Get to the root of the matter with genealogy

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How old is your grandmother? What if she doesn't have a document to prove her age and needs to apply for her old age pension? Jean Fulker, a Metis woman originally from the High Prairie area, was introduced to the hobby of genealogy 26 years ago when she began the search for legal proof of her grandmother's date of birth.

Fulker shared her story and gave many practical suggestions for others researching their Aboriginal roots at the April 26 Gen Fair in Grande Prairie.

Gen Fair, held every two years and sponsored by the Alberta Genealogical Society, is a mini conference that features several presenters and displays. Its goal is to introduce people to the hobby of genealogy and expose them to the various ways that we can preserve the heritage of Alberta.

Reasons for researching a family tree are as unique as the individual. Some searches are done as a hobby, but others have a more serious goal. For example, those seeking membership in the Metis Nation of Alberta must provide, along with other documents, a four-generation family tree.

But how does one get started? Ask yourself 'What am I looking for?,' Fulker advises. Then go from what you know to what you don't know. Start with yourself and move back to the next generation. Work with the one who knows the most, an Elder for example, so that you will have the best access to information.

The pedigree chart, a standard form that shows a branch of a family tree, is your first tool. Fill in what you know and identify the gaps. Collect all possible information from every member of the family.

Organization of your information is something Fulker emphasizes-keep a notebook or binder, create a system and stick to it.

Fulker said that women usually record the family history, e.g. what church was attended, where family members were buried. Elders often collect the pamphlets from family funerals.

You might interview an elderly aunt. Take a list of questions so she can confirm details about the family. Respect the privacy of the people you interview. An incident might be a source of pride for one person, but a humiliating secret for another. Fulker also advises not to believe all that you are told about your family unless it's proven. And never assume.

Once you have spoken with family members, then what? There are many public sources of information. Fulker lists some of your options-provincial archives, church records, cemetery records, vital statistics, land titles, scrip or scrip application records, census records, Hudson's Bay Co. records, the National Archives in Ottawa, the Glenbow Museum in Calgary and the Societe Historique et Genealogic de Smoky River in Donnelly, which holds Quebec records and parish records from northwestern Alberta and the territories.

Fulker found church records very helpful. Once permanent missions were established in Alberta, the clergy kept church records of births, baptisms, marriages and burials. Many Roman Catholic missions were French. A good French/English dictionary is a recommended research tool because Aboriginal names were sometimes changed to a French version.

Some names were referred to in Aboriginal, French and English (e.g. Wabus, Lapin, Rabbit).

Church vestry books, which are records of births, deaths marriages and so forth in the parish, are another recommended source of information. Notes were made by clergy at the time and sometimes include journal entries and personal references. Fulker found an entry about her grandfather's funeral in a vestry book.

Scrip and scrip application records are very detailed. You can see the actual scrip document that was signed. These records, on reels, are housed at the provincial archives and at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary.

Treaty pay lists and reports prepared by Indian agents often contain personal notations that will help in your search.

Fulker said that the most important tool for any genealogical research is networking. There are 11 branches of the Alberta GenealogicalSociety throughout the province and members are eager to share their information. The society's Web site can be found at http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/abgensoc. The Canadian Genealogical Centre Web site is www.genealogy.gc.ca

With so many sources of information it would be easy to become overwhelmed, but Fulker said where you start is not significant.

"There is no right or wrong way. Some roads are shorter, some longer."

Twenty-six years after beginning the successful search to help her grandmother, Fulker is more active in genealogy than ever. When speaking of her discoveries she gets excited. She has seen her grandparents' marriage certificate, as well as her grandfather's birth certificate, a 101-year-old document. She has found her grandfather's grave.

Fulker said that when we trace the lives of our ancestors, we understand the past in a different way.