Donna Forney: Forney & Clark Genealogy Pages

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Name	Donna Forney
Gender	Female
Person ID	I0007	forneyclark
Last Modified	12 Feb 2025

Father	Fredric John Forney, b. 23 Sep 1920, Chambersburg, Franklin Co., PA; grew up in Washington, D.C. d. 19 Jul 1973, Lafayette,Tippecanoe Co.,IN;burial: Myrtle Hill Cem.,Tampa,Hillsborough Co.,FL (Age 52 years)
Mother	Betty Colleen Barton, b. 1 Oct 1922, Oxford, Benton Co., IN; grew up in Clarks Hill, IN d. 7 May 1995, Greenville,Greenville Co.,SC; burial:Myrtle Hill Cem.,Tampa,Hillsborough Co.,FL (Age 72 years)
Marriage	9 Jun 1942	Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN
Family ID	F0910	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family	David R. Clark, M.D.
Family ID	F0753	Group Sheet \| Family Chart
Last Modified	12 Feb 2025

Photos » Slide Show		Forney, Fredric John (1920-1973) & Donna Forney & Fredde Jo Forney (1944-2010) & Betty Colleen Barton (1922-1995) Group photo of (L-R) Fredric John Forney & Donna Forney Clark & Fredde Jo Forney Hethington & Betty Colleen Barton Forney was taken in Indianapolis, IN. This picture came from the Forney/ Hethington Collection by Fredde Jo Forney Hethington & Lucius Cale "Prince Louie" Hethington.
		Forney, Fredric John (1920-1973) & Fredde Jo Forney (1944-2010) & Donna Forney Group/ Sports/ Baseball photo of (L-R) Fredric John Forney & Fredde Jo Forney Hethington & Donna Forney Clark was taken in Indianapolis, IN, by Betty Colleen Barton Forney. This picture came from the Barton/ Forney Collection by Betty Colleen Barton Forney and Fredric John Forney.
		Forney, Donna Group/ School photo of the Morning Kindergarten Class, Naval Air Station, Adak, Alaska, Spring 1949, came from the Barton/ Forney Collection by Betty Colleen Barton Forney & Fredric John Forney. Students included are (back row, L-R moving around the table back to the original position, beginning with the little girl with dark jumper, white blouse, and white shoes on the far left): Dody Stover, Jack Stegenger, Ray Rust, Karen Woods, Dickie Elder, Bill Johnson, Dennis Rud….., Stuart Gates, Lee Snider, Pat Neeley, Fred Uehler, Sharon Nelson, Dottie Wooten, Robert Hartman, Rica Polombo, Gladys Carroll, Donna Forney, Tamara Fordham, & Susan Dunn. Girls who had just come from the lower forty-eight wore Mary Jane shoes while all the other children who had been on Adak awhile wore the only shoes available, sturdy oxfords. More photos of Adak, Alaska Naval Air Station personnel are found at Michael Gordon’s “A Pictorial and Anecdotal History of Adak, Alaska, U.S.A.” at http://www.orneveien.org/adak/ Photos appear under the heading "1948 Chaplain Fredric John Forney."
		Forney, Donna Group/ School photo of 1st Grade Class, Naval Air Station, Adak, Alaska, Fall 1949, came from the Barton/ Forney Collection by Betty Colleen Barton Forney & Fredric John Forney. On the back, it is labeled "Compliments of Capt. Daily, Hasty 33." Donna Forney Clark is in the second row, 3rd student from the right. Ellen is in the 2nd row, 4th student from the right. Girls who had just come from the lower forty-eight wore Mary Jane shoes while all the other children who had been on Adak awhile wore the only shoes available, sturdy oxfords. More photos of Adak, Alaska Naval Air Station personnel are found at Michael Gordon’s “A Pictorial and Anecdotal History of Adak, Alaska, U.S.A.” at http://www.orneveien.org/adak/ Photos appear under the heading "1948 Chaplain Fredric John Forney."
		Forney, Donna Group/ School photo of 2nd Grade Class, Naval Air Station, Adak, Alaska, probably Fall 1950, came from Ellen, who is standing in the 2nd row, 3rd student from the right. More photos of Adak, Alaska Naval Air Station personnel are found at Michael Gordon’s “A Pictorial and Anecdotal History of Adak, Alaska, U.S.A.” at http://www.orneveien.org/adak/ Photos appear under the heading "1948 Chaplain Fredric John Forney."
		Forney, Fredde Jo (1944-2010) & Betty Colleen Barton (1922-1995) & Fredric John Forney (1920-1973) & Donna Forney Group photo of (L-R, front row) Fredde Jo Forney Hethington & Donna Forney Clark & (L-R, back row) Betty Colleen Barton Forney & Fredric John Forney was taken at Easter in Adak, Alaska. This picture came from the Barton/ Forney Collection by Betty Colleen Barton Forney & Fredric John Forney.
		Barton, Betty Colleen (1922-1995) & Goldia Mae Robbins Barton (1902-1989) & Fredde Jo Forney (1944-2010) & Donna Forney Group photo was taken in Clarks Hill, IN, in 1953. Included (L-R, back row) are Betty Colleen Barton Forney & Goldia Mae Robbins Barton. Included (L-R, front row) are Fredde Jo Forney Hethington & Donna Forney Clark. This picture came from the Barton/ Forney Collection by Betty Colleen Barton Forney and Fredric John Forney.
		Forney, Donna Group/ School/ Teacher photo of Mrs. Stinson’s Norview Elementary Class includes (standing at far right) Donna Forney Clark.
		Forney, Donna Individual photo of Donna Forney Clark came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D.
		Forney, Donna Individual photo of Donna Forney Clark was taken in Texas and came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark and David R. Clark, M.D.
		Forney, Donna Individual photo of Donna Forney Clark was taken in TX. This picture came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D.
		Forney, Donna & Fredde Jo Forney (1944-2010) 2-Persons/ "The Forney Girls" photo of (L-R) Donna Forney Clark & Fredde Jo Forney Hethington was taken in Forney, TX, in the late 1990's. This picture came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D.
		Forney, Fredde Jo (1944-2010) & Donna Forney 2-Persons/ 50-Year photos of (L-R) Fredde Jo Forney Hethington and Donna Forney Clark were taken in Clarks Hill, IN, in 1952, and in TX, in 2002.
