Grande Prairie & District Branch
Alberta Genealogical Society

Heritage Seekers
December 1999, Vol. 22, No. 4


President's Message
By Margaret Kay

By the time this edition of Heritage Seekers reaches you we will all be doing our research in the last century ó or do we have one more year before we move into the 21st century? I am eternally confused by that particular date. Regardless of what year we are in, I wish you all the very best for the year 2000, successful searches and continuing connections!

Our Grande Prairie raffle was a resounding success. With help from a lot of members our tickets were all sold out. The quilt remains in Grande Prairie with the first place winner and the miniature went to a lucky second place winner in Fairview. Having the quilt with us when we were selling tickets at a table in a store made selling an easy task as the quilt sold itself. The other "aid to selling" was to give each person selling tickets to friends and colleagues a photograph of the prize. In January we will turn our energies to selling tickets for the AGS cash raffle.

A group of members have been meeting to develop two Beginning Genealogy Courses. The first one is to be given as part of the Continuing Education program at the Grande Prairie Regional College. The second session is to be offered during the Elderhostel Program, which is being offered in Grande Prairie in the summer of 2000.

At the AGS meeting in November Laura Turnbull made an in-depth presentation regarding the update/expansion of our AGS website. This was very well received and we look forward to the future development of the website, allowing us to share some of our Alberta research with others around the world and to update members and the public on current activities and projects.

Elections are upon us, again! Where does time go? I have enjoyed my first year as president, in part because of the enthusiastic members with whom I work, but also because it has got me back-in-the-swing of my own research. I encourage all of you to let your name stand for an executive position or to become part of one of our subcommittees. Thanks go out to Hugh Impey who has agreed to fill our vacant Cemetery Recording position.

I will end as I began by wishing you all the very best for 2000!


Editor's Message
By Judith Bradley

As I write this, the holiday season is fast approaching, and with it the end of the year. This time, we not only celebrate the end to the year, but an end to the decade, the century, and millennium. What an exciting time to be alive!

As we approach this great milestone of time, I reflect on all those that lived in the past and are still alive in me today. Although I cannot take my research back a thousand years, I do feel that a part of what I am today was there when 999 turned into 1000. Through this wonderful hobby we share, I have learned to know my ancestors. They were hard working folk. They struggled for survival in times much different from today. Change, however, has given us growth. When I think of all that my family has lived through and done to bring us where we are today, I am proud to be a part of my family. I only hope they would have pride in me and what this generation has become.

As you gather with your family to celebrate this holiday season, whether it is a physical gathering or a gathering in your heart, my wish for you is a joyous celebration. Celebrate family, celebrate life, celebrate change. Happy holidays!


Family History Centre

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
11212-102 St., Grande Prairie
(Use north entrance)
Telephone: 532-3609
Tuesday: 10 am - 4 pm, 6 pm - 9 pm
Wednesday 1 pm - 4 pm, 6 pm - 9 pm
Saturday 10 am - 3 pm
Closed on Saturdays of Long Weekends
Or if -25 Degrees 1 Hour Before Opening


John George FORRYAN
(1849 - 1925)
By Laura Turnbull

John George FORRYAN was born on 10 Oct 1849 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, England to William FORRYAN (1810-1892) and Jane GOODWIN (1820-1874) and was baptized on the 4th of November the same year. John George was the fourth born child and the eldest son in a family of four girls and two boys.

His early years were spent in Wigston Magna. Census returns show him living at Bell Street in 1851 at the age of 1 year. The next census in 1861 does not show him with his family so he was probably visiting another family. In 1871 when he was 21 years old he was living at 77 Bell Street and employed as a hatter.

On 7 Sep 1875 when John George was 25, he married Elizabeth CARTWRIGHT, daughter of William CARTWRIGHT (1812-1877) and Letitia SNAITH (1817-1895?), in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, England. Elizabeth CARTWRIGHT was born on 3 Dec 1853 in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, England and baptized on 22 Jan 1854 at the same place. Their marriage was by banns and witnessed by Elizabeth's brother and sister, William Cartwright and Annie Bridget Cartwright. At his marriage and at the birth of their third child and first-born son, William Cartwright FORRYAN, John George's occupation is shown as 'hosier'.

