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Past Presidents of the Society

Our History Charter Members

Presented with sincere gratitude, appreciation and respect for the service of these Past Presidents of  the San Diego Genealogical Society.

Alicia Pearl Mayer
SDGS President Oct 1946 - Oct 1947

Alicia Pearl Daniel was born September 10, 1885 in Kansas City, Missouri to John Meredith Daniel and Anna Belle Goodwin. She married Sidney Edward Mayer (1882-1942) on December 26, 1906 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The couple had one daughter, Marguerite Elizabeth Mayer, and one adopted son, George Eberly Mayer. Alicia Pearl Mayer died March 16, 1978 in La Mesa, California and was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery (IOOF Section, Block 3, Lot 5, Grave 7; no gravemarker) in San Diego on March 20th.

Known professionally as Pearl La Force Mayer, Alicia Pearl Mayer was a poet, writer, composer, sculptor, artist and lecturer. She was the editor of the California Gardens Magazine and authored Historical Landmarks of San Diego (1930). In the 1930s her poems and monologues were broadcast on radio. Mrs. Mayer was active in
  • The Burlingame Club (president)
  • The California Federation of Women's Clubs (state chairman)
  • League of American Pen Women, San Diego Chapter (officer)
  • The San Diego Cosmopolitan Club (founder)
  • The San Diego Poetry Society
  • The San Diego Woman's Press Club (president)
  • The San Diego Women's Club (president)
She was the founder and first president of the San Diego Genealogical Society. It was October 10th, 1946 when she initiated a meeting, held at noon in the U.S. Grant Hotel, for the purpose of organizing a society "for mutual help in the pursuance of genealogical work and for the establishing of a genealogical library for the benefit of members." She remained an active member, serving as Society Historian (1947-) and President Emeritus (December 1951-).


Lt. Col. Rolin W. Shaw
SDGS President Oct 1947 - Oct 1949

 photo courtesy of Bil Munsil



photo courtesy of Layla

Rolin Wesley Shaw, the son of the Reverend Solomon Benjamin Shaw and Etta Ellen Sadler, was born April 17, 1883 in Greenville, Michigan. He married Oneida Florence Keith (1884-1914) on September 2, 1902 and had two sons and two daughters. He married Elvira Susan Wing (1884-1943) on May 24, 1911 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The couple had nine children, four sons and five daughters. On September 11, 1943 he married Hazel Mary (Conner) Speck (1889-1976) in Phoenix, Arizona. Colonel Shaw died on March 10, 1969 in Phoenix and was buried March 13th in Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery.

Colonel Shaw's military career began in 1913. He served in the Arizona National Guard during World War I (158th Infantry Brigade) and World War II. His assignments included Band Master, Commandant of Fort Tuthill and United States Property and Disbursing Officer (USP&DO).


One of the first people invited to join the Society, Colonel Shaw was a San Diego Genealogical Society charter member, joining in November 1946. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Michigan. Colonel Shaw was elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Genealogy. He was a primary, contributing genealogist for John Beal the centenarian and descendants : John Beal, 1588-1688, lived fifty years in England and fifty years in America, fourteen generations, 1588-1956 : also other Beal families from England (Bertha Bortle Beal Aldridge, 1956). He did extensive work for the 'Wing Family of America' (established in 1902) and wrote many articles for The OWL : the official publication of the Wing Family of America. Together with his sister, Grace Shaw Woldt, and Arthur Fayette Shaw, he compiledFamily records of Solomon Benjamin Shaw and Etta Ellen Sadler; ancestors and descendants (1974, 1988).



Benjamin F. Dixon
SDGS President Oct 1949 - Dec 1951



         
photo courtesy of
  San Diego History Center


Benjamin Franklin Dixon, historian and genealogist, was born March 23, 1892 in Kahoka, Missouri, to Pearley Nicholas Dixon and Rachel Maria Kinkade. He was married to Alice Louise Dwelle (1891-1972) on May 24, 1926 at the old Dwelle mansion near Cedar Point, Kansas. They were parents of three children, John Melvin Dixon, Dale Edward Dixon and Mary Alice Dixon. Ben Dixon died June 26, 1970 in San Diego, California and was entombed on June 30th in Greenwood Mausoleum(Corridor of Prayer, Tier B, Crypt 26).

Leaving college at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, Ben Dixon enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April 1917. After completing thirty years of naval service Lieutenant Dixon retired in August 1947. He went on to earn a B.A. in history from San Diego State College (1949) where he founded the college's 'History Club' and the Beta Kappa chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history fraternity.

