Wetaskiwin Alberta Family History Centre

There is no cost to visit the Wetaskiwin Family History Center or to use the computers, equipment or free premium websites. It is open to anyone with an interest in genealogical research. Whether you are just beginning or are looking for a specific piece of information, please come by and let us help you with your family history!

(Please bring a USB stick if you want to copy vital information for your personal use.)

Our Centre is Fragrance Free! We have some staff and patrons who are very allergic. Please be considerate!

Location &amp; Map:
Address:


 * 5410 36 Avenue
 * Wetaskiwin, Alberta T9A 2R6
 * Canada
 * (Link to map using Google )

Phone:

 * 1-780-352-3866 (during open hours)
 * Outside of open hours, please call Lisa at 780-352-7881

E-mail:

 * [mailto:ab_wetaskiwin@ldsmail.net ab_wetaskiwin@ldsmail.net]

OPEN HOURS:

 * Wednesday: 10:00am - 3:00pm
 * Wednesday: 6:15pm - 8:15pm
 * Parking for the center for daytime hours is on the street at the front of the building - south side. Please use the center/main front door and knock loudly or ring buzzer or call 780-352-3866 during open hours. For evening hours, parking is also in the parking lot on the north side of the building.
 * For appointments outside of our regular hours, please call Lisa at 780-352-7881 or email [mailto:AB_Wetaskiwin@ldsmail.net ab_wetaskiwin@ldsmail.net]

2018 Holiday/Closure Schedule:

 * June 28 to September 4 - By appointment only - please call Lisa at 780-352-7881 or email [mailto:AB_Wetaskiwin@ldsmail.net ab_wetaskiwin@ldsmail.net]
 * December 20 to January 8 (2019)

Upcoming Events

 * We are happy to give you a tour anytime! We have a computer/research room and rooms for microfilm viewing, webinars, a children's activity center and classroom.

CLASS/WEBINAR SCHEDULE
Please be FRAGRANCE FREE! Staff and patrons have severe allergies.

Webinars run at 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 6:35pm.

Class times are as indicated. Our PowerPoint/hands-on presentations are offered as indicated.

JUNE 2018:
 * June 6 - CLASS @ 1:30pm: Ancestry (see May 23 for description)
 * June 6 - CLASS @ 6:35pm: Partner Sites & GEDCOMs
 * What is a Gedcom File?  What does it have to do with YOUR family history research? Bring a laptop or mobile device and come and learn the answer to these questions, and many more!
 * See below for other details.
 * June 13 - CLASS @ 1:30pm & 6:35pm: My Heritage
 * Come discover how to use My Heritage to discover your ancestors
 * See below for other details.
 * June 20 - CLASS @ 1:30pm & 6:35pm: Using FindMyPast
 * Join us at the Family History Centre as we roll up our sleeves and look for our ancestors using findmypast.com.
 * See below for other details.
 * June 27 - CLASS @ 1:30pm & 6:35pm: Stories: Using Stories, Finding Stories, Sharing Stories
 * We will learn about finding our ancestors' stories, creating them and sharing them with others.
 * See below for other details

SEPTEMBER 2018:
 * Sept 5 - Learning to Love Family History… Research! -by Kathryn Grant (63 min)
 * Kathryn Grant helps us inspire ourselves and others to give family history research a chance! Find out what Kathryn wished she had known when starting out in family history research.
 * Sept 12 - Family History in 5 Minutes a Day - RootsTech 2018 -by Deborah Gamble (51 min)
 * We will cover 20 ways in detail, with step-by-step instructions so that you can effectively do your family history in as little as 5 minutes a day.
 * Sept 19 - Ready for Temple Work? Top Tips for Checking Names in FamilySearch -by Kathryn Grant (73 min)
 * Kathryn Grant shows us why it’s important to check names in Family Search before requesting temple ordinances, what information to check, and how to check it.
 * Sept 26 - Using Social Media for Interactive Family Histories -by Simone Russell (29 min)
 * Simone Russell shares how she created a Facebook blog about Juanita Stout Ray (her great grandmother) so that she could share Juanita’s story with her relatives. Simone shows us how she found Juanita’s descendants and how to use Facebook to connect with these relatives.

CLASSES:
WHO: Anyone, at any skill level, who would like to refresh/learn Family History skills.

WHAT: Come to a hands-on, professional PowerPoint lesson with step-by-step handouts and lots of personal help.

WHEN: 1:30pm and 6:35pm on dates above.

WHERE: At the Wetaskiwin Family History Center.

WHY:  Because whether you are a beginner or even if you have a full working knowledge of Family History Work, there is always something new to learn!

***BRING YOUR LAPTOP (BEST) OR DEVICE IF YOU HAVE ONE!***

COME & JOIN THE LEARNING!

If you have any requests for topics for webinars, please call Lisa at 780-352-7881.

If you have any requests for topics for classes, please call Patty at 780-387-6759.

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog:
 * We have a number of microfilms on long term loan that can be viewed if the person that ordered them is not using them.

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal This center has access to the Family History Center Portal page which gives FREE access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions. (See Premium websites available in the Family History Center Services Portal ) e.g. Ancestry, Findmypast, MyHeritage, etc.
 * Current list as of December 2017:
 * The 19th Century British Library Newspaper Digital Archive
 * Access Newspaper Archives
 * Alexander Street Press, American Civil War
 * American Ancestors - Library Rights
 * Ancestry - Institution Versions
 * ArkivDigital
 * FamNet
 * Findmypast - Institution Version
 * Fold3
 * Geneanet
 * Kinpoint - Premium
 * MyHeritage - Library Edition
 * Paper Trail​
 * ProQuest Obituary Listings
 * Puzzilla - Premium Services
 * World Vital Records
 * All our computers access the free FamilySearch database which contains many millions of names linked into families.

Hardware and Equipment

 * 6 computers (2 with free access to the premium subscription-based websites - more coming soon!) (Please bring a USB stick so you can copy vital information for your personal use.)
 * 1 printer / scanner / copier (upload memories directly to FamilySearch FamilyTree)
 * 1 microfilm reader
 * 1 microfiche reader
 * Patrons may also use their own laptops/devices on our Wi-Fi network for personal use.

Center Services
Staff Research Specialties

(Include sections for any other services your center provides. Add additional sections for those services. See the Bountiful and Chattanooga FHC pages for examples.)

Resources in the Local Area

 * Wetaskiwin Branch, AGS (Alberta Genealogical Society) - http://www.abgenealogy.ca/wetaskiwin-branch
 * City of Wetaskiwin Archives - https://www.wetaskiwin.ca/Index.aspx?NID=107

Links

 * Alberta Emigration and Immigration
 * Alberta Churches, Archives, and Societies (National Institute)
 * Alberta Vital Records (National Institute)
 * Alberta, Canada Genealogy
 * Alberta Probate Records
 * Alberta Societies
 * Alberta Museums, Libraries, and Archives (National Institute)
 * Alberta Funeral Homes