Durham Branch’s Nov. 3rd Virtual Meeting - Second World War : Researching the Canadians Who Served - Ken McKinlay

Join Durham Region Branch, Ontario Ancestors on Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:30 pm as we host one of our favourite speakers, Ken McKinlay.

Second World War : Researching the Canadians Who Served

Ken McKinlay's presentation delves into the wealth of records available for researching those who served Canada during the Second World War. He will explore both the poignant records of those who gave their lives in service to Canada and the rich archival resources that reveal the stories of those who survived. Whether your interest lies in uncovering military service details, personal narratives, or broader historical insights, this session hopefully provides the tools and guidance to deepen your understanding of those who served Canada in this terrible war.

Embarking on a genealogical adventure over two decades ago, Ken McKinlay's quest began

with a mission to confirm or debunk three family stories. Despite uncovering the truths behind those initial tales, Ken's passion for delving into his family's past remains steadfast, fueled by a constant stream of new questions. As a sought-after speaker by branches of Ontario Ancestors, the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa, and other genealogy societies across Canada, Ken McKinlay shares his expertise through engaging talks and workshops. His topics have included researching those who have fought for Canada in the world wars, exploring the Canadian censuses, delving into the mysteries of Ontario Land Records, and an eight part series covering "Back to Basics" research for the British Isles. In 2025 he made his debut with Legacy Family Tree Webinars with his talk "Exploring Library and Archives Canada Online". His presentations also focus on genealogical methodologies and overcoming genealogy brick walls. Beyond public speaking, Ken shares his insights on his blog, Family Tree Knots (https://familytreeknots.blogspot.com/), providing a valuable resource for fellow enthusiasts.

Please pre-register at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YEQvhxYsQE2CxgKAr_Ji6w

Durhams Oct. 6th Virtual Meeting - Laura Suchan - What Gravestones Can Tell You About Your Ancestors

 

Please join Durham Region Branch, Ontario Ancestors on Tuesday, October 6th at 7:30 pm when our guest speaker, Laura Suchan, will show us how to get more details from our ancestors’ gravestones!

What Gravestones Can Tell You About Your Ancestors

Genealogists know information retrieved from gravestones has a practical application to identify the deceased. However, gravestone can offer up more information about your ancestors when interpreted correctly. Besides functioning as a memorial to the deceased, gravestones in Ontario provide insight into nineteenth and twentieth century life. The visual imagery of the gravestone motifs functions as a decorative element, which reaffirm the position of the deceased within the community and celebrate relationships. On an artistic level, gravestones offer insights into popular culture. Motifs were specifically chosen by the carver or family members to communicate messages about the departed and their significance in the community. In an era when illiteracy was common, carvers relied on the symbols to convey messages of mortality and spirituality to those unable to read. Themes relating to life, death and the hope for everlasting life are just some of the messages portrayed on the stones. Discover the clues and information that gravestones can reveal about your ancestors and the world in which they lived.

Bio

Laura Suchan, MA, PLCGS, is a historian, genealogist, researcher, and heritage professional who has dedicated her career to preserving and interpreting the history of Oshawa and Durham Region.  A passionate genealogist, Laura specializes in family-history research, cemetery studies, and gravestone documentation, helping individuals and communities connect with their past. Her research on Ontario cemeteries and gravemarkers, has contributed to genealogy and cemetery-preservation initiatives across the province, and she frequently speaks on topics related to local history, gravestones, and family-history research.

Kindly pre-register at the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gdjXTOuvSGebeN6_4ScYvg

Durham's September 8th Virtual Meeting at 7:30 pm EDT - Using DNA to Solve Geography Questions with Dave Obee.

Using DNA to Solve Geography Questions with Dave Obee.

Join us on Tues., September 8th at 7:30 pm EDT

So you have spit into a tube -- now what? Your next step after getting your test results might be to consult an atlas, because geographic clues from your matches might get you looking in the right direction. This session includes some DNA success stories, based on geography and backed by documented research. It also offers pointers on how to get more value from your tests.

Dave Obee is one of our favourite speakers!

Dave Obee has written a dozen books and has given more than 700 presentations at genealogy and history conferences since 1997. He offers four dozen presentation topics, ranging from general genealogical information, to Canadian research, to technology and more. Editor and Publisher of the “Times Colonist“ in Victoria, British Columbia, Dave hosts CanGenealogy, a link site that is selective and sorted for ease of use. He also runs Volhynia.com, a website dedicated to the old German colonies in the northwest corner of Ukraine. His own website is DaveObee.com

This will be a Zoom only meeting. Kindly register at the following Zoom link: 

 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GFel0A71R3G6ER8cLKQirw 

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.

