1st Annual Genealogy Symposium September 28, 2019Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum

Program At-A-Glance

109 Norfolk St. S. Simcoe, ON 519.426.1583

11:30 am Doors Open/Registration

Q&A Session

12:00 pm

12:15 pm – 1:00 pm

Welcoming Remarks

Closing Remarks

Fraser Dunford, PLCGS, PhD Ontario Land Records: An Introduction

Heather Smith, UE, MA Proving Loyalist Ancestry: The Application

Process, Secret Sources and How to Write anUnbeatable Application

1:15 pm – 2:00 pm

Intermission/Refreshments 2:00 pm –

2:15 pm

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm

Arthur McClelland, MLS Mingos to Muskokas: An Exploration of

Genealogy and Local History

3:15 pm – 4:00 pm

Ruth Blair, PLCGS – I Want to Research MyFamily History - What’s Next?

4:00 pm –4:25 pm

4:30 pm

Schedule - September 28, 2019

Session #2: Proving Loyalist Ancestry: The Application Process,Secret Sources and How to Write an Unbeatable Application

Session Descriptions

Heather Smith, UE, MA: Heather is a curator and researcher wholives near Port Rowan, Ontario. She is on the UELAC Board ofDirectors as the Vice President, Central West Region and is thegenealogist/archivist for the UEL Grand River Branch. Shecan prove her descent from four Loyalist ancestors who settled inthe Long Point area in the 1700's. She organizes the programmingfor the Port Rowan South Walsingham Heritage Association, andserves on both the Museum Committee at Backus HeritageVillage and on the Norfolk Remembers Committee. Heatherregularly curates exhibits in and around Norfolk County.

Heather's session will focus on UEL history and researching UELfamily roots.

Session #1: Ontario Land Records: An Introduction 

Fraser Dunford, Ph.D, PLCGS: Fraser is a professional genealogistand former executive director of the Ontario Genealogical Society(2005 – 2011). He has been involved in genealogy for about 35years, and has written six books and numerous articles. He hasbeen on radio, chaired genealogical conferences, and spoken atmany genealogical events in Canada. He is deeply involved withthe Ontario Genealogical Society, edited NewsLeaf (the Society’snewsletter) for seven years, was on the OGS Board for two years,and is currently involved with TONI (The Ontario Name Index).

Fraser's session will focus on researching and using land recordsin Ontario.

Session #4: I Want to Research My Family History – What’s Next?

Session Descriptions

Ruth Blair, PLCGS: Ruth is a Professional Genealogist and lecturerbased in Oakville, Ontario. She has been doing family historyresearch for over 30 years and has researched her family historyfrom Canada to Ireland, England, Scotland, the United States,Australia and New Zealand. Ruth has her Professional LearningCertificate for Genealogical Studies for Canada, England, andIreland from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. She isthe author of several books on genealogy and the author of “ThePassionate Genealogist” blog. Ruth's session will provide an overview of how to find a will, theimportance of researching newspapers, and more.

Session #3: Mingos to Muskokas: An Exploration of Genealogy andLocal History

Arthur McClelland, MLS: Arthur is the local history librarian in theLondon Room at the London Public Library’s Central Branch. Heregularly speaks on local history and genealogy at events all overSouthwestern Ontario. Arthur is a sixth generation Canadianwhose roots have been traced to Belfast, Ireland and Glasgow,Scotland. Arthur is the programme chair for the London andMiddlesex Historical Society, a member of the Historic SitesCommittee of the London Public Library Board, and a member ofthe London Region Branch of the Architectural ConservancyOntario. Arthur's session will discuss the journey involved in doing familyhistory research.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Notes:

109 Norfolk St. S. Simcoe, ON 519.426.1583