History of the Mouse River Loop Genealogical Society

By Janet Rosencrans

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Planners and dreamers met at the Minot Public Library on March 11, 1978. Dr. Ariel Williams (First President of the group) once stated “Louise Jevne is the mother of the society, Sudesh Metha, the midwife and I am the attending physician.” Louise Jevne is credited with suggesting the name MOUSE RIVER LOOP GENEALOGY SOCIETY (later changed to GENEALOGICAL) for the group of “hunters.” Several persons added their expertise in getting the Society organized: Edward and Virginia lee Bryans, Kasey Finke, Albert Hausauer, Louise Jevne, Mabel Sletting and Paula Ward are a few names. The group was chartered on April 1, 1978. Several current members were listed on the charter as members.

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I found this old clipping taken from the KENMARE NEWS April 12, 1978, Donnybook News by Mrs. Anna Shipton:

“Mouse River Loop Genealogical Society Formed. - The first meeting of a group of interested persons was held March 11 at the community room of the Minot Public Library (unreadable) concerning genealogy brought forth the decision to form this society. Mr. Edward Bryan, Carpio is one on the formation committee. There are four others on this committee. This meeting was held in the Community Room of the Minot Public Library. By having other resources this gives access to other sources of information. Genealogy has become quite inetersting to many persons, it enables one to find more about their ancestry and should there be relatives living that have not been heard from or about. The membership is open, the single membership fee is $5.00 and for a couple it is $7.50. The Society meets once a month, the first Saturday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Minot Public Library.”

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One of the first projects for the Society was to clip and save obituaries. Programs and workshops have been held featuring a variety of topics: Beginning Research, Norwegian Research, Sources, Photo & Memorabilia Preservation and now we are on into the Internet Research.

 

Some points of history:

• Pioneer & Early Settler Certificates were first issued in the fall of 1979.

• The first ethnic dinner was held in December of 1979.

• The Society received a Library of Congress Number in 1983.

• Began having door prizes in 1983 to collect money for a photocopier of similar addition to the inventory.

• Membership roster and brochure put into the Ward County Centennial’s Time Capsule in 1986.

• Membership cards were designed in 1986. 

• Tenth anniversary celebrated in 1988 with 23 of the original 55 charter members still active and many newer members.

• Published a cookbook of collected ethnic recipes in 1988.

• Society had a float in the North Dakota State Fair parade in 1989.

• The Society had purchased books, microfilm and CD-ROMs for use at the Minot Public Library. Some of these were in memory of deceased members and some as a project to assist in genealogical research at the library.

• We have had tables and booths at the malls, the ND State Fair, the Norsk Hostfest and other times to promote genealogical research.

• Our Society has exchanged publications with various other research groups across the country.

• In 1991, the Society applied for and was granted non-profit status.

• Membership surname list and surname cards have been compiled at various times through the years and we try to keep them current. Many publications/compilations are offered for sale from the Society. May research projects are on going, including the copying of funeral home records and county court house records. Cemeteries in the area have been read and added to the State wide information network.

• A storage facility was rented to collect the resources belonging to the society.

• Much more activity has taken place not only on the individual level and local level but recently a statewide level.

• The Mouse River Loop Genealogical Society is always open to new research projects to collect and protect vital statistics.