Our History
On 14 November 1983, "The Family History Society of Arizona" was officially registered as a trade name in the State of Arizona. It was on behalf of William K. Smith, and the certifying document was signed by Arizona Secretary of State Rose Mofford. William was President of the then unincorporated organization and Brian L. Killoran was Vice President.
The Family History Society of Arizona's life as an incorporated non-profit organization began on December 20th, 1984, when the Society's Articles of Incorporation were signed by William and Brian as the Society's incorporators. Named in the document as directors were Lucy L. Ansley and Dennis Courville.
Brian Killoran became the incorporated Society's first President (name pronounced Kil-Loran). Brian served from December 1984 to February 1987.
Since that time there have been 16 Presidents. Lucy Ansley 1987 and 1988, Elizabeth Kirkpatrick 1989 and 1990, Geri McNerney 1991, Janna Larson 1992 and 1993, Angie Olds 1994 and 1995, Linda Swain 1996, 1997 and 1998, Barbara Whittaker 1999, Jerry Minnis 2000, Lynn White 2001, Suzanne Siders 2002, Jim Morey 2003 and 2004, Helen Seaton 2005, Margaret Rennaker 2006 and 2007, Susi Fathauer 2008 and 2009, Karen Blackmore 2010 and 2011, Marilyn Senn 2012, Suzanne Brayer 2012 and 2014, Roseanne Hein 2015 and 2016, Richard Young 2017 and 2018, John Buck 2019 and 2020, Katie Gertz 2021 - 2026.
From the President's Notebook:
Here is a list of the Founding Members of the Family History Society of Arizona:
| 1. William K. Smith 2. Brian Killoran 3. Dennis Courville 4. Fay Arellano 5. Kent Myrick 6. Anna Cotton Day 7. Lucy Ansley 8. Jan Johnson 9. Peggy Giawronski 10. Dorothy Crumb 11. Joan Dewitt 12. Floyd Grooms 13. Lucille Grooms 14. Carolyn Bibby 15. Grace Hovey 16. Curtis Yancy 17. Wanda Yancy 18. James Simpson | 19. Ruth Simpson 20. Jean Thompson 21. Marrill Davison 22. Frank Applebee 23. Helma Applebee 24. John Canaday 25. Patricia Canaday 26. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick 27. Robert Kirkpatrick 28. Frances Langford 29. Toni Adams 30. Cecil Kendall 31. Catherine Kendall 32. Shearon Vaughn 33. Clayton La Count 34. Kay La Count 35. Rita Brown 36. Dorothy Easterling | 37. Alice Hughes 38. Dorothy Finch 39. Clara Keil 40. Barbara Mandalfina 41. Kathleen Morrow 42. Joanne Francis 43. Thomas Keil 44. Bobbie Harris 45. Donald Berdine 46. Marjorie Berdine 47. Bobbie Madney 48. Sally Ryan 49. David Dubell 50. Patricia Dubell 51. Pat Delgado 52. Jean Stinson |
This is a list of Charter Members of Family History Society of Arizona who joined in 1984:
Jean Jeffers; David Bakewell; Linda McCleary*; Rita Ackerman; Helen Cavaness; Eleanor Keller; Howard Bowers; Janna Larson; Wilola Follett; Donna Wood; Teresa Rogers; Edith Sparrow; Marge Goble; Phil Barnes; Ruby Gordon; Susanna Robins; Lola Walker; Harry Braddock; Clara Jones; Susan Anderson; Lynn White*; Maxine Luck; Dale Grismore; Marian Wittenberger; Eugene Remick; Randall Kightlinger; Fran Preimsburg; Mary Macleish.
*These people are current members of the Family History Society of Arizona.