Ruth C. Bishop Family History Volunteer
Living Hall of Honor

Nominate a deserving volunteer.

Mary Kay Dunlap Boyd - 2009

Kay Boyd, nominated by the Austin Genealogical Society of Austin, Texas, was chosen by the committee to be inducted into the Ruth C. Bishop Volunteer Hall of Honor in 2009.

A native Texan, Mary Kay Dunlap Boyd was born in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Austin at the age of three. She has lived in Austin continuously since that time. Kay attended public schools in Austin and then the University of Texas. She worked at the Texas State Library for ten years after leaving the university. During this time, she married "the boy next door." She and Bill have been married 39 years. They have one daughter, one son, and one grandson who all live in the Austin area.

Kay has always been interested in her family’s history. She still has the original notes she typed as a teenager on her Dad's old portable manual typewriter (which she still has), as well as newspaper clippings that she collected when she didn't know exactly how she was kin to the people in the clippings. Kay recalls her father saying his heritage was "Irish Stew." Her Mother was Swedish, so she has two very different types of research in her family. Kay's great grandparents began settling in Texas in 1855. Her Swedish great grandparents came to Travis County in 1870, so much of her research is based in Texas. For this reason, she is passionate about Central Texas and Travis County history as well as her family's history. Because she has a number of brick walls in her own family research, she recognizes the value of being a resource for other people by helping them either start or continue their research.

Kay has been an active member of AGS since 1997. After retiring from the office products industry in 2001, Kay became more active by joining the Board of Directors. She has served as Corresponding Secretary and for the past three years has served as First Vice President.

Her special interest has been in different cemetery projects and she has worked as a liaison between AGS and the Save Austin’s Cemeteries organization where she also serves as a member of their Board of Directors. Kay is the chair of the AGS Cemetery Recording Committee and coordinates volunteers as well as organizes frequent meetings of of this committee to record the cemeteries in the Austin area. The result of this work is that many Travis County cemeteries are now posted on the AGS website for genealogists looking for a Travis County connection. She also routinely responds to queries regarding cemeteries, graves, obituaries and other research in Travis County.

As part of her cemetery work, Kay supports the AGS webmaster in maintaining the accuracy of the different cemetery projects posted to the AGS website to ensure anyone searching for an ancestor in Travis County has the best possible chance of finding their ancestor.

She started the history collection in the Manor Library for Eastern Travis County which includes an ongoing obituary book of residents who were born in that area of Travis County as well as transcribing different cemeteries in that area.

Kay is also a volunteer at the Austin History Center where she has spent many hours transcribing Travis County Births 1870-1878, a list of residents at the Confederate Home in Austin in 1903, and the Naturalization Records for Travis County. In addition, she has helped transcribe five books of Sexton's Ledgers at the Austin History Center dated 1866-1940. The names and details of people buried in the Austin City Cemetery from 1866-1916 are and have been the only death information from that time period. All of these transcriptions are posted on the AGS website.

She has also updated many of the early records compiled by the charter members of AGS such as the birth records and church records. Her efforts have made these records also available on the AGS website.

Since 2005, Kay has also served as the chair of the Pioneer Certificates Committee. As such, she logs in each application submitted and verifies the information for accuracy and completeness.

Kay's other AGS activities span from proofreading all publications produced by different members of the society including the Society Quarterlies and Newsletters, to coordinating research bus trips to different areas of Texas. She has streamlined the storage of surplus copies of handouts and quarterlies collected since 1960. She willingly takes on research projects from queries submitted through the AGS website. She enjoys coordinating the educational classes AGS has been sponsoring since 2003 and delights in bringing new members into the Society through her active participation in the membership and hospitality committees.

Next year, the Austin Genealogical Society will be 50 years old and, naturally, Kay has volunteered to co- chair our anniversary celebration.

A conservative estimate of the time Kay has volunteered since 1997 is at least 19,000 hours. When asked about why she is so involved in the activities of the Society, she simply says it is because she "thinks they are important in bringing in and maintaining a strong membership." But a recent comment by Kay reveals her true reason. While serving as a volunteer at the Luling (TX) Library a few years ago, she realized she "just loved helping others who came in looking for their family information. Some things don't change.

Virtually everything Kay has been involved in since 1997 has helped AGS increase its membership, increase the quality of our programs, increase our service to the community, and advance the educational and other learning opportunities offered to the Austin/Travis County genealogical community.

Although Kay does not like attention directed her way and is more comfortable working "in the wings," she is known in AGS as the "go to" person. The Austin Genealogical Society proudly recognizes Kay for her spirit of service, wealth of knowledge, willing hands, ready smile, big heart, love of genealogy, and her tremendous dedication to the Austin Genealogical Society.

