Our Board & Volunteers

Current Roles: Vice President, Webmaster, Digital Genealogy & Family Genes SIG Leader

How did you get started in family history research?
I visited the LDS Church Family Search Centre on 17th Avenue SW back in the 1980s looking for records on my Benedict line. The staff were most helpful with searching through the microfilms. I did find my Benedict great-grandparents, living in Wallaceburg, Ontario. But my great-grandmother’s maiden surname was Benedict and it turned out my great-grandparents were first cousins! After that discovery, I was hooked!
How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
I first found the Digital Genealogy group, which was not affiliated with AFHS at the time, but some attendees were AFHS members. As I became more familiar with genealogy studies through this group, I decided to also join AFHS as they had an active and enthusiastic group of computer users. I fit right in.
What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
Pick one area of your family branch and stay focused. Collect whatever sources and images you can and then digitize and store them on a website somewhere for your extended family to find and enjoy.
What are some of the areas you have experience researching in?
My research areas are Alberta, Ontario, New England, Maritimes (Acadian) and Alsace, France.

Current Role: Secretary, Conference Committee

How did you get started in family history research?
My mother (now in her 90s) took over our genealogy search from my grandmother. I now am picking up from my mother, and it is great to tell each other what we have learned in our research.
How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
I met Wendy Schultz at a walking class and started talking about genealogy research and she mentioned the Alberta Family Histories Society.
What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
If you are looking for research and information the Society members are a wealth of knowledge. Just ask and you will always learn something new.
What areas of the province / country / world have you done research in?
I am new at the research part, but I have researched Alberta, Ontario, England, Wales and Scotland.

Current Role: Director (Library), Coaching at CPL Coordinator, DNA SIG Leader

1. How did you get started in family history research?
I started working on my family history at the age of 20. My paternal Grandmother was 80 at that time and I constantly asked her questions about her family in Scotland. I was lucky that she lived to the grand old age of 102 years because I had a lot of questions! I also wrote letters to my maternal Grandfather’s cousin in Ontario to ask about the ancestors who had settled there. I was always curious about my family roots.
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
I moved to Calgary on October 1, 1993. I found an ad for the Alberta Family Histories Society in a publication called Neighbours and joined later that month. So, I have been a member for over 30 years. I served on the board as membership secretary for a term of two years (2004-2006) and as a director for several years. I joined the library committee and have held the position of library chair since 2007. I have attended many AFHS Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings over the years including ones for Ontario, English, Celtic and Legacy software. I have been a co-chair of the AFHS DNA SIG since it was formed in 2014.
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
Ask lots of questions and document the answers. In the early years, I was so excited to find the information but didn’t always document my sources. Also, make a note if you searched for information and didn’t find any answers.
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in?
I have researched my family extensively in Manitoba, Ontario, England, Scotland, New England, and Pennsylvania. I have done some research for my husband’s family in Alberta, Lithuania, and Ukraine.

Current Role: Director (Marketing)

1. How did you get started in family history research?
Not totally sure but members of our family tended to donate various family artifacts to me. And, despite my engineering background, I had a penchant for writing. I tended to write up the family stories that I had collected.
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
When I retired, we moved to spending our winters in California and I joined a local genealogy club. One of the members of that club, Greg Cave, encouraged me to connect with AFHS back in Calgary, where we spend our summers. And that’s exactly what I did!
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
I would recommend that folks structure their research information so that revisiting that material becomes an easy task. Find a set of standards that work for you and be highly disciplined in maintaining your records in that fashion.
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in?
I have researched in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Manitoba, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Germany, and Australia.

Current Role: Director (Facilities)

1. How did you get started in family history research?
I got started in family history research by talking a class in family history in Lethbridge, while going to college at the Family History Centre in 1985.
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
I found the Alberta Family Histories Society (AFHS) by searching online for their website.
I became involved with AFHS because they requested help filling a volunteer position.
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our society?
I would recommend review your ancestors’ sources on a regular basis such as census records. My ancestor, Sarah Mabel (Mooney) Bailey, (1883 – 1965) was transcribed as Nanah Mable Bailey in the Canadian 1931 census. Upon deeper investigation and reflection, I reviewed the handwritten document of the census revealing the name of Sarah Mabel Bailey.
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in?
My areas of research are Ontario, Nova Scotia, Ireland, England, and United States.

