GAF grant helps purchase new Genealogy computers

LW GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

The Golden Age Foundation (GAF) donation of $6,600 to the Leisure World Genealogy Workshop has come just in time to help family history sleuths continue to discover their family roots. Imagine trying to research family history sites with aging donated computers using an operating system that is soon to expire. That’s the position the Genealogy Workshop was in this summer when it applied to GAF for help through their Peter Hayes grant program.

The award from GAF has allowed them to purchase 10 state-of-the-art computers to better meet the needs of current members and to entice more residents to take up the satisfying pursuit of looking into one’s ancestry.

“I’m so grateful that GAF provided this funding,” said Genealogy Workshop treasurer Janet Lessin of Mutual 7. “We would not have been able to replace our old computers with the funds we make from club dues.”

Slow processing and lag time with the 10-year-old computers have been major barriers to expand membership. The days of finding a computer that works or waiting until it loads are now history.

“I no longer have to be embarrassed when training someone to use our ancestry. com account or other research tools,” said club co-president Linda Bewley of Mutual 2.

Club members are excited and several of them were happy to help unbox and set up the new computers. The club was founded in 1974 and has assisted hundreds of residents to discover their family background. It has a library and computer lab located off the lobby in Clubhouse 3, available six days a week, staffed by volunteers who help with genealogy research. Members enjoy access to several genealogical websites that would cost much more if purchased privately. In addition, club members benefit from continuing education through monthly meetings, weekly learning sessions and occasional field trips to other genealogical societies or libraries. For more information on how to join, contact lwgeneaology@gmail.com.

GAF a charitable organization devoted to improving the quality of life in Leisure World. For more information about GAF and how to contribute, contact President Anna Derby at 562-301-5339.

—Maureen Habel

Ten brand new computers have been set up in the Genealogy Lab thanks to a Peter Hayes Grant from the Golden Age Foundation.