MONROE - Donna Kjendlie has been interested in family history for more than 50 years.
As president of the Green County Genealogical Society, she and other members of the organization help people learn about family ancestors and local history.
She was recognized for her life-time of work April 16 when she was inducted into the Virginia V. Irvin Volunteer Hall of Fame by the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, Manitowoc.
The award mentioned her long-time membership in the Rock County Genealogical Society, the Walworth County Genealogical Society, the German Interest Group and for helping to organize the Green County Genealogical Society.
She and other Green County Genealogical Society members collect information from newspapers, school records, cemetery records and local history books. They pass that information on to others, she said.
"I enjoy researching history," Kjendlie said.
In accepting her award, she explained that an aunt once told her she should be a teacher. In some ways, she is, Kjendlie said.
"Teaching to me is sharing knowledge, whether it is with a group of 30 or sitting down one-on-one and helping someone find more information on their family," she said.
As a teenager she asked her grandmother to tell her about life in Germany. Several years later she learned about her family's history in Green County. Her passion for learning about her family history has never waned.
One of the highlights of her search for family history was when she was able to sit in the same church in Germany, built in 1248, where her ancestors worshipped many, many years ago.
She said it was an emotional moment for her.
It was a feeling she wants to pass on to other people as she helps them find information about their family.
As president of the Green County Genealogical Society, she and other members of the organization help people learn about family ancestors and local history.
She was recognized for her life-time of work April 16 when she was inducted into the Virginia V. Irvin Volunteer Hall of Fame by the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, Manitowoc.
The award mentioned her long-time membership in the Rock County Genealogical Society, the Walworth County Genealogical Society, the German Interest Group and for helping to organize the Green County Genealogical Society.
She and other Green County Genealogical Society members collect information from newspapers, school records, cemetery records and local history books. They pass that information on to others, she said.
"I enjoy researching history," Kjendlie said.
In accepting her award, she explained that an aunt once told her she should be a teacher. In some ways, she is, Kjendlie said.
"Teaching to me is sharing knowledge, whether it is with a group of 30 or sitting down one-on-one and helping someone find more information on their family," she said.
As a teenager she asked her grandmother to tell her about life in Germany. Several years later she learned about her family's history in Green County. Her passion for learning about her family history has never waned.
One of the highlights of her search for family history was when she was able to sit in the same church in Germany, built in 1248, where her ancestors worshipped many, many years ago.
She said it was an emotional moment for her.
It was a feeling she wants to pass on to other people as she helps them find information about their family.