Ben F. Dixon was curator and archivist at the San Diego Historical Society's Junipero Serra Museum. Together with his wife, he published the 'Benjamin Franklin Junior Historical Series - A Bookshelf of American Genealogy,' a series of local history and family history books, including

  • Our Book: Dixon-Nicholas, Kinkade-Spillman(1932);
  • The Adamson Source Book: a Genealogy of the Descendants of Rachel Williams Adamson (1776-1850) of Surry County, N.C., Jefferson County, Tenn., and Lawrence County, Indiana(1942, 1960)
  • American Ancestry of Pryor Williams, 1817 Pioneer of Lawrence County, Indiana, the Story of a Quaker Heritage (1959)
  • Five Generations of American Dwelles, a Family History for Descendants of Lemuel Dwelle and Lavina Francisco, Pioneers of New York and Michigan (1960)
  • Rachel Williams Adamson and Her Hoosier Clan, Four Generations of a Lawrence County, Indiana "First Family" (1961)
  • Captain Isaac Williams and His Grandchildren, the Story of a Fighting Quaker and Three Generations of Indiana Pioneers (1963)
  • Lost Creek Memories, a Book About Two Quaker Families of Tennessee and How They Got Together in the Little Log Meeting House at Lost Creek (1966)
charter member of the San Diego Genealogical Society , joining in January 1947, Mr. Dixon also served a term as Second Vice-President. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Genealogy and a member of the Squibob Chapter of the fraternal organization The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. The Dixon family attended the Central Christian Church.


Joseph E. Rowland
SDGS President 1952 - 1953


 
Joseph Estes Rowland was born June 26, 1911 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His parents were Robert Brooks Rowland and Lois Gertrude Estes. He married Ruth Lindbeck (1906-1978) in February 14, 1942 in Yuma, Arizona. He married Elanora Hortense (Wilson) Carter (1905-1991) on September 18, 1978, also in Yuma. Joseph E. Rowland died November 16, 1997 in El Cajon, California. He was entombed at Cypress View Mausoleum on November 20, 1997.

Joseph Rowland joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1950.


C. Lynn Willardson
SDGS President 1954 - 1955

 

Chester Lynn Willardson was born January 11, 1912 in Monroe, Utah. He was the son of Peter Emery Vincent Willardson and Huetta Marie Washburn. Lynn married Enid Beagley (1913-1997) on March 1935 in Manti, Utah and they were parents to six children. He also married Mary Markley. Lynn was an interior decorator. He died June 29, 1993 in National City, California. On July 3, 1993 Lynn was entombed in Greenwood Memorial Park's Bible Mausoleum, 9th Psalm corridor, tier E, crypt 34.

Lynn Willardson's term as President was preceded by a term as First Vice-President.



RADM Herald F. Stout
SDGS President 1956 - 1957



 photo courtesy of Robert Stout
Herald Franklin Stout was born June 15, 1903 in Dover, Ohio, a son of Franklin Lee Stoutt and Jemima Mae Tong. He married Louise Frederica Finley (1905-1966) on June 3, 1926. They were parents of three sons Herald Franklin, Jr., Bruce Finley and Peter Christian Stout. Rear Admiral Stout married Zoe Estelle Anderson (1913-1998) on July 25, 1976 in La Mesa, California. He died March 23, 1987 in San Diego County, California and was buried in Dover Burial Park, Dover, Ohio.

Herald F. Stout graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1926. He was awarded two Navy Crosses for heroism while in command of the destroyer U.S.S. Claxton during World War II. He retired from the United States Navy in 1956 as a Rear Admiral. The U.S.S. Stout (DDG 55), commissioned in 1994, was named in his honor.

Rear Admiral Stout also served as SDGS President from 1960 through 1961He joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1953 and was editor ofLeaves & Saplings, Quarterly Bulletin of the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1963. He was chairman of the Research Committee from 1970 through 1973. Admiral Stout authored several family histories including
  • The Clan Finley, A Condensed Genealogy of the Finley Family at Home & Abroad, in two volumes (1940)
  • Tong, Tongue and Allied Families (1947, 1974)
  • Stout and Allied Families, two volumes (1951; second edition 1970, 1972; third edition 1986, 1988)
  • Stauden Blatter, a newsletter for and about Stout and allied families (1960-).
He was a charter member of the United Church of Christ of La Mesa, and a member of Silvergate Lodge #296, F.&A.M.


Willis A. Perry
SDGS President 1958 - 1959

 


photo courtesy of Elaine Perry

Willis Albert Perry was born February 20, 1920 in Wichita, Kansas to Harry Edward Perry and Virginia Hazel Proctor. He married Roberta R. Nicholson on September 2, 1951 in San Diego, California. They had two daughters, Elaine R. and Lynn M. Perry. Willis married Shirley A. Crossland on July 3, 1982 in San Diego. Their son is Edward Crossland Perry. Willis died in El Cajon, California on January 15, 1998. His cremated remains were scattered.

