Birdie Monk Holsclaw Memorial Fund and Awards



Birdie Monk Holclaw Birdie Monk Holsclaw, CG, FUGA, well-known and loved genealogical researcher, writer, lecturer, editor, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, 13 May 2010. Roberta "Birdie" Joann Monk was born 23 August 1948 in Staunton, Virginia, the daughter of William W. Monk and Arliss Schaffer. She married Russell Holsclaw on 22 November 1980 in Greeley, Colorado. Birdie, Russ and their son, Will, lived in Longmont, Colorado, for many years.

Although her achievements were many (listed below), it was her exuberance for life that set Birdie apart as the unique and special person that she was. She had a passion for learning and was an artful communicator. Whether you were a student in one of her classes, a colleague working on a project, or a complete stranger sitting next to her at dinner, Birdie was genuinely interested in engaging and listening to each person in her company.

Birdie was a role model and mentor to many genealogists. She encouraged, coached, and guided countless fledgling researchers, writers, and lecturers. When others saw an unknown, inexperienced, or hesitant newcomer, Birdie always saw promise and possibility. She was generous and had a special way of sharing her knowledge, never forcing her opinions on others, always reaching out and asking good questions. She inspired others to succeed.

Birdie loved genealogy and she loved technology. When she made a new discovery in her genealogical work or found a technical tool to help with genealogy, she couldn't wait to share it. And her enthusiasm was contagious. It was impossible to resist the smile on her face and the excitement in her voice as she explained the new idea or device. Birdie was a friend to all genealogists in the truest sense because she had no expectation of reward or recognition. She was truly an amazing woman!

Birdie's achievements were many and spanned over 35 years in genealogy. While there are too many to list, some of the highlights are:

Birdie will be missed, but definitely not forgotten. She continues to live on through her writing, lectures, and most importantly, through the many lives that she touched and the many people who love her.
Profile provided by Julie Miller, CG

The Birdie Monk Holsclaw Memorial Fund, established in 2010, was a tribute to the memory of noted genealogist, Birdie Monk Holsclaw.

Birdie Monk Holsclaw Memorial Lecture at the National Genealogical Society Annual Conference.

CCGS has sponsored the following national speakers:

2011 - Jordan Jones

2012 - David McDonald

2013 - Warren Bittner

2014 - Tom Jones

2015 - Julie Miller

2016 - Karen Jones

2017 - Elizabeth Shown Mills

2018 - J. Mark Lowe

2019 - David Rencher

2023 - Gina Moore

Birdie Monk Holsclaw Memorial Scholarship. Scholarship program was deleted in 2020 due to funding.

IGHR Scholarship Awarded with year attended:

2012 - Tina Sansone (Tennessee)

2013 - none (Scholarship recipient was unable to attend)

2014 - Kim Harrison (Utah)

        - Roberta "Bobbi" King (Colorado)

2015 - Laura G. Prescott (New Hampshire)

        - Shelley K. Bishop (Ohio)

2016 - Nancy Ward Remling (New York)

2017 - Denise Cross (Massachusetts)

        - Meryl Schumacher (Connecticut)

2018 - James Thornhill (Texas)

        - Dina Carson (Colorado)


Birdie Monk Holsclaw Volunteer of the Year
"Birdie" Award

Birdie Monk Holsclaw Volunteer of the Year "The Birdie Award" is given to an outstanding living individual, society, group, library, archive, or other organization that has provided outstanding volunteer service to the Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies or some area of genealogical service in Colorado.

Criteria for Selection for the Birdie Award

The nominee must have significantly contributed to the field of genealogy in Colorado in a way that is unique, pioneering or exemplary during the preceding year. The contributions may include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Authored books and/or other periodical material that added significantly to the published work relating to Colorado genealogy.
  2. Participated in projects making Colorado genealogical source records available to the public by preserving, transcribing, translating, abstracting, indexing, and/or publishing such records.
  3. Shared Colorado genealogical information and research methods and sources by teaching, lecturing and/or publishing educational materials.
  4. Contributed time, labor, and leadership to a Colorado genealogical or historical organization/periodical.
  5. Contributed to Colorado legislation benefiting Colorado genealogy.
  6. Contributed to Colorado genealogy by organizing a society, oral history program or other similar endeavors.

