VGS Genealogy News & Events
Victoria Genealogical Society
No. 196- February 8, 2026 |
Distributed free of charge to interested subscribers and former members. |
In this newsletter:
- Upcoming VGS Workshops, Seminars and Heritage History Hour Events
- Valentines Meet & Greet, February 14th
- New to genealogy research? 3 Steps for beginners
- VGS Social Media channels
Scroll down to read these articles.
VGS is a non-profit and you can help us by forwarding this newsletter to your friends | Upcoming Workshops, Seminars, Heritage History Hours, and other VGS events
Upcoming VGS workshops, seminars and more are listed below and also available online at VGS Calendar of Events | | Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026 | FREE HERITAGE HISTORY HOUR -
Affirmations of Black Loyalists | | Presented by Allister Barton in association with the Victoria Branch of the UELAC (United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada)
ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM ONLY
Affirmations of Black Loyalists is an illustrative narrative that explores the journey of General Henry Clinton’s Company of Black Pioneer soldiers—formerly enslaved men, women, and children, who escaped bondage during the American Revolution in pursuit of freedom. This presentation traces their migration to Digby, Nova Scotia, where they sought land, community, and a new beginning. | | | Through intimate and complex accounts of their experiences, Allister sheds light on a vital yet often overlooked chapter in Nova Scotia’s history. These affirmations offer a compelling lens into the legacy of African Nova Scotians and their enduring contributions to the province.
More about Allister:
Allister J. Barton is an amateur genealogist and educator who has been researching African Nova Scotian lineages since 2014. His work has uncovered a rich collection of stories that affirm the experiences of Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia, particularly those who were settled in Digby, Nova Scotia, following the American Revolution. Through public presentations at libraries, genealogical societies, and community organizations, he shares these narratives to foster greater awareness and appreciation of African Nova Scotian heritage.
Date: February 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Pacific Time
Location: This is a Zoom only event
Cost: Heritage History Hour (HHH) events are FREE to all
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 |  | | Date: Saturday, 21 February 2026 | NEW SEMINAR
Artificial Intelligence and Family History: The Basics and Beyond
| Presented by: Steve Little, Mark Thompson, Diana Elder and Ashley Bens.
This seminar is a ZOOM ONLY event.
Join four leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts for this enlightening online seminar. Discover how to enhance your family history research by harnessing the power of AI, while being mindful of its limits and possibilities.
Don't miss this excellent opportunity to learn from these highly respected educators: Steve Little, Mark Thompson, Diana Elder, and Ashley Bens.
The seminar begins at 9:00 am Pacific time and includes four 1-hour presentations. There are two 10-minute breaks after sessions one and three and a 45-minute lunch break after session two. The seminar will conclude at 2:20 Pacific Time.
Recordings of the sessions will be available to registrants for 30 days following the event.
| SESSION 1 - 9:10 am Pacific Time:
An Introduction to AI for Family Historians - Steve Little
What can AI actually do for genealogists — and where does it fall short? This practical session demystifies tools like ChatGPT and Claude, showing you how to use them effectively for summarizing documents, extracting information, translating records, and drafting narratives. Learn to craft prompts that get results, understand why AI "hallucinates," and apply verification strategies you already use as a researcher. Walk away with concrete steps to start using AI responsibly in your family history work.
Steve Little is the AI Program Director for the National Genealogical Society and has lifelong passions for language, technology, and genealogy. He completed graduate-level courses in applied linguistics, specializing in natural language processing and computational linguistics, two pillars of today’s large language models of AI; his first career was spent in and around libraries (law, local, university, and state archives) building information systems. |  | | | | SESSION 2 - 10:20 am Pacific Time:
Yes, You Can Use AI to Help You Research - Mark Thompson
What if you had a research assistant who could find and analyze dozens of documents in minutes for you? Today's AI tools make this possible.
