Myra Sauer Ratay (1912-1999) The research for this side of the family was done by Myra prior to 1996. After that time she was too ill to go out to the library or archives much anymore. Myra is the author of two books Pioneers of the Ponderosa: How Washoe Valley Rescued the Comstock (1973) and Boom Times in Old Washoe City, Nevada (1984). Her first book was written primarily for historians and has been acclaimed for its accurate research of the area. (Link to book info) After graduating in journalism from the University of Nevada in 1934 with Phi Kappa Phi honors, Myra did graduate study in social work at Columbia University. Genealogy and historical research were a lifelong avocation for her. Because of her expertise in researching Myra was my mentor in learning how to find my own family. She was pleased that I showed an interest in all of her hard work and was willing to help her get all her relatives onto the computer.