The following materials appear here as examples of genealogical work prepared by board-certified genealogists and, in many cases, published by peer-reviewed journals.
Each work sample appears here with the permission of the author, is copyrighted by the author, and may not be further reproduced elsewhere without the written consent of the author. Facsimile copies of published articles appear with the permission of the National Genealogical Society and the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society.
Note that no example is ever perfect in every respect. Moreover, every journal has its own style requirements reflecting its own traditions that may not comport entirely with the requirements of The BCG Application Guide. For these reasons, these samples are not models for portfolio submissions. In all portfolio submissions, the Application Guide controls.
The following work samples are presented in chronological order, newest to oldest.
Green, Shannon, CG. “Alta Jane Durst’s Father” (2021 DNA report sample)
Ball-Kilbourne, Gary, CG. “Calvin Research Report.” (2018 new applicant portfolio)
Vidlak, Mary O’Brien, CG. John C. Follette research report. (2015 new applicant portfolio)
Ruffner, Malissa, CG. “Pierre Lapouraille (m.1819).” (2012 new applicant portfolio)
The following work samples are presented in chronological order, newest to oldest.
Garrett-Nelson, LaBrenda, JD, LLM, CG, CGL. “Parents for Isaac Garrett of Laurens County, South Carolina: DNA Corroborates Oral Tradition.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 108 (June 2020): 85–112. NGSQ Award of Excellence, 2020.
Henningfield, Melinda, CG. “A Family for Mary (Jones) Hobbs Clark of Carroll County, Arkansas.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 107 (March 2019): 5–30. NGSQ Award of Excellence, 2019.
Peters, Nancy A., CG, CGL. “Hiram Cochran, Freedman of Abbeville County, South Carolina.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106 (September 2018): 165–180.
Russell, Judy G, JD, CG, CGL. “George Washington Cottrell of Texas: One Man or Two?” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 105 (September 2017): 165-179. NGSQ Award of Excellence 2017.
Hobbs, Patricia Lee, CG. “DNA Identifies a Father for Rachel, Wife of James Lee of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 105 (March 2017):43–56.
Hoitink, Yvette, CG. “Griete Smit’s Parentage: Proof in the Absence of Vital Records.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (December 2016): 245-256.
Garrett-Nelson, LaBrenda, JD, LLM, CG, CGL. “Resolving a Modern Genealogical Problem: What was Rainey Nelson’s Birth Name?” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (September 2016): 203–213.
Stanbary, Karen, CG. “Rafael Arriaga, a Mexican Father in Michigan: Autosomal DNA Helps Identify Paternity.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (June 2016): 85-98. NGSQ Award of Excellence 2016.
Baty, Laurel T., CG. “Aaron Strickland’s North Carolina Origin.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (March 2016): 21–37.
Johnson, Melissa A., CG. “Mothers for Sophie (Kanetski) Howe of Scranton, Pennsylvania.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 103 (June 2015): 105-113.
Lennon, Rachal Mills, CG, FASG. “Context and Comrades Illuminate a Silent Southerner: John Temple (1758–1838), Revolutionary War Pensioner.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 103 (March 2015): 49–67. NGSQ Award of Excellence 2015.
Mills, Elizabeth Shown, CG, CGL, FASG. “Which Marie Louise is ‘Mariotte’? Sorting Slaves of Common Names.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 94 (September 2006): 183-204.
The following work samples are presented in chronological order, newest to oldest.
Hoyt, Sharon L., CG. “Her Sixth Matrimonial Venture: The Many Marriages of Ida May Chamberlain.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 106 (September 2018): 217–238. Winner, NGS Family History Writing Contest 2017.
Tomlinson, Leslie Watson, CG. “The Rickmonds: A Railroad Family.” (2018 new applicant portfolio)
Wilds, Scott M., CG. “Three Generations: From West Africa to the Great Migration.” (Online publication, 2017 new applicant portfolio).
Graham, Paul K., CG, AG. “A Love Story Proved: The Life and Family of Laura Lavinia (Kelly) Combs of Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 101 (December 2013): 245-266. Winner, NGS Family History Writing Contest 2012.
Bittner, F. Warren, CG. “Without Land, Occupation, Rights, or Marriage Privilege: The Buttner Family from Bavaria to New York.” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 100 (September 2012): 165-187. Winner, NGS Family History Writing Contest 2011.
A genealogist performing research for others is well-advised to have a written agreement for services. Moreover, the research report for another person submitted as part of a BCG portfolio must contain the permission of the person for whom the report was prepared. Sample agreements for these purposes — to be used only as a springboard for analysis and discussion and not as a substitute for consulting with an attorney licensed to practice in the relevant jurisdictions — may be found here: