11 June 2021
Great Moments in Genealogy
Presenters Sue Lambeth, Christine Jackson, Jennifer Hill       

Lost Connections Found

Using American Revolutionary War Pension Records to solve a family brickwall, Sue Lambeth discovered a surprising connection between two separate branches of her family tree - her Canadian maternal grandparents and their ancestors. Some of Sue's Revolutionary War ancestors fought as Patriots, while others supported the Loyalist cause or remained neutral in the conflict. This 'Great Moment' explored their surprising connections. 

Voices from a Silent Past
Three postcards―dated 1909 and 1936―are now the only evidence that contact was maintained between Christine’s extended Jewish family in Amsterdam and their cousins who migrated to London in the 1860s. After 1936 contact ceased and the English family assumed their Dutch cousins had been lost in the Holocaust of WW II. While seeking the fate of those who wrote the postcards, Christine found more than she could have possibly imagined.

Solving a 100-year-old mystery using DNA

The identity of Jennifer Hill’s paternal grandfather was a family mystery so she decided to use her DNA results to try and find out who he was. Jennifer will talk about the steps she took to solve the mystery in the 100th anniversary year of her father’s birth. 

4 June 2022
Special DNA SIG presentation: Incorporating DNA Results on WikiTree
Presenter: Mags Gaulden

Mags 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, where she currently leads: The DNA Innovators Project, The United Empire Loyalist Project.

14 May 2022
Selection of Genealogy Programs and Services

Presenter  Bob Butler

Bob’s presentation discussed one’s genealogy objectives and the benefits of building a family tree online, or on a personal computer (PC). Web sites and PC genealogy programs were reviewed, both for standalone or synchronized use. Autosomal DNA testing is very useful to extend your family tree or to confirm branches where limited source information is available. Testing companies were compared and evaluated, not only on the number of matches they provide but on the number of common ancestors that can be identified.

14 May 2022
The Diary Project

Presenter: Anne Coulter

 An old diary that begins in 1862, is passed down through three generations and sparks a scavenger hunt. Who wrote the diary and why was it a cherished family heirloom? How do you read the handwriting? Without living family members or any context, how do you tackle such a project?

This talk showed how decoding the contents of a diary revealed a family’s history, provided colourful context and a glimpse into life in 1860s Toronto. Due to the pandemic, all the research was done from home and it is surprising what you can discover!

20 April 2022

Special Online Event
“DNA and Genealogy – The DNA of Cornwall”

Presenter: Dr. Joe Flood

Dr. Joe Flood, administrator of the Cornwall DNA Projects, shared his expertise on the haplogroups and genetic lines of this historic county in southwest England, including:

• Autosomal DNA and Cornwall – finding cousins, solving brick walls and confirming family trees, % Cornish;
• Y DNA and Cornwall – surname reconstruction and project strategy; the Coad project and book; using Y-DNA to solve brick walls; clusters; and,
• Haplogroups and the Y-haplotree; the prehistory of the Cornish people through DNA (Beakers, Germanic, and Danish/Viking)

9 April 2022
Introducing the 1921 Census of England & Wales 

Presenter: Mary McKee

The 1921 Census of England and Wales is here. Findmypast presented an unmissable exploration of the biggest new arrival in family history. After years spent digitizing and transcribing this unique snapshot of our recent history, discover the stories and secrets contained within. Along with the historical context, tips for effective searching and using it to trace elusive relatives, we learned how the 1921 Census will help us understand our ancestors’ lives better.

9 April 2021
"Betty Jeans Story" Adoption, Forensic and Genetic DNA

Presenter: Mags Gaulden

“She said, ‘You know I am adopted…’” Betty Jean’s searched for her family once. In the 1950’s, when she and her husband visited the county records office to discover what they could about her birth. The file they were shown was empty. There was nothing to see. Many years later, when a call came in about family records that Betty Jean might have, her search began anew. Travel with Mags as she unravels the levels of intricacy involved in finding the birth family of Betty Jean, using forensic genealogy and DNA.

12 March 2022
The Irish Palatines in Ireland and Canada
Carolyn Heald

The Irish Palatines have a unique heritage, one that continues to live on in descendants both in Ireland and in Canada.  This illustrated presentation will give an overview of their story, look at aspects of their identity from 1709 up to the present time, and identify key sources for finding Irish Palatine ancestors. 

12 February 2022
Introduction to Welsh Resources
David Jeanes

The twelve historical counties of Wales, plus Monmouthshire, were treated as part of England for resources such as civil registration. However, there are some important differences. These include the extensive use of patronymics rather than family names and the use of the Welsh language, particularly for house names. Very common surnames, such as Jones, also present difficulties. County record offices still relate to the historical, rather than the modern counties, and there are many important records held in the National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth.A number of useful books on Welsh research have also been published.

12 February 2022
600+ years of stories from St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle 
Kristen Mercier

For over six centuries, the archives of St George’s Chapel have been kept in the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle. These Archives belong to one of England’s few remaining royal peculiars and, along with its rare book library, offer an account of the history of property ownership by the church and the land’s occupants across England and Wales, tell about the Chapel's royal connections and present to researchers stories of those who lived and worked on the site. Looking through the Chapel’s history and records, Kristen Mercier will demonstrate how to best access records from the medieval to modern periods, and walk you through the history of record-keeping itself in over half a millennium at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

8 January 2022
Kirk Session Records
Kate Keter       

The Kirk Sessions of the Established Church of Scotland were responsible for the administration of their parish; they looked after the welfare of their parishioners as well as their discipline—in both spiritual and moral matters. The members of the Session—the minister and the elders—met regularly and their deliberations were recorded, often in great detail. So, whether your ancestor was a clergyman, a church elder, a poor man or woman seeking financial assistance or a woman with an illegitimate child there is a chance they will appear in the minutes and these can often provide information on ancestors that cannot be found anywhere else.

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8 January 2022
Branching Out
Kate Keter

We often focus our research on what we believe to be the “key” people in our direct line of ancestors; those who have a “story to tell,” or who take our research back even further. As a result, we can miss out on some fascinating information about our extended family. This talk will look at members of one family whose histories were overlooked in the initial research. Their stories add depth and breadth to our understanding of this family and its history, of the wider context in which they lived, and of their impact, if any, on society at the time.    

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