By Nicola Ryan
This summer, a brand-new gathering is taking root in the heart of St. John’s. The Rockbound Roots Conference, running from July 25 to 27, at The Rooms, is set to become an innovative event for genealogists, historians, and anyone with a passion for tracing family history. Hosted by the Family History Society of NL and backed by CelebrateNL, the inaugural event will bring together a community of curious minds from both sides of the Atlantic, all seeking to uncover and celebrate the stories of their family tree.
“This is the first one!” says Janet Morrissey, a member of the conference organizing committee. “We’ve got people coming from all over – the U.S., a few from Ireland, and many from mainland Canada, so we’re very excited.“You could say Newfoundland was a bit of a stepping stone in terms of migration,” she continues. “Some came from the old country – mainly Ireland, England, and Scotland. Some stayed, but just as many kept going. Now, we have people tracing their lineage back to Newfoundland and Newfoundlanders tracing their ancestry from Europe. And so we wanted to capitalize on that and bring people from as far and wide as we possibly could.”
Genealogy is often described as equal parts detective work and story-telling. The Rockbound Roots Conference embraces this spirit by creating a space for people to connect with fellow genealogists and historians, to share research, spark new ideas, explore innovative approaches to genealogical research and discuss personal discoveries. It’s designed to offer something for everyone, whether you’re hunting down long-lost relatives or piecing together a family narrative for future generations.
At the heart of the conference is an impressive lineup of lectures and panels featuring specialists from a wide range of disciplines, covering everything from the basics of getting started to the latest in genealogical research. Participants will learn about new re- search techniques, digital tools, and storytelling methods that help bring names and dates to life. Among the speakers, David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, will deliver the keynote address. David Pike, a math professor at Memorial University and a recognized expert in genealogical DNA, will share insights on using genetics to trace ancestry, and Dale Jarvis from the NL Heritage Foundation will speak on preserving local stories.
“Our speakers come from pretty diverse backgrounds,” Janet says. “They all have genealogy in common, but we’ve got a professional photographer, several authors, actually on July 25th, that Friday, we’re having a social event, and hopefully people will be able to meet and greet and make connections and network.”
There could hardly be a more fitting venue than The Rooms, the cultural hub that houses the Provincial Archives. “We couldn’t think of a better place to do it,” Janet laughs. As part of the conference, registered attendees will be treated to a special behind-the-scenes tour of the archives – including exclusive access to areas usually off-limits to the public. “The archives have also kindly offered free registration for conference attendees,” Janet explains. “So if someone wants to spend a day or two diving into the records, they’ll have that opportunity without barriers.”
For many visitors, this will be more than just an academic pursuit, it’s a special chance to explore the ties that bind. “We’ve heard from people who’ve traced their roots to Newfoundland and are now saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I get to actually go see the land of my ancestors.’ This is a fabulous golden opportunity. Some are planning road trips to Trinity Bay, Bonavista Bay or wherever their roots are to just have a look at the place and see where their ancestors lived.” It’s a powerful, emotional journey.
The Family History Society has been active since 1984, recently celebrating its 40th anniversary. Located at Pippy Place in St. John’s, the society produces a quarterly journal, The Ancestor, and maintains a library filled with family histories, vital records, directories, maps, and more. “We collect family histories, and we also collect records. So you can come and peruse the vital statistics records, births, baptisms, marriages, burials,” says Janet. “We also have digital recordings and a written database. Much of our content is available online for members, and we do record lectures so people can access them later.” Membership is just $45 a year, and while most resources are reserved for members, the society offers a selection of free materials, like their ‘Where Do I Start?’ lecture, to help newcomers take that first step. “We’ve got the library and reading room where people can come and look through the records,” Janet explains. “We’re also happy to meet with people one-on-one, by appointment. Sometimes you just need someone to show you where to begin.”
For Janet, like many others, the desire to dig into family history comes from a simple question: Where do I come from? “You know, when I was growing up, I was a dyed-in-the-wool townie. My dad’s from the Battery, my mom’s from Quidi Vidi,” she shares. “But no, all I had to do was go back two generations to see that I actually come from all around the bay. I have roots in just about every neck of the woods in Eastern Newfoundland. And that was really interesting.”
“Not everyone grows up with access to family stories,” she continues. “A lot of people are disconnected from their family history, but once you start digging, it’s addictive. First, you get names and dates, but then you want to know who they were. What were their lives like?”
The Rockbound Roots Conference aims to put those tools into the hands of as many people as possible – whether they’re breaking down brick walls in their research or just starting to wonder about the people who came before them. And though this is the first Rockbound Roots, there’s already talk of making it a regular event. “We’re looking at hosting it every few years, depending on the response,” says Janet. “So far, the interest has been amazing.”
At its core, genealogy is about storytelling. As Janet puts it, “There’s a storyteller in all of us. We may not all be novelists, but we can craft the story of where we’ve come from. Genealogy gives people the tools to do just that.”
For more visit Family History Society at fhsnl.ca, the conference website, rockboundroots.com, or email conference@fhsnl.ca.
