War of 1812 on PBS [WNED Buffalo/Toronto]

• Wednesday 7 Dec: 8-11 pm
• Thursday 8 Dec: 11:30 pm - 2:30 am 
• Saturday 12 Dec: 5-8 pm

Celebrating the Holiday Season and Genealogy - Show & Tell

Tuesday - December 6, at 7:30 p.m. Durham Region Branch Meeting at the Oshawa Public Library McLaughlin Branch Auditorium

 At this meeting together we celebrate the season and any genealogical breakthroughs, special stories, favourite websites, interesting documents or other artifacts, etc.  Members, you are invited share with us any genealogy 'ah-ha's you've experienced.  The break will be extended to ensure opportunity to chat and enjoy the seasonal treats.  Attendees are invited to bring festive snacks to share (optional).  

19th Annual Family History Research Tour to Salt Lake City, Utah AND Roots Tech

Feb 5th to the 12th (or 19th).
Research your family history at the largest genealogy library in the world located in Salt Lake City, Utah.   The trip is coordinated by genealogy lecturer and teacher, Jane MacNamara, a long time member of the Ontario Genealogical Society and a frequent visitor to Salt Lake City.
    For family historians, there is no place like the Family History Library--an unimaginable collection of original records on microfilm from all over the world, free access to subscription databases and an extensive collection of genealogies, local histories and research handbooks . All this and the LDS databases at your fingertips, with helpful staff and topnotch equipment. For more details about this wonderful library, visit (Family History Library)

AND ALSO in 2012, you'll also have the option of adding the ROOTSTECH family history and technology conference to the beginning of your trip.  The ROOTSTECH package includes accommodation from February 1 to 4.
You can take advantage of a special $99 conference registration fee--or just use the extra days for research.

All arrangements are through Royal City Travel.

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT: Send your deposit by November 15, 2011, and we'll deduct $25 from the price of your trip.

For details click  http://www.royalcitytravel.com/saltlake.php

Genealogy Tip of the Day

I began subscribing to this blog about one month ago while I was refreshing and adding links to the handouts for our upcoming genealogy course at  and the Brooklin Community in November - Getting Started in Genealogy

The tips are well written focusing on plausible scenarios you may be confronted with when conducting your research. They are not so lengthy that they take much time to read each day when they arrive.  Inciteful - Concise - Valuable Hints.  Try it out for awhile, you will like it - for beginning and veteran genealogists.

http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com

Join the Durham Region OGS Branch's 2012 Executive Team

The 2012 Durham Region OGS Branch elections will be held at the AGM at the November 1 Branch meeting.
The term for Executive positions is from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012.
Nominations open at the 4 October Branch meeting and will remain open until the AGM election, 1 Nov 2011.
All nominees must consent orally if present or by signed consent.
A Branch officer shall be an Individual, Family, or Honourary Life Member of the Society and the Branch. 
At our October 4th Branch meeting nominations will be accepted in writing or from the floor for the following positions on the 2012 Executive Committee:

•   Chair 
•   1st Vice Chair 
•   2nd Vice Chair  
•   Treasurer 
•   Recording Secretary 

Anyone wishing further information about the election process may  view the Branch Bylaws at:  http://www.durham.ogs.on.ca/membership/bylaws.htm


Bring your energy and ideas to our Branch projects - get nominated.

Preserving and Digitizing Your Family Records

A City of Toronto Archives fall workshop. 
Preserving and Digitizing Your Family Records 
Saturday 1 October (between 10 and 3) 
It will offer participants an opportunity to spend time behind the scenes with the Archives' Conservator and Digital Photographer, who will demonstrate techniques for handling and conserving old photographs and documents, as well as options for digitizing and sharing family photographs and other treasures online.
A detailed flyer about the workshop program and how to register is available on the Archives website - http://www.toronto.ca/archives.
Questions should be directed to Paul Sharkey (psharke@toronto.ca) at the City of Toronto Archives.

