Charter Meeting going ahead of the Western Genealogical and Historical Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
(January 21, 2013) — Corner Brook, NL – The charter meeting and election of officers for the newly formed Western Genealogical and Historical Association of Newfoundland and Labrador will be held this coming Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 2pm in room 2016 of the new annex building of the Grenfell Campus of Memorial University in Corner Brook. All are welcomed!
“The Western Genealogical and Historical Association is a newly minted organization formed out of public necessity and from a broadening personal interest in genealogy and the human history of our province”, said Sandy Payne, an expat Newfoundlander and renowned genealogist and local historian.
“Researching and archiving the genealogy of families and communities has been a labour of love for many people in the province. This has been no more so than in western Newfoundland where family lines run deep. That interest has now broadened to an even larger circle of people who share a new-found interest in genealogy, in part as a result of the enrolment process for the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band. Weighing into that process opened the eyes of literally thousands of people both living in and originally from this province, with new insight and a new interest in their family lineage. For many, that interest will last well beyond the termination of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band enrolment process. For this reason, it is clear there is interest and value in starting the Western Genealogical and Historical Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Sandy Payne said while the Association will be a forum for members engaged in high level genealogical and historical study, it is not exclusive to those who share this passion as a life-long endeavour.
“We encourage anyone and everyone who feels that they either want to be involved in research of their own family tree, want to be involved because they see it as valuable to their community, or who just want to be a member to share some of their own special talents with this group (whether that be accounting, graphic design or note taking), to come, feel welcomed, and be a part of it.”
“We will conduct an election of officers at our charter meeting. The Honourable Gerry Byrne has agreed to chair this meeting and to mentor the group when called upon. We will work on a constitution and a mission statement once we get going. While there is incredible talent and content already found in our region involved in this field of endeavour, this will undoubtedly be one of the most incredible forums for sharing research and collecting information on genealogy that our area has ever enjoyed. It is a resource that has been missing for a while and we are about to fill that void.”
The meeting will take place at 2pm on January 26th, at Grenfell Campus, room 2016 of the new annex building. All are welcome.
A backgrounder on a working mission statement is attached.
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For information contact:
Sandy Payne
780-791-1002 ext. 4105
Backgrounder
A working draft of the mission statement of the Western Genealogical and Historical Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
To discover and collect, preserve and make available any material to help establish or illustrate the history of the area; its exploration, settlement, development, and activities in peace and in war; its progress in population, wealth, education, arts, science, agriculture, manufacturing, trade and transportation.
To encourage, assist or instruct members of the association in the ethical principles and techniques of genealogical research; promote the exchange of knowledge; encourage the deposit of genealogical records into a central repository (items such as books, manuscripts, newspapers, charts, maps, photographs, microfilm and information related to genealogical study).
To promote, encourage and foster the study of genealogy and history in western Newfoundland, an area extending from Cape John on the Baie Verte Peninsula, around the Northern Peninsula south to Cape Ray and east to Ramea Islands. This was the area known as the French Shore from Cape John to Cape Ray and the American Shore from Cape Ray to the Burgeo area.
To publish and distribute books, bulletins, newsletters and other material, as may, from time to time, be desirable to further their foregoing objects of the association.
To raise funds for any of the objectives of the association and to accept donations, gifts, legacies and bequests.
To enter into friendly relationships with other genealogy societies or associations having shared interests in Western Newfoundland’s family and community history, such societies or associations being located in Newfoundland, other parts of Canada or other countries.
To educate a broad and diverse public about Western Newfoundland’s rich history, culture and ethnic roots with an eye to showing their significance in our lives today.
