If you have been doing any family tree research, you might wonder how a lot of information gets documented. Church records are listed at the time of baptisms, weddings and funerals, but there is so much more involved, thanks to the efforts of interested people who recognize the importance of preserving the past to enhance the future.
The Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogy Society took on a huge project several summers ago. Their mission: to visit small country cemeteries and record all the information on each headstone. Think about that for a moment: our intrepid historians set out, armed with pens, paper, cameras and bug spray to visit the quiet little glens where so many of our pioneer relatives lie in repose. They carefully transcribed all the information, which could not have been an easy task. This project took a lot of time and determination, because many country cemeteries are not easily accessible any more. As the parishioners age and pass away, fewer and fewer people are left to tend these important historical landmarks; so recording the information off each tilting, leaning headstone is an invaluable reference for future generations.
As you can see, the Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogy Society take a "hands on" approach to research. Exploring family or community history is never a solitary pursuit: you always need to be in constant communication with many people, sometimes in another town, or another part of the world. A good place to begin your research is by connecting with the Yorkton Genealogy Society. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month, and new members are always welcome. Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 13. Please call Glenn or Dave at the numbers listed below for more details.
Recording you family history would be a great Christmas gift for your parents, your siblings, or your children. You won't get the project done for this Christmas, but it would make a great gift for next!
If you are interested in learning how to find out more about your family tree, join others who are on their own journey of family discovery. You can find out about the traditional methods of research, and see how computers have given research a whole new approach. There are several basic steps to getting started: remembering family members; asking family members for information; checking to see if someone in your family has already done any research, and then beginning to search various records.
You may find that you have information that official records do not, so as a detective of family history, it is up to you to fill in the blanks for future generations.
Every family has a story join us and "fast forward to the past" with the Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogy Society! For more information, please call Glenn at 782-7969 or Dave at 783-1093.
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