In this session, designed for beginner to intermediate researchers, you'll see real-world examples of how the newest crop of AI tools can reliably support your genealogy research, without the crazy hallucinations and mysterious citations common just a year ago. Whether you're just starting out with the use of AI in genealogy or tackling a stubborn research brick wall, you'll leave with a clear sense of how you can use AI to give your research a powerful head start
Mark Thompson is a professional genealogist and public speaker specializing in the application of artificial intelligence to genealogy. As co-host of the Family History AI Show podcast alongside Steve Little, Mark helps genealogists bridge the gap between high technology and their family history research. Mark serves as President of the Victoria Genealogical Society and chairs their DNA Special Interest Group. Mark is a frequent presenter on technology-centric genealogy topics including AI, Genetic Genealogy, and Family Archiving. |  | | | SESSION 3 - 12:00 pm Pacific Time:
AI-Powered Research Logs: From Chaos to Clarity by Diana Elder
Effective genealogy research requires systematic logging of every search, source, and finding. Learn how AI tools can streamline research log creation and transform your logged data into actionable insights.
Discover how AI can help document research sessions by transcribing findings, abstracting key information from records, and creating proper source citations for your log entries. Learn to export research logs to CSV files and use AI tools to analyze patterns, identify research gaps, and prioritize next steps. Gain practical skills for maintaining detailed research documentation and using AI to extract meaningful insights from accumulated research data.
Diana Elder, AG®, AGL® is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States and a Commissioner for ICAPGen. She authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and co-authored Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence. |  | | | | SESSION 4 - 1:10 pm Pacific Time:
Building Applications to Teach You Genealogy - Ashley Bens
One of the most remarkable uses of AI is the potential for the average person to build their own software programs. This session explores how to build simple educational web applications tailored to your genealogy learning needs. Ashley will cover the tools available for building web applications, how to design and build them using AI, and how to organize the content within them to help you build your genealogy skills. You will leave with actionable ideas for creating tools to help you on your unique genealogy journey. No prior experience with web design or programming is required!
Ashley Bens serves as the Director of Training and Development for Research Administration at Boston University. She is a member of the Coalition for Responsible AI in Genealogy and has more than 20 years of experience in genealogical research. Her formal education background is in language, linguistics (focus on historical), education and instructional design, project management, and digital media design. Her genealogical focus is New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the Great Lakes, Germany, and Italy.
|  | | |
Date: February 21, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM until 2:20 PM Pacific Time
Attendance via Zoom only. Videoconference information will be provided in an email once payment is received.
Recordings of the sessions will be available to registrants for 30 days following the event.
Registration cancellations will be accepted
| | Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026 | NEW
FREE HERITAGE HISTORY HOUR
- Who were the Picts? | | Presented by Rory McAlpine in association with the Saltire Society of Victoria
(Note: This presentation replaces the previously advertised presentation "The Darian - A Tropical Illussion That Doomed Scottish Independance" due to illness. We hope to present the Darian at a future date.)
ATTEND FOR FREE VIA ZOOM ONLY.
Surrounded in myth and legend, who were the Picts really? How were they different from the Scots? What do we know about them based on recent archeological discoveries, beyond the famous symbol stones found across a wide area of modern Scotland? This presentation will answer some of those questions with an overview of knowledge sources, the historical timeline from Roman times to the unification of "Alba", the nature of Pictish Kings and Kingdoms, the impact of the Vikings, the transition from paganism to Christianity, and finally the importance of the the House of Alpin to the foundation of Scotland.
Rory McAlpine, a VGS member, will present on behalf of the Saltire Society of Victoria, a group formed in 1956 to help preserve and promote the culture and heritage of Scotland. Rory is a graduate of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and a retired diplomat, government and business executive. He first did a research project on the Picts in grade 6 and he likes to believe his ancestry includes King Kenneth MacAlpin who united the Scots and Picts in 843.
|  | | |
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Pacific Time
Location: This is a Zoom only event
Cost: Heritage History Hour (HHH) events are FREE to all
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 | | Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026 | WORKSHOP -
Using Heraldry in Genealogy with Kathie Ross | |
Heraldry can be more than just coats of arms on a shield—it can be a valuable tool in genealogical research. In this presentation, Kathie will introduce the basics of heraldry and explain its uses in genealogy. Learn how heraldic devices can provide clues to family connections. Real-world examples will show how heraldry has helped solve genealogical puzzles and uncover new lines of inquiry. If you’ve never used heraldry for your genealogical research, this session will offer practical insights and resources to get you started.