Willis Perry was a 
World War II U.S. Air Force veteran. He lived in Lakeside, California and was an elementary school teacher for 30 years. He particularly enjoyed teaching 6th grade and going to 6th grade camp. He was an active and devoted member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church in San Diego. Willis enjoyed workworking, home remodeling and was a Sierra Club member. His love of history lead to his involvement in the San Diego Genealogical Society.


RADM Herald F. Stout
SDGS President 1960 - 1961




 photo courtesy of Robert Stout

Herald Franklin Stout was born June 15, 1903 in Dover, Ohio, a son of Franklin Lee Stoutt and Jemima Mae Tong. He married Louise Frederica Finley (1905-1966) on June 3, 1926. They were parents of three sons Herald Franklin, Jr., Bruce Finley and Peter Christian Stout. Rear Admiral Stout married Zoe Estelle Anderson (1913-1998) on July 25, 1976 in La Mesa, California. He died March 23, 1987 in San Diego County, California and was buried in Dover Burial Park, Dover, Ohio.

Herald F. Stout graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1926. He was awarded two Navy Crosses for heroism while in command of the destroyer U.S.S. Claxton during World War II. He retired from the United States Navy in 1956 as a Rear Admiral. The U.S.S. Stout (DDG 55), commissioned in 1994, was named in his honor.

Rear Admiral Stout also served as SDGS President from 1956 through 1957He joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1953 and was editor of Leaves & Saplings, Quarterly Bulletin of the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1963. He was chairman of the Research Committee from 1970 through 1973. Admiral Stout authored several family histories including

  • The Clan Finley, A Condensed Genealogy of the Finley Family at Home & Abroad, in two volumes (1940)
  • Tong, Tongue and Allied Families (1947, 1974)
  • Stout and Allied Families, two volumes (1951; second edition 1970, 1972; third edition 1986, 1988)
  • Stauden Blatter, a newsletter for and about Stout and allied families (1960-).
He was a charter member of the United Church of Christ of La Mesa, and a member of Silvergate Lodge #296, F.&A.M.


William M. Kerr
SDGS President 1962 - 1963

 
William Martin Kerr, born March 1922 in Elm Springs, South Dakota, was the son of Floyd King Kerr and Goldie Gertie Stover. He married Thelma I. Cox on June 5, 1966 in El Centro, California. He died February 2, 1999 in San Diego, California and was buried February 8th in Greenwood Memorial Park.

William served as Second Vice President in the Society in 1960.


Fred Radcliffe 
SDGS President 1964

 
Fred Martin Radcliffe, son of Fred Leslie Radcliffe and Christine Isabell Martin, was born November 7, 1908 in Maywood, Illinois. He married Doris Estelle Manton (1908-1988) on July 26, 1930. Fred Radcliffe died February 12, 1981 in El Cajon, California. He was entombed at Greenwood Memorial Park's Bible Mausoleum, Court of Ascension, tier D/DS, crypt 36 on February 17th.

Fred was a manager at the National Union Insurance company. He lived in Santee.


Wayne C. Butt
SDGS President 1965 - 1966

 
Wayne Carter Butt, born February 17, 1915 in Peru, Indiana, was the son of Grover Cleveland Butt and Adella May Wycoff. He married Margaret Schnurstein (1916-1986) in Portland, Oregon on April 16, 1944. They had one son, Brian A. Butt. Wayne Butt died September 29, 1969 and was buried October 2nd at El Camino Memorial Park (Loma Siesta Terrace, Row 116, Grave 4).

Wayne Butt was a mechanical engineer and businessman. At the time of his death he was employed as chief engineer at the Home of Guiding Hands in Lakeside. Mr. Butt had been a co-owner of Aztec Cabinet Company in National City for many years. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Pacific Beach. Wayne joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1961 and served as a Director. He was registrar for the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.


John H. Sneed
SDGS President 1967 - 1968

John Haley Sneed, son of John Leroy Sneed and Elva Corrine Kent, was born in Salem, Oregon on October 29, 1920. On October 27, 1942 he was married to Pauline Louise Pryibil. They had four children, Laurence Edward, Paula Constance, and Brian Eugene. John Sneed died in La Jolla, California on February 9, 1987. His remains were donated to the UCSD School of Medicine.

John Sneed joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1939. He was a professional photographer. John photographically recorded World War II in the South Pacific until 1945. After having worked at the Naval Electronics Laboratory since 1946, John retired August 18, 1977.

An SDGS member since 1966, John Sneed also held the Membership Chairman position and was editor of San Diego Leaves & Saplings from 1982 until the time of his death in 1987.


