Speakers: Lois Thompson & Rosa Stewart
Two friends, Lois Thompson and Rosa Stewart, have combined their knowledge bases to create Ghosts and Graveyards, a two-part presentation for the Victoria Genealogical Society.
Ghosts: Lois Thompson
Lois will be telling us the story of her unusual Scottish family up to her 7x great grandfather, James “Dunty the Ghost” Porteous. Dunty is a famous Scottish ghost who has been remembered in books, on tours and even has a Scottish air written about his strange death and haunting personality.
Lois is active within the Victoria Genealogical Society and is a member of the Board of Directors. She is editor of the Member’s e-Newsletter and has given previous presentations on Grosse Ile and British Home Children. She is actively involved in creating upcoming events for members.
Graveyards: Rosa Stewart
Rosa will talk about one of her favourite subjects: The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos. In 2019, Rosa visited Oaxaca, Mexico over the two-day celebration and provides us a unique perspective of her experience. Rosa demystifies the strange custom of painted skull faces and visiting graveyards overnight to honour ancestors.
Rosa Stewart has taught in the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies at the University of Victoria since 1988. For many years, Rosa taught for the Continuing Studies Travel Study Program at UVic and led education tours to Spain and Latin America. Since 2001, Rosa has been a volunteer speaker for the University’s Speakers Bureau and has given over 100 presentations.