Keffer Essay Writing Contest

Just in from Elizabeth Lapointe, Editor of Families.
Any current member of the OGS, excluding members of the Judges' Panel, may submit a paper for consideration.
So if you haven't entered already, but have been thinking about it, please send your entry (with the subject line,“Keffer Writing Contest”) to gracejewell@rogers.com before midnight, November 1st, 2011. 
The November 1st deadline is fast approaching for entering the 2011 edition of the Annual Keffer Writing Contest. 
For the rules of entry into the contest, please refer to page 31 of the August 2011 edition of Families, OR visit us online at http://ogs.on.ca/home/essay.php. The three judges have been chosen, and are now awaiting your entries. The winners will be announced at Conference 2012 in Kingston. 
The staff of Families would like to see as many members as possible enter the contest, so get that pen to paper, and let your writing talents show through! 
Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

Ted Barris - Breaking the Silence

Ted Barris speaking at the Durham Branch OGS Meeting - Sept 6, 2011

 

Ted Barris talks to rank and file individuals in the Canadian military who have experienced conflict in the field. His presentation to our audience, on September 6, was fascinating and captivating, highlighting selected vet experiences in modern war. He somehow got the "real" stories from those who could/would not talk before. His latest, among well over a dozen books, is "Breaking the Silence" (a best seller). 
[Ted Tags: dynamic speaker, storyteller, educator, researcher, author, commentator, investigator, entertainer, wordsmith, journalist, workaholic,...]

Toronto Branch Fall Courses

The Toronto Branch runs a regular program of courses (4 to 8 weekly sessions) in a wide variety of subjects for genealogists at all levels of expertise.  Co-sponsored by the Canadiana Department of North York Central Library and the Toronto Reference Library.

1. Biographical Research for Ontario Genealogists
2. Basic Genealogy and Family History
3. Using the Results of the New Tests for Genealogy
4. Maps and Mapping for Genealogists
http://www.torontofamilyhistory.org/courses.html

Thank you Lynn Heale (Quinte Branch) for the heads up, GL

NORFOLKLORE XXXV

NORFOLKLORE XXXV features exhibitors from across southern Ontario who set up displays and sales tables to assist the avid family historian.  This year’s event will take place on   Saturday September 24^th between 10am and 4pm.

The main event takes place at the Simcoe Seniors Centre, 89 Pond Street in Simcoe, but the nearby Eva Brook Donly Museum and Archives is also open for the day to researchers. Admission to both locations for the day is a single payment of $5/person (a $5 savings off of regular research admission).  www.norfolklore.com

1871 Canada Census

LAC Press Release. 

Launch of "Census of Canada, 1871"

Ottawa, August 30, 2011— The 1871 census marked the first regularly scheduled collection of national statistics, and Library and Archives Canada is now pleased to make its results available online. Researchers can access digitized images of original census returns featuring the name, age, country or province of birth, nationality, religion, and occupation of Canada's residents at the time.

The information covers the four provinces that were part of the Dominion of Canada in 1871: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec.

Access to the digitized images of the 1871 census is available online in two different ways:

• Through a database that is searchable by nominal information such as Name, Given Name (s) and Age, and/or geographical information such as Province, District Name, District Number,and Sub-district Number. The database is available at:www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1871/index-e.html

• Through the "microform digitization” research tool, you can browse the microfilm reels page by page. The tool is available at:www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/006003-110.02-e.php?&q2=26&interval=30&sk=0&&PHPSESSID=f0v3thhcgqvau3vslaruumn2a7

For more information, please contact webservices@lac-bac.gc.ca.

Getting Started in Genealogy Series

These three sessions are offered at the NEW Brooklin Community Centre

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting Started in Genealogy

All three Workshops for only $18.55

1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Nov. 7, 14, 21

I. Who’s Your Grandpa?

Where to begin, searching your home, talk to family, 

family data, research cycle, repositories, Internet, 

organizations, pedigree chart and family group sheets & 

descendants’ charts and more.