Eugene D. Shapley
SDGS President 1969 - 1970




 
Eugene Davis Shapley was born December 3, 1909 in San Diego, California. He was the son of Fred Adelbert Shapley and Ena Marie Watkins. On October 2, 1937 he married LaOme Lois Gibson (1910-1970). They had one son, Frederick Easton Shapley. Eugene married Florence Lane on December 27, 1970. He died on September 23, 1979 in San Diego County, California and was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery (Masonic section, Section P, Lot 10, Grave 3) in San Diego on September 28th.

Eugene Shapley became a member of the Society in 1965. He was an electrical engineer and worked in civil service on Point Loma. He enjoyed playing cribbage and was a Rosecrucian. Eugene and his wife LaOme were both members of the 
General Society of Mayflower Descendants.


Edra L. Keeran 
SDGS President 1971 - 1973




image courtesy of Cathy & Thomas Dunn

Edra Lois Keeran was born July 11, 1915 at Roosevelt, Oklahoma to Thomas Luther Keeran and Emma Almeda Smith. She died May 31, 2002 and was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Edra also served as SDGS President from 1981 to 1982. She was a life member of the San Diego Genealogical Society, having joined in 1961. Edra served a term as Society Treasurer (1962).

Edra Keeran authored the family history The Keeran Story, published in two volumes in 1988.



Edward G. Wickes
SDGS President Jan 1974 - Feb 1974

Edward George Wickes, Jr., the son of Edward George Wickes and Mary Elizabeth Haungs, was born April 1, 1923 in Buffalo, New York. He married Mary Janet Ward (1924-2001) on December 27, 1942. They had three children, Kathleen Ann, Mary Ann and James Ward Wickes. Ed married Nancy.

Mr. Wickes started his genealogy research in 1971 after coming across a 1941 letter to him containing family history information. He joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1973. Ed Wickes is a member of The Society of The Cincinnati, The Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, The Sons of the American Revolution, and other patriotic and lineage organizations.

Lieutenant Colonel Edward G. Wickes, Jr. served in the United States Air Force. He was not able to complete his term as Society President due to work obligations.



Roy D. Smith
SDGS President Mar 1974 - Dec 1974

 
 photo courtesy of Carla Burdock
ElRoy Dale Smith was born January 2, 1925 near Keswick, Iowa to Ralph Andrew Smith and Della Arella Kelley. He never married. Roy Smith died on January 12, 1977 in San Diego, California. Memorial services on January 15th under the direction of the San Diego Genealogical Society included eulogies by Edra Keeran, Bettie Bumpus, Rear Admiral Herald F. Stout and Anita Milner. Roy was buried January 17, 1977 in Sorden Cemetery near Keswick in Keokuk County, Iowa.

Roy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at 17 years of age on July 15, 1942 and served until July 17, 1946. He received basic training at the Marine Corps Base in San Diego and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, near Oceanside, California after the war. Returning to Iowa after his military service, Roy attended Iowa City Business College and the University of Iowa studying accounting and business administration. He returned to San Diego in 1951 and worked in accounting and dry cleaning firms. Roy attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in San Diego.

Roy Smith joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1965. He served the Society as Treasurer (1968-1971) and First Vice President (1973). His genealogy research focused on the Smith - Kelly, Bell, Jackson, Gorman - Hoffman, Lane, Thornburg / Thornborough, Clayton, Deals and Hiatt surnames. Roy's genealogical research records, notes and charts were preserved posthumously by his SDGS friends and are available at the SDGS library and the Iowa Historical Society Library in Iowa City, Iowa.


Anita Cheek Milner
SDGS President 1975 - 1976
Mildred Anita Cheek, a native of Elgin, Illinois, is the daughter of Regnald C. Cheek and Maurine Sabens. She married Morris Edwin Milner (1934-2004) on August 14, 1954 in San Diego, California. They have two daughters Anita Lee Gunton and April Maurine Proffitt. Anita is a graduate of San Diego State University, with a teaching credential from UCLA and a master's degree in special education. She is a graduate of the California Western School of Law. Anita is a lawyer and a professional comedienne.

Anita Milner taught genealogy and authored the genealogy reference books Newspaper Indexes, a Location and Subject Guide for Researchers in three volumes and Newspaper Genealogical Column Directory (1989). She also authored The Tub and Other Ramblings (1993) and Fifty is Nifty published inChocolate for a Woman's Soul (1997).

Anita joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1970 and is a life member. From 1973-1974 she served as Second Vice-President and she was editor of the Society newsletter (1977-1978). Anita writes a family history blog.


