Victoria Genealogical Society
PAST WORKSHOPS

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

Presenter: Evert Moes

Has a coroner ever been involved in your family’s history?

Accidents, murders, drownings and other untimely deaths are what a coroner investigates. Coroner’s reports can be of great help in breaking through some of the brick walls in your research.

Learn more about:

• The history of the coroner’s office.
• Coroner’s services in other lands.
• The history of the B.C. coroner services and its present job.
• The coroner’s records in B.C.
• The VGS project to index the reports of the B.C. coroners, its  history, progress, and present status.
• Where to go and what to do when you are looking for an untimely death in your family, where a coroner could be involved.
• How to research the records now and when the project is finished.
• Questions?

Evert became aware of the B.C. coroners indexing project during his stint as VGS president in the late 1990’s. In 2004 when asking questions about the progress of the project, it became clear to him that the project appeared to have been stalled, and as he was involved with the “Friends of the B.C. Archives”, it was only a small step to help revive it. With a few bumps on the way, the project has progressed to the point where the end is (hopefully) in sight for this involved, sometimes seemingly endless but always fascinating project.

April 28, 2012 - Rootsmagic - NEW

Presenter: Colleen Miscovitch

Come and learn the wonders of RootsMagic as Colleen helps us to add family, remove unwanted twigs, color family lines, add pictures and
documents, and much more. RootsMagic is a user friendly program. Colleen discovered RootsMagic last year and has used version 4 to organize her genealogical information. After entering over 1000 family names, with accompanying pictures, maps, and source citations, Colleen has explored beyond the basics.

The workshop will cover:

• Common genealogy tasks
• Entering information from scratch and importing from other programs
• Adding depth to your information, with sources, photos, and a gazetteer of places
• Getting the information back out with reports, photo albums, and narratives
• Sharing information with Roots-to-Go
• Other tips and tricks, such as colour coding your family members

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 14, 2012 - Is there Loyalist Ancestry in your Attic? -  NEW

Presenters: Joan Clement UE, Catherine Fryer UE, Wilma Saville UE

Goal: To provide an introduction to United Empire Loyalist research including:

• Short Historical Background to the American Revolution
• Who were the Loyalists?
• Are there Loyalists in your family?
  • Who Qualifies?
• United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada
  • Membership
• Certificate of Proof of Ancestry
  • What is this?
  • How do I go about this?
  • Is my research different?
  • Do I use different records?

Your presenters are all members of the Victoria Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada, intent on preserving that aspect of Canadian history.

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!

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 17, 2012 - Finding Your Irish Ancestors -  NEW

DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS WORKSHOP, IT WILL BE REPEATED ON
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2012 AT 10 AM TO NOON
Presenters: Several VGS members

This workshop will be presented by several Victoria Genealogical Society members. These members have different perspectives and knowledge
about researching Irish families. Some have visited Ireland to do research, others are planning a trip and some are dreaming of going to Ireland. These esearchers have dealt with both Catholic and Protestant records in 22 different counties in Ireland, covering 1766 to 1911.

The presentation will be followed by a Q & A period so bring your questions/ brick walls and we will do our best to help you.

Material covered will be:

• VGS holdings-171 Ireland related titles
• Web sites-both free and pay
• Personal experiences
• Research hints & techniques
• Personal research collections
• Irish timeline
• What you can do from here

Come to the workshop and meet other researchers seeking many of the same answers that you are.

March 17, 2012 - Finding Your Irish Ancestors -  NEW

DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS WORKSHOP, IT WILL BE REPEATED ON
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2012 AT 10 AM TO NOON
Presenters: Several VGS members

This workshop will be presented by several Victoria Genealogical Society members. These members have different perspectives and knowledge
about researching Irish families. Some have visited Ireland to do research, others are planning a trip and some are dreaming of going to Ireland. These esearchers have dealt with both Catholic and Protestant records in 22 different counties in Ireland, covering 1766 to 1911.

The presentation will be followed by a Q & A period so bring your questions/ brick walls and we will do our best to help you.

Material covered will be:

• VGS holdings-171 Ireland related titles
• Web sites-both free and pay
• Personal experiences
• Research hints & techniques
• Personal research collections
• Irish timeline
• What you can do from here

Come to the workshop and meet other researchers seeking many of the same answers that you are.

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 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).

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,

February 18, 2012 - Last Words: Writing great obituaries that mark a life and make history - NEW

Presenter – Jenni Aitken

Many family historians have found valuable clues to an ancestor's life through an obituary. An obituary can provide basic biographical details such as names, dates, and places of birth, marriage, and death. Perhaps even more importantly, an obituary often gives names of relatives of the deceased including siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents, leading to other avenues of research.

This workshop can help family historians evaluate obituaries by encouraging participants to write an obituary. In Jenni’s words:
"Obituaries are about life! They tell our story and provide an opportunity to share life lessons. A well written obituary can combine essential genealogical elements, and honour someone, in about 200 words."

Goals: In this workshop we will:

• Learn the key features needed to tell a person’s story…succinctly
• Develop a list of vital genealogical details to include in obits
• Merge these elements by working together to write an obituary
• Leave with a worksheet for future reference

Join Jenni Aitken on February 18, 2012 to learn about what makes a great obituary, and how you can write a worthy tribute that will stand the test of time.

