VGS Genealogy News & Events
Victoria Genealogical Society
No. 205 - September 13, 2026 |
Distributed free of charge to interested subscribers and former members. |
In this newsletter:
- VGS In The Community
- Upcoming VGS Events includng Workshops, Seminars, Heritage History Hours and Genealogy Coffee Chats
- VGS 2026/27 membership drive is underway: fee discounts, free discussion groups, and much more
- 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 | For your convenience, VGS is holding some of our upcoming events at various community locations. Please join us and let us know what you think of this new community focus.
LOCATION, EVENT, DATE and TIME
G R PEARKES CENTRE:
Greater Victoria Public Library, Centennial Room, 3110 Tillicum Road, Victoria, BC V9A 6T2
Genealogical Coffee Chat (Free; Drop In)
Open to the public. Membership not required.
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 1PM until 3PM, PT
More Information
Genealogical Coffee Chat (Free; Drop In)
Open to the public. Membership not required.
Date: Wednesday October 21, 2026
Time: 1PM until 3PM, PT
More Information
GORDON HEAD REC CENTRE:
Kenmore Room, 4100 Lambrick Way, Victoria, BC V8N 5R3
Family History 101 Seminar
Open to the public. Fee and Registration required.
Date: Saturday October 17, 2026
Time: 9AM until 2:30PM, PT
| Upcoming VGS Events
Upcoming VGS workshops, seminars, Heritage History Hour presentations, Genealogy Coffee Chats and more are listed below and also available online at VGS Calendar of Events | | Date: Saturday, September 19th, 2026 | WORKSHOP:
AN ARCHIVIST'S BEST PRACTICES FOR THE FAMILY HISTORIAN | | PRESENTED BY: KAETLYN BURSEY, ARCHIVES SUPERVISOR, DISTRICT OF SAANICH
ATTENDANCE IS EITHER VIA ZOOM OR IN PERSON - SELECT DURING REGISTRATION.
Here's a workshop for every level of genealogy research experience, and perfect for all genealogists. Back by popular demand, this is a repeat of Kaetlen's workshop from last year.
From how to best store photos, to keeping track of who's who in your family tree, this workshop will discuss some archival best practices you can implement at home to preserve your family history. | | | We will cover storage, preservation, and organization options to make sure your family history records last for years to come. We will also highlight some of the challenges faced by people who manage their family memorabilia and some of the most useful, effective, and cost-efficient approaches for caring for these collections. You will be able to immediately apply what you learn in this session to improve how you care for and manage your personal family collections.
We will also discuss what records or materials can be donated to public institutions for care and preservation in perpetuity and how to prepare your donation. Included in this discussion will be an overview of how to locate items in an archive, how to view items in an archive, why archives differ significantly from libraries, and what genealogical resources might be available in the Saanich Archives.
Kaetlen Bursey has a master's degree in Museum Studies, where she specialized in collection management, particularly of archival materials. With over 15 years of experience in information management, organization, and project management, as well as hands-on collections care and archival work at the Royal Ontario Museum, she is now in her dream job as Archives Supervisor with the District of Saanich.
Date: Saturday, September 19, 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: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | GENEALOGY COFFEE CHATS:
Meet and chat about all things genealogical | | No longer just a summer event, the VGS Genealogical Coffee Chats are now being offered year round.
For the past three years the VGS has offered Genealogical Coffee Chats (GCCs) as a summer event to keep members engaged, tell stories, meet up with other members and non-members and learn about the VGS environment while asking questions. They've proven to be so popular that VGS is now offering them year round.
How do the GCCs work? There is no agenda or format. People arrive with books, binders, papers and some come with just a coffee. Anything goes. Questions are asked and a dozen people will join in with thoughts, solutions, websites and personal information. One session had our laughter drowning out the daycare across the hallway! | | | As the number of hosts increased, the scope of the GCCs evolved and every session gave attendees a new perspective. The hosts have commented on how much fun they had and all have asked if they can host again.
The big news! We can confirm VGS has booked the Saanich Centennial Community Room (G R Pearkes Centre, Tillicum) from 1:00-3:00 pm on:
• October 7 and 21
• November 4 and 18
• December 2 and 16
Dates and places from January through June will be announced as the sites are booked and hosts are confirmed.
Lois Thompson, VGS Member
| | Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026 | A HERITAGE HISTORY HOUR PRESENTATION:
AVIATION HISTORY IN VICTORIA
| | PRESENTED BY: STEVE NICHOL, BC AVIATION MUSEUM
ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM
This presentation will include the early aviation in Victoria, from balloon flights off Willows Beach to operations from RCAF Station Patricia Bay. The second half will be about the BC Aviation Museum and their commitment to preserving the aviation history of British Columbia.
Captain Steve Nichol is the second of four sons of Sabre/Starfighter pilot S/L Jack Nichol and the only one to follow his father’s footsteps into the Canadian Air Force.
| | | Steve entered Royal Roads Military College in 1974, graduating in 1978 with a BSC in Physics and Physical Oceanography. From there he finished his navigator training, receiving his wings in February 1979 and was posted to 415 squadron in CFB Summerside on the CP-107 Argus. He converted to the CP-140 Aurora in CFB Greenwood in 1981.
In 1983 Steve was accepted for pilot training, receiving his second set of wings in Sep 1984. A 3 year tour with 407 Squadron in CFB Comox on the CP-140 Aurora was followed by an instructional tour on the Aurora with 404 Squadron in CFB Greenwood. In 1989 Steve was selected for an exchange tour and was posted to the UK as the CAF exchange pilot on the BAe Nimrod.
