The genealogy search is always fun, and always rewarding. Long ago relatives come alive and take their place in your family history, becoming not just names on a piece of paper, but people that you would have enjoyed meeting. Imagine the stories they could share! Record not only names, dates and places, but also stories and memories that give an insight into these family members. It is never too soon to begin this task: talk to your relatives today!
Local genealogist and historian Mitch Wlock found his interest in genealogy began when a relative wrote a family history on his father’s side of the family. This prompted him to begin a project searching his mother’s side of the family (Krunick).
“I started gathering information on the Krunick family in August, 1996. I went to see a relative in Saskatoon who directed me to a more distant relative who had already compiled a fair-sized family tree. He got me going in the right direction. My mother was a good source of information. I also wrote to one member of each family and asked them to please send me the histories and general information of their family such as births, deaths, marriages, careers, hobbies and anything else they wanted to include. I got a good response. By the spring of 1997 I printed my first Krunick family history. I found out later I needed to make more copies! By the spring of 2010 I had enough information to print a supplement. In 2016 I probably have enough information to print yet another supplement. I have been at it now for twenty years. It’s an ongoing thing for me. I have also helped numerous other individuals in many different ways with their family histories.” explained Mitch.
How did he begin? Mitch recommends this: “Write down everything you know already. Then start by talking to your oldest relatives first. Many relatives that sent me information in 1996/1997 are no longer with us. You could ask those with experience to show you what they’ve done.”
Gathering information requires many sources. “The most helpful sources for me have been the Saskatchewan Archives”, said Mitch “and the old Yorkton newspapers or microfilm at the library. In the old days newspapers had communities in the district sending in their news of the day and I learned some really interesting facts about various relatives. Most of the information I’m looking for isn’t on the internet.”
Hitting a brick wall happens to all genealogists. What does Mitch suggest? “Take a break from it for a while or start again with some other aspect of it. For the past seven years or so I’ve been helping my cousin add to the Wlock family history.”
What advice does Mitch give to genealogists? “You have to be dedicated but you can work on it in your own time, at your own pace. Sometimes it really does become ‘investigative reporting’ as you may uncover bits and pieces about your family. It can be as large or as small a project as you want it to be. I have been blessed and treated very well wherever I go and whoever I’ve had to deal with. Various contacts know me by now and are very helpful.” he commented.
Why is genealogy important? Mitch shares his enthusiasm: “It is important because our ancestors helped create the history so long ago and we are still creating history today.”
Every family has a story: discover yours with the Yorkton Genealogy Society. The next meeting is on Tuesday, October 11 at 7 p.m. at the Yorkton Public Library. All are welcome.
