NORTH VERNON — As the new director of Jennings County Public Library’s genealogy department, Edward Kellar welcomes all to come in and start solving family mysteries.
“There are about as many different reasons to start a genealogy research project as there are people,” Kellar said.
Kellar assumed the reins of the department after longtime director Sheila Kell officially retired in late 2020.
“Everyone knows there will never be another Sheila. She had a one-of-kind way of doing this job and I don’t think there is anyone that could do it better," Kellar said. “I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn her techniques. Even after she retired, she came in about one day a week to help me get started. She still has her private business, so she often calls for something about her own research and I know I can call Sheila when I have a question."
Kellar began working part-time at the library in 1997 when the library was then in the Carnage Building that now serves as the City Government Center.
“Bette Eggleston gave me the job, then Larry Cunningham said he would hire me full time if I agreed to go back to school to get a master’s degree in library science," Kellar said.
Kellar worked on his master’s at Indiana University while employed and graduated in 2004. He held numerous positions including director of circulation and assistant JCPL director.
The Jennings County native still holds the job of assistant director in addition to the programmed 20 hours per week he spends working as the director of genealogy.
“We have a hybrid department of genealogy here at JCPL," Kellar said. "We have high-tech equipment and methods of research but we also have an extensive collection of original documents and also use traditional methods of research.”
History, historical research and genealogy have been hobbies for Kellar since he learned of his own family’s history.
Kellar’s local connection dates back to 1814 when Adam Kellar owned and operated the Grist Mill and the old Woolen Mill.
“My wife Lois’ family history in Jennings County territory even goes back further than mine," Kellar said. "Our families have been here even before the county was a county."
The Kellars now live in Hayden.
Over the past decade, the reputation of the effectiveness of the JCPL genealogy department has spread throughout the state and the nation. Calls for assistance now also come from far beyond Jennings County.
“I really do enjoy helping people to get started on their own projects and seeing their progress as they move along," Kellar said. "I also enjoy helping people untangle complex questions or mysteries they stumble into along the path of their research.
“While there are many different reasons any individual might start a family history, there is one thing most projects do have in common. There are almost always many surprises along the way of any family history."