Current Role: Chinook Arch Editor

1. How did you get started in family history research?
My family lived far away from most of our relatives, but we always shared family stories. I’ve been interested in history from an early age and hearing how my own family fit into world history was fascinating. When I was around twelve, I received a Family History Kit (probably from Sears) for Christmas and had my mother help me get relatives to fill in the family group sheets. My maternal grandmother was a family historian and had collected information on both her and her husband’s families. Once she found out I was interested in family history, she wrote letters and sent photos, newspaper clippings and other information to me about my relatives. I’ve continued to research my relatives on and off over the next forty years!
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
When I moved to Calgary a few years ago and wanted to get involved with a family history group, I searched Google for possibilities. There were two, AGS and AFHS, but once I figured out AGS was based in Edmonton, I decided to contact AFHS. I had already found some information on one of my few family members who had lived in Calgary, an uncle by marriage, using the AFHS website. The first meeting I attended, in May 2019, the speaker did a presentation on her French-Canadian heritage, and I realized as I listened that her family was connected to my boyfriend’s family. One of his father’s relatives had written a book and I ended up sharing some of the research in the book with the presenter. I decided I was in the right place! I volunteered to help with the Society newsletter, which was being expanded after the decision to stop producing the AFHS journal Chinook. I worked with Marion to create something useful for the Society members but easier to produce which ended up being the Chinook Arch. My library background also led to me volunteering at the AFHS Resource Centre and I have helped at a few Family History Coaching sessions too.
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
My research tip is to use networking to further your research. I’ve found Facebook a wonderful resource with groups for many of the areas I’m researching. These groups are populated by people familiar with the area and willing to answer questions. Don’t stick to just genealogy groups, I also belong to groups devoted to the history of areas where my ancestors lived. Attending Society or Special Interest Group meetings, conferences or other events related to history is a great way to meet like-minded people. Chatting with someone about where they research and what experience they have had is often useful and always interesting. Find your tribe – the people whose eyes don’t glaze over when you start talking about your family!
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in? (eg. Alberta, Ontario, England, Wales, New England, southern United States, Sweden, Australia, etc.)
My main areas of research are England (Warwickshire and Lancashire mainly), Isle of Man, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New England states (1600-1700s), Ireland and recently I added Australia.

Current Roles: English/Welsh SIG Leader, Family Tree Maker SIG Leader, Basics SIG Leader, Genealogy 101 Workshop presenter

1. How did you get started in family history research?
In grade five we were learning about the United Empire Loyalists in Canadian history and my teacher commented that one of the students had a Loyalist ancestor. I thought, “How do you go about finding that information?” When I was able to attend a beginner genealogy class in 1982 that question was finally answered, and my genealogy journey began.

2. How did you find the AFHS and become involved?
We moved to Alberta when my husband and I retired and were looking for activities in our new home. A visit to the AFHS library on 16th Avenue found me a friendly place where they spoke my “gene language.”

3. What is one research tip you would like to share with our Society members?
Always record where you find that fact, picture or certificate. Searching online can give you a source citation to easily save, but it is the other sources that aren’t automatic that you need to record too. It may be a letter from Aunt Maggie or a book on the bottom shelf of the AFHS Library that holds the information you are seeking. I promise you that you will NOT remember the name of that book or where you put the letter later. Write it down in your paper files or record it in your software so you can recheck it later. Be detailed.

4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in?
With common Anglo-Saxon names, my research mainly lies in Manitoba, Ontario & the United Kingdom. I have helped develop my research skills, for Ontario and the United Kingdom especially, by attending the Ontario SIG and English/Welsh SIG meetings.

Current Role: Ontario SIG Leader

1. How did you get started in family history research?
I first was interested in family research at age 12. My maternal grandfather passed away and I wanted to learn about my English Harlock side.
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
In 1986, a member of the AFHS suggested I join as I was interested in family research. I had moved from Ontario, where I started my family research, and I took what I had gathered to my first meeting at Knox United Church.
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
My tip is that when you locate something that may be about your family, hold on to it as it will connect later in your research line. Patience!
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in?
I am researching in Alberta, BC, Ontario, France, Germany, and England.

