The award is in recognition of living individuals whose distinguished contributions and on-going commitment to the field of genealogy are of national or international scope. This may be evidenced by any combination of publications, teaching and speaking, or leadership of major genealogical organizations over a significant period of time.
Dr. Jones received the award Friday, January 16, 2009 at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Banquet. During the presentation ceremony, UGA President Luana Darby explained "This award is in recognition of Dr. Jones'
efforts as a standard bearer of professionalism in the genealogical community through writing, teaching and research."
Dr. Jones is the editor of the NGS Quarterly, a retired professor of education at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., a trustee and past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, a former Association of Professional Genealogists trustee, 2004 recipient of APG's Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit, 1997 and 2002 winner of the National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence for articles in the NGS Quarterly, and most recently was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists. He also is on the staff at the Samford Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research and taught the 2009 course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy on Skill Building for the Professional.
Jones has contributed ten articles to the NGS Quarterly, six of which have dealt with analyzing difficult problems and developing sound conclusions by using the genealogical proof standard. He frequently lectures on analysis and evidence and has been involved in genealogical research personally and professionally since 1964.
