VGS Genealogy News & Events
Victoria Genealogical Society
No. 180 - April 3, 2025 |
Distributed free of charge to interested subscribers and former members. |
EARLY BIRD SALE, JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING RESEARCH!
Now is a great time to join VGS! With our current membership year ending on May 31, 2025, we are opening registration early for the 2025/26 membership year. Benefits are effective immediate, so the months of April and May 2025 are free!
As a VGS member you then qualify to attend any or all of our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) which are one of the most valuable resources available to VGS members, and are FREE as a benefit of membership. SIG discussion groups are an opportunity to discuss your genealogy experiences and challenges with members who are interested in the same kind of research that you are. SIG members help point you in the right direction and give you new ways to think about your family history challenges. You can also help them based upon your own personal research experience. We're very proud of the long list of SIGs we offer with special thanks to our wonderful volunteers who manage the SIGs. To check out the SIGs we currently offer view SIGs.
As a VGS member you also receive reduced prices on events such as our popular Workshops and Seminars which are gaining international attention as often world class genealogy experts provide either 2 hour workshops or full day seminars. These popular events are often hosted in a hybrid approach with zoom video conferencing or in-person attendance at the VGS Genealogy Learning and Research Centre. Topics range from ‘how to get started’ topics to more advanced topics like genetic genealogy and artificial intelligence for family history. See our schedule of upcoming workshops, fees and presenters at Events Calendar.
Events are typically scheduled between September and June but we have 3 wonderful events coming up in April and May which are summarized below. The summer is when our volunteers recruit presenters for the new season of events which starts in the fall and we're very excited about the wonderful speakers we've already got signed up.
| SPEAKER PRESENTATION -
Researching BC Pioneer, Susan Allison, a Writer and her Family History | | Speaker Presentation by Jacqueline Gresko
Date: Thursday, April 10, 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.
Join us as Jacqueline shares her fifty-year journey researching Susan Allison, a prominent British Columbia pioneer. Beginning in 1972 while assisting Dr. Margaret Ormsby with "A Pioneer Gentlewoman in British Columbia" (UBC Press, 1976), Jacqueline's research has expanded through conversations with Allison's descendants, scholarly discussions, and extensive archival research. Her recent work on the Dictionary of Canadian Biography entry has uncovered previously unknown writings by Allison, while ongoing research at Princeton Museum and UBC Okanagan continues to reveal new insights into this remarkable pioneer family's history and literary legacy.
For more information or registration visit REGISTER HERE.
| | | SEMINAR -
DNA Decoded: Expert Strategies for Family History Success
Don't miss this excellent opportunity to learn from these highly respected educators: Dave Vance, Mags Gaulden, Blaine Bettinger and Jim Brewster. |
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. | | | NEW WORKSHOP ADDED -
Marking Your Ancestors' Foot Steps in Google Maps | Workshop Presented by Lianne Kruger
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time: 10 am - 12 noon 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.
Discover the power of Google Maps to bring your family history to life! In this engaging workshop, learn how to create personalized maps that visualize where your ancestors lived, moved, and left their legacy. | | | Using your Google account, you'll craft meaningful geographic stories of your family's past that can: Organize your research by mapping earliest known ancestors; Visualize family migrations across generations; Show important locations like cemeteries or homesteads; Share your family's journey with relatives and fellow researchers.
Join us to transform your family history from names and dates into a vivid geographic journey you can explore and share.
About Lianne: Lianne Kruger loves to share her knowledge of technology and genealogy to help others find their family history easier. Her instruction helps genealogists to use technology with #NoTears. She does this through published articles and speaking at conferences and Webinars in Canada, England, and United States including RootsTech, Legacy FamilyTree Webinars and provincial and branch organizations. She has a Certificate and Associate Degree in Family History Research from BYU-Idaho along with her Bachelor Degree. She is a board member and CFO of mitoYDNA.org, member of Ancestry.ca Advisory Board, and President of Alberta Genealogical Society.
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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): we're moving to Bluesky
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. *** New: we have updated our online library catalogue which can be searched HERE.
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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Home Page: Victoria Genealogical Society | | | Visit our VGS Website often to get updated information about us and our upcoming events.
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Distributed by free subscription to non-members and VGS past members | |