Friday, May 29, 2009

Finally! Conference '09 Begins!

It began with a bit of a rocky start, with breakfast not to begin until 8 o'clock, and people were expecting it to begin at 7, but a compromise was reached, and it was started after 7:30. However, once started, it was a lovely breakfast, served in the cafeteria of the College - a very tasty continental breakfast, fuelling hungry genealogists ready for their morning's activities.

Ticket takers for this morning's breakfast were: (L) Joan Phillips and (R) Judy Payne, both from the Peel Branch.

Then we went to register, which was well-organized and efficient, and we were out of there in less than a minute. Lines were going fast.

We met a few old friends, and introduced ourselves to some new ones.

Now to go through the bag to check all the goodies, and then we're off to the Marketplace to check on the OGS Publications Table, to see how John Becker, editor of the OGS journal, Families, and Grace Jewell, OGS Webmaster, are doing. I will be there Sunday.

Note that there are two (2) Marketplaces this year, and we are starting with Marketplace #1. Can't wait to see what awaits us!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

FLASH! LAC Announces New Genealogy Collections

From Slyvie Tremblay, Chief, Canadian Genealogy Centre (as of 1130 hrs, 28 May 2009)

“Greetings,

I am pleased to announce that new pages are available on the Canadian Genealogy Centre website as of this morning.

You will now find information on Jewish (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-905.008-e.html) and Polish (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-905.007-e.html) in the What to Search : Topics : Ethno-cultural and Aboriginal Groups section.

Also, we now have a page about Heraldry (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-914.006-e.html) in the What to Search : Topics : Other Topics section.”

Pre-OGS Conference '09 (Post 1)

We finally made it to Oakville!

It took us all day yesterday (Wednesday) to get here, but we’re settled in now, and are ready to do a day of research at the neighbouring city of Burlington.

This morning, while having breakfast, we met some fellow OGS members. They were talking about the conference, and this morning’s Chairs Meeting, where they will talk about what has happened over the year in their individual branches, and will discuss this year’s upcoming year.

One Chair has completely digitized her branch’s newsletters, and they will appear on the OGS website for interested parties to buy <http://www.ogs.on.ca/>.

Another woman talked about going to the “new” Ontario Archives <http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/> yesterday, and was looking for her uncle, which she, unfortunately, did not find. But she gave the Archives top marks for having the information organized, in a much better fashion than found at their old location.

So it’s off to Burlington with our friend, June Coxon, to search for her ancestor, Charles HALES. The first place we’ll hit will be the library, and with any luck, will then head for the cemetery, with the hopes of finding his gravestone and tying up the loose ends of that family, thus making the trip a success!

‘til the next blog …

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

OGS Conference '09 - Day 3

On day 3 at the conference (Sunday), my wandering days will be over for me as I will be at the OGS Publications Table all day - well, until the conference closes at 2:15 in the afternoon.

It has been a busy week for me, doing my regular work plus helping to plan the table - but I think we are ready to go.

This will be my last blog from home, but we are ready to try a new smartphone during this trip and conference - so I will be in touch.

We will wrap up on Sunday afternoon and then it will be a travelling day for me on Monday. We have to be back, as my husband is going to a conference the next weekend.

See you at the conference!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Plans for OGS Conference '09 - Day 2

Day 2 will find me in the Plenary Session at 8:00 in the morning. Will I be awake enough to see what's going on? That is the question!

I know that it will be at this session that the dreaded "rate increase" — as John Reid at his Anglo-Celtic Connections blog <http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com/2009/05/are-genealogical-society-fees-too-high.html> has been writing about — will be brought up.

The proposed increase for yearly membership will be $15.00 (making it $60.00 per year), and I wondered what the reaction will be because I don't know - I suspect that people already have made up their minds. We shall see. You will be the first to know - I will be Twittering from the conference!

After that session is over, I will be going to hear a panel discussion on "From the Printed Page to the Digital Age: The Professionals", which will be moderated by Sharon Murphy. Panelists include Susanna de Groot and Tammy Priolo — both graduates from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies; Brian Gilchrist, the Archivist at the Region of Peel Archives; Janice Nickerson, who has her M.A. in History and a website at <www.uppercanadagenealogy.com>; and author and lecturer, Ruth Burkholder.

The rest of the day I will be in the Marketplace talking to people and seeing what is new this year. Then, I will be at the banquet to hear Charlotte Gray talk about Alexander Graham Bell and his love of genealogy.

Sounds like a full day to me!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

OGS Conference '09

As many of you know, I will be Twittering and blogging from this year's conference! The first time an OGS conference has been covered in this manner!

The conference will be held from May 29th to June 1st in Oakville (part of Toronto), with well over 700 attendees.

Friday morning — after we register — I will be off to the marketplace while other people will be going on a tour of the NEW Ontario Archives.

In the afternoon, I will be covering the Irish Palatines, where Hank Jones will speak (he has written much about the Palatines), and after that, I will attend the graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, which is, by the way, celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The opening ceremonies will be held in the evening, and well-known genealogist Kory L. Meyerink will give the J. Richard Houston Memorial Lecture, with a reception to follow.

So watch for my Twitters and keep an eye for the blogs - I'll see you at the conference!

Friday, May 22, 2009

OGS "NewsLeaf" is here

The pre-Conference NewsLeaf is here!

This is a long issue (30+ pages) as it contains a report from each of the branches, plus a report from each of the regional directors, plus financial statements, plus a report on all the things that went on at last year's Conference, plus, plus, plus. Phew!

To say the least, I am usually spent by the time it is done and I take a couple of days off to recover, but this year, I was totally booked in writing magazine articles - so no time off for me!

They are good publications (if I must say so myself) - Families and NewsLeaf. This November, I will have been the editor for three years - it seems like I just put out my second edition, but in truth, it will be my 10th one!

And if you are coming to Conference 2009, be sure to drop by our table. Yes, we will have a table this year. It will be alongside the OGS table, but we will be clearly marked as "OGS Publications".

Grace Jewell, the OGS Webmaster, and John Becker, the editor of Families, will be there on Saturday. And I (Elizabeth Lapointe), the editor of NewsLeaf and e-NewsLeaf, will be there on Sunday.

If you haven't signed up to receive e-Newsleaf, be sure to do that - it is included in your yearly membership dues. There will be a sheet that you can put your email address on it if you haven't already subscribed at the "Members Only" section of the OGS website <www.ogs.on.ca>.

So far, only about 80% of members have sent in their addresses, and we would like to see everybody join up, as there are links for access to the great databases that the OGS has already published, and for the new ones that will be coming soon. So sign up - you'll be glad you did!

This year, I will be representing the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors in my capacity as the International Director, and it's a great organization. I will have a handout available for all, detailing the ISFHWE group, and its benefits. The website address is <http://isfhwe.org>.

So come on over and say "Hello!" to myself, John, and Grace. We would be pleased to see you.

If you would like to send in an article or a family history to be published, be sure to come and see us.