VGS Genealogy News & Events
Victoria Genealogical Society
No. 191 - December 4, 2025 |
Distributed free of charge to interested subscribers and former members. |
In this newsletter:
- All VGS memberships are now available for a limited time, holiday discount of 50%
- Upcoming VGS Workshops, Seminars and Heritage History Hour Events
- Tax Deductible Donations to VGS
- 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
| All VGS memberships are now available for a limited time, holiday discount of 50% | These deeply discounted memberships are valid through to the end of the VGS membership year May 31, 2026. To purchase, please visit the VGS Membership Options page to take advantage of this limited-time holiday offer.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Membership Director through the Contact Form on the VGS website. | | As we head into the holiday season, the Victoria Genealogical Society is delighted to offer all the benefits of membership at half price! It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for yourself and other family history lovers in your life.
Give yourself the gift of discovering your ancestors, at a holiday discount!
Holiday membership rates: Single Membership: $32.50; Family Membership: $45.00; Youth Membership: $17.50
Membership benefits include: discounted rates for all VGS workshops and seminars; free Heritage History Hour events; one free designated workshop each membership year; free participation in any or all Special Interest Groups (SIGs); free access to the VGS Learning & Research Centre; borrowing privileges for our extensive library of books and research materials; free use of the Ancestry Library Edition at the VGS Learning Centre, and more.
| | | 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: Saturday, December 6, 2025 | WORKSHOP
Maximize Your Genetic Insights with FamilyTreeDNA presented by Mark Thompson
| | ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM ONLY
Genetic genealogists have access to several great testing options, each with distinct advantages. If you're curious about FamilyTreeDNA but aren't sure how it fits into your research strategy, this workshop is for you.
Join Mark Thompson for an accessible 90-minute overview of FamilyTreeDNA designed for beginner to intermediate genetic genealogists who want to learn more about what FamilyTreeDNA has to offer. Mark will explore what makes FamilyTreeDNA unique in the testing landscape—from their comprehensive Y-DNA and mtDNA offerings to specialized matching tools—and help you evaluate how their services could benefit your research goals.
| | | This session covers:
> The distinctive testing options available through FamilyTreeDNA
> Key features and tools that differentiate FamilyTreeDNA from other platforms
> Strategic considerations for choosing when and why to use FamilyTreeDNA
> Real-world applications for common research scenarios
You'll leave equipped to make informed decisions about incorporating FamilyTreeDNA into your genetic genealogy toolkit.
Mark Thompson is a professional genealogist and educator specializing in genetic genealogy and helping family historians use technology to uncover their roots. As chair of the Victoria Genealogical Society's DNA Special Interest Group and co-host of the Family History AI Show podcast alongside Steve Little, Mark helps family historians bridge the gap between high technology and practical family history research.
Mark is a frequent presenter on technology-centric genealogy topics including Genetic Genealogy, Artificial Intelligence, and Family Archiving. He currently serves as President of the Victoria Genealogical Society. When not exploring family histories, he enjoys nature photography in his home province of British Columbia, Canada.
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 (noon) PST
Location: This is a zoom only workshop.
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, December 11, 2025 | FREE HERITAGE HISTORY HOUR -
History of Professional Hockey in Victoria
| | ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM ONLY
Presented by Helen Edwards, VGS member and Heritage Hallmark member.
Helen will talk about the history of professional hockey in Victoria, focussing on the stories of the players who entertained us over a century. Her book, The History of Professional Hockey in Victoria, B.C. 1911-2011, includes details on the different leagues, statistics on every game played by a Victoria team, and information on every player to dress for at least one regular season game. From the Patrick family to RG Properties, this book covers the ownership of teams and records the highlights and low points of every team.Included in the narrative is the story of the construction and operation of the different venues in which games were played. The politics behind arena construction are examined as well, with editorial cartoons to make the reader laugh about the folly of some ideas. Biographies of selected players tell the story of individuals and how they came to play hockey in Victoria. Learn from behind-the-scenes stories told by the players themselves.
|  | | | About Helen:
Helen was born in Victoria and saw her first hockey game at age 5. She has been hooked on the sport ever since. She held season tickets for the Victoria Maple Leafs and Victoria Salmon Kings so has first-hand knowledge of the game and its players. She decided to write what has been called the definitive history of pro hockey in Victoria when the Salmon Kings were disbanded and Bill Shvetz, a star for the Maple Leafs died. The second edition was launched live on National TV during an on-ice interview with Ron McLean.
Helen is a long-time member of the VGS and the Hallmark Heritage Society. She is an author of six books, focusing on local history and her heritage. According to her website at https://helenedwards.ca/ she is in the process of writing her memoirs, focusing on her volunteer activities, activism and philanthropy.
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
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: Thursday, January 8, 2026 | FREE HERITAGE HISTORY HOUR -
Weaving Private Lives into Public History
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When you go into a bookstore or library, you see the covers of all the books, and you know there’s a story behind each one. Walking through a cemetery is like that: you see all the grave markers, and each one is like a book cover — it holds a story. Those stories are about both the people buried there and the times in which they lived. In this talk, Yvonne Van Ruskenveld will use examples to show how genealogical research has enhanced the stories she’s told in her 33 years of giving historical walking tours for the Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria.
| | | Yvonne Van Ruskenveld, long-time member and current president of the Old Cemeteries Society, leads cemetery walking tours on a wide range of topics, including women’s history and BC’s gold rushes, among others. She is a member of the Victoria Genealogical Society and has given talks on various historical topics, including war brides, cemetery symbolism and crime in early Victoria. She is also a member of the Victoria Historical Society and the Western Front Association’s Pacific Coast Branch (World War I history).
