Victoria Genealogical Society
GENEALOGICAL EVENTS

25 February 2012:  VGS will be attending the BC Black History Heritage Day event on February 25, 2012, sponsored by the BC Black History Awareness Society of Victoria.  This annual event will be held at the James Bay New Horizons Centre, 234 Menzies Street, Victoria BC, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. 

This event features a screening of the new National Film Board film entitled "Mighty Jerome - The  Greatest Comeback Ever", which follows the life of Harry Jerome, one of Canada's greatest athletes.  Admission is by donation

We are looking for volunteers to help man our VGS display table and talk to people about genealogy and our Victoria Genealogical Society.  If you can help out, please sign up at the Resource Centre or contact us by email at .

For more information on this and other Black History Month events, please visit the BC Black History Awareness Society of Victoria website.

WORKSHOPS - IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to the large attendance at our workshops, we are asking attendees to PLEASE email vgsworkshop@gmail.com or phone (250)360-2808 when you are unable to make the workshop. Many of our workshops have a waiting list so your spot will soon be filled but only if we know about your cancellation. No shows are lost revenue to the VGS.

When attending a workshop please arrive before 9:50 am in order to sign in, get your cup of tea or coffee (by donation) and be seated so we can start promptly at 10 am. Late arrivals are a disruption to those who have arrived on time and expect to start on time.

Thank you for your consideration and attention to these items.

February 25, 2012 - Parish Registers of Great Britain and Ireland - NEW

DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS WORKSHOP, IT WILL BE REPEATED ON
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2012 AT 10 AM TO NOON, AND AGAIN AT 1:30 PM TO 3:30 PM

Presenter – Heather SHAVE

Goal: Learn what information can be gleaned from UK parish registers. Records of baptisms, marriages, and burials provide essential information for
genealogists. What other records used in genealogical research exist from the 1500's (if you're lucky!) up to the present day? Come to this workshop and
learn:

• What was recorded at different dates in different denominations?
• How to find what survives and how to access the records by a variety of methods, e.g. the internet, microfilm, printed books.
• Strategies for dealing with some of the challenges in using the records.

Records of the churches of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland will be discussed,

March 3, 2012 - Ancestry Search Strategy

Presenter – Gerry Poulton

Goal: How to maximize your search results using Ancestry.

In this popular workshop, Gerry will share his experience with Ancestry and how it has helped him research his Canadian ancestors. In particular, Gerry will discuss strategies to increase your success rate with Ancestry searches, such as:

• Why use a research log to track search variations and results
• What is the ‘advanced search’ option? How can it best be used?
• What do the terms ‘wildcard’, ‘Soundex, ‘filters’ mean?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages to using the above search strategies?

If time is available, Gerry will also discuss Canadian records (emphasizing Ontario) including:

• census records
• birth, marriage and death records
• immigration & emigration records (including passenger and border crossing records)
• military records

see March 24, 2012 for "Researching Your British Army Ancestors" (previously in this time slot).

March 10, 2012 – Using Scotlandspeople to research your ancestors

Presenter - Karen LEESON

This popular workshop for beginners is a repeat of Karen’s introduction to the scotlandspeople website.

Goal: How to research your Scottish ancestors using the website Scotlands people including:

• What is Scotlandspeople and what records are included?
• What type of information can be found using these records?
• Search strategies, hints and tips.
• How to get started using Scotlandspeople records for your Scottish ancestors?
• Have the recent changes to the website any significant implications for research strategy?

Using Scotlandspeople Karen has uncovered several family secrets. Her uncle said "don't look into the family tree - you won't like what you find!" Needless to say, Karen has risen to that challenge. She has also been able to trace several living relatives using this site and is going to Scotland to meet some of these new cousins in the late spring of 2012.

March 17, 2012 - TBA

Presenter: TBA

March 24, 2012 - Researching Your British Army Ancestors

Presenter: Robert Brett
(Rescheduled from March 3, 2012)

Researching records of ancestors who served in the British Army in all its campaigns and wars is a huge subject. In the limited time available, the workshop will focus on only those who served in World Wars One and Two. The basic background knowledge and reference sources required to properly understand and explore their careers and medal entitlements will also be discussed. Similar reference sources for those who served in the Canadian army will be noted.

