Dear Editor:
After more than 20 years of being located in the Penticton Museum, the museum has asked that we vacate the only home we have known so that they can utilize the space for the museum archives.
Most genealogical, historical and museum societies worldwide share accommodation as well as information.
It is unfortunate, but now we must find a new home to house our ever increasing Library and membership, and to provide a gathering place to hold meetings and mini-workshops. Because we are a non-profit society, the only funding that is available to us are fees from our membership dues.
We have been unable to find a suitable location that would allow the society to continue these same services to the community and we must vacate by the end of May.
From humble beginnings in April of 1993 with only six books on the shelf, we now have 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.
One of the most successful programs that was ever launched is the mini-workshops. This program has now been adopted by several genealogical and family history societies nationwide.
Several dedicated members with years of doing family history research are ready and willing to share their knowledge with others. Even if you are a seasoned researcher or just a beginner, there is always something more to learn.
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, with special speakers and presentations.
The society’s resource centre library is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Penticton Museum Archives Room.
The success of the society is a testimony to the interest and dedication of its officers and members.
People from all around the world use our services to connect with families that have lived and died in the area.
Our society has walked and indexed all of the cemeteries. We have recorded every individual. Most were long time residents of the area. We archive many of these family histories in our society library.
If there is anyone that could help us, we would be grateful for their assistance.
Shirley Larsen
South Okanagan Genealogical Society
Penticton