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Victoria Genealogical Society

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Victoria, BC
Victoria Genealogical Society

To support and promote family history research in Victoria, across Canada and around the world. We are also a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.

The Victoria Genealogical Society is a non-profit volunteer-run organization founded in 1978. Our "Genealogy Learning and Research Centre" is located on the second floor of the Pennbridge Building in the Royal Oak Shopping Centre, Victoria BC Canada. We can help you to:

LEARN HOW TO RESEARCH - attend our genealogy workshops, seminars and meetings. LEARN FROM OTHER MEMBERS - network at our Special

Interest Groups (SIGS) and Speaker Series meetings

LEARN BY DOING - research your family history, build your family tree. Visit our website to learn more about our membership, programs, services, events and activities, contacts, and more : http://www.victoriags.org

03/31/2026

𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝟭𝟬𝟭

Want to use Ancestry.com but do not know where to start?

With more than 19 billion records, Ancestry is the world’s largest online genealogy resource — and it can be challenging to know where to begin.

To help, this workshop introduces the basics and provides a clear starting point for your research.

In this session, you will learn:

• how to create a family tree
• who to begin with and what information to enter
• privacy considerations
• how to add spouses, children, and parents
• the basics of searching records
• whether you can trust Ancestry hints

The workshop also includes an introduction to AncestryDNA, including Origins, match lists, ThruLines, and more.

Bring your questions — time permitting, we will work through them together.

This is the first of a two-part series, with a follow-up workshop on May 30, 2026 for deeper exploration. Registration is required for each session.

🎙 Presenter
Gerry Poulton

Gerry has been researching family history for more than 30 years and volunteers weekly at the VGS Learning and Research Centre. He has delivered workshops for over 15 years and previously taught chemistry at the University of Victoria for nearly 40 years.

🗓 Date and Time
Saturday, April 11, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Attend in person at our VGS Learning and Research Centre or via Zoom.

209 - 4475 Viewmont Avenue, Victoria, BC

🎥 Recordings will be available for 30 days to registered attendees.

For more information and details:
https://bit.ly/4bbxLt6

Visit victoriags.org for other calendar events, services, and information about the Society.

03/23/2026

𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥: 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗦𝗘𝗚𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦

** 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗞𝗜𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗗𝗡𝗔! **

Join four leading DNA experts for this enlightening online seminar.

Every person carries DNA inherited from their ancestors, and that DNA is waiting to tell their story. From autosomal segments to Y-chromosome deep dives, this seminar will show you how to put that evidence to work.

This seminar features four highly respected DNA educators:

• Blaine Bettinger
Using Autosomal DNA for 18th and 19th Century Mysteries

• Roberta Estes
Mitochondrial DNA to Z: My Results Are Back, Now What?

• Janine Cloud
Lessons Learned from Big Y Testing

• Jim Bartlett
Segment-ology

🗓 Date and Time
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 AM – 2:20 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada) with breaks between sessions.

🎥 Recordings will be available for 30 days to registered attendees.

For more information and details (Zoom only):
https://bit.ly/41inlC6

Visit victoriags.org for other calendar events, services, and information about the Society.

03/17/2026

📜 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗔

VGS Heritage History Hour
In association with the BC Black History Awareness Society

Many people associate Black Canadian history with the Underground Railroad and settlement in Central and Eastern Canada. However, the story in British Columbia is quite different.

In 1858, around 800 educated and skilled Black men and women left an increasingly racist and divisive United States and travelled to the Colony of Vancouver Island at the invitation of Governor Sir James Douglas. Once here, they established businesses, purchased land, entered politics, and became leaders in their communities—achieving many historic “firsts”.

This presentation explores these early stories along with more recent Black histories in British Columbia using archival sources including photographs, genealogy records, newspapers, manuscripts, and books.

🎙 Presenter
Fran Morrison

Fran Morrison has served as a Board Member of the BC Black History Awareness Society since 2010. She manages research and content development for the Society’s website and designs presentations on early Black history in British Columbia.

Fran is a descendant of Black Loyalists who came to Canada in 1783 and Underground Railroad travellers from Maryland in 1823. She has collaborated with historians, researchers, and educators and has presented to many institutions including the Royal BC Museum, UVIC Continuing Studies, Vancouver Heritage Foundation, and provincial ministries.

