In the 1800s thousands of people came to start a new life in what was to become Ontario. The records of their immigration contain a wealth of information for family historians, but can be challenging to find and decipher. This three-part series, on May 11, 18, and 25, will help our participants with finding and using these records. Each session will consist of a presentation and an opportunity to ask questions.
Note: The webinars will be recorded, so that registrants who can’t attend the live presentations may watch at a more convenient time.
May 11, 7:30 pm
They Came by Sail and Steam
The first session begins with a historical review of passenger transport to North America and its many perils. Derek Blount will discuss what information is needed and where to find it to locate immigration and naturalization records with examples. A discussion on locating passenger lists prior to 1865 will show you alternatives to Immigration lists. The program also includes overland and Great Lakes travel and their alternative records.
Speaker: Derek Blount has been a family genealogist for 34 years and a professional genealogist for 12 years. He holds a B.S. in Management from Oakland University and has taken additional courses from the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. He has traveled extensively around the U.S., Canada, and England in search of ancestors. He lectures regionally, nationally and internationally on various genealogical topics. Derek serves on the boards of two genealogical societies and holds memberships in an additional nine organizations. He also serves on the Board of the Michigan Genealogical Council and on the committee for records access in National Genealogical Society. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Society of Genealogists in London.
May 18, 7:30 pm
Finding Your German Ancestors in Ontario Records
Ruth Burkholder will discuss the various groups of German-speaking settlers who came to Ontario and how to find their records—particularly the three main groups of German speaking settlers:
- German soldiers who fought for the British in the American Revolution; they settled mainly in Stormont, Dundas, Lennox and Addington and Prince Edward counties.
- Pennsylvania Germans who came after the Revolution; they settled mainly in York, Lincoln, Welland, Haldimand and Waterloo counties.
- Emigrants direct from Europe who were attracted to the areas where German families were already settled—this includes the Berczy settlers of Markham Township, York County.
Speaker: Ruth Burkholder, the daughter of British immigrants was born and raised in Toronto. She married into a Pennsylvania-German farming family. The many genealogical challenges faced in finding the records of these two diverse family histories have lead her to an understanding and appreciation for the many different sources available for finding information.
For the past 35 plus years, Ruth has worked as an historian and genealogist. She lectures, teaches, and works professionally as a researcher of local and family histories. Living just outside Toronto, she feels that she has the best of both rural and urban worlds.
Ruth is an active member of the Ontario Genealogical Society, both as a speaker and supporter of various projects of the Society and its branches.
May 25, 7:30 pm
Peter Robinson Settlements 1823 & 1825, a British/Canadian Experiment
Derek Blount will return for the third webinar, and speak about the Peter Robinson settlements. In 1823 and 1825 destitute Irish families were brought to Upper Canada as a government funded experiment. Derek will will explore how the plan was developed and executed, its purpose as well as whether the plan was successful. Where to find passenger lists, follow-up documents, and other records pertaining to the plan and its execution will be discussed.
Speaker: Derek Blount has been a family genealogist for 34 years and a professional genealogist for 12 years. He holds a B.S. in Management from Oakland University and has taken additional courses from the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. He has traveled extensively around the U.S., Canada, and England in search of ancestors. He lectures regionally, nationally and internationally on various genealogical topics. Derek serves on the boards of two genealogical societies and holds memberships in an additional nine organizations. He also serves on the Board of the Michigan Genealogical Council and on the committee for records access in National Genealogical Society. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Society of Genealogists in London.
Illustration from the London Illustrated News via the Views of the Famine website.
