Malissa Ruffner, JD, MLS, CG
BCG is co-sponsor of the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), a week-long course held each July in Washington, D.C. It focuses on the holdings of the National Archives. NIGR's Board of Directors has announced the appointment of our colleague, Malissa Ruffner, JD, CG, as its new director, effective immediately.
In view of the recent death of NIGR’s former director, Patricia Shawker, CG, the 2015 institute has been postponed. Malissa will assume responsibility for future programs, the next to be held in July 2016. The National Archives has expressed strong support for the continuation of NIGR and will work with Malissa to assure the institute’s success in the coming years.
Malissa, a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Goucher College and a law degree and a Master of Library Science degree, both from the University of Maryland. In addition to genealogy, she has worked as a lawyer, and in schools, libraries, and archives. Her genealogical pursuits include client work, writing and blogging, lecturing, and participation in conferences and institutes, including NIGR, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, Forensic Genealogy Institute, ProGen, and “Come Home to New England” at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Malissa currently serves on the Maryland Genealogical Society Board of Directors and on BCG's Intellectual Property committee.
CG or Certified Genealogist is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by Board-certified genealogists after periodic competency evaluation, and the board name is registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office.