Elizabeth Bumpus
SDGS President Jan 1977 - Feb 1977

 
Elizabeth Ann "Bettie" McShane, daughter of Otto McShane and Mabel Irene McKinsey, was born June 23, 1932 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She and Jerry Don Bumpus were married on November 11, 1961 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bettie had been a member of the San Diego Genealogical Society since 1973. In 1975 she held the position of Second Vice-President. Mrs. Bumpus was not able to complete her term as President due to the constraints on her time while pursuing a master's degree in history.


Col. Edgar L. Tidwell
SDGS President Mar 1977 - 1978



Edgar Lowell Tidwell was born November 5, 1912 in San Diego, California to Silas Edgar Tidwell and Louise Caroline Dittmer. He married Frances Mae Shimp (1917-1987) in San Diego on January 25, 1941 and had two children, Bruce Edgar and Linda Louise. He died October 22, 2000 in San Diego, California and was inurned June 6, 2002 in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (Columbarium FF (CBFF), Site 142, Row 2).

Colonel Tidwell was called to active duty in the United States Army in August 1941, serving during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star and numerous other medals and honors. Having worked as a radio announcer and program director at radio station KGB in San Diego from 1936 to 1941, Colonel Tidwell's military service included positions as American Radio Liaison Officer, operations chief of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service and other related assignments. He retired July 1, 1964.

Colonel Tidwell first became interested in genealogy in 1966 and joined the Society in 1969. He was editor of the Society Newsletter (1970-1971, 1974) and also served as Director (1971), Public Relations Chairman (1970-1971, 1974) and Second Vice-President.

An oral history interview with Colonel Edgar Lowell Tidwell is on file in the San Diego History Center's research library.


Eunice Cook Konold
SDGS President 1979 - 1980

Eunice Rae Cook was born in Franklin, Kansas on August 9, 1928. She was the daughter of Charle Edwin Cook and Annie Rae Adams. Eunice married James Holley Konold on November 9, 1946 in Farmington, Utah. They were parents of six children, Cheryl Hollis, Susan Rae, James Holley, William Bruce, Gregory Brett and Matthew Brian Konold. Eunice passed away June 13, 2011 in San Diego, California and was buried at El Camino Memorial Park.

Eunice authored several family histories including The Cook BookSponheimer Kindred, including Spohnheimer, Sponhamer, Spoonhimer, Spoonemore, Spoonamore, Spoonmore, and Allied Families of America; and The Kissin' Kin Khronicle. She joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1961 and also held the positions of Secretary (1966) and Program Chairman (1975-1976).

Eunice Cook Konold was honored in 2000 with the California State Genealogical Alliance's 'Founder's Award' for her work with the San Diego based German Research Association. She helped establish the organization and served a term as President.


Edra L. Keeran 
SDGS President 1981 - 1982




photo courtesy of Cathy & Thomas Dunn 
Edra Lois Keeran was born July 11, 1915 at Roosevelt, Oklahoma to Thomas Luther Keeran and Emma Almeda Smith. She died May 31, 2002 and was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Edra also served as SDGS President from 1971 to 1973. She was a life member of the San Diego Genealogical Society, having joined in 1961. Edra served a term as Society Treasurer (1962).

Edra Keeran authored the family history The Keeran Story, published in two volumes in 1988.


Bette Atkinson 
SDGS President 1983 - 1984

Bette Alice Oxley, the daughter of Carl Lawson Oxley and Mabel Elizabeth Mathews, was born June 30, 1925 in Marion, Iowa. She married John Thomas Atkinson, Jr. (1920-1989) in Chicago, Illinois on October 21, 1944. They were parents of four children, Alison Elizabeth, John Thomas III, Dean Scott, and April Valerie Atkinson. Bette died in Coronado, California on July 25, 1985 and her cremated ashes were scattered at sea.

Bette was a member of the Society since 1973. She served a term as First Vice-President (1975-1976). Bette was an avid antique doll collector.



Meg Thompson
SDGS President 1985 - 1986

Maryellen "Meg" Glerum was born April 22, 1915 in Grand Haven, Michigan. She was the daughter of John Glerum and Amanda Marie Stahmer. Meg married Willard Thompson in December 1950. They had one daughter, Joan Thompson. Meg Thompson died May 8, 2009 in San Diego, California. She is buried at Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Meg earned a degree in journalism from the University of Illinois and worked 40 years in the public relations field.  She worked for the U.S. Information Agency in Washington, D.C., the U.S. State Department, and as the first public relations director for the East-West Center (a United States funded institution for public diplomacy in the Asia Pacific region) in Honolulu.  She also worked with Project Concern and the San Diego Children's Hospital.

Meg joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1979. She served the Society as Public Relations Chairman (1979) and First Vice-President (1983-1984). 