Nominating Procedures


A genealogical society, similar organization or an individual may submit a nomination to the Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies Awards Committee. The submitter is asked to include a summary of the nominees genealogical efforts for the preceding year, a photograph if possible, of the nominee and the nominee’s contact information (address, phone number, and email). The number of awards given is left to the discretion of the committee. The committee may choose to award honorable mention certificates to an individual whose contribution to the local community is outstanding.

Nominations will be accepted between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1 each year. Please send nominations to the CCGS Awards Committee, Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies, P.O. Box 40270, Denver, CO 80204-0270.


Past recipients of the Birdie Award

2021 - James Jeffrey



James JeffreyJames was an associate member of CCGS, member of Germanic Genealogy Group (now disbanded), Swedish Genealogical Society of Colorado, and WISE Family History Society.

James Accomplishments & Contributions:

Per Bob Larson, President of CCGS: James helped sponsor and provide space for two of our Society Management Workshops at Denver Public Library (DPL) in 2016 and 2017 besides being a sponsor and speaking during the introduction plus provide space for our quarterly meetings for many years. In addition, James volunteered to be the Council President two different times in 2003/2004 and 2009/2010 and achieved many accomplishments for the Council during his two administrations including hosting several Council seminars and helped to create the Birdie Monk Holsclaw Memorial Fund. He also has given out the Birdie Monk Volunteer Awards at several past CCGS meetings.



2020 - Dina Carson



Dina CarsonDina Carson has been involved in genealogy for more than two decades and is currently the coordinator of the Boulder Pioneers Project, a comprehensive look at the original source documents for Boulder County during the Territorial period (1859-1876). She is the author of more than thirty annotated indexes of Boulder County source materials. She was the editor of the Boulder Genealogical Society Quarterly (BGSQ) for 10 years. The BGSQ finished its 50th year of publishing in 2018. She lectures frequently to genealogical societies throughout the state and is working with the Colorado State Archives on state-wide indexing projects including the probate records index very nearly complete for the State Archives' holdings. Although her formal education is in International Law and Economics, she owns Iron Gate Publishing. Dina is the author of 10 books about publishing and genealogy including, Publish Your Family History: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Stories of Your Ancestors, and two recent books, Map Your US Research: A Workbook for Genealogists and Historical Assets of Colorado: A Research Guide for Genealogists, Local Historians and History Buffs Containing a Treasure Trove of Museums, Ghost Towns, Courthouses, Historic Homes and Hotels, along with the Libraries and Archives Holding Colorado's History. In early 2018, Dina was the coordinator and primary instructor for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy's course, Writing and Publishing Family Histories in the Digital Age. Dina brings her experience with all phases of book publishing to help first-time self-publishers create quality family or local histories that are both believable and achievable. When she's not at a computer working on a publishing project, you can find her photographing the pioneer cemeteries of Colorado.



2019 - J Richards



J RichardsJ Richards, the recipient of the 2019 Birdie Monk Holsclaw Colorado Volunteer Award for 2019, has been very active with his local genealogical society, Pikes Peak Genealogical Society (PPGS), Colorado Springs. He has held numerous board and committee positions with the society, including PPGS delegate to CCGS, Education Chair, Second Vice President (programs), and President.

J has always advocated for education, especially helping people new to genealogy. For over 18 years he presented a three-course class on introduction to genealogy at the local library, three times a year. Many people through the years have attended these classes.

J has also given his time to various PPGS projects. As part of the Cemetery Project, he helped index all the known cemeteries and burial sites in El Paso and Teller counties, created maps for the 11 volumes of the project, and managed their publication and sales. He has presented numerous programs at PPGS monthly meetings and also to many other Colorado genealogical societies.

