M. Diane Rogers, a long-time genealogist, educator, speaker, former president and active member of the British Columbia Genealogical Society (BCGS), and former secretary of the Vancouver Branch of the United Empire Loyalists Association, passed away after a brief illness at the age of 77 on February 9, 2026.
A large turnout of family and friends on Saturday attended her memorial at the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby. A bagpiper played Amazing Grace.
The British Columbia Historical Federation wrote in their tribute to Diane on their website, “She was a valued genealogy guest speaker at conferences and webinars around the world. She also headed, nurtured, or supported numerous groups too many to name including the British Columbia Historical Federation, Society of One Place Studies, Guild of One Name Studies, United Empire Loyalists, Women’s History Network/British Columbia, the Maple Ridge Family History Group, and Vancouver Postcard Club to name a few.”
The federation also wrote, “At the British Columbia Genealogical Society (BCGS) she held positions as President (2009–2011), Director, Privacy Officer, and also led Special Interest Groups, was the BCGS newsletter and The British Columbia Genealogist editor for many years and was the Website Mistress (a term she used) for a time.”
Photo: Linda Nygard, United Empire Loyalists Association Facebook group.
Diane conducted a One-Name study for her paternal grandmother’s surname, Saggers, and was also active in the Lewis One-Name study and the Guild of One-Name Studies site, Women’s Stories.
Her 10-minute presentation, Why I’m a One-Namer, to the Virtual Genealogical Society is available to watch on YouTube, and you’ll find the handout to download in the description. She also delivered a brief talk for them about Canadian family history, and it is available on YouTube.
Diane contributed a lot to the field of genealogy and DNA research, and the genealogy world benefitted and will greatly miss her.
Her obituary is available online.