🗓 Date and Time
Thursday, April 9, 2026
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)

These Heritage History Hour events are FREE to all.

🎥 Recordings will be available for 30 days to registered attendees.

For more information and details (Zoom only):
https://bit.ly/3Nk89Bd

Visit victoriags.org for other calendar events, services, and information about the Society.

02/22/2026

🛡️ 𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗𝗥𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬

Coats of arms are not just decorative symbols — they can provide meaningful genealogical clues.

In this workshop, learn how heraldry can support family history research by revealing potential family connections, historical context, and new research pathways. Through practical examples, you will see how heraldic evidence has helped solve genealogical puzzles.

Topics include:
• foundational principles of heraldry
• interpreting heraldic devices
• using coats of arms as research tools
• resources to begin applying heraldry in your own work

🎙 Presenter
Kathie Ross, PhD, QG
Kathie holds a post-graduate diploma in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde. She has been teaching for nearly 30 years and specialises in solving complex genealogical puzzles.

🗓 Date and Time
Saturday, March 21, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

🎥 Recordings available for 30 days to registered attendees.

For more information and details (in person or Zoom — select during registration):
https://bit.ly/4kUdFqC

Visit victoriags.org for other calendar events, services, and information about the Society.

02/16/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀?

VGS Heritage History Hour
In association with the Saltire Society of Victoria

🆓 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 — 𝗭𝗢𝗢𝗠 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 — 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗

Surrounded in myth and legend, who were the Picts really? How were they different from the Scots? What do we know about them beyond the famous symbol stones found across modern Scotland?

In this engaging presentation, Rory McAlpine explores recent archaeological discoveries, the historical timeline from Roman times to the unification of “Alba,” the nature of Pictish kings and kingdoms, Viking influence, the transition from paganism to Christianity, and the importance of the House of Alpin in the foundation of Scotland.

This Heritage History Hour is presented in partnership with the Saltire Society of Victoria, a group dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish culture and heritage.

⸻

🗓️ 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 & 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘: Thursday, March 12, 2026, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM Pacific Time
💻 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 🆓 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 via Zoom only (registration required)
🔗 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥: https://bit.ly/4rVgz0p
🎥 𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Available for 30 days to registered attendees.

🌐 Visit us at victoriags.org for more events, services, and information about the Society.

02/10/2026

𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 & 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛
Wondering what Artificial Intelligence can really do for genealogists — and where its limits are?
This seminar brings together four highly respected educators to explore practical, responsible uses of AI in modern family history research, with a focus on real workflows and solid methodology.
Topics include:
• summarizing, extracting, and translating records
• documenting research efficiently
• improving research logs and source citations
• analysing patterns and identifying research gaps
• overcoming research brick walls
• building simple genealogy learning tools
🎙 Speakers
• Steve Little
• Mark Thompson
• Diana Elder
• Ashley Bens
🕘 Seminar Schedule
• Four 1-hour presentations
• Two 10-minute breaks
• 45-minute lunch break
• Concludes at 2:20 PM Pacific Time
🎥 Recordings will be available for 30 days to registered attendees.
🗓 Date and Time
Saturday, February 21, 2026
9:00 AM – 2:20 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
For more information and Zoom registration details:
https://bit.ly/46tkf0W
Visit victoriags.org for other calendar events, services, and information about the Society.

02/03/2026

𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 & 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛

Wondering what Artificial Intelligence can really do for genealogists — and where its limits are?

This seminar brings together four highly respected educators to explore practical, responsible uses of AI in modern family history research, with a focus on real workflows and solid methodology.

Topics include:
• summarizing, extracting, and translating records
• documenting research efficiently
• improving research logs and source citations
• analysing patterns and identifying research gaps
• overcoming research brick walls
• building simple genealogy learning tools

🎙 Speakers
• Steve Little
• Mark Thompson
• Diana Elder
• Ashley Bens

🕘 Seminar Schedule
• Four 1-hour presentations
• Two 10-minute breaks
• 45-minute lunch break
• Concludes at 2:20 PM Pacific Time

🎥 Recordings will be available for 30 days to registered attendees.