II. Base Camp for Family History

Organizing ideas, other researchers, places to find family histories, military records, online histories, familysearch.org, queries & message boards,

 search engines, genealogy software.

III. Vital Statistics: Births, Marriages, Deaths

This workshop’s content is more focussed and detailed.

Selected topics: sources; search techniques, documenting and more.

Offered in partnership with the 

Durham Region Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration Begins Aug 10, 2011.
Pick up an Activity Guide at a Whitby municipal building or download . . .

http://www2.whitby.ca/asset/cm-leisure_fallactivityguide-2011.pdf

See Page 4 on how and where to register & Page 52 for description.

You must have a current Senior Services Membership
Card to register for this Seniors' course.

Tuesday - September 6, at 7:30 p.m. - Main Branch of the Oshawa Library

Ted Barris will speak about his recent book, "Breaking the Silence: Veterans' Untold Stories from the Great War to Afghanistan".

This will be a GREAT opportunity for thoese attending the next general meeting! Ted Barris is a well-known author, television personality, and radio commentator. Ted will not only relate stories from his book, he will also disclose how he was able to earn the trust of those who had previously held their memories in silence... much as is the case with genealogists, who wish to obtain their family histories before it is too late. His web site is well worth a visit: http://tedbarris.com/

Kawartha to Feature Cemetery Transcribing at June Meeting

Kawartha Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, recognizing the need for this ongoing preservation is having a mini workshop on how to record a cemetery. Discussion will show how to lay out a map of the cemetery, family plots, and transcribing the stone information in the proper method for publication.

Ian Wilson, Lois Magahay, and June James will present .

Our monthly general meeting will be held Tuesday June 21, 2011 at 7:00 PM at de la Fosse Branch Library, 729 Park St. S. Peterborough.

We welcome all local historical and genealogy groups to attend as well as anyone interested in volunteering some time in this effort.

The transcription of cemeteries throughout our Province has preserved invaluable history for generations to come. Many organizations with their volunteers have worked countless hours to record and make available information found on cemetery stones. Years and weather erode transcribable information. Early transcriptions done by volunteers have preserved so much that now is lost to that possibility.

June Meeting - Tales and Images from Labrador

Alexandra Hartmann (CEO of the Uxbridge Library - wearing green) recounted her all-season visits to the interior of Labrador, elaborating with photos of various landscapes, the remote communities, and the mining operations that she and her husband encountered on their sometimes frightening road trips. She treated the audience to famous Eastern favourites by Purity Foods: Jam Jam Cookies, thick crackers, Rum and Butter/Mollasses Candy Kisses, and a chance to test the hardness of genuine Hard Bread (a.k.a. Hard Tack).

Getting Started in Genealogy in Three Parts - ADVANCED NOTICE

 November 7, 14, 21, 2011.

Monday Afternoons

(1 to 3p.m.)

  In partnership with
Whitby Seniors at the Brooklin Community Centre

Getting Started in Genealogy

in Three Parts
 

I.    Who’s Your Grandpa?
Sources: at home; through family; pedigree; family data; research cycle; repositories; Internet; organizations; charts and more.

II.   Base Camp for Family History
Organizing ideas; other researchers; places to find family histories; military records; online histories; queries and message boards; search engines; genealogy database software and more.

III.  Vital Statistics: Births, Marriages, Deaths
This workshop focussed on BMD sources; search techniques; documenting.

Registration mid August through Whitby Seniors

See their brochure.

One World - One Family Conference - September 17

The Toronto Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting a one-day family history conference at the Stake Centre at 24 Ferrand Drive.
It runs from 9 am to 5 pm and includes workshops on
Ontario, British,  Canadian,  Chinese,  Irish,  Italian,  Jamaican,  Polish,  Spanish,  West Indies,  Native, and French.
Speakers include James Thomson of Toronto Branch, Dorothy Kew and Brian Gilchrist of Halton/Peel Branch and Gwen Armstrong (who spoke to Toronto Branch last February).
The fee is $15 until May 31 and then $20 (includes a box lunch)

