It’s another good week at Ontario Ancestors with plenty to learn from seven virtual presentations. All are open to the public and all are free, with the exception of one presentation that charges a fee for non-society members.
The following times are in Eastern time.
Tuesday, November 12, 7:00 p.m. — Essex County Branch
A Tour of the Franco-Ontarian Research Centre
Essex County Branch volunteers will give a tour of the Franco-Ontarian Research Centre that has been in Essex County, helping researchers with their French genealogy for more than 40 years. They have amassed a huge resource collection.
The Essex County Branch is assisting in the digitization of many of the documents in their collection but so many of the documents are under copyright and can only be viewed at the Centre. Register to watch online.
Tuesday, November 12, 7:00 p.m. – Lambton County Branch
Winter of Discontent by Jean Rae Baxter
This presentation is based on the speaker’s book, Battle on the Ice “Winter of Discontent,” the 1837-1838 Patriot Revolt. It focuses on what caused it and the importance of the Battle of Pelee Island on March 2, 1838. Register to watch online.
Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 p.m. — York County Branch
The Representation of the First World War in Film by Cameron Telch
Cameron Telch is a third-year doctoral candidate in Educational Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University on the underrepresentation of shell shock in Canadian war museums within the frameworks of critical theory and difficult knowledge. Register to watch online.
Thursday, November 14, 7:00 p.m. — Haldiman-Norfolk Branch
Finding North American Passenger Lists by Tara Shymanski
Are you missing a key genealogy clue because you haven’t found a passenger list? Do you know when your relatives first stepped on North American soil? Learn where to find passenger lists, and tips to figure out when they arrived, and how to find finding passenger lists for elusive ancestors.
This webinar is free to all society members. Non-members can purchase access to the live presentation and the recording for two weeks for a fee of $10. Register to watch online.
Thursday, November 14, 7:30 p.m. — Toronto Branch
Unwritten Chapters: Unveiling Ancestral Narratives with Y-DNA and MTDNA by Katy Rowe-Schurwanz
You may have already done autosomal DNA testing or are planning to. But if you haven’t done any Y-DNA or mitochondrial DNA testing, you might be missing out on information that can really help you make new discoveries about your ancestors. Katy Rowe-Schurwanz will explain what these two other DNA tests are and how they can help. The session, including discussion, will be recorded and available for a limited time to Toronto Branch members only. The webinar is free and open to all. Register to watch online.
Friday, November 15, 7:00 p.m. — Niagara Peninsula Branch
The Great War and the White Plague, 1914–1950 by Eric Story
Eric Story will discuss how the medical war unfolded from 1914 to 1918, specifically through one of the gravest diseases of the twentieth century — tuberculosis. “The Great White Plague,” as it was commonly called, instilled intense fears of not only death but also long-term chronic illness. In addition, it forced the Canadian government to rethink its approach to healthcare across the country after the war was over. Mr. Story will explore this overlooked wartime disease and its ramifications on individuals diagnosed with it as well as the country at large. Register to watch online.
Saturday, November 16, 10:00 a.m. — Kingston Branch
Travels With My Aunt: Adventures in Europe, 1914 by Barbara Tose
In 1914, Nellie Miller and Eliza McAlpine, two ladies from Lindsay, Ontario, set off for the adventure of a lifetime — a grand tour of Britain and Europe. When Barbara Tose started researching her family history, she discovered in her grandmother’s truck the letter her great-great aunt Nellie wrote to her brother telling him about the trip. In her presentation, Barbara will weave the stories from Nellie’s 29-page letter with momentous events of that summer, especially those leading to the start of World War I. Register to watch online.
