Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and Jonathan J.
Kalmakoff, creator of the Doukhobor Genealogy Website, the largest Doukhobor
family history website, announced today a strategic partnership to make more
resources accessible to Canadians interested in online Doukhobor family
research.
Initially, Kalmakoff and LAC will focus on identifying the significant amount of
Doukhobor archival material held at LAC. The material, covering 1899 to the
present, includes thousands of government records, private manuscript
collections, books, reports, periodicals, newspapers, photographs, and sound and
video recordings. The result will be a thematic guide to help locate the
material and assist in general research. The thematic guide will be available
free of charge at
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy as well as at
www.doukhobor.org.
In addition to the thematic guide to Doukhobor records, LAC and Kalmakoff will
develop a specialized web page for Doukhobor genealogy at
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy. The specialized web page will be
designed for those who wish to undertake genealogical research on their
Doukhobor ancestors. It will provide an overview of select sources and tips for
doing effective Doukhobor genealogical research while avoiding numerous
pitfalls.
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Jonathan J. Kalmakoff, creator of the Doukhobor Genealogy Website and
Sylvie Tremblay, head of the
Canadian Genealogy Centre, Library and Archives Canada,
discuss the strategic partnership in Ottawa. |
The Doukhobors are a Christian group that originated in Russia in the 17th
century. They were persecuted in Tsarist Russia for their religious beliefs,
which included pacifism, egalitarianism and communal ownership. In 1899, over
7,500 Doukhobors immigrated to Western Canada. There, they formed large communal
farming enterprises. Today an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Doukhobors live in
Canada with a similar number living in Russia and the Former Soviet Republics.
“I am pleased to be partnering with LAC to provide guidance and direction to
Doukhobor family researchers,” said Kalmakoff. “There is a wealth of records
that can help those researching their Doukhobor roots understand their past.
Being able to find, locate and use them is absolutely essential.”
About the Doukhobor Genealogy Website
The Doukhobor Genealogy Website is the leading online site for Doukhobor family
history. It contains research guides and indices of Doukhobor archival materials
in Canada and elsewhere and offers comprehensive glossaries of Doukhobor names
and naming practices, geography, maps and place names, in addition to a wealth
of historical texts and English translations of Russian sources. The creator,
researcher and writer Jonathan J. Kalmakoff is a leading authority on Doukhobor
genealogy and history. His publications are essential works for the study of
Doukhobor family history. For more information, visit
www.doukhobor.org.
About Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada collects and preserves Canada's documentary
heritage, and makes it accessible to all Canadians. This heritage includes
publications, archival records, sound and audio-visual materials, photographs,
artworks, and electronic documents such as websites. The Canadian Genealogy
Centre (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy) includes all physical and online
genealogical services of Library and Archives Canada. It offers genealogical
content, services, advice, research tools and opportunities to work on joint
projects, all in both official languages.
Media contacts:
Sylvie Tremblay
Library and Archives Canada
613-992-1638
Sylvie.Tremblay@lac-bac.gc.ca
Jonathan J. Kalmakoff
Doukhobor Genealogy Website
306-569-0074
jon.kalmakoff@accesscomm.ca
