A NEWSLETTER CREATED BY MARY DURLAND
TO DOCUMENT HER FAMILY HISTORY AND SHARE IT
Mary Durland (Kauss) was always interested in family history and for many years she researched and collected genealogical information, documents and historical photos of her immediate and extended family. In 1996, she created the newsletter “Know Your Roots” to share her research with members of her family and to preserve her efforts for future generations.
The newsletter was initially published four times a year, and each issue focused on one branch of the family tree. In 2000, she increased her efforts to five issues a year. The newsletters contain family histories, genealogical charts, sociological tidbits and old photographs, along with her personal notes. They were published in paper format from 1996 through 2004, when Mary decided to take a break.
Shortly before her 90th birthday, her ancestors began talking to Mary once again, and she realized she still had many stories to tell. Working with her nephew Jerry Larkin, she decided to once again publish the newsletters, only this time online. Since July 2009, Mary has been posting newsletters once a month and regularly updating a blog and "messages pages" with her personal memories and notes from her family on this website.
In addition to the newsletters, Mary also has several other family related publications to her credit. Mary’s family is privileged to have such a dedicated family historian to provide records of their family background that includes the names and faces along with glimpses into the personalities of their ancestors.
Mary Durland has always stated that genealogy is her passion, and that sharing it is a labor of love. The heritage she lovingly shares through her research and writings are a cherished legacy.
Virginia Kauss Caudill
November 2009
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Mary Durland passed away on October 2, 2023 at the age of 104. One of her many legacies that she leaves behind is this rich and detailed history of our Durland and Schueneman ancestors to be enjoyed and cherished by future generations of our family.)