The family lived in Wigston Magna and the 1881 census shows them living at 7 Bell Street but now John George's occupation is shown as licensed victualler.

In 1884 at the birth of another daughter, John George's occupation has again changed to that of hosiery manufacturer, however, in 1886 we find him as the landlord of the "King William IV Inn" in Bell Street. There is a family story that this annoyed his father who lived opposite the Inn and was a teetotaler. Other records show that John George's grandfather on his mother's side was a publican in 1841 but there is no information on any disagreements between John George's father and his grandfather on the question of 'drink'.

By 1892, John George had changed his occupation to commercial clerk and he was living with his family on Manor Road, Wigston Magna. He and Elizabeth had nine children between 1876 and 1890, four boys and five girls.

In 1899, John George and Elizabeth moved to Nottingham, Nottinghamshire with some of the family. Here John George had secured a position as cigar manager for John Player and Sons, a branch of The Imperial Tobacco Co. (of Great Britain & Ireland). His salary was increased to over £250 per annum in January 1904 and was increased to £275 per annum on 10 October 1906. Initially they lived at 15 Burford Road (Kelly's Directory 1900 and 1904) but later moved to 33 Noel Street (Kelly's Directory 1908, 1912, 1928).

John George died at 33 Noel Street in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England on 17 Feb 1925 at the age of 75. Elizabeth continued to live at 33 Noel Street and died there on 1 Jan 1931 when she was 77.

It is interesting to note that John George did not receive a share of his father's possessions in his will as he had received "sums of money during his father's lifetime exceeding in value the share to which he would otherwise have been entitled". This 'share' was a loan to purchase property in Bull Head Street, Wigston Magna in 1874.


Family Group (ca 1900)
Back (l-r): Hylda Mary, William Cartwright,
Letitia, Annie Elizabeth (Gwendolyn)
Seated (l-r): Donald, Mabel, John George,
Elizabeth, Cyril Goodwin
Front: John Owen

Of John George and Elizabeth's children, there are no male children to carry on the name. Of the four boys, three were killed in World War I. William Cartwright FORRYAN was killed accidentally at the age of 38 on the 5th of October 1917 near Arras, Passcendale, France, leaving his wife and three daughters. His widow emigrated to Canada in 1920 to live with her brother-in-law in Chauvin, Alberta. Donald FORRYAN was killed on the 16th of September 1916 at Somme, France. John Owen FORRYAN was killed on the 4th of November 1918 at Wargniesle Pettit France, just 7 days before the end of the war. The fourth son, Cyril Goodwin FORRYAN, had emigrated to Chauvin, Alberta, Canada before the war and although he was married twice and had four children, none of them survived to adulthood.

John George FORRYAN and Elizabeth CARTWRIGHT have a total of 62 descendants - 9 children, 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 24 great great grandchildren, and 6 great great great grandchildren.


Organizing Family Records
By Judith Bradley

For each person collecting family history there is a variation in the way his or her information is organized, recorded and stored. Of greatest importance is that you develop a system that is easy and efficient for you to use because the easier and quicker you are able to organize, the more efficiently you can use your research time. At our October Study Group two branch members gave a quick review of their methods of organizing their family history projects. Each member approached the topic from a different perspective.

Method 1 - Laura Turnbull

Laura explained how keeping an inventory of and recording her sources is the key to organization of her genealogical research. Although Laura's recording is mostly kept on computer, her method may be used by anyone. Her paper copies of civil records, parish records, census records, wills and probate records, family letters, photographs, and so on are each assigned an identification number upon receipt.

Laura stores these paper copies in three-ring binders, tucked safely into the archival plastic covers we have all learned to love. Regardless of where it came from, which family line it is about, or what type of source i.e. interview, letter, certificate etc., are numbered in the same sequence in the order in which the documents were collected. After receiving its number, a document is tucked into an archival plastic cover, and placed in a three-ring binder. Laura's correspondence is kept in separate folders from her other research. Her family group sheet and pedigree charts are only complete when the source of her information is given.

EXAMPLE: See "Family Group for John George FORRYAN and Elizabeth CARTWRIGHT" below.

