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27 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 2, 2009 Where to start tracing your family roots I f you are one of the many people who often ponder where their family may have originated, look no further than your local library. Genealogy is the study of family relationships and histories from generation to generation and Oakville Public Library (OPL) can help you to research your family history by providing easy access to many records that document your heritage. Your local branch offers free valuable tools to get started such as Ancestry Library Edition, an amazing online resource, which is accessible only from a library workstation. The Oakville Room, at Central Branch located on the adult floor, houses books and microfilm documenting many records from cemeteries and churches to school yearbooks. You may also borrow microfilm and other materials through interlibrary loan; just ask our library staff for more details. In October, OPL welcomes professional genealogist Ruth Blair who will be presenting a workshop entitled I Want to Research My Family History -- Where Do I Start? Blair will take participants through the basics in this free workshop, including: which records to check first, filling out first pedigree and family group sheets and talking to relatives. Every participant will receive a pedigree chart and some family group sheets to help them get started. Blair is a professional genealogist based in Oakville. She has been doing family history research for more than 25 years. Her research has taken her from Canada to Ireland, England, Scotland, the States, Australia and New Zealand. Blair's first book, Planning a said Shauna Clinning, a local history librarian. Clinning knows interest in local history and genealogy has increased in the last few years. "OPL is proud to house a unique collection of guides, microfilm, newspapers and maps that document the history and development of Oakville for our customers' use, and as always, information staff are available to help researchers get started and pointed in the right direction," said Clinning. Those interested in finding out more about how the library can help get them started should visit our web- site at www.opl.on.ca and go to `Interests' on the navigation bar, clicking on `Local History/Genealogy' for more information on resources, suggested reading materials and more -- Submitted by the Oakville Public Library Your local Genealogical Trip to Ireland: The Research Trail in Dublin, helps the novice research traveller to prepare for their trip and gives advice on using the various repositories in Dublin. She has also written Remembering Trafalgar Township, a book commemorating the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar Township. This exclusive workshop takes place on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at our Central Branch Library. To register, contact Shauna Clinning at 905815-2042, ext. 5905. Spaces are limited. If you miss our October workshop, OPL is offering a Web Wise Workshop on Genealogy in Central Branch on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 2-3:15 p.m. This free workshop will introduce customers to Ancestry Library Edition and other online resources to help get you hooked on genealogy. It is suitable for ages 16 years and up and participants must register through iris with the Town of Oakville by going to www.oakville.ca and selecting the iris tab. "People are seeking information on their family and local history so the library has developed workshops for the public on how to access genealogical records both in print and online," REALTORS® LIVE, GIVE & PLAY in the neighbourhood too! For most of us, a safe and secure home environment is something we take for granted. Those who depend on shelters don't have this same security. As a result of a request from The Lighthouse Shelter's Director our goal is to raise funds to create a garden space at the Shelter where current residents can go to find solace, peace and hope. The simple act of planting a garden is one of the most beneficial things that can be done for the environment in a shelter. And because ... everyone deserves a place to shelter and heal. The REALTORS® of The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board have raised over $24,000 towards the Halton Lighthouse Shelter Garden Project and are continuing to raise funds as well as awareness for this regional emergency shelter and garden project. If you would like to get involved with The Halton Lighthouse Shelter and the Garden of Hope, there is still time. REALTORS® contribute in many ways to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of the Oakville and Milton area. They not only provide a full range of real estate services to people who want to buy, sell or lease property, as local residents they are also actively involved in the communities they serve in efforts to make our community a better place to live for everyone. For more information visit www.omdreb.on.ca With a population of 440,000, there's only one emergency shelter in Halton, serving Burlington, Milton & Oakville. ABC speaker at Sheridan Parents and teachers of bright and talented students are invited to learn about shifting perspectives in gifted education. The Halton chapter of the Association for Bright Children will present Being Smart about HighAbility Learners at the Sheridan Conference Centre on Oct 7. It will feature Joanne Foster, a consultant on gifted education, an educational specialist who teaches at the University of Toronto and co-author of the award-winning Being Smart About Gifted Education, which was released in its second edition in August 2009. Foster will discuss ways to support and encourage children's high-level development. Registration will open at 7 p.m. at the Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, 1430 Trafalgar Rd. All are welcome and Foster will take audience questions. Tickets are available in advance at www.abcontario.ca. Cost is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. The Association for Bright Children (ABC) of Ontario is an all-volunteer, provincially incorporated support and advocacy group that offers the parents' voice to educators. The Halton Chapter of ABC represents parents in Burlington, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, and surrounding area. For more information about free membership, visit www.abcontario.ca. Thank you to all our sponosors.