The FFHS Web Award
For the Society with the Best Website
Winners - 2009

Lady Mary Teviot President FFHS presenting the Web award
to Andy Coates webmaster of British Isles FHS of Greater Ottawa
| Overall Winner | |
| British Isles FHS of Greater Ottawa | |
| UK Large Societies | |
| 1st: | FHS of Cheshire |
| 2nd: | North of Ireland FHS |
| 3rd: | Buckinghamshire FHS |
| Small Societies | |
| 1st: | Rugby FH Group |
| Overseas Societies | |
| 1st: | British Isles FHS of Greater Ottawa |
| One Name Societies | |
| 1st: | Metcalfe Society |
| Highly Commended: | |
| Dalton Genealogical Society West Middlesex FHS Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc |
|
| Commended: | |
| The Filby Association The Families In British India Society Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies Inc |
|

Lesley Williams receiving the award on behalf of Bucks FHS
who were awarded 3rd Place in the Large Societies class

Bridget Purr receiving the award on behalf of West Middlesex FHS
who were awarded Highly Commended

David & Lesley Smetham receiving the award on behalf of
Family History Society of Cheshire who won 1st Place Large Societies

Christine Hancock Webmaster of Rugby FHG
who were awarded Winner in the Small Societies Category

Mary Beglan received the award on behalf of the North of Ireland FHS
who were awarded 2nd Place in the Large Societies class

Jim Filby of The Filby Association who were awarded Commended

Chris Loudon, webmaster, and Liana Fitzpatrick, president of Western
Australia Genealogical Society who were Highly Commended
Judging Panel Co-ordinator's Report for 2009
This year the judging panel comprised Des GANDER, Alan STONER and David RAMSDEN
This year the Elizabeth SIMPSON Award for the best society journal has been brought in line with the Best Website Award. This has meant that they both have the same year in the award title as well as the same award categories. The categories are:
- Winner Large Societies plus 1st, 2nd & 3rd places
- Winner Small Societies
- Winner Overseas Societies
- Winner One Name Societies
- Overall Winner
- Highly Commended
- Commended
This year there were 33 entries, which is an increase of 12 over last year and I would like to thank those societies that took part, especially those that have entered their website for the first time. It is encouraging to see first time entrants in the list of winners.
As well as the cheque for £100, generously donated by ABM Publishing, the recipients of awards in all of the categories are able to display the FFHS Web Award Emblem on their websites; the Societies also receive a certificate.
Comments from the judges this year include the following:
All sites submitted provide a valuable, nowadays even necessary, publicity and information window for their societies.
Few criticisms, though one tip might be to ask your members to proofread your site in March before judging.
Overall an impressive set.
Although the standard of the sites did vary quite a lot, I was impressed by the generally high standards and obvious care and enthusiasm that had been put into most of the sites.
It was also interesting to note that one or two sites were now using a Content Management System to organise their sites -- similar to that demonstrated by Bucks FHS at the 2008 FFHS Webmasters Seminar.
Next year one of the panel will be standing down and the webmaster of the 2009 Overall Winner will be asked to join the panel for 2010
We would like to thank all entrants and congratulate them for their efforts and we would also like to thank the judges for the considerable time and effort they have put into assessing and reviewing the sites of those societies who entered.
David Holman
Chairman of the Panel of Judges