George K. Schweitzer - 2008

George K. Schweitzer has been chosen as the 2008 inductee into the Ruth C. Bishop Volunteer Hall of Honor. The Southern Kentucky Genealogical Society of Bowling Green, Kentucky nominated Dr. Schweitzer for this honor.

Sixty years ago, a young George K. Schweitzer boarded a train – with a PhD in hand, he headed toward a job in a new doctoral program in Chemistry, at a University nestled in the hills of East Tennessee. Today, he stands as perhaps the longest-serving faculty member in the history of the University of Tennessee. He has left his mark on the University and the region, and East Tennessee has left their mark on him.

He participated in a National Science Foundation program in the late-1950s to provide cross training in the arts and humanities for science professors. He traveled to Columbia University to study philosophy and the intersection between religion and science. He left there with degrees in religion and eventually a PhD from New York University in the history of science. The studies also rekindled a lifelong interest in genealogical research.

His volunteer activities began over 25 years ago when he instigated and helped plan a major genealogical conference that attracted more than 500 attendees. He has remained active in consulting and planning for genealogical programming over the years and although in high demand as a speaker throughout the U.S., he donates his time for East Tennessee Historical Society genealogical conferences and lectures.

He developed the Civil War Families of Tennessee heritage program and when the Historical Society staff did not have time to implement it, he assumed the responsibility for reviewing and approving applications and printing certificates. George Schweitzer has been on the board of directors, and now serves as treasurer and carefully oversees financial reporting and investment for the East Tennessee Historical Society.

Although he doesn’t like to talk about it, George puts his money where his heart is and he is always on the alert for special needs. Sometimes it is a professional need, at other times personal, such an ETHS staff member who suffered a tragedy. We dare not say more on this subject for fear of offending his modesty.

When development and label content began for his signature exhibit, Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee, Dr. Schweitzer willingly undertook the chore to read and evaluate the text and citations. This monumental task required him to read about 500 pages through at least three drafts. This keystone project is better for his expertise and eagle eye. Dr. Schweitzer plans and facilitates monthly genealogical lectures at the History Center that have not only become very popular, but have increased use of the McClung Historical Collection for research. He also donates his time to present programs for East Tenn. Historical Society-affiliate societies.

Dr. Schweitzer is now the best-known tour guide in Knoxville. After his monthly lecture, he encourages research use of the McClung Historical Collection by giving in-depth tours of the facility. He now receives request from the visitors' bureau to lead their group tours of the East Tennessee History Center. He recently received an award from the local Knoxville Tourism Alliance for this work. Their presentation began, "More than a volunteer and maybe not quite an employee…His passion for history is contagious. He is engaging, knowledgeable, and has a quick and many times humorous answer to all questions."

His wit and wisdom have converted many to the cause of history and genealogy. As one lady wrote us after a tour, "Dr. Schweitzer, you have such an infectious love for history that just pours out! Everyone loved your spirit." George Schweitzer is always ready to step in when needed from cleaning and catering to security guard, official greeter or offering taxi service to and from the airport.

The East Tennessee Historical Society and the genealogical community are so fortunate to have a volunteer like Dr. George K. Schweitzer. When asked recently about retirement, he said, "I’ll continue doing my research, loving it, teaching the kids and trying to drag a few more of them – even unwilling – into the joy of learning, into some research, to get them involved."

Sharon Lass Field - 2007

Sharon Lass Field has been chosen as the 2007 inductee into the Ruth C. Bishop Volunteer Hall of Honor. The Cheyenne Genealogical and Historical Society of Cheyenne, Wyoming nominated Mrs. Field for this honor.

Sharon, born in 1941, was raised on a small ranch near Douglas, Converse County, Wyoming. She graduated from Douglas High School and went on to Business School in Denver, Colorado. This gave her, she says, the organizational skills needed to become successful with genealogy.

In 1960 Sharon met Sam Field, also a Wyoming native, and five months later they were married. Their son, Shadd was born in 1962 and daughter, Shelly followed in 1967. Both children are married, and Sharon and Sam relish their time with their three, and soon to be four, grandchildren.

Sharon’s ancestors came to Converse County when Wyoming was a Territory and she has the rare distinction of being a fifth generation Wyomingite in both her mother’s and father’s families. There was always a family story to be told, providing her with great resources for her family history.

It was not until 1964 when she moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming that she became interested in recording her Family History. A neighbor showed her some of her own genealogy and Sharon was off and running and never looked back.

Sharon joined the Cheyenne Genealogical Society in 1968 and has worked tirelessly as a volunteer ever since. She has spent over 10,500 hours assisting others in genealogy and history research. Much of her personal time has been used in documenting and preserving historical records that would otherwise be lost.

