Kari Mohn (left) and Loretta Mattson, Kenai Totem Tracers Genealogical Society members, practice on Wednesday for their "Your Family Tree - Getting Started" presentation to be held at 1 p.m. on March 8 at the Kenai Community Library. Photo by Kaylee Osowski/Peninsula Clarion

Kari Mohn (left) and Loretta Mattson, Kenai Totem Tracers Genealogical Society members, practice on Wednesday for their "Your Family Tree - Getting Started" presentation to be held at 1 p.m. on March 8 at the Kenai Community Library. Photo by Kaylee Osowski/Peninsula Clarion

Finding family

  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
  • Sunday, March 2, 2014 9:44pm
  • News

Technological advancements may have changed genealogical research methods since Kari Mohn and Loretta Mattson first began tracing their family trees years ago but the duo is keeping up with the times.

On Wednesday Mohn and Mattson, both Kenai Totem Tracers Genealogical Society members, practiced using the Kenai Community Library’s duel television screens and document camera in the meeting room to practice for their presentation called “Your Family Tree — Getting Started.”

Mattson began researching her family tree when her “brother-nephew,” her nephew that grew up in her family like a brother, starting trying to find his real father, she said.

Mohn’s interest started when she was taking a library mini-course at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and needed an idea for a class project. While brainstorming she began to wonder how people get started researching their family trees, so she made it her project to find out.

“It’s addictive,” Mohn said. “It’s a gigantic puzzle.”

Both women have traced their trees back to Charlemagne, king of the Franks and emperor of Western Europe. He was born in the late 740s and died in 814.

“We’re related!” Mattson said and the women laughed.

Before sites like Ancestry.com were available the women said they did research in libraries’ genealogy collections and requested birth, death and marriage certificates from government agencies.

Mohn said she used to write letters using her college typewriter and send them to a genealogy magazine asking for help. But she said one of the first resources is your own family.

Mattson met a little bit of resistance when she began her research.

“My dad said, ‘what do you want to know that stuff for?’” Mattson said with a laugh.

She said today there are a lot websites and forums about family tree research; however, she said not to trust everything on the websites because other people who loaded the information may have made a mistake.

Mohn and Mattson will teach the attendees how to fill out pedigree charts and family group records as well as how to use websites like Ancestry.com and Find a Grave and genealogy software programs. Other Kenai Totem Tracer members will partner with newcomers to help fill out records. Mohn said participants should bring a pencil and any information about their family.

She said as well as helping people trace their family history, the charts information can be useful for people searching for family members who are still alive and Mohn said she will talk about how to factor in adoption.

While some people may be able to fill out a lot of information, others may get stuck and that’s when online family tracing sites become helpful. If participants become addicted to genealogy, like Mattson and Mohn, they can join Totem Tracers, which meets once a month except during the summer. Dues are $18 per year and members will receive the group’s Ancestry.com password to access the site.

The Kenai Totem Tracers Genealogical Society partnered with the library to put on the free community program, which will be held March 8 at 1 p.m.

Kaylee Osowski can be reached at kaylee.osowski@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Russian River Campground closed for construction

The campground is expected to reopen on June 2

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Fish and Game announces series of closures and restrictions for king salmon fisheries

Cook Inlet king salmon stocks are experiencing a prolonged period of poor productivity, the department said

Montessori materials sit on shelves in a classroom at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Education debate draws state attention to peninsula charter schools

Dunleavy would like to see a shift of authority over charter school approvals from local school districts to the state

The Nikiski Senior Center stands under sunlight in Nikiski, Alaska, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Support available for community caregivers

Nikiski Senior Center hosts relaunched Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program

Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill

Senate Bill 140 passed the House by a vote of 38-2 and the Senate by a vote of 18-1 last month

The Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
House passes bill altering wording of sex crimes against children

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer

Ben Meyer and Brandon Drzazgowski present to the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Watershed Forum gives update on streambank restoration

The watershed forum and other organizations are working to repair habitat and mitigate erosion

The entrance to the Kenai Police Department, as seen in Kenai, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai resident arrested on charges of arson

Kenai Police and Kenai Fire Department responded to a structure fire near Mountain View Elementary

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in opposition to an executive order that would abolish the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives during a joint legislative session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Legislature kills most of Dunleavy’s executive orders in rare joint session

All the proposed orders would have shuffled or eliminated the responsibilities of various state boards

Most Read