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SEMINAR - Family History 101

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About this event

ATTENDANCE IN-PERSON ONLY
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

NEW LOCATION: GORDON HEAD REC CENTRE, KENMORE ROOM

Get your family history journey off to a great start! Join experienced family historians on an engaging half-day journey through the most important topics and tools in family history. They will help you build good habits early that will set you up for success for years to come.

This seminar is designed specifically for people new to family history and for people returning to family history after a break from their research. No prior experience is required.

Water, Tea, Coffee, and Snacks are provided.

Lunch is not included with the seminar. You may bring your own food or beverage if you wish. There are several food outlets, and a grocery store, within easy walking distance on Shelbourne.

This is an in-person only event with a maximum of 20 registered attendees. It will be held at our the Gordon Head Rec Centre (Kenmore room) in Saanich. Doors open at 8:30 am, and the seminar will begin at 9:00 am. Speakers will also be in-person.

Attending non-members, who also register as VGS members on the day of the seminar, will be given a one-time $20 discount off their annual membership.

This seminar includes four 1-hour sessions, with 10-minute breaks and a 45-minute lunch break between sessions.

Session-specific handouts, prepared by each speaker, will be provided.

No recordings will be made of this event.

Session Descriptions

Session 1: Start Your Family History Research Off Right – Lois Chamberlain Thompson - 9:10 am
Lois will cover the most important topics you need to know to get your family history research started in the right direction.

Session 2: Genealogy Software To Build Your Family Tree – Mark Thompson - 10:20 am
Your family tree needs a home, and the software you choose shapes how easily you can find and document your tree. Mark will introduce you to the most popular online and offline programs and help you choose one that suits your needs.

Session 3: Find and Use the Most Important Genealogy Records – Gerry Poulton - 12:05 pm
Vital records are the cornerstone of successful family history research projects. Gerry will introduce you to key examples of vital records and show you how to find and effectively use them in your family history research.

Session 4: Use DNA To Help Build Your Family Tree - Mark Thompson - 1:15 pm
One of the most useful clues to figuring out your family history is inside of you right now. Mark will introduce you to DNA testing and show you how DNA testing can help you confirm the tree you have built and point you toward the ancestors you have not found yet.

Speaker Bios

Lois Chamberlain Thompson
Lois has been a VGS member for over 15 years, is Vice President on the VGS Board of Directors, Chair of the News Committee, Editor of the Members Newsletter and member of the VGS Nominating and Governance committee. She is a member of the Shawnigan Lake Historical Society and the Mill Bay/Malahat Historical Society. Lois also has made presentations on Grosse Ile, British Home Children and Dunty the Ghost (her 7x Scottish Great Grandfather), Celtic Myths, Monsters and Legends plus a few more. Lois lives half the year in Manzanillo, Mexico where she volunteers teaching English to service industry employed adults.

Gerry Poulton
Gerry began genealogy research over thirty years ago in the days of microfilm. Gerry is now a member of several genealogical societies and volunteers at the Victoria Genealogical Society’s Learning and Research Centre. Gerry has presented workshops on a variety of genealogy topics for more than fifteen years. Gerry’s research specialties are the lands where his own ancestors hailed from: England, Ireland, Germany, and Ontario. Gerry was born and raised in Saskatchewan and taught Chemistry at the University of Victoria for nearly 40 years.

Mark Thompson
Mark is a professional genealogist, the President of the Victoria Genealogical Society (VGS), and the chair of the VGS DNA Special Interest Group. He is also a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Mark uses genetic and traditional genealogical research methods, combined with a deep understanding of information technology and analysis, to help his clients shed light on their family histories and mysteries. Mark speaks regularly on a variety of genealogy-related topics. Mark’s blog can be found at MakingFamilyHistory.com.

Date and Time

Saturday, October 17, 2026, 9:00 AM until 2:30 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada) (UTC-08:00)

Location

Saanich Recreation - Gordon Head - Kenmore Room
4100 Lambrick Way
Victoria, BC V8N 5R3
CAN

Event Coordinator(s)

Mark D Thompson
Seminar Coordinator

Registration Info

Registration is required

Payment In Full In Advance Only

Event fees are payable in Canadian dollars.

This is an IN-PERSON ONLY event.

Event reminder emails will be sent to registrants prior to the event.

No recordings will be made of this event.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to get settled, so the event can start on time.

Registration cancellations will be accepted until Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 12:01 AM

Capacity

20 Total Slots

20 Available Slot(s)

Number of People Who Will Attend

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Non-members *

$50.00

* This can be your primary registrant type. Only one primary registrant type is allowed per registration.