Meg Thompson was the author of
  • Beginner's Family History Manual (1985)
  • Dutch Ancestors, the Glerums, Jan, Jacob and John, Plus the Norwegian Connection (1988)
  • The Stohmer Family (1992)

Mary Harris
SDGS President 1987 - 1988

Mary Elizabeth Rice, daughter of Glen Henry Rice and Elizabeth Claire Wood, is a native of Jefferson City, Missouri. On September 2, 1956 she married Forest Charles Harris in Granite City, Illinois.

Mary moved to San Diego in 1955 to teach kindergarten at Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School. She had studied elementary education at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. She raised her family of three children, two daughters and one son, on Point Loma. Mary was later employed at the office of the San Diego County Registrar of Voters.

It was when her grandmother gave her a family Bible, at the age of 11, that Mary became interested in genealogy. She began her family history research in earnest in 1979. Mary joined the Society in 1980 and is a life member. She was First Vice President (1985-1986) and also served a term as Society Treasurer. Mary is a member of the Edmund Rice (1638) Association.


George R. Spidell
SDGS President 1989 - 1990


George Raymond Spidell was born April 25, 1924 in Rupert, Idaho to Paul Raymond Spidell and Beulah Flynn Brodie. He married Betty Rae Ennis and had three children. George and Ruth Dorothy Bowles (1921-1998) were married on May 29, 1957 in San Diego County, California. George died April 26, 1997 and was inurned at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (Columbarium C (CBC), Site 309, Row 3) on May 1st.

A Chief Petty Officer, George served in the U.S. Navy for thirty-two years (29 Oct 1946 - 31 March 1979). He worked ten years for the San Diego Unified School District. In 1969 he started The Retreads Motorcycle Club International, an organization of motorcycle enthusiasts. He joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1987.



Harvey E. Keating
SDGS President 1991 - 1992


photo courtesy of Betty Loraine Hanson
Harvey Eugene Keating was born in Breckenridge, Minnesota on May 4, 1938 to John Louis Keating and Mae Sadie Pease. He married Barbara Ellen Anderson on June 18, 1960 in Portland, Oregon. The couple had two children, Brian Elliott Keating and Kimberly Ellen Keating. On April 9, 1977 he married Betty Jeanne Rutherford (1928-2002) in the Old Governor's Mansion in Sacramento, California. Harvey passed away November 29, 2005 in San Diego County, California. He was buried in Riverview Heights Cemetery, Kennewick, Washington.

Harvey was a member of the San Diego Genealogical Society since 1988. He also held the positions of Second Vice-President (1990) and Treasurer. Harvey Keating was initiated as SDGS President for a second term in January 2002.


Frank Cirincioni 
SDGS President 1993 - 1996

Frank George Cirincioni is a native of Sacramento, California. He is the son of Frank Henry Cirincioni and Ruth Wanda Wilkinson. On September 30, 1963 Frank married Bonnie Mae Neptune in Aspen, Colorado. They had one daughter, Michelle Q. Cirincioni.

Frank joined the Society in 1989 and is a life member. He also served the Society as First Vice-President (1991-1992) and Director at Large (1990).


Phyllis Hoke Quarg
SDGS President 1997 - 1999


 

Phyllis Jeraldine Boozell, daughter of Furman Earnest Boozell and Vera Viola Rasmussen, was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She married James Eldon Messersmith March 25, 1942. They were the parents of one son, James Eldon Messersmith, Jr. (1945-2010). Phyllis married William Frederick Quarg (1928-2002) on June 1, 1999 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After joining the Society in 1984, Phyllis served as the Society's first Special Events Director (1989-1990, 2008), a fundraising and event planning position. She planned seminars and annual trips for members to the Salt Lake City Family History Library, as well as excursions to the Los Angeles Public Library, the Los Angeles Family History Center, and the Huntington Beach Library. She coordinated the annual Salt Lake City trip until 2000. These events were significant fund raisers in support of the Society's programs and library.

Phyllis was Society Treasurer from 1992 until 1995 and served as Registrar and Finance Chair when the Society hosted the National Genealogical Society's '1995 Conference in the States.' While Program Director in 1996, Phyllis, together with Pam Journey, taught a series of genealogy classes for the Society (1996-1997). She coordinated the Society's regional family history fair, the first in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Society in 1996, and annually for three years thereafter. In 2000 she was Host Chairman for the national GenTech 2000 conference held in San Diego.

In 1997 Phyllis was awarded a Distinguished Service Award by the California State Genealogical Alliance in recognition of outstanding service to the California State Genealogical Society and one of its member societies.

Phyllis authored Das Haus Busel, the Boozel, Boozell, Boosel family from Germany to America (2nd edition, 2006) .



