended questions might include:

• Names - Why did your parents select your name for you? Did you have a nickname?
• Residences – Where did you grow up? How did your family come to live there? Describe the house (apartment, farm, etc.) you lived in. How many rooms? Bathrooms? Did it have electricity? Telephones? Television? Were there any special items in the house that you remember?
• Childhood Memories - What is your earliest childhood memory? What kind of games did you play? What kind of toys did you have? What was your favorite thing to do for fun (movies, beach, etc.)? What were your family chores? Who were your childhood heroes and why? How is the world today different from when you were a child?
• Family - Who was the oldest relative you remember as a child? What do you remember about that person? What stories have come down to you about your parents? Grandparents? Are there any stories about famous or infamous relatives in your family? Of all the things you learned from your parents, which do you feel was the most valuable? What world events had the most impact on you while you were growing up? Did any of them personally affect your family?
• School - What was school like for you as a child? What were your best and worst subjects? Where did you attend grade school? High school? College? What school activities and sports did you participate in?
• Religion – What was your religion? Did you attend religious services while growing up? What did you do on Saturday/Sunday? How did you celebrate your religious holidays (Christmas, Easter, Chanukah, Passover, other)?
• Holidays - How did your family celebrate special days (birthdays, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, etc.)? Did your family have unique foods or traditions?
• Employment - What was your profession and how did you choose it? If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice? What accomplishments were you most proud of?

Step No. 3: Create a timeline of your relative’s life. In addition to relevant biographical information (including birth date and place, the names of parents, marriage(s), parents’ deaths, spouse(s), birth of children), include pertinent historical events for the native homeland.

Step No. 4: Write an essay, between 750 to 1200 words, which incorporates what you learned about your family member. Besides relevant biographical information (including birth date and place and the names of parents, marriage(s), spouse(s), and names of children), discuss why this person is important to you. If the essay is of a living person, include an authorization letter.

STYLE:

Submissions should be

• Typed on 8-1/2" x 11" letter-quality paper.
• Double-spaced.
• Have one-inch margins on all four sides.

Title page should include

• Title
• Applicant’s contact information
• Name
• Address
• Telephone
• E-mail
• Submission date

Pages should be numbered consecutively, with the title page counting as the first page.

Supportive evidence (Do Not Include Originals.)

• Must accompany each genealogical biography.
• Includes photocopies or certified statements of fact.
• Identifies the original sources (book, page number, file or jacket number, microfilm number, etc.) and repository.
• Is cited in footnote form.

Mail to:
NGS Rubincam Award
National Genealogical Society
3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300
Arlington, Virginia 22204-4304 USA

E-mail contact information is required for all submissions.

Questions? Contact NGS at awards@ngsgenealogy.org