Membership in many genealogical societies is declining, and volunteers are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Our societies face a dual challenge: retaining older members while appealing to an increasingly diverse population.
The Greying Membership
- Natural Attrition: Our older members face health issues, reduced mobility, and, inevitably, mortality.
- Fixed Incomes: Some retired members may struggle with membership and other costs of pursuing the hobby as living expenses rise.
- Technology Gap: Some older members find it challenging to adapt to the march of technology, like DNA and AI.
- Research Plateaus: Long-time members may feel they’ve achieved their goals and exhausted their research possibilities.
Changing Demographics
- Increasing Diversity: Canada’s communities are becoming more multi-ethnic, with many new residents having little connection to the traditional focus areas of established genealogical societies.
- Different Historical Narratives: Immigrants from various parts of the world may not see their histories reflected in our societies’ resources or programs.
- Language Barriers: Non-native speakers might find participation challenging if societies operate primarily in English or French.
- Varied Genealogical Traditions: Different cultures have diverse approaches to family history, which may not align with Western genealogical methods.
The Youth Factor
- Lack of Interest: Younger generations typically show less immediate interest in family history.
- Different Engagement Styles: Younger people prefer digital, on-demand resources and shorter items (TLDR) over traditional formats.
- Time Constraints: Younger adults, juggling careers and young families, have limited time for hobbies. Many societies have recruited from those at or nearing retirement.
- Alternative Platforms: Social media and online communities provide alternative spaces for genealogical discussions.
Bridging the Gaps
To address these challenges, societies need to evolve:
- Diversify Focus: Expand resources and programs to cover a broader range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Digital Adaptation: Embrace technology for virtual meetings, online resources, and social media engagement.
- Intergenerational Programs: Create mentoring opportunities between older and younger members.
- Cultural Education: Offer workshops on various cultural approaches to family history.
- Flexible Membership: Provide options that accommodate different levels of engagement and financial situations.
- Community Partnerships: Collaborate with cultural organizations and schools to raise awareness and interest.
- Relevant Programming: Develop events that connect family history to current social and cultural issues.
Can societies become more inclusive and dynamic, continuing to serve existing members while welcoming new voices, approaches and perspectives?