Gloria Osborn
SDGS President 2000 - 2001


Gloria Maye Broadhurst, a native of Washington, D.C., was the daughter of Roscoe Vincent Broadhurst and Dorothy Elizabeth Baier. She married Robert Dean Osborn in Bethesda, Maryland on November 26, 1950. They raised their family in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego.

Gloria was one of the founding members of San Diego Miniature Crafters. An avid doll historian, collector and maker, Gloria was active in The United Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc.

Gloria joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1984. 
With Gloria's leadership as Host Chairman, the Society hosted the National Genealogical Society's '1995 Conference in the States.' During her term as President, the Society was host to the GenTech 2000 conference. Gloria also served the Society as Special Events Director (1994-1997, 2002), Secretary (1998-1999) and Program Director (1993, 2006-2009).


Harvey E. Keating
SDGS President Jan 2002 - Mar 2002 


photo courtesy of Betty Loraine Hanson
Harvey Eugene Keating was born in Breckenridge, Minnesota on May 4, 1938 to John Louis Keating and Mae Sadie Pease. He married Barbara Ellen Anderson on June 18, 1960 in Portland, Oregon. The couple had two children, Brian Elliott Keating and Kimberly Ellen Keating. On April 9, 1977 he married Betty Jeanne Rutherford in the Old Governor's Mansion in Sacramento, California. Harvey passed away November 29, 2005 in San Diego County, California. He was buried in Riverview Heights Cemetery, Kennewick, Washington.

Harvey Keating also served as SDGS President from 1991-1992. He was initiated as President in 2002 but was not able to complete the term and resigned due to illness. Harvey was a member of the San Diego Genealogical Society since 1988. He also held the positions of Second Vice-President (1990) and Treasurer.


Peter H. Steelquist
SDGS President Apr 2002 - 2007

Peter Hildreth Steelquist, a native San Diegan, is the son of Dr. John Harold Steelquist and Marie Lucile Hildreth.

Peter joined the San Diego Genealogical Society in 1990 and is a life member. He was the longest serving President in the Society's history. Peter was editor for the Society's Newsletter from 2003 through 2009. He has a family history website.


Marna L. Clemons
SDGS President 2008-2011

Marna Lynn Clemons, has been a San Diego Genealogical Society member since 1992. 

Marna served the Society as Program Director (1994 and 1997-1999) and as editor 
(2005- ) of the Society's quarterly publication of San Diego County historical and genealogical records, San Diego Leaves & Saplings. She coordinated the project that resulted in the Society's publication El Cajon Cemetery, San Diego County, California (2007).

During Marna's term as SDGS President, the Society moved its library from El Cajon to the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego; an agreement was negotiated with the San Diego Public Library to place the SDGS genealogical collection in the new main library; and the Society grew to over 600 members.

Marna was the County Coordinator (2008-2017) for the San Diego County section of the CAGenWeb Project, a website of records and resources for genealogy research in and about San Diego County, California. She maintained several personal websites -

Calvary Cemetery, San Diego, California

 
CLEMENT Genealogy - William CLEMENT (d. 1760) of Amelia County, Virginia -
A Study of His Descendants
Manuel Cueto "El Hombre Diablo"
 

 
Diane McClure-Lott
SDGS President 2012 - 2015

Diane McClure-Lott is a Native San Diegan but first generation in America. Her heritage is German with her father born in Temesvar, Hungary (Now Romania) and her mother in Herzegovac, Hungarian province/protectorate under Austro-Hungary Empire (Now Croatia). In 1989 she married Jeff Lott and they live in San Diego. Jeff was born in Puyallup, WA and decided to make San Diego his home when he left the Navy and ended his tour of duty in San Diego.

Diane's initial interest was in junior high school when she read the church funeral notice about her grandmother, Anna Marie Binder Bauer. Real work on genealogy occurred prior to computers when written requests of archives, libraries, newspapers, funeral homes, and government agencies. “Computers and the internet make genealogical research so much more rewarding.“ she says. She uses an Apple computer and the Reunion genealogy program for research.

Diane joined the society in 2008 and took the position of secretary and also held positions of Special Events director, Newsletter editor, and Seminar manager.  Diane has a blog called Glimpses on the Horizon.

Diane has an interest in travel, gardening and cooking.  She specializes in Hungarian recipes. Her travels have taken her throughout Europe mostly while reacquainting herself with family still living in Germany, Croatia and Hungary and conducting family history research.

“When coming home from Hungary I always buy authentic paprika for cooking,” she says.

She is a member of the House of Hungary in Balboa Park and several genealogical societies. 

 

 
David Tooley
SDGS President 2016 - 2017

David Tooley was born in a small town on the South Coast of Wales in Mid February 1943. Him and his family lived in another small town near the Vale of Glamorgan from 1943 to 1947.  He gives a sincere nod of the head and tip of the hat to all those servicemen especially air men who stopped that German madman from bombing him out of existence.

