Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Jefferson County Friends of the Library hosted a gathering on Wednesday, Nov. 10, to commemorate the Joan Davis Linn Memorial Room in the Jefferson County R. J. Bailar Public Library. The room houses the Keystone Genealogical Library — a vast collection of historical papers, books and pictures covering Jefferson County and the regional area.
Linda Hamedani, president of the Jefferson County Friends of the Library, welcomed more than 30 people to the commemoration celebration and presented a plaque engraved with the room's new name. She spoke about Linn being a charter member of the Keystone Genealogical Society when it began in the 1980s. For 14 years she was the co-editor of the society's newsletter, Keystone Kin, and she served as the director of the Keystone Genealogical Library for more than 30 years. Through her efforts it became the largest collection of its kind.
Dee Counts, a volunteer in the library, said, “She faithfully endeavored to assist any and all those seeking to learn more about their local ancestors.” It now takes four volunteers to do same work that Linn did!
Joan Davis Linn's husband, Birney Linn, accepted the plaque, which will be mounted on the wall beside the room's door.
“I'm proud of what Joan did to deserve this,” he said, “and I thank the Friends of the Library for bestowing this honor on her.” He recalled the many times Joan would come home from a day at the library excited to tell how she had helped someone with their family history.
District 4 County Commissioner Betsy Barfield also spoke at the event. She shared how exciting and meaningful it can be to discover new information about one's ancestry and recognized the difference that Joan Davis Linn made in many people's lives.
For all who seek to know more about their forebears, the Keystone Genealogical Library in the Joan Davis Linn Memorial Room, and the volunteers who work there, remain ready to assist!