Active Aging Series: GENEALOGY & HISTORIC EDMONTON
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, we hosted our Active Aging Series: Genealogy & Historic Edmonton. It was a wonderful morning as we learned about the City of Edmonton Archives, the different resources available at the Edmonton Public Library and the Genealogy group hosted at our centre!
As promised, the following is a summary of the resources our presenters told us about with links on how to access the information.
WSAC GENEALOGY DROP-IN PROGRAM
Did you know…
It is common today for grandchildren and great-grandchildren to not know anything about their grandparents and their family history?
A popular saying: “What the son wishes to forget, the grandson wishes to know”
WSAC GENEALOGY GROUP
- Runs from September to June
- Meetings are on the 1st Wednesday of the month
- 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
- The Boardroom, Westend Seniors Activity Centre (WSAC)
- Open to all registered members of WSAC
- $3.00 drop-in fee at each meeting
OUR GOALS FOR OUR DROP-IN GROUP:
- To learn, share, encourage, and motivate members in genealogy
- Help support and train members new to genealogy
- Share genealogical knowledge, resources, and experiences
How to Build a Family Tree
STEP #01: Decide what you want to know about your family history:
- Research one direct line
- Cultural Background?
- History of One Family Member?
- Medical History?
- A Particular Family Event?
STEP #02: Write down what you know about your family tree and history.
- Share your knowledge and information with other relatives and gather their input and suggestions for further contacts.
- Start to research your information using the Internet, libraries, and free search sites like Family Search.
- Join a Genealogy group to gain their recommendations, assistance, and guidance.
STEP #03: Consider opening an account with a family research site, i.e. Ancestry.com, My Heritage, Find Your Roots, etc.
- Keep your costs low at first until you determine where you will get the best value for the least cost.
- Take a free trial, a limited-time membership, or a limited resources membership.
- Always try to verify the information you find with authentic source information.
- Be patient, this takes time.
- Be open-minded
- Pause, read your information, ponder
- Consider taking a DNA test to verify what you know and to open new possibilities by identifying relatives.
- Choose how you want to record and organize your documentation.
- Reroute back to earlier contacts to share your findings, ask for further suggestions, and spark more memories.
- Never give up, the answers are out there somewhere.
CITY OF EDMONTON ARCHIVES
The City of Edmonton Archives is home to the collective memory of the City. They receive, preserve, and provide access to records that tell the story of Edmonton and the people who live here.
The archives contain a variety of documents and materials that can be accessed for research and reference.
Anyone can access the archives! Make a research appointment or drop in to learn more about our collection.
Local newspapers
- Edmonton Bulletin, 1880-1951
- Edmonton Journal, 1903-Present
- Editions of Strathcona Plaindealer, Edmonton Capital, and other publications
City of Edmonton Government records
- City departments and offices’ records
- City bylaws
Maps and blueprints collection
- Photographs collection
- Aerial photos
Other records
- Personal and family records
- Local organizations and businesses
PRESERVE YOUR RECORDS
You can consider donating your personal records or those of your family. These records provide insight into the individual stories and experiences that make up our larger community. If you own a business or are part of an organization you can donate the operational records you no longer need on a regular basis. Your records will help create a picture of life in Edmonton and will be preserved and accessible for future generations.
- Personal records -Diaries and journals, Scrapbooks, Certificates etc.
- Family records – Home movies, Photographs, etc.
- Organization records – Meeting minutes, Newsletters, and communications
- Business records – Correspondence, Advertisements and promotional material
TELL YOUR STORY!
YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORY
Paul from the WSAC Genealogy group shared this video with us to show us just how important it is to share our story with our loved ones.
HOW TO CONTACT THE CITY ARCHIVES
City of Edmonton Archives
Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre
10440-108 Avenue, Edmonton AB
780-496-8711
cms.archives@edmonton.ca
DO YOU HAVE A LIBRARY CARD?
Your Edmonton Public Library card unlocks an amazing amount of resources to help you on your genealogy journey!
EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY – EPL’s Digital Genealogical Resources
- Go to epl.ca
- Click on Log In (top right corner)
- Enter your library card number (or username) and PIN (password)
- Select DIGITAL CONTENT
- Select GENEALOGY & HISTORY
Canadian Content Resources
Alberta Genealogical Society
Alberta Genealogical Society and AGS Edmonton Branch work together to make key subscription-based digital resources available to our members and visitors in our Library. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
Ancestry Library
Ancestry® Library Edition, available through your library, offers billions of historical records, including census data, vital records, photos, and more. This extensive genealogy resource covers individuals from North America, the U.K., Europe, Australia, and beyond. With over 7,000 databases, you can explore family history through records like birth, marriage, immigration, military, and court documents. Collections include U.S. and Canadian census data, U.K. vital records, and unique records from around the world. New content is added regularly, including military records, historical photos, and international family histories. The easy-to-use search tools and Learning Center make it a valuable resource for anyone interested in genealogy. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SIGN IN PAGE
Canadian News, Business & Current Affairs
This Canadian periodical collection includes a variety of publications from CBCA Business, Education, and Reference & Current Events databases. It offers access to scholarly journals, magazines, news, reports, and more, covering topics like business, education, health, politics, history, and social sciences—all from a Canadian perspective. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
Edmonton Public Library – Edmonton Obituaries
Browse, search and read from the scanned pages of the Edmonton Journal. Fully searchable with full-page and article images that can be easily downloaded. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
Frontier Life: Borderlands, Settlement and Colonial Encounters
This collection of primary source documents helps us to understand existence on the edges of the anglophone world from 1650-1920. Discover the various European and colonial frontier regions of North America, Africa and Australasia through documents that reveal the lives of settlers and Indigenous peoples in these areas. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE
Gale Primary Sources
Gale Primary Sources connects us with the voices and events of the past, offering a rich research experience. With reliable content and strong search tools, this platform helps students and researchers explore 500 years of literary, political, and social history to see how it shapes our world today. Each collection is carefully organized to make finding and analyzing information easier for anyone looking to go deeper in their research. CLICK HERE TO SIGN IN
HeritageQuest Online
HeritageQuest Online® is a rich resource for genealogy and history, offering over 4.4 billion records dating back to the 1700s. Powered by Ancestry®, it includes U.S. and international census data, family histories, city directories, military records, wills, probate files, Freedman’s Bank records, and historical maps. With easy search tools and remote access through the library, it’s a top choice for exploring personal and local history.CLICK HERE TO SIGN IN
North of 52 Collection
Explore Edmonton’s rich history with the North of 52 Collection, a special set of digitized books highlighting the heritage of northern Alberta, above the 52nd parallel. Since 2021, the Library has been working to find and digitize important historical items, making them easier to access and preserving them for future generations. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE
ProQuest Historical Newspapers™ Canadian Newspapers
This collection offers over 175 years of Canadian history through 14 local newspapers from five provinces, spanning from the 18th century to today. You can explore stories and events as they were originally printed, with high-resolution, page-by-page views—an invaluable resource for researchers interested in local perspectives and historical events. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE
Other Alberta Library Systems
- Calgary Public Library
- Chinook Arch Regional Library System
- Fort Saskatchewan Public Library
- Parkland Regional Library System
- Red Deer Public
- St. Alberta Public Library
- Strathcona County Library
- Shortgrass Library System
- Northern Lights Library System (TRAC)
- Yellowhead Regional Library System (TRAC)
- Marigold Library System (TRAC)
- Peace Library System (TRAC)
- Wood Buffalo Regional Library