To register:
Provide your name, phone number, email and the date.
Send with a cheque payable to "Toronto Family History Centre"
and mail to:
    Toronto Family History Centre
    24 Ferrand Drive, Suite 100
    Toronto M3C 3V4
Details at:
www.oneworldonefamily-theevent.com

See on Google Maps

Google Forms - FREE Webinar from Legacy

Google Forms for Genealogists .
 Learn how to use Google Forms which is part of Google Docs - a free application complete with spreadsheets, word processing and more - to your advantage. While a basic understanding of Google Docs is not necessary, it helps if you know how to access the Google Docs program (see the Google Docs for Genealogists webinar recording). We'll cover how to create new forms, how to add templates, how to embed forms in blogs and websites, how to share forms, and how to be notified each time a form is competed. 


The Webinar will be presented live Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 2:00 PM Eastern (U.S.).
Registration required . .CLICK HERE 
If you can't make it,  it will be online for a week or so afterwards. (not interactive)

Google Docs - FREE Webinar from Legacy

Free webinar now online - Google Docs for Genealogists by Thomas MacEntee

Today's webinar, Google Docs for Genealogists, presented by Thomas MacEntee, is now in our webinar archives. Webinar attendees wrote, "I didn't realize there was so much to Google" and "I had heard about Google Docs but had never realized how very powerful it is...". Thomas did a superb job teaching how the free Google Docs can aid our organization, research, and backup strategies.
View the recording
If you could not make it to the live event, the 1 hour 29 minute recording of Google...

is ONLY Available until May 30, 2011 
Start Now

Moderators and Presenter for May 3 2011 "Breaking Down Brick Walls"

Click to enlarge.

Durham Region OGS Branch Meeting - Tuesday 3 May 2011

Breaking Down Brick Walls 

with moderators Stephen Wood, Nancy Trimble and Anne Delong.

Sometimes you can't locate an essential record, or the records may be from another country (in another language), or a person's maiden name may elude you. Our moderators will provide advise, relate anecdotes, and point attendees in the right direction to resolve such dilemmas.

AND

One of our members, Joyce Lintner, will present a bonus, "mini-talk" about her visit to the 14th century St. Edburgha's Yardley Church.

Meeting at

McLaughlin Branch of the Oshawa Public Library
(basement auditorium).

Finding Ontario Ancestors Workshop - Call for Papers

Finding Ontario Ancestors Workshop
Saturday, 6 August 2011
North York Central Library Auditorium

The Ontario Genealogical Society, Toronto Branch and the Canadiana Department of the North York Central Library will be co-hosting a one-day workshop on sources for Ontario family and local history research.
We are looking for speakers who would like to be part of the workshop.

The theme “Finding Ontario Ancestors” is broad, but presentations should emphasize sources. Your presentation could focus on a single type of record or source, a record group, or demonstrate how several sources can be used together.

You are invited to submit proposals for lectures on any aspect of Ontario genealogical or local history research that fits the above criteria.  Speakers will be paid an honorarium of $100 per lecture, plus modest expenses for travel and accommodation.


DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2011
For more information about the Ontario Genealogical Society, Toronto Branch, please see: www.torontofamilyhistory.org.
To submit proposals or ask a question about the event, please contact Jane MacNamara at info@torontofamilyhistory.org.

Volunteer at Conference

OGS Conference 2011 is planned by a volunteer committee but we also need volunteers during the conference to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Volunteering at the Conference is a great way to take part in the festivities if you don’t have the option of registering. Volunteers do have some access to Conference activities simply by being on site while the conference happens.

Also, if you know of or happen to be a high school student looking to get some of the mandatory volunteer hours, this is a great opportunity. We are happy to sign off on volunteer hours for any students who are interested in taking part.

Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact the Conference 2011 committee at conference@ogs.on.ca or to call provincial office at 416-489-0734

Visit Volunteer at Conference for information about the tasks and days available.

Thanks to everyone for helping out.

Tags: student volunteers, volunteer opportunities.

Durham Region OGS Branch Meeting, 5th April 2010, 7:30 p.m.

