Société Historique et Généalogique celebrates 25 years of researching

Richard Froese
Smoky River Express

Société Historique et Généalogique de Smoky River in Donnelly welcomed the community to an open house Oct. 13 and 14 as it prepares to celebrate 25 years of history next year. Longtime resident Marie Beaupre was instrumental in establishing the society, says society treasurer Lucette Maisonneuve, who was also employed with the society for the first three years. “She was very interested in preserving family, church, and community history,” says Maisonneuve. This research library is considered the leading genealogical centre west of Winnipeg. An archival collection, research books, numerous local history books from across Canada and family histories are accessible with an annual membership. The non-profit society received funding from the provincial and federal government, and five people were soon hired to start to compile and research historical and genealogical information. “We first began translating family histories and records of obituaries,” says Maisonneuve. Genealogies of francophone, Metis, and anglophone families are stored in the centre in Donnelly, with information, from the Smoky River region, across Alberta and Canada and even from France. “We can find family histories and genealogies if we don’t have it here,” says Maisonneuve. “We’re pretty fortunate that we are able to help people find what they want.” “We have a library of history books from many regions from across Canada. Society archivist Denise Pelletier is busy during the day at the centre which is opened Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All kinds of newspapers and publications are stored at the centre. Those include the Smoky River Express, Smoky River News, Peace River Record-Gazette, South Peace News from High Prairie, Lakeside Leader in Slave Lake, Le Franco Albertain, The Native Canadian, and many more. “For most people, it’s important to maintain and preserve their family history and genealogy,” says Maisonneuve. The inventory of the centre: Missionary letters (1862 to 1920), ascendant charts, unpublished local histories, photographs and negatives, journals on microfilm, Canadian census on microfilm, local history books, newspaper collections, archival collections, collection of Registers of the Dioceses of MacKenzie, Fort Smith, Grouard, McLennan for baptism, birth, confirmation, marriage, and death, family history books, BMS repertory of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, United States, and more. For more information, phone the centre at 925- 3801.