Writer’s Group
2023-02-16 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-03-16 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-04-20 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-05-18 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-06-15 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Denver)
The writing/editing group will move into some more complex strategies to consider when editing our work. These strategies will include character development, pace and momentum, plot and structure, and suspense and tension. We will also review showing and telling and have a look at transitions, both between paragraphs and chapters. We will discuss how these editing skills are all applicable to writing your family history.

NFHS General Meeting & AGM
2023-02-20 19:00 - 21:00
Annual General Meeting, including Election of Officers, followed by AHA moments by members.

by Zoom only

Beginning Genealogy: What Do I Already Know
2023-02-23 18:30 - 20:00
Most of us begin our genealogy research with some family stories, photos, and perhaps a few documents already in hand. This discussion will focus on how to collect “perishable” information stored in the heads and hands of family members—before it’s too late.

NFHS Executive Meeting
2023-03-06 18:30 - 19:30, 2023-04-03 18:30 - 19:30, 2023-05-01 18:30 - 19:30, 2023-06-05 18:30 - 19:30, 2023-09-04 18:30 - 19:30

Genealogy Book Club
2023-03-09 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-04-13 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-05-11 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-06-08 18:30 - 20:00
We’re working through the book called The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, Second Edition, by Blaine Bettinger. Blaine writes about DNA in easily understandable terms, making this the ideal book for those beginning their DNA journey, while still tackling complex subjects that are of benefit to more advanced practitioners. You can join us anytime.

NFHS General Meeting
2023-03-20 19:00 - 21:00
Claire Smith-Burns – Genealogical Research & Educator
Biography:
Claire Smith-Burns became intrigued with family history in her teen-years and has been happily involved in genealogical research since then. Her long experience with Canadian, British and Dutch records has been influenced by her educational background in anthropology (Universities of British Columbia and Victoria) and career in museum and archival management. Claire has been active with genealogy societies across Canada and has many years experience in designing and implementing educational programs, workshops and conferences. In 1999, she attended a three-week genealogy study tour in England through Samford University, Alabama. Claire has also completed several courses through the BYU Family History program. She has led six research trips to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and organized ten “Harvest Your Family Tree” conferences for the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society. These conferences were some of the largest genealogy events held in Western Canada. Claire has published several articles in Canadian genealogy journals and was awarded the Marion Keffer Prize by the Ontario Genealogical Society in 2002 for best original article. Currently, Claire is chairperson of both the Public Education and Library Committees for the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society and is the Online Parish Clerk for three parishes in Dorset, England. In her other life, Claire manages her husband’s international safety consulting company, enjoys hiking and spends countless hours in her garden in Kelowna, British Columbia.

By Zoom

Brick Wall Busting
2023-03-23 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-05-25 18:30 - 20:00
Do you have a dead-end on your tree that you’re trying to break through? Please bring your problem to this session along with the ideas you’ve already tried. Donna MacIver will facilitate a discussion amongst the participants to brainstorm potential solutions.

Genealogy Pitfalls & Successes
2023-03-30 18:30 - 20:00
Lost Ancestors? Were they non-conformists?

Researching in Lancashire
2023-04-06 18:30 - 20:00
Penny is going to talk about her Lancashire research, with anecdotes about how some of her most surprising information came about. There will be suggestions for local records and finding your own historian.

NFHS General Meeting
2023-04-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Beban Park Social Centre, Room 7, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo,, BC, V9T 3K7, Canada
GENEVIEVE WEBER, ARCHIVIST ROYAL BC MUSEUM
Going Beyond Vital Events Records:
Finding Family at the BC Archives
The BC Archives is the provincial repository for records relating to British Columbia.
The archives provides access to the vital events (birth, marriage and death)
registrations. This is often the starting point for building a family tree, but did you
know that there are many other records in our holdings that can unlock the mysteries
of your family history? This workshop will cover the Top 10 record types to aid with
genealogy research, and will also discuss navigating the BC Archives processes,
Hybrid meeting – in person at Beban Park and by Zoom; speaker on Zoom

Beginning Genealogy: What Do I Want to Know
2023-04-27 18:30 - 20:00
This discussion will focus on the reasons for doing genealogy and help beginners as well as experienced researchers prioritize their goals to make the most efficient use of resources. You can’t find the answers if you don’t know the questions!

Genealogy Pitfalls & Successes
2023-05-04 18:30 - 20:00
Searching for the Robinsons: What Happened to the Descendants of My Great, Great Grandparents?

NFHS General Meeting
2023-05-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Beban Park Social Centre, Room 7, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo,, BC, V9T 3K7, Canada
LIANNE KRUGER
HOME ON THE RANGE
Lianne will speak on understanding homestead records in western Canada.

The Genealogical Proof Standard
2023-06-01 18:30 - 20:00
What do you do when you have conflicting evidence? How do you know when you have enough information to satisfy your research question? Join Bronwyn in a review of the process for ‘weighing’/evaluating evidence and the 3 linkages required to establish genealogical proof.

NFHS General Meeting
2023-06-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Beban Park Social Centre, Room 7, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo,, BC, V9T 3K7, Canada
MALI BAIN
JEDEDIAH ISLAND FAMILIES and FAMILY HISTORY PUBLISHING
Mali will share what she learned from her book, and a bit about what she has learned from her current work helping people publish their own life stories and/or family histories. First, she will share the process she went through starting with family history research “rabbit holes,”years of being stuck, rounds of editing and lightbulb insights, and finally publishing. She will open for some discussion around how/ where to choose a thread or theme within a family history, and the differences between types of family history publishing. She will also highlight some locally relevant family history in particular related to the Foote, Jelly, and Olmstead families on Jedediah Island. Finally, she will share some “lessons learned in family history publishing” — things that she hopes could save you hours while getting your own family history book.
She will have (author-signed) books available for purchase for $24.95.
(Note, this is a Hybrid meeting for members to appear in person at Beban Park or by Zoom)

Beginning Genealogy: Where Did I Find That
2023-06-22 18:30 - 20:00
This session will cover why it is important to keep records and note sources. It will outline some general considerations in deciding how and where to store your work, whether you are just starting out or already have a filing cabinet full of material.

NFHS General Meeting
2023-09-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Beban Park Social Centre, Room 7, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo,, BC, V9T 3K7, Canada
Dave Bodaly, from the unceded Snuneymuxw territory (Nanaimo, BC) shares his story with us in person
Dave is a Snuneymuxw Knowledge Keeper and Elder, photographer, artist, weaver and genealogist. He traces his ancestry back to those who created carvings in what is now known as Petroglyph Provincial Park, Nanaimo, and the Bodalys of Northamptonshire, England.
(Hybrid Meeting for members to appear in person at Beban Park or by Zoom)

A 1923 Divorce That Wasn’t
2023-09-28 18:30 - 19:30
A 1923 Divorce That Wasn’t , Susan Bates

Canada had no divorce laws until 1968. Some couples went to nearby US states to obtain a divorce. In at least one case, this wasn’t the solution it appeared to be.
