Home Speakers Schedule of Events Registration Exhibitors Prizes Directions For Children

ProgramTimeLocationDescription
Registration9:00 - 9:30amCentral Library Atrium
Session 1: Keynote Speaker Ben Dawson
Genetic Genealogy: DNA Testing Tools and Tips
9:30 - 10:30amMills RoomLearn how genetic genealogy or DNA can help you discover your past.
Genealogy Questions Answered By Volunteers*
(15 minute time slots)
9:30 - 9:45am
9:45 - 10:00am
10:00 - 10:15am
10:15 - 10:30am
Special CollectionsQuestions must be registered in advance.
One session per person.
Sessions meet on the second floor outside the Special Collections room.
A Short Introduction To Ancestry Library Edition10:35 - 10:55amComputer Lab
(First Floor)
Take a quick look at what's available on Ancestry Library Edition. It's free at the library!
Tour10:30 - 11:00amElevator on the First FloorTour the Special Collections Room, the Norval Johnson Heritage Collection and the OGS Collection (Niagara Branch)
Genealogy Questions Answered By Volunteers*
(15 minute time slots)
10:30 - 10:45am
10:45 - 11:00am
11:00 - 11:15am
11:15 - 11:30am
Special CollectionsQuestions must be registered in advance.
One session per person.
Sessions meet on the second floor outside the Special Collections room.
Session 2A: Susan Young
Getting the Most out of Records
11:00am - 12:00pmRotary/Bankers RoomDiscover how to interpret the records you find and what questions you need to ask.
Session 2B: Steve Fulton
Finding Hidden Secrets in the Databases of the OGS
11:00am - 12:00pm Mills RoomDiscover the resources available from the Ontario Genealogical Society and how OGS can help you.
Lunch12:00 - 1:00pm Please bring your own lunch.
Tour12:00 - 12:30pmElevator on the First FloorTour the Special Collections Room, the Norval Johnson Heritage Collection and the OGS Collection (Niagara Branch)
Session 3A: Brian Narhi
Land Records 101
1:00 - 2:00pmRotary/Bankers RoomLearn how Ontario land registry records can help you with your family history.
Session 3B: Sue de Groot
Dead and Buried: Accessing the Records
1:00 - 2:00pmMills RoomDeath produces a multitude of records including death registrations, obituaries, burial and tombstone records. Find out why you should collect all records and what information each one holds.
Genealogy Questions Answered By Volunteers*
(15 minute time slots)
1:00 - 1:15pm
1:15-1:30pm
1:30-1:45pm
1:45-2:00pm
Special CollectionsQuestions must be registered in advance.
One session per person.
Sessions meet on the second floor outside the Special Collections room.
A Short Introduction to FamilySearch.org2:05 - 2:25pmComputer Lab
(First Floor)
Learn how FamilySearch.org can help you with your family history research
Tour2:00 - 2:30pmElevator on the First FloorTour the Special Collections Room, the Norval Johnson Heritage Collection and the OGS Collection (Niagara Branch)
Genealogy Questions Answered By Volunteers*
(15 minute time slots)
2:00 - 2:15pm
2:15 - 2:30pm
2:30 - 2:45pm
2:45 - 3:00pm
Special CollectionsQuestions must be registered in advance.
One session per person.
Sessions meet on the second floor outside the Special Collections room.
Session 4A: Rochelle Bush
From Slavery to Freedom
2:30 - 3:30pmRotary/Bankers RoomTracing the genealogy of enslaved people of African descent via the Underground Railroad can be quite difficult. Using some examples relating to her ancestry, Bush will discuss the records to help trace people of interest.
Session 4B: Susan Young
The Mechanics of Finding Your Family Using DNA
2:30 - 3:30pmMills RoomLearn how to organize your DNA results more effectively to identify your relationships with your matches.
Genealogy Questions Answered By Volunteers*
(15 minute time slots)
3:00 - 3:15pm
3:15 - 3:30pm
3:30 - 3:45pm
4:45 - 4:00pm
Special CollectionsQuestions must be registered in advance.
One session per person.
Sessions meet on the second floor outside the Special Collections room.
* Family history research volunteers are from the Ontario Genealogical Society, Niagara Branch and the Mayholme Foundation.
Get your children involved!

Genealogy for Kids

Genealogy is for everyone! Try out various genealogy activities for the youngest generation in your family. Participants will be entered to win a fun genealogy prize pack!

  • Saturday, October 5
  • 10:00 - 11:00 am
  • Central, Story Hour Room
  • Free

Green Screen Creations (All Ages)

Did you ever wish you could travel back in time – maybe even to historic St. Catharines locations? Come play with our green screen and see yourself in places you only ever imagined using images from our Local History collection. Participants will be entered to win a fun genealogy prize pack!

  • Saturday, October 5
  • 2:30 - 4:00 pm
  • Central, Story Hour Room
  • Free