VGS Genealogy News & Events
Victoria Genealogical Society
No. 173 - December 22, 2024 |
Distributed free of charge to interested subscribers and former members. | Testimonial received -
"Well, it's happened again! After participating in Andrea Kaston Tange's writing workshop on Saturday, I am left feeling that with the variety and exceptional quality of these weekend workshops, plus the SIGs, the newsletters and the monthly speakers, my annual membership is not just a bargain, it is a gift!" Susan, VGS member
[Editor's note: the newsletters Susan refers to is the VGS Members Update newsletter which is exclusive to VGS members and not to be confused with the Genealogy News and Events newsletter here. The Members Update contains upcoming events schedule as well as other topics including: upcoming events hosted by other genealogy and historical societies; stories submitted by members; genealogy related articles; members tips and tricks; and more.]
| For more information or registration visit 10 STEPS
| Mennonites, Metis, and a Sprig of Nobility | Speaker Presentation by Terry Hartley
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm PT
Location: This event is by ZOOM ONLY
Note: Video recordings of this event will be available online for 30 days to registered attendees only
For more information or registration visit REGISTER HERE. | | | Research Your Norwegian Ancestors | |
Workshop Presented by Torhild Shirley
Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025
Time: 10 am - 12 noon PT
Location: This is event is by zoom only
Note: Video recordings of this event will be available online for 30 days to registered attendees only
For more information or registration visit REGISTER HERE | | | Excel for Family Archivists | |
Workshop Presented by Mark Thompson
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 10 am - 12 noon PT
Location: This is event is by zoom only
Note: Video recordings of this event will be available online for 30 days to registered attendees only
For more information or registration visit REGISTER HERE | | | |
Workshop Presented by Heather Shave
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Time: 10 am - 12 noon PT
Location: This is a HYBRID event. You must register to attend EITHER In-Person at the VGS Genealogy Learning & Research Centre OR via Zoom. In-Person space is limited.
Note: Video recordings of this event will be available online for 30 days to registered attendees only
For more information or registration visit REGISTER HERE. | | | Find a FAVE with Find a Grave | |
Workshop Presented by Mike Woodcock
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 10 am - 12 noon PT
Location: This is a hybrid event. You may either attend via zoom or in person at the VGS Genealogy Learning & Research Centre (limited seating, register early)
Note: Video recordings of this event will be available online for 30 days to registered attendees only
For more information or registration visit REGISTER HERE | | | Genealogy Resources available through the Victoria Public Library | |
Workshop Presented by Caitlin Ottenbreit
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 10 am - 12 noon PT
Location: This is a hybrid event. You may either attend via zoom or in person at the VGS Genealogy Learning & Research Centre (limited seating, register early)
Note: Video recordings of this event will be available online for 30 days to registered attendees only
For more information or registration visit REGISTER NOW
| | | SEMINAR -
DNA Decoded: Expert Strategies for Family History Success |
Join four leading genetic genealogy experts for an exciting DNA Day seminar. Discover how to transform your family history research using the power of all three DNA testing types: Autosomal DNA, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial DNA. Plus, learn how to run your own DNA project at Family Tree DNA.
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 9 am - 2:30 pm PT
Location: This is event is by zoom only
Note: Video recordings of this event will be available online for 30 days to registered attendees only
For more information or registration visit REGISTER HERE
Don't miss this excellent opportunity to learn from these highly respected educators: Dave Vance, Mags Gaulden, Blaine Bettinger and Jim Brewster.
| | Dave Vance has been a genealogist for more than 35 years and active in genetic genealogy since 2005. He is the author of “The Genealogist’s Guide to Y-DNA Testing for Genetic Genealogy: Second Edition” published in 2024. Dave is also the author of the SAPP tool for Y-DNA phylogenetic trees and the editor for the Journal of Genetic Genealogy.
He is the administrator for the Vance surname project, co-admin for the R1b-L513 haplogroup project, as well as the president and DNA advisor for the Vance Family Association, a traditional genealogy surname association. | | | | Mags Gaulden is a Professional Genealogist specializing in Genetic Genealogy and is the founder of Grandmas Genes in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
She is also the founder of mitoYDNA.org, a free and accessible YDNA and mtDNA database. As a sought-after international speaker and workshop coordinator, Mags shares her expertise on a range of topics related to genetic genealogy and family history research. Her talks are known for their easy flow of technical terminology and knowledge, combined with a down-home, relaxed, and humorous style that connects with audiences.
Mags is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the International Society of Genetic Genealogy, among other organizations.
| | | Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence and the use of artificial intelligence for genealogical research. He is the author of the long-running blog The Genetic Genealogist, and frequently gives presentations and webinars to educate others about the use of DNA and artificial intelligence.
Blaine has instructed genetic genealogy courses at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research. | | | Jim Brewster has been working in the field of genetic genealogy since 2014 with FamilyTreeDNA. Starting in customer service, Jim worked for several years on the Group Projects Team and now focuses on customer education. Jim is a frequent conference speaker where he enjoys sharing his passion for genealogy.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology with an emphasis in North American prehistory and archaeology from Northern Arizona University. He is the genealogist for his family and teaches classes regularly in both traditional and genetic genealogy. Jim has had a lifelong passion for understanding the history of the human family in anthropological and genealogical terms, which intersects in genetic genealogical research and his present career at FamilyTreeDNA. | | |
VGS Membership Half Price Sale |
As we enter the holiday season, the Victoria Genealogical Society is excited to offer all the benefits of membership at half the price! Whether for yourself or as a gift, don't miss out on this amazing deal! Single memberships can now be purchased for $32.50, Family memberships for $45, and Youth memberships for only $17.50!
