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Home >> Education >> Sheedy Contest >> Contest Rules

William E. Sheedy Memorial History Contest - Rules

For 19 years, the Middlesex County Historical Society has sponsored a contest to honor its longtime treasurer, the late William E. Sheedy.  The contest is intended to promote each student’s awareness of his or her family history.  Third-grade students in Middletown public and private schools are eligible to enter the contest.

THE CONTEST RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. The 2009 contest will run from early March to early-April.  Each child
   should submit an entry to his or her teacher by April 3, 2009.  Entries should delivered to Nancy Bauer at Middlesex Historical Society or Moody School no later than Wednesday, April 8, 2009.  Museum hours will be extended on Tuesday and Wednesday the 7th and 8th until 5:00 PM.  Please call to make any special arrangements.
   
   
2. Entries must include student’s full name, address and telephone number, name of school, and teacher’s name.
   
   
3. Entries should be submitted in essay or scrapbook format.  Entries may include photographs and copies of documents and artifacts.  Please NO posters or entries in an electronic format: videos, audiotapes, CDs, or computer discs. 
   
   
4. Entries will be judged on creativity, neatness and overall presentation.
   
   
5. Entries will be considered on an individual basis.  Authors of the top-winning entries will be contacted by mail by the Middlesex County Historical Society and each will receive a $25 award.  All participants will receive a special certificate and a pencil and be invited to a special reception in their honor to be held on Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. at General Mansfield House at 151 Main Street in Middletown. 
   
   
6. Copies of all winning entries will be kept in the Middlesex County Historical Society’s permanent collection. 

WILLIAM E. SHEEDY MEMORIAL COMMITTEE

Nancy Bauer, Deborah Shapiro, Donna Baron, John Hennelly and Sue Ryczek

QUESTIONS?  Call the Middlesex County Historical Society at
346-0746 or email Nancy Bauer at bauern@mps1.org

EVERYONE COMES FROM SOMEWHERE

Did you ever wonder about your own family?  Have you heard stories about your family from your parents or grandparents?  The people in your family who came before you are called your ANCESTORS.  When you hear stories about your ancestors you are learning about your own family history.

TELL US ABOUT ONE OF YOUR ANCESTORS 

Start by asking your parents or other family members about your family’s history. After you hear some stories, pick ONE person you would like to learn more about.  You may choose someone who is alive now, or someone who lived a long time ago.

YOU’LL PROBABLY WANT TO FIND OUT:

• Where and when your ancestor was born and lived
• What sort of work your ancestor did, and where he or she went to school
• What daily life was like for your ancestor

In addition to listening to family stories, you may want to research your ancestor’s life and times by reading old letters, diaries and newspaper articles; digging out old family photographs or official documents, like birth certificates, military discharge papers or report cards; or examining heirlooms that once belonged to your ancestor.  Think about how life for your ancestor was different from or similar to your life today.

YOU MAY WANT TO TELL ABOUT SOMETHING THAT REALLY HAPPENED TO YOUR ANCESTOR, such as arriving in America for the first time, fighting in a war, getting through the Depression or surviving a hurricane or flood.  There are interesting stories in every family.

BE CREATIVE WHEN YOU TELL YOUR ANCESTOR’S STORY.
For instance, you can write a story, draw pictures or include photographs and copies of documents.  You decide the best way to introduce your ancestor.

HAVE FUN!