GHRAB Outstanding Archives Awards Program 

Award Winners For the Period of 1993-2003

Award For Excellence In Archival Program Development

GAMMA Project (Georgia Archives and Manuscripts autoMated Access Project)

Emory University and the Georgia Archives coordinated a two-year innovative project of the Special Collections Committee of the Library Council of the University Center in Georgia, now ARCHE, to prepare descriptions of the archives and manuscripts within the state of Georgia. About 3000 descriptions from 32 participating institutions were entered into the two major national bibliographic databases, the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN) and OCLC's WorldCat.  The records illustrate the variety and scope of the collections held by Georgia’s archival and manuscript repositories. They are rich in documenting the social, economic, literary, and political history of Georgia and the Southeast. 

Steve Engerrand of the Georgia Archives and Virginia Cain of Emory University served as directors of the project.  The project archivists were based at Emory University but traveled to all of the participating institutions. Susan Potts McDonald was the Project Archivist and Beth Bensman the Assistant Project Archivist.  The National Endowment for the Humanities and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation provided initial funding for the project. In 1997, the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board granted additional monies to expand the project.

Thomaston-Upson Archives and Upson Historical Society

The Thomaston-Upson Archives and Upson Historical Society initiated a joint project in 2002 to document the history of Thomaston Mills.  They sought and obtained grant assistance from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board to process records collections in their custody dating from 1899 to 2001.  The timing of their project was important because a declining economy was forcing the mill to close, jeopardizing their records and scattering the employees who could assist in documenting the history of the mill.  This project allowed the organizations to process the records while the mill employees were there to help identify documents and photographs.  

The initiative and community leadership shown by these organizations documented the rise and fall of one of the most influential textile mills in the southeast.  It also serves as an exemplary example of the “era of mills and mill villages” in America.  This project made a vast collection of over 115 cubic feet of historical records available to researchers, the public, and future generations as well.

Award For Student Research Using Historical Records

National History Day in Georgia is a history education program for students in grades 6-12. In conjunction with a national theme, students research topics and present their findings in papers, performances, exhibits, or documentaries. The Georgia Humanities Council sponsors National History Day in Georgia, in partnership with nine organizations around the state that sponsor regional competitions.  The theme for this past year's History Day was "Rights and Responsibilities in History."  

GRADES 6-8

Adam R. Barnett

Adam Barnett, of West Side Magnet School in LaGrange, received the "Outstanding Junior Entry From Georgia" award at National History Day (June 15-19 at the University of Maryland) for his individual exhibit, "The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment: a Violation of Rights and Responsibilities in Medical Research."  He previously had taken first place at the state and regional contest levels.  Mr. Barnett's research included work at the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multi-Cultural Center and oral history with experiment survivors.  

GRADES 9-12

Mary Lu Funk

Mary Lu Funk, of Shaw High School in Columbus, received the "Outstanding Senior Entry from Georgia" award at National History Day (June 15-19 at the University of Maryland) for her research paper "American POWs in Vietnam: Their Rights Through the Geneva Convention and Responsibilities Through the American Code of Conduct." She had previously taken first place at the state and regional contest levels.  Miss Funk's research included work with the oral history collection at the National POW Museum as well as personal interviews with other former POWs.

Award For Excellence In Archival Program Development

Columbus-Muscogee County Regional Records Center

The Columbus Consolidated Government began enhancing its records management program in 1997 through grant assistance from Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board to inventory records of all consolidated government offices and develop records management training.  Through these efforts, they heightened awareness of both proper application of information management techniques and technologies and made records available for staff and citizens in a more efficient manner.

Liberty Records Services Center

Liberty County began building their progressive records program in 1997 with grant assistance from both the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board.  They set about consolidating records storage for the Liberty County Board of Commissioners, Liberty Regional Medical Center, Liberty County School System and Board, City of Hinesville, and the District Attorney and Child Support Enforcement of the Atlantic Judicial District of Georgia to create a modern multi-jurisdictional records management services center.  Consolidation allowed these organizations to address their records needs and improved the quality of their individual programs.

