About

As a branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (also called “Ontario Ancestors”), we encourage and assist those interested in family history in the local geographical area, including the City of Kingston and the counties of Frontenac and Lennox-Addington. As individuals, our research interests span the globe. Even if their current residence is the only Kingston connection they have, many people join our branch to connect with others who share their interest in family history.

OUR PAST

We invite you to read about the formation of Kingston Branch and some of its activities to date. Our Branch History page will inform you about some of our activities and members who have been involved over the past 50 years.

 

OUR PRESENT

OUR GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INTEREST

Kingston Branch is principally concerned with encouraging, supporting and promoting genealogical research and assistance in the contemporary counties of Frontenac and Lennox & Addington — Ontario’s old Mecklenberg and Midland districts — and in the City of Kingston. For more information, see Local Resources.

 

OUR FUTURE — AND YOURS

GET INVOLVED

Share Your Research

Have you compiled a family history that pertains to our area of interest? If so, we’ll be glad to accept it and add it to our library collection. Not only will your research benefit other local researchers, but you’ll also be contributing something for the genealogists of tomorrow.

We’re a purely volunteer, non-profit organization. You can make a donation! We willingly accept (and acknowledge) gifts of original records (of significance to our local area) or published works that deal with almost any aspect of genealogy and local history. If you prefer to make a cash donation, we’ll gladly accept that too and put it to any use you specify. Otherwise, we’ll put it toward one of our several memorial funds.

Become a Member

Join us!  Your membership fees support the Ontario Genealogical Society at both the provincial and local level, and we would enjoy your company.

Join the Branch Council

If you want to help the wider genealogical community and you have some significant time to donate for a one-year, two-year, or longer period of time, consider working on the branch executive. The work’s not onerous and is often enjoyable. We’re a sociable bunch, and we can always use more help!

Help With a Project

You can help us with one of our special projects. Some of these projects are long-term, others are fairly short-term. We always need volunteers to transcribe handwritten notes, proofread copy, compile databases, or do something similar.

Contact any one of the branch executive and say how you can help. Thanks. We appreciate it!

Strays

An ancestor who died in a place other than where they were born is a stray. The OGS compiles volumes of names of these people for the benefit of researchers. If you can help with this project, or have strays to report, please contact the Branch.

Cemetery Transcription

Kingston Branch actively supports the transcription of cemeteries within Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Counties as well as other local records such as church registers.

Searchable indexes to names in these cemetery transcriptions may be found at The Ontario Name Index (TONI) and also on the web site of the Ontario Cemeteries Finding Aid (a site which has not been updated since 2003 but is still useful.) For cemetery inquiries and look-ups, see our Research Help page.

Join a dedicated group who visit local cemeteries to transcribe inscriptions from headstones. For additional details, contact the Branch or the Chair of our Cemeteries Committee as listed above.