Goals:

1. To respond to some frequently asked questions about the Army, such as formations and structures, and ranks and terminology used in service records; and then
2. Explain how go about researching your ancestor’s service records and medals they received. A Case Study for a WWI soldier will be presented.

Topics will include:

• What should I know about my army ancestor to start my search?
• Where can original documents be found? What online resources are available?
• Where are casualties recorded?
• My ancestor was killed in action, where is this commemorated?
• What medals were issued for WWI and WWII? How can entitlements be checked?

Robert’s former hobby before embarking on genealogy studies some ten years ago was researching the medals of the British Army for about thirty years. He is a member of OMRS The Orders and Medals Research Society of the United Kingdom.

March 31, 2012 - Copyright and the Family Historian

Presenter: Inba Kehoe, Copyright Officer and Scholarly Communications Librarian
McPherson Library, University of Victoria

Family historians frequently use their research materials to write a book, produce a family history leaflet, prepare an article for a magazine or journal, post material on a website and so on. These research products often involve reproduction of complete or partial documents, photographs, postcards, newspaper clippings, etc.

Whatever the end product, or the materials used, family historians have certain responsibilities regarding copyright.

Goal: How to determine what responsibilities a family historian has regarding copyright including:

• What are copyright and intellectual property and why do family historians need to know?
• What are the criteria for copyright protection and what categories are protected?
• Who is the copyright owner and how can this be identified?
• What are the rules for the ownership and duration of copyright?
• Do Canadian copyright rules apply to material obtained from another jurisdiction or country?
• What are the rights of the copyright owner?
• How can the copyright situation be analyzed and identified?

In her work as Copyright Officer and Scholarly Communications Librarian at the McPherson Library, University of Victoria Inba is responsible for overseeing and advising the university community on copyright issues. She is also responsible for advancing the university newly established online publishing program.

Member Endorsement:
"I found this workshop exciting, informative and very well presented.
I, and several other attendees, wondered if it would be a ‘dry’ presentation due to the subject.
We were all sorry when the workshop ended." - Don't miss it!

April 7, 2012 - No Workshop (Easter Weekend)

Wishing you and your family a happy Easter.

April 14, 2012 - United Empire Loyalists -  NEW

Presenter: Joan Clement

More information to follow.

April 21, 2012 - Genealogical Research in the United States - NEW

Presented by the USA Special Interest Group (SIG), Contact: Diane Clarke

Goal: To provide an introduction to genealogical research in the United States, including:

•  How does the political make-up of the US impact genealogical research? Which records are the responsibility of individual states and the federal government?
• Are parish and church records required until civil registration became mandatory? Where are they available?
• What census records are available in the US? Why are some census records available for, for example, the 1920’s when in Canada and the UK the latest is 1911?
• What is US Social Security all about and how can the records be used for research?
• What / where / why is Ellis Island all about? Why is this important?
• What US military records are available?
•  Given US pre-revolution history will UK sources provide information on American ancestors?

Examples and case studies will be provided.

April 28, 2012 - Rootsmagic - NEW

Presenter: Colleen Miscovitch

More information to follow

May 5, 2012 - Using coroner’s records in genealogical research - NEW

Presenter: Evert Moes

More information to follow

May 12, 2012 - Accessing the West: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia family history records

Presenter: Pat Rosson (Presented by the BC and the West SIG)

Goal: to learn how separate legislation in the four western provinces means different levels of access to records including:

• How to navigate each provinces' access legislation to find your ancestors?
• Which records are available on-line now?
• What are the contributions that some genealogical societies are making through indexing projects?

May 19, 2012 - No Workshop (Stat Holiday Weekend)

Happy Victoria Day!

May 26, 2012 - Stories in Stone: Clues to Family History in Cemeteries

Presenter Wilf Bruch, Old Cemeteries Society

Goal: How one can use a cemetery and cemetery records in genealogical research including:

• Beyond the Death Certificate
• Society records and research
• Newspaper Obits
• Local Archive records
• A Cemetery visit
• How, when and why
• Surprises you may find

Wilf’s passion is the preservation and appreciation of old cemeteries. He has been volunteering with the Old cemeteries Society for some fifteen years and knows the cemetery very well. He has led or been involved in most of the restoration and recording projects at Ross Bay Cemetery and The Old Burying Ground over that time period. He delights in helping people discover their ancestor’s final resting place and has a few stories to tell.

