The seven live virtual presentations this week, hosted by Ontario Ancestors’ branches and special interest groups, are all free and open to the public.
The following times are in Eastern time.
Monday, February 10, 7:00 p.m. — Oxford County Branch
The Potter’s Field Project at the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery by Cody Groat
This presentation by Cody Groat, Assistant Professor in the Department of History and the Indigenous Studies program at Western University, will focus on the work of the Potter’s Field Project at the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery. The Potter’s Field is an unmarked section of the cemetery where nearly 400 people were buried. These community members were differentiated based on their socio-economic status. The stories of people who were buried in the Potter’s Field will be shared, including stories of former enslaved African Americans, British Home Children, people impacted by the Chinese Head Tax, and the unhoused. Register to watch online.
Tuesday, February 11, 6:30 p.m. — Lambton County Branch
What’s New at MyHeritage by Daniel Horowitz
MyHeritage is constantly introducing new features to help users take their research to the next level. In this session, Daniel will give a detailed walkthrough of the latest features, show you how to make the most of them, and give a peek behind the scenes at how they were developed. Register to watch online.
Tuesday, February 11, 7:00 p.m. — Essex County Branch
Mapping Early Black Settlement in Amherstburg and Colchester by Karleigh Kochaniec
Karleigh Kochaniec has created an online map that showcases nineteenth-century Black settlement in Windsor-Essex, focusing mainly on Amherstburg and Colchester Township. This map is an extension of “Beyond the Underground Railroad: A History of Black Settlement in Nineteenth Century Amherstburg.” Karleigh will describe the method used to create such a map and will also introduce her new research. Register to watch online.
Wednesday, February 12, 1:00 p.m. — Ireland SIG
The Roots Ireland Website: An Essential Irish Genealogical Resource by Dr. Brendan Scott
In this presentation, Dr. Brendan Scott, manager of the Roots Ireland website, will give viewers a virtual tour of the Roots Ireland website and answer any questions which they may have. Register to watch online.
Thursday, February 13, 1:00 p.m. — Scottish SIG
19th Century Vaccination Dissenters by Sylvia Valentine
Saturday, February 15, 10:00 a.m. — Kingston Branch
Exciting Cause: An investigation into women confined in the 1890s to the Kingston Asylum for the Insane (Rockwood) in Kingston, Ontario by Laurie Fyffe
Laurie Fyffe’s journey into the fascinating history of the Kingston Asylum for the Insane began with the discovery that her great-great-grandmother, Sarah Ann Gerrard, died in that institution in 1901. Tracing Sarah’s surprising personal history led Laurie to the medical case history files of Rockwood’s female patients, where she found compelling stories and tragic outcomes for women who fell short of the ideal for female behaviour in late 19th century Victorian Canada. Register to watch online.
Saturday, February 15, 12:30 p.m. — Quinte Branch
The Origins of the First European Settlers to Quinte…Their Diverse Backgrounds and How they Travelled to Upper Canada by John Brebner
John will present using maps, diagrams and illustrations the three main routes of the arrival of the first European Settlers after 1784 to the Quinte Region. The movement of the Loyalist Mohawks under Sir John Johnson from the Mohawk Valley to Tyendinaga and Grand River will also be described. Register to watch online. The promo indicates the presentation begins at 1:00 p.m., but the registration form says 12:30 p.m., so perhaps check in early just in case.
