It’s going to be a busy week at Ontario Ancestors. Five branches and a special interest group will host a free virtual presentation. Each is open to members and non-members, but registration is required.
The following times are in Eastern time.
Monday, April 11 — 7:00 p.m. — Leeds & Grenville Branch
For a Better Life: Post-War Dutch Immigration to Canada by John Immerseel
Those of us living in Leeds & Grenville Counties are very familiar with the many Dutch names that populate our farms, villages and towns. John will give us a first-hand glimpse into how some of the half-million Dutch emigrants who left the Netherlands for a better life in the post-war era helped our Counties grow and thrive in the last half of the 20th century.
Beginning in 1947, almost 500,000 Dutch emigrants left the Netherlands following the end of World War II. Of this number, almost 200,000 left for Canada. This presentation examines the situation in the Netherlands before and during the war years, the reasons for emigrating, and the challenges facing families as they set out to rebuild their lives in their new homeland. Registration is required.
Tuesday, April 12 — 7:00 p.m. — Essex County Branch
What I learned about genealogy during the COVID Lockdown by Debra Honor
In the past two years, COVID has forced us to stay home. Without all the day-to-day distractions, COVID gave me permission to focus on my own family history. Along the way, I learned new steps to find information and connect with other genealogists following the same families. COVID was a blessing in disguise for my genealogy research. Come find out what I learned. Registration is required.
Wednesday, April 13 — 10:00 a.m. — Scottish SIG
Scottish Folklore by Graeme Johncock
Registration is required.
Wednesday, April 13 – 7:15 p.m. – York Branch
Growing Up Yonge — Part One the 19th Century by Maggie Mackenzie
Maggie MacKenzie, Heritage Services Coordinator for the City of Richmond Hill, will deliver this presentation on Yonge Street. Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe officially established Yonge Street in the 1790s. Envisioned as a military road from the Town of York ( now Toronto) to Holland Landing. Yonge Street opened up the northern part of York County for settlement- and positioned Richmond Hill as an essential stopping point along the two-day journey. Join Richmond Hill Heritage Services for part one of this two-part visual presentation illustrating the growth during the 19th century and the people that were influential in the development of Richmond Hill’s “Main Street.” Registration is required.
Thursday, April 14 — 7:00 p.m. — Lambton County Branch
Researching in British Columbia by Eunice Robinson
Eunice Robinson, representing the BC Genealogical Society, will talk about where and what you can find for researching in British Columbia. Registration is required.
Saturday, April 16 — 10 a.m. — Kingston Branch
Writing Family History: Turning research into Shareable Stories by Lynn Palermo
Registration is required.
Saturday, April 16 – 1:00 p.m. – Quinte Branch
Living in Interesting Times: Two Loyalist Families in York by Rick Hill
While building out his family tree, Rick Hill was surprised to discover a 3rd great-grandmother who could have boasted that three of her four grandparents were United Empire Loyalists – and she had a Loyalist great-grandfather too!
During the American Revolutionary War, these UEL ancestors – Henry Dennis, his son John, John’s wife Martha (née Brown), and Lawrence Johnson – all fled Pennsylvania. Three of the four made it out of the future USA, first to Nova Scotia, and ultimately to York Township and the town of York in Upper Canada. Registration is required.
