Branch History

The Ontario Genealogical Society was founded in 1961. By the winter of 1972-73, several members of the Society who resided in the Kingston area attended a meeting called by Barrie Robinson, the librarian of the then-existing Lake Ontario Regional Library System, to discuss forming a branch in Kingston. An application was submitted on March 14, 1973 signed by 15 members of OGS. It was subsequently approved by the Society board, and the rest is history.

As Kingston Branch grew in numbers, members eagerly began to transcribe tombstones, church records and census records, long before the days of personal computers and of websites that make research more accessible and available.

The Ontario Genealogical Society has long held annual 3-day provincial conferences (called “Seminars” in the early days). Kingston Branch has been proud to host Seminar ’80, Seminar ’91 andĀ  Conference 2012 — the last bringing over 500 participants to Kingston. Our Branch has also mounted several one-day workshops over the past almost 50 years.

At various times we have taught courses on genealogy connected to the school board and through the Kingston Frontenac Public Library. We are always willing to speakĀ  about genealogy to other groups who may be interested in learning what is involved in doing family research.

Our Leaders

Branch Chairs Since 1973

Honorary Members

In Memoriam – Past Members