Sandi Ratch, MA, Historical Archaeologist

Biography

Sandi is a native of British Columbia with a master’s degree in Historical Archaeology. She has a wide range of interests and talents and considers herself a Renaissance Woman – she gardens, sings, plays the flute, makes jewelry, knits, does renovations on her 100+ year old house and is mother to a teenage son. She currently works from her home office doing contract work with archaeologists and museums. In researching a family collection of postcards from which she is writing a book, Sandi has honed her history and genealogy research skills and produced several published articles.

Presentation

"The Search for an unknown gentleman only known as 'Dick' "

Over the past 16 years, Sandi has been researching a collection of postcards handed down from her Great-Grandparents, Nellie and Jack. These postcards centered around Scotland and Canada, serving as a starting point to genealogical and historical research.

One series of postcards were all signed “Dick”. Like finding a needle in a haystack, Sandi persevered and found out who Dick was and more! Using this example, our presenter details the importance of census and map material, but also the resources from Library and Archives Canada; researching historic photographs, and using Google Earth.

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Claudia Malloch

Biography

Claudia’s interest in history has been extensive; she began and ended her office career in museums…the Nova Scotia Museum in Halifax and the Reynolds-Alberta Museum here in Wetaskiwin. Her family consists of her husband, a son, daughter, step-daughter, 4 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.

For the past 18 years she has been a Family History Consultant. For six of those years, she served as Director of the Wetaskiwin Alberta Family History Centre, operating and staffing the Centre, training consultants, and working with patrons to trace their family tree.

A member of the Wetaskiwin Branch of AGS for approximately 20 years, she has served as Bulletin Editor, Secretary, Vice President, President, Program Coordinator for several years and has given Family History presentations and classes over the years at Community and church groups, schools, Wetaskiwin Branch meetings and the AGS GenFair,

Claudia has contributed articles to the Wetaskiwin Branch newsletter, Roots and Branches, as well as to the Branch’s Canada 150 project. She has used photo books as a means of recording family history and, in the past 3 years, has worked with family members to produce and publish a history of her immediate family…utilizing technology to overcome the challenge of siblings who lived in the Maritimes while the compiler resided in Edmonton.

Presentation

"The Legacy We Leave...Making Family History Memorable"

Getting the youth interested in their ancestors is what keeps the legacy alive. Photos displayed in albums and scrap books are better than pictures in a box. Puzzles and other games can be created with those same images and genealogical data. Making a cook book of the favourite "old" recipes and actually cooking and baking with the youth is an interesting and fun way to teach them how their ancestors lived. Creating a book of ancestors' photos, jobs, way of life and stories that have been passed down is a great way to preserve and display your heritage for future generations.

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Dr. Karen Aberle

Biography

Dr. Karen Aberle is currently Executive Director and Chief Curator at the Wetaskiwin & District Heritage Museum.

Education

BSc – Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Calgary

BA – Classical Studies, with a Minor in Museum & Heritage Studies, University of Calgary

MA – Classical Archaeology, University of British Columbia

PhD – Classical Archaeology, University of British Columbia

Dr. Aberle writes a regular news column for the Wetaskiwin Times and the Pipestone Flyer. Various items from the vast collection at the Heritage Museum are highlighted, with an explanation of how these items were used in the past and are still connected to the present and future. Her passion for all things historical has resulted in the museum hosting a wealth of community events geared to promoting Wetaskiwin and area as well as educating people about the history of this region.

Presentation

"What’s in a Name?"

Discover how this region of Canada became settled and why Wetaskiwin was known as “Siding 16”. Where we come from influences how we see ourselves and how we tell our stories.

Dr. Aberle will take us back to the beginning of civilization in this region. She will then bring us through the centuries of time to the history of settlement by emigrants who came primarily from Europe. We will learn why Wetaskiwin was known first as Maskwacis and then as "Siding 16" and the important part the railway and rivers in this region played in transporting emigrants to their chosen lands.

Karen’s presentation will conclude with how the Cree word ‘Wetaskiwin’ continues to tell the story of how we are still coming together and building our community.