This method allows for a single document to provide information about many different individuals and to be filed in one place. It is easy to access the research document if one wants to study or consult it. There is no concern of "Does Grandma's birth certificate belong with her documentation as a child with her parents, or should I put it in the file kept on her and Grandpa's family?" There is no need to make multiple copies so that each file will have a copy. Each record - pedigree chart, family group sheet as child, family group sheet as parent - will provide the same identification number as to the source for the information.

Method 2 - Judith Bradley:

The main philosophy in Judy's record keeping is that the genealogical information is family information, and as such filed by family. This "by family" organization begins with the pedigree chart. It is a pedigree of families and not individuals.

Chart one starts with Judy's family as Judy being a parent. There are five generations of families on the chart, giving a total of thirty-one families on this first chart.

The file folder for Chart One Family One consists of:

Any other information pertinent to this family receives the same number: education records, awards, career records, pictures, and anything connected to this family.

The file folder for Chart One Family Two consists of the data collected on John's parent's family.

John's marriage record is kept in his "as a parent file". It is only the direct line family that appears in two files. John's brother's records are all kept in the file of his parent's family. THAT is the direct family to which he belongs.

Chart One Family Three is the family where Judy is a child. To continue back, the father in Chart One Family Sixteen becomes a child in Chart Two Family One. The mother in Chart One Family Sixteen becomes a child in Chart Three Family One.

In this method, Judy has multiple copies of some records. For example, John's Dad's birth record appears in his file with his wife, in the file where he appears as the child, and in his parent's files where THEY appear as children. It is because this is a record of the child's birth date and place, as well as information on the birthplace, age and occupations of his parents. The record confirms information appearing in other research such as family interviews and bible records.

It is handy to have all the family documentation in one spot. It makes it much easier to "grab" the information on one family in order to work on clues of other places to look. If the research is "taking to the road" it is easy to collect ALL the information available on one family quickly, and easy to put it all away again. This method also accommodates quick access to a specific family to share the information with another member of the family.

Summary:

One important thing to remember is that there is NO ONE CORRECT way to organize your records and files. The best method to use is one that you WILL use. The clock keeps ticking, and there is so much we want to look at and do. It is much more fun to do the research, but if you do not record and organize effectively you may lose precious time hunting for that information you know you have, or even repeating your research because you have forgotten about the research you have already done.


Family Group for
John George FORRYAN (1849-1925)
and Elizabeth CARTWRIGHT (1853-1931)

Name: John George FORRYAN
Birth: 10 Oct 1849 Wigston Magna Leicestershire England[45]
Christen: 4 Nov 1849
Death: 17 Feb 1925 Nottingham Nottinghamshire England[50],[260]
Father: William FORRYAN (1810-1892)
Mother: Jane GOODWIN (1820-1874)
Marriage: 7 Sep 1875 Broughton Astley Leicestershire England[46]

Spouse: Elizabeth CARTWRIGHT
Birth: 3 Dec 1853 Broughton Astley Leicestershire England[138]
Christen: 22 Jan 1854 Broughton Astley Leicestershire England[200]
Death: 1 Jan 1931 Nottingham Nottinghamshire England[50],[260]
Father: William CARTWRIGHT (1812-1877)
Mother: Letitia SNAITH (1817-?1895)

Children

1 F: Mabel FORRYAN
Birth: 26 Jun 1876 Wigston Magna Leicestershire England[50],[260]
Death: 27 Aug 1928[50],[260]
Spouse: Harry BOULTER

2 F: Ethel Jane FORRYAN
Birth: 28 Jun 1877 Wigston Magna Leicestershire England[50],[260]
Death: 25 Jul 1884[50]

3 M: William Cartwright FORRYAN
Birth: 17 Nov 1878 Wigston Leicestershire England[34],[260]
Death: 5 Oct 1917 nr Arras Passchendale France[40],[260]
Spouse: Gladys Annie JONES
Marriage: 21 Dec 1910 Bradford Yorkshire England[38]

4 F: Letitia FORRYAN
Birth: 5 Jul 1880 Wigston Magna Leicestershire England[50],[260]
Death: 7 Jun 1970[50]
Spouse: Bertie Cecil WESTWICK
Marriage: 1907

