Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
GARY HARRINGTON and Margaret Livingston, of the Gogebic Range Genealogical Society, in the background, accept a photo book about Ironwood's past from Ironwood native Diane Rigoni Oliphant.
By RALPH ANSAMI
Ironwood - A five-year project has preserved a great deal of Ironwood history for the Gogebic Range Genealogical Society.
A family book of photos and stories featuring Ironwood's Rigoni and Malmberg families has been donated to the society and is available to be viewed at the Ironwood Depot Museum.
Over the past several years, Diane Rigoni Oliphant has battled ALS, a debilitating disease. She currently resides in a Mellen Wis., care facility, while her husband, Stan, continues to live on Margaret Street in Ironwood.
Stan Oliphant reached out to Gary Harrington, president of the Gogebic Range Genealogical Society, for assistance in compiling the book.
Margaret Livingston, a member of the genealogical society, was also asked to help and she began to meet with Diane Oliphant, sorting through hundreds of photos and piecing together stories and vital information for the family book.
Harrington said during that time, Kathy Rigoni acted as a facilitator for the Oliphants, who have expressed their "utmost gratitude for what she has meant to the family."
After years of compilation, Diane Oliphant then presented the book to the genealogical society, which has it on display in the archives room of the Ironwood Historical Society.
"We call it 'Diane's book,'" Harrington said in a visit to the Daily Globe offices on Monday morning. In addition to being a valuable historical piece of the city, "It means a great deal to the family," Harrington said.
