SMETHPORT (EC) — Laura Isadore, McKean County prothonotary and clerk of courts, has announced her candidacy for re-election on the Republican ticket in the May 16 primary election.

The prothonotary’s office records and files all judgments, orders and decrees of the court including divorces, injunction petitions, custody issues, mortgage foreclosures and mental health petitions.

“We have had the computer system since 1994 and have been using scanners for seven years,” Isadore said. “Our office also has immigrant background information dating back to 1826, which can assist people doing genealogical research.”

The office’s employees are also kept busy answering questions about right-to-know requests, record searches for military applicants at the requests of recruiters and record checks for agencies, such as the FBI and Liquor Control Board.

A 1971 graduate of Port Allegany High School, Isadore continued her education at Central Penn College in Summerdale, near Harrisburg, where she received a degree in travel and transportation. She then accepted a job with the former Blue Bird Coach Lines.

Isadore began her duties in the prothonotary’s office in October 1973 as a clerk. Since then, she has moved to increasing responsibilities in that office, being named second deputy in January 1983 by Hugh Fry and then first deputy in January 1986 by Bonnie Moore Howard. She was appointed acting  prothonotary in September 2003, when Howard retired for medical reasons.

Two years ago at the May 15 primary election, Isadore was elected to complete Howard’s term.

Isadore and her husband, Gary, operate a beef farm in Smethport. They have a daughter, Jody, who helps with the farm.

She is a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Smethport, Seneca Highlands Snowmobile Club and treasurer of the McKean Potter Farm Bureau.