Lathrop's work will continue to benefit public

Dear Editor:

Some of our readers may not be aware of the fact that we have lost a great genealogist for this area. Wilma Lathrop of Sheldon died this week. She has researched and compiled many books from their original records. She did this before the time of computers and of many things that we take for granted today that make researching and compiling much easier.

She was one of the first people who helped me learn how to use public records and what was available. She invited me to use her private collection. I was amazed at all she had done, but she related to me that she was losing her eyesight and was no longer able to research.

She worried what might happen to her books and wondered if the genealogy society would be interested. At that time, we were Tri-County Genealogy, but since have consolidated to Cedar and Vernon County Genealogical Society.

She named me a price, which I considered a mere pittance for all she had to offer. The genealogy group went to work trying to raise the amount, and with the help of the Missouri State Genealogical Society and The Finis Moss Trust, we were able to purchase her collection in January of 2005. These resources are now available to be used by researchers in the Nevada Library, and a lot of documents have also been placed in the El Dorado Library.

If you have not done so, visit the local libraries and see how many things have Wilma Lathrop's name on them as the author. The work that she has done is invaluable to the community and will benefit researchers in the years to come. I am sad at her passing and wish to express appreciation for her work.

Sincerely,

Neoma Foreman