Iona Opie was born in 1923. In 1944, she married Peter Opie. They worked together researching children's folklore until Peter's death in 1982. After Peter's death, Iona continued her research. She is considered the authority on children's rhymes, street and playground games, and the tradition of Mother Goose.

Peter Opie was born in 1918. Opie was educated at Eton College. In 1944, he and Iona Archibald were married. They worked together researching the folklore of children until he died in 1982.

Shirley Brockbank Paxman was born in 1919. In 1942, she married Monroe Paxman. Paxman got her B.S. and M.S. from Brigham Young University in Child Development and Family Relations. She later received her R.N. from Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City. She taught Child Development at Brigham Young University for many years and Nursing at Utah Valley State College. She opened the McCurdy Historical Doll Museum and ran it for many years. Paxman was instrumental in protecting Academy Square.

Monroe Paxman was born on April 7, 1919 to Achsa Eggerston Paxman and William Monroe Paxman. In 1942, he married Shirley Brockbank. They have seven children. Paxman received his JD from the University of Utah and served as a judge on the 4th District Juvenile Court from 1953 to 1969. He taught at Brigham Young University beginning in 1984, where he was awarded the Abraham O. Smoot Award. Paxman helped to run the McCurdy Historical Doll Museum with his wife for twenty-five years. He was also instrumental in saving Provo's Academy Square.