		Forney, Fredde Jo (1944-2010) & Donna Forney & David R. Clark, M.D. Group/ Airplane photo, which was taken by Lou Hethington in Columbia, South Carolina, Feb. 1, 2003, includes (L-R) Donna Forney Clark & Fredde Jo Forney Hethington & David R. Clark, M. D. This picture came from the Forney/ Hethington Collection by Fredde Jo Forney Hethington & Lucius Cale “Prince Louie” "Lou" Hethington.
		Clark, David R., M.D. & Donna Forney 2-Persons photo of (L-R) David R. Clark, M.D. & Donna Forney Clark was taken in TX in 2004. This picture came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D.
		Clark, David R., M.D. & Donna Forney 2-Persons photo of (L-R) David R. Clark, M.D. & Donna Forney Clark was taken in TX in 2005. This picture came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D.
		Clark, David R., M.D. & Donna Forney 2-Persons photo of (L-R) Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D. was taken in TX in 2006. This picture came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D.
		Clark, David R., M.D. & Donna Forney 2-Persons photo of (L-R) David R. Clark, M.D. & Donna Forney Clark was taken in TX in 2007. This picture came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D.
		Clark, David R., M.D. & Donna Forney 2-Persons photo of (L-R) Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D. was taken in TX in 2008.
		Clark, David R., M.D. & Donna Forney 2-Persons photo of (L-R) Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D. was taken in TX in December 2009 by Anonymous Researcher #3.
		Forney, Donna & David R. Clark, M.D. & Thomas D. “Tom” Clark (1931-2015) & Mary Lou Lewis Group photo was taken in Granbury, TX, in 2010. Included (L-R) are Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D. & Thomas D. Clark & Mary Lou Lewis Clark.
		Forney, Donna Individual/ Pet/ Dog photo of Donna Forney Clark holding Spinner was taken in TX in 2011.
		Forney, Donna Group photo of a Key West High School Reunion came from and includes Donna Forney Clark.
		Clark, David R., M.D. & Donna Forney & Lucius Cale "Prince Louie" "Lou" Hethington Group photo of (L-R) David R. Clark, M.D. & Donna Forney Clark & Lucius Cale "Prince Louie" "Lou" Hethington was taken in November 2011.
		Forney, Donna & David R.Clark, M.D. 2-Persons photo of (L-R) Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D. was taken in Texas, 2012, by Lucius Cale "Prince Louie" "Lou" Hethington.
		Forney, Donna Individual photo of Donna Forney Clark was taken in Key West, FL, in 2016, by David French.
		Forney, Donna Individual photo of Donna Forney Clark was taken in TX, Dec,. 2019, and came from the Forney/ Clark Collection by Donna Forney Clark & David R. Clark, M.D.
		Barton, Betty Colleen (1922-1995) & Donna Forney & Fredde Jo Forney (1944-2010) & Fredric John Forney (1920-1976) Object photo of Betty Colleen Barton Forney's locket-bracelet was taken on a Hallmark Christmas card which was created by Hallmark Senior Artist Geoff Greenleaf. Group photo in locket-bracelet includes (L-R) Donna Forney Clark & Fredde Jo Forney Hethington & Fredric John Forney.
		Forney, Donna Individual/ Tree photo of Donna Forney Clark was taken in TX in 2022. This photo is part of the album "Men & Women Conquering Trees."
		Clark, David R., M.D. & Donna Forney 2-Persons photo of (L-R) David R. Clark, M. D., & Donna Forney Clark, entering a Tex-Mex restaurant, was taken in TX in 2024 by Anonymous Researcher #5.
		Sherley, Lorraine (1901-1984), unrelated Shakespeare teacher Individual/ Unrelated/ Shakespeare Teacher/ 1923 photo of Lorraine Sherley, mentor and life-long inspiration for Donna Forney Clark came from https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/3356 Mary Couts Burnett TCU Library Life dates came from https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDL-5W9G "BillionGraves Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDL-5W9G : 24 June 2015), Lorraine Sherley, died 1984; citing BillionGraves (http://www.billiongraves.com : 2012), Burial at Melissa Cemetery, Melissa, Collin, Texas, United States. Title Lorraine Sherley Author Unknown author Date 1923 Description TCU Representative of 1923 Link https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/3356 Subject Student Portraits Sherley, Lorraine
		Sherley, Lorraine (1901-1984), unrelated Shakespeare teacher Individual/ Unrelated/ Shakespeare Teacher/ 1922 Passport photo of Lorraine Sherley, mentor and life-long inspiration for Donna Forney Clark came from https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-896B-C9Z9-5?view=index&action=view Life dates came from https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDL-5W9G "BillionGraves Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDL-5W9G : 24 June 2015), Lorraine Sherley, died 1984; citing BillionGraves (http://www.billiongraves.com : 2012), Burial at Melissa Cemetery, Melissa, Collin, Texas, United States.
		Sherley, Lorraine (1901-1984), unrelated Shakespeare teacher Individual/ Unrelated/ Shakespeare Teacher/ 1960s photo of Lorraine Sherley, mentor and life-long inspiration for Donna Forney Clark came from https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/16793 Life dates came from https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDL-5W9G "BillionGraves Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDL-5W9G : 24 June 2015), Lorraine Sherley, died 1984; citing BillionGraves (http://www.billiongraves.com : 2012), Burial at Melissa Cemetery, Melissa, Collin, Texas, United States. Title Lorraine Sherley Author Unknown author Date 1960s Link https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/16793 Subject Faculty Department of English Sherley, Lorraine

