British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa

BIFHSGO Hall of Fame
The British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa Hall of Fame honours members for their contributions to family history research and genealogy. The first election to the BIFHSGO Hall of Fame took place in 1999, when five people were chosen to mark the Society's fifth anniversary.

Background information from Anglo-Celtic Roots Spring 2000 -
In November 1994, nine people signed an application to incorporate the Society under the Canada Corporations Act. Those who signed were Gary Bagley, Bob Campbell, Ken Collins, Jim Heal, Jack Moody, Gerry Neville, Brian O'Regan, Alan Rayburn and Fern Small.

1999 Don Whiteside Don Whiteside There was one name missing from that application. Don Whiteside was the prime mover of the Society but he didn't live to see it become a reality. Don died on 22 November 1993, almost a year before BIFHSGO received its letters patent - but Don Whiteside was the inventor of this Society, and we recognize his role by naming him to the BIFHSGO Hall of Fame.
Brian O'Regan Brian O'Regan That Don Whiteside's vision did not perish is largely due to the leadership of Brian O'Regan, the founding President of BIFHSGO. Brian took up the torch and held it high and others flocked to it, and more than 300 members joined the Society. Brian was the first editor of Anglo-Celtic Roots and he worked tirelessly to promote interest in family history in the public and in the media.
Jack Moody Jack Moody was a founding member of the Society and our first Director of Education and Queries. He organized the first Beginner's Course and persuaded Norm Crowder to be the course director. Jack's continued support includes a donation of 11 boxes of books and journals to our library.
Norman Crowder Norman Crowder has taught every one of our Beginner's Courses and has been a speaker at meetings and conferences. He has published valuable research in family history, including the United Empire Loyalists.
Betty Warburton Betty Warburton In 1995, when Jim Heal asked for volunteers to help with the Fall Conference, the first hand that went up was Betty Warburton's. Betty has worked on the registration for each of our five conferences. When we asked for volunteers for our Library, it was no surprise that Betty came forward. Betty Warburton takes her place in our Hall of Fame.
2000 Dave and Kay Lorente Dave and Kay Lorente Dave and Kay initiated the BIFHSGO's indexation projects arising from their outstanding advocacy role on behalf of home children and their families in Canada. They have assisted countless Canadian home children families and/or their descendants to access their personal records. For further details of their contribution to the Home Children project can be found here.
2001 Jim Heal Jim Heal In recognition of his role as founding Director of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa, his tireless work as our first program chairman and generous assistance as a volunteer, helping others learn more about genealogy.
John Sayers John Sayers In recognition of his leadership in family history research, a coordinator of BIFHSGO volunteers for the British Home Children Project, and for countless hours of generous help at the LDS Family History Centre and Society monthly meetings.
2002 Mary Nash Mary Nash has been a regular contributor to Anglo-Celtic Roots and has spoken at monthly meetings and conferences. She was a member of the Board of Directors and had been in charge of registration for the annual conference
Wayne Walker Wayne Walker has been a frequent speaker at monthly meetings and annual conferences. As founding director of the Ottawa Family History Centre (at the LDS Church), he opened the doors to family history research for hundreds of people who didn't know where to start.
2003 Gordon Taylor Gordon Taylor was recognized for his leadership in the Society through his service as a Director, President, Past-President and his research and writing about genealogical subjects. Picture of Presentation.
John Townesend John Townesend was recognized for setting and achieving high standards for BIFHSGO publications while a member of the Society Board of Directors from 1996 to 2002. The excellence of these standards has been recognized through three international awards received by the Society journal, Anglo-Celtic Roots, during the years of his leadership. Picture of Presentation.
2004 Alan Rayburn Alan Rayburn was the first secretary of BIFHSGO. He is a writer-specialist in place-name studies and has published eight books on geographical names in Canada. He has been a speaker at genealogical conferences in Canada and the United States and has also authored numerous articles for Anglo-Celtic Roots. Picture of Presentation.
Fern Small Fern Small was recognized for her work in support of BIFHSGO in conference registration, mail distribution, member inquiries and in contributing resource information to Anglo-Celtic Roots. She recorded cemeteries and parish records of Wolfe Island and supported the indexing of other Ontario cemetery records. Picture of Presentation.
2005 Bruce S. Elliott Bruce S. Elliott was the featured speaker at the Society's first annual conference. He is a professor of history at Carleton University and has published numerous articles and books related to immigration and family history. Picture of presentation.