Topic: United Empire Loyalists

Presenter: Allan McGillivray

Allan is the past curator of the Uxbridge Museum. Loyalists settled in what was initially Quebec (including the Eastern Townships) and modern-day Ontario, where they received land grants of 200 acres (81 ha) per person.

Also one of our members will present a "mini-talk".

OGS Conference 2011 Soon!

Register for Conference 2011 at the Early Bird Prices. http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference2011/ The last day to register as an Early Bird is now April 15, 2011.

It's also the last day to have your name entered in our draw for the fantastic Early Bird Prize, generously donated by Tourism Hamilton.
One lucky Early Bird registrant will receive:

• 1 year membership to Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
• 2 nights accommodation at the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel
• 2 tickets to tour The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
• 2 tickets to tour the HMCS Haida
• 2 tickets to tour the Marine Discovery Centre
• 2 tickets to tour the Royal Botanical Gardens
• A flight for two aboard a vintage aircraft at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Region VII Annual General Meeting Day - Saturday, April 9, 2011

OGS Region VII Annual General Meeting Day

Three Speaker Presentations and Lunch - $10.00
Global Genealogy and Branch Tables

Register Early . . . . [PROGRAM & REGISTRATION FORM - pdf]

To be held at Kingsview United Church, 

505 Adelaide Ave. E., Oshawa 

- Ample FREE Parking -

Presentations

Recording Source Citations Using Family Tree Maker - Rick Roberts, Global Genealogy

Getting a Photo of a Far Away Place - Guy Lafontaine
Researching Vital Statistics - Anne Delong

More details on the Program/Registration Form

The Mike Brede Genealogical Essay $500 Prize

Sponsored by

The Ontario Genealogical Society

www.ogs.on.ca

Open to any full-time student in a university or community college

who is either a resident of Ontario

or

attending an Ontario university or community college.

See contest description and entry details at:

http://www.ogs.on.ca/home/essay.php

Contest Deadline - April 1st, 2011

The Dr. Don Brearley Genealogical Essay $500 Prize

Sponsored by

The Ontario Genealogical Society

www.ogs.on.ca

Open to any Ontario Secondary School Student

enrolled in grade 11 or 12

See contest description and entry details at:

http://www.ogs.on.ca/home/essay.php

Contest Deadline - April 1st, 2011

Begin Your Family History on Family Day, Monday February 21st, . . . Noon until 4:00 p.m.

The Durham Region Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is opening its Oshawa office on Family Day. The activities would benefit parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, or individuals. Branch member volunteers will be available to assist you to begin your genealogy/family history. We have various local resources for research as well as guides to guide through the fundamentals of this type of research. Information and materials about the Ontario Genealogical Society will be available to show you how we can be ongoing support as you research your family. We look forward to meeting you.
Our website: durham.ogs.on.ca Our office is by the Oshawa airport: Click here for Map

Durham Region OGS Branch Meeting, March 1st, 7:30 p.m.

Brian Winter - Letters from Early Whitby: specifically those written by girls at Trafalgar Castle School [Ontario Ladies College], the first private ladies school in Ontario. Letters range from 1874 - 1910, providing a window on customs of the times, with some being quite humourous. [Whitby Archives ]


We have now returned to the McLaugnlin Branch of the Oshawa Library (Basement Auditorium).

Durham Region Branch OGS Monthly Meeting, Tuesday - Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m.

Main Branch of the Oshawa Library, Bagot Street (basement auditorium).

Featured Presenter:   Nancy Trimble,

President of the Ontario Genealogical Society
Topic:  How to Use the Ontario Genealogical Society Website: New features, new resources and how to get them. 

Nancy will provide a step-by-step guide to accessing OGS resources on its website.

