Below is one of my favourite photos - Arnold and Orlo at Ardgowan Garden Party, July 2000.
Recently Orlo passed away - the following is tribute by Ian Scott which appeared in the Guardian newspaper on March 14, 2015.
The Orlo Jones Awards mentioned below was established many, many years ago by Arnold Smith in honour of Orlo.
Genealogist
left huge mark
Letters to
the Editor (The Guardian) Published on March 14, 2015
The recent passing of Orlo
Jones reminded me of her many contributions to the Island. Some readers will
recall her regular column in this paper on genealogy several decades ago.
During the 1980s I had the pleasure of working with Orlo during her time as
professional genealogist for the Museum and Heritage Foundation at
Beaconsfield.
She led an effort supported
by volunteers to index (alphabetically on index cards) every written record of
genealogical importance in the province. The Master Name Index continued after
her retirement and is now over a million records strong; having moved to the
Provincial Archives it remains a major guide to locating information for P.E.I.
family history research.
During the pre-internet era, Orlo responded
to the inquiries from across the continent providing genealogical research as
well as assisting those able to access the growing resources in person. Many
would arrive here after having corresponded for several years with Orlo, often
in awe of her abilities and knowledge.
Some of these individuals had
lost any connection to their Island roots two or three generations ago and were
amazed that she could put them in touch with a local cousin or two with a just
a phone call. Quick to realize that few standards for researchers existed she
led the way along with Dr. Terry Punch from N.S. and others in the region in
establishing certification standards for the profession.
It is quite fitting that the
highest award that can be granted to a genealogist by the P.E.I. Genealogical
Society remains the Orlo Jones Award.
Ian Scott, Charlottetown
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