The following was written by Gordon A. Watts, Co-chair Canada Census Committee:
Genealogy researchers in Atlantic Canada, and those having family connections there will be saddened to learn that Sandra Devlin, writer of "Missing Links," has published her last column. Sandra has been diagnosed with terminal Cancer, and its effects have forced her to give up her syndicated column.
For many years, Sandra wrote a weekly column that was published in newspapers in Atlantic Canada. Sandra successfully turned her personal fixation with genealogy into her livelihood. After a 25-year career as a daily newspaper reporter, photographer, editor and managing editor in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Southern and Northern Ontario, followed by a three-year stint as a community college journalism instructor in P.E.I., Sandra decided in 1996 to launch a full-time freelance journalist career from her home office.
A cornerstone of this enterprise was her self-syndicated, weekly genealogy column launched and published over nine years in upwards of 17 newspapers in the Atlantic Provinces. Sandra also contributed many articles to the online Global Gazette.
Among awards in other categories of her writing, Sandra accepted the first-place Award of Excellence in Genealogy-Column Writing on the Internet, presented by the highly respected Council of Genealogy Columnists in May 2000, in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2002 Sandra received an Excellence in Writing Award (first place in the Newspaper Columns category) from the prestigious International Society of Family History Writers and Editors in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In advising editors that she would be unable to continue writing her columns she stated:
"I will miss my regular contact with a fabulously loyal readership. I treasure the friendships I have made over the nine years that Missing Links has been published in more than a dozen Atlantic Canadian newspapers. I will very much miss being a part of connecting family researchers and helping them fill in the gaps in their family tree."
I never had the pleasure to meet Sandra in person, but on occasion corresponded with her during our campaign to regain public access to Historic Census records in Canada. Sandra supported our effort in that direction, and wrote about it in her column. "Missing Links" was one of the first - if not the only - mainstream newspaper columns to include several articles written about the potential destruction of Post-1901 Census records, and all of the ramifications thereof.
As much as is possible under the circumstances, we wish Sandra well. She, and her column, will be missed. Sandra's "Missing Links" column may be gone, but it will be a long time - if ever - before it is forgotten.
Our prayers go with Sandra.
Gordon A. Watts
I will be visiting Sandra this week and hope that others will share how much her work has meant to them.
Sandra has found letters and emails very heartwarming. You can write to Sandra Devlin, 89 Milner Rd., Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada E1E 2S2 or sdevlin4770@rogers.com
Ironically, her last Halifax column is about genealogy heroes. Sandra has long been the progenitor of serial inspiration by gifting her readers and friends to many overlooked dimensions of genealogy. She is a hero to many of us.
In addition to her newspapers in print "Missing Links" columns in Atlantic Canada, her many "East Coast Kin" genealogy web columns covered subjects like migration patterns and researching women's lines. http://globalgenealogy.com/globalgazette/authors/authsd.htm
In February 2004, the Canada Broadcasting Company (CBC) Radio Maritmes Magazine featured Sandra's work in a half hour segment that included testimonials by folks who were able to provide provenance for collections and testify to other revelations in genealogy research through her columns and personal attention.
Early in 2005, Canada's Global TV network broadcast a half hour segment in their "Past Lives" show about Sandra's work.
As a career journalist, Sandra's talents have been recognized in many other quarters. In 2002, she also received an award for her science columns from Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences, the first APICS/Canpolar Science Communication Award.
http://apics.dal.ca/canpolar020604.html
Recently, the managing editor or a Prince Edward Island newspaper wrote a thoughtful piece about Sandra, entitled "A straight shooter retires", which encompasses more of her journalism career.
When another Canadian TV group invited Sandra, among other Canadian notables, to discuss a TV pilot in June 2005, Sandra suggested that the best fit for her would be a short "Andy Rooney" style spot opening each segment. There was an incredulous response of "Is there really that kind of controversial subject in genealogy?". The recent, and rediculously long-awaited, release of the 1911 Canadian census - accompanied by the legislative "protection" of citizens by destroying the historical accuracy of the next Canadian census with "opt out" privacy scare tactics, is but one prominent example of where genealogy researchers come up against institutionalized ignorance.
Sandra has been "telling it like it is" throughout her journalism career. She has never flinched in the face of the facts that need to be dealt with. A true public service.
So while it is quite easy to take such leaders for granted in the dogged pursuit of our ancestors, there comes a time when we really need to give back and show our appreciation.
Again, if you wish to write a note, the address is: Sandra Devlin, 89 Milner Rd., Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada E1E 2S2
Posted by: Sharon Sergeant | October 10, 2005 at 04:48 PM