The South West Branch of the Manitoba Genealogical Society celebrated 40 years of Genealogy in SW Manitoba by hosting the Genealogy Seminar and Heritage Dinner last night.

President of the South West Branch, George McKay, says it was a full-day event with numerous workshops and two great speakers.

This year's theme was "Using Today's Technology to Unlock Puzzles of the Past" with guest speakers and genealogists, Dave Obee, from Victoria BC and Pat Ryan, who hails from Indian Head, SK. "Being our 40th Anniversary," say McKay, "we wanted to put on a big event."

Technology was a big focus in this year's event.  McKay says technology is at the forefront of family history research. "As with anything, technology seems to be at the forefront right now."

"I think there is a younger generation coming up right now that are showing more interest in it.  So, we're trying to promote it and we've been fortunate that our numbers have been growing slowly but steadily over the past few years, and we're very pleased to see that."

The SW Branch has approximately 70 members, and meets the first Wednesday of each month at Crocus Plains School, except for the summer months of July and August. Each meeting features presentations, and a mix n' mingle to share ideas and stories and new finds!

McKay says his interest in his own history stemmed from wanting to share his heritage with his children.  "On one side of my family there was quite a bit of stuff and then on the other side there was absolutely nothing done, and for myself, I was thinking more about my children coming along and having something that they knew where they came from.  So i took the imitative to do that."

"So, I think in general, people have that intrigue to find out where their family comes from and the history to it."

The event also included a Heritage Dinner at the Knox United Church. 

There was also be a celebration evening for past and present members on Friday at the canteen at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum to celebrate the special occasion of 40 years.

Seminar Topics:

~ DNA:  A dozen reason to get moving with genetic genealogy (and a few why you shouldn't)
~ Who's Your Momma?
~ Destination Canada
~Why Can't I Find Them?
~ A Fresh Light on Old Newspapers