Columbine’s History

Columbine Genealogical and Historical Society was founded more than 50 years ago, in 1973 by three Littleton, Colorado, genealogy friends, Geraldine ‘Gerry’ White, Virginia Rothfus and Barbara Brown. It was decided right at the beginning to pursue historical knowledge as well as genealogical, and that meetings would be held in the daytime. Our founders’ vision led to an active and productive enterprise that continues to enrich the community today.

Membership grew rapidly as the years passed. Columbine adopted bylaws, received non-profit status, and grew its income with fundraising efforts. Group trips to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City became a regular event for many years. The popular annual membership teas were the holiday social season highlight for a long time (see photo).

December 1993 Social — Group photo from Columbine’s December 1993 Holiday Social celebrating our 20th Anniversary.

An early alliance with the Bemis Public Library in Littleton was formed, and Columbine held its meetings there for its first 22 years. During those years the society contributed thousands of genealogy books and materials to the library, resulting in the first-class research collection we enjoy today. Columbine remains active in genealogy book contributions to Bemis, the Denver Public Library and Englewood Library.

Genealogy education has remained a key objective of the society. Over the years members have enjoyed thousands of instructive programs and workshops presented by a wide range of experts.

Our sizable membership allowed the undertaking of monumental local research and publishing projects that resulted in a number of prestigious national awards. Through our membership’s tremendous efforts, genealogy and history research books have been compiled and published in conjunction with the Colorado State Archives, Colorado Historical Society, Arapahoe County, Littleton Cemetery and Littleton area churches and mortuary.

The Columbine of Today:

The pandemic of 2020-2021 took a toll on many in-person groups, and it caused us to re-axamine and revise our overall approaches to our core mission. Technological improvement was going to be at the heart of our future success. We started by adding the option for people to attend our meetings via Zoom.

We adopted an overall strategic plan that we continue to work at implementing. We put into place an online membership system that also gives a professional look to our communications with members; we shortened our name to Columbine Genealogy; we renamed our informative quarterly newsletter to “Family Footprints;” we started offering meeting videos online for members; and we adopted a sharp new logo.

We celebrated our 50th year in 2023, and we continue to work at keeping the society vital. We have not abandoned our basics. Today the society continues to serve its members’ research needs and promote family research. New members continue to appear at our meetings, seeking to grow their genealogy skills and share in the warm fellowship that has always been a hallmark of Columbine Genealogy.