In 1948 his English born Dad and Welsh born Mum decided to emigrate to America. Mum’s family had “gone over” after 1929. They boarded the Queen Elizabeth 1 in Southampton on the 3rd of January 1948 and after five days of wintery North Atlantic weather they landed in New York for a new life.   They took a train trip to Wauwatosa, a neighborhood of Milwaukee Wisconsin. Within a few months, his Dad found a shell of a 2 story red brick home in West Allis, another neighborhood of Milwaukee. His Dad was employed by/at The Allis-Chalmers Company. For the decade of the 1950’s they lived and got older and taller in this home.  The family came to San Diego for a visit and settled here in July 1960. David married wife Sharon in 1963. He was off to NAS Willow Grove outside Philadelphia for 3 years active duty, then back home to San Diego,  Job change to Houston Texas in 1968 then back home to San Diego in 1982…”I ain’t leavin’ “ he said.

David doesn’t remember what started him on the genealogy quest. He does remember going to the LDS Bookstore Research Library round top building in North Park and doing everything by hand. He did a small amount and then walked away from it for years, then computers entered his life.  Family Tree Maker was his choice. He joined both the Genealogical and Computer Genealogical Societies and held his hand up to President at both societies.

David has found info on both Welsh and English sides back to the late 1700’s in Britain and has found wife Sharon’s line back to the early 1600’s in Massachusetts.  He keeps whacking away at the brick walls. “Have to do virtually all from the net. Twist my cousin’s arms in Britain for help. It’s a sideline in my life not a compulsion. Iechyd Da and Cheers”   

 
 
Diane McClure-Lott
SDGS President 2018 - 2021

Diane McClure-Lott is a Native San Diegan but first generation in America. Her heritage is German with her father born in Temesvar, Hungary (Now Romania) and her mother in Herzegovac, Hungarian province/protectorate under Austro-Hungary Empire (Now Croatia). In 1989 she married Jeff Lott and they live in San Diego. Jeff was born in Puyallup, WA and decided to make San Diego his home when he left the Navy and ended his tour of duty in San Diego.

Diane's initial interest was in junior high school when she read the church funeral notice about her grandmother, Anna Marie Binder Bauer. Real work on genealogy occurred prior to computers when written requests of archives, libraries, newspapers, funeral homes, and government agencies. “Computers and the internet make genealogical research so much more rewarding.“ she says. She uses an Apple computer and the Reunion genealogy program for research.

Diane joined the society in 2008 and took the position of secretary and also held positions of Special Events director, Newsletter editor, and Seminar manager. She also served as President 2012 -2015. Diane has a blog called Glimpses on the Horizon.

Diane has an interest in travel, gardening and cooking.  She specializes in Hungarian recipes. Her travels have taken her throughout Europe mostly while reacquainting herself with family still living in Germany, Croatia and Hungary and conducting family history research.

“When coming home from Hungary I always buy authentic paprika for cooking,” she says.

She is a member of the House of Hungary in Balboa Park and several genealogical societies.


 
 

Dianne Ekberg Arnold

SDGS President 2022-2023


Dianne Ekberg Arnold is a native of North Dakota. Her four grandparents were born in Sweden and settled in Minnesota and North Dakota. She was raised on the farm that her paternal grandparents homesteaded in 1908. Dianne’s interest in family history was sparked by her mother who corresponded with family members in Sweden and did her research by letter with various repositories there. She also has a cousin who did research in the 1960s by visiting courthouses and cemeteries in ND and MN and provided typed copies of Family Group Sheets (a lot of hard work!).

Dianne graduated from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband, Bob, both spent their corporate careers in Minneapolis-St Paul and bought a retirement home in San Diego where their grandchildren live. 

Dianne caught the computer bug in college and was the first executive in the bank she worked for to use computers for analysis and forecasting. She wrote some of her own programs and actively used VisiCalc, an early spreadsheet application. It was only a matter of time until she could combine her interest in computers with family history research. Her other personal passion is photography and the digital darkroom was just the icing on the cake. Today she can be found photographing travel and wildlife all over the world. Her family history trips have included multiple visits to Sweden and many trips in the United States to meet “cousins.”

In collaboration with cousins, she has published family histories & stories for her maternal line and her father’s paternal line. Her current project is a history of her maternal grandmother’s life and ancestry. She uses Legacy Family Tree for her family history database and subscribes to several online genealogy research sites. 

Dianne joined SDGS in 2014 when the Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego merged into SDGS. She had been a member of CGSSD since about 2005. She is also a member of several other genealogy societies.



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