Kiva: Genealogists For Families

January 20, 2013:  About a year ago I connected with Joan Miller on Twitter, and soon realized she also lived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. What a blessing to me, as I was learning about DNA research, and she invited me to attend her presentation at the Alberta Family Histories Society. I was excited to attend, and to re-establish my connection to this group. Little did I know that this would be my one and only opportunity to meet Joan. I gained some valuable information that evening, and have spent many hours at the AFHS library in the months following that meeting.

Another of the positives to come of our brief relationship was her invitation to connect me with Judy Webster, her co-captain of the Genealogists for Families group on Kiva. I immediately joined this wonderful international group, and have made 14 loans in conjunction with them to this point.

I was saddened to hear of Joan's passing, and my most recent loan, to the San Miguel Archangel Group, has been commemorated in memory of her life. I will continue to remember Joan, as the funds repaid from this loan and others are re-loaned in the future.


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January, 2012: I joined this Kiva group on December 30, 2011, as it seemed like a good way to connect with other genealogists world-wide. I heard about it via social media, and it's been interesting to see how others find $$ to loan through this microfinance organization.