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GENEALOGY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
You are all invited to the next Genealogy Special Interest Group's Event
WHEN: March 18, 2010 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: MHSA - 2nd Floor 2946 - 32 Street NE (map)
SPECIAL GUEST: Abe Hamm
   At the last SIG meeting some of you requested an introduction or refresher to the Grandma Database, assistance with online websites (like Ancestry.com, Findmypast.co.uk, or others), and what is the best software to use to records your family information.
    We searched high and wide and found the best source in Calgary to lead such a session was right in our midst - Judii Rempel.  To assist Judii in assisting you we would ask, if you plan to come, please email to the list serve three questions you wish to have received some direction or answers to from attending the session. 
    We had a great time last January hearing and viewing Abe Hamm's presentation and open discussion - we expect more of the same at this session.

Future SIG Meetings: A concept we are considering, and would request your input on, is the idea of having two types of SIG meetings.  One dealing with a very specific type of research problem which could be handled in a 1 hour session and this could be monthly event.  Such questions as:

• best software to use
• how to obtain needed information
  
• how to condense information for sharing with family members
  
• determining who your audience is when organizing and
  
• "writing/compiling" your information
  
• footnoting/citing sources
  
• creating value
  
• photo identification
  
• etc. (many more topics could be identified)

Then every two or three months have a very special event focusing on an area or person of interest which could be a 2-3 hour event or an all day event should there be interest. We will look for your input to suggested ideas at the March 18 SIG meeting.
 
As usual there will be a break to share refreshments and meet others for the first time or reacquaint with those we have met before.  Do come and learn with us.

SPRING EVENT - Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Annual General Meeting/Spring Conference of the MHSA will be held at Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (1352 Abbeydale Dr. SE, Calgary) on April 10 starting at 9:30 am.

The afternoon session will feature presentations by Eleanore Woollard and Ted Regehr; there will also be book launches for Eleanore’s and Ted’s books. Lunch will be provided for $12.00. Please RSVP for lunch to Colin Neufeldt at (780) 433-2127 by April 5.

Schedule of Events:
9:30 a.m. to Noon -- Annual General Meeting
1:00 pm -- Eleanore Woollard’s presentation: “The Reluctant Author”
2:00 pm -- Break
5 pm -- Ted Regehr’s presentation: “A Generation of Vigilance”
Everyone is welcome.

NEW PUBLICATIONS GO ON SALE

GRANDMA 6! - Now available
This amazing collection of over 1.107 million Mennonites is based on family history submissions compiled by the California Mennonite Historical Society. The CD comes with an unregistered copy of Brothers Keeper (a recommended genealogical software), and instructions on how to search, update and submit your own family history data for a future release (order form),

A Generation of Vigilance: The Lives & Work of Johannes and Tina Harder. For several decades, the Harders were the most prominent and influential MB church and conference leaders in British Columbia. Says Regehr, their story illustrates “a process of religious accommodation similar to that experienced by many other immigrant groups and also by others churches when faced with rapid change” - one not without controversy. They held high standards of church discipline and strict codes of Christian conduct. As well, they “provided much appreciated leadership during a time of very rapid change as Mennonite immigrants from the Soviet Union tried to establish themselves in Canada.” (order form),

Support the MHSA by purchasing your Mennonite history books from us.  Your purchases, memberships and donations help maintain our archives, library & research support services. Other books now available for purchase:

EVENT
2010 Annual General Meeting
Date: April 10
Location: Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (EMC), Calgary

ARCHIVAL SOURCE
Finding Aid for records in Odessa State Archives - Fürsorgekomitee für ausländische Ansiedler In Südrussland (Committee for Welfare of Foreign Settlers in Southern Russia), 1840-1841
This complements our file inventory for a great many other files held in the OSA and for which we have copies on microfilm.

PHOTOS FOR IDENTIFICATION
Konstantin Kraevsky has found 13 photos in an album made by his grandmother (Aganetha Tjart). Can you help identify them and ones submitted by other MHSA visitors?

[all photos for identification]

ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS
Frieda Peters (1918- ) collection. -- 1890-1943. -- 5.5 cm of textual records

[all archival descriptions]

LIBRARY BOOKS
We have a small collection of German-language "readers". Did you use a Fiebel as a studnet or teacher? Can you tell us more about our collection? We'd like to feature them in a future newsletter or on this site. Contact Us!.

NEW! SCHOOL YEARBOOK INDEXES/PHOTOGRAPHS
Canadian Mennonite Bible College - 1955/56
Coaldale Bible School - 1955/56, 1956/57, 1961/62, 1962/63
Elim Bible Institute - 1963/64
Mennonite Brethren Bible College - 1947/48
Rosthern Junior College - 1970/71, 1971/72, 1973/74
Tabor Bible School - 1931

GENEALOGY DATA SOURCE
Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization Records