Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers and teams, 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 next month, you will be introduced to each of the 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Larry Taylor of Arlington, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS). He was recognized for his commitment and dedication to memorializing final disposition information of those no longer with us.

Larry Taylor

Mr. Taylor has worked tirelessly for three years to photograph, document and add Snohomish County memorials to the Find a Grave website. He has, coordinating with more than a dozen volunteers, photographed and uploaded over 100,000 photos – 32,000 by Mr. Taylor alone. As a result of these intensive efforts, people worldwide can access information about their loved ones via the Internet.

Now that Snohomish County memorials are complete, Mr. Taylor is leading an effort to find, identify and mark the 10,000 graves without formal headstones that are throughout the county.

People like Mr. Taylor make finding our history easier. He is an appreciated and diligent member of the SVGS, and illustrates that he richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

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.