Speaker Biographies
Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre Edmonton
4520 – 76 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6B 0A5
Friday thru Sunday, 21–23 April 2017
|
John H. Althouse
John Althouse, BA, BEd, was born in Canora, Saskatchewan and has lived the majority of his life in Edmonton, Alberta. John taught for the Edmonton Catholic School District for nearly thirty-five years. He is now retired.
John is the author and editor of a number of publications related to education. He has a strong interest in heritage and history, and has a special interest in the Canadian West since the events of Saskatchewan’s 50th Anniversary as province.
A member of AGS, SGS, and AHSGR, John is the editor of Clandigger the Edmonton Branch newsletter. In addition, he regularly writes articles for the SGS Bulletin, AGS Relatively Speaking including a number of articles for the feature column “Visiting Alberta’s Past,” and other publications. Occasionally, John appears as a guest speaker on CBC Radio and at provincial and international conferences.
Recently, he has embarked upon gleaning family stories from relatives in the hope of someday writing these stories. At this point, he is uncertain if he fits wholly into any of these boxes - storyteller, researcher, historian, preservationist, or genealogist. He is still attempting to find his identity and his voice as a writer. Special Note: See John's special interest AGS Genealogy for Children and Youth Series › Contact John at: genealogy4kids@gmail.com Presentations:
|
Lisa Alzo (Webinars)
Lisa Ann Alzo, M.F.A., grew up in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Ithaca, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1987 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. Lisa has published articles in Ancestry Magazine, Discovering Family History Magazine, Family Chronicle, Family Tree Magazine, Genealogical Computing, Reunions Magazine, NGSNews Magazine, Reunions Magazine, Western Pennsylvania History Magazine, FEEFHS Journal and Rocenka: Journal of the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International, the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly. An avid genealogist for 26 years, Lisa currently teaches online genealogy courses for Family Tree University and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. She is the recipient of the 2002 Mary Zirin Prize given by the Association for Women in Slavic Studies to recognize the achievements of independent scholars, and is a frequently invited speaker for national conferences, genealogical and historical societies. Website: Writer, Lecturer, Genealogist Presentations:
|
Kyle J. Betit
Sunday Keynote Speaker. Kyle is a professional genealogist, lecturer and author residing in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up in Juneau, Alaska, where he started researching his family history at the age of nine, under his grandmother’s tutelage. By age 16 he was working for a genealogy company in Salt Lake City. Kyle began traveling regularly to Europe for genealogy research in 1993. Kyle is one of the co-founders of ProGenealogists. Kyle has appeared on the “Who Do You Think You Are?” television program with Trisha Yearwood, and he has worked on the episodes for Matthew Broderick, Rosie O’Donnell, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rita Wilson, Edie Falco, Jason Sudeikis, Chelsea Handler, and Cindy Crawford, among others. He was a co-editor of the popular journal The Irish At Home and Abroad, and is co-author of A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Irish Ancestors. Kyle holds a BS degree from in biology from the University of Utah. He has written, researched, and presented on many genealogical topics and most frequently on his favorite topics - Irish research, genetics and genealogy. Website: ProGenealogists Presentations:
|
||
|
Ruth Blair
Ruth Blair is a Professional Genealogist and lecturer based in Oakville. She has been doing family history research for over 30 years. She has researched her family history from Canada to Ireland, England, Scotland, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. She has her Professional Learning Certificate for Genealogical Studies for Canada, England and Ireland from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. Ruth has written two books. The first was called Planning a Genealogical Trip to Ireland: the Research Trail in Dublin and the second was called Remembering Trafalgar Township a book commemorating the Township’s 200th Anniversary. She also writes the The Passionate Genealogist blog. Ruth is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists—Ontario Chapter, the Halton Peel branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society, Genealogical Society of Ireland, Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society and the National Genealogical Society. Website: The Passionate Genealogist Blog: blog.familyhistorysearches.com Presentations:
|
 Peter / Linda Darby
Peter and Linda Darby currently live near Innisfail, Alberta. Peter grew up in Nottingham, England; Linda in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Peter can trace his English ancestry to French Huguenot refugees to 1641; and no, his “Darby’s” aren’t Irish but came from the ‘Black Country’ SW of Birmingham. Linda’s ancestry is Germanic. Some of her of Scandinavian and Saxony lines date to 1635. After their four sons had left home, their travels took them to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Here they spent an enjoyable year working the British Isles reference desk, and training volunteers in how to assist the public in personal research. Their genealogical knowledge has been spread across the four western Canadian provinces as LDS Area Family History Advisers teaching about FamilySearch. Back home, the couple are still active in Family History. Both Peter and Linda are past-presidents of the Red Deer Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society, and in their spare time teach genealogy classes. Peter has an EdD in Education and was the Director for Technology Implementation for Alberta Education. Linda has her BEd and taught elementary school, winning the prestigious Alberta Teaching Excellence Award in 1990. Peter writes a bi-monthly blog: Peter’s Family History Notes. Please join him there in conversation or email the couple (address below). Email: pldarby@gmail.com Blog: https://pfhn.wordpress.com/ Presentations:
|
Glass was first made in 1500 B.C., but windows were a luxury. If a castle had any, they would be in the chapel. There was no pipe-smoking until tobacco was brought back from America after its discovery in 1492.
