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!