Are You Up for the Challenge?

As many of you know, the Federation of Genealogical Societies is working to raise money in order to digitize the War of 1812 pensions.  The goal is to raise $3.7 million and to have the digitization of records completed in 2015.

You can help by contributing to the fund.  A $25 donation will digitize 50 images…a $500 donation will digitize 1,000 images.  No amount is too small, even $5 will digitize 10 images.

While you can make a donation directly to FGS (as I did months ago in honor of Marsha Hoffman Rising and two of my 1812 ancestors), you might consider participating in the challenge put out by the Indiana Genealogical Society.  Why? Because IGS is offering matches up to the first $10,000, meaning if you donate $10, IGS will match it with another $10.  In other words, if individuals contribute a total of $10,000, IGS will also contribute $10,000, for a total contribution of $20,000.  That’s a pretty great deal!  In September, IGS will present a check to FGS at the FGS 2011 Conference for all the money raised in conjunction with this challenge.

So far IGS has raised over $4,500 and hopes to reach their goal of $10,000.  To make a contribution to the IGS challenge, visit the War of 1812 Pensions Digitization page on their website.  There, you can also keep tabs on how close they are to their goal and see a list of contributors.