To recognize the hard work, long hours, and creativity that volunteer editors devote to their newsletters.

Deadline for Submissions—15 December Annually

There are now two categories for member newsletters edited by volunteers and published by genealogical/historical societies, family associations, and member organizations.

• Large (500 or more members)
• Small (Less than 500 members)

• The winning society or organization in each of the two categories will receive a complimentary one-year organization membership
• Feature in the NGS Magazine

• Each applicant must be an NGS society or organization member.
• Each editor must be a volunteer.
• The newsletter must be submitted by the society or organization—not by an individual.
• Four copies of two consecutive issues from the current year must be submitted along with the completed entry form.
• Electronic newsletters may be entered into the competition. One copy of two consecutive electronic newsletters from the current year must be submitted along with the completed entry form.
• Submissions are NOT accepted from societies or organizations that have won this competition in the past four years.

Guidelines (PDF) >

A panel of three judges will review both issues of the newsletter using the following criteria:

• material interest, variety and originality;
• writing and editing quality;
• readability and attractiveness; and
• overall publication makeup.

Your newsletter will not be evaluated on the correctness of its genealogical content.

• The panel’s comments will be evaluated and tallied.
• The president of each entry organization will be notified of the competition results.
• A representative of the winning organization will be invited to the next NGS Family History Conference to receive their award.

Application Form (Online Application) >

Electronic submission (required):

• Submit two consecutive issues from the current year in PDF format by uploading copies with the nomination form linked above.
• If your newsletter is typically created and distributed in a format other than PDF (e.g., a blog or website similar to NGS Monthly), please convert the two issues to PDF for submission. We request this because electronic newsletters are often member-only access.

USPS Mail

Genealogical Writing Competitions
National Genealogical Society
6400 Arlington Blvd Ste 810
Falls Church, Virginia 22042-2318
USA

Shipping via FedEx or UPS

Genealogical Writing Competitions
National Genealogical Society
6400 Arlington Blvd Ste 660
Falls Church, Virginia 22042-2318
USA
703-525-0050

Deadline for submissions is 15 December, annually.