Category: Events

February 2: Broad Context; How to Find it and Use it! presented by Jill Mirelli
By understanding the broad context of our geographic area and the era we can interpret the evidence more accurately and thereby understand the decision-making of our ancestors more clearly. We sometimes view context as just the historical events that affected our ancestor. We will broaden that definition and explain the difference between it and social history. Examples clarify meaning and illustrate how this is a project long process and not effort applied at the end.
April 13: All Kinds of Loyalists presented by Kathryn Lake Hogan
During the American Revolutionary War, approximately 35% of the population of the Thirteen colonies was loyal to King George III of Great Britain. Was your ancestor one of them? How do you know if your ancestor was a Loyalist? In this presentation, learn what to look for in documents and records to determine if your ancestor meets the qualifications of being a Loyalist.
May 4: Using AI to Research Documents & Letters presented by Mark Thompson
Do you have old family letters and documents waiting to be explored? In this beginner-friendly session, learn how artificial intelligence can assist you in analyzing and researching your family’s personal archives. From summarizing key points to quickly identifying names and relationships, AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can help you speed up your research. You’ll also learn how to responsibly use some of the amazing, but riskier, aspects of AI like transcription and translation. Join Mark Thompson to learn how AI can lighten the load and help you reveal the rich history hidden in your family archive!

April 7: Lost in London, presenter Helen Smith of Brisbane, Australia. This recording is no longer available.
Bite-size: Employment Records in Genealogy: A Bank Manager in Summerland, presenters KDGS member, Brenda Gloster

February 3: AI & Genealogy: Trouble Ahead
While AI (artificial intelligence) might be the current “hot” buzz word, the fact is that many genealogy vendors and even genealogists have already been using this technology for years. The AI industry is at a crossroads and within the next five years, it will permeate almost every aspect of business and society. Learn how AI is currently being used to improve the genealogy experience, and whether or not you should seek out other uses of artificial intelligence for your own genealogy research.
Date: Monday, February 3, 2025, 7pm
Presenter: Thomas MacEntee
Location: via Zoom
Price: KDGS members Free; non-members $10; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Bite-size: My DNA Story, presenter, KDGS member, Elaine Malcolm
Thomas MacEntee is a professional genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and as a means of interacting with others in the family history community. See https://genealogybargains.com/previous-engagements/ for over 1,000 previous lecture appearances from 2009 to the present. Thomas lives in Chicago, Illinois.
March 3: Researching Genealogy at the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), USA: More than just the Census!
Do you have ancestors who lived in the USA? This talk will outline what records NARA maintains with an overview of some of the unique record groups we specifically hold at the National Archives in Seattle. Also, how and which materials can be requested online or via email.
Date: Monday, March 3, 2025, 7pm
Presenter: Eric Fores
Location: via Zoom
Price: KDGS members Free; non-members $10; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Bite-size: Research in the Cemetery, presenter KDGS member, Beverley Brooks
Eric Flores received his Masters of Library and Information Science and graduate certificate in Textual and Digital Studies from the University of Washington, where he is an occasional Lecturer of the course TXTDS 403: Archives, Data, and Databases. He is currently an Archivist with the National Archives at Seattle. Previously, he served as the Vice-Chair for the Seattle Area Archivists (SeArch). He has also volunteered with many archive and library organizations both