Using a monetary gift left in her will, Mary Tomic’s legacy will live on at Stark Library. The Library will use this gift to digitize its genealogy collection so that individuals across the world will have easy online access to the wealth of materials available in the Library’s genealogy department.
Located in the County seat of Canton, Ohio, Stark Library has an extensive collection of historical documents and materials, including census information, birth and death records, tax records, deeds and abstracts, journals, military records, and so much more. The Library’s collection also includes recorded oral local histories. While some of the collection is digitized, there are many physical materials that are only available by visiting the Library’s genealogy department.
Mary Tomic’s parents, Andrew and Anna (Stiglich) Tomic, came to America from Croatia in 1919, and Ms. Tomic was a first generation United States citizen. After she graduated from Timken High School, Ms. Tomic received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Central Michigan University in Virginia. Eventually, she moved to Washington D.C. and enjoyed a three-decade career working for the government, which eventually took her to Germany, where she worked in the American Embassy.
“My aunt loved history,” reports Mary’s nephew, Joe Gerzina. “She loved reading and research was a passion for her.” Joe said that while she lived in Germany, Ms. Terzich worked hard to find their ancestors and ancestral home in Croatia. After she retired, Ms. Tomic volunteered at the National Archives for 15 years, and was an active volunteer for the Friends of the Library.
Mary Ellen Icaza, CEO and Executive Director of the Library says, “Given her history, the Library wanted to honor Mary’s gift by using the funds to create a service that would allow her legacy to live on. Stark Memory is a perfect fit.”
Stark Memory is an online resource built on a premier database platform created by OCLC, a global library cooperative that provides shared technology services to libraries and communities. This platform allows libraries to share documents, images, video and audio files, and add metadata, making genealogical and historical researchers to easily search for and access this information.
“The generous donation from Mary’s family is going to have a big impact on the ability for us to share and preserve some of the unique collections we have here at the library,” states Stephanie Houck, Genealogy and Special Service manager. “These collections include photographs, writings, and oral histories that will be available online anytime anywhere. It is an exciting time for those researching local history!“
Stark Memory will be available early in 2022. For more information, visit StarkLibrary.org.