Scugog Shores Museums Winter Lecture Series

Beat the mid-winter blahs by joining us at the Scugog Shores Museums for our winter weekends lecture series.  Talks will take place Sunday afternoons at 1:00 followed by light refreshments, and a chance to ask questions of the speaker and view the gallery’s temporary exhibits.
February 13th
Adventures of a Female Archaeologist Abroad - Dr. Amy Barron
Ever wonder what life would be like working as an archaeologist in the Middle East?  Join us for a fun glimpse into the world of ancient Near Eastern archaeology and find out what field work in one of the oldest settled regions on Earth is really like.

March 6th

Archives and Genealogy: A Perfect Partnership - Carolynn Bart-Riedstra

Have you ever wondered how best to use the resources available to learn more about your own family history?
March 27th

Transforming Gifts of Mother Earth - Dan Denby

If you have ever wondered how a birchbark canoe was made, or what were the secrets of traditional native basket-making, here is your chance to hear it from a man who has tried it all.

All talks will be held at the Scugog Shores Heritage Centre and Archives, located at 1655 Reach Street (2nd floor of the Arena), Port Perry.  Cost is $5.00 per person (which includes admission to the Heritage Centre exhibits).  Space is limited.  Tickets are available at the Heritage Centre and Archives, the Arena reception, or contact Amy Barron, 905-985-8698x103, abarron@scugog.ca

Archives of Ontario will be Extending its Hours of Operation

To the genealogy community and all supporters of the
"Request for Restored Access to Records and Facilities at the Archives of Ontario":
As mentioned in the December message, the Archives of Ontario released the following message on Friday, January 14.

The Archives of Ontario will be extending its hours of operation.  Effective Tuesday, February 8, 2011, we will offer extended hours of service on Tuesdays and Thursdays to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Services available during these hours will include registration, assistance from reference archivists, access to self service microfilm, microfiche and finding aids, viewing of previously ordered materials, and access to the exhibit gallery.  Requests for certifications, reproductions and copyright that are placed during extended hours will be sent for processing on the next business day.

Extending our hours of operation will allow us to better meet customers’ needs and showcase Ontario’s public and private archival records to new audiences. 

It is great news, but that committee would like to add that there is an initial five-month trial period, after which the extended service will be evaluated.
Over the next few months, we must vote with our feet! 

Please encourage our O.G.S. colleagues,  friends and students to use the Archives. 

Italian Genealogy Links and References

Here are links and books mentioned at the Tuesday January 4th Durham Region Branch meeting about - Italian Genealogical Research by Grant Karcich.

• Italian Genealogical & Heraldry Society of Canada, Windsor, Ontario - http://www.windsor-communities.com/italian-club-ighsc.php
• POINT-Pursuing Our Italian Names Together - http://www.point-pointers.net
  
• Nelson, Lynn, A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Italian Ancestors, Cincinnati, OH: Betterway, 1997.
• Cole, Trafford, Italian Genealogical Records, Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry, 1995.
• Colletta, John, Finding Italian Roots, Baltimore, MD: GPC, 1993.
• Fucilla, Joseph, Our Italian Surnames, Baltimore, MD: GPC, 1987. 
• Arbre généalogique famille Gargano / [David Gargano Sr., David Gargano Jr.].[Montréal : David Gargano Sr], 2007.
• Families, lovers, and their letters : Italian postwar migration to Canada / Sonia Cancian. Winnipeg : University of Manitoba Press, c2010.
• Filgiano : autobiography, family history, genealogy, saga, 1600-2010 / Quin Filgiano. [Cornwall, Ont. : L. Worrall], c2010.
• The Pellettieri genealogy : an account of the ancestors of Giovanni Battista Pellettieri of Laurenzana, Basilicata, Italy and Toronto, Ontario, Canada /by Carolyn Smith-Pellettier.[Guelph, Ont.] : C. Smith-Pellettier, c1999.
• Finding your Italian Ancestors, 2nd edition by Grant
  Karcich.  Toronto:  Heritage Productions, 2007

Genealogy Tour in Scotland - Fall 2011

This may interest those requiring 'on the ground' research in Scotland.  The link below provides more information.
http://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/Tour_dates_and_Pricing.html
(This is for your information and is not an OGS event.)