Summer is over, and if holiday pursuits kept you from working on your genealogy projects, the crisp days of autumn are the perfect time to begin your research again!
The Yorkton branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society will be holding their first fall meeting on Tuesday, September 13 at 7:00 PM at the Yorkton Public Library. New members are always welcome, whether you are just thinking about getting started or have been tracing your roots for a while. You will find members with much practical genealogy information and enthusiasm to share and help you along with your quest.
If you are interested in mixing travel and genealogy, here are some events you might like to attend. The Saskatchewan Genealogical Society (SGS) invites you to their Open House on Friday, September 30th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The library is located at 110 – 1514 11th Avenue in Regina. Get a taste of genealogy, see their collection, and ask questions of a certified genealogist or the staff. The SGS will also be hosting a two-day Beginner Genealogy Workshop On Saturday, October 1 from 1 till 4PM and on Sunday, October 2 from 1 till 4:00 PM at 110 – 1514 11th Avenue, Regina (NW corner of 11th Avenue and St. John Street). This workshop will focus on the basics of getting started and finding sources. It’s also a good refresher to recharge basic family history research skills. Please note that there is no registration fee, however pre-registration is required as space is limited. Call 306-780-9207 to register. Participants are encouraged to bring along any family history research they have done to date.
And if by chance you are visiting Kelowna, you might want to attend the Kelowna and District Genealogy Society’s “Harvest Your Family Tree” Genealogy Conference, taking place from Sept. 23-25, 2016. For more information or to register go to www.KDGS.ca
Research is an on-going journey, and occasionally all researchers hit a brick wall. The key is not to despair but keep trying, perhaps from a different angle. For example, as a researcher you may find contradicting information. If that happens, which should you pursue? Be sure to keep all your information and try to establish which one is more likely to be correct. It is important to always cite the information you have obtained, listing what it was and where you found it, (whether on-line, in a newspaper, or information from a relative) and this will help you determine which information is most reliable.
Check your nearest sources, which are family members. If some information does not seem accurate, ask several family members if they can help. Family memories can be remembered differently by everyone, so getting group input can be very beneficial.
While the internet does have a lot of information, not every old document will necessarily be there. Continue to gather information from old church records, old family letters, and old newspapers. If you have reached a point where you think you can’t gather any more information, take a different angle and seek information from cemetery research, land and homestead records, and local newspapers.
The Yorkton Public Library has volumes of local histories available for viewing. These are reference books, not for loan, but hey make for fascinating reading, and may help your genealogy search.
Every family has a story: discover yours with the Yorkton genealogy society!