From 1974 to 1976, she served as President of the Society. During this time, she established with the IRS the Non-Profit designation for the Society and succeeded in getting grants to purchase items for the Wyoming Genealogy Collection housed at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne.

Since 1972, she has served as chairman of the acquisition committee. This committee purchases books for use in family history research that are then donated to the Laramie County Library Genealogy Section.

Working in the Library’s Genealogy Department every Wednesday for thirty-five years is another example of her service. Sharon takes her duties as a volunteer for the Society seriously. She is there to help others discover the resources to prove and record their ancestors lives.

Sharon has spent forty years working to promote genealogy and the preservation of records. This work has involved the preservation of Wyoming Cemetery Records and working with government officials to preserve those and other documents. She has also written several books on genealogy and historical work.

Her other achievements include instituting the Living History Cemetery Walk during Frontier Days to acquaint visitors with Cheyenne’s past by interviewing "ghosts" as they pass through the Lakeview Cemetery, writing The History of Cheyenne and Fort Fetterman’s Cemetery, and teaching genealogy courses through Laramie County Community College.

The Cheyenne Genealogical and Historical Society recognizes her service and honors Sharon’s service to it and for her continuing efforts for preservation of genealogical records and to the state of Wyoming.

Lolita Thayer Guthrie - 2006

Lolita Thayer Guthrie has been chosen as the 2006 inductee into the Ruth C. Bishop Volunteer Hall of Honor. Mrs. Guthrie was nominated for this honor by the Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS), of Mansfield.

Lolita, a Hoosier native, met her husband, Mearl Guthrie of Abilene, Kansas, while he served in the U.S. Army and attended specialized training at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana early in World War II. On 21 June 2006, they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.

After a few years as an elementary school teacher, Lolita chose to be a stay-at-home Mom. During this time, she served in volunteer leadership roles for the First Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green, Maumee Valley Presbytery, the local Hospital Guild, as well as state and local history organizations.

Mearl is a Professor Emeritus of Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio and was recently recognized as one of 100 “Distinguished Alumni of the College of Education and Human Development of the University of Minnesota.” They have two children, Scott who works for Bowling Green University on the Computer Security Staff and Carla Hall, who resides in Dublin, Ohio. She is a Staff Consultant-Database Administrator for Verizon. Carla's daughter, Julie Spanner, is a Civil Engineer and lives in Walbridge, Ohio.

Lolita is one of the most active septuagenarians known by the Ohio Genealogical Society. Her interest in genealogical research and cemetery preservation has occupied most of her adult life. She volunteers thirty to forty hours of her time every week to the local Wood County OGS chapter. She originated many projects and remains the force behind these to encourage members and non-members of the society to become involved.

Lolita's involvement with the Ohio Genealogical Society began innocently enough when she started riding to Mansfield with a board member friend to do research on days of Board meetings in 1990. She soon accepted an appointment as OGS Cemetery Committee Chairperson. It took thirteen years, but under her leadership, the Cemetery Committee completely overhauled the information in two previous OGS cemetery books and in 2003 published Ohio Cemeteries: 1803-2003, with information on over 14,600 cemeteries and burial sites throughout the state. In 1993, she served her first term on the OGS Board of Trustees, continuing since that time. Having chosen to "retire" earlier this year, she promised to remain active on the OGS Cemetery Committee.

Currently Lolita is President of the Wood County OGS Chapter and Projects Coordinator, working closely with the newsletter editor and she proofreads every edition. Among her contributions to the Guthrie family history are: The First Annual Guthrie Scrapbook, 1988, Highlighting Allied Families: Cline, Kitterman and Guthrie Genealogy, with Index from the Clan Guthrie News, a publication she produced for twenty-three years.

Dola S. Tylor - 2005

Dola S. Tylor, nominated by the Shenandoah Valley Genealogical Society in Winchester, Virginia, was chosen by the committee to be inducted into the Ruth C. Bishop Volunteer Hall of Honor in 2005. Due to health concerns she was presented the award at a reception held in her honor at the society on August 3, 2005.

Dola was born in 1915 in Swiss Colony, Gruetli, Grundy County, Tennessee. A music teacher named her by combining the first two notes of the musical scale to create her name. Her parents, Christian Peter and Ethel (Tat) Schild added her middle name, Virginia. Her brother, Roy Christian, was born nine years later. She attended the one room schoolhouse there and then went to Grundy County High School. She attended college at the University of Tennessee for two years, returning twenty years later to graduate, receiving a degree in Accounting in 1958.

At the beginning of World War II she was a map draftsman with the Lone Star Gas Company, in Dallas Texas. In 1944 she transferred to TVA, Chattanooga, to take an engineering job. After the war, in 1946, she became a civilian with the US Corps of Engineers on Okinawa and remained there for most of the next 31 years. In 1977, she retired from the U.S. Army Communications Command–Okinawa. Her husband Richard then transferred to the new Corp of Engineers office in Winchester, Virginia.

