Family History Day 2016
Grande Prairie (February 20, 2016)
The fourth annual Family History Day will take place on Saturday, February 20th, 2016, from 10 am to 4:30 pm at the Grande Prairie Public Library (9839-103 Avenue).
This event is being co-hosted by three organizations who offer assistance for finding family history. The Grande Prairie and District Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society (GPAGS) has “genies” on standby every Wednesday night at the library, and maintains a website for obituaries and cemeteries in the area. Grande Prairie Public Library (GPPL) houses a large collection of local history books and microfilms of local newspapers dating back to 1913; and offers visitors free access to Ancestry.ca. South Peace Regional Archives (SPRA) provides access to textual records, photographs, maps and newspapers for this area which may include information on your family.
“There are so many resources to discover your family history in this digital age,” says SPRA Director Mary Nutting. “On Family History Day we are offering ten workshops, including Levels I and II Genealogy, conducting Oral Histories, Finding Family History in Archives, and training in using websites such as Family Search (free) and Ancestry.ca (free at the library). We are also presenting webinars on writing Ancestor Profiles, using Facebook for genealogy, Tips on how to use Google for genealogy, and how DNA testing can help your family history; and have experienced on-site genealogists and archivists with access to many online and print tools to assist you in discovering your family’s origins and story.”
“Workshops are for both beginners and experienced family history researchers,” adds genealogist Jean Gray. “My experience is that you learn at least one new thing at every workshop you go to.”
A new addition to this year’s program is a “Who Do You Think You Are?” presentation using research on local celebrities done by local genealogists. I wonder what exciting discoveries they will reveal?
If you have ever wanted to know more about your family history, drop in to Family History Day at the Grande Prairie Public Library on February 20th. Admission is free, so come discover your family history!
Mr. Al Bromling, president of the Grande Prairie Genealogy Society, is available for interviews at 780-882-7671 or abromling@gmail.com.
For more information phone 780-830-5105 or visit www.southpeacearchives.org .
