I have heard from several of you that training in genealogy resources would be much appreciated. This is very possible. I would be happy to come to your libraries and offer workshops on specific resources or even a “getting started with your family history” session and follow up sessions to that. Don’t hesitate to call or write.

In the mean time I thought I would point out a few other resources for personal self-directed study. Anyone doing Family History soon learns that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called Mormons, are a massive resource for your family history. As a product of their religious beliefs they house the largest repository of genealogical information on the planet. They also work diligently to empower people with the ability to do their own family history. They offer several online - free - independent study courses in this area.

One such course is titled Religion 261 and is offered through Brigham Young University’s website. (remember it is free).

They also provide a host of other free online courses!

In an instruction course I took in library school one of my colleagues, Dai Newman, offered a presentation on genealogy sources available from the church. With his permission, I include his slightly modified cheat sheet to those sources hereand on the training page of the NLLS website.

Here is a short list of local genealogical organizations which could help with your search:

• The Alberta Family History Society They offer some interesting training programs, links to useful genealogy software and more.
• The Alberta Genealogical Society Unfortunately, no branches in our area. There is one in Edmonton and Ft. McMurray though.
• Société généalogique du Nord-Ouest For help with searching French Canadian genealogy I’m told this is the place to go in Alberta. I don’t read/speak French so I can’t say much more than that.
• Mormon Church Family History Centers - one of these centers is located in St. Paul

A couple other useful resources:

• The Alberta Heritage Digitization Project developed by the University of Calgary digitizes most of Alberta’s newspapers from as far back as 1885. If you are looking for local history, obituaries, to help with your genealogy check out this site.

• The Canadian Genealogical Centre is an incredible gateway and resource. You can find everything from province specific resources to more general resources. I found my great grandfathers attestation papers from the first world war! It was as if I was meeting the man when I saw his signature and physical description…

Do you have microfilm readers in your library? Do you have a collection of genealogy resources for your patrons and could you direct them where to go for more help?

I am sure there are other sources out there. This is your opportunity to add to this post by posting comments - questions. Be brave !