Who is Isabel Groesbeek? / Wie is Isabel Groesbeek?

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Isabel Groesbeek completed BA Hons (History) at UP and is a genealogy researcher since 1988 and the founder of the GENEALOGY & FAMILY HERITAGE EXPO. The first expo took place in May 2008 as a celebration of Isabel’s involvement with genealogy as a science over a period of 20 years. She organised and personally hosted the expo for 11 years. Since January 2020 she heads the newly founded Federasie vir Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK)-Genealogielessenaar and planned the expo with the FAK as co-host. Due to COVID19 the 2020 & 2021 Expo had a changed format - interviews were published on the

FAK Facebook in October 2020 & May/Junie 2021 and are still available on Fb & YouTube.

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Isabel Groesbeek was a genealogical researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) since 1988 and from 1990 to 1998 the Head: Genealogy Information, HSRC. The division was closed by the government and the HSRC genealogical collection (1971-1998) was transferred to the newly founded Genealogical Institute of South Africa (GISA), Stellenbosch (1998-2018), but the collection is since 2019 in the library of CPUT Wellington campus.
Isabel remained in Pretoria in 1998 and started Isabel Groesbeek Genealogical Services.

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Her genealogical work experience & activities / Haar genealogiese ondervinding en aktiwitete:

• Editing HSRC team member for publication series 'Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagregisters/South African Genealogies'.

• Co Editor of publication, 'Die familie Van der Walt in Suid-Afrika' (1989).

• Co author of publications e.g. on AUCAMP, CLAAS(S)EN(S)-, RAS-, & SMAL(L) family etc.

• Researcher and compiler of many smaller genealogies as well as a Beginners' Guide.

• Author & co-author of articles e.g. for Creative Reflections, FAMILIA, Idees/Ideas, LIG, Plus 50, Scrapping & Kie, Reader’s Digest, Vrouekeur.

• Presenter of Module on genealogy, UP Winter school & guest lecturer at Department Heritage & Historical Studies.

• Guest speaker at many events.

• Compiler and presenter of radio series ‘Van Waar Gehasi?’ (2000) 'Genealogie & Plekname' and regular guest on RSG & Pretoria FM.

• Initiator and presenter of genealogical beginners' course, ‘Van waar Gehasi?’ (since 2000) - contact to book for future course dates) on request around the country, also at ‘AARDKLOP’ for two years.

• Initiator and organizer of Genealogie- & Familie-Erfenisfees/Genealogy & Family Heritage Expo since 2008.

• Owner & administrator of Facebook group, FAMILIES INFO SA since 2011.

• Initiator and co organizer of Genealogy Open Day in Stellenbosch during Woordfees 2018.

• Consultant FAK-Genealogielessenaar (January 2020 -) - see www.genealogielessenaar.com

• Honorary member of the Genealogical Society of South Africa (GSSA)

• Liaison officer of GreyPower (www.gryskrag.co.za) - genealogy is a wonderful tool for positive ageing.