City of Savannah Municipal Research Library

The City of Savannah Municipal Research Library showed leadership and excellence in requesting and obtaining grant funds to support the intellectual documentation, physical care, disaster preparedness and electronic accessibility of historical local public records under its jurisdiction.  The Library completed a multi-year project between 1996 and 2002, establishing a sound archival program that positions its historical public record resources as a contributing asset to the State's historical tourism economy.

Award For Advocacy

Sarah Dunaway

Sarah Dunaway of Atlanta has been a tireless advocate for the preservation of historical records in Georgia through her involvement in hereditary and patriotic organizations and the assistance she has provided in countless research and preservation projects in the state.  Her willingness to help protect and disseminate Georgia’s historical records is legendary and has created many admirers among researchers, genealogists, and members of the various historical organizations.

Mrs. Dunaway spearheaded the re-boxing project that protected the collection of Confederate Pension Records at the Georgia Archives.  She has personally overseen the collection of historical records for organizations such as the Georgia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the First Families of Georgia.  She also compiled Huguenot Historic Sites and Burials Volume 1 for the National Huguenot Society.

Frank Parker Hudson 

Frank Parker Hudson of Atlanta has provided significant support for Georgia’s historical records through his landmark Wilkes County publication and the creation of a trust fund to raise awareness about preserving “loose” courthouse records in Georgia.  The two-volume set, Wilkes County, Georgia, Tax Records, 1785-1805, contains 47,000 returns with full name index to Returns, adjoining Landowners, Polls, Defaulters, and original Grantees.  Over forty-five percent of all free people living in Georgia were residents of Wilkes County in 1790.

In August 1996, Mr. Hudson provided for purchasers of his impressive work to donate a portion of the purchase price to help bring unbound or “loose” records in Georgia courthouses under secure control.  Recipients of the donations were the Augusta Genealogical Society, Georgia Genealogical Society, and Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board.  Mr. Hudson’s contributions have been far more than material.  This example of his generosity means much to all who labor in the fields of Georgia history, genealogy, and archives.

Kenneth H. Thomas Jr.

Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr. of Decatur, has had a long career of research and writing on historic preservation, genealogy, and local history.  As the principal historian in the state’s Historic Preservation Division, Mr. Thomas has been integral to the documentation of many properties and the preparation of over 1,500 National Register nominations.  He has written a popular weekly genealogy column in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1977.  The author of several books, Mr. Thomas is also a prominent leader in many of the state’s academic, history, preservation, and genealogical organizations.

Award For Legislative Advocacy

The Honorable George Hooks of Americus, Senator in the Georgia General Assembly since 1991, has been a strong advocate for documenting and preserving the history of Georgia.  He has worked tirelessly to support the missions of the Georgia Archives, the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board, and other state historical agencies and organizations.

Senator Hooks was instrumental in creating the Governor’s Commission on History and Historical Tourism in 2002 and the Joint Legislative Committee on Local Government Historical Records in 2000.  In the early 1990s he was a leader in the effort to preserve the State's collection of historic flags.  Senator Hooks serves on the boards of both the Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.  He also actively participates in local historical projects, such as working with the Sumter Historic Trust to preserve the History of Americus and Sumter County.  His leadership and support has improved the condition of Georgia’s historical records across the state.  

The Honorable Louise McBee of Athens, Representative in the Georgia General Assembly since 1991, and The Honorable Hugh M. Gillis, Sr. of Sorperton, longest serving state legislator in the nation - 55 years, have worked tirelessly through the years to improve the condition of Georgia’s historical records.  Representative McBee and Senator Gillis sponsored the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board’s enabling legislation, which was unanimously approved by the General Assembly in 1993.  Georgia had not had an active state historical records board for the previous ten years. The advisory board mechanism allowed Georgia to participate more fully in grant programs under the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and to obtain almost $600,000 in federal funds to help preserve and make accessible the State’s historical records.