On a personal level, J has actively researched his family genealogy, including people who have married into the family. He has published and donated to FamilySearch three family history books on various branches of his family.



2018 - Mary McRoberts (Boulder, CO)



Bio coming soon.



2017 - Dennis Jenkins (Grand Junction, CO)



Bio coming soon.



2016 - Donald Elliott (Columbine, CO)



Bio coming soon.



2015 - Linda Masden Vixie (Colorado Springs, CO)



Linda Masden VixieSince joining PPGS in 1993, Linda Vixie has volunteered many hours supporting the Pikes Peak Genealogical Society’s efforts to record genealogical information and assist those in search of their ancestry. She frequently volunteers her research expertise to organizations and media to track down individuals and find historical information about people and events. Linda has served as the PPGS publicity chair, corresponding secretary, second vice president for programs, and book selection committee member. After Milton Lake moved, she chaired the El Paso and Teller County Cemetery Project that indexed most of the counties’ cemeteries and produced a database of more than 80,000 in 71 cemeteries. She created a CD version of the database that was sold for a number of years and is now on the society’s website. Since 2003, she has edited the PPGS quarterly newsletter. Linda volunteers for CASA’s Life Long Links program, connecting foster children with family members to help provide them a sense of self and ancestral roots. Known as a “super sleuth” in the local community for her detective work, Linda has tracked down individuals associated with historical events and provided local media “the rest of the story” in articles/segments of local interest. In 2009, she found Arlene Pieper, the first woman to run a U.S. marathon. Thanks to Linda, the Pikes Peak Marathon committee was able to bring the 79-year-old woman and her daughter to officiate at the 50th anniversary of the event and has done so each year since. Linda also located descendants for some of the 24 city residents who placed letters in the Colorado Springs Century Chest, opened January 1, 2001, at Colorado College. Also, as a part of the city’s millennium celebration, she interviewed local centenarians, who had lived in three centuries, and edited a booklet on their lives.



2014 - Duane Kniebes, Colorado Palatines to America



Duane V. Kniebes was nominated by the Colorado Chapter of Palatines to America for his outstanding individual contribution to the genealogy community in Colorado. He received the Award for his participation and leadership in the Colorado Cemetery Location Project, a joint effort of CCGS and the U.S. Geological Survey to find, GPS pinpoint, and document graves and cemeteries in all Colorado counties. As project volunteers, Duane and his wife Susan, chose Larimer County to document. Occupying 2640 square miles, Larimer County is in north-central Colorado and a fairly rural county, with plenty of burials on homesteaded ranches, now in others' hands, mines, and ghost towns. They started with CCGS's 1985 Colorado Cemetery Directory containing information for 69 Larimer County graves, cemeteries, and memorial markers. The Colorado Cemetery Location Project is still an active project with only 26 counties complete. Duane and Susan are now in the process of writing a three-volume history of Larimer. The book includes a thorough description of several government land laws and how dowser rods are used to locate graves and underground flowing irrigation water.



2014 - Donna J. Bishop Porter, Foothills Genealogical Society (Lakewood, CO)



Mrs. Donna J. Bishop Porter took her very first genealogy class in Billings Montana in 1957. She has been a faithful and active genealogist ever since. She received the very first Genealogical Certification (CG) awarded in Colorado. She has been a member of the Colorado Genealogical Society for close to 50 years. She was President in 1969-70, 2nd Vice President and program chair in 1971-73. She was editor of the Colorado Genealogist from 1970-75. She was a founding member of Colorado Council of Genealogical Societies and held the office of President. She was a charter member of Foothills Genealogical Society of which she was president and genealogist. For many years she conducted the genealogical Stagecoach Lending Library from her home. She is a 50-year member of NSDAR Peace Pipe Chapter in Denver where she was State Lineage Chair and Chapter Registrar. Donna has written books on genealogy and been an active member of a least a dozen other genealogical and historical societies in Colorado and other states. She has been sought after as a lecturer, instructor, teacher, and mentor because of her interest and understanding of genealogy.



