The IGRS Council, the Society's governing body, has unanimously elected Jill Williams as a vice-president of the Society. She joins seven other vice-presidents (v-p), all of whom have made significant contributions to Irish genealogy over many decades, and who as v-p's support the Society's President, Fergus Gillespie.
Jill has been a member of the IGRS since 2006 and was elected to Council in 2010. Subsequently, her work for the Society, and for the wider-Irish genealogical community, was specifically recognised when she was elected a Fellow in 2013. At that time, in that year's edition of our annual journal, The Irish Genealogist, it was noted that her Fellowship was awarded in recognition of her "boundless energy, enthusiasm and knowledge she has brought to her role within the Society and which she has unstintingly used for the benefit of the members; her promotional work for the IGRS in lecturing and attending genealogical exhibitions and events, which allow her to disseminate her extensive knowledge of sources for Irish genealogy as widely as possible; and her work in promoting the Society through Social media and particularly Facebook, through which she has established a large international following" for the Society,.
Her election now as a vice-president recognises the almost two decades of unstinting service she has given to the IGRS, to its members, its founding core values, and, by extension, to the worldwide Irish genealogical community. Her teaching skills and ability to advocate are unrivalled and the dawn of the age of Zoom has proved to allow her, on behalf of the IGRS, to reach many more thousands internationally, spreading the good news that not everything, by any means, was lost in the fire which destroyed the Public Record Office of Ireland in June 1922.
Speaking at the announcement of this news, IGRS Chairman, Steven Smyrl, said: "It's very pleasing to be able to acknowledge Jill's many years of service on behalf of both the IGRS and, most importantly, the thousands she has helped and assisted during those years with their genealogical research. She has a wonderful grasp of the sources available and particularly so for those which can be found online. Over the years we have heard from very many of the people Jill has assisted with glowing recommendations and heartfelt thanks about how her insight has broken down what, until then, appeared to be impenetrable brick walls." Steven added: "Jill doesn't take praise easily, modestly brushing it off. But on this occasion I hope she will feel some pride in the work she has done helping others and how it has been recognised by her election as a vice-president."
