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VanderBeek, Helen Free, 1944-

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1944-

Biographical History

Helen Free VanderBeek (born 1944) is a journalist and family historian in Idaho. Helen goes by several names, including: Helen Free VanderBeek, Helen Free VanderBeek Kerr, Helen LaRae Free VanderBeek Kerr, and LaRae Kerr.

Helen LaRae Free VanderBeek Kerr was born in 1944. She graduated from Brigham Young Academy High School in 1962. She received a scholarship to Brigham Young University where she attended and received her BA in Clothing and textiles in 1966. In 1970, she received a BA in English from Brigham Young University. In 1991, she received a BA from Brigham Young University-Idaho in General Studies. Helen later went on to receive her Master's degree in Education from Idaho State University-Pocatello in 1993. She married Ronald Vanderbeek, and they had three children, but were later divorced. After her divorce, she married Walter Kerr (which changed her married name to Helen Free VanderBeek Kerr). She has written several columns, her first column appearing in the Idaho Farm News. She was an adjunct professor at Ricks College and published a column there too. She also authored a book called Find Your Actual, Factual Ancestors: A Genealogy Journey in 8 Steps.

Citation:
Her George Allen Wadsworth--Pilley to Pananca, 1983: t.p. (Helen Free VanderBeek) verso t.p. (Idaho Falls, ID) p. 355 (Helen LaRae Free; b. 11/28/44; mar. R. Vander/Beek)

Helen Free VanderBeek papers, 1810-2001 (born in 1944; graduated from Brigham Young Academy High School in 1962; received a scholarship to Brigham Young University where she attended and received her BA in Clothing and textiles in 1966; 1970, received a BA in English from Brigham Young University; 1991, received a BA from Brigham Young University-Idaho in General Studies; later went on to receive her Master's degree in Education from Idaho State University-Pocatello in 1993; married Ronald Vanderbeek, and they had three children, but were later divorced; After her divorce, she married Walter Kerr (which changed her married name to Helen Free VanderBeek Kerr))

"Auntie LaRae's Free Family Blog," May 9, 2012 (has written several columns under the name LaRae Kerr, her first column appearing in the Idaho Farm News; adjunct professor at Ricks College and published a column there too; authored a book called Find your actual, factual ancestors: A genealogy journey in 8 steps) http://www.alfreefamily.blogspot.com/

Ancestry.com, May 9, 2012 (Helen LaRae Free, b. 1944)

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Helen Free VanderBeek correspondence, approximately 1966-2002

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6224 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains various letters to and from Vanderbeek. Correspondents include Robert Vanderbeek, Mary and Nicholas Smith, and Walter Kerr. Many of the letters just discuss daily life and family events, but several are also addressed to Helen when she served her mission to the Northwestern States Mission. Dated approximately 1966 to 2002.

Dates: approximately 1966-2002
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Helen Free VanderBeek papers

Helen Free VanderBeek pamphlets, approximately 1935-1980

 Series — Carton 8: Series 2; Series 3; Series 4 [Barcode: 31197232478823], Folder: 5-8
Identifier: MSS 6224 Series 3
Scope and Contents Contains various pamphlets from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding topics of importance, such as the plan of salvation, temple worship, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. Also includes one pamphlet distributed by the Provo Police on how to keep your house safe from burglars, three Priesthood genealogy handbooks, and an Era magazine. Also contains one book entitled "The Materials of the Artist and their Use in Painting with Notes on the Techniques of the Old Masters"...
Dates: approximately 1935-1980
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Helen Free VanderBeek papers

Helen Free VanderBeek papers on the Wadsworth family, approximately 1810-1982

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6224 Series 2
Scope and Contents Contains pedigrees and group sheets from the George Wadsworth family. Also contains correspondence of Helen Free Vanderbeek regarding research for family history, programs for Wadsworth family reunions, and other documents. Contains the founding documents for the George Wadsworth Family Organization, Inc. and tracks of the finances of this organization. There are records of genealogical work done, as well as photographs of family members and audio tapes with family memories, and school...
Dates: approximately 1810-1982
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Helen Free VanderBeek papers

Helen Free VanderBeek publications, approximately 1979-2001

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6224 Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains newspapers from Eastern Idaho that VanderBeek wrote articles for, including the Latter-day Trumpet and the Idaho Farm news for most of the year of 1980. All copies of the paper in this collection contain an article written by LaRae Kerr. Cassette tapes of various holidays, talks, radio programs done by VanderBeek, memorial services, and others. Documents gathered by VanderBeek. Dated approximately 1979-2001.

Dates: approximately 1979-2001
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Helen Free VanderBeek papers

Helen Free VanderBeek papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 6224
Scope and Contents Contains the notes of Helen Free VanderBeek regarding her book "George Allen Wadsworth: Pilley to Panaca" and other papers regarding her work, including articles that she wrote and cassette tapes of her radio program, in which she read essays that she had written. Some of the cassette tapes also include family events. The collection also has correspondence between Helen and her husband, and miscellaneous pamphlets about various topics of Church and community concern. Also contains pedigrees,...
Dates: approximately 1810-2002
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

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