Guarding the Stories of Lewis County Janey Clark’s Quiet Legacy

Written by Brenda S. Bear (brendasbear@gmail.com). Please do not copy or share my writing without my permission. Thank you for reading my stories.

A few months ago, I read an article by Bill Tom Stone titled “Where Are All the Volunteers?” It made me think of someone many of us should already know. Let me introduce you to Mrs. Janey Clark.

Every Friday and Saturday, you can find her at 39 Market Street in downtown Vanceburg, the same place she has faithfully volunteered since 2008. For 18 years, this remarkable woman has quietly dedicated her time and energy to the Lewis County Historical Society, helping ensure that the stories, families, and heritage of our community are not lost or forgotten.

Janey retired after 41 years at the Vanceburg Shoe Factory. “I went to work two days after my 18th birthday,” she told me. Her father was an ironworker, and her mother also worked at the shoe factory. “It wasn’t really what I wanted to do,” Janey said, “but I felt obligated.” She also spent two years working at Marting’s Department Store. Janey resides in Quincy, KY and has lived in Lewis County most of her life.

In 2008, Janey was asked to join the Historical Society. At the time, she planned to volunteer just a day or two now and then. She went home and told her husband, Ronnie, she would help the organization a couple of days each month. Before long, Janey found herself spending more time at the Historical Society taking on responsibilities and projects that many would find overwhelming. What began as a small commitment soon became a mission.

When Janey first started, there was only one computer in the building, and it was “covered up.” Today, the Historical Society has four computers that are used regularly as part of the ongoing work of preserving and organizing Lewis County’s history.

One accomplishment she is especially proud of is rescuing the plaque from the 1930 Garrison Bridge when it was torn down and replaced. Today, she carefully safeguards a display featuring the plaque, photographs of the old bridge, and the story behind it, a small but important piece of the county’s past preserved for future generations.

Janey will turn 85 years old in June, yet her dedication hasn’t slowed. When I asked her why she spends so much time at the Historical Society, her answer was simple, “To preserve our history, when it is gone, it is gone.” She added, “When I was in school, I hated history. There was nothing that pertained to Lewis County or my family.” In the1970s when her husband Ronnie needed help researching his family, Janey discovered she enjoyed the work behind the records and the research. “Back then you had to do the legwork,” she said. “Going to the library, searching old books, and talking with family members.”

One of Janey’s largest and most time-consuming projects has been compiling local death and burial records. She has organized them alphabetically into three sections, each more than 800 pages, a task she has taken on entirely by herself. For families researching their ancestors, this work is invaluable.

Janey is also proud that the Historical Society houses most of the Lewis County High School yearbooks, “Days of Daze,” starting with 1933 to the present. Only six years are missing. If anyone happens to have them, the Historical Society will gladly accept a donation. The missing years are 1969, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2000, and 2001.

She also spends countless hours helping people trace their family histories and discover connections to the past. Inside the Historical Society, visitors can explore cemetery records, census records, birth and death records, yearbooks, photographs and more. In addition, copies of the Lewis County Herald dating back to 1949, along with the Vanceburg Sun newspaper that reaches back into the 1800s.

The Lewis County Historical Society operates entirely through an annual membership of $15.00, along with the sale of books and historical materials, including family histories, genealogy records, church histories, and other documents that help piece together the story of our community.

For Janey, volunteering is something she truly enjoys. As she puts it, it is her “day out of the house.” But the truth is, she does far more than simply volunteer. Janey is a greeter, secretary, researcher, treasurer, editor of the “Shakin’ and Diggin’” newsletter, organizer, caretaker, and even the cleaner.

History does not preserve itself. It survives because people like Janey Clark care enough to protect it. We could all learn from this woman and admire her generosity. If you would like to learn more about your Lewis County Historical Society, you can contact Janey at janeyclark@windstream.net. The Historical Society is always looking for new members and volunteers. You can also reach them by mail at P.O. Box 362, Vanceburg, KY 41179. Donations are always appreciated and needed!