In 1991 Steve was hired by Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong where he flew all models of the Boeing B747 for 10 years before converting to the Boeing B777, which he captained for the next 17 years. Steve retired from Cathay Pacific in 2018 as a Senior Check and Training Captain. After one year flying back in British Columbia, Steve hung up his commercial aviation wings.
Steve is a current Board Director and former president of the British Columbia Aviation Museum, a member of the Vancouver Island Ex-Cadet Club, a member of the RCAF Association.
Date: Thursday, October 8th, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM Pacific Time
Presenter: Steve Nichol
Location: via Zoom
REGISTER HERE
The ZOOM link will be emailed to registrants following registration.
Note: Video recordings of this event will be available online for 30 days to registered attendees only | | Date: Saturday, October 17 | SEMINAR: FAMILY HISTORY 101
|  | 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.
This is an in-person only event with a maximum of 20 registered attendees. It will be held at 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 presents regularly on a variety of genealogy-related topics. Mark’s blog can be found at MakingFamilyHistory.com.
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM until 2:30 PM Pacific Time
Location:
Saanich Recreation - Gordon Head - Kenmore Room
4100 Lambrick Way
Victoria, BC V8N 5R3
CAN
| | Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026 | WORKSHOP: SQUIGGLY LINES AND SPIT
PRESENTED BY DAVE OBEE
| |
ATTENDANCE IS VIA ZOOM
So you have spit into a tube -- now what? Genetic genealogy is a natural progression from what family historians have been doing for years. Here are some genetic genealogy success stories, backed by documented research. These examples might give you ideas for different ways to research your own ancestry, or inspire you to do a DNA test. It includes a basic summary of research using DNA, and offers pointers on how to get more value from your tests.
Dave Obee is a journalist and genealogical researcher who has written a dozen books and given more than 700 presentations at conferences and seminars in Canada, the United States and Australia since 1997.
He is Editor and Publisher of the Times Colonist in Victoria, British Columbia. He has worked as a journalist in British Columbia and Alberta since 1972.
| | | In 2012, Dave was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws by the University of Victoria for his work as a historian, genealogist and journalist. In 2023, the university named Dave an honorary librarian and archivist.
In 2017, Dave was awarded the annual Bill Good award, which recognizes a B.C. journalist, leader or educator who has made a significant impact in journalism and in the community at large. In 2014, in recognition of his work as a community volunteer, he was presented with the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award, now known as the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers.
In 2021, the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International named Dave a Paul Harris Fellow, in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
Dave was born in British Columbia, and his roots there go back to the arrival of his great-great-grandfather from Manitoba in 1890. Some of his paternal ancestors arrived in North America from England and Ireland two centuries ago, settling in New York State and Ontario. His mother was born in a German colony in the Soviet Union, and came with her parents to Canada in 1928.
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 (noon) PST
Location: via 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
| | Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026 | WORKSHOP: LINKING THE GENERATIONS WITH COURT AND LAND RECORDS; PRESENTED BY JUDY G. RUSSELL | Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Location: via Zoom
The ZOOM link will be emailed to registrants following registration.
| WORKSHOP: INTERPRETING AND EVALUATING NAME LISTS; PRESENTED BY DAVID E. RENCHER | Date: Saturday, January 16, 2027
Time: 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Location: via Zoom
The ZOOM link will be emailed to registrants following registration.
| 2026/27 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE UNDERWAY | Enjoy event discounts, free SIG discussion groups and much more
The 2026-2027 Memberships are effective from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. The VGS has just completed another successful year therefore membership prices are not being increased this year.
The following annual membership types are now available: Single Membership $65 (for a person over the age of 25 years); Family Membership $90 (two or more annual memberships for people living at the same address); Youth Membership $35 (25 years or younger).
This great membership value includes:
1. Price discounts for our popular workshops and seminars;
2. Free Special Interest Groups – SIGs are one of the most valuable resources available to VGS members and are free as a benefit of membership. SIG meetings are an opportunity to discuss your genealogy experiences and challenges with members who are interested in the same kind of research that you are. Our SIG leaders have genealogical expertise on the specific SIG focus area. SIG members help point you in the right direction and give you new ways to think about your family history challenges. With your membership you can join any number of the SIG's available: DNA; England; Ireland; Netherlands / Belgium / New Netherland; Ontario; Scotland; Nordic;
3. Free bi-weekly VGS Members Update e-newsletter offers information on upcoming VGS events as well as events hosted by other related societies. Meet our vounteers and Members Tips and Tricks are popular as is VGS business updates, and more;
4. Free Heritage History Hour – our free monthly on-line video conference evening presentation on a genealogical, heritage or history topic;
5. Free assistance from our volunteer Genie Buddies at the VGS Genealogy Learning & Research Centre. Our library is stocked with a unique collection of paper-based resources, searchable using our VGS online Library Catalogue; 6. Our website offers free 'members only' access to the minutes of our latest VGS board meeting, finance statements, past AGM materials, along with our VGS constitution and bylaws, and more;
7. Benefits of being part of a community of common interests include volunteering opportunities and more; and,
8. Voting rights at the VGS Annual General Meeting (AGM).
| 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 almost 500 members to help you with your genealogy related questions; join the discussion at VGS Facebook Group.
VGS FaceBook public page: click Follow (over 600 followers) for event notices and other VGS news at: vicgs.
VGS Bluesky Social - find us at https://bsky.app/profile/victoriags.org (over 350 followers) for event notices and more (Coordinator needed; become a member and volunteer)
VGS Instagram: click Follow (over 200 followers) for event notices with a twist at: https://www.instagram.com/victoriagenealogicalsociety/ (Coordinator needed; become a member and volunteer)
Try clicking on our social media icons at the bottom of this newsletter.
Free accounts with these social media sites may be required.
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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.
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