The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) Alumni Association sponsors the Richard S. Lackey Scholarship. The Gen-Fed Alumni Association’s purpose is to promote, conduct, and foster education, research, study, and analysis related to genealogy and to disseminate information and support other similar undertakings.
Richard S. Lackey (1921–1983) of Mississippi was a leader in the drive to improve the professionalization of the genealogical community. In addition to lecturing and teaching, he was an author/compiler of standards for genealogical writing, and of Mississippi source material. His work exemplified the highest standards of competent research and scholarly citation of sources. At the time of his death, Richard was President of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®.
The Lackey Scholarship is awarded annually to an experienced researcher active in a paid or volunteer position which directly benefits the genealogical community. This year the scholarship will award $1,000, which covers full tuition for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), and partly defrays hotel and/or meal costs. Provided the public health situation allows the event, the Gen-Fed Alumni Association will also provide dinner at the Gen-Fed Alumni Banquet on Friday night, 15 August 2025, where a check for the amount less tuition will be presented to the recipient.
Julie Huffman, the 2024 Lackey winner, says:
“I was over the moon when I received the email that I had been selected to be the Lackey Scholarship recipient! The scholarship allowed me to reap the unbelievable benefits of a week-long, intensive dive into National Archives records important for genealogical research. As a public-library librarian, I can now take the information I learned and share it with our patrons who may have been intimidated or shy about approaching our National Archives. Also, the week was chock-a-block with presentations by superstars from the world of research and I learned so much! I highly recommend this opportunity to any of you out there interested in history and genealogy, and am very thankful for the opportunity this scholarship gave me.”
The 2025 Application Form can be downloaded by clicking here.
Details:
- All applications and additional attachments must be submitted in PDF format, combined in one file.
- The completed application form and attachments should be emailed to Jonathan Deiss at jdeiss@soldiersource.com with “Lackey Scholarship 2025” in the subject line.
- The PDF file name should include your last name and first initial, such as “DoeJ Lackey Scholarship 2025 Application.”
- A complete application must be received no later than midnight (Eastern Time) January 31, 2025.
The winner will be notified by 1 March 2025. Other applicants will be notified shortly after that date. The scholarship winner will automatically be accepted for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records to be held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., from August 10–16, 2025.