Durham’s Nov. 4th Meeting - Ancestral Mapping Using Google Earth Pro

 Durham’s Nov. 4th Meeting - Ancestral Mapping Using Google Earth Pro

Please Join Durham Region Branch for our Tuesday, Nov. 4th virtual meeting at 7:30 pm as David Joiner demonstrates how he transformed a diary into a graphical presentation using Google Earth Pro.

Google Earth Pro is a free downloadable application with many useful features for genealogy and digital mapping. Participants will learn how to add informative placemarks and lines on a map, use polygons to highlight regions of interest, run automated tours of mapped points, include image overlays to give context to family history, access historical imagery to link family stories with land surface changes over time, and share and store mapped details. Case studies will include the presenter's paternal ancestry from Aberdeenshire and his maternal ancestry from Ireland.

David Joiner is a recently retired secondary school geography teacher with an interest in family history and expertise in geographic information systems (GIS).

Nov. 4th will also be our brief Annual General Meeting for the purpose of presenting a yearly report.

Kindly pre-register at the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9cp1jHKGRtO8iilmvfTLmQ

updated! Durham's Social Drop-In

Durham's Virtual Social Drop-In Hour•

...Via Zoom, at 11 a.m. ET, on the 4th Thursday of each month.

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 the 4th Thursday of each month from September 2025 to August 2026 (except December).

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. 

Register once in advance for all the meetings:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4cT7gBqDRquM4kTQ2T0MMg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meetings. Keep your join information safe, because you will be able to use it every month till August 2026.

UPDATE:
Due to bots scraping our registration links in order to record our meetings, I will be posting individual monthly registration links. You will need to copy & paste into your browser. Nancy Trimble

Durham's Oct 7th Virtual Meeting - A Guide to Genealogical Research in the Durham Region

A Guide to Genealogical Research in the Durham Region

Please join us as Stephen Wood and Nancy Trimble of the Durham Region Branch of Ontario Ancestors highlight the records and resources available for researching in the old Ontario County. We will also highlight the parts of old Durham County that were folded into the Durham Regional Municipality in 1974.

Date: Oct. 7th, 2025

Time: 7:30 pm

 

Bios:

Nancy started family history in her teens while trying to figure out how the various aunts and uncles were related to her. It turns out that they were great-aunts, great-uncles and courtesy aunts and uncles. She is currently the chair of the Durham Region Branch and has held various positions on the OGS Board and in the Branch over the years.

 Stephen started with a Grade 8 family history project and has been expanding his research ever since. He is one of the founding members of the Durham Region Branch and has held many positions in the Branch ever since it's start in 1982. Currently he heads the research team as well as managing the branch office and library.

Kindly pre-register at the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IVNPCjzDQ0qF3nVjF-WZzg

Durham's September Meeting with Thomas MacEntee

 Turning Genealogy Clues into Genealogy To-Do's”

The meeting is virtual only - please register at the Zoom link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wGXkSb9YQCaez-8e9B4BFQ

Join Durham Region Branch on Sept. 2 @ 7:30 pm via Zoom as we welcome well-known genealogist Thomas MacEntee speaking on “Turning Genealogy Clues into Genealogy To-Do's”

Does your genealogy research get bogged down when you find new clues about an ancestor? Do you stop everything and chase after that BSO (“bright and shiny object”)? Learn how to increase your research efficiency and still remember that new information for later investigation.

Participants will learn how to identify new clues in records, document new information and tuck it away for later research. In addition, we’ll focus on building better and more efficient research habits in order to stay on track and not get distracted by new clues.

Thomas MacEntee is a Baby Boomer guy with a love of punk rock music but also art history who somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago, and then left a lucrative IT career to pursue his love of family history and genealogy. Technology and historical research are opposites, but “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide today’s genealogists through the maze of options so they can deploy the best apps and devices to break down research brick walls. Thomas MacEntee: author, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, and that “genealogy guy” who helps you accomplish your family history goals. 

Thomas MacEntee is a guy with a love of punk rock music but also art history who somehow “fell” into the technology industry years ago. He left a lucrative tech career to pursue his love of family history and genealogy. Technology and historical research seem like opposites, but “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide you through the maze of options so you can find your ancestors and bring their stories to life. 

Exciting News - Family Tree Maker Tour!

Durham & Kawartha Branches of Ontario Ancestors are pleased to host the Oshawa session of the tour. Mark Olsen and Duff Wilson will present the latest features and innovations of the Family Tree Maker 2024 software.

It will be held at the Centennial Albert United Church, 19 Rosehill Boulevard, Oshawa in the East Hall on Monday, September 15th from 1 - 4 pm.

This session is free to anyone, but you must register to save a spot.

