NGS: President's Citation to Jan Meisels Allen

This morning at the National Genealogical Society's Opening Session, the NGS awarded Jan Meisels Allen, President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Conejo Valley and Ventura County (California), the President's Citation for outstanding, continuing, or unusual contributions to the field of genealogy or the society.

Jan was recognized for her activities in support of the Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC), a joint committee of the NGS, Federation of Genealogical Societies and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS). She is on the committee as the voting representative of the IAJGS.

The NGS award stated that Jan has shown "vigilance in support of records presevation and in defense of public access to public records."

Jan has been active in the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, having served as Vice President. She burst onto the national genealogical scene in January 2012 with an excellent appearance on the Geneabloggers Radio on Blogtalk Radio with Thomas MacEntee. NGS described her as relentless in pursuing her goals. To that I would add that she is an effective and persuasive public face of RPAC.

Congratulations, Jan! It is not only great that you have been recognized; it is terrific that NGS has put this issue front and center in its opening session.