It’s the last week of branch presentations at Ontario Ancestors before the society’s virtual three-day conference begins June 24.
The branches’ following presentations are virtual, free, and open to the public. All times are in Eastern time.
Monday, June 13, 7:00 p.m. — Leeds & Grenville Branch
Life on the Rideau Lakes in the Early Years by Sue Warren
Local favourite Sue Warren will send us off into summer with Life on the Lakes in the Early Years – what daily life was like in the first two decades after the Rideau Canal was built. Life around the Rideau Lakes – a discussion of the Rideau Lakes area covering First Nations, European settlement, agriculture, architecture, religion, medicine – daily life in the first half of the 19th century! Registration is required.
Tuesday, June 14, 7:00 p.m. — Kent & Lambton Branches
Diligence Has its Rewards – A Remarkable Discovery Regarding My Early Lambton and Kent Ancestors by Claire Smith-Burns
Claire Smith-Burns has deep connections to both Lambton and Kent counties. Her Courtney and Traxlar ancestors were early settlers in both counties. Join the Kent Branch and Lambton Branch as they co-host this special presentation. Registration is required.
Wednesday, June 15, 7:00 p.m. — DNA SIG, Durham Region Branch
Exploring AncestryDNA™ at Ancestry.ca® by Nancy Trimble
Nancy Trimble, PLCGS, guides us through an exploration of Ancestry.ca’s DNA portion of the website. We will explore the DNA Story, DNA Matches and the Thru-Lines areas of the website in detail, showing how you can glean hints from each as you explore what your DNA is telling you. Registration is required.
Wednesday, June 15, 7:00 p.m. — London & Middlesex Branch
Aeolian Hall: A History Against the Odds by Harold Carruthers
The Aeolian facility has been a beacon for the London Community for 138 years. The stories of the hall are the touchstone to large part of London’s history. The cost of building this hall, “The Town Hall for London East,” contributed to the bankruptcy of London East and its amalgamation with the main city. Did you know that in 1927, the first NAACP Convention in Canada was held at this facility? That Fire Men from Fire Station No. 2 on the ground floor of the hall used to come upstairs from their station on Saturday nights to attend dances in the main hall? Do you know about the first Aeolian Hall that burned down in 1967 and why the new one was born in its current facility in 1968 as a temporary location?
This presentation will highlight these stories and many other focal points in the hall’s history, including its constant struggle to avoid demolition. Registration is required.
Friday, June 17, 7:00 p.m. — Niagara Peninsula Branch
Jewish Ancestry by Howard Slepkov
Registration is required.
Sunday, June 19, 2:00 p.m. — Halton Peel Branch
Tracing Forward to Find Distant Cousins by Dave Obee
Are you stymied in your search for living relatives? Your distant cousins could be the key that unlocks your DNA research. You need to start in the past and trace forward. This presentation will help direct you to tricks and sources on the internet to use to find your distant cousins. Registration is required.
