What a week this is going to be at Ontario Ancestors. From today until Saturday, nine branches and two special interest groups will host a virtual presentation, and they are open to everyone. With the exception of the Toronto Branch’s presentation, all are free.
The following times are in Eastern time.
Monday, March 11, 7:00 p.m. — Oxford County Branch
Grandma’s Secret by Al Fewster
Tragedy, tribulations and triumph. Evelyn Herman (Greenland) kept a secret that was not talked about or shared. Few knew of her past. Like many of the thousands of children who emigrated to Canada as indentured labour, Evelyn never spoke of her ordeal. Register to watch online.
Tuesday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. — Essex County Branch
The Winter of Discontent 1838 and The Invasion of Pelee Island by Jean Rae Baxter
Award-winning author Jean Rae Baxter UE will discuss her 2023 book, Battle on the Ice. Most Canadians have never heard of the Battle of Point Pelee in 1838. Why did the grandchildren of Loyalists, who had fought hard and had given up land and lifestyle to support the British Crown, rebel against the government in 1837? Jean will discuss important political figures, such as William Lyon Mackenzie and William McCormick, and some lesser-known historical figures of the area and the struggles they endured. Register to watch online.
Tuesday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. — Lambton County Branch
Meet George Hyde et al Hitting the Bullseye in Your Research by Alan Campbell
Alan will share the less commonplace items found during deep-dive research into the life of George Hyde and his family of Plympton Township, Lambton County and indicate where he found them. Register to watch online.
Tuesday, March 13, 10:00 a.m. — Scottish SIG
Maritime History Archive Resources by David Bradley
Archivist David Bradley of the Maritime History Archive in St. John’s, Newfoundland will talk about crew agreements for British Empire merchant vessels, 1863-1938 and 1951-1976, that are held at the Maritime History Archive. Register to watch online.
Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. — Toronto Branch
British Home Children in Canada’s History by Lori Oschefski
This webinar will explore the history of Home Children, boys and girls from the United Kingdom who were relocated to countries like Canada from the 1860s to the 1940s. Many of the children were orphans or from families who were facing financial difficulties and could not afford to raise them. Lori Oschefski will highlight their significance in Canada with a particular focus on Toronto — the largest receiving centre for Home Children in our country. She will provide the resources to help you research these children. The cost is $10 for Ontario Ancestors members and $15 for non-members. Register to watch online. The webinar, including discussion, will be recorded and archived for a limited time for those who can’t participate in the live Zoom session.
Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. — Kawartha Branch
Canadian Resources Review by Sher Leetooze
Of interest to those new to genealogy as well as seasoned researchers, Sher gives a review of all the wonderful records available in Canada, and Ontario in particular, that will help put ‘flesh on the bones’ of your ancestors and their families. The Kawartha Branch will co-host this presentation with the Lakeshore Genealogical Society. It is a hybrid meeting. Attend in person at the Cobourg Public Library or watch via Zoom. Register to watch online.
Thursday, March 14, 7:00 p.m. — British Home Children SIG
A Look at the Scottish Sending Homes for British Home Children by Christine Woodcock
The first people to pioneer the idea of child migration were Scottish Evangelical Christians Annie MacPherson and her sister Louisa Birt. Born in Stirlingshire, Annie was educated in London and became aware of the poverty in the city’s East End.
Annie reached out to her Christian Women associates back in Glasgow and in 1870 and began sending impoverished children to Canada where she believed they would find better opportunities in life.
In this talk, we will look at the sending homes from Scotland who were involved in the British Home Child Scheme, including where to find any records associated with them. Register to watch online. $10 for non-members.
Friday, March 15, 7:00 p.m. — Niagara Peninsula Branch
The Stand Against the Fenians in Fort Erie by June Chipp
Local Fort Erie author and historian June Chipp will give a presentation about the invasion by Irish Americans known as Fenians in 1866. This attempted capture of Canada was a protest against British rule in Ireland, and resulted in major battles being fought in Ridgeway and Fort Erie. The presentation is based on June’s second book, Duty and Honour The Stand Against the Fenians in Fort Erie, and focuses particularly on the fight in Fort Erie, which was virtually unknown. The talk includes information on a secret government enquiry that was published for the first time in the book. Register to watch online.
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 a.m. — Kingston Branch
Beginner’s Irish Genealogy Research by Ken McKinlay
Ken McKinlay will cover the basics of Irish research, highlighting key research sites as well as challenges you will face as you try to discover more about your Irish ancestry. Register to watch online.
Saturday, March 16, 1:00 p.m. — Ottawa Branch
Hidden Treasures: Canadian Military Records Seen and Unseen by Glenn Wright
Researching a military ancestor in the 20th century takes us in many directions. From the service documents of First World War soldiers and nurses, to war diaries of Canadian regiments that stormed the beaches of France on D-Day, we have a wide range of sources to document our men and women in uniform. Yet, there are records in archives, primarily Library and Archives Canada, that have been underused or not used at all. Better still – and this is the focus of the presentation — more than one hundred years after the end of the First World War, more personnel records are now available and there is more to come. Register to watch online.
Saturday, March 16, 1:00 p.m. — Quinte Branch
FamilySearch’s Ontario Land Records by Ken McKinlay
FamilySearch has a number of collections concerning Ontario land records. However, these collections are not name indexed for easy use by genealogists.
In this session, we learn how to use and navigate through the various FamilySearch collections such as Abstract Indexes, Land Record copy books, and Township Papers.
This session logically follows the very popular session Ken conducted for the Quinte Branch last year called OnLand From a Genealogist’s Perspective, and completes his Finding on the Ground series. Register to watch online.
