This year marks the 20th anniversary of the South Okanagan Genealogical Society. The society will be celebrating the event with an open house on June 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Penticton Library/Museum Auditorium. The public will be invited to come and see just what genealogy and finding ancestors is all about.
Invitations have been sent out to all past and present members, and charter members will be honoured at a special potluck supper
A newspaper ad placed 20 years ago by Coral Eady, the society’s founder, to find others that were interested in finding their family histories resulted in the formation of the South Okanagan Genealogical Society.
From its humble beginnings in April 1993 with only six books on the shelf, the society has grown to now having over 1,600 titles, with everything from town histories, genealogical magazines, maps and many other subjects needed for the study of tracing family histories, to hundreds of newsletters from societies all over the world.
The society’s Resource Centre Library is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Penticton Museum archives room. The local group’s “Mini-Workshops” program has now been adopted by several genealogical and family history societies nationwide. These workshops are held every two weeks and cover everything from beginning genealogy to brick walls, last wills and testaments to newspaper archives, what can be gleaned from obituaries to restoring old photographs, how to use Family Tree Maker to navigating the Internet, preserving documents and photographs to organizing your genealogy.
Several dedicated members with years of doing family history research are ready and willing to share their knowledge with others. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or just a beginner, there is always something more to learn.
General meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month (except July and August) at 7:30 p.m. in the Library/Museum Auditorium, 785 Main St. Penticton, sometimes with special speakers and presentations.
If you have ever been a member in the past of the South Okanagan Genealogical Society or know of someone who has and want to participate in the celebration, contact Nola Reid at sogsnola@shaw.ca.