Museum, Mayholme Foundation to host family history workshop

A man looks at old photographs and clippings laid out on a table.

Family historians will learn the tools, resources, and skills to advance their research and preserve their family histories at a two-day workshop in January presented by the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre, in partnership with the Mayholme Foundation.

The Family History Workshop takes place over two weekends: Saturday, Jan 24 and Saturday, Jan 31 at the museum, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This workshop series will introduce participants to methods related to gathering, organizing, recording, and preserving their family’s story for future generations.

Participants will engage in hands-on activities, including learning how to access and use the local history research material available via Mayholme and the museum.

“The museum’s Family History Workshop is a great introduction for anyone who would like to learn how to preserve their own family’s important items,” says Supervisor of Historical Services / Curator Kathleen Powell. “We are pleased to be able to partner with the Mayholme Foundation to help people start their journey to research and care for their family’s story.”

The workshop will cover:

How to use and access family history research tools beyond what is available on commercially available family history websites.
How to decide what to keep and what to let go of.
How to organize and preserve family photographs and archival material.
How to care for family heirlooms.
How to record family stories and oral history interviews.

Each participant receives a family history kit with equipment to start on their project and a Family History Workshop workbook.

Participants are asked to bring to the workshop one folder or box of their family records and photographs.

Cost is $58 per person (HST included) for both days. Participants are required to attend the full workshop series. Space is limited. Advance registration is required.