2013 - Denver Public Library Genealogy and Western History Volunteers (Denver, CO)

DLP's Western History/Genealogy Department maintains one of the most comprehensive and best genealogy library collections in the country. Additionally, the Department: Has outstanding staff and volunteers who assist researchers in finding ancestors, making connections, and learning about sources. The staff and volunteers are helpful, respectful, dedicated, and pleasant to those asking questions. Provides training and education to researchers and the public. The Department with CGS conducts monthly beginning genealogy and special interest classes. It also has a 5th Saturday class on research topics and technology classes (e.g., ancestry.com). Many of the department staff have given programs at genealogical societies; these programs have included hidden gems at Denver Public Library, newspaper research, WorldCat, and many more. Supports local genealogical societies by publicizing programs, classes, and other activities. Staff often recommend that patrons attend one of these events. Additionally, the library partners with genealogical societies for seminars and all day workshops and maintains online databases for researchers to use. Local, national, and international researchers benefit from the collections, assistance, staff, and volunteers of the Western History/Genealogy Department of Denver Public Library.



2012 - Sue K. Nichol, Fore-Kin Trails Genealogical Society (Montrose, CO)



Sue became the editor of the Uncompahgre Valley Chronicle in 2006; worked to establish and open a genealogical library and research center which opened in 2008 in Montrose, Colorado; she donated a computer cataloging system and cataloged all of the society's acquisitions; established the society's website in 2010; she logs 50-75 volunteer hours per month in the research center; she provides monthly lunch programs for researchers.



2011 - Jackie Glavnick, Weld County Genealogical Society (Greeley, CO)



Jackie was Weld County's "Genealogist of the Year" four times, and finally received their "Lifetime Achievement Award"; established the WCGS website in 2003; created the "Weld County Master Index" which contains all names that the society has extracted and indexed from various Weld County sources; since 1984 she had published 17 books pertaining to genealogy; each year she logs almost 1,000 hours of volunteer time.



2013 - Gina Moore (Denver, CO)



Gina MooreGina Moore joined the Colorado PalAM chapter in 2009 after attending her first seminar in October 2008. In 2010, she joined CO-PalAm’s board as a member at large. In 2012, she was named vice president of the chapter and responsible for bringing several national recognized speakers into Colorado to assist people researching their German heritage. In 2015, Gina was elected chapter president. She led the chapter through to 2020, helping to establish ways to host seminars and maintain communications within the chapter throughout the COVID pandemic. In 2020, she moved to the position of board secretary and maintained accurate records for the chapter until her resignation in the spring of 2023.

Gina also served as vice president of national palatines to America from 2021 to 2023. In 2021 to 2022, she led the Colorado PalAm chapter to organize a national PalAm conference in Denver in June 2022 that was deemed very successful by conference evaluators. From 2022 to 2023, Gina chaired the national PalAm bylaws committee.

Besides Gina’s membership and leadership in PalAm, she has been a leader at the state and chapter level of the daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Colorado Chapter of National Society of Union Veterans and the Colorado Chapter of the National Society Daughters of 1812.

Gina held leadership positions and Daughter of the American Revolution. In 2012 to 2013, Gina served as Mount Rosa Chapter Chaplain and started a prayer chain. She also held chapter chairmanships for the Commemorative Events Committee and the Membership Committee and served as parliamentarian. She was Chapter Vice Regent 2024 to 2015 and Regent from 2015 to 2017. Her leadership skills were recognized when she was asked to be the DAR president general's project chair from 2014 to 2017 and state society DAR by region from 2021 to 2023. She was elected State DAR Regent in April 2023 but had to resign that position for health reasons.

Gina also served as Chaplain of the State Society of Union Veterans and the Daughters of 1812 from 2017 and 2019, and as Vice President from 2019 to 2021. In conclusion, Gina has been instrumental by simultaneously leading several Colorado lineage and genealogical groups that work to assist local genealogists with researching their heritage. Gina Moore exemplifies the strong leadership Birdie modeled and everything she did.





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