Representative McBee and Senator Gillis have actively supported records projects across the state from small historical societies to libraries and local governments. They understand the need to preserve Georgia’s documentary heritage and to make it accessible to all citizens and are committed to continued efforts to protect Georgia’s history.  

Award For Excellence In Documenting Georgia's History 

The R. J. Taylor Jr. Foundation, created in 1971 under an irrevocable trust established by Mr. R. J. Taylor Jr. in Atlanta, promotes genealogical research and study in Georgia. His own extensive personal research gave Mr. Taylor a deep concern about the loss of Georgia’s early records and a keen appreciation for the valuable information they contained.  His consequent creation of the R. J. Taylor Jr. Foundation has contributed significantly to the location, preservation, and publication of the valuable information contained in the state’s records.

The Foundation’s primary emphasis is on the collection, procurement, indexing, recording, preserving, and publication of genealogical data concerning citizens of Georgia who were residents prior to 1851.  Since 1984, the Foundation has granted $1,424,718 for 331 publications that contain significant genealogical information for historians, researchers, and the citizens of Georgia.  

Award For Excellence In Research Using the Holdings of An Archives

James O’Toole

James O’Toole, Professor of History at Boston College, teaches courses in the history of American religion and the history of American Catholicism.  He is the author of Passing for White: Race, Religion, and the Healy Family, 1820-1920 (published: 2002), which describes a remarkable Georgia family.   In writing the book, Mr. O’Toole made extensive use of historical documents from the Georgia Archives and the Genealogical and Historical Room at the Washington Memorial Library in Macon, Georgia.

Mr. O’Toole’s interests lie in the history of religious ideas and in popular devotional practices.  He is presently writing a general history of the American Catholic laity and is also studying the history of the practice of confession in America.  A former archivist, he also teaches and publishes in the fields of archives and information studies.

Award For Advocacy

Individuals and Organizations Instrumental in Moving the Georgia Archives to the City of Morrow, Clayton County

The efforts and support of the following local governments, legislators, institutions, and organizations made it possible for the Georgia Archives to build a new facility and move to the City of Morrow in Clayton County.  This tremendous accomplishment will bring about many positive benefits for the Archives and for Georgia’s historical records.  

Senator Terrell Starr                                                Mayor Jim Milirons, City of Morrow
Senator Valencia Seay                                            Mayor Willie Oswalt, City of Lake City

Representative Mike Barnes                                    Clayton County Board of Commissioners
Representative Sharon Beasley-Tongue                        C. Crandle Bray, Chairman
Representative Gail M. Buckner                                   Virginia Burton Gray
Representative Ron Dodson                                         Charley Griswell
Representative Virgil Fludd                                          Gerald Matthews
Representative Joe Heckstall                                       Carl Rhodenizer  
Representative Victor Hill
Representative Bob Holmes                                     Clayton College and State University
Representative Darryl Jordan                                        Dr. Thomas K. Harden, President
Representative George Maddox                                    Dr. Bryan P. Edwards, Vice President for External Relations
Representative Joe Heckstall
Representative Victor Hill                                         Development Authority of Clayton County
Representative Bob Holmes                                         Roland O. Downing, Chairman
Representative Darryl Jordan                                        Emory Brock, Director of Economic Development
Representative George Maddox                                    G. Robert Oliver, Legal Counsel
Representative Jo Ann McClinton
Representative Howard A. Mobsy                             Gateway Development Services, Inc.
Representative Georganna T. Sinkfield                          Mack Reese and David Tyndall

                                                                              The University Financing Foundation, Inc.
                                                                                 J. Frank Smith, Jr., Director & President
                                                                                 Thomas H. Hall, III, Director, Vice President & Treasurer  
                                                                                 John E. Aderhold, Director & Vice President