History Check App -Frequently Asked Questions
History Check is a mobile app available on both Apple and Android devices as a free download.
Mean to engage, education and encourage exploration it uses Points of Interest (POI), placed by GPS locations, to tell the story of that site or let App Users find services they might need along the way. The Points of Interest can by found through “Near Me” location services, Our Sponsors and Menu Search functions, or through the Community Category Menus which include:
- History & Museums (includes historical stories and places from all eras of history)
- Other Points of Interest (from Alberta Big Icons to Bird Observatories to antique stores)
- Recreation (from skate parks to ski hills to golf courses to trails)
- Parks, Camping & Lodging (from Provincial Parks, to Bed & Breakfasts to lodging in smaller communities)
- Travel Services (from fuel along the route, to general stores and anything needed to explore the area)
Launched in October 2017 as a preview to encourage more site addition by community groups, non-profit organizations and businesses, History Check will be marketed to a regional, provincial and global audience to encourage travel in Spring 2018.
- We are looking for submission of sites of interest. These can include history, local parks and other attraction.
- Donate financially to help fund this collaborative community initiative.
- Download the app and share it with your friends and family.
- If you are an App User, and see a missing photo, take a picture and send it to us. Many files, have a HC File #, If available please reference.
- Share our social media posts and help us create awareness.
If you would like to submit, please contact Sheila Willis at 780-805-1390 or email [email protected].
To obtain seed money for the History Check project, FHNAS has, and continues to, approach all of the governing organizations north of, or including the Yellowhead Highway. These include Municipalities, Towns, Cities, Villages, First Nations, and Metis Settlements.
We are asking for a suggested donation of $5,000 from each of the organizations with the stipulation that we are willing to work within their budgets to accommodate their size, and financial status.
We are also asking for donations through our Go Fund Me Campaign or those wishing to support our efforts can mail a check to FHNAS PO Box 118, Smith, AB T0G 2B0. The third option for donation is to send an Email Money Transfer to [email protected] supplying the security question and password in a separate email.
Friends of Historical Northern Alberta Society is a registered not-for-profit society registered in the province of Alberta. As such we continue to apply for grants through various government agencies.
Long Term Funding will come through our Advertising and Sponsorship Programs. You can read more about those here.
A Collaborating Municipality is a governing body that has contributed financially or through other pre-approved means to the History Check project. For simplicities sake, we often put the et.al. behind this to encompass municipalities, towns, cities, villages, First Nations and Metis Settlements.
No disrespect to the other forms of governing organizations is intended. We are simply trying to reduce the words, as much or our literature and promotion currently includes all of the governing bodies as we try to inform all them of the History Check Project.
Eventually, as the project progresses, we will be able to be more specific in our literature.
Collaborating Municipalities are recognized on History Check through the Gold Stars on Primary Icons or those you see on the Home Map. Edmonton is includes due to the contributions of the Edmonton & District Historical Society.
No!
While we recommend contribution of $5,000 or more, we also understand that each Municipal District, County, Town, Village, City, First Nation and Metis Settlement many not afford that amount. Plus organizational budgets, regional population, and membership size, are also contributing factors in deciding participation levels.
We ask that each Municipality et.al. be as generous as they can in their contribution. We are willing to discuss any offer that enables the municipality become an active participant in the History Check project. These initial rounds of funding enable us to do the necessary work to launch and get History Check online while starting basic promotion campaigns of northern Alberta .
This seed money or initial round funding is a one time ask that will enable us to do the necessary work to launch and get History Check online while starting basic promotion campaigns of Northern Alberta. There may be other promotional campaigns, events that we ask for support for in the future.
All Municipalities, Towns, Villages and Cities will have their Museums, Interpretive Centers and Visitor Information Centers listed for launch or shortly thereafter. We will also include submitted Points of Interest and ensure that there is a site to accompany any Historical Point of Interest Sponsorships in that area.
Our Collaborating Municipalities, or those municipalities who have contributed financially deserve to see the first ROI or Return on Investment. They will be our primary focus in seeking out, researching and writing the stories for the Historical Points of Interest. In addition we will be actively contacting those offering services that are of value to to guests and residents of their communities. These will include:
- Historical Buildings or Displays (Churches, Schools, Stores, Grain Elevators, Railway Cars, Vehicles, etc.)
- Historical Signs, Markers & Monuments
- Cemeteries & Grave Sites
- Alberta Big or Unique Icons
- Provincial, Municipal & Privately Owned Parks, Campgrounds & RV Parks
- Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, Air N B, and other lodging in Small Communities
- Golf Courses, Guided Tours & Other Recreational Opportunities
- Current Use & Historical Trails (Walking, Hiking, ATV, Biking, Snowshoeing etc.)
- Rental Facilities of Recreational Equipment (Boats, ATVs, Kayaks, Canoes, Skis, Snowshoes etc.)
- Local Specialty Shops, Art Galleries, Gift Shops, Antique Stores & Dining in small communities
- Skate Parks, Water Parks, Rinks, Recreational Facilities and & Community Complexes
- Boat launches and docks
- Nature Walks & Observatories
- Farm tours, green houses and sites to buy local produce
- Theatre locations
- Gas stations in small communities and remote areas.
- Annual Event, Theatres, and similar Locations (Link to events page on fhnas.ca)
- Any business or service in your area that supplies a service to traveller’s
- Any other items we may have missed
We will also begin to focus our social media posts, and future advertising to primarily focus on these Collaborating Municipalities.
The goal of Friends of Historical Northern Alberta Society (FHNAS) is to incorporate all areas of history and to encourage tourism as a means of promoting economic development. History Check can be a tool to assist with this.
We are asking for participation from all governing organizations, but we also recognize that First Nations and Metis Settlements are different from municipalities, towns, village and cities.
A unique feature of History Check is the ability for others to submit Historical Points of Interest. Once submitted, a FHNAS representative will work with the contributor to ensure that the information is correct, factual and presented in an informative and engaging manner. This enables First Nations and Metis Settlements to be involved in the telling of their history, from their perspective.
In order to respect Indigenous and Metis Culture and privacy FHNAS:
- Will seek collaboration and partnership with First Nations and Metis Settlements in Northern Alberta
- Will to follow protocol in this request as a sign of respect and friendship.
- Will NOT place any Points of Interest on History Check except what is already publicly available with respect to reserve location(s) proper and any affiliated businesses that also have their location information publicly available.
- Will seek involvement and input from Band Council or approved representative to ensure that all historical information meets with the approval of Band Council.
As with municipalities we are requesting a financial contribution based on the availability of funds.
We are working towards documenting our references for our historical information and stories. This is a list of books that we have used, that do not have a regular link to send you to.
Concise Place Names of Alberta
Edited by Merrily K. Aubrey ISBN 1-55238-210-9
(Alphabetically listed so no page numbers given)