Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 400 outstanding volunteers, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming weeks, you will be introduced to each of the 2014 award recipients and learn why they received the 2014 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Mary Bybee Simonsen of Pullman, Washington, who was nominated by the Whitman County Genealogical Society (WCGS). She was recognized for her outstanding efforts in the identification and preservation of historical documents of importance and value to researchers interested in the Whitman County Area.

Mary Simonsen

Since 1997, Ms. Simonsen has spent hundreds of hours volunteering for WCGS projects. She has worked on small projects such as transcribing vital records (birth, death, divorce, marriage), obituaries, and homestead patents as reported in the Pullman Herald and other newspapers. She has also worked on big projects, including transcribing the 1883, 1885, and 1887 Whitman County Territory censuses, and the 1890 Whitman County Veterans census. She also played a major role in the transcription of the 1910 Whitman County census.

Ms. Simonsen also assisted with the transcription of the Whitman County Death Register, and early marriage and probate records. She has indexed various publications not only for the WCGS, but also for the Whitman County Historical Society.

Ms. Simonsen’s dedication to enable the public to access these records demonstrated that she richly deserved this recognition in 2014.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.