There weren't football scarves, but ladies did tie their scarf to a knight to show they favoured him. There were no handbags in the medieval world. But when women went to town they did carry a small bag filled with sweet-smelling herbs – to cover up the awful smell of the streets. Invented in Iran in the 7th-century, windmills spread to Europe by 1100, where they soon dotted the landscape.
|
||
|
Susan Haga
Susan Haga has been researching her family history since age twelve. A graduate of BYU with a Bachelors of Arts in Family History, Susan uses her skills to teach genealogy classes at Family History Centres throughout Southern Alberta. Volunteerism plays a big role in her life, and for over twenty-five years has contributed several hours at both Lethbridge and Calgary Family History Centres. In February 2005, Susan joined AGS to assist the Lethbridge Branch with their newsletter Yesterday’s Footprints, and has been their Editor ever since. Over the years her enthusiasm for genealogy has helped several people with their family history research. Currently, Susan is the Past-President of Alberta Genealogical Society, and in her spare time a student with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (Toronto). Contact: pastpresident@abgenealogy.ca Presentations:
|
Gena Philibert Ortega
Saturday Keynote Speaker. Gena Philibert-Ortega holds a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology and Women’s Studies) and a Master’s degree in Religion. Gena has spoken to groups throughout the United States and Canada, as well as virtually to audiences worldwide on various subjects involving genealogy, women’s studies and social history. Gena is the author of hundreds of articles published in genealogy magazines including FGS Forum, APG Quarterly, Internet Genealogy, Family Chronicle and Family Tree Magazine, She also writes regularly for the GenealogyBank Blog and her own blogs, Gena’s Genealogy and Food.Family.Ephemera. She is the author of three books including her latest From the Family Kitchen and is currently the editor of the Utah Genealogical Association’s journal Crossroads. Ms. Philibert Ortega was a researcher for the first season of the PBS show Genealogy Roadshow (2013). Her current research interests include social history, and researching women’s lives using material artifacts. Look for Gena's most recent article written on the Ye Olde Genealogy Faire at GenealogyBank › Website: Gena's Genealogy Presentations:
|
John D. Reid
Following a career as a PhD research scientist, John Reid stepped up his interest in family and local history, joining the board of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) and serving as president from 2004 to 2006. His blog, Canada’s Anglo-Celtic Connections, has over 7,000 postings since March 2006. In addition to numerous scientific publications he is author of Researching Canada’s Home Children, editor of The Ottawa Sharpshooters, author of articles in several newsstand magazines, a regular columnist in BIFHSGO’s quarterly chronicle and speaker on topics in family history. John lives in Ottawa. Website: Canada's Anglo-Celtic Connections Presentations:
|
||
|
Gary Schroder
Mr. Schroder lives in Pointe Claire on the Island of Montreal and has been the president of the Quebec Family History Society since 1995. He was the chair of Roots 1997, Roots 2002, Roots 2007, Roots 2011 and Roots 2015, the international conferences on family history held at McGill University in Montreal. He has taught family history courses at McGill University and Champlain College. During the past two decades he has given numerous lectures across North America from New Hampshire to Victoria to various genealogical and historical societies. He was a speaker at the 2001 International Conference on Irish Family History held at Trinity College, Dublin. Gary has been a member of the Special Advisory Board of Library and Archives Canada. He is the editor of numerous published works including Christ Church, Montreal Marriages 1766–1850. He has been a frequent guest on Canadian radio and television answering a wide variety of genealogical questions and promoting the educational value of family history research. Website: Quebec Family History Society Presentations:
|
Diahan Southard
Saturday Banquet Speaker. Diahan studied at Brigham Young University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology. While attending university she worked for Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation: one of the first companies ever to create a correlated genetic and genealogical database. After graduating, Diahan remained with the company. Diahan is Your DNA Guide. She provides personalized, interactive experiences to assist individuals and families in interpreting their genetic genealogy results. She has lectured at several national and local conferences throughout the United States—Diahan is fun, bubbly and full of enthusiasm. At the end of her presentations, attendees might be surprised they really can understand DNA fundamentals! It's because Diahan has a passion for genetic genealogy, the gift for making it understandable and a genuine love for people. Ms. Southard is the author of several quick-guides on genetic genealogy, a regular contributor to Genealogy Gems, featured writer for Family Tree Magazine, regular contributor to Genealogy Today and other writing engagements. Website: Your DNA Guide Presentations:
|
Dave Tyler
Dave was born in Dartford, Kent, England in 1946. He has a Postgraduate Education diploma from King’s College, University of London, and a Degree in German and French from University of Kent, Canterbury.
Dave spent twenty-five years teaching foreign languages in England including leading exchange visits to Germany, Austria, France and the Czech Republic. He spent 5 years as a Multi-language Translation Supervisor based in Frankfurt, Germany and worked mainly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Dave has travelled to more than thirty countries.
In 2001, Dave emigrated to Canada. Since then he has been self-employed as a contract translator. From 2007 to 2009, Dave served his LDS Mission on the International Floor of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He was trained in family history research by professional genealogists specializing in German, French, Italian and Dutch. From 2009 to 2012, Dave served as the Director of the Raymond Family History Centre in southern Alberta. Since then he has been a consultant.
Dave has given hundreds of presentations on European research throughout southern Alberta and British Columbia. Email: davidltyler@gmail.com Presentations:
|
Guitars weren't made until the 18th-century, but lutes—big mandolins with 11 strings—were a common sight.
Disclaimer and or Endorsement
The Alberta Genealogical Society (AGS) does not endorse the products, services, or points of view of any contributor or advertiser. No advertisements published or posted on AGS services may imply an endorsement or give the appearance of an endorsement on the part of AGS. No advertisements may imply that AGS uses a product or service, or advocates a point of view or course of action.
