Dorothy Smith

Built in c.1870, this house is an example of a two-story crossing, "L" in plan, with an eclectic collection of detail on the exterior. The structure is covered by a straight mansard roof with a hipped crown, which is pierced by gable dormers on all facades, typical of the picturesque Second Empire style. Articulated by a wide wood frieze and evenly spaced wood scroll-cut brackets, the roof covers the exterior fired brick and adobe walls which are supported on a stone foundation. The main facade is graced by a hip roof porch, which runs the length of the flanking wing. It is composed of decorative lathe-turned wood posts with scroll-cut bracketed capitals, and decorative frieze and porch railing reminiscent of the Queen Anne style. Original windows, most of which remain in place, are tall two-over-two single hung assemblies with segmental arched heads on the main floor and pedimental heads on the upper.

With her family's biannual reunion several months away, reunion organizer Tonna Bounds used Kindex to hold an on-site digitization event in Delta, Utah--a "family scanning party". Weeks before the event, Kindex provided a "Call for Records" image to promote the event. When families arrived with records, Kindex created an inventory of owners and items to be scanned. Records were gathered from New York, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. Soon all scanners were busy, and several family volunteers--including youth--jumped in to help. Family members now have access to more than 30 gigabytes of records they had never before seen. Tonna exclaimed, "How can I explain something that took place at our past reunion that was so futuristic in thought and action? People don't understand its potential--jaw dropping in thought! Aunt Zelda and Uncle Ivo's history was destroyed, but their lost histories can now be pieced together with even more force than could be imagined."

Among the many documents Dorothy Clark left behind was a handwritten list of attempts to be published. She sent articles to church magazines and the Reader's Digest--but not once was she published. As an amateur artist, Dorothy never had an art exhibit beyond the walls of her own home. Her handwritten letters--hundreds to family & friends--sat folded up in boxes for years. Her amazing life never made headlines. Her records are not held in any institutional archive. She was however a leader worth following--a mother worth remembering. She deserves an archive. What about your records? If family records are kept, they are often at risk of being lost, damaged, or forgotten. How will you ensure your records are preserved? Do your photos, journals, diaries, letters, and other precious family records deserve an archive? Do you deserve to be remembered? The answer is Yes. Kindex brings amazing archival tools to everyday families, making their records more accessible and relevant than ever.