February 11, 2012 - From Cyberspace to Artifacts: Building Better Source Recording Skills! - NEW

Presenter: Linda Boon

This title appropriately describes the emphasis given to sources on the internet which have now become so popular and much used.

By the end of Linda’s workshop, the participant will:

1. Understand the purpose of source citations
2. Identify the types of Genealogy sources
3. Identify the “Rules for Great Source Citations”
4. Examine citation models and guides for most sources including original material, photographs, newspaper articles, emails and the web
5. Review some examples of sources and write the citations for quality research evidence.

Bring some samples of your sources that give you headaches and keep you up at night wondering “did I do that right?”

Note: Linda will be using Mills “bible” of History Source Citations as a basis for her workshop.

February 4, 2012 - Starting Your Research & Understanding the Resource Centre 

Presenters –  Heather SHAVE and Diana GAIGER

Goal: Learn how to get started on your family’s history and how to effectively use the Resource Centre including:

• Deciding what you want from your research
• How to gather and record information
• Computer or hardcopy
• What materials and tools are in the Resource Centre to help with research?
• How to make the most of your new adventure

January 28, 2012 - The Genealogical Interview: How to make the most of living sources in genealogical research - REPEAT

Presenter – Pattie WHITEHOUSE

Interviews are an important but often overlooked source of information for genealogists and family historians.

Goal: Learn how to obtain missing genealogical information and provide context and detail for family histories by interviewing family members, neighbours and acquaintances. Topics include:

• Adding to your arsenal: How interviews complement family documents in genealogical and family history research
• Planning your research: Whom do you interview? Where? What equipment and conditions do you need?
• Interviewing skills: What to ask, how to ask it and when to shut up
• Interviewing ethics: How to encourage the reluctant subject and what to do when you unearth skeletons in the family closet
• Practice makes perfect: A chance to try out what you’ve learned and test your interviewing prowess

A professional Personal Historian since 1992, Pattie combines the experience of more than 10 years in business with a background of a Master of Arts degree in psychology and volunteer service as a counselor. These experiences have enabled her to become a skilled interviewer, an inspiring coach and an effective writer. When she is not helping people write their personal histories, Pattie enjoys Scottish country dancing, hiking in the Highlands and dog agility training.

January 21, 2012 -  *** CANCELLED ****

Linda Boon's workshop cancelled due to the snowy weather - rescheduled to June 16, 2012

January 14,2012 - How to utilize WORD to compile and write your family narrative.

Presenter: Pat ACTON

Goal: How to utilize MS WORD to compile and write your family narrative, including stories, photographs, recipes and so on, including:

• How can WORD be set up in preparation for writing your story?
• How can electronic copies of partial stories that you have already written be integrated and merged?
• How can WORD tables and other formatting features be used to give your story shape?
• How can scanned photographs and / or hand drawn illustrations be inserted into a page of text?
• How can a Table of Contents and / or an index be automatically generated?
• How can WORD by used to cite sources – footnotes or endnotes?
• Suggestions on how to get started with lots of examples

January 7, 2012 – Analysis of family history research using the table feature of MS WORD.

Presenter: Pat ACTON

Goal: How to use this feature to analyze, organize research and present your family’s story, including:

• An introduction to the table function in WORD for beginners
• Why use this function to organize and analyze genealogical research and records?
• How can the table function be used to enhance writing your family story?
• Using scanned photographs with the table function
• Possibilities and methods (with examples and samples)
• Suggestions on how to get started

December 10, 2011 - NO WORKSHOP - Attend our VGS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE instead!

No workshop will be held on December 10, 2011.  Instead, everyone is welcome to join us for our annual Christmas Open House.  More details to follow.

December 3, 2011 - ACCESS THE WEST: MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN, ALBERTA & BC FAMILY HISTORY RECORDS - Pat Rosson - NEW

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?

November 26, 2011 - ORGANIZING YOUR RESEARCH & USING GENEALOGY FORMS - Sarah Hamster - REPEAT

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.

November 19, 2011 - INTRODUCTION TO THE PRESERVATION OF PAPERS & PHOTOGRAPHS - NEW
- WAIT LIST ONLY

Presenter: Betty Walsh, Archival Conservator, Royal BC Museum

Goal: An introduction to the preservation of family papers and traditional photographs.

What is conservation? What is preservation?

What is paper?

• How does it deteriorate?
• What environment is best for papers?
• What storage materials are appropriate?
• What is the best way to make copies?

What are traditional photographs?

• How do they deteriorate?
• What environment is best?
• What are the best storage materials for photographs?
• What is the best way to make copies?

Electronic media – a few minutes:

• Traditional versus electronic media – which lasts longer?
• How do you preserve digital files?

Betty Walsh has worked at the BC Archives and the RBCM since 1982. Prior to joining the archives, she earned a Master of Art Conservation degree and
worked in the private and museum sectors.

November 12, 2011 - GETTING YOUR FAMILY EXCITED ABOUT THEIR FAMILY HISTORY! - Diana Gaiger - NEW

Goal: Ideas and tips on how to get your children, grandchildren and general family interested in learning about their family’s story.

• Practical things you can do to make genealogy interesting and ‘come alive’ for your family.
• Fun ways to involve younger family members.
• Interesting ways of presenting information to the family.
• Opening communication between the generations.

Diana has helped many people start or sort out their family information so that they can share the information with family members. Diana uses both hard copy and computer to present the results of searching. Diana’s enthusiasm is catching!!!