I first met Halvor Moorshead, at the NGS Conference in Nashville in the 1990s. My good friend & genealogy research buddy, Barb Shultz, told me I HAD to find out about this new magazine FAMILY CHRONICLE and she proceeded to drag me to Halvor's booth in the exhibit hall. Halvor's bright smile came shining through as I politely listened to Barb's conversation with him.
Barb is usually right, and this time was no exception. Her exuberance about the magazine and it's publisher is well-founded.
What I discovered was this man GETS what it takes to make family history come alive for genealogy newbies and experienced researchers alike.
Halvor has the charisma to draw upon talented family history writers and the technical savvy to mobilize his production staff to set "how-to" advice in print layouts that invite further investigation. Halvor has a knack for weaving genealogy with history, something we must emulate if we wish to place our ancestors in historical context.
What has followed throughout the years is a bounty of additional magazines and books designed to educate and inspire genealogists the world over. Time and again Halvor's publications have demonstrated a good balance between popular genealogy topics and well-grounded research advice. Encouraging newbie researchers to develop sound evaluation and citation habits is no easy task -- but Halvor does it with flair. He understands that online presentation of scanned images is a whole lot different from the plethora of so-called family history websites with nothing but unsubstantiated lineages.
Although Halvor has been in the publishing business since 1973 with 19 magazines to his credit, genealogists and historians know him for the following:
- Family Chronicle - established Sept 1996
- History Magazine - established Oct 1999
- Internet Genealogy - established May 2006
- Discovering Family History - established May 2008
Book titles from Moorshead Publications include:
- Dating Old Photographs
- More Dating Old Photographs
- 500 Brickwall Solutions to Genealogy Problems
- More Brickwall Solutions to Genealogy Problems
Not many folks would attempt to establish a new magazine in the midst of a world-wide economic downturn, particularly on such an obscure (?!) topic as family history. But Halvor is unstoppable in his quest to aid genealogy researchers, and I have no doubt Discovering Family History will do as well as his other publications.
As Halvor takes this time to retire from active publishing, he has told us he will have more time for travel, research and even some genealogy lecturing.
Ol' Myrt here is grateful for Halvor and the strength he has been to the genealogy community.
Join us in honoring Halvor while we're in Kansas City for the 2008 NGS Conference. For event details see:
http://HonoringHalvor.blogspot.com .
Can't attend? No problem! Send an email to the event coordinators or post a comment at the Honoring Halvor blog and we will see that your best wishes are transferred to Halvor's guest book.
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com
http://blog.DearMYRTLE.com
2 comments:
Halvor,
I can't be there for the conference, but I'd like to say it was truly a pleasure working with you on the magazines. I took a chance on this thing called freelance writing, and you took a chance on me. You were great to work with, and I hope our paths cross some day so we can finally meet in person. I wish you all the best and a very happy retirement!
Donna ;-)
Donna Pointkouski
What's Past is Prologue
Halvor,
I am sorry that I am unable to be at NGS this year or at the event honoring your retirement.
As a freelance writer, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with you over the years. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write for Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and Discovering Family History. As I wrote to you when you first announced your retirement, I have mixed feelings--happy for you because you have most definitely earned it, but sad that you will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the magazines. I have very much enjoyed our professional association.
I have always appreciated your honest and candid opinions on ideas and articles. It has made me a better writer.
I wish you all the best for the future and hope that our paths will soon cross again on the speaking circuit.
Warm regards,
Lisa Alzo
www.lisaalzo.com
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