James Shearon James Shearon served on the Board of Directors of the Society for many years and as it president for two consecutive terms. He led the establishment of the Brian O'Regan Memorial Library and made contributions to Society education, research and publications. Picture of presentation.
2006 Gary Bagley Gary Bagley In appreciation of his contributions to family history through outstanding service to the Society as one of its founding members. In 1995 he compiled the appropriate details to persuade Revenue Canada to grant BIFHSGO charitable status. He served the Society as Treasurer during the period from September 1994 to December 1996 and as Auditor from 2001 to 2004. Picture of Presentation.
Robert Campbell Robert Campbell was recognized for outstanding service to the Society as one of its founding members. He served the Society as First Vice-President responsible for Membership during the period from October 1994 to December 1996 and chaired several monthly meetings in the absence of the President. He also compiled lists of surnames for publication in Anglo-Celtic Roots. Picture of Presentation.
Caroline Herbert Caroline Herbert was recognized for outstanding service to the Society: as Associate Director Research and Projects, in the Middlemore and Ottawa Sharpshooter projects, in bringing information about the Society to members of the public, other genealogical organizations and to Ottawa students; as co-chairperson for the 2005 Annual Conference; as presenter at two Annual Conferences; as refreshment hostess for monthly meetings; and as reliable help for numerous other essential behind-the-scenes BIFHSGO activities. Picture of Presentation.
2007 Gerald Glavin Gerald Glavin was recognized for his contributions to family history through outstanding service to the Society during seven years on the Board of Directors: three years as Director of Programs and Conferences, two years as President and two years as Past President. He also chaired the Organizing Committee for the BIFHSGO Fall Conferences in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He has authored numerous articles for Anglo-Celtic Roots and has spoken at monthly meetings. His organizational skills and attention to detail has been a major factor contributing to the success of the Society during this period of time.Picture of Presentation.
Patricia Roberts-Pichette Patricia Roberts-Pichette was recognized for outstanding service to the Society: as Associate Director Research and Projects, in the Middlemore and Ottawa Sharpshooter projects, in bringing information about the Society to members of the public, other genealogical organizations and to Ottawa students; as co-chairperson for the 2005 Annual Conference; as presenter at two Annual Conferences; as refreshment hostess for monthly meetings; and as reliable help for numerous other essential behind-the-scenes BIFHSGO activities. Picture of Presentation.
2008 Alison Hare Alison Hare was recognized for her contributions to family history through outstanding service to the Society: A certified genealogist, recognized as a consultant by Library and Archives Canada, Alison has inspired and entertained with her frequent presentations at BIFHSGO meetings. Her long time commitment to genealogy is shown not only in her own research and writing but also in her participation in the BIFHSGO/OGS Ottawa Branch beginner courses, her five years as editor of the OGS Ottawa Branch Newsletter, her advocacy for release of the 1911 census and her service to the Ontario Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Doug Hoddinott Patricia Roberts-Pichette was recognized for his contributions to family history through outstanding service to the Society during the past thirteen years including five years as Membership Director and Vice-President and as an active member of the Conference Planning Committee. He has assisted the Society and many of its members with his expertise in both computer hardware and software. At meetings, conferences and workshops he has provided leadership to ensure the availability of audio-visual facilities. He has made several presentations at Society meetings. His organizational skills and attention to detail has been a major factor contributing to the success of the Society.
2009 John D. Reid John D. Reid was named to the BIFHSGO Hall of Fame in view of his contribution not only to the Society but much wider communities of genealogy and heritage. As an innovative leader John Reid served the Society well as Past President, President, Director of Education, as well as co-chair for programming for the 2008 Fall Conference and Marketplace coordinator for 2006 Fall Conference. He was the project leader for the Sharpshooter book published by BIFHSGO. Beyond BIFHSGO he served on the Library and Archives Canada Services Advisory Board and was Chair of the City of Ottawa’s Arts, Heritage and Cultural Advisory Committee. John Reid also shared his knowledge by resurrecting the Beginner Genealogy Courses in partnership with OGS while serving frequently as an instructor not only for BIFHSGO but other societies. John organized county interest groups as well as initiated the BIFHSGO electronic newsletter, established co-operative relations with other genealogy and heritage organizations. He established and still operates an internet blog called Anglo- Celtic Connections. He lectures, most recently at the May 2009 BIFHSGO monthly meeting. John also has written and still writes on a variety of genealogical topics in addition to authoring a book on researching Home Children.