Here are just a few of the amazing benefits of joining the VGS: Discounted cost for all VGS workshops and seminars; Free access to speaker series events; Free access to Special Interest Groups (SIGs); Free access to our VGS Learning & Research Centre and lending privileges for our large collection of books and other research materials; Free access to the Ancestry library edition at the VGS Learning Centre.
These deeply discounted memberships are valid through May 31, 2025, the end of the VGS membership year. Please visit the VGS Membership Options page to take advantage of this limited time holiday offer.
If you have any questions, please contact our Membership Director in the Contact Form form on our VGS website.
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The Joys of Joining a Special Interest Group
I facilitate two Special Interest Groups. One is Family History 101 and the other is Eastern Europe.
Family History 101 started as a group to help people get started on their genealogy. All were welcome, the newbies, people who had “lost their way”, and the curious. This started out as a weekly meeting, but soon morphed into a monthly SIG. We have a steady group and have drop-ins. We always welcome members with new problems, or as I like to call them, new adventures.
Eastern Europe started up again last September. With the war in Ukraine, people have begun to re-think their ancestry. DNA has given us all a wider scope for our searches. This group tries to dig deeper into their heritage. There are lots of problems with languages, shifting borders, wars, finding documents.
Both groups are very interactive, helping each other. We all bring something different to share with others. We always look forward to meeting new people. Any VGS members who would like to join us are welcome to attend.
Learn more about all special interest discussion groups at SIG
- Sarah Hamster, SIG Leader |
VGS is now on Bluesky Social - Find us at https://bsky.app/profile/victoriags.org
Genealogists are flocking to Bluesky which is a new social media platform which operates similarly to X (formerly Twitter) but gives users more control over their data and privacy. If you are a Bluesky user we hope that you check us out and give us a 'follow' at @Victoriags.org (full URL https://bsky.app/profile/victoriags.org). Don't forget to 'like' our event posts and 'share' them with friends. If you aren't a Bluesky user you can still follow us on these other social media platforms.
VGS FaceBook private group with over 470 members to help you with your genealogy related questions; join the discussion at VGS Facebook Group
VGS FaceBook public page: click Follow (currently 548 followers) for event notices and other VGS news at: vicgs
VGS Instagram: click Follow (currently 190 followers) for event notices with a twist at: victoriagenealogicalsociety
VGS X (formerly Twitter): click Follow (currently 750 followers) for genealogy news from VGS and our friends: vicgenealogy
Free accounts with these social media sites may be required.
| New to Genealogy Research?
3 Steps for Beginners
The VGS offers several benefits of membership for those new to genealogy research and for those who would like to brush up on their skills. Check these 3 easy steps below:
Step 1 - The Centre. If you haven't already visited our Genealogy Learning & Research Centre, we recommend you do. It's a great place to start and our friendly and experienced volunteers are available to help you with your questions and show you the basic research tools, techniques and resources. For a modest fee volunteers can provide various personal research services which can be viewed at RESEARCH SERVICES. The Centre is located in Royal Oak Shopping Centre and is free for members. Non-members are welcome and their first visit is free with a nominal fee of $5 for subsequent visits. Free parking, free wifi, free computers, a large library collection, and access to Ancestry library edition. Check our LOCATION page for open hours.
Step 2 - Family History 101 and CSI SIGs are a great place to start. After becoming oriented to genealogy research at the Centre, members often find it a smooth transition to join a discussion group that focuses on their area of research. We call these Special Interest Groups or SIGs for short. Currently there are 9 SIGs that meet regularly either by zoom, in person or in combination. One SIG is designed for those who are new to genealogy. It's called Family History 101, which was introduced last season and proved to be very popular. Our CSI SIG (Crowd Sourced Information) is a chance to do research with others, hands on. Once you get basics in the Family History 101 and CSI SIGs you may want to start signing up for one or more of the other SIGs. They are all free to members. Click on SIGs to learn more about them.
Step 3 - Workshops, Seminars and Speaker Events. Another benefit of membership is the price breaks for our regular workshops and seminars, and access to our monthly Speaker presentations. These events not only offer the opportunity to learn about a topic, but they also provide members the opportunity to meet other members who may be researching in the same geographic area or the same surname. These are important networking opportunities and often prove useful in breaking down research brick walls. To learn more, go to our Events Calendar
We believe that by following these 3 steps you will have the opportunity to learn about the genealogy research tools and techniques more quickly than by reading or surfing the web. For membership details, please go to Membership Options | |
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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: To subscribe for this newsletter visit VGS Website or scan the adjacent QR code, and click on the Free Newsletter Signup tab at top left hand corner. | 
Home Page: Victoria Genealogical Society | | | Visit our VGS Website often to get updated information about us and our upcoming events.
| Copyright © 2024 Victoria Genealogical Society, All rights reserved.
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Distributed by free subscription to non-members and VGS past members | |