🗓 Date and Time
Saturday, February 21, 2026
9:00 AM – 2:20 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)

For more information and Zoom registration details:
https://bit.ly/46tkf0W

Visit victoriags.org for other calendar events, services, and information about the Society.

01/23/2026

💖 𝗩𝗚𝗦 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁

Looking for a relaxed way to connect with others who share an interest in family history? Join us for the VGS Valentines Meet and Greet, a casual, in-person gathering at our Learning and Research Centre.

Enjoy light refreshments while you chat about genealogy and research, browse our library, and ask questions of VGS Directors and volunteers. Whether you’re new to genealogy or have been researching for years, this is a great opportunity to connect with the local genealogy community.

💗 Bring a friend — everyone is welcome!
🆓 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 — 𝗡𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗

⸻

🗓️ 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 & 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
📍 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
VGS Learning and Research Centre
209–4475 Viewmont Avenue
Victoria, BC V8Z 6L8
📞 250-360-2808

🌐 Visit us at victoriags.org for more events, services, and information about the Society.

01/19/2026

📜 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗟𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀
VGS Heritage History Hour
In association with the Victoria Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada (UELAC)

🆓 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 — 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗

Join us for this special Heritage History Hour exploring an often overlooked chapter of Canadian history.

In Affirmations of Black Loyalists, researcher Allister Barton presents an illustrative narrative tracing the journey of General Henry Clinton’s Company of Black Pioneer soldiers—formerly enslaved men, women, and children who escaped bo***ge during the American Revolution in pursuit of freedom.

The presentation follows their migration to Digby, Nova Scotia, where they sought land, community, and a new beginning. Through intimate and complex accounts, this talk highlights the legacy of African Nova Scotians and their enduring contributions to the province.

⸻

🗓️ 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 & 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM Pacific Time
💻 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 🆓 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 via Zoom only (registration required)
🔗 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥: https://bit.ly/45gvqd8
🎥 𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Available for 30 days to registered attendees.

🌐 Visit us at victoriags.org for more events, services, and information about the Society.

01/19/2026

✍️ 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
with Sonia Nicholson

You’ve compiled the names, dates, places, and photographs — but how do you transform those facts into an engaging family story?

In this workshop, you’ll explore archival resources and types of materials that can enrich your writing beyond basic genealogical information. The session looks at setting, voice, and the use of nostalgia and detail to add depth and colour to your family history.

Through real examples of strong storytelling from museums and archives, family historians, and other sources, you’ll see how these elements come together. The workshop also covers practical paths for sharing your work, from digital and low-cost options to printing and publishing.

The session is presented by Sonia Nicholson, an author and archivist based in Victoria, British Columbia.

⸻

🗓️ 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 & 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘: Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM Pacific Time
📍 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: In person at the VGS Learning & Research Centre or online via Zoom (select during registration)
🔗 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥: https://bit.ly/4jYpATF
🎥 𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Available for 30 days to registered attendees.

🌐 Visit us at victoriags.org for our full calendar of events, services, and information about the Society.

01/19/2026

🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗳-𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗩𝗚𝗦 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 — 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿!

Thinking about getting more involved in genealogy or family history research? Now is a great time to join the Victoria Genealogical Society. For a limited time, all memberships are 50% off.

These discounted memberships are available until May 31, 2026, giving you months of access to events, learning opportunities, and research support.

Discounted membership options:
• Single Membership ($32.50): One annual membership for a person over age 25
• Family Membership ($45): Two or more annual memberships for people at the same address
• Youth Membership ($17.50): One annual membership for a person age 25 or younger

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your research, VGS membership provides learning, community, and access to valuable genealogy resources.

⸻

🔗 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥: https://bit.ly/3ZkbQZN

🌐 Visit us at victoriags.org for upcoming events, our services, and information about the Society.

Address

209/4475 Viewmont Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8Z6L8

Opening Hours

Monday	12pm - 3pm
Tuesday	12pm - 3pm
Wednesday	12pm - 3pm
Thursday	12pm - 3pm
Friday	12pm - 3pm
Saturday	12pm - 4pm

Telephone

250-360-2808

Website

https://victoriags.org/

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Victoria Genealogical Society

03/31/2026

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