Community history books started for Friesens in Alberta. Back in the early 1970s, Ron Blair started the history book program assembling books in his basement. A few years later he moved on to BC and started the program there. Rob Rohac did the history books in northern Alberta (I looked after the southern half) for a number of years until his untimely death. Ron has now officially retired and I look forward to follow in their footsteps doing community and family histories for all of Alberta and BC.

I bring with me 25 years of community and family history books experience, having done over 150 community books in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. In addition to this I have worked with publishers in Alberta for the last 19 years.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions on how to get started on your book. I would be happy to come to your community to answer any questions you might have on researching, editing, funding (grants), selling your books, and of course, the Friesens history book program. Friesens offers the history group ongoing service to answer all the questions that come up as the book progresses and these service calls are included at no additional cost.

I look forward to working with you to make your book the best it can be.

Thank you.

Jim Beckel
415 Queensland Road SE
Calgary, AB
T2L 3S5

Telephone: (403) 250-3486
Fax: (403) 250-8648
e-mail: jimb@friesens.com