In the New Year Honours List, UK genealogist Pauline Litton is to receive the MBE for services to genealogy and family history.
David Holman, Chairman of the UK’s Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS), says: “Congratulations to Pauline Litton who has been awarded an honour in the New Year Honours List. Pauline has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. The award was made for services to genealogy and family history.
“Pauline is currently one of our four Life Vice Presidents of the FFHS, and has been involved in genealogy and family history since 1968. She is also the President of Harrogate & District Family History Society.
Publications
“Pauline has written several books on family history and edited 27 ‘Basic Facts’ booklets for the FFHS. She has also been involved in a number of family history societies in the north of England. Pauline lives in Harrogate with her husband Roger.
“As well as helping many others achieve success with their own family trees, Pauline has traced the Litton tree back to 1590. In 1979/80, as editor of the North Cheshire Family Historian, she won the Federation’s first ever Elizabeth Simpson Award for the journal making the best contribution to family history.
Projects and posts
“Pauline has both initiated, and participated in, projects organised by societies (and by their umbrella body, the FFHS) to ensure that information and records are recorded and made available for the benefit of future generations.
“Pauline has held a number of posts and appointments within the FFHS including:
- Council Member from 1979 to 1988;
- Publications Committee Member from 1982 to 1994;
- Honorary Editor of Family History News and Digest from 1982 to 1988;
- Vice Chairman from 1982 to 1985.
“This is the first award of this kind for family history in the UK, and we are justifiably proud of Pauline and everything she has done to further our hobby.”
Hear, hear! I was re-reading part of Pauline’s book Pitfalls and Possibilities in Family History Research just the other day. It’s a book I can heartily recommend to everyone.
Another family history award
The FFHS has added: “We also congratulate Brenda Murray who has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours List. Brenda is a member of the Liverpool and South West Lancashire Family History Society and received the award for ‘Services to Heritage and History’.
“One of the original founders of the Liverpool History Society she tirelessly campaigned for a bronze bust of William Gladstone to be placed in Seaforth, Liverpool, his birthplace.
“Brenda, aged 88, was quoted in the local press as saying that her family were very excited about her honour and she was looking forward to going to Buckingham Palace.”
Good for Brenda!
Alan Stewart