UGA Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship

Named in honor of Jimmy B. Parker, whose legacy of service to the genealogical community covered more than 50 years, this full-tuition scholarship will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated commitment to genealogical excellence and community involvement. The scholarship originated in 2012.

The scholarship recipient will receive full tuition to the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2025 or 2025 SLIG Spring Virtual. Applications will be accepted beginning January 1, 2024, with winners announced on July 1, 2024.

How to Apply

Please use the form at the bottom of this page to submit your application no later than May 1, 2024. Questions may be directed to info@ugagenealogy.org.

  • A one-page essay detailing how the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will enhance your ability to serve or prepare you to give back to the genealogical community, following Jimmy B. Parker’s example.
  • A short biography or resume detailing your previous volunteer and research experience.
  • The name of the course you hope to attend, and why.
  • A letter of recommendation from someone who has benefited from your volunteer service.

The winner will be chosen by a committee comprised of SLIG committee members and friends of the late Jimmy B. Parker..

About Jimmy B. Parker

Jimmy B. ParkerThe following biographical information was provided by the Parker family:

Jimmy Parker was interested in Family History for over 50 years. That interest led him to work for the LDS Church in the 1960s. In his long career, he was involved in many different facets of genealogical and family history work which included patron research and negotiating records to be microfilmed all over the United States and Canada. He had major responsibilities in organizing and carrying out two World Conferences on Records, which were sponsored by the LDS Church, and he also pioneered a study to help with Native American Indian research, for which he had a great love.

Jimmy Parker received many awards and honors for his work in family history, but the most meaningful experiences that he had were those related to his teaching. Teaching was a big part of his life. He was a school teacher in Idaho Falls before taking the position with the LDS church, and teaching was an ongoing thread which tied together his passion for teaching and his love of family history.

He taught at countless seminars, individual classes, at BYU Education Week, and much more. He had a talent for being a friend to everyone, and had a great love for just about everyone he met. Helping people find out more about their heritage gave him great happiness.

A thought that came to him just before he found out he had cancer was this: "Few things have greater impact on us in this life than knowing about our heritage - who we are, where we have come from, our culture, our ancestors." He would be very pleased to see his legacy of furthering family history work carried forth by those who receive the SLIG scholarship, which is given in his name. It is hoped that all who receive this scholarship will go forth to leave their own legacy of love and service.

Previous Winners (listed by year awarded)

2024: Claudia Sudweeks of Highland, Utah
2023: Pamela Israel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2022: Susan Plummer Hoffman of Ringoes, New Jersey
2021: Emily Alley of Bountiful, Utah
2020: Ellen Kowitt of Erie, Colorado
2019: Melody Daisson of Payson, Utah
2018: Glenn York of Fort Collins, Colorado
2017: Ellen Blakeslee of Newton County, Georgia
2016: Paula Furick of Woodinville, Washington
2015: Janice Sellers of Oakland, California
2014: Patti Gillespie of Decatur, Texas
2013: Susan LeBlanc of Gladstone, Oregon
2012: Debra Hoffman of New Windsor, Maryland