Did you know that the Government of Canada has proclaimed Oct. 1 as National Senior’s Day? They chose Oct. 1 to coincide with the United Nation’s International Day of Older Persons. Since 1990, this has been a UN observed day. Between 1950 and 2010, life expectancy worldwide rose from 46 to 68 years and is projected to be up to 81 by the end of this century. For the first time in human history, by 2050, there will be more persons over the age of 60 than children in the world. With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and challenges face by many older people is clearly required. Of course, it will also be essential that the majority of older men and women continue to contribute to the functioning of society.
National Senior’s Day is a great occasion for all Canadians to appreciate and celebrate seniors, and is the perfect opportunity for us genealogy buffs to speak to our elders about our family history. Here are some things you could do:
• Look through a photo album with them and get them to identify the people in them - and remember to write the answers into the album.
• Learn about your family’s history - ask them about their childhood or about what they can remember about their parents or grandparents.
• Watch family video’s and movies with them, and get them to identify anyone in them you don’t recognize.
For more information about genealogy, drop by on Sept. 20, between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Barriere Library.