Skip to main content

Heilner, Sanford Joseph, 1936-1985

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1936 - 1985

Biographical History

Sanford Joseph Heilner (1936-1985) was an entrepreneur and genealogist.

Sanford Joseph Heilner was born on April 21, 1936, to Sanford and Marion Yancey Heilner. He was raised in Baker, Oregon. In 1956, when he was 19, he was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stuttgart, Germany. While there he learned to love not only the German people but the German language. As always he learned it perfectly and used it throughout his life. Upon his return from his mission, Sanford completed his college education at Brigham Young University, married Margaret Madsen, had a family, and became successful in his professional life. Around 1977, he decided to teach himself to read Old German script in order to translate over 1000 family letters. He and Margaret visited Germany several times to facilitate this project. Sanford died October 26, 1985, at the age of 49.

Citation:
UPB files, August 2012 (born April 21, 1936; entrepreneur; genealogist; creative as a child; taught himself to read Old German Script; son of Sanford and Marion Heilner; raised in Baker Oregon; attended Brigham Young University; served a mission in Stuggart, Germany; married and had children; translated Heilner family letters; took trips to Germany; verified information in Germany; made contributions to art, music, film, and historical research; died October 26, 1985)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Sanford Joseph Heilner and Claire Heilner Freedman historical background on Heilner family, approximately 1813-2010

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 6721 Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Materials include photographs, maps, genealogy, and other collected documents and publications, including written historical narrative on Germany and the family of Aron Heilner. Dated from approximately 1813 to 2009.

Dates: approximately 1813-2010
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 6721, Sanford Joseph Heilner and Claire Heilner Freedman collection on the Aron Heilner family / Aron Heilner family letters and documents

Filtered By

  • Subject: Maps X

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.