Researching Your Family History Series – Guelph
Guelph Public Library – Main Library (100 Norfolk Street, Guelph)
Have you been wanting to learn more about your family history? Interested in starting to build your own family tree but don’t know where to start? Have you started to research your tree but hit a brick wall and aren’t sure how to break through it?
Join members of the Wellington County Branch, Ontario Ancestors as they partner with the Guelph Public Library’s Archivist to deliver a series of workshops to help you discover your family’s story. Register for one or for all the sessions at https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/services/events-and-programs.aspx. Registration will open approximately 6 weeks prior to each session.
October 14, 2023 – DNA and Genetic Genealogy Basics
Have you thought about taking a DNA test, but are unsure of how to go about it? Or perhaps you have done one, but are overwhelmed and confused by the results?
Join us as we discuss the following topics:
1) Which test should I take? (atDNA, YDNA, MTDNA)
2) Which testing company should I use? (Ancestry, MyHeritage, etc)
3) How will the results help me with my family history?
This is a basic-level session for people who are just getting started with or thinking about DNA testing. A list of books and other resources found in the library will also be provided for further study.
November 25, 2023— Finding your Ancestor: Canadian Military Records and Sources
Most of us have ancestors who served in the military either during a time of conflict or a time of peace. You may have photographs or medals or heard stories about your ancestor’s experiences but have wondered if there are more details available that would help you to better understand his or her time in military service. But where do you start? What records and resources are available? What information could be contained in the records? How can they be accessed? Were detailed records really created during a time of crisis?
In this workshop, the records and sources available for finding your Canadian ancestor in military records will be discussed. These records often hold valuable information for the family history researcher and can lead to new discoveries as well as providing insight into military service in a specific time period. During this session records and resources pertaining to the War of 1812, the South African War (1899-1902), the First World War (1914-1918), World War Two (1939-1945), and the Korean conflict will be reviewed. Discussion will also focus on militia records and sources and Permanent Force records 1871-1914.
Past Session Handouts
Beginning in 2022, the Wellington County Branch, Ontario Ancestors has partnered with the Guelph Public Library to offer free workshops on researching your family history. Below is a list of past workshops. Clicking on each title will allow you to download the handout from that workshop.
An Introduction to Family History Research (September 17, 2022)
A Closer Look at Family History Records (October 29, 2022)
Finding Your Ancestor: Canadian Military Records and Sources (November 19, 2022)
Researching Family History through Newspapers (February 18, 2023)
Researching Your British Home Child Ancestor (March 18, 2023)
Geographical Resources for Researching Your Family History (April 15, 2023)