5 F: Annie Elizabeth (Gwendoline) FORRYAN
Birth: 11 Oct 1881 Wigston Leicestershire England
Death: 20 May 1954 South Africa[50],[260]
Spouse 1: George Stanley JESSUP
Marriage: 21 Mar 1905 Shoreditch London England
Spouse 2: Phillip Roy MORLEY
Marriage: 19 Feb 1914 Nottingham Nottinghamshire England

6 F: Hylda Mary FORRYAN
Birth: 29 Mar 1884 Wigston Leicestershire England[52],[260]
Death: 9 Jan 1962[50]
Spouse: Arthur Jackson BOYER
Marriage: 7 Sep 1910 Hyson Green Nottinghamshire England[53]

7 M: Donald FORRYAN
Birth: 16 May 1886[50],[260]
Death: 16 Sep 1916 Somme France[50],[260]

8 M: Cyril Goodwin FORRYAN
Birth: 16 May 1889 Wigston Magna Leicestershire England[50],[260]
Death: 2 Aug 1971 Vancouver British Columbia Canada[50]
Spouse 1: Sarah (Sadie) HARRISON
Marriage: 18 Oct 1915 North Battleford Saskatchewan Canada
Spouse 2: Emily (Millie) CULVERHOUSE
Marriage: 1967

9 M: John Owen FORRYAN
Birth: 16 May 1890[50],[260]
Death: 4 Nov 1918 Wargniesle Pettit France[50],[260]


Sources

34. Birth Certificate 1878 - FORRYAN William Cartwright
38. Marriage Certificate 1910 - FORRYAN William Cartwright & JONES Gladys Annie
40. Death Certificate 1917 - FORRYAN W.C.
45. Birth Certificate 1849 - FORRYAN John George
46. Marriage Certificate 1875 - FORRYAN John George & CARTWRIGHT Elizabeth
50. Bible 1877 - FORRYAN John George
52. Birth Certificate 1884 - FORRYAN Hilda Mary
53. Marriage Certificate 1910 - BOYER Arthur Jackson & FORRYAN Hilda Mary
138. Birth Certificate 1853 - CARTWRIGHT Elizabeth
200. Baptisms & Burials (1786 - 1812) - Broughton Astley Leicestershire England - extracted from Microfiche DE 3319/4, and Baptisms (1813 - 1859) - Broughton Astley Leicestershire England - extracted from Microfiche DE3319/5 - at Leicester Record Office, Leicester Leicestershire England July 1990
260. Family Tree - enclosed with letter Jan 1995 - ARTON, Vera (RN=763) - includes 2 photos of ëVeeí

Information by: Laura Jean (Krause) Turnbull


Old Newspapers
By B. Joan Bowman

Births marriages and deaths as contained in the Grande Prairie "Herald" newspaper. Continued from the September 1999 issue of "Heritage Seekers".

Jan 2, 1923 Issue:
- "At the home of Mr. and Mrs. CLARKSON on the 21st instance, a wedding was solemnized by Dr. FORBES, when their daughter, Miss Jennie became the bride of Mr. Jack MACDONALD of South Kleskun."

Jan 9, 1923 Issue:
- No births, marriages or deaths found.

Jan 16, 1923 Issue:
- "Born to Mr. and Mrs. MILLS, Dec. 31, a daughter."
- "Wedding (from the Nanaimo Free Press): At Haliburton St. Methodist Church, Miss Rose DEVLIN, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin DEVLIN of Victoria Road became the bride of Mr. Donald W. PATTERSON, barrister-at-law in Grande Prairie, AB Ö bride attended by sister Dorothy Ö groom by Samuel DEVLIN (bride's brother) Ö ceremony performed by Rev. G.B. RIDLAND Ö groom served overseas in the 39th Field Battery and is currently the Mayor of Grande Prairie."

Jan 23, 1923 Issue:
- "Wedding at the home of Mr. W.J. RICHARDSON on Jan. 11th, when Miss Doris Mildred BLANCHARD, 3rd daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred BLANCHARD of Lake Saskatoon was united in marriage to Frederick Joseph RICHARDSON. Rev. Dr. DICKIE officiated Ö "

Jan 30, 1923 Issue:
- "Born to Mr. and Mrs. R.J. EVANS of Grande Prairie, on Jan. 21, a daughter."
- "Born to Mr. and Mrs. Tom PAUL of Grande Prairie on Jan. 25, a daughter."
- "Born to Mr. and Mrs. E.M. LANCTOT, on Jan. 27, a son."
- "J. MURRAY was accidentally shot and killed by his partner, near his homestead in Bad Heart. The inquest was held in Spirit River Jan. 25th."

