BLOOMFIELD — The UDWI REMC Community Fund has recently awarded $1,800 to the Clay County Genealogical Society, Inc. (CCGS). CCGS used these new funds to purchase high-quality metal bookends to preserve, protect, and properly display county historical records.
“Metal bookends may seem simple, but they play a critical role in protecting fragile materials,” said Tonia Tucker, president of CCGS. “Durable bookends keep books upright and prevent warping, reduce stress on aging bindings, protect rare and irreplaceable genealogical volumes, and help to improve airflow and reduce moisture buildup on shelves.”
Founded in 1980, the Clay County Genealogical Society is a non-profit volunteer-run organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and sharing the history and heritage of families in Clay County and surrounding counties in Indiana. Through its preservation work, the organization hopes to protect records so that future generations can access the stories of the ancestors that shaped their communities.
“For far too long, our families have had stories that have been tucked away in family houses, dusty attics, and forgotten boxes,” said Tucker. “We have the tools and resources to explore those stories in greater detail, to uncover the people who shaped the communities we call home, and to make them accessible to everyone.”
CCGS maintains thousands of irreplaceable documents, including over 3,800 books and 500-plus family histories; census records from 1820 to 1950; cemetery records; obituaries dating back to the early 1800s; naturalization papers, funeral home records, WPA birth/marriage/ death indexes; and access to microfilm, surname files, and rare local documents.
The organization also utilizes volunteers to give visitors research assistance— geared for both beginners and those more experienced with research. Other major volunteer opportunities include cataloging and digitizing materials, updating cemetery and obituary records, recording tombstones and mapping cemetery locations, and supporting the society’s social media and online outreach.
Outside of volunteer opportunities, the CCGS hosts regular community events. Upcoming events in August and September are:
- Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m. — Barbara Pell Campbell presents “The Kieser Trunk,” exploring the origins and family history connected to this local heirloom.
- Sunday, September 6, 2026, 11:30 a.m. — Clay County Genealogy Sunday Dinner at Saline City Park, Saline City, Indiana. The menu includes pulled pork, pulled chicken, green beans, mac and cheese, and applesauce for $12 per person.
- Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 1:00 p.m. — CCGS Secretary Dawn Garrigus presents a program on the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), one of the nation’s oldest lineage-based service organizations.
Those interested in learning more about events, volunteering, or joining as a member can visit the library in person (Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), reach out via email, or connect through the Clay County Indiana Genealogy Library Facebook page.
“Funded through memberships, donations for research, and grants, the Clay County Genealogical Society is doing meaningful work— tracking history for all 92 counties in the state,” said Byron Goodman, UDWI REMC Community Fund Trustee. “Visiting the organization, it was clear that they were very grateful for our grant. We cannot thank members enough for contributing to the Community Fund and supporting community organizations like this one.”
To donate to the Community Fund, UDWI REMC members can participate in the RoundUp Program, which allows cooperative members to round up to the nearest whole dollar on their electric bills. The money accumulated is then awarded to various nonprofit organizations— determined by the UDWI REMC Community Fund Board (separate from UDWI REMC staff and Board of Directors).
The latest round of UDWI REMC Community Fund grant recipients for the past quarter are: Scotland Historical Society; PACE Community Action Agency; Pantry 279, Inc.; Salvation Army – Greene County Service Extension; Middle Way House, Inc.; Eastern Greene Elementary School; Knights of Columbus Council #1166; Clay County Genealogical Society, Inc.; Summer Food Program for Bloomfield Community Kids; Friends of the Library; ReBuilt Recovery & Discipleship Corporation; Bloomfield School District Police Department; and Springville Community Association.
The UDWI REMC Community Fund, Inc. is now accepting applications for its next grant cycle. All nonprofit businesses in UDWI REMC’s service area are encouraged to apply. Please visit www.udwiremc.com to learn more about the program and to start an application.
