Genealogy à la carte

As a special part of her Genealogy with a Canadian Twist series, Kathryn Lake Hogan will present her free webinar, Revolutionary Choices: Exploring Loyalist and Patriot Roots at 250 Years, on Thursday, April 17, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.

This year marks 250 years since the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, a pivotal moment in American and Canadian history. 

As families chose sides — Patriot or Loyalist —their decisions sent ripples across generations. Many who remained loyal to the British Crown found refuge in what would become Canada, shaping communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Upper Canada. 

But how do we trace those stories today?

We’ll commemorate this historic anniversary and explore the fascinating — and often complex — research paths of American Revolutionary War ancestors. 

In this webinar presentation, you’ll discover: 

• • • What happened when the first shot rang out
    • How to identify whether your ancestor was a Patriot or a Loyalist 
    • Key resources for researching both groups, including digital archives and lineage society databases 
    • How Loyalist migration impacted Canadian settlement patterns 
    • Practical tips for proving your lineage and documenting your findings. 

Whether you’re starting out or refining a long-standing research project, this presentation aims to provide insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies. 

Register here.

This week, in addition to five virtual presentations, Ontario Ancestors’ branches will host two virtual drop-ins. All are free and open to the public. One of them is a hybrid presentation. I’ve also included a presentation held at the Bruce County Genealogical Society in Ontario.

The following times are in Eastern time.

Monday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. — Bruce County Genealogical Society
Squeezing All the Facts out of Your DNA Matches by Kate Penney Howard

Are you ready to unlock the potential of a mystery match that could be the key to your research? Even if they don’t have a visible tree and haven’t replied to your message from two years ago, don’t lose hope! This class is tailored for everyone, no matter your skill level, and it’s packed with tools to help you tackle those tricky cases. Together, we’ll explore strategies for logically approaching your search, discover what you can learn from your match’s profile, and see how both free and paid resources can support your journey.

Plus, you’ll receive a handy research template to ensure you leave no stone unturned. Join us for an engaging and fast-paced session, and bring along your favourite note-taking device and any questions you have for the Q&A at the end. Let’s crack this mystery together! Register to watch online.

Monday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. — Oxford County Branch
Preachers, Teachers, Entrepreneurs and Rebels by Deward Yates

A virtual field trip of historical plaques, following rural and urban pathways, celebrating Oxford County’s history, from Embro to Wolverton, and multiple places in between. Register to watch online.

Tuesday, April 15, 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. Register to attend online.

Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m. — Nipissing District Branch
North Bay’s “Pest House“ by Ann Smith

Most North Bay residents are unaware that North Bay had a “Pest House” or as it also was called, “The Isolation Hospital.” Ann Smith will talk about its history, location and what became of it. This is a hybrid meeting. Attend in person at the North Bay Public Library, Upper Mezzanine Meeting Room, or register to watch online.

Wednesday, April 16, 7:00 p.m. — Thunder Bay Branch
Diseases and Yesterday’s Remedies by Elizabeth Briggs

Elizabeth and Colin Briggs researched archival documents to understand how our ancestors dealt with illness and disease. Elizabeth will unravel the mysteries of death certificates and explain the development of our current health care. Topics will include medicine of past centuries, treatment and therapies, clinical aspects, old terminology, professional organizations, and hospitals and infirmaries. Register to watch online.

Thursday, April 17, 1:00 p.m. — Kawartha Branch
Annual Virtual Drop-In

Are you researching your family in the Counties of Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough or the City of Kawartha Lakes, historically known as Victoria County? Alvina Seawright, Kawartha Branch OGS volunteer, will share some branch news at the start of this very casual meeting. This is a time to share ideas, ask questions, get assistance with a genealogy problem, perhaps share a personal local genealogy discovery or to just listen in, to learn what others are discovering or asking about. Register to attend online.

Saturday, April 19, 10:00 a.m. – Kingston Branch
Are You a “Trust Me” Genealogist? by Heather Oakley

Are you a “trust me” genealogist? Is everyone supposed to believe what your research says? As part of the Genealogical Proof Standard, you need to cite your sources. Heather will discuss why it is important, and the resources you need to do it right. Register to watch online.

Saturday, April 19, 1:00 p.m. – Quinte Branch
Smashing a 100-Year-Old Brick Wall by Bernard Beales

Bernie’s grandmother was placed in the care of Children’s Aid and never adopted. Join us as he shares his journey to discover. Bernie’s brick wall solution began with the traditional attempts via BMD certificates. Then he used DNA and more advanced means, including the WATO (What Are the Odds) app. He contacted libraries and genealogy groups around Ontario, hiring Marion Bellamy, a genealogist. He created hypothetical family trees and met DNA matches. Register to watch online.

If you’ve been thinking about giving Findmypast a try, this may be a good time.

Until April 22, a one-year Findmypast subscription is 50 percent off. The sale price is US$149.99 (about CDN$210), down from US$299.99.

Not sure if you want to subscribe for a full year? A one-month subscription is also now on sale for 30 percent off — US$24.14 (about CDN$34), down from US$34.49.

A three-month subscription is available for US$62.99 (about CDN$88 ), which is 30 percent off the regular price.

These subscription offers provide access to all records, newspapers, family trees, and tools on Findmypast.

Free access to the 1939 Register
To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Findmypast is offering free access to the 1939 Register until May 9, which is the day after VE-Day. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to register for a free account to search the collection.

To learn more about what you’ll find in the 1939 Register, check out Peter Calver’s guide, Inside the 1939 Register.

Until April 14, you can purchase a six-month or one-month subscription to Newspapers.com for 40 percent off.

The sale price of a six-month subscription is US$44.90 (about CDN$63), down from US$74.90 (CDN$105).

A one-month subscription is US$11.90 (about CDN$17), down from US$19.90 (CDN$28).

Here’s the link to the flash sale.

Note that the six-month and the one-month subscriptions will automatically renew unless you cancel before the deadline.

Thanks, Diane, for sharing this sales tip on the Genealogy à la carte Facebook group.