June 2, 2012 - GEDCOM - NEW

Presenter: Jeannine Powell

More information to follow

June 9, 2012 - How related are we? What our nuclear, Y-chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA tell us - NEW

Presenter: Richard Hunt
(previously scheduled for June 23, 2012)

More information to follow

June 16, 2012 - Proof and the Family Historian: Separating Family Fiction from Fact

Presenter – Linda BOON
(Rescheduled from Jan 21, 2012)

Goal: Learn how use critical thinking skills to evaluate information gathered for your family history including:

• Why is the first step starting with yourself?
• Why is it important to distinguish the difference between a fact, a deduction and an assumption?
• What is the standard scientific procedure and how can it be used in family history?
• What is the Genealogical Proof Standard?
• What is the difference between primary, secondary, tertiary and circumstantial evidence?
• How can problem solving become part of the research process?
• What are some specific problems that could be encountered?

During Linda’s search for her family roots she has experienced several situations in which she has learned that what you see or hear is not always true.

June 23, 2012 - Organizing Your Research and Using Genealogy Forms

Presenter: Sarah Hamster
(previously scheduled for June 9, 2012)

Sarah Hamster has long been a practicing believer in organization and use of hardcopy forms. Her methodical approach is aimed at both providing family history information to the current generation and to handing her research to a relative to be maintained in future.

This 2 part workshop is a combination of Sarah’s popular workshops on organizing and using forms. NOTE: Part 1 and Part 2 will be held in sequence, the same day from 10:00 am until 12 noon.

Goal of Part 1: How to manage the mountain of research notes, documents, photographs, and family mementoes including:

• Is there one right way to organize family history research?
• Are there forms that can help with organization? (sample forms provided)
• How to store paper records? File folders, envelopes, binders? (examples)
• What can be done to organize both scanned and hardcopy family photos? (examples)
• Reference number systems – should they be used? When? Which system?
• How should source citation be included?
• Suggestions on how to get started.

Goal of Part 2: How to use genealogical forms to best advantage including:

• What are the main types of genealogical forms?
• When should each type of form be used? (e.g. pedigree form versus family group form)
• What are transcription / extraction forms and when should each be used?
• How should completed forms be organized?
• Are the interactive forms available on the internet practical?

A package of sample forms will be provided as part of the workshop.

June 30, 2012 - NO WORKSHOP (July 1st Stat holiday weekend)

Happy Canada Day!

The Victoria Genealogical Society
invites you to attend
our annual genealogy seminar

Saturday, October 29, 2011   ~   9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Vancouver Island Technology Park (Business Centre),
4464 Markham Street, Victoria BC Canada

We are very happy to announce that our key presenter will be Lisa Louise Cooke, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, podcaster and family history expert.  Lisa Louise Cooke is the producer and host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, an online genealogy radio show available through her web site www.genealogygems.com and iTunes. You won't want to miss this popular speaker!

On October 29, 2011, Lisa will be delivering four lectures about the amazing online resources of Google:

1. Google: Search Strategies & Tips
2. Google: A Goldmine of Genealogy Gems
3. Google Earth for Genealogy
4. How to Create Captivating Family History Tours with Google Earth

Your day will include all 4 lectures and a delicious lunch, and tons of great information. 

VGS Members: $65   ~  Non-Members: $75 
Pre-registration is required   ~  VGS Seminar Registration Form

Please send your completed registration form and payment to:
Victoria Genealogical Society
Attention Seminar Committee
PPO Box 43021, Victoria North PO
Victoria, BC, Canada  V8X 3G2

Or drop it off at the VGS Resource Centre
947 Alston Street, Victoria, BC   ~  250-360-2808

For more detailed information, please download our VGS Seminar Poster and Registration Form (both in PDF format).

May thanks to our sponsors: Inn at Laurel Point, Geffen Gourmet Catering.

February, 2012 - Black History Awareness Month

For information on  Black History Month events, please visit the BC Black History Awareness Society of Victoria website,
or download these PDF posters:

Feb 1-25, 2012 - Black History Month Events
Feb 25, 2012 - NFB documentary film presentation: Mighty Jerome: The Greatest Comeback Ever