Preserving the Past by Pat Mulso

Last weekend was busy, as I was preparing to take 10 individuals besides myself on the annual genealogical research trip to the world’s largest genealogical library in the world, located in Salt Lake City. We had three new individuals join the eight of us returning for the second, third, fourth or seventh time. We had a lock-in at the museum a couple weeks ago to give us the opportunity to organize and prepare our research strategy for the trip. Each person is working on their individual lines. We have two sets of sisters working together, a mother/daughter combination, a husband and wife, and several individuals, but we also help each other as we gather over meals and discuss what each of us has accomplished or what brick walls we have come across. Sometimes a fresh look by someone not related can shed new light on a brick wall or reveal clues that we have overlooked.

With almost 50 years of experience under my belt, I am still finding new information. More and more databases are being digitized, and additional records are becoming available, making our research never complete. Then, with DNA results helping us to break through obstacles that may never have been possible before, the results can be astounding. By the end of a week of research together, we will all know each other better, and our bonds as family historians will be stronger because of our experiences shared. With Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays just ahead of us, remember to share your memories and customs with the next generation!

The last of our fall lecture series will be at 9 a.m. Nov. 14. The title for this lecture is “100 years of Presidential Campaign Buttons.” The presentation will examine the extensive campaign button collection of Jim Munyer. Attendees will be encouraged to discuss the dynamics of the election campaigns. The lecture is free to museum members and $5 for nonmembers.

Also from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 will be our Christmas Tour of Homes. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance or the day of the event. This year we have homes on Fountain Street, West Richway Drive, 125th Street and the museum. You may start at any location. Directions for each are listed on the tickets. Please join us to see different styles of decorating, and maybe pick up an idea or two to use for your own holiday decorating. Contact a friend or relative to join you for the afternoon and we’ll provide the coffee and treats at the museum the afternoon of the tour.

The museum will host a four-hour AARP defensive driving refresher class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 21. The cost is $20 for AARP members or $25 for nonmembers, which includes the class materials and administrative fee. You must register for the class and will need your driver’s license to do so. The refresher course is needed every three years after the initial eight-hour class is taken to continue receiving a discount on your auto insurance. Call or stop by the museum to register during our regular business hours. This will be the last class offered at the museum during 2015, and you will receive your certificate at the end of the class. Watch for a listing of 2016 classes toward the end of the year.

We are accepting 2016 museum memberships. If you are not currently a member of the museum, buy your membership now and get the rest of 2015 as well as all of 2016. Individual memberships are $25 and family memberships begin at $35. Gift memberships are also available. Any donation over $25 is tax deductible.

 

Pat Mulso is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village, 1031 Bridge Ave.