By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON/Community columnist

The Family History Center located at 190 Egg and Butter Road in Columbiana is a genealogist’s haven. Filled with records collected by The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, the center is open to the public for research every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

At the Shelby County 196th birthday celebration, LDS member Ricky Harmon presented the offer that LDS missionaries will prepare a free four-generation pedigree chart in a permanent folder for anyone who supplies some basic information. The chart takes two weeks to complete.

LDS missionaries are well known throughout Shelby County. Young men in ties with backpacks riding their bikes are often seen. Through a change in the age requirements of both men and women, young women are becoming missionaries in high numbers. Men can become missionaries at age 18 and women at age 19. Their service work lasts 18 months during which time they leave their homes and family. They can email home once a week and call home on Mother’s Day and Christmas.

Sister Tisdale from Utah and Sister Morgan from Oregon met each other for the first time when they became roommates and missionaries in the Shelby County area.

“We are on a buddy system,” Morgan said. “Sister Tisdale and I cannot be out of the sight and sound of each other. It is a great system and wonderful to have someone to lift you up.”

“I have loved Columbiana,” Tisdale said. “Everyone is so friendly. Southern hospitality is real. People here love God, love to talk about God and have a respect for other people’s views.”

The sisters have a long heritage in their faith.

“My maternal ancestors were first generation pioneers in America,” Tisdale said. “Those sisters gave their lives to cross the plains. I want to work as hard as I can so that their efforts were not in vain.”

“My family has deep roots in our faith,” Morgan said. “My pioneer ancestors traveled on the Trail of Hope across the Mississippi River.”

Call Sisters Morgan and Tisdale at 205-356-5913 for your pedigree chart.