More details and the sign up link are at https://ogs.on.ca/ftm-user-group/

Durham's August Virtual Drop-in

 Durham's August Virtual Drop-in

Time: Aug 28, 2025 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83321698991

Meeting ID: 833 2169 8991

Durham's August Cemetery Picnic

 August Cemetery Picnic

Kendall Cemetery, Utica

Please join us on Tues Aug 26, at Kendall Cemetery, 691 Goodwood Road, Utica, from10:00 am until approximately 4:00 pm.  Rain date will be the following day. If the temperature remains too high, then we will cancel the picnic until September.

Feel free to just show up or to contact the Branch at durham@ogs.on.ca

Bring a lunch and something to drink, bug spray, sunscreen, pencil/pen and paper and clipboard, if you have them.

Durham’s June 3rd Hybrid Meeting: Untold Oshawa with Jennifer Weymark

 

Please join us on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 7:30 pm as Jennifer Weymark, M.A. presents “Untold Oshawa: An Expanded History” which was published in 2024. Jennifer will be in-person.

Untold Oshawa, published for the city’s centennial, broadens the traditional narrative of Oshawa’s history by including diverse, often overlooked perspectives. The book explores Black and Jewish history, Indigenous experiences, women in politics, labour movements, and stories of displaced persons, highlighting the rich cultural fabric of the community. Through well-researched yet accessible prose, it celebrates the many individuals and groups who have shaped Oshawa. This vital addition to the city’s historical record offers readers a deeper, more inclusive understanding of its past and is a must-read for history enthusiasts.

Copies of the book will be available at the in-person meeting. Cash, debit and credit can be used.

Jennifer Weymark has been with the Oshawa Historical Society for 23 years, 22 of those years spent as the Archivist. This role has given Jennifer the opportunity to put to good use her undergraduate work in history and cultural anthropology, while also putting into practice the theories and skills learned while earning her Masters Degree in Museum Studies.

This will be a hybrid meeting: both in-person and via Zoom. Everyone is welcome. Please come and bring a friend. The library will be open at 7 pm.

In-person location: 3rd Floor Boardroom, Northminster United Church, 676 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1G 4V7 [NW corner of Simcoe St. N. and Rossland Rd. W.]

Virtual: Kindly pre-register at the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0od-CqrzwvE9wJbJMUnHnmZSRKloeVCn2f

Durham’s May 6th Virtual Meeting – ScotlandsPeople + FamilySearch = Savings

Please join us on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 @7:30 pm as Ken McKinlay presents: 

ScotlandsPeople + FamilySearch = Savings (via Zoom)

Researching our kin in Scotland can get a little pricey if we want to view the images of the birth, marriage, and death statutory registrations and the census records. With a bit of time and knowledge we can make use of key collections on FamilySearch to save us a little bit of money.

Located in Ottawa, Ontario, Ken McKinlay is a genealogy researcher with over 20 years of trial and error experience in researching his own family's history in Canada, United States, England, Scotland and Ireland. 

Ken belongs to the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (AKA BIFHSGO) and the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Ancestors (AKA Ontario Genealogical Society). Ken has held many roles in both organizations and their respective conferences.

The talks he gives quite often deal with the methodologies for researching family history and also how to use technology to assist with doing the research. 

Ken’s blog is available at: https://familytreeknots.blogspot.com/

Everyone is welcome!

Please pre-register at the following Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bb7w_b3JT-iTVAV4R3UQKQ

Durham's Virtual April 1st Meeting - "How DNA Can Reveal Truth - A Case Study" with Mags Gaulden

 

"How DNA Can Reveal Truth - A Case Study" with Mags Gaulden

Join us on Tuesday, April 1st at 7:30 pm EDT via Zoom as we welcome back noted genetic genealogist Mags Gaulden.

In this talk, we will discover what YDNA is and how to use it to scrape away the dust and grime of long-held family lore to reveal the truth of descent—all the way down to a pin on the map, in a surprise no one expected.

Mag's Bio:

Mags Gaulden is a Professional Genealogist specializing in Genetic Genealogy as founder of Grandma’s Genes in Ottawa. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia College, she began to work her own genealogy as a “hobby”. This 30-year “hobby” eventually led her to a Leader role with WikiTree. 

Mags is an international Genetic Genealogy lecturer, blogger and a social media maven. She serves as Admin for Facebook groups including the ISOGG Facebook Group. She is a former member of the Canadian Casualty Identification Team.

Through her non-profit work with mitoYDNA.org, Mags and other genetic genealogists are providing a free and accessible YDNA and mtyDNA database for the genealogy Community. “Doing DNA Right”. mitoYDNA.org

Kindly pre-register at the following Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uf-qqrj4tG9AT1go3zHTdDrucbbSDHts6