Another good resource for someone who is researching on ancestors from Alberta and especially from rural communities are the local history books. They provide information on individual parishes, school districts, organizations, and villages/towns (including ones which no longer exist). They contain a large section on the biographies of local families which is a gold mine to family researchers.
These two books may assist you in finding out about the earlier publications:
- Peel’s Bibliography of the Canadian Prairies to 1953 by Ernest Ingles, Edmonton Public Library, 016.9712 ING
- Alberta, 1954-1979 A Provincial Bibliography compiled by Gloria M. Strathern, Edmonton Public Library, 013.97123 ALB
(Update: I have taken these two books out from the EPL and both are excellent resources.)
When I checked online at the Alberta Genealogical Society, Edmonton Branch, Alberta Name Index (ANI) … https://www.edmontongenealogy.ca/alberta-name-index-ani
I got no results under my Kalynchuk family branch however when I checked under my Baba’s family, I got 3 results including my great grandfather, Partemy Pawliuk. I also got some results on my great grandmother’s family, the Tkachuk’s.
However, when I went to the Provincial Archives of Alberta, I found the largest collection of local history books in Edmonton. And what is really impressive is that they have a Local History Catalogue (two index binders).
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| Two index binders at PAA |
With my Kalynchuk family branch, there is the Reflections: A History of Elk Point and District book, 1977 and the Supplement book in 1978. Then there is the Land of Red and White: 1875 – 1975 or alternate title is the Frog Lake and Districts to 1978 which includes the district of Primula which my earliest ancestors in Alberta, last settled at. For example, there are school pictures with my father, his sisters and cousins.
With this I realized that I need to locate the local history book(s) for the Wostok and Andrew areas which they initially settled at, next. As you can see with some more investigation, I was available to figure out what local history books to review.
This is a lesson on not to take the easy, quick route with one look-up on an online database or two. And that sometimes it is worth going to a library and looking through an index binder or scanning the shelves to find possible new resources. At some of the festivals which I had a display table at, I am having some people tell me that they are “hitting brick walls”, and over and over I am reminded not to limit my research scope. Just because my family did not participate much in the local history book projects, I still can find valuable information on the counties which they lived in and about their neighbours and extended family members.
Your Guide to Western Canadian History with Alberta Books
http://bookpublishers.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/history_cat_2014.pdf
Used Bookstores in Edmonton:
The Edmonton Book Store,
With this I realized that I need to locate the local history book(s) for the Wostok and Andrew areas which they initially settled at, next. As you can see with some more investigation, I was available to figure out what local history books to review.
This is a lesson on not to take the easy, quick route with one look-up on an online database or two. And that sometimes it is worth going to a library and looking through an index binder or scanning the shelves to find possible new resources. At some of the festivals which I had a display table at, I am having some people tell me that they are “hitting brick walls”, and over and over I am reminded not to limit my research scope. Just because my family did not participate much in the local history book projects, I still can find valuable information on the counties which they lived in and about their neighbours and extended family members.
 |
| Local history books at PAA |
Provincial Archives of Alberta (PAA) - Reference Library
8555 Roper Road, Edmonton
The Reference Library holds approximately 1,500 published local and community histories from across the province. https://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/how-to/search-your-genealogy
Alberta Genealogical Society – AGS Library Research Centre
https://www.abgenealogy.ca/alberta-records-name-index (180,000+ local history book records)
https://www.abgenealogy.ca/ags-library-research-centre then go to the “Alberta Local Histories tab and download the PDF https://www.abgenealogy.ca/uploads/files/Resources/AlbertaHistories.pdf
Edmonton Public Library - North of 52 Collection
The Stanley A. Milner Library (downtown) has a genealogy room and many local history books.
Digital Content/Genealogy & History - https://www.epl.ca/resources/genealogy/
North of 52 Collection - https://www.epl.ca/genealogy/
You can also search under the “North of 52 Collection”.
Other Resources:
Alberta-Ukraine Genealogical Project - Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Other Useful Links/Family History Index* (431 pages long). This is excellent resource to check on whether your family has a family story in one of the local history books in their collection.
https://sites.ualberta.ca/~ukrville/Family_History_Portal/fhp.htm
*I found my great grandparents, Elko and Anastasia Kalynchuk here stating that they are mentioned in the “Ukrainian Canadian Biography” book on page 117. The surname is spelt, Kalinchuk and Kalanczuk. The full title of this book is, “Dictionary of Ukrainian Canadian Biography of Pioneer Settlers of Alberta 1891-1900”.