Date: Thursday, January 8, 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, January 10, 2026 | WORKSHOP -
10 Steps to Success: A Guide for your Genealogy Research with Merv Scott
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Whether you are new to genealogy, or not-so-new, this workshop should have something for you. By using an easy to follow, step-by-step guide, this workshop reviews many important genealogy research techniques and tools.
Starting with the genealogy basics the workshop progresses to an introduction of how today’s technologies are used by genealogists. There is even a section on how to put the internet to work while you sleep.
| | | There are tips along the way, anecdotes to help you avoid some common mistakes beginners make, a section on taking an ancestral journey, and a short case study just for fun. It’s a full workshop, but handouts are provided for easy reference afterwards.
About Merv:
Merv and his wife are retired and now reside in rural North Saanich after nearly 40 years of city living in Victoria. Merv joined the Victoria Genealogical Society (VGS) shortly after retiring and has volunteered in several capacities over the years since. “So many strangers, around the globe, have assisted my research that I felt I had to give back by volunteering. What I didn’t expect was how much fun I would have volunteering and how many friends I’d make. I recommend it to everyone and I look forward to meeting you.”
Date: Saturday, January 10, 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, January 17, 2026 | WORKSHOP -
How to Digitize Your Family Photos with Mark Thompson | | ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM ONLY
REGISTER NOW
Do you have boxes of family photos gathering dust, or worse, turning to dust? Are you worried about losing precious memories? It's time to preserve your family's history!
Join Mark Thompson for a practical workshop for family historians who want to create high-quality digital copies of their photos. Mark will show you practical techniques for capturing, organizing, and sharing your family photos. Learn how you can get great results with the tools you already have.
| | | You'll learn:
> How to get high-quality digital copies of your photos
> Equipment options from smartphone cameras to flatbed scanners
> Simple lighting and camera tips that make a big difference
> Easy ways to organize your digital files so you can find what you need
> How to share your digitized photos with family members
You'll leave with practical skills and confidence to start preserving your family photos right away, whether you're working with a small collection or planning a larger project.
About Mark:
Mark Thompson is a professional genealogist and educator who helps family historians preserve and organize their collections. Experienced in both technology and genealogy, Mark is known for making technical topics easy to understand for family historians of all levels.
Mark frequently leads workshops on Family Archiving, Artificial Intelligence, Excel, and Genetic Genealogy. He currently serves as President of the Victoria Genealogical Society and chairs their DNA Special Interest Group. Mark also co-hosts the Family History AI Show podcast with Steve Little.
Date: Saturday, January 17, 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, January 31, 2026 | WORKSHOP -
From Research to Story: Writing and Sharing Your Family History with Sonia Nicholson | |
You’ve compiled the names, dates, and places and gathered photographs. But how do you transform those facts and images into an engaging story?
In this workshop, we will review archival resources and types of materials to enrich your family story. Going beyond basic genealogical information, we will also explore setting, voice, and the use of nostalgia and details to add colour to your writing. We will also look at how to bring these elements together through real examples of strong storytelling from museums and archives, family historians, and other sources. Finally, we will discuss paths and platforms for sharing your story, from digital, no- or low-cost options, to printing and publishing.
| | | Sonia Nicholson is an author and archivist in Victoria, British Columbia. She has over 17 years of experience in community, corporate, and religious archives. Previously an Archives Specialist at Saanich Archives, she is currently Archivist for the Log Cabin Museum and Archives in Saanichton, in addition to working with a religious organization and private clients.
A storyteller at heart and a published author, she mentors emerging writers on writing, the industry, and publicity. Her work, which explores themes of memory and identity, has appeared in Inspirelle, Literary Heist, Pinhole Poetry, Heimat Review, Rivanna Review, The New Quarterly, and others. Learn more about Sonia at her website https://sonianicholson.com/
Date: Saturday, January 31, 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, 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: Thursday, March 12, 2026 | NEW
FREE HERITAGE HISTORY HOUR -
The Darien - A Tropical Illusion That Doomed Scottish independence | | Presented by Michael Layland in association with the Saltire Society of Victoria
ATTEND FOR FREE VIA ZOOM ONLY.
The Gulf of Darien holds great significance for the study of global natural history, but it spelt disaster for Scotland as an independent nation. Now, it remains lowland jungle on the eastern edge of Panama, on the Caribbean side. But in the final years of the 17th century, it was proposed as a site for a Scottish colony, a trading base linking the Atlantic with the Pacific. Poorly thought through and tragically managed, the project cost two-thousand lives, fifteen ships, and bankrupted the economy. It led, only a few years later, to Scotland’s Union with England.
| | | Layland’s illustrated talk will discuss the ecological significance of the Darien Gap, and the story of the failed settlement project called New Caledonia and New Edinburgh.
About Michael:
Michael Layland has just published his fourth book on the early history of Vancouver Island. He has served as president of the Victoria Historical Society and the Friends of the BC Archives. His background is as a mapmaker, that included a year in Panama involved in a survey for another link across the isthmus. Although born in England, he is a member of the Saltire Society of Victoria through his marriage to a fifth-generation Canadian Scot and proudly wears the MacDonald tartan at formal gatherings.
Date: March 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, 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
| NEW 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 | Tax Deductible Donations to VGS
As the Victoria Genealogical Society is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization, donations are key to helping us provide services to our members and the community.
The VGS is a charity registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Your donation is eligible for an official tax receipt that can be used to offset your federal income tax. Please see our page at the CRA Charities and Giving website to confirm our charitable status.
Please click on this Donations button and be sure to scroll to locate all available donation options.
Thank you for your support!
| 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
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Try clicking on our social media icons at the bottom of this newsletter.
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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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