Next Meeting - Tuesday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.

Oshawa Public Library - Main Branch Auditorium

Featuring: Krista Jorgensen - Librarian Archivist - Whitby Public Library and Archives

Discover Whitby Images

The presentation will begin with a brief outline of the digitization process, and will demonstrate what you can find online, including popular site features (e.g.; sending electronic postcards and adding comments about photographs).

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OGS Conference 2009 Application Forms

OGS Conference 2009
Sheridan College, Oakville, May 29-31

Just a reminder that you will not automatically receive a printed copy of the conference brochure this year. As you will note on the back cover of the February 2009 issue of Families, all of us who are computer literate are expected to go to the website www.ogs.on.ca/conference and download the whole package. You can register online or print the registration form and send it by Canada Post.

Those who don't have Internet access may call the Provincial Office and request a conference package by snail mail.

Also you may ask any of you Branch councilors.

Introductory Genealogy Workshops by Durham Branch of O.G.S.

Our genealogy education courses in partnership with public libraries in Durham continued throughout winter and spring. In the past eighteen months our education committee created two two-hour courses which have been taught more than 20 times by committee members in several Durham libraries. Partnering public libraries to date have been Ajax, Bowmanville, Oshawa, Pickering, and Whitby. These beginning genealogy courses are Who’s Your Grandpa? and Base Camp for Family History. The dates of future presentations are

Oshawa Public Library *Workshops
Thursday, March 5th 6:30 - 8:30pm Who's your Grandpa?
Saturday, March 28th 2:00 - 4:00 pm Base Camp for Family History
Saturday, April 11th 2:00 - 4:00 pm Who's your Grandpa?
Thursday, April 16th 6:30 - 8:30 pm Base Camp for Family History

Bowmanville Public Library *Workshops
Wednesday, April 1st 7:00 - 9:00 pm Who's your Grandpa?
Wednesday, April 15th 7:00 - 9:00 pm Base Camp for Family History

Singing to Freedom

- - - - - - C A N C E L E D - - - - - -
"A Journey through Black American/Canadian History via Negro Spirituals."
April 4,5, 2009 in Newmarket, Ontario

GENE-O-RAMA - Ottawa Branch OGS

GENE-O-RAMA

March 27 to 28, 2009

Ben Franklin Place
101 Centrepointe Drive
Ottawa , Ontario

Gene-O-Rama will include Marketplace, Internet Search Room: free internet searching of library resources, including Ancestry.com (provided courtesy of the Ottawa Public Library) Computer Demonstration Room with informal access to CD collections, databases, and genealogy software packages Assistance will be available in all computer rooms.
Speakers
Louise St Denis, Dr. Bruce Curtis, Mel Wolfgang, Terry Findley, Elizabeth Kipp,
Doug Hoddinott, Robert Wilkins and Sara Chatfield

Brochure

Registration Form

On Line Registration

For more information e-mail: conference@ogsottawa.on.ca

New Branch Recording Secretary Appointed to Executive Committee

Congratulations Ruth Gilbert. Welcome to the Executive Committee of the Durham Region Branch of the O.G.S. On January 27, 2009 Branch Council by motion appointed Ruth Gilbert. The council appreciates Ruth's eagerness to serve. The 2009 Executive Committee has a full slate of officers.

Durham Region Branch Continues Ink Cartridge and Cellphone Recycling Fundraiser

After accessing the process and revenue, the program proved successful and will continue. Oliver Holdstock with the help of several volunteers sent two batches of cartridges to the recycling firm. The branch realized over one hundred and forty dollars revenue.

Please bring used but not cracked ink and toner cartridges to branch meetings in a plastic bag (not loose). We also get revenue for cellphones. When a suitable amount for shipping is amassed then Oliver sends it to the recycling firm and the cycle begins again.

On behalf of the membership, thank you Oliver for coordinating this ongoing fundraiser.

Francis JOSE, Long Time OGS Member Dies

JOSE, Francis Walbridge – peacefully with his family at his side at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville on Thursday, February 5, 2009, in his 81st year. Husband and soul-mate of Erla (Chapman) for 51 years. Father of Faye, Gordon (Kimberly) and Murray (Mark). Grandfather of Cassandra and Deigan. Brother of Donald (Marion) and Doug (Doreen), and brother-in-law of Clair Chapman (Penny). A graduate of Kemptville Agricultural College, Francis was a Master Breeder with the Holstein Association of Canada, first Chairman of the Durham County Milk Committee, 50-year volunteer with the Durham Agricultural Society, 4-H Leader, and a director of the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. A lifetime and involved member of Newcastle United Church and active member of Oshawa Presbytery. Founding director and recognized member of Camp Quin-Mo-Lac. Long-time member of the Newcastle Lions Club, Newcastle Historical Society, the Toronto Cornish Association, and a director on the Parkview Seniors’ Residence Board. Francis supported his community for his entire life, and many were enriched by his quiet leadership. Donations in Francis’ memory to the Special Gifts Fund of Newcastle United Church, Camp Quin-Mo-Lac, or Bowmanville Memorial Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by his family. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to condolences@newcastlefuneralhome.com (please indicate family name in subject line.)

Funeral Details: Friends may call at the NEWCASTLE FUNERAL HOME, 386 Mill St. S. (just north of 401 at the lights) on Sunday, February 8, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Lions Service to be held at 6:45 p.m. A funeral service will be held at NEWCASTLE UNITED CHURCH on Monday, February 9, at 1:00 p.m. Interment Bond Head Cemetery.

Passed Away on: 2/5/2009 Location: Bowmanville, Ontario

Author Karolyn Smardz Frost February 26th

An evening with author Karolyn Smardz Frost on Thursday February 26th at 7:00 p.m - 2009-01-22

Winner of the 2007 Governor General's Award for non-fiction author, Karolyn Smardz Frost will be at the Whitby Public Library to discuss her book "I've Got a Home in Glory Land: A Lost Tale of the Underground Railroad".

Dr. Smardz Frost will outline the dramatic tale of Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, a husband and wife who escaped from slavery in Kentucky to freedom in York (Toronto) in the 1800's. The book follows their adventure, from a daring flee in broad daylight and becoming the cause of the Blackburn riots in Detroit, to establishing themselves as successful business owners. Hear about the Underground Railroad and it's terminus in Upper Canada after a landmark trial established the colony as a haven for fugitive slaves.

The story was unearthed in 1985 when artifacts were found under an old Toronto schoolhouse. Dr. Smardz Frost directed the archeological dig and subsequently spent over 20 years researching the Blackburn's saga. for more www.homeingloryland.com