Their new home was not far from the Handley Regional Library and she began working in the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives. She became the recruiter for volunteers, made schedules and kept time records. In discovering that the city of Winchester kept its records separate from those of Frederick County, she sought permission and copied the earliest city records of births, deaths, marriages and wills and put the six published manuscripts in the library archives. Another contribution is the surname file card index of every family history book in the Archives. As of March 2005, she has indexed 412 books.

Dola has been a dedicated volunteer for over 25 years and at the age of 90 she continues to serve. For many years her primary job was to meet and assist researchers, which she always enjoyed. To make researching easier she indexed books, census records, and manuscripts. With her accounting abilities she does the quarterly and year-end finance reports for the Archives. Since 1997, she has been a continuing contributor to The Pathfinder, the quarterly magazine of the Grundy County Historical Society in Tennessee.

In gratitude for her dedication and long-time commitment she was awarded a lifetime honorary membership to the Shenandoah Valley Genealogical Society. Recently the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives and Handley Regional Library recognized her, with an award created in her honor, the Dola Tylor Award, which is given to other dedicated volunteers. They are very appreciative of Dola and her many contributions.

Doris Leachman Wastradowski - 2004

Doris Wastradowski, nominated by the Clark County Genealogical Society of Vancouver, Washington, was chosen by the committee to be inducted into the Ruth C. Bishop Volunteer Hall of Honor in 2004. Doris was born in Idaho 84 years ago, but she has lived in Clark County for 76 years. She graduated from Vancouver High School and attended business college. Her life has been full and rewarding. She married Carl Wastradowski in 1940; had six children - including a pair of twin girls; and worked at the Vancouver Veteran's Hospital until retirement in 1980. She has 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Her husband, Carl, passed away in 1990.

In 1980, when she retired from the Veteran's Hospital, she and her husband started working with and for the Clark County Genealogical Society. She has served in most of the elected offices of the society, including president and vice president. Doris has always been there to help new members as librarian and mentor. She has served as library director, scheduler, and member of the library governance committee. The library has steadily grown and moved twice during this time; but continued smooth operation was her hallmark.

For ten years, Doris served as liaison for the Clark County Genealogical Society "mature learning" partnership with Clark Community College. In addition to working with college staff and CCGS instructors, she coordinated the development of the lesson plans and taught some of the classes.

Another of her accomplishments is in the area of member programs. She has served as chairperson for society meeting programs, member trips to Salt Lake City, education and publicity committees, and newsletter editor.

Doris has also participated to a lesser degree in myriad other activities, which include record preservation and fund raising - both very important to a medium size genealogical society. She has served more than 21,600 hours of service to Clark County Genealogical Society. While serving all of these hours, she found time to do her own family research and publish three family history books.

Lorena Joyce Marshall Nicoll - 2003

Lorena Joyce Marshall Nicoll, nominated by the Montgomery Genealogical Society of Montgomery, Alabama, was chosen by the committee to be inducted into the Ruth C. Bishop Volunteer Hall of Honor in 2003.

Joyce is 79 years young - going stronger than ever. By her own admission she is working harder now than she ever did in her "working" life. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama, a fourth generation great-granddaughter of Abner McGehee, one of the founders of Montgomery.

She graduated Cum Laude with a BS degree from Troy State University in 1978. Joyce married Wilbur Webster Nicoll in 1942. They have one son and two grandsons. Joyce retired from the Air Force Civil Service as a Systems Analyst in April 1994, after an award winning, 38 year career.

In the words of Annie Crenshaw, current trustee of the Montgomery Genealogical Society:

"Joyce Nicoll joined MGS in 1996. At this time MGS was not progressing and was struggling to publish a quarterly with limited funds. The haphazard membership accounting system showed fewer than 60 paying members and no money for publications. In addition to funding problems, the organization was not performing under specific guidelines - including those provided by the Federation of Genealogical Societies - and so Joyce immediately began plans to effect a change.

"In direct response to Joyce's tremendous volunteer efforts, in 2003 the society is a thriving organization with a full compliment of officers and over 270 members throughout the United States. The society has more than adequate funds available to publish quarterlies and pay administrative costs. There have been eight books published to date, many solely through Joyce's efforts and at her own expense with reimbursement from the society following publication.

"With the generous and energetic efforts of Joyce Nicoll, the Montgomery Genealogical Society has become a stable, recognized part of the local genealogical/preservation environment. The society offers its members a learning place for newcomers to family history, a continuing resource for advanced genealogical researchers, and a voice in the community. Joyce has truly given the 'time of her life' as a volunteer to the society."