PAT QUINN'S ROOTS

FORT RIPLEY - Pat Quinn of Little Falls traveled to Butte, Mont., to search for answers about her ancestors.

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She was looking for information on her great-grandfather's daughter Addie Clyde Lambert, who was born in 1876 and died in 1954. After years of researching and networking with many people, Quinn found out that Addie was adopted after her mother and twin sister died shortly after her mother gave birth. She was adopted by Richard and Helen Lambert of Royalton, where Addie lived most of her life. Out of nowhere, Quinn found a photograph of Addie at an antique store in Royalton and met Jean Batzer, who knew the Lamberts and Addie, who gave Quinn Addie's homemade greeting cards.

In Montana, Quinn found relatives who had a photo and information on Katie McLean, Addie's sister. Quinn said Katie was living in Little Falls, but then moved to Montana.

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

"It's interesting to find out that I had relatives who grew up here," said Quinn. "My husband's job brought us to Little Falls. I never knew then about any family connections here."

Quinn's been researching her genealogy for 29 years. Quinn loves family history and with the help of Judy Glaze, another resident of Little Falls, they started the Morrison County Genealogy Society. The society's purpose is to promote an interest in family history and genealogy in Morrison County.

The society was formed in the spring of 2006 and it began with 15 members. Today there are 72 members. The nonprofit organization is governed by a board of directors and meets monthly.

The society provides educational opportunities and activities and provides guidance and tips to help members in their search of family history.

If you go

-What: The next Morrison County Genealogy Society meeting.

-When: Sharing time starts at 6 p.m. Thursday; program at 7 p.m.

-Where: The lower level of the Morrison County Courthouse in Little Falls in Room 2.

-Program: "Stories of Success: Breaking through your family history's brick wall," by John Lauer.

-For more information: Call Pat Quinn at (320) 632-3360.

Why document your family history?

-Create a legacy.

-Learn about your past.

-Document and preserve your family history.

-Learn about research resources from around the world.

-Meet relatives you don't know.

-Learn about Internet-based genealogy research.

- Source: Morrison County Genealogy Society

Quinn, board president of the society, said many people get stumped when they begin searching for their family history. The society gives members skills to help them in their search.

Duane Welle of Fort Ripley, who's the society's vice president, has been researching his family history for more than a decade.

He said it's been tough trying to locate information because much of it was burned in a Wisconsin courthouse fire and he found out a family member threw away family documents and photographs.

"The one thing I hope to get across to people is that they never dispose of any old records or photographs," said Welle. "People can give these items to a historical society or contact a genealogy society to preserve for future generations."

Quinn said she learned a lot about her family through networking with people. Quinn received a black and white photograph of Addie from 1946 that said, "Day Addie Lambert took an air ride," from a community member who had an interest in the community and knew Addie.

Pat Quinn of Little Falls talked about her family history last week with Duane Welle at his Fort Ripley home. Quinn helped create the Morrison County Genealogy Society a year ago.» Purchase reprints of this photo.

Through networking, Quinn also found out that she was related to Vivian McGonagle of Royalton, whose husband, Lewis, was a history buff.

"As I visited these folks Vivian heard me say my great-grandmother's maiden name, Rasnick ... Vivian was a descendent of the Rasnicks. We discovered we were related."

Quinn also was able to verify the family information with birth and death certificates and newspaper clippings. She found newspaper clippings on Addie from the Royalton Banner that included news on Oct. 4, 1929, from 20 years ago, that said "Miss Addie is fully recovered from a severe attack of scarlet fever and quarantine has been raised."

The society has hosted several genealogy classes and programs this year.

Glaze, like Quinn, started researching her family genealogy 25 years ago. She said what she enjoys the most, besides finding out about her family is the photographs. She is trying to identify a box of photographs from her third cousin.

Submitted photo/Pat Quinn

This is a photograph of Henry Smith Clyde, Pat Quinn's great-grandfather, who died in 1927.

"I love the investigating, meeting the people and making the contacts," said Glaze.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.