The Federatiion of Genealogical Societies at its annual convention last week in Boston awarded Mrs Lolita Thayer GUTHRIE of Bowling Green, Ohio the Ruth C. Bishop Family History Living Volunteer Hall of Honor Award.

Mrs Guthrie was nominated for this prestigious honor by the Ohio Genealogical Society, a member of the FGS. The FGS is a national "umbrella" organization for genealogical societies in the United State of America.

The Ruth Bishop award is granted annually in recognition of outstanding volunteerism in the field of genealogy and family history.

Mrs Guthrie has for many years contributed toward excellance in genealogical research and cemetery preseervation. As Chairperson, she spearheaded the OGS Cemetry Committee, where she was instrumental in completely overhauling the information in the previous OGS Cemetery books in the publishing of the book Ohio Cemeteries: 1803-2003, which lists over 14,600 cemeteries and burial sites in Ohio.

Lolita Guthrie has served OGS as a Trustie. In 2006, OGS named her an OGS Fellow at its annual conference, held in Toledo. The Fellow of the Ohio Genealogical Society Award is given to an individual who has provided the society and the genealogical community with valuable service, over and above the expectations of the job to which they were elected or appointed. This to be done through volunteer work, special projects, or expertise/skill in accomplishing a goal for the society.

Mrs Guthrie has also served her local society as president of the Wood County Chape of OGS, and is presently its project coordinator. She has been the society's newspaper editor and still works closely with the present editor, helping with proofing every edition. She guided a Living History Project, co-sponsored by the Chapter and the City of Bowling Green which culminated with a program in Oak Grove Cemetery. She was an inspirational guide in the establishment of a Library Trust Fund at the Wood County District Public Library. The interest from the fund is used to purchase genealogical materials for the Library.

Under her efforts and tutorage the Wood County Chapter, OGS has read and published books for every Wood County Cemetery; coordinated with Township Trusties concerning township records, including cemeteries. More than thirty books have been published, counting for countless hours contributed by Mrs Guthrie and others. A High School student volunteer program was started. Two other projects of significance should be mentioned. One, the development of infolrmation about all the one-room schools in Wood County. The other, the development of information on church records in the county. <.p>

Some of the folks who have worked with her for a number of years affectionately nickname her "the taskmaster.

Congratulations, Mrs Guthrie, and Thank You!

e-la-Di-e-das-Di ha-WI nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da.
(May you walk in peace and harmony)

Wado,

Bill

-=-