| | | About Kathie:
Kathie Ross, PhD, QG, has a post-graduate diploma in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde. Kathie loves to solve genealogical puzzles. She particularly likes reading old handwriting and using old coats of arms to find clues. Kathie has been instructing both online and in-person for almost three decades and loves to help people be successful at their own research. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, her research includes Canada, the United States, Norway, Sweden, England, Scotland and Ireland - all areas where her family genealogical research has taken her.
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 (noon) PST
Location: This is a hybrid workshop. You may attend by Zoom or at the VGS Genealogy Learning & Research Centre 209 - 4475 Viewmont Avenue, Victoria, BC V8Z 6L8 CAN
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 | | Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026 | FREE HERITAGE HISTORY HOUR -
Black Histories of British Columbia: Stories, Realities, Legacies | |
ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM ONLY
While there are many stories of formerly enslaved people using the Underground Railroad to escape cruel bondage in the US and travel to what is now Central and Eastern – that is only part of the Canadian story; and in British Columbia the narrative is quite different. In 1858, leaving behind an increasingly racist and divisive America, some 800 educated and skilled Black men and women came to the Colony of Vancouver Island at the invitation of its Governor, Sir James Douglas. They put their skills and education to work; becoming property owners, entrepreneurs, politicians, community leaders, and achieved many “firsts”.
| | | This presentation shares some of these original stories and more recent Black Histories, utilizing archival records, including images, genealogy records, newspapers, manuscripts, and books. Specific archival materials are included and/or referenced throughout the presentation.
Fran’s presentation audiences have included participants at public events, various library communities on Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland, private organizations, and public institutions such as Provincial Ministries (Citizens Services, Office of the Provincial Health Officer), Royal BC Museum, Salt Spring Island Historical Society, UVIC Continuing Studies Program, UVIC Faculty of Social Sciences, and Vancouver Heritage Foundation."
About Fran:
Fran Morrison has been a Board Member of BC Black History Awareness Society since 2010. She manages content research and development for the Society’s website, manages projects, and designs and narrates presentations on early BC Black History. She has variously co-authored, participated, contributed, advised, and collaborated with researchers, writers, educators, scholars, and historians outside of the Society to provide a multi-faceted view of the diverse and multicultural community in BC. Fran comes from Nova Scotia and is a descendant of Black Loyalists who came to Canada in 1783 and Underground Railroad travelers from Maryland in 1823. Fran moved to BC with her family in 1992. Attaining the PMP® designation, she worked as a project manager in the private and public sector for more than 25 years.
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm PST
Location: This is a Zoom only event
Cost: Heritage History Hour (HHH) events are FREE to all
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
| | Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026 | WORKSHOP -
Understanding Ancestry.com 101 with Gerry Poulton
| |
ATTENDANCE IS EITHER VIA ZOOM OR IN PERSON - SELECT DURING REGISTRATION.
Want to use Ancestry.com but don’t know where to start? That’s not surprising because there is a lot to learn about the world’s largest online genealogy research repository, with over 19 billion records.
To take some of the challenge out of this, we are offering a series of 2 separate workshops, starting with Ancestry basics on April 11 with a follow up workshop on May 30 to delve deeper.
Register for one or both. Separate registration is required for each workshop.
| | | In this workshop, learn how to get started on Ancestry. Gerry will address such questions as:
- How do I go about creating a family tree?
- Who do I start with? What do I enter? What to call it?
- What about privacy?
- How do I add a spouse? Children? Parents?
Also included: a look at the basics of simple searches, how to enter the data into your tree, and whether you can trust the hints Ancestry gives you. Gerry will end with a discussion on AncestryDNA, including the Origins feature, match lists, TruLines, and more.
Bring along your questions and, time permitting, we will try to find some answers for you.
If this leaves you wanting more, please register separately for the follow-up workshop on May 30, 2026.
