The 2009 NCGS awards were presented at our annual meeting held in conjunction with the Fourth Annual Speakers Forum on 7 November 2009. Individuals were recognized for their many contributions to the North Carolina Genealogical Society and to the North Carolina genealogical community.
- Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to outgoing NCGS board members who have served the society well. Ann Clough Basnight of Washington, North Carolina, served two terms as president of NCGS. Her current term runs through the end of December and she will continue to serve the NCGS board as past president. Her love of the society has been evident as she promoted NCGS at local meetings and national conferences. Jerry Childrey’s term as a director will end this year. He has been a faithful board member working wherever needed. Jerry, who lives in Greensboro, helped with workshop registrations and served as Awards Chair in 2007.
- Our appreciation was also shown to Louise Miller Cowell and Crestena Jennings Oakley. Louise Miller Cowell has served in many capacities without recognition. We wish to thank her for her warm generosity through the years. Crestena Jennings Oakley of Greenville retired this summer from the book distributor position which she held for several years. She has transported books to many conferences in various states for the society’s benefit as well as promoting North Carolina genealogy at the NCGS conference booths. She also chaired the NCGS Nominations Committee for several years. We are grateful to both of them for representing NCGS.
- Ken Glover of Raleigh received a certificate of gratitude for his outstanding dedication to the NCGS Local Host Committee for the 2009 National Genealogical Society’s Conference in the States. Ken took time off work and, as a volunteer, was on duty by 8:00 AM until closing each day of the week during the NGS conference in Raleigh this past May. A great many visitors to our state received a gracious welcome as Ken answered questions about the conference, the state, where to eat, and how to navigate the city. He dealt with various problems from security to emergency shoe repairs. The hospitality table depended on his patiently answering questions all day, every day of the conference.
- The award for “Outstanding Contribution to North Carolina Genealogy” was presented to Dr. A. Bruce Pruitt of Whitakers, North Carolina. Dr. Pruitt earned degrees at Presbyterian College and Clemson University in physics. He is a prolific writer with 160 genealogy books on North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee records. His North Carolina books include fifty-one books on land entries and warrants alone. He has written ten deed books on Anson County, six on Craven County, eight on Guilford County, twelve deed books on Lincoln County, and eight on New Hanover County. His work in our neighboring states of South Carolina and Tennessee helps genealogists separate the boundary problems in land records. He is considered an expert on the Glasgow land fraud. His published works, from ABP Abstracts, are appreciated by genealogists, but we value Dr. Pruitt most for his willingness to teach and share his vast knowledge. With infinite patience, he guides researchers to view land problems with a new perspective.
- Elliott R. Futrell received the award for “Outstanding Contribution to NCGS by a member.” A native of the Eureka community of Wayne County, Elliott has served on the board of NCGS, was an awards chairman, and served as president of our society from 2002–2005. His Grandmother Futrell fostered his interest in genealogy, reciting kinships within the county. Realizing his need for knowledge on how to research his family, Elliott took a course and began going to every NCGS workshop he could attend. He says, “I knew the best way I could learn how to research my family was to get involved with this organization and surround myself with knowledgeable people. My NCGS membership and its workshops have educated me more on how to do my genealogy correctly than any other source that I know about. I encourage you to get involved with the North Carolina Genealogical Society because it is the best source of knowledge and education.”
