LOCAL/FAMILY HISTORY DEPT. * DONNELLSON PUBLIC LIBRARY * 500 PARK AVE. * DONNELLSON, IA * 52625
Mary Alma Powers Kay Gift
July
Local/Family History Department
The biggest highlight for the genealogy volunteers this month is the conversion of the research of thousands of names done by Mary Alma Powers Kay. The fascinating story of what was found, what needed to be done, and how the department ended up with a current and readable product for our patrons follows.
Mary Alma Powers Kay Gift
The Genealogy Department has been given a wonderful gift from one of the well-known area genealogists, Mary Alma Powers Kay. The second wife of Elmer Add Kay, originally of Donnellson, IA, her life’s work was recently found on hundreds of disks and was saved by an astute group of volunteers in the Genealogy Department. The software used by Mary -- no longer recognized by today’s software programs -- created a dilemma in attempts to retrieve the data. It required conversion through two programs to bring it to fruition by someone who was familiar with the original program and understood the necessary steps to become readable with today’s software.
Our thanks go to Roberta Krehbiel of Donnellson, IA for the old software program and Steven Halbasch of Layton, UT, for his work in saving these nearly lost records for our Genealogy Department.
Now that we are able to read the data, these records are about to be made available to the public. Over the next several weeks, as the volunteers work to sort, categorize and process the data, the public will be able to view a variety of information. Mary Kay had compiled raw data on thousands of people over the years, creating family trees by doing research. Soon the public will be able to view these family trees to see if any of the people listed are part of their own family history. At the same time, the general public will be able to print off information they may find on any of their ancestors. In addition, the Genealogy Department will be able to update and add information to their family trees.
Each of the family trees in this research has a section to store notes where obituaries have been recorded, various connections to other families, and all types of miscellaneous notes. We have found entries going as far back as the 1600’s, and some interesting information, such as: Solomon Bryant who was an Indian minister and died in 1775 at the age of 85 . . . and . . . James D. Barnes who organized a Citizen’s Militia to ride herd on the Klamath Indians, and was killed in an Indian ambush in 1864. And, as we celebrate our 232nd 4th of July, we have come across several entries of those who served in the Revolutionary War. In addition to the family trees, Mary Kay also recorded information on many of the cemeteries in Lee County. She has listed the names of the cemeteries, location and directions as well as the names and dates found on the gravestones. She has listed notes on various people and places. And, Mary even left us some recipes. For genealogist enthusiasts, this is truly a gift of gold.
~ Written and submitted
by Brenda Anderson
August
Local/Family History Department
The Donnellson Genealogy Department was given a great gift from one of the well known area Genealogists, Mary Alma Powers Kay. Fondly nicknamed the MAK Project by the volunteers in the Genealogy Department, these records were nearly lost but have fortunately been retrieved and converted into a readable format. It required conversion through two programs to bring it to fruition by someone who was familiar with the original program and understood the necessary steps to become readable with today’s software.
The bulk of the files are family trees housed in the Personal Ancestral File begun by Mary Kay. Some have very little information, others are quite extensive. We have begun to compile an index of names found in these files so patrons will be able to see if any of their ancestors are in these files. We estimate there are more than 40,000 names located in the files.
Each of the family trees have a section to store notes where obituaries have been recorded, as well as marriages, and various other family connection references, or any other pertinent information.In the next several weeks, should patrons find any of their ancestors already in the file, with appropriate documentation will be able to add information to their file. Also, if patrons are interested in beginning a new file on their ancestors, new family trees will be welcomed.
It is our hope to have one of the largest and most reliable family trees in the region. Every precaution is being taken to maintain accuracy of these files.
The last set of files were in the form of text files, but were from a software program that has not been used for many years, and also had to be converted into a readable format compatible with today's software programs. There are lots of nice gems being uncovered as we sort through, such as Cemetery Records. As we continue with this project we are hoping to generate a great deal of public interest in our MAK Project.
September
Local/Family History Department
The Donnellson Genealogy Department volunteers have made significant progress over the past month on the MAK Project. All of the text files have been successfully converted and all relevant files have been printed and will be placed into a binder for public viewing, and should be available for the first time at Apple Daze. In addition the PAF files are progressing and the public will be able to access the files by viewing an index that is being created for each of the PAF files. Samples will be available of the various reports the public can order.
We will begin highlighting a family chosen at random to feature. This month is the Conroy family. Found in the text files was an article written by Hazel (Frances) Wiss. Hazel never met her Grandmother, Mary Conroy Sexsmith, but the stories her mother used to tell of her childhood prompted Hazel to put the stories into written fashion. Here are a few excerpts of the stories of Mary Conroy Sexsmith:
In keeping with the policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial researchers, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for presentation in any form by any other organization or individual or on any other website! This entire website & contents are copyright 2009 by Local/Family History & the individual submitters This page was updated January -- 2009