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DFC: I have found these cautionary points by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, CG, invaluable in researching families:

http://www.genealogy.com/90_carmack.html
Family Legends and Myths
by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, CG:
This excerpt tells of some naturally evolving myths in family histories:
"Watching Out for Red Flags"
" Many families have cherished myths and stories about their immigration to America or other pivotal events and people. Sharon DeBartolo Carmack shows you how to determine which family legends are true, and what to do if you prove one false.

"Great-grandma was a Cherokee Indian princess, you know." At the family reunion or while interviewing relatives, you might hear family stories like this or other lore about your forebears. Nearly everyone has a story that has been handed down about their ancestors. Some of these legends may be quite factual; others are myth. Almost all family stories have some grain of truth, however. Family legends aren't usually created out of thin air, and that tiny grain of truth may be the clue that leads you to genealogical success. There are many myths that have worked their way into family stories, and perhaps you've already heard some of these. Often, they are about ethnic origins or how the family came to America. If you haven't heard any of these common legends yet, make yourself aware of some of the most common ones, since you may eventually hear variations as you talk with family members.

[1.]The Cherokee Indian Princess Myth
It's always a Cherokee princess, almost never Navajo or Apache or Pueblo or Lumbee. Native American ancestry is an extremely common family story, and it seems it is always to an Indian princess. The Cherokee, of course, are a large tribe with a diverse culture, divided by the Trail of Tears. They intermarried widely, perhaps increasing the likelihood of Cherokee/white ancestry.
One reason this princess myth may have evolved is prejudice. For those who frowned upon a white male ancestor marrying an Indian woman, elevating the woman's status to princess made the truth easier to swallow. Keep in mind that any story that says you have Native American ancestry — often Cherokee — may in itself be a myth. Even though it's currently an "in" thing to have Native American ancestry, just a few decades ago, it might have been the skeleton in your family's closet. Proving certain ethnic ancestry can be difficult because of prejudice or popularity toward a culture at any given time. Throughout history, some people who were victims of prejudice may have tried to hide their native origins by changing their name or claiming a different ethnicity.

