Conference '09 - Marketplace - Day 1

So, here is an update on the Marketplace, and some pictures.



Dr. Fraser Dunford, Executive Director of the OGS, putting in some work at the conference, setting up the OGS kiosk -

- and John Becker, editor of OGS journal, Families, is putting final touches on his display at our OGS Publications Table.

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!

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 …

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!

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!

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!