Awards & Recognition
Awards Presented by the Society
The Rhode Island Genealogical Society honors members, researchers, public servants, and contributors whose work has strengthened Rhode Island genealogy.
These awards recognize scholarship, lifetime achievement, public service, research excellence, and meaningful contributions to the Society and the wider genealogical community.
Scholarship & Genealogy
The Robert M. and Ruth Wilder Sherman Award
For exemplifying high qualities of scholarship and genealogy.
- Cherry Bamberg
- Wayne Tillinghast
- 2013 – Jane Fletcher Fiske
- 2019 – William B. Saxbe, Jr.
- 2021 – Linda Mathew
- 2022 – Robert Grandchamp
- 2023 – Diane Boumenot
- 2025 – Maureen Taylor
- 2026 – George Loxton
Lifetime Achievement
The Doane-Farnham Award
For lifetime achievement in Rhode Island genealogy.
- 1982 – Mildred Mosher Chamberlain
- 1982 – Kenneth Roebuck
- 1983 – Jane Fletcher Fiske
- 1983 – Robert Sheldon Trim
- 1984 – Gladys Carr Bolhouse
- 1988 – Judith Hurst
- 1990 – Jean Carr Stutz
- 1990 – Elizabeth J. Johnson
- 1990 – James Wheaton IV
- 1991 – Alden G. Beaman
- 1993 – Bruce C. MacGunnigle
- 1993 – Althea McAleer
- 1993 – Beatrix Hoffius
- 1993 – Deby Jecoy Nunes
- 2019 – Bruce MacGunnigle
- 2020 – John Sterling
- 2026 – Diane MacLean Boumenot, CG
Appreciation
Certificate of Appreciation
- 1982 – Alden Clinton Saunders
- 1990 – Ruth Wilder Sherman
- 2012 – Otis C. Wyatt
- 2016 – Larry Wilson
- 2026 – Rachel Peirce
Public Service
The Paul Campbell Award
For exemplary service to Rhode Island genealogy by a public employee.
- 2016 – Paul Campbell
- 2017 – Kenneth Carlson
- 2018 – None
- 2019 – Nellie Gorbea
- 2020 – Laurie Arruda
- 2022 – Thomas Frawley
- 2023 – Kate Wells
Research Excellence
The Cherry Fletcher Bamberg Award
For excellence in research.
- 2025 – Mary G. Burdick
- 2026 – George Loxton
Lifetime Membership
Rhode Island Genealogical Society Lifetime Membership Award
- Alden Clinton Saunders
- Cherry Bamberg
- Robert Allen Greene
- Elmer Palmer
- John E. Sterling
- Otis Wyatt
- Thomas Clarke
- James W. Lennox
- Josiah L. Mason
- Nancy Ann Norman
- 2016 – Paul Campbell
- 2016 – Sally Hilton
- 2016 – Mary Ostiguy
- 2022 – Thomas & Geri Clarke
- 2023 – Larry Wilson
Recognition
Additional Recognition
- 1992 – John Deming Bacon, Longevity
- 1992 – Denice Ealine Mitchell, Longevity
- 1992 – Avis Simmons, Longevity
- 1993 – Mildred M. Sherman
- 2023 – Cherry Bamberg, creation of The Cherry Fletcher Bamberg Award for Excellence in Research