Dictionary definitions of 'luminary': 'A person of prominence or brilliant achievement', 'a person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere', 'a person who enlightens others'.  And The Surname Society has got them!  The definition of these superstars is taken from the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog run by John D Reid:

Rockstar genealogists are those who give "must attend" presentations at family history conferences or as webinars, who when you see a new family history article or publication by that person, makes it a must buy. If you hang on their every word on a blog, podcast or newsgroup, or follow avidly on Facebook or Twitter they are likely Rockstar candidates.

Of course, it's congratulations to all the winners in the Rockstar Genealogist poll of 2016, but special congratulations go to our members:

Jill Ball - the Superstar Genealogist for Australia and New Zealand

Maurice Gleeson - the Superstar Genealogist for Ireland

and...drum roll please...

KIRSTY GRAY, No 1 Superstar Rockstar Genealogist for England, Wales, and Scotland - and Chair of The Surname Society!

© Ros Haywood
School of  Surnames

Next week's letter is 'M'. Has anybody got any interesting snippets that marry up M with surname studies?  If so, please send them to Ros Haywood at sos [at] surname-society.org

letter L courtesy of openclipart.org