It’s another good week at the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) with four virtual presentations, hosted by three branches. All are free and open to the public. And don’t forget that OGS will host its virtual conference in just over two weeks.
The following take place in Eastern time.
Monday, May 25, 7:30 p.m. — Toronto Branch
Seafaring Ancestors by Andrea Lister
The Glorious Life of a Genealogist When a New Census Arrives by Ann Brown
Do you have captains, crew, ship-owners, insurers, bread-makers or pirates in your family tree? You might have an ancestor involved in the commercial shipping industry and not realize it. Our main May speaker, historian and writer Andrea Lister, will show us how and where to look for Seafaring Ancestors. This presentation will be tailored for British and Canadian research.
And in our “opening act,” Ann Brown will tell us why 2026 is a banner year for her Irish genealogy research! You won’t want to miss The Glorious Life of a Genealogist When a New Census Arrives. Register to watch both presentations online.
Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 p.m. — Wellington County Branch
Beyond the Basics: Exploring the Full Power of FamilySearch.org by Manny Sanhueza
FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy platform used by millions of family historians, yet many researchers only scratch the surface of what it can do. This presentation by Manny Sanhueza, Regional Manager, FamilySearch International, goes beyond the basics to highlight powerful, newer, and often overlooked tools that can enhance genealogical research.
Participants will learn about features such as full-text search, Family Group Trees and the Together app, the AI Research Assistant, Memories, and FamilySearch’s continually expanding collection of records and innovative tools. The session will also demonstrate how the Wiki and online learning resources can help guide research, overcome challenges, and support more effective and confident research. Register to watch online.
Thursday, May 28, 7:00 p.m. — Ottawa Branch
Beginnings: The Early History of Perley Health, 1890-1920 by Glenn Wright
Glenn will provide background on the Perley family, their magnificent mansion on Wellington Street, and the gift of it in 1897 to a group in Ottawa who were keen to establish a home for “incurables.” He takes the story to 1920 and the opening of a new building on Aylmer Avenue. Register to watch online.
Reminder
The OGS virtual conference, From Steamships to Microchips, takes place June 12 to 14, 2026.
The conference kicks off Friday evening with a keynote presentation, and on Saturday and Sunday you will be able to choose from 20 presentations given by Canadian and international speakers. Session recordings will be available for viewing until July 20, 2026.
The fee is $79 for members and $89 for non-members. The MyHeritage afternoon workshop on Friday is $15.
