Join OGS Before Nov. 30th & be Entered into the Early Bird Draw

 

https://ogs.on.ca/society-membership-system/

Sign Up for OGS Conference 2016 by May 15th!

If you’re already registered for Conference, or if you sign up by May 15, you’ll be eligible to win a deluxe genealogy giveaway courtesy of our very generous sponsors. We can’t reveal the details just yet, but thinkAncestry, MyHeritage, Global Genealogy and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. And that’s just a start.

Don’t delay, make the commitment and register onlinetoday.

OGS Members - Welcome to our First Webinar of 2015

From the Ontario Genealogical Society's e-Weekly Update: In Search of Your Scottish Ancestors Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015 @ 7:00 p.m. ET Speaker: Christine Woodcock: https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca  While many people want to know more about their Scottish heritage, they don't know where to begin. Fortunately, researching our Scottish ancestors is a fairly easy task. Knowing where to look is usually where we get tied up. This talk will get you started in researching your Scottish ancestry as well as how to make the most of your research. Christine Woodcock was born in Scotland and raised in Canada. She is a genealogy educator with a particular expertise in Scottish records. She is also a lecturer, writer and blogger with a focus on Genealogy, Using Online Resources, Connecting through Social Media, and, of course, Scottish ancestry. She runs Scottish research trips to the Scottish Archives in Edinburgh to help genealogists discover their Scottish heritage. OGS webinars are free to OGS members. Up to 100 people can access this webinar at one time. The room will open 10 minutes before the session is scheduled to start. It is no longer necessary to pre-register for webinars but if you would like a personal reminder, please contact Brenda at provoffice@ogs.on.ca. The Webinar is accessed through the Members Only area of the OGS website by using the following method: 1. Go to www.ogs.on.ca and Log In 2. Click on Members Only on the extreme right side of the green menu bar that stretches across the top of the home page. 3. Choose Webinars, then Upcoming Webinars. If you have never connected to a webinar with Adobe Connect, there are complete instructions at the bottom of this page. It is a good idea to do this a couple of days ahead of time!

Archives Week at the Archives of Ontario

Last Thursday, the Archives of Ontario held a great event celebrating Archives Week. There were upwards of 40 people registered and they were treated to lectures on Photography, Preserving Heirlooms, Genealogical Research, and Historical Film. After the lectures, they participated in a tour of the Archives holdings.

The Ontario Genealogical Society was one of three official partners involved in the event. Also included were The Archives Association of Ontario and the Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections based in the Scott Library on the York University Campus.

Manning the Ontario Genealogical Society's table, I had some great in-depth conversations with many of the attendees. Some were interested in the Society, some were members of the Society and many had questions on where to take their research. What a bonus to be at the Archives, where so many of my suggestions could be implemented right away!

After the event, I stayed to do some of my own research in the reading room. While there, one person spoke to me that one of my suggestions had hit pay-dirt for her! So pleased that I could help. [ I used Brenda Merriman's book, Genealogy in Ontario: Searching the Records, which was featured on our table. It still is the go-to resource for Ontario records. ]

Join OGS for Archives Awareness Week at the Archives of Ontario

I have been asked to help man the OGS table at the Ontario Archives this Thursday - so I will be able to represent Durham Region Branch too!

The Archives of Ontario is pleased to be celebrating Archives Awareness Week in partnership with the Archives Association of Ontario, the Ontario Genealogical Society, and York University’s Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections. We’ve got a great day of on-site activities planned for Thursday, April 10th from 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Visit the Archives of Ontario where you can:

• learn about our collections and services

• explore our partners’ information tables

• attend presentations on archival research and preservation

• tour the building

Admission is free! You can register online at http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/about/archives_week.aspx 

OGS Conference 2014 - Branch Table

Durham Region Branch will have tables in the Marketplace at St. Catherines!

However, we need VOLUNTEERS to man the table!

Just looking for an hour or two! No experience needed. Just some knowledge of old Ontario and Durham Counties.

SO, please check which lectures you are attending and see if you can help out.

Thanks everyone, 

Nancy

Contact me at nancy.trimble@gmail.com.

Mystery Photo: Unidentified Whitby Couple

I found this mystery photo on the OGS website. It was submitted by Judith Harris, and she wants the couple identified.

The photo was taken at the Grand Studio, Whitby, by W.E. O'Brien. Does anyone recognize them? If so, add your guess to the reader comments.

Thank you.

Conference 2014 has a Facebook Page!

Don’t forget Conference 2014 in Niagara! They are looking forward to your registrations. 

They have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NiagaraPeninsulaBranchOgsConference2014

Click on "Like" , so that it gets included on to your wall and you can follow whenever there are new posts!

Announcing a New Certificate Design Competition

Create a design for a new Heritage Society certificate for The Ontario Genealogical Society.

As an addition to our current heritage clubs and societies, OGS is developing the Fathers of Confederation Society for those who can prove they are descended from one of Canada’s iconic Fathers of Confederation.

We need a striking certificate for members of the Fathers of Confederation Society to proudly display.

Prize: $500

(donated in memory of Mike Brede)

Design Criteria

Each 8.5” x 11” certificate design must have:

• The OGS logo present somewhere on the certificate (.jpg of the logo may be obtained by contacting OGS provincial office provoffice@ogs.on.ca)
• Space for the name(s) of applicant(s)
• Space for the name of qualifying ancestor
• Space for the date of issue and signature of the OGS president
• Room for the OGS seal measuring 5.5 cm in diameter

To view examples of our other heritage certificates, please visit the OGS website:

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

While you may submit your entry in a format of your choice, please be aware that the OGS office is a PC environment.

Deadline: January 31, 2013

The winner will be contacted in March 2013 and the certificate will be launched at The Ontario Genealogical Society’s Annual Conference May 31^st – June 2^nd 2013

Please submit entries and any questions you may have toprovoffice@ogs.on.ca

FAMILY DAY - 15 Feb. 2010

We invite you (individuals and families) to visit us at our office to begin tracing your Family History.

Durham Region Branch Ontario Genealogical Society member volunteers will be available to discuss with and demonstrate to visitors why and how to begin the exciting journey discovering their ancestors - the stories and the genealogy.

Sample Activities:

• Creating ANCESTOR CHARTS and / or family summary sheets sheets
• Demonstration of POPULAR GENEALOGICAL WEBSITES: Library Archives Canada, Archives of Ontario, Our Ontario, Cyndi’s List, Ancestry and much more
• ANCESTORS IN THE ATTIC reruns from History Television’s web site
• Overview of the our resources at our Office and Whitby Public Library
• Answer YOUR questions

Materials: - Literature to assist one to begin researching their family history. - Recent Society Newsletters (free) - OGS pamphlets and membership literature - 2010 OGS Provincial Conference information

Free Draw for one 2010 OGS membership (including 2010 Durham Region Branch membership) - must be a current NON-member.

All activities will be at our branch office - 1000 Stevenson Rd. N. in Oshawa. The office is located in the building at the base of the control tower of the Oshawa Airport. Enter the airport grounds from the south via Rossland Road - lots of free parking on site.