A summary of each meeting is posted here after the meeting.
If available, the handout from a meeting is provided next to the summary.
January 19, 2013 — “Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial” — Arthur Milnes, Commissioner of the Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial Commmission, discussed the formation and activities of the Commission and some of their plans for 2015. He spoke about Sir John A.’s importance to Canada, and the fact that in the 19th century Kingston produced two Prime Ministers and a provincial premier.
February 16, 2013 — 40th Anniversary Celebration and AGM.
March 16, 2013 — Martha Whitehead, Chief Librarian, Queen’s University, spoke about “The Library and Archives of the 21st Century.” She explored the role of libraries and archives as gathering places for people and ideas, and the importance of preserving information for generations to come, whether it is in printed or digital format.
April 20, 2013 — Joanne Stanbridge, Librarian, Kingston Frontenac Public Library, spoke about “Harriet Powel: Her Life and Legacy. Harriet was a slave who escaped to Kingston in 1839, married and raised a family here. She and her husband are buried in Cataraqui Cemetery.
May 18, 2013 — Program Committee Co-Chairs William Cookman (Vice-Chair, Kingston Branch OGS) and Jane Miller gave an interesting and informative talk about “How to Find your Civil War Ancestors.” Each gave an excellent presentation about sources and strategies, illustrated with lively examples from their own research.
- “US Civil War Websites” Handout
September 21, 2013 — “Ferry Tales” – Captain Brian Johnson gave an illustrated slideshow about the history of the Wolfe Island ferry service and related many interesting stories about people and events from the Island’s past.
October 19, 2013 — Shirley-Ann Pyefinch, Director of the Ottawa Family History Centre, spoke about the new-and-improved FamilySearch website.
November 16, 2013 — Glenn T. Wright, author / researcher and retired archivist, spoke about “Great Expectations: Canada, Canadians and the 1921 Census.”
Other Links
Brief biographies of some speakers at Kingston Branch meetings are available at:
A more extensive write-up of each presentation may be found in the newsletter which follows that meeting date. The newsletters are available as follows:
- Kingston Branch Newsletters (More Than Three Years Old) – Available to members and non-members.
Further information is available in the Members Only area of this website, by clicking the following links:
- Kingston Branch Newsletters (Less Than Three Years Old)
- Recordings of Past Kingston Branch Meetings
- Handouts from Branch Presentations
- Official minutes of Past Meetings
Kingston Branch members of the Ontario Genealogical Society receive our newsletter, Kingston Relations as one of their membership benefits. To find out how you can join Kingston Branch, please visit our Membership page.