Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
One of North America’s leading forensic genealogists is among six experts who have signed on to present at Finnish Genealogy Day at Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) on Saturday, September 26 as part of Festival Ruska.
Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick — who is the author of two of the best-selling books in genealogy, and writes a regular column for “Ancestry” magazine — will give a presentation titled “You Will Never Look at Your Old Photos the Same Way Again.” She will share techniques about how both what’s in the photo, and the thickness, edges and even the shape of the photo can help with identification.
Joining Fitzpatick on the presentation slate is Jouni Korkiasaari, an immigration expert at Turku, Finland’s Institute of Migration. He will give professional insight into the sometimes-complex Finnish naming system and offer solutions to some common challenges researchers encounter when searching online databases for Finnish names.
Other presenters include Gus Fenton of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who will deliver a talk titled “Why don’t I look like my parents,” and Mary Lukkarila and Marlene Wisuri — both of Minnesota, who will offer “You Might Be Saami if …” Lukkarila is a longtime genealogist who has conducted in-depth research into both her Finnish and Saami roots, while Wisuri, a writer, is the chairwoman of the Sami Center of North America in Duluth.
The final speaker on the slate is University of Minnesota Finnish Studies Professor Daniel Karvonen, who will discuss “The Origins of the Finns: Are we any closer to unraveling the mystery,” with a focus on DNA and its use in genealogy.
Also taking place, simultaneous to the Genealogy Day program, is the City of Hancock’s outdoor tori (marketplace) where during break times patrons can select from a variety of handmade items and local produce. Registered guests will also have opportunity to explore the Finnish American Historical Archive in the FAHC, which houses the largest collection of Finnish-American materials anywhere in the world.
Registration is $50 per person, and includes lunch, coffee breaks and presentation materials as necessary. Day-of registration is possible, but will be limited and therefore lunches might not be available. To guarantee your seats for this program, call the Finnish American Heritage Center at (906) 487-7347.
Genealogy Day is part of Finlandia University’s inaugural Festival Ruska, which takes place September 21-26 on the university campus and in the surrounding area. Other festival events include a concert, a pair of author presentations and book signings, a lecture by actress Taina Elg, who is Finlandia Foundation Lecturer of the Year, and a tour of historically significant Finnish-American sites in the Copper Country. To learn more about Festival Ruska, visit the Finnish American Heritage Center’s Facebook page, or log on to finlandia.edu/festivalruska.
