The Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society invite you to join them at “Heritage Day” on Sunday, February 14 from 2:00 till 5:00 p.m. at the Western Development Museum. The theme of Heritage Day 2016, set out by the National Trust For Canada, is “Distinctive Destinations: Experience Historic Places”. “This year’s theme was chosen to recognize historic sites, special places and events that tell our nation’s story, as well as encourage heritage tourism.” Check out www.nationaltrustcanada.ca/visit-discover/heritage-day for more information. The Yorkton genealogy society will be present at Heritage Day, giving you the perfect chance to bring your family-tree questions or find out how to get started on your genealogy research.
For those with Ukrainian roots, an important subject will be examined at the next Yorkton Film Festival Open Cinema on Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Yorkton Public Library. The film is “Jajo’s Secret”; filmmaker James Motluk explores the internment of thousands of Ukrainian Canadians, including his grandfather, during World War One. Everyone is welcome, admission is free.
A better knowledge of history makes genealogy research easier by showing us places various ancestors have gone, and why. There are many fascinating historic places in Saskatchewan; do some research and plan some road-trips right at home this summer!
Saskatchewan is a beautiful, intricate patch quilt of many ethnic groups and fascinating cultures. Log on to the Sask. Archives site (www.saskarchives.com/sasksettlement) and read the story of many cultures and how they took their place in Saskatchewan history.
Thousands of Doukhobors came to Canada in 1899, fleeing religious persecution in Russia. Novelist Leo Tolstoy sympathized and financed their journey to their new home. Many settled in Verigin, a settlement named after their leader Peter Verigin.
Some immigrants came to Canada but wanted to go back home, such as Tom Sukanen who dreamed of building a boat and going back to Finland. He died in 1943 before he could begin his sea voyage, but if you are in the Moose Jaw area, you can see his ship on display at the Pioneer Village and Museum.
An Icelandic community settled around Quill Lake in the 1890’s; while there may not be a large number of Scandinavians within the neighboring towns, this area has the largest Icelandic population in Saskatchewan. To recognize their contributions, various trails in the Quill Lakes Birding Project have Icelandic names.
Travel south-east of Moose Mountain to visit Cannington Manor, the dream of Captain Edward Michell Pierce. Pierce, a “failed English gentleman”, came to Canada in 1882 with the dream of transplanting Victorian England onto the Canadian prairies, and for a while Pierce and fellow wealthy English people did enjoy the lifestyle they didn’t measure up to at home. But life on the prairies was not an easy one, and the genteel lifestyle could not be maintained for long. By 1900, the Cannington Manor dream was but a memory.
Take the time and take the family to visit Saskatchewan locations that connect to your roots. You will have a deep appreciation for your family genealogy. Every family has a story: discover yours with the Yorkton Genealogy Society!
