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8 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, Decembar 8,1998 IKAKEN'S FLOWER 5H01' 4Slaking it easier to rediscover your roots By IRENE GENTLE The Champion It wasn't so long ago when turning an entre- preneurial buck in the genealogy biz was about as common as discovering that your ancestor was Mary Queen of Scots. Now, with this miùllennium ail but waving good- bye in the rearview mirror, it appears there's a solid future to be made from the past. That's new, pointed out Rick Roberts, co-owner of the recently opened Global Genealogy Supply at 13 Charles Street. There was a time when Canadian history flowed only as plenti- fully as the grant money that supported it, he said. "During the '70's there were a lot of small presses producing Canadian historical information," said Mr. Roberts. "But as the jgrants petered out, tbey petered out, too." jWith the loss of the Canuck presses, amateur historians soon found tbemselves in the odd position of having to look stateside for information about institutions as classically Canadian as the Mounties and Tim Hortons. Pricey imports Adding insult to injury, it came at a premium cost. "Books that should have cost $25-$30 are costing $45-50 because they're bringing them in from the States," said Mr. Roberts. In response, Mr. Roberts and is wife and business pantner Sandra began scouing out as many information sources as they could. In 1992, the couple put their hobby to work by founding Global as a part-time business. By 1995, they added a web site. By the time 1997 rolled around, Global was a booming mail order business with both the Roberts at the helm ful-time. Thousands subscribe Since then they have added their own publishing company, Global Heritage Press (GHP) to the mix, along with an on-line genealogical magazine, Global Gazette. The magazine has 9,000 subscribers so far. It' s written on a volunteer basis by authors culled from GHP's publishing roster. They're also looking tu put Canadian history books on CD- ROM to make them more accessible to the home historian. really lends itself to that," said Mr. Roberts. "We' ve got a fairly 9mall market with a very defined need." The market isn't always small. Currently Global is taking orders from information heavy hitters such as The Church of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah as well as libraries spanning North Anierica. For mega-customners and the home istorian alike, Global offers accessible, one-stop shopping for alI kinds of istory needs. -We selI everything from how-to books to very advanced his- torical books," said Mr. Roberts. "People want to understand their ancestor in the context of (he ancestor's) times." Genealogy accessories such as archival tape that won't discolor or harmn documents, plastic covers that won't lift the ink from paper and pens that won't destroy paper are sleeper its of the Photo uy GAA AN Rlck and Sandra Roberts of Global Genealogy show off some of the tools of their trade - books and CDs that can make anyone an amateur family detective. trade. Perhaps more surprising is the brisk business in acid-free archival boxes. Apparently these are coveted by the wedding set, who know that the boxes are aces wben it cornes to keeping that wedding gown whiter than white. Market is growing The genealogical market may be a small one but it's growing ail the time. One reaon is economic times are good, so people can afford to lay down big clams for old bones. 'They have cuniosity and they have disposable time," said Mr. Roberts. 'Their careers are maturing and their kids are growing up. They have disposable mncome and they're often very mobile." According to a report issued by the University of Waterloo, the typical part-time historian is someone who bas recently lost a piece of their own past. "Tbey found that when people bad recently lost a relative, that was a trigger," recounted Mr. Roberts. "People felt tbey should have asked ail these questions and they hadn't." Whatever the reason, Mr. Roberts knows that things sure look different than when he happened on to bis initial genealogical conference in the first blush of the 1990s. Back then, the median age of attendees was 60. "Now people are there with their kids. There's lots of boomers and even gen-xers," he said. Mealiprogram is avaikible for seniors Frozen meals are available for disabled To become eligible for the program, are available. or convalescent seniors tbrougb a joint entries can be picked up at the seniors cen- To place an order, or for more informa- venture between Allendale Home for the tre or delivered if necessary. tion on the program, call Mary Cooke at Aged and Milton Meals on Wheels. Both Allendale and private recipe meals 878-6699. Veai Sandwich (Hot or CoId).............* Slice of Cake and Coffee......$ 9 Large Caesar .................. 4 ýndich WÉt Side Slad or Soup & Pop (6QOmi). s *~ Discounts on business luncheons ;c ù. Catering available *~ Breakfast available Ct Fresh roasted cofféee* >' New - fresh pasta now available ; ~<Hot Soup available ~ Book your privatefunction or Christma~s part y now!!! Delivery available for lunches!!!.fil I 77Main St. OPEN7 DAYS AWE]EK7A.M. - 10P.M. 878-9232