[2.]The Three Brothers Myth
It's always three brothers who immigrated to America, never two or four or five or six. Sometimes one is lost at sea during the voyage over, or one went north, one went south, and one headed west, never to be heard from again. There are never any sisters involved in the big move across the ocean. Be wary of the brothers myth, and always keep an eye out for additional siblings both in America and once you start foreign research. You also want to confirm through your research that there were, in fact, three brothers, that the three brothers were indeed brothers and not two brothers and an uncle, for example, or that the three brothers weren't just three men with the same last name.

[3.]The Stowaway Myth
For some reason, it is so much more romantic to have an ancestor who came to America as a stowaway rather than a paying passenger. While there are cases of people who actually did sneak aboard ships, this was not common practice. If the stowaway was discovered enroute, typically, he will be recorded on the last page of the passenger arrival list. I deliberately use "he" because you almost never hear a story about great-grandma being a stowaway. Even if you have the family story of a stowaway, still check for a passenger arrival list, since if he was discovered and recorded on the passenger list, he'll likely be on the index, too.

[4.]The Claim-to-Fame Myth
Everyone who has the surname Bradford or Alden is related to William Bradford and John Alden of Mayflower fame, right? And everyone with the last name of Boone is related to Daniel. And if your last name is James, you're related to Jesse, of course. If you do have Native American ancestry, then you must be descended from Pocahontas. Is that a red flag I see flying? We all want a famous person to hang on our family tree, but we may not find that person. I'm supposedly related to Robert E. Lee. My research revealed that I really am. He's something like a ninth cousin, twenty times removed.

[5.]The Wrong Ethnic Identity Myth
All Germans are Hessians who fought in the American Revolution. All French are Huguenots. All Hispanics are Mexican. Of course, none of these broad statements is true. We tend to lump certain groups of people incorrectly into one category. "German" is not a distinct enough identifier in genealogy any more than "Indian" or "Hispanic." If family stories indicate that your ancestors were German or from Germany, were they Germans from Imperial Germany, Alsatians, Austrians, Swiss, Luxembourgers, Germans from Russia, or Poles from Germany? Even the records you uncover may not tell you more than "Germany." This is why it is so important to learn the unique cultural traits — customs, traditions, folkways — about the ethnic group.

Names, too, may be inaccurate indicators of ethnic identity. Just because the name sounds Italian, is it? The name you are accustomed to may have been changed or inadvertently corrupted over time, obscuring its ethnic origins.

[6.]The Ellis Island Baptism Myth
This is the myth that an immigrant ancestor's surname was changed by officials during processing at Ellis Island. No evidence whatsoever exists to suggest this ever occurred. During its operation as an immigrant receiving station (1892-1954), Ellis Island was staffed with hundreds of interpreters who spoke more than thirty different languages. Inspectors compared the names the immigrants told them against what was recorded on the passenger lists. These lists were created at the ports of departure. There was no reason to record or change anyone's surname once they arrived on the island. More likely, immigrants themselves changed their names after they settled in America to avoid prejudice and to blend more easily into American society.

Handling the Myth in Research and Writing
Now that I've shattered your favorite family story, how do you tell Grandpa? Or should you? And how do you handle ancient family legends that you've discovered through your research are false? Family legends are part of your family history and should never be ignored or taken lightly. As mentioned earlier, there is usually a kernel of truth to the family story. Rather than bursting Grandpa's bubble with the facts, try to find out how the story originated. When you write your family history, include the family story as it was told to you, noting it as family "tradition" or "lore" or "legend." Then explain, if you can, how the story originated, followed by a discussion of your research findings. You may reveal that some elements of a story were true and some were false, or that a story was totally false. Even if you have not been able to prove or disprove the story, acknowledge the lore and say it has yet to be proven. These family stories give color to your family history, so record and share them as what they are."

"About the Author: Sharon DeBartolo Carmack is a Certified Genealogist, editor of Betterway Genealogy Books, contributing editor for Family Tree Magazine, and the author of eight books, including A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Female Ancestors. Sharon also teaches online courses in personal/family memoir writing.

This how-to article was adapted from Sharon's book A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Immigrant and Ethnic Ancestry. Topics include how to get your research started, the history of major ethnic groups in America, and how to turn your research into a family narrative. "
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