Feb 6, 1923 Issue:
- "Errol HANNA charged with murder of George MURRAY Ö (Note: This issue has a lengthy article on the trial)"
- "Died: Dulcie MEDLOCK, wife of Walter H. MEDLOCK of Grande Prairie. Funeral at Anglican Church. Internment in Flying Shot Cemetery."

Feb 13, 1923 Issue:
- "Chester and Howard MILLER of this city received a telegram on Saturday (date ?) advising them of the death of their father, at the age of 74, who's home was in South Bend, Indiana."
- "Obituary of Dulcie Mary MEDLOCK Ö 38 years old, was a native of Manchester, England, coming to Canada with her husband in 1909 where they resided in Edmonton, coming to Grande Prairie in 1912 Ö Leaves to mourn her husband Walter and two young daughters, Dorothy and Hazel Ö "

Feb 20, 1923 Issue:
- This issue was not available on the microfilm.

Feb 27, 1923 Issue:
- "Mrs. LOVETT, mother of Mrs. O'DELL received news that her husband, a C.P.R. engineer running out of Revelstoke, British Columbia was killed in a wreck near that place Ö "
- "Crystal Creek News: - Mr. and Mrs. Gerald CARVETH are newly weds Ö "

Mar 6, 1923 Issue:
- "The death of Rhoda A. SHORES occurred at the home of her daughter Mrs. Florence TURNBAUGH Feb. 14th Ö Born Sept. 11, 1859 at Atlanta, Illinois and married Alexander SHORES, a vet of the Civil War, April 2, 1883. Two children. Mrs. Shores is an old timer of the West and pioneered in N. Dakota, Washington and Montana. Came to Grande Prairie with her daughter in 1921 Ö Funeral service conducted by Rev. Rural Dean LITTLE. Laid to rest at Flying Shot."

Mar 13, 1923 Issue:
- No births, marriages or deaths found.

Mar 20, 1923 Issue:
- "Born to Mr. and Mrs. TAYLOR, March 5th, a daughter."
- "Notice to Creditors and Claimants in the Estate of William Edward DAVIES, late of the sanatorium of Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, a soldier, deceased Ö who died 5 Nov. 1921 Ö "
- "Notice to Creditors and Claimants in the estate of Herman Elsworth BRODIE, late of the village of Clairmont, AB, farmer, deceasedÖ on 8 Feb. 1923Ö"

Mar 27, 1923 Issue:
- "Born to Mr. and Mrs. George A. DUNCAN, Nov. 26, a daughter."
- "Wedding: At the Presbyterian Manse, Mar. 13, Lee STRANG and Miss Ethel PERRY were united by Rev. FORBES. Mr. and Mrs. Robert BRANTER were bridesmaid and best man Ö will live in the Valhalla district Ö Mr. STRANG ran a barbershop in Grande Prairie for two years and Miss PERRY was a member of the Grande Prairie Hotel staff Ö "
- "Halcourt News: Mr. E. MCDONNELL and his bride to Rio Grande Ö "
- "Notice to Creditors and Claimants in the estate of John ANGUS, late of Weyburn, Sask., Farmer, Deceased Ö died 8 Nov. 1922."

Correction:
The September 1999 issue of "Heritage Seekers", page 4 stated there are no issues of the Grande Prairie "Herald" newspaper, on microfilm at the Grande Prairie Public Library, for any of the issues for Mar. 1, 1922 to Jan. 1, 1923. The dates for missing issues should read for the period May 1, 1922 to Jan 1, 1923.


Help Wanted

I am currently gathering information for a book on Peace River area veterans of World War II who saw service in Sicily and Italy. These people would have served in the 1st Canadian Corps (consisting of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, 5th Canadian Armoured Division and a Canadian independent tank brigade).

I am conducting taped interviews with all veterans willing to do so, and using these interviews to supplement my printed sources on the campaigns in Sicily and Italy.

