Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized over 600 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 coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2022 award recipients and learn why they received the 2022 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Flynn Kennedy of Marysville, Washington, who was nominated by the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society (SVGS).

In 2011, Flynn became a volunteer librarian with SVGS. She worked with the Northwest Genealogy Conference for three years as a Jackie-of-all-Trades, serving in a variety of roles. Her current projects include creating a four-generation history for a patron who is related to Noah Webster, transcribing a 33-page application for a claim against the U.S. Southern Claims Commission, and attempting to solve a family history mystery in Vermont in the 1830’s.

In Flynn’s opinion, the three most important things to remember when trying to break through a brick wall are “… collaboration, collaboration, collaboration.”

Flynn was born in Toledo, Ohio and moved to Seattle on September 28, 1980. She earned a B.A. from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio (during the Punic Wars) and earned a Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogy Research from Boston University in 2014.  

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Info@wasgs.org. Please type “Volunteer Award.”