Genealogy à la carte

Today is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand.

To mark this day of remembrance, MyHeritage is offering free access to all of its Australian and New Zealand records until April 29.

To search and view these records, all you need to do is set up a free account.

The more than 2.3 billion records include WWI soldier portraits, obituaries, and newspaper archives.

Anzac Day commemorates the landing in 1915, during World War I, of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on the Gallipoli Peninsula. It is a memorial day, held every April 25, to honour all who served and died in World Wars I and II and in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

To mark its 15th anniversary, Legacy Family Tree Webinars is offering a one-year membership for US$25 (about CDN$35) — down from US$49.99 (about CDN$70).

This offer is valid for new members only until April 30, at 11:59 p.m. A new member for them is usually anyone who doesn’t currently have a membership. In other words, if you’ve been a member in the past, but your membership has lapsed, you’re probably eligible for this sale.

Use spring25 at checkout to receive your discount.

Learn more about the sale and what a membership offers in Legacy Family Tree Webinars’ blog post.

These are the virtual presentations, plus an online drop-in, that Ontario Ancestors’ branches and a special interest group will host this week. As usual, they are free and open to all who register.

The following times are in Eastern time.

Tuesday, April 22, 2:00 p.m. — Sudbury District Branch
WikiTree by Mags Gaulden

WikiTree is a free, shared, worldwide family tree. The recently redesigned website allows users to research and contribute to the tree at wikitree.com. Register to watch online.

Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 p.m. — Wellington Branch
The Mystery of Funeral Records by Scott Young

Scott Young will delve into the key documents used to record and manage end-of-life matters, including the Medical Certificate of Death and the Funeral Director’s Statement of Death. He will share insights into how records are maintained and shared, and explore the changes reshaping how we honor and remember loved ones. From the transformation of obituaries in the digital age to the financial and sustainability challenges facing cemeteries, Scott will provide a thoughtful perspective on the evolving landscape. Looking ahead, he will also offer intriguing predictions, such as the potential of plot rentals and other innovative practices. Register to watch online.

Thursday, April 24, 11:00 a.m. — Durham Region Branch
Virtual Drop-In Hour

Bored with just sitting in a branch Zoom meeting without having a coffee break or having a chat with your neighbour, even to just say “hello and how’s your research going?” Come and join us at our virtual social gathering, via Zoom, at 11 am ET on the 4^th Thursday of each month from September 2024 to June 2025 (except December). Bring your coffee, tea, favourite beverage and spend some time with like minded individuals! Anything goes! It’s an informal gathering and you can share your successes, ask questions or even see if we can look something up in our library. Register to attend online.

Thursday, April 24, 1:00 p.m. — British Home Children SIG
Getting Started with BHC Research by Gloria Tubman

Register to watch online.

Thursday, April 24, 7:00 p.m. — Ottawa Branch
The Peter Robinson’s Settlers DNA Project by Matt Barry

This year marks the bicentennial anniversary of the second wave of Ontario settlers arriving from Ireland by way of the Peter Robinson scheme. Owing to a flurry of planned commemoration events there is renewed interest in establishing genealogical connections to the immigrant families. The 1823 and 1825 sailings in most cases preceded the Tithe Applotment surveys which today are among the few surviving records for the time period. While records of families upon arrival in Ontario are fairly good, document records of the families leaving Ireland are rather poor. Nevertheless, these immigrant families are well within the reach of autosomal DNA matching among today’s living descendants. The Peter Robinson’s Settlers DNA project was established to use both autosomal and Y chromosome DNA to improve our understanding of the origins and histories of the families in Ireland. Register to watch online.

Friday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. — Niagara Peninsula Branch
10 Years of Niagara Branch Research Problem Solving with Bill Young

Bill Young has been the research contact for the Niagara Peninsula Branch of Ontario Ancestors for the last ten years. He has helped hundreds of families with their research, providing him with a vast array of family history challenges, which has led him to explore many varied approaches and research connections. He will share some of his experiences tracing families from Europe and the United States to Canada and family movements within Ontario and Canada. He will highlight several areas of research from queries over the years, outlining valuable website links that may help you discover more information about your ancestors. A syllabus outlining these helpful research links will be provided. Register to watch online.

Sunday, April 27, 2:00 p.m. — Halton-Peel Branch
Introduction to Forensic Genetic Genealogy by Dr. Penny Walters

An unexpected use of the data from DNA testing is the emerging practice of using genetic information for identifying suspect of victims in criminal cases. This method of super-sleuthing familial relationships and apprehending a suspect divided the genealogy community because of the invasion of privacy and confidentiality. Do the ends justify the means? Register to watch online.

The Canadian e-special interest group of the Genealogical Society of Collier County in Florida will host the free virtual presentation, Exploring Canadian Immigration’s Impact through Time, delivered by Jan Raska, Ph.D, on Tuesday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Dr. Raska is the Acting Manager of Research at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The immigration story in Canada is rich and complex, shaped by centuries of movement, policy changes, and Indigenous presence. Join us for a deep dive into the Immigration and Impact timeline — a historical tool with resources to enhance your ancestral past. To help bring this history to life, Dr. Raska will present this  exciting new digital resource.

The Immigration and Impact timeline is a web-based application that guides visitors through key events and developments in Canadian colonization and immigration history. It offers three perspectives: Indigenous, legislation policy, and arrival (immigration). Separate timelines blend and overlap at key junctures, illustrating the relationship between perspectives. Each event is linked to a short popup story with original Indigenous art and significant images. Launched in September 2024, the timeline is a starting point for research and development at the museum.

During the presentation, Dr. Rask will demonstrate practical techniques for using timelines to enhance genealogy and explore the museum’s portal, which leads to history papers, oral history galleries, archival images, and digital storytelling videos. He will provide practical examples of locating points of interest on the timelines and how they affected your ancestors. You will discover how to use the timeline to enhance your genealogy and make the most of this collaborative and ever-evolving platform.

Register to watch online.

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.