Exonian Profiles
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David Putnam ’59: ‘Family Matters’
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT, is the world’s largest genealogical reference library. To David Putnam ’59, its collection of 2.4 million microfilmed records, 310,000 books and 4,500 periodicals make it a place of exhilaration and wonder. As a family history librarian there, Putnam meets people from all over the world who come to the library to learn about their ancestors. Putnam actually retired two years ago after 30 years of service at the library, which is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But almost immediately, he returned to his former job as a part-time volunteer. “I love to help people who have a passion for family history,” he says. “Every request is like a Sherlock Holmes’ case to solve.” Genealogy is no longer a matter of poring through dusty manuscripts and records. The library has 50 computers on each of its five floors, and these computers are available for use by the public. Putnam said people can also find help with their research at the library’s Family History Centers located in over 4,000 cities throughout the world. The centers are listed on the library’s Internet site, www. familysearch.org. But it is the personal contact that excites Putnam most. “When visitors come to the library,” he says, “we can spend some time with them and really get them started on their research. Every request is unique in some way, but often people are looking for the name of an ancestor’s parents. Beyond that, many visitors are interested in where their family member came from.” The library has records available from the United States, Canada, the British Isles, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and many other nations. Putnam points out that a majority of the library’s records contain information about persons living before 1930, with some records stretching back to the early1500s, enabling some library patrons to trace back their ancestors over several hundred years. Many of the library’s vast databases are also available on the library’s website. Patrons can also search other databases, such as the one maintained by the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. One recent visitor to that site found not only the name of the ship that carried her great-uncle to America, but also his height and eye color, who paid his passage and where he resided upon arrival. In addition to assisting library patrons with their research, Putnam also enjoys revising the research outlines for the United States and Canada. The library publishes such guides for every state and Canadian province, and for many other countries as well. These, too, are available for free on the library’s website. A Dartmouth graduate and former teacher, Putnam returned to school at Brigham Young University to study history, geography and genealogy to prepare himself for his position at the library. But the sense of service that he brings to his work, he says, was strongly influenced by Exeter. “Exeter’s inspiring values left a powerful impression on my young mind and heart,” he says. “I remember reading in 1963 about Principal Saltonstall going to Africa with the Peace Corps. I had tremendous respect for him, and was impressed by his desire to serve. That example of non sibi has remained with me. Today, I find my greatest happiness as I lose myself in serving others.” — Julie Quinn |