The completed book will hopefully bring the story of an under-appreciated war contribution to an audience unfamiliar with this remarkable story. Any information on veterans willing to tell their stories would be much appreciated.

Please contact: Ron Nelson, Box 614, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A8 Telephone: 780-532-1162 (h), or 780-538-0362 (w)


Grande Prairie and District AGS
Study Group
By Judith Bradley

Our study group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm downstairs in the Grande Prairie Public Library.

This group is meant to support you in your research, help you with your "brick walls", and provide a time to share ideas and successes. We never know what our "brick wall" will bring.

From our last meeting:

"Help me find my grandfather. He left the wife and family when the children were young. Not a trace of him since. Heard through other family members he was working in Hollywood in set construction in the 1920's "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin". What can I do now?"

Suggestions: Check when these movies were made to give a better date, check border crossings, Hollywood movie archives, Hollywood set construction union, (we are looking forward to hearing how this turns out).

January 12 - Sharing our millennium projects

Learning about a bossher, approver, and a hogringer (occupations)

February 9 - Wills and probate

Just what was a leysmith, tasker, and crocker?

March 10 - Maps and Genealogy

What did an arkwright, a collier, and a hooper do?

Please bring a 'twoonie' to defray our costs. Also bring your genealogical questions and problems. It is amazing what happens when we put our heads together!


Executive 2000 / 2001

A Nomination Form is included with this newsletter and the current list of members appears below. Please consider running for an executive position for 2000 or nominate another member.

Return the form to the Branch address by January 18th, 2000.

Thank You


Quilt Raffle - Fundraiser

Draw held November 16, 1999

First prizewinner of the quilt "Rhapsody in Blue" was Mike Smashnuk of Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Second prizewinner of the miniature "The Attic" was Kristy Trider of Fairview, Alberta.

Thank You to all ticket sellers and purchasers as the Branch raised over $2000.00 for Branch activities.

A Special Thank You to Paulette Hrychiw for making the Quilt and to Debby Was for making the Miniature.

Mike Smashnuk and his two daughters
accepting quilt from Paulette Hrychiw


Interesting Websites

These websites have been suggested by members as websites that they have found useful in their own research. Hope one can be of benefit to you. If you know of any interesting sites, please send them to Heritage Seekers c/o The Editor.

http://memory.loc.gov/ - a treasure trove of pictures, maps etc from the USA that will add much interest to your family history.

http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/ - indexes to British birth, marriage and death records.

http://www.ancestry.com/genpagefinder/ - a search engine - currently indexes the contents of over 200,000 genealogical web pages, updated every week, offers search results surrounded by their immediate context and free from non-genealogical clutter.

http://www.genfair.com/ - consortium of British genealogical societies that have banded together and pooled their resources to create one larger and more powerful website.


What is a Scavenger?

The following was part of an assignment given to the Wednesday Night Study Group on old occupations:

Anyone who knows my family well knows that my sister and I collect stuff - not necessarily useful at the moment, the items in question lie in wait until a suitable use for them is found (or not). We learned at the feet of the master - our dad - who not only saved things around the home, but actually picked things up off the street or took things that friends were throwing out. (We have limited our collecting to things around the house.)

So imagine my delight and surprise when I found my great-great grandfather John Duff in the 1881 Census for Aberdeen and his occupation was listed as a scavenger. At last a plausible excuse of my junk - "Sorry, I just can't help myself, it's in my family" or "I'm genetically programmed to save things."

Well, exactly what is a scavenger? Penny Christensen lists it as a man employed to clear refuse off the street. He had a person known as a raker who was his assistant. The raker was the one who went round 3 times a week doing the actual work of clearing the night soil and rubbish put out by the householders.

John Duff died in 1886 and was listed as working for the Police Corporation, so possibly street cleaning came under the auspices of the police at that time. I am willing to bet that whoever he was working for, anything that he considered useful got taken home!


Membership Renewals

Your Membership Renewal form for 2000 is enclosed with this newsletter (unless you have already renewed).
Please return your renewal to the Grande Prairie Branch address no later than January 18, 2000.

This year we are offering
an "additional incentive"

All memberships paid for by the January meeting i.e.: January 18th, 2000 will be eligible for a draw. The prize is a quilted table runner in the same fabrics as our raffle quilt pictured on page 9.

