Genealogy reaches next generation

Genealogy is not widely thought of as a hobby of the young, though the West Valley Genealogical Society is trying to change that.

Barbara Stenberg, who teaches introductory genealogy classes at the society, 12222 N. 111th Ave. in Youngtown, had previously only worked with older students.

“I’d taught classes for adults for three or four years now, I suppose, and I was asked if I’d consider doing the same with children,” she said.

The Genealogy for Juniors class began Monday and will meet each Monday for four weeks. The students will have an hour of classroom instruction followed by an hour in the society’s library, applying the skills they have learned.

“The idea basically is to have them not only understand and appreciate their ancestry but also to learn how to seek it out,” Stenberg said. “We’ll show them how to conduct proper research, what evidence is good and what is bad, that sort of thing.”

Stenberg said those who enjoy genealogy view the process as a bit of an adventure.

“It’s like being a detective,” she said. “Seeking out data, sorting it all out, solving the puzzle.”

Of course, genealogy is not for everyone. It is research, after all, and it can be time-consuming, not to mention potentially expensive.

“The kids in the class today, they may end up interested or they may not, just like anyone who gives it a try,” she said. “But I’ll tell you, those who do develop an interest in it tend to become addicted.”

Take for example Arlene Sampson, second vice president of the society’s board of directors. Sampson said she did all the research she could on the Internet and at local libraries.

“Eventually you reach a point where you have to travel if you want to trace your genealogy back further,” she said. “I went to the (Family History Library) in Salt Lake City to view their collection.”

The trip proved fruitful, too.

“I broke through one of my brick walls there,” she said. “I’d been looking for information on my great-great grandfather’s immigration into the United States for 10 years, and I finally found it.”

That breakthrough moment, she said, is a kind of satisfaction few hobbies outside of genealogy can provide, and something the society hopes to convey to the young students.

“It was an emotional moment, if you want to know the truth,” Sampson said. “It was 10 years of looking.”

Peoria resident David McAnerney has a son, Michael, in the Cub Scouts.

When the scouts newsletter mentioned the Genealogy for Juniors class, McAnerney said he thought his son might want to sign up.

“I’m a little bit curious about genealogy, but Michael has been interested in it for a while,” he said.

Sure enough, Michael jumped at the opportunity.

“I’m really excited to find out more about my family history,” he said.

It will not be long before he gets the chance to put those skills to use, either.

“I hope he gets a good family tree together,” McAnerney said. “My parents have their 50th anniversary coming up, and I thought it would be pretty neat if Michael could get one started for them.”

For information, call the West Valley Genealogical Society at 623-933-4945 or visit www.azwvgs.org.

Jeff Dempsey may be reached at 623-876-2531 or jdempsey@yourwestvalley.com.