GFO Writing Contest

Theme: “Echos from an Album”: write a factual story based on a photograph or photographs that help bring your family alive.

You will be amazed at how much you will learn about your ancestor(s) in the process of writing your story, so you can't lose by participating!

Get a copy of the flyer and entry form for more details about the contest requirements.

To learn more about how to write for the contest, read these articles:

Submissions are due: November 1, 2012 to March 1, 2013

If you have questions after reading the flyer and entry form and article, contact Peggy Baldwin at peggy@familypassages.com or 503-916-9410.

Past Winners of the GFO Writing Contest

2012 — Theme: Taking a Stand

1st - Judith Beaman Scott, “A Clash of Conviction in North Carolina”

2nd - Bonnie Randolph, “Frank Hemsworth: a Tenuous Stand for Law and Order in Portland”

3rd - Cynthia M B Drayer, “My Father, the Dove”

2011 — Theme: Movin’ On

1st - Bonnie LaDoe, “The Wife of Old Phil Upton”

2nd - Bonnie Randolph, “George T Ledford, Meandering Through Oregon Pioneer History”

3rd - Steve Turner, “A Journey Backward to Journey Forth: Buried Treasure in Manuscript Collections”

2009 — Theme: Relics

1st - Bonnie LaDoe, “Collision on Altoona’s ‘Front Porch’”

2nd - Susan Saul, “The Woman Behind the Veil”

3rd - Mickie Sieracki, “Ysidora’s Gift”

2008 — Theme: Saga of a Soldier

1st - Mickey Bennett Sieriacki,"Standing for Her"

2nd - Alene Reaugh, "They Called Me Sarge"

3rd - Ruth McKendry, "The Two Wars of Elijah McKendry"

2007 — Theme: In the Face of Adversity

1st - Judith Scott, "To Mingo We Come Creeping: The Redneck War on Blair Mountain"

2nd - Stephen Hanks, "Wish I Could Have Met Great-Uncles Clifford & James"

3rd - Bonnie LaDoe, "While She Could Stand"

2006 — Theme: The End of the Line — Lest They be Forgotten

1st - Peggy Baldwin, "A Legacy Beyond the Generations"

2005 — Skeletons in the Closet

1st - Matthew Porter, "Family Skeletons and Buried Treasure"

2nd - Harvey Steele, "That Is Not Something That You Need to Know"

3rd - Patricia S. Burling, "Johnny McKern - Lost in the Shuffle"