It’s going to be another good week at the Ontario Genealogical Society with seven free virtual presentations, including one that you can also attend in person. The presentations are open to members and non-members.
The following are in Eastern Standard Time.
Monday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. — Leeds & Grenville Branch
The Untold Stories on Cenotaphs by Blake Seward
Starting with a name on your town’s cenotaph and working through evidence files to produce a detailed summary of a soldier or nursing sister, Blake Seward will take you on an interesting historical journey through the Great War and Second World War. Join Blake as he shares some of the hidden stories collected from over 25 years of working with First and Second World War service personnel files, war diaries, and circumstances of death cards held at Library and Archives Canada as a part of the Lest We Forget project. The recipient of numerous awards for education programming, Blake will discuss the importance of getting students to develop the skills to work as a historian when conducting similar research, the challenges of working with documents that are one hundred years old, and the connections that exist with contemporary issues. Register to watch online.
Tuesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. — Durham Region Branch
Ancestral Mapping Using Google Earth Pro by David Joiner
This online workshop will demonstrate how family history details can be mapped using Google Earth Pro for desktop (GEPro). GEPro is a free downloadable application with many useful features for genealogy and digital mapping. Participants will learn how to add informative placemarks and lines on a map, use polygons to highlight regions of interest, run automated tours of mapped points, include image overlays to give context to family history, access historical imagery to link family stories with land surface changes over time, and share and store mapped details. Case studies will include the presenter’s paternal ancestry from Aberdeenshire and his maternal ancestry from Ireland. GEPro should be installed on the participant’s personal device in advance if interested in trying its features during the workshop. Register to watch online.
Wednesday, November 5, 7:30 p.m. — Huron County Branch
The Early Settlement of Bayfield by Julia Armstron
Learn the stories of some of the early families. Find out how the Canada Company and the land agents associated with selling lots operated. Learn about some of Bayfield’s Main Street’s historic buildings/inns and who owned them. Register to watch online.
Thursday, November 6, 1:00 p.m. — Scottish SIG
Petitions of the Calendonian Asylum by Lorna Kinnaird
Thursday, November 6, 7:00 p.m. — Irish Palatine SIG
Surname Social: SHIER by Roger Shier
If the name Shier is part of your Irish Palatine family tree, you’ll want to join our second IP-SIG Surname Social. Members descended from or interested in Shiers will have an opportunity to share whatever information they wish about their Shier research. The social will last a maximum of 90 minutes. IP-SIG member and former Chair, Roger Shier, will be present to answer questions and demonstrate his website The Shiers, An Irish Palatine Family. Register to attend online.
Thursday, November 6, 7:00 p.m. — Ontario Ancestors
Invaded! The Fenian Raids and the Canadian Response by Kathryn Lake Hogan
Between 1866 and 1871, Irish-American veterans invaded Canada, attempting to pressure Britain to withdraw from Ireland. Gain an understanding of the historical context, significant battles, and the lasting impact on Canadian military and national identity. Determine your ancestor’s role in these events and where to find the records. Register to watch online.
Saturday, November 8, 10:30 a.m. — Simcoe County Branch
The Dieppe Raid: Honouring the Soldiers by Telling their Stories by Jayne Turvey
The Dieppe Raid was the darkest day of the Second World War for Canada. Over 900 Canadians died in the matter of hours and nearly 2,000 were taken prisoner of war. However, these soldiers are not just numbers. Each has a story that needs to be told. Please join us as Jayne tells us about some of these stories.
This is a hybrid meeting. Attend in person at the Barrie & District Association Realtors facility, 676 Veterans Drive, Barrie, or register to watch online. (Note that the branch’s website and promotions say the presentation begins at 10:30 a.m., but the online registration indicates it begins at 11:00 a.m. It likely begins at 10:30 a.m.)
