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The Silver Tray Award is given by the Utah Genealogical Association for scholarly contributions to the field of genealogy and family history. Since 1988, it has traditionally been given for publication efforts. This year’s Silver Tray Award goes to a true pioneer in the area of genetic genealogy. UGA is profoundly honored to present the Silver Tray Award posthumously to Debbie Parker Wayne.
Many here have learned how to apply insights from DNA results to
genealogical research and proof arguments from Debbie through the several
institute courses and conference presentations she taught over the years. Many
more have read and benefitted from reading Genetic Genealogy in Practice,
which she co-authored with Blaine Bettinger, and Advanced Genetic Genealogy,
which she edited and for which she wrote a chapter using a case study to
demonstrate how to combine evidence from autosomal DNA and Y-DNA. For years,
she wrote columns on using DNA analysis for the National Genealogical
Society Magazine and for the Stirpes journal of the
Texas State Genealogical Society.
Debbie was a former trustee and secretary for the Board for
Certification of Genealogists, a trustee of BCG’s Education Fund, a former
board member for the Association for Professional Genealogists, and a past
president of APG’s Lone Star Chapter.
Debbie passed away on 7 January 2022. She is deeply missed.