Gerald (Gerry) Poulton began genealogical searching in the days of microfilms, microfiche and paper records when little was online or indexed. As information became more and more readily available, he has become more familiar with searching and has been actively involved in research for more than thirty years. He is a member of several genealogical societies and volunteers at the Victoria Genealogical Society’s Learning and Research Centre every week. He has also been making presentations and workshops on a variety of topics for more than fifteen years.
Gerry’s heritage is England (Devon, London), Ireland, Germany and Ontario, so those are the areas with which I am most familiar. And, no, my tree is not complete! He was born and raised in Saskatchewan, and in a previous life taught Chemistry at the University of Victoria for nearly 40 years.
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 (noon) PST
Location: This is a hybrid workshop. You may attend by Zoom or at the VGS Genealogy Learning & Research Centre 209 - 4475 Viewmont Avenue, Victoria, BC V8Z 6L8 CAN
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 | | Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 | WORKSHOP -
Tracing Chinese Canadian Ancestry with Linda Yip
| |
ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM ONLY
Are you interested in uncovering your Chinese genealogy but unsure where to start? Join us for an essential online webinar designed for anyone seeking to explore their Chinese ancestry, regardless of language proficiency. Learn from Linda Yip, an Accredited Genealogist® professional, and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Ancestry Canada Advisory Board.
| | | In this informative session, Linda will guide participants through valuable online resources available to Canadians researching their genealogy, especially focusing on newly organized materials released in 2023 in line with the centenary of Canada's Exclusion Act. This session is beneficial for those seeking to navigate the unique record gaps and alternate sources associated with Chinese Canadians.
Discover the complexities of the Chinese Immigration Act and its implications for individuals deemed to be of Chinese descent—whether they were born in Canada or immigrated. Participants will gain insights into common challenges encountered in this branch of genealogy, along with effective strategies to overcome these obstacles. Linda will also showcase examples from individuals of Chinese descent from Victoria and surrounds.
Key Takeaways:
· Understanding laws and regulations impacting Chinese Canadians and genealogy
· Accessing online genealogy resources
· Overcoming common research challenges specific to Chinese ancestry
· Practical tips from an expert genealogist
Join us to deepen your understanding and enhance your research skills in tracing your Chinese Canadian ancestry.
ABOUT LINDA:
Linda Yip was born in Vancouver, BC. She is a proud fourth-generation Canadian and the great-granddaughter of Yip Sang. Her family's historic home - the Wing Sang Company - is today the site of Canada's national Chinese Canadian Museum.
Linda is an Accredited Genealogist® professional in the region of Canada Western Provinces, encompassing BC, AB, SK, and MB. Her speciality is the records created by the Chinese Immigration Act (1885-1947). Linda is a member of the Ancestry® Canada Advisory Board of Genealogists. As the founder of the Genealogy for Asian Canadians (GFAC) advisory group with Library and Archives Canada, Linda works with the national archives to improve access to, and understanding of records important for Chinese Canadian genealogy.
Her book, Getting Started in Chinese Genealogy - a Family Historian's Guide Even if You Don't Speak or Read Chinese - has been purchased by archives and libraries in Canada and the United States.
Linda has lived in BC, AB, NS, and spent a year in Massachusetts. She currently resides in Saskatoon with her husband.
Date: May 9, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 (noon) PST
Location: This is zoom only event.
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 | | Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | WORKSHOP 'LIVE FROM DUBLIN' -
Get to grips with Ireland's Census Resources with Claire Bradley
| |
ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM ONLY.
Family historians with Irish ancestry are often disappointed to discover that much of Ireland’s censuses have not survived. This workshop illuminates how this happened, what is left & where to find it, how you can still use the remaining censuses, even if your ancestors left before the relevant dates covered.
We will also discuss the main census substitutes for genealogical research in Ireland with live demonstrations of the main websites. It will give tips and tricks to improve your search results. | | | The 1926 census (scheduled for release in April) will be discussed in detail. Bring your queries, as there will be time to brickwall bust.
