Volunteer Spotlight
RootsWeb.com values each individual and organization that volunteers their time and talents to making our site one of the best on the Internet. We hope you enjoy meeting some of these outstanding volunteers whose dedication have made a difference to RootsWeb.com and other researchers.
Mark and Cyndi Howells
Influential Genealogists and RootsWeb.com Contributors
An introduction may not be necessary for the long-time users of RootsWeb.com that are the focus of our May spotlight. As contributors to multiple genealogical outlets, Mark and Cyndi Howells offer their expertise in ways that enhance the experiences of countless researchers. Their contribution to the genealogical community affects a wide range of researchers including beginners, experts, and everyone in between.
Cyndi is involved extensively with her local research groups as well as various genealogical societies. She is a member and webmaster of the Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society and serves as the RootsWeb list administrator for the Puget Sound mailing list. Cyndi has also been involved with RootsWeb mailing lists from the early days and was influential in developing the list administrator FAQ.
The project that has brought Cyndi the most recognition is, of course, “Cyndi’s List.” Hosted by RootsWeb.com, “Cyndi’s List” began in 1996 as a compilation of links to genealogical websites. This list has evolved into one of the best-known genealogical resources. Designed as a reference tool to direct researchers, Cyndi’s List has had more than 27 million visitors, and includes over 121,000 links. Due to its great success, “Cyndi’s List” has also been published in book form, most recently a two-volume 2nd edition.
As a well-known speaker and author, Cyndi is often seen at genealogical conferences, sharing tips and lecturing on various topics. She has advised researchers on subjects ranging anywhere from effectively building a genealogical website to the “10 Commandments of Genealogy.”
Originating from a Boy Scout genealogy merit badge, Mark’s interest in genealogy has endured and developed for nearly 30 years. His research interests and volunteer work have focused primarily on Great Britain. Mark’s involvement in Norfolk County, England research is extensive and provides him with many opportunities to serve his fellow researchers. He shares and expands his knowledge of this region by serving as the RootsWeb.com mailing list administrator for the Norfolk Genealogy mailing list. Mark is also a life member of Norfolk Family History Society (NFHS) and acts as chairman for the society's Internet chapter. In addition to NFHS, Mark is a member of several genealogical societies such as NGS and the Council of Genealogical Columnists, among others.
Mark was also an early RootsWeb.com mailing list administrator. In addition to the Norfolk list that he currently administers, Mark is the mailing list administrator for the Cyndi’s List and Gen-Fraternal mailing lists on RootsWeb.
Although Mark spends significant amounts of time with the previously mentioned volunteer work, the majority of his genealogical contributions are in the form of writing. Mark is currently the Technology Columnist for Ancestry Magazine, and is an occasional contributor to several other genealogical publications.
In addition to their extensive genealogical contributions, Mark and Cyndi maintain a personal genealogy website. Created in 1996, their website provides genealogical links and archives each of their magazine and journal articles and is a great help to all genealogists.
The success Cyndi and Mark have enjoyed is a prime example of what can happen when you look beyond yourself and volunteer. On behalf of the genealogical community, we thank you both for your valuable contribution.