Many of you reading this know that I started a Facebook group called Unclaimed Persons a couple of months ago (note: if you want to join, you'll have to register (for free) on Facebook). This was an outgrowth of the launch of the Unclaimed Persons show on RootsTelevision.com.
When the show first aired, we were inundated with emails from avid genealogists who wanted to contribute their skills to help coroners locate next of kin for people who are, quite literally, unclaimed. In an effort to steer all this talent and enthusiasm in the same direction, I started the Facebook group without really even knowing what you can and can't do in that online environment. I chose it largely for the purpose of expediency because I didn't want to become a bottleneck to the resolution of outstanding cases.
A couple of months in, we're still chipping away at establishing a structure, guidelines, FAQs and all that good stuff, but already, there are a half a dozen people or so who have gone above and beyond, and I wanted to take at least a moment to recognize and thank them.
*** Dee Akard Welborn was an early standout with her combination of detective and organizational skills, so I asked her to be the UP initiative's first case manager. Since then, she's devoted untold hours to developing procedures, tracking tools and everything else needed to coordinate the efforts of over 350 volunteers. She's also been at the heart of non-stop communications with case administrators and researchers, and I for one, am grateful for her boundless energy! UP would still be limping along without it.
*** Terry Elliott was the next person I tapped for case manager and this was due not only to her apparent and creative research aptitude, but for her way with words and others. She has a knack for saying exactly the right thing exactly the right way. It's an added bonus that she's also an organizer-extraordinaire and that she and Dee have turned out to be a dynamic duo!
*** Dra. Ana Oquendo-Pabon (sorry, Ana, no accents in my blog platform!) was the first to step up to the plate as case administrator, taking on the responsibility of guiding a case from start to finish -- introducing it, fielding endless questions, steering and cheering the volunteers, preparing reports for submission to the coroner, and sharing the outcome with everyone. I was delighted when Ana volunteered because she had been a major player in the resolution in several of the first cases we tackled, so I knew she knew her stuff. Prior to this, I knew her for her contributions to the world of genetic genealogy, but this was a whole other side I wasn't previously aware of! Ana's taking on of this role was selfless as it required her to resist the urge to solve cases herself -- something she's very good at -- to oversee cases in their entirety. Anyone who likes to research knows that's no small sacrifice.
*** Thomas MacEntee also gamely stepped up to take on the role of case administrator and has also done an amazing job of coordinating cases from start to finish. He's fast, friendly, optimistic, savvy, encouraging and everything else I could hope for. And like Ana, he also manages to somehow discipline himself to let the others have most of the research-fun while he shoulders the administrative responsibilities.
*** Jackie McCarthy is our third case administrator and has also chosen to take on the launching, steering, reporting and other responsibilities involved in making sure we're helping coroners, rather than adding to their already considerable burdens. Like Ana and Thomas, Jackie has a great attitude and doesn't get flustered when we encounter a new situation or unexpected finding, and that's key too.
*** Andrea Batcho is our administrator-at-large and Social Security administrator. Anyone who reads our discussion boards will see Andrea's postings all over pretty much every case, so I knew she'd be a great person to turn to take on vital responsibilities that are not case-specific. I don't think there's anything I've asked Andrea to do that she hasn't agreed to!
This feels a little like the Academy Awards to me in the sense that I know I'm leaving out people I shouldn't and I'm not doing justice to those I have mentioned, but please just know that I am so thankful and impressed by my fellow genies! You are all incredible!
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that in addition to this remarkable team who are donating countless man hours of their valuable time, there are a number of impressive researchers in our midst. I want to acknowledge them as well, but wanted to start with the officer team, so for now, I invite you to peruse the case discussion boards at the Unclaimed Persons group. I suspect you'll be dazzled by some of the creative research that's being done and maybe get a few ideas for your own family!