Ukrainian Pioneers Association of Alberta
Scanned copies of their three books and the Dictionary of Ukrainian Canadian Biography of Pioneer Settlers of Alberta 1891 - 1900. A really good website to check on whether your family has a story in one of these four books. (Update: the first blue book for 1970 has not been scanned and only shows the table of contents.)
https://ukrainianpioneers.wordpress.com/resources/publications/
Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries, Find Books
http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/bibliography/
University of Calgary, Digital Collections, Local Histories
https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/archive/Local-Histories-2R3BF1F0GWNK0.html
University of Calgary, Glenbow Western Research Centre
8555 Roper Road, Edmonton
The Reference Library holds approximately 1,500 published local and community histories from across the province. https://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/how-to/search-your-genealogy
Alberta Genealogical Society – AGS Library Research Centre
https://www.abgenealogy.ca/alberta-records-name-index (180,000+ local history book records)
https://www.abgenealogy.ca/ags-library-research-centre then go to the “Alberta Local Histories tab and download the PDF https://www.abgenealogy.ca/uploads/files/Resources/AlbertaHistories.pdf
Edmonton Public Library - North of 52 Collection
The Stanley A. Milner Library (downtown) has a genealogy room and many local history books.
Digital Content/Genealogy & History - https://www.epl.ca/resources/genealogy/
North of 52 Collection - https://www.epl.ca/genealogy/
You can also search under the “North of 52 Collection”.
Other Resources:
Alberta-Ukraine Genealogical Project - Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Other Useful Links/Family History Index* (431 pages long). This is excellent resource to check on whether your family has a family story in one of the local history books in their collection.
https://sites.ualberta.ca/~ukrville/Family_History_Portal/fhp.htm
*I found my great grandparents, Elko and Anastasia Kalynchuk here stating that they are mentioned in the “Ukrainian Canadian Biography” book on page 117. The surname is spelt, Kalinchuk and Kalanczuk. The full title of this book is, “Dictionary of Ukrainian Canadian Biography of Pioneer Settlers of Alberta 1891-1900”.
Ukrainian Pioneers Association of Alberta
Scanned copies of their three books and the Dictionary of Ukrainian Canadian Biography of Pioneer Settlers of Alberta 1891 - 1900. A really good website to check on whether your family has a story in one of these four books. (Update: the first blue book for 1970 has not been scanned and only shows the table of contents.)
https://ukrainianpioneers.wordpress.com/resources/publications/
Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries, Find Books
http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/bibliography/
University of Calgary, Digital Collections, Local Histories
https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/archive/Local-Histories-2R3BF1F0GWNK0.html
University of Calgary, Glenbow Western Research Centre
Glenbow Library and Archives
https://glenbow.ucalgary.ca/
https://glenbow.ucalgary.ca/
Your Guide to Western Canadian History with Alberta Books
http://bookpublishers.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/history_cat_2014.pdf
Used Bookstores in Edmonton:
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| Alberta Local Histories at Alhambra Books |
Alhambra Books,
10115 – 81 Avenue, Edmonton
When I searched online, I got 55 results for “Ukrainian” including a “really good find” which I picked up when I went to check out this store. I also got 18 results for “genealogy” and later plan on returning to pick up some books on Irish and Scottish genealogy. Their section on local history books is at the front of the store and nearby are the Ukrainian Canadian history books.
https://www.abebooks.com/alhambra-books-edmonton-ab-canada/3054340/sf
https://www.abebooks.com/alhambra-books-edmonton-ab-canada/3054340/sf
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| Geological History of Western Canada at The Edmonton Book Store |
The Edmonton Book Store,
10533 – 82 Avenue, Edmonton
This is the bookstore which I have purchased many Ukrainian Canadian history books over the years. You go downstairs and it is the full wall of books to the right. I found a couple “good books” when I visited them today. The Western Canada local history books are on the main floor, on two shelves in a corner. https://edmontonbookstore.com/
Purchase Used Local History Books Online:
AbeBooks (Advanced Book Exchange)
https://www.abebooks.com/
Alibris
https://www.alibris.com/
Amazon.ca
https://www.amazon.ca/
Biblio
https://www.biblio.com/
This is the bookstore which I have purchased many Ukrainian Canadian history books over the years. You go downstairs and it is the full wall of books to the right. I found a couple “good books” when I visited them today. The Western Canada local history books are on the main floor, on two shelves in a corner. https://edmontonbookstore.com/
Purchase Used Local History Books Online:
AbeBooks (Advanced Book Exchange)
https://www.abebooks.com/
Alibris
https://www.alibris.com/
Amazon.ca
https://www.amazon.ca/
Biblio
https://www.biblio.com/
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