Durham’s Virtual June 2nd Meeting @ 7:30 pm: The Home Children Scheme and It’s Untold Stories

Between 1869 and the 1940s, over 100,000 children were sent from Britain to Canada through migration programs, often coming from vulnerable backgrounds. Many were placed in homes where they worked as farm labourers or domestic servants, frequently experiencing hardship and isolation. Despite these challenges, their resilience and contributions played a significant role in shaping Canada’s social and economic development, while their experiences highlight an important and often difficult chapter in the country’s history.

Dianne Cosway is a retired retail professional with more than 20 years of experience in customer service and leadership. In retirement, she has focused on genealogy, researching family histories and the stories of the British Home Children. Through well-researched and heartfelt presentations, she helps audiences connect with this important chapter of history.

Marg Graham, a lifelong resident of Northumberland County, moved to Trent Hills in 2021 after a career as a legal secretary/law clerk. In semi-retirement, she focuses on community service and historical preservation, serving as a Director at Home Children Canada and researching her grandmother Mary Mortimer’s legacy. Among other community activities, she is also Vice Chair of the local library board, and has been recognized with a Paul Harris Fellow award for her contributions.

Kindly register at the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BRYhmwMHT26EHlLg2fUMfQ

 

Durham's May 5th Meeting- “When the Old World meets the New: The immigration experience at Pier 21 in the early 20th century”

 

Tuesday, May 5th, 2024

**1:30 pm EDT** – Virtual Meeting (no video recording)

“When the Old World meets the New: The immigration experience at Pier 21 in the early 20th century”

– Pier 21 Staff

We are booked for a virtual visit to The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Two Permanent Heritage Interpreters will deliver a presentation that blends a concise history of Pier 21 with an overview of what the Museum offers in terms of research and genealogy resources, including online tools that the team regularly uses. The presentation will also touch on the broader immigration journey from departure by ship to arrival at Pier 21 and the cross-Canada train routes to help situate the experience for members with early Ontario ancestors.

Please note: It is the Museum's policy that these sessions are not recorded, as the content of the presentations are proprietary.

Kindly pre-register at the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Kmj3g8V2QZSzulUfm9h8fQ

Durham's April 7th Zoom Meeting - The Ontario Land Index - Jane MacNamara

Please join Durham Branch at 7:30 pm on April 7th as one of our favourite speakers Jane MacNamara speaks about the Ontario Land Records Index.

Jane MacNamara will introduce the newly digitized version of an old friend to family historians- the Ontario Land Records Index. This was a long-term project for the Toronto Branch and it is finally accessible from your own home. The Ontario Land Records Index (OLRI) is an index to those settlers who were allocated Crown land in Upper Canada/Canada West/Ontario. Its coverage ranges from the earliest grants of the 1780s, to acquisitions administered by the Canada Company and Peter Robinson, to grants for military service in the Fenian Raids and South African War in the 20th century.

Kindly register at the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ggvLC88jRsWHRTecVQE6_g

Durham Branch's March 3rd Virtual Meeting - “AI in Genealogy: Say Hello to Your Personal Research Assistant” - Michael Nettleton

created with ChapGPT

Join us at Durham’s March 3rd Meeting via Zoom at 7:30 pm when Michael will introduce us to Artificial Intelligence, using exploration of building source references and providing some additional actionable suggestions for getting started.

Michael Nettleton has been capturing family history since a young age. Active with several genealogical and historical groups, he is a frequent presenter at Toronto Branch meetings and has spoken at the OGS Conference. Michael is an articulate and engaging speaker, and a precise author. He has addressed audiences in a variety of roles, preparing and delivering presentations and articles professionally and personally as an authority on a range of topics.

The registration link is available on the Durham Region Branch website: 

https://durham.ogs.on.ca

 

Durham’s January 22nd. “Virtual Social/Research Drop-in”

 

• Durham’s January 22nd. “Virtual Social & Research Drop-in” •

Bored with just sitting in a virtual branch 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 January 22nd .

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. 

Tell your friends – and pre-register at this link (copy and paste into your browser:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yOitnOoMS5i4kl-xMU5A4w

Durham Branch's February 3rd Meeting: "Scoundrel Bingo"

 

Durham Branch’s February 3rd Meeting: “Scoundrel BINGO”

3 February 2026 @ 7:30 p.m. via Zoom

Speaker: Janice Nickerson

It’s Game Night with Durham Branch as we participate in a lively, game-style webinar playing bingo! We will learn about crimes, occupations, and unusual records of Ontario’s scoundrel ancestors.

Who says genealogy can’t be fun? In this engaging webinar, attendees download a “Scoundrel Bingo” card filled with crimes, justice terminology, and record types. As Janice shares colourful stories from Ontario’s black sheep ancestors — from petty thieves to tavern brawlers — participants mark off their cards. Each example illustrates a specific record type, showing how scoundrels left behind more than just scandal — they left evidence genealogists can use. First to bingo wins bragging rights, but everyone leaves with a deeper knowledge of Ontario’s rich justice records.

Kindly pre-register at the following Zoom link (copy & paste into your browser):

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ArAfSFv-T3uxXFfIj3T68w 

Durham Branch’s December Meeting - “Members' Show & Tell”

 

There’s Still Time! “Show & Tell” at Durham Branch’s December Meeting

via Zoom on Tues., Dec. 2nd at 7:30 pm.

Come and join Durham Region Branch as we celebrate, via Zoom, our end-of-year Christmas Show & Tell and Social.  For decades, our end-of-year highlight event has brought us together to enjoy personal family history stories. Anything can be shown: photos, medals, heirlooms, a tricky piece of research or even a plea for help! The last time we did a Christmas zoom event it was a great success followed by a wonderful sharing session. 

The virtual meeting drawback is that holding items up to a web camera is often not clear enough for all participants.  So, please send your images, illustrations or links to Chair Nancy Trimble ahead of time. Her email is durhamchair@ogs.on.ca     Please include your name!

Nancy will put your images or links into her PowerPoint presentation, so that she can call on you, on Zoom, to tell us all about your wonderful treasures or finds.

Kindly pre-register at our home page at:

https://durham.ogs.on.ca/

Get your hot cider and treats ready! We will have a great open session afterwards.