Your membership must be received by the Grande Prairie Branch by the deadline date to be eligible.
Any renewals not received by the deadline may experience a delay in receiving their next issue of "Relatively Speaking" and "Heritage Seekers".


Library Report
By Debby Was

As of January 2000 there will be a catalogue of the branch library holdings available in the Isabel Campbell Room. It is in a grey binder and will be located on top of the census microfilm cabinet. The catalogue should make it easier to locate items in our collection. It is divided by Subject and by Format. As well as including bibliographic information, each title lists its location in the library.

We are also printing a shorter version of the catalogue that lists our entire collection as of January 1, 2000. It is called "Check the Library! An Inventory of the Grande Prairie & District Branch, AGS Library Holdings as of January, 2000". More information about this publication will be available at our January meeting.

We have the three volume set of "The Atlantic Canadians 1600 - 1900" available for research until January 7th, 2000 in our library. Please be sure to view them before that date, as they will be returned to Edmonton.

New Books in the Grande Prairie & District Branch, AGS collection. These books are located in the Isabel Campbell Room and are non-circulating (Reference).

Below are some of the new books of genealogical interest in the Grande Prairie Public Library collection. These titles are in the circulating collection and can be borrowed from the library with a valid library card.

Look for the following in the GPPL reference collection:

The Genies last session for 1999 will be on December 10 and they will return to the library on Wednesday, January 12, 2000.

Merry Christmas, everyone!


Thank You Grande Prairie Miniature Club!
From Debby Was

I would like to thank some of the members of the Grande Prairie Miniature Club for all the goodies they donated to the miniature attic that was given as second prize in our raffle, November 16th. Several members made or donated items to put into the attic. They are Astrid Adams, Judy Garlinski, Jackie Jones, Barb Moreau, and Bev Tucker. Thanks ladies!


Upcoming Events

January 12: Study Group
January 18: Regular Meeting
    Program: "Using National Archives Records"
February 9: Study Group
February 15: Regular (Annual) Meeting
    Program: "Baby Show"
March 8: Study Group
March 21: Regular Meeting
    Program: TBA
April 5: Study Group
April 14/15: Annual Conference
    Edmonton, Alberta
April 18: Regular Meeting
    Program: TBA

All study group and regular meetings
begin at 7:00 pm and
regular meetings are preceded by a
short business meeting.

Genies in the Library (beginning Jan. 12, 2000)
Wednesday: 7:00 ó9:00 p.m.
Friday: 1:00 ó 3:00 p.m.
At other times, please ask the staff at the Grande Prairie Public Library for contact information


Contact Information

Grande Prairie & District Branch
Alberta Genealogical Society
Box 1257
Grande Prairie, Alberta
T8V 4Z1

Meetings
at the
Grande Prairie Public Library
Meeting Room, 9910 - 99 Avenue,
Grande Prairie, Alberta
Third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Except for July, August, and December

Executive

President: Margaret Kay
Vice President: Debby Was
Secretary: Marian Ledger
Treasurer: Dorothy McDonald
Past President: Allen Meyer

Committees

Cemeteries: Hugh Impey
Historian: Fran Moore
Library: Debby Was
Membership: Laura Turnbull
Obituaries: Alfred & Gwen Richards
Laura Turnbull
Phoning: Nancy Timanson
Publicity: Leita Askew
Researchers: Paulette Hrychiw
Researchers: Joan Bowman
Volunteer Coordinator: Catherine Ledger

Newsletter "Heritage Seekers"
Editor: Judith Bradley
Layout & Copying: Laura Turnbull
Distribution: Dorothy McDonald

Library Hours
9910-99 Ave, Grande Prairie
Telephone: 532-3580
Tues. - Thurs. - 10 am to 9 p.m.
Fri & Sat. - 10 am to 6 p.m.
Sunday - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays

Branch Website address: http://gp.abgensoc.ca/
AGS Website address:http://abgensoc.ca/


Published by
Grande Prairie & District Branch
Alberta Genealogical Society
Box 1257, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 4Z1
Volume 22 Number 4 December 1999
ISSN 0707-0780


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  October 21, 2001