ABOUT CLAIRE:
Claire Bradley is a professional Irish genealogist working with both traditional paper records and genetic genealogy. She holds a Certificate in Genealogy from University College Dublin and a Masters in History of the Family from the University of Limerick. Claire is passionate about teaching people how to research their own ancestry. She has taught an in-person beginners’ adult education course for the last 15 years covering all the Irish major sources in Dublin, and is the Director of Irish Studies with the International Institute of Genealogical Studies. She is also a co-founder of the Pro-Am Genies network for professional and aspiring genealogists. She regularly lectures both in person and online to a wide range of family history and historical societies in Ireland, the UK and countries with large Irish diasporas. For more information about Claire visit her website https://cbgenealogy.ie/ .
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 (noon) PST
Location: This is zoom only event.
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 | | Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026 | WORKSHOP -
Understanding Ancestry.com 201 with Gerry Poulton
| |
ATTENDANCE IS EITHER VIA ZOOM OR IN PERSON - SELECT DURING REGISTRATION.
Want to use Ancestry.com but don’t know where to start? That’s not surprising because there is a lot to learn about the world’s largest online genealogy research repository, with over 19 billion records.
To take some of the challenge out of this, we are offering a series of 2 separate workshops, starting with Ancestry basics on Apr 11, 2026. On May 30th our Ancestry 201 workshop will delve deeper.
Register for one or both. Separate registration is required for each workshop.
| | | More about Ancestry.com 201
In this workshop, Gerry will take a more in-depth look at Ancestry:
- What is on the home page? What do each of the tabs do?
- What are the different methods when searching for data?
- How to save/print results which we’ve found?
- How to add new found data to our tree?
- How to add photos/media to our tree?
- How to download our tree data?
- Can we upload to our tree?
We will also discuss what Pro-Tools offer and whether it’s worth it.
Bring along your questions and, time permitting, we will try to find some answers for you.
About Gerry:
Gerald (Gerry) Poulton began genealogical searching in the days of microfilms, microfiche and paper records when little was online or indexed. As information became more and more readily available, he has become more familiar with searching and has been actively involved in research for more than thirty years. He is a member of several genealogical societies and volunteers at the Victoria Genealogical Society’s Learning and Research Centre every week. He has also been making presentations and workshops on a variety of topics for more than fifteen years.
Gerry’s heritage is England (Devon, London), Ireland, Germany and Ontario, so those are the areas with which I am most familiar. And, no, my tree is not complete! He was born and raised in Saskatchewan, and in a previous life taught Chemistry at the University of Victoria for nearly 40 years.
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 (noon) PST
Location: This is a hybrid workshop. You may attend by Zoom or at the VGS Genealogy Learning & Research Centre 209 - 4475 Viewmont Avenue, Victoria, BC V8Z 6L8 CAN
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
| 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 Seminar and SIG are a great place to start. After becoming oriented to genealogy research at the Centre, members may find themselves prepared to register for our annual Family History 101 half day Seminar. Members may also enjoy further supports by joining 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. The Family History 101 SIG is designed for those who are new to genealogy. Once you get basics in the Family History 101 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 Heritage History Hour. Another benefit of membership is the price breaks for our regular workshops and seminars, and access to our monthly Heritage History Hour 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.
Never mind surfing the web - follow these 3 steps to learn genealogy research tools and techniques. For membership details, please go to Membership Options. | VGS social media channels
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 (over 500 followers) for event notices and other VGS news at: vicgs.
VGS Bluesky Social - find us at https://bsky.app/profile/victoriags.org (over 300 followers) for event notices and more
VGS Instagram: click Follow (over 200 followers) for event notices with a twist at: https://www.instagram.com/victoriagenealogicalsociety/
Try clicking on our social media icons at the bottom of this newsletter.
Free accounts with these social media sites may be required.
| |
PLEASE SHARE: You can help our non-profit by forwarding this newsletter to other like-minded people. Feel free to print and circulate copies of this newsletter.
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.
~~organization_name~~
~~organization_address~~
~~organization_city~~, ~~organization_state~~ ~~organization_zip~~
~~organization_country~~
Distributed by free subscription to non-members and VGS past members | |