It’s back-to-school time, and that means the Ontario Genealogical Society and its branches are also back to helping us learn, with their free virtual presentations and other events.
This week, there are five free virtual presentations, along with two free virtual drop-ins. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The following times are in Eastern time.
Monday, September 1, 7:00 p.m. — Leeds & Grenville Branch
A Road Trip Through Leeds County – Exploring the Records by Patti Mordasewicz
Come with us on a road trip through the Townships of Leeds County. Visit the County Office, Township Offices, Towns, Libraries, Archives, Museums, Historical and Heritage Societies. There might be some road-side stops and a few detours along the way!
Over the last couple of years volunteer branch members have been visiting local libraries and archives in the county with the hope to eventually visit them all. This tour was prepared using the information gleaned from those visits, as well as studying websites and social media outlets to tell you what you might find at these locations.
The presentation was prepared by Branch volunteers and will be presented by Patti Mordasewicz, Chair of the Leeds & Grenville Branch of The Ontario Genealogical Society. Register to watch online.
Tuesday, September 2, 2:00 p.m. — Ottawa Branch
Virtual Genealogy Drop-In
Share research strategies and discover what resources are available for your research. Volunteers will answer questions and help you get the most from on-line resources. To make the best use of the limited time, please be prepared when you have a question. Tell us what you hope to find. Let us know what you DO know (names, dates and places of key events such as birth, marriage and death) and where you found it, or where you’ve looked. Be as brief as possible. Have any other information ready in case our experts ask for more details. Use the link to drop in.
Tuesday, September 2, 7:30 p.m. — Durham Region Branch
Turning Genealogy Clues into Genealogy To-Do’s by Thomas MacEntee
Does your genealogy research get bogged down when you find new clues about an ancestor? Do you stop everything and chase after that BSO (“bright and shiny object”)? Learn how to increase your research efficiency and still remember that new information for later investigation.
Participants will learn how to identify new clues in records, document new information and tuck it away for later research. In addition, we’ll focus on building better and more efficient research habits in order to stay on track and not get distracted by new clues. Register to watch online.
Wednesday, September 3, 7:30 p.m. — Huron Branch
Breaking down Brick Walls – The GPS Approach by Janice Nickerson
When your research hits a brick wall, what next? This lecture shows how the Genealogical Proof Standard can help you tackle any research challenge. Learn how to apply the 5 Elements of the GPS: Conducting a Reasonably Exhaustive Search, Preparing Source Citations, Evaluating Evidence, Resolving Contradictions and Writing Conclusions to your research problems. Examples draw from 20 years of professional research experience, with a focus on early Ontario. Register to watch online.
Thursday, September 4, 7:00 p.m. — Ontario Genealogical Society
An Ever Growing Tree: Descendancy Research and DNA Matches by Kate Penney Howard
Often, genealogists focus on building an ancestral tree for an individual or family. However, one may wish to research the descendants of a pioneer, a president, or a preacher in your tree or your hometown. Mapping all of the descendants of an ancestor, whether in a surname project or in your own DNA, can provide a wealth of information. Bring your favorite note-taking tools and we will explore what you can gain from descendancy research and how you can help others. Register to watch online.
Saturday, September 6, 10:00 a.m. — London & Middlesex Branch
How Genealogy Informs Local History – and Vice Versa by Lorraine Tinsley
Lorraine will be discussing her most recent book, titled, Here Before Us: A Neighbourhood History of Oxford Park (Oxford Park Community Association and Aylmer Express Ltd – July 2024).
The book details the vibrant history of West London and London Township at the Forks of the Thames, from early Indigenous settlement through European immigration and Black settlers, to the post-WWII Baby Boom. The neighbourhoods and residents of Oxford Park, Kensington, Blackfriars and Petersville featured in this new history tell the vivid story of one of our city’s oldest areas.
Highlights include stories and photos of the colourful and resourceful early families, like that of the Cundick/Curnoe family and their fascinating home, “The Maples;” as well as H.R.K.(Harry) Tozer, who established roots in the area in the 1880s and built many of its houses; Black freedom seekers like John Holmes — Oxford Park’s first settler in 1844; land and real estate wheelers and dealers in the late 19th century who laid out adjoining subdivisions of Kensington Heights (1884) and Oxford Park (1901); a little-known summer tent revival church camp in the roaring ’20s, on whose site London Muslim Mosque now offers cultural and social services; wartime service and sacrifice at home and abroad; as well as the catastrophic gas explosions in 1973 that rallied community resilience.
Drawn from a wide range of valuable historical resources and the recollections of many long-time and former residents, this engaging new book will appeal to Londoners new and old. This is a hybrid meeting. Attend in person at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1139 Riverside Drive, London, or register to watch online.
Saturday, September 6, 2:00 p.m. — Ottawa Branch
Ottawa TMG / Family Historian Users Group
We are a group of enthusiastic users of The Master Genealogist (the genealogy software product “that does it all”) and/or Family Historian. Some of us have switched to Family Historian for various reasons, and we include discussions and tips for that genealogy software as well. Our monthly meetings are webcast only and available to anyone in the world! Learn more here about how to join this virtual drop-in.
