About NGS

Nominations to the National Genealogy Hall of Fame

The National Genealogy Hall of Fame is an educational project sponsored by the National Genealogical Society. The entire genealogical community is invited to participate in this project.

National Genealogy Hall of Fame Nomination Form (PDF 128KB) >

Call for Nominations (PDF 361KB) >

Deadline for all submissions is 15 December, annually. See below for instructions.

The Purpose of the National Genealogy Hall of Fame

By focusing on the history of genealogy in the United States and on those elected to the Hall of Fame, there will be an increased awareness and appreciation of the high standards those persons advocated and achieved.

The National Genealogy Hall of Fame Committee, a group of distinguished genealogists from throughout the nation, elects A person/persons are elected to the Hall of Fame annually. Those elected are permanently commemorated in the virtual Hall of Fame on this website. See National Genealogy Hall of Fame Members.

Nomination and Election Process

Providing information concerning the history of genealogy in the United States is a serious effort. Through annual elections to the Hall of Fame, we honor those individuals of the past who made significant contributions to genealogy and set the high standards by which we work today.

National Genealogical Society affiliation is not required of nominees, nominating societies, or electors. A nominee must meet all criteria listed below.

Nominations for election to the Hall of Fame are due by 15 December for the next election. The committee will elect, by majority vote, from among the nominations received. The official nomination form can be downloaded from this page.

Electronic submissions are required. All nominations must include email contact information.

Criteria for Election to the Hall of Fame

The nominee must have been actively engaged in the field of genealogy in the United States for at least ten years.
The nominee must have been deceased for at least five years at the time of nomination.
The nominee must have made a contribution or contributions to the field of genealogy in the United States judged to be significant in a way that is unique, pioneering, or exemplary. The nature of those contributions may include, but need not be limited to, the following:
- authored books or articles that added significantly to the body of published works, and/or that serve as models of genealogical research and writing;
- made genealogical source records more readily available to the public by preserving, transcribing, translating, abstracting, indexing, and/or publishing such records;
- shared with others knowledge of genealogical research methods and sources through teaching and lecturing and/or publication of educational materials; and
- contributed time, labor, and leadership to a genealogical organization or a genealogical periodical publication, thus enabling that organization or publication to make significant contributions to the field of genealogy in the United States.

Nominating Procedure

A nomination for election to the National Genealogy Hall of Fame must be made by a genealogical society or similar organization on the official nomination form.

Deadline for all submissions is 15 December, annually.

National Genealogy Hall of Fame Nomination Form (PDF 128KB) >

All nominations must include:

A completed official form (PDF, above), signed by an officer of the society.
Email contact information for those nominating.
A photograph of the nominee suitable for enlargement and framing for display in the Hall of Fame.

Nominations may also include letters of support from other Societies (optional).

Deadline for all submissions is 15 December, annually.

Submissions via Email

[email protected]

Include “Hall of Fame” in the subject line.

Note: Email contact information is required for all submissions.