This year marks the 20th anniversary of the South Okanagan Genealogical Society and will be celebrating this 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.
Many people have come and gone over the years, but many charter members are still on the roster today. They will be honoured at a potluck supper and special invitations will be sent out to all past and present members.
A newspaper ad placed 20 years ago by Coral Eady, the founder, to find others that were interested in finding their family histories and many that shared her passion came together to form the South Okanagan Genealogical Society.
From beginnings in April, 1993 with only six books on the shelf 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 your family history, 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.
One of the most successful programs is the mini-workshops. This program has now been adopted by several genealogical and family history societies nationwide.
These workshops are held every two weeks and covers 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 and more.
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.
If you have ever been a member in the past of the South Okanagan Genealogical Society or know of some who has and want to participate in the celebration, contact Nola Reid at sogsnola@shaw.ca
