Canadian couple Charlie and Dixie Murray have been restoring documents at the T. Elmer Cox Historical and Genealogical Library since Oct. 4.

Don Miller, director of the Cox library, estimates the couple has restored more than 200,000 documents.

Miller had high praise for the Murrays and the job they have done.

"They've really done a good thing," he said.

The Murrays are from Mt. View, Alberta, Canada. They are here on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The couple filled out an application and let their church know they would serve anywhere, then were placed in Document Preparation in Tennessee. They are sent to different genealogical libraries in Tennessee that have requested help from the State Library and Archives in Nashville.

At the T. Elmer Cox Historical and Genealogical Library, they perform tasks such as cleaning the documents with a special sponge, flattening the document with steam, repairing any tears with special tape, and taking out any hardware, such as staples and clips.

The Murrays arrived from Canada last June 11 and began work in the Cocke County genealogical library before coming to Greeneville in October.

Interviewed recently, the Murrays estimate they only have a week or so left to work in Greeneville and then they will travel to White County in Middle Tennessee. They travel and stay in their fifth-wheel trailer that they hook up to their vehicle.

The Murrays have worked on Greene County documents dating from the 1700s all the way up to 1991. They've found Confederate money, land documents from when this area used to be North Carolina, and even Andrew Johnson's signature.

"It's like opening a Christmas present, you don't know what you are going to get," Mrs. Murray said.

The couple said they have enjoyed their stay in Greeneville. "This place is loaded with history," said Mr. Murray. "We enjoy the beauty."

In Alberta, Canada, he said, "We don't see many white trees and purple trees," he said, in Bradford pear trees here. "The only white trees we see are trees covered in snow," added his wife.

"The Lord has been good to us and we wanted to give something back,"she said of the couple's genealogy mission.

Talking about the T. Elmer Cox Genealogical Library, they said it is the best facility they have worked in. "Greene County is extremely fortunate to have Don Miller. He's a walking encyclopedia," Mrs. Murray said.

Mr. Murray said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been involved in genealogy for many generations. "Our church believes strongly in family and we like to connect our families with our ancestors," he said.

A copy of the documents they have worked on will be sent to the State Library and to the Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Church uses the documents for their free genealogical Web site (www.familysearch.com).

The site is available to anyone who would like to look up their ancestors and study their family tree.

Before beginning their mission, the Murrays owned and worked on a ranch and a bed-and-breakfast inn. They sold all their cattle, and their daughters are currently running the bed-and-breakfast inn.

Neither one previously had any experience in restoring documents. "We've learned to enjoy it and appreciate it, because this work is vital," Charlie said.

After this mission work is completed, the Murrays said, they hope to continue volunteering and serving their church.