Patricia
M. Ryan MCCSG, member of Association of Professional Genealogists
Pat was
born a 1st generation Canadian on the Prairies - a few years ago! Her
father was born in Scotland; Mother born in the USA. Pat was raised
on a farm, and attended small town schools until moving to a Saskatchewan
city to finish high school.
Finishing
high school was followed by marriage and two children - two wonderful
children they remind her - but two who are no longer children, except
in their Mother's eyes.
Children
were followed by work, and stints at University, and more work. 'Real'
work (HR manager) ended in 1996 when Pat decided she was going full-time
as a genealogist. She completed numerous courses, including the Saskatchewan
Certification Program which recognized her as a certified instructor,
record searcher, and researcher - each course taking two years to complete.
Pat then went on to become a charter and founding member of the College
of Certified Saskatchewan Genealogists, having sat on the executive
board since its inception.
As she
was always hanging-out at libraries, archives, universities, Family
History Centres, and genealogical societies she noticed something. There
were lots and lots of people asking the same questions as she had when
she started to trace her own family. AND, they were all making the same
mistakes as she had! Hmmmmmm, she wondered if anyone might be interested
in taking a class from her? So, she offered one 6 week course on the
basics. That was eight years ago, and she truly is now a full-time genealogist.
Pat now
teaches genealogy classes through the City of Regina Community Associations,
and on the Internet. She also teaches in the computer lab at the University
of Saskatchewan Regina Campus Seniors Education Centre. When she can
manage it she also teaches for the Regina Public Library Prairie History
Room. Pat's courses now include beginner, intermediate, and advanced
plus specialty courses covering a variety of countries and a variety
of record types.
Pat has
also been an invited guest speaker/lecturer to numerous genealogy seminars,
and has been honoured to serve as keynote speaker. Her most recent adventure
was accepting an invitation to teach in Whitehorse. The Yukon Association
of Libraries and Museums were holding a symposium and Pat delivered
numerous genealogical workshops. What an awesome experience!!
While pursuing
her own family research, she discovered that although she is 1st generation
Canadian she had ancestors already living in this country in the 1600s!
Amazing stuff this little hobby that teaches us to be very competent
detectives. School subjects that bored her to tears are now the subjects
that interest her most - history, geography, sociology, politics, and
religion. But, now she's learned there's a reason to be interested as
she's traced most of her family lines into the 1600s as they moved around
in Canada, USA, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Her
personal interests now include adding more detail to the ancestors she's
already found. Pat has also assisted clients in their ancestral quests,
and so has learned research proficiency in even more countries. Funny
how much more interesting the past is when you can place a direct ancestor
in an historic location at a critical period in the history of our Earth!
Testimonials
Whenever
someone asks me about genealogy, the first thing I do is recommend they
take your class!!!!!! Saves them from spinning their wheels and getting
nowhere fast!!!
Shirley, Canada
Canadian
Research Course
Pat. I've
enjoyed both your Salt Lake City class and your Canadian class. Thank
you for all three Canadian courses and for the bonus lesson. It was
a lot to absorb in the three months, but since I've downloaded and printed
everything out, I have a great research tool for the future. Again,
thank you and hopefully will see you in another class. Hope you give
something in 2008 I can attend.
Peggy
This is
my second course with you and you have given me many hours of new tricks
and tips. Thanks so much Pat, it has been a joy to be one of your students
I will be keeping an eye on this site for new classes.
Geraldine
This class
has been awesome and I know I will continue to use the websites that
you have given me. This course has taught me alot and I am looking forward
to using the information from this class. Maybe I will have more information
on Robert before you get your Ireland class together. You know I will
be there. Thanks again.
Joyce
Salt
Lake City
Pat, I
just finished reading through the last lessons and find that if I had
know how to use this information when I first started using Family search
I would have had a lot more of my blank spaces filled in. Just to let
you know that this course has shown and explained more to me than all
I have learned in the last 40 years, and I am no expert by any means.
Thanks for giving these lessons. You have a wonderful way of presenting
your material and with it printed out for a guide to use for my own
searches I will be able to continue in a more constructive method than
the random one I have been using. Again many thanks for a job more than
well done.
Norma
Been an
interesting time. Three classes about SLC and three about Canada. That
means I (we) have spent six months together. When I look at the notebooks
I have from the two classes I wonder at the time you must have spent
organizing all this. Been great and thanks so much.
Barbara
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