Half-century of tending family trees: Genealogical Society of Linn County turns 50

The Geneological Society of Linn County is marking its 50th anniversary with a special emphasis on the roots of Grant Wood.

A group of 25 people founded the society, then known as The Linn County Heritage, in 1965.

'They decided to set up a library of materials in one of the fellow members homes,” said Janice Young, a member of the organization. 'People could check out books but they had to make an appointment to make sure she was home.”

In 1973, the society moved its trove to the Cedar Rapids Public Library. The organization later moved to The History Center, where it was known as the Linn County Genealogical Research Center.

'It's gotten around,” said Eileen Kozman, another member.

In late 1998, the society again moved, to its present home in the basement of the Masonic Library at 813 First Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids. The organization, which has 187 members, relies on volunteer help.

Bonnie Dodge, one of those volunteers, said the society often receives donations from people who are cleaning out houses and find things they no longer want, but think might be historic. The county also has donated a lot of items, Dodge said.

Occasionally, the society also purchases materials, such as microfilm records. The money for these items comes from members and donations. The society also charges those who want copies or who want someone to do research on their behalf.

Dodge said the society is seeking a grant to properly store maps and photos, and purchase scanning equipment.

'We have a lot of records we need to preserve,” she said.

Along with obituaries and land records, the society's library holds dozens of yearbooks, including the 1910 Washington High School edition, which features the senior picture of Grant Wood.

Society members decided that along with marking their 50th anniversary, they would create a display tracing Grant Wood's lineage and presence in Linn County.

'We used materials to construct the family tree of Grant Wood, just using what you would find in the library, not the Internet,” Young said. 'It shows you still need resources like ours.”

The Grant Wood exhibit will be on display during a free anniversary open house Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Masonic Library. Attendees should enter through the rear door. There will be refreshments and free parking is available.

The society received funding from Humanities Iowa for a 1 p.m. presentation by Tom Milligan, who in 'Grant Wood, Prairie Rebel,” spends 45 minutes portraying the famous Cedar Rapids artist. The audience is encouraged to ask questions.

Volunteers also will give tours and provide information about the society's resources.

'When they discover what they can learn, it's wow! One thing leads to another,” Dodge said. 'Even if you hit a brick wall you always could keep looking for something else.”