Article published December 16, 2005

In Memorium - Carole Crawford Callard

The genealogical community lost a dear friend and supporter on Saturday December 10th, 2005 when Carole Crawford Callard, age 64 died. Our first loss came in June when Carole retired from the Library of Michigan. Carole’s love of genealogy and passion was contagious.

Born in West Virginia, Carole started her library career in Ann Arbor in the early ‘70s. After working at the Ann Arbor Public Library and in the documents department at the University of Michigan, Carole began working at the Library of Michigan in 1984. She took an early retirement from her position as the genealogy and documents supervisor in 1995 and went on to work as a Federal Depository Library inspector and as a reference librarian at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. The Abrams Foundation helped lure Carole back to the Library of Michigan by funding the genealogy specialist position in 1997.

Carole traveled extensively on behalf of the Library of Michigan and the Abrams Foundation Historical Collection, lecturing at local, state and national genealogical conferences. In 2004 she made more than 50 presentations, educating researchers on the treasures located within the Library of Michigan. In 2003 Carole was awarded the prestigious William Filby Award, given annually by the National Genealogical Society to a librarian who best represents excellence in genealogical service. Most recently, Wayne State University presented her with a Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to the Michigan library community during her career and for her work in developing a class for future librarians focusing on genealogical research.

When profiled in the Michigan Genealogist news in the Summer of 2005, Randy Riley, special collections manager stated, "The beauty of Carole is that she is a real person." "It doesn’t matter how many awards she has won or how experienced you are at doing research. Carole wants to help everyone."

Carole’s years of dedicated service have played a large role in developing the Library of Michigan as one of the leading genealogy collections in the country. She will definitely be missed.

Carole's obituary, published in the Lansing State Journal, December 11, is provided below.

Callard, Carole Crawford Lansing, MI Age 64, died December 10, 2005; born August 8, 1941 in Charleston, WV. Carole was a well-known and respected Librarian and Genealogist for many years, before retiring in June from the Library of Michigan. She is survived by her daughters, Susan (Martin) Philp of Tecumseh and Anne Cottongim of Northville and sister, Rosemary (William) Marquart of Hilton Head, SC. Memorial services will be celebrated Wednesday, December 14, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Mary's Cathedral, 219 Seymour, Lansing, with the Rev. George C. Michalek officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church, as well as on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Home, 900 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing. Scripture Services will be held Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Those desiring may make contributions to the Carole Callard Endowment Fund, c/o Library of Michigan Foundation.

Source: contributed by a Global Gazette reader.