Current Role: Program Committee Chair, Library Committee member

1. How did you get started in family history research?
I was working in the Humanities Department at Calgary Public Library, which included the genealogy collection. To familiarize myself with the collection and to be able to help genealogists, I figured I should work on my own family history. I grabbed a census index and a microfilm and found my 2x great- grandfather and family. I was hooked!
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
I took over from the person who was managing the genealogy collection and one of the projects she had started was getting a Genealogy Coaching program going. I contacted AFHS and, with then President Bill Campbell, started the program. I also started attending the AFHS meetings and joined the Society because I wanted to support an organization which did so much for the library. The membership director at the time convinced me that I would be good on the Programs Committee, so I volunteered. It is one of the best things I have ever done.
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
Just because you can’t find it online doesn’t mean it isn’t out there. Look at any genealogy brick wall from every angle you can think of and then familiarize yourself with the records and where they are kept. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for help. You can ask questions at the AFHS Resource Centre or at the Family History Coaching, or at an AFHS meeting). Genealogists (and librarians) love to help!
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in? (eg. Alberta, Ontario, England, Wales, New England, southern United States, Sweden, Australia, etc.)
I’ve helped lots and lots of genealogists find information about their ancestors, so I have a little knowledge of a lot of places. I am experienced searching for records from Western Canada, including British Columbia. I also have loads of ancestors who worked for the railways. My own family includes First Nations, Irish, American, Canadian and Belgian ancestors so I have a bit of a background in all those areas. I worked for many years in libraries and have lots of experience working with archives, so I can generally track down repositories in most places.

Current Role: Queries & Info Email Distribution

1. How did you get started in family history research?
We were living in Sherwood Park, AB and I saw an ad for a genealogy seminar in Edmonton, so I registered for it.
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
When my family moved back to Calgary, I saw an ad for the Alberta Family Histories Society and went to one of the meetings. I became interested enough to join the Society but did not volunteer. When AFHS moved their meeting to a church in SW Calgary, I volunteered to help set up the meeting room and eventually joined the ladies providing refreshment during the break at meetings. Some time later, I joined the Projects group doing newspaper extractions and also proofreading extractions done by others.
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
Networking at in-person or virtual meetings is one of the things I found helpful in my research. A great way to do this is to attend the monthly Society meeting or to join a SIG. I have attended many seminars, conferences, and conventions where I networked with other researchers too.
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in?
Some of the areas that I am researching are Alberta, Wisconsin and Minnesota in the United States, Germany, and Poland.

Current Role: Facebook, Genealogy 101 presenter

1. How did you get started in family history research?
I always had an interest in my family connections, from stories I heard about my great- grandparents. Oh, how I wish I would have listened more closely and asked more questions, but I was young. The stories had me hooked though! When I was about 12, I did my very basic four generations on both sides of my parents, just names and birth places, for a Girl Guide achievement badge. I still have that very basic four generation chart written on scribbler paper that my mother had tucked away in her trunk. Then I pursued other interests; schooling, marriage, family, etc. I still enjoyed hearing stories of my grandparents and great-grandparents.
It was not until after my Dad’s last brother died, and my brother and I inherited his farm, that I was bitten by the genealogy bug. I was tasked with clearing out the old farmhouse and my Grandmother’s bedroom was like a museum. A cupboard contained a box of pictures and old photo albums and about 50 years of letters and cards from family near and far. They were neatly stored in old Christmas card boxes, a goldmine of import news and events. This was 1998 and I spent many hours at the Family History Centre on 17 Avenue, pouring over microfiche and microfilm, searching the internet and writing letters.
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
Tara Shymanski was instrumental in getting me involved with AFHS by inviting me to a meeting and to a conference. After I retired, I got more involved by being a Facebook coordinator and helping with workshops where I shared my knowledge with other family historians.
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
I actually have two research tips:
1. Always, always source your information, recording where you found it or who you heard it from.
2. Always look at original images, if available, as an indexed record does not contain every detail on the image (and remember to save a copy of the original image too!)
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in? (eg. Alberta, Ontario, England, Wales, New England, southern United States, Sweden, Australia, etc.)
Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. United States: early US colonies, Upper New York State, Michigan, and Washington State. Central Europe: Germans from Russia, and the Trento Region of Northern Italy.

Current Role: Chinook Arch Proofreader

Current Roles: Communications Committee Chair, Society Archives, Genealogy 101 presenter, Zoom Coordinator

1. How did you get started in family history research?
Shortly after purchasing our first home computer in the late 1990s, I asked my husband for Family Tree Maker as a Mother’s Day gift. I was looking for something more interesting to do on the computer than Solitaire games. I was hooked…
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
I read an article in the Calgary Herald about a conference in March 2001 and attended it. It took me a while to attend a meeting, but when I walked in the door, I discovered someone I already knew (Rosemary Kry). She and I carpooled to AFHS meetings, and about a year later, we both answered a plea for volunteers on the Programs Committee. Shortly after, I ended up as the Programs Committee Chair. Since then, I’ve volunteered in many different roles. It is a great way to get to know people!
3. Which of your ancestors would you most like to meet and what would you ask them?
I would like to meet my Irish 3X great-grandmother, Jemima (Hall) Rath. I would ask her who her parents were. There are no records that can help me figure this out.
4. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
Learn all you can about various ways of organizing your information, then decide on a method that makes sense to you which can expand as you collect more and more information. This is especially important for digital files. When I started, I named too many items with unhelpful names like “birth registration” or “obituary.” That’s a big mistake!
5. What family names are you researching and what areas of the province/country/world have you done research in?
I’ve done a lot of research in Middlesex, Oxford, Perth, Brant and Waterloo Counties in Ontario, Canada. My English ancestors came from Cornwall, Devon, Westmorland, Devon, Yorkshire and Nottingham. My Irish lines came from County Wexford and County Antrim, and my Scottish line came from Inverness, so I’ve done a bit of research in these areas as well. I’ve also done some Swedish and Danish research for my husband’s family.

Current Role: Cemetery Projects Committee Chair

1. How did you get started in family history research?
I’m one of many native Calgarian members in AFHS. My mother was first-generation Canadian; her parents were from the Netherlands and had met here in Alberta. My father was from a UEL family that had migrated to Manitoba. I was always curious about extended family, most of whom I rarely saw. Once my mother started developing dementia, I got Family Tree Maker so I could document and remember who all these relatives were and how we were related. Then of course I got completely hooked on family history research!

2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
We left Calgary in our mid-20s to live in Montreal and eventually ended up back in Calgary after 18 years away in 1998. By then my passion for genealogy research had started me on the path of volunteering to do family trees for in-laws, friends, extended family, neighbors and even co-workers! I can’t remember when I joined AFHS, but I didn’t attend monthly meetings until after I retired. At one of the first meetings Heather Williams, Projects Team Lead at the time, asked for volunteers to help with cemetery spreadsheets. I said, “I can help!” and am so glad I did as Heather has become a very dear friend. To my surprise I also found cemetery work quite interesting as you get to use your research skills quite a bit. We have an amazing group of volunteers who take cemetery photos and work on the spreadsheets needed to upload a new cemetery to Alberta Ancestors.

3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
Get involved! The more you do, the more you learn. By helping others, I discovered so many great research tips and websites and learned about all the amazing research material available in our AFHS Resource Centre. Networking with other AFHS members is invaluable as we have so many knowledgeable people in our society!

4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in? (eg. Alberta, Ontario, England, Wales, New England, southern United States, Sweden, Australia, etc.)
Many, many places around the world, including learning a bit about Chinese genealogy when AFHS got funding from the City of Calgary to translate the Chinese inscriptions on the markers at Chinese Cemetery. It was very interesting getting that cemetery ready to be uploaded to Alberta Ancestors!

1. How did you get started in family history research?
My brother-in-law is a member of the Latter-Day Saints and when he started searching for his ancestors back in 1986 there wasn’t the data availability that there is now. He was telling me how hard it was. Many microfilm reels and fiche to read and very slow.
2. How did you find the Alberta Family Histories Society and become involved?
I started out in the Computer Group that was affiliated with the AFHS but not a part of it. We had our own budget funded by the members and various alumni groups for the oil and gas industry. Being a geek, I found I was getting involved in some of the projects. We had two-day conferences that revolved around the computer aspect of genealogical research. We brough in some excellent speakers and many software companies. Our own Suddie William “Bill” Mumford was regarded as a genealogical software expert in North America. I wrote the first AFHS website when there wasn’t even the ability to have pictures in it. For the old timers, it was written using Lynx. I remember Doug Stobbs saying this Internet thing would never take off.
3. What is one research tip that you would like to share with our Society members?
Don’t rely on one website for your research or even on the internet alone. There are still many sources that are not on the Internet. FamilySearch has a catalog of books, microfilm and fiche in the library vault in Utah. Calgary Library and the University of Calgary hold much material. The Alberta Provincial Archives are very helpful, and I have had great results in contacting them. They even had an archive in England pull inquest documents from storage. Generally, if you can find a book in a library catalog, you may be able to get it through an inter-library loan. There are some books that are reference only so then you may need to make a road trip.
4. What are some of the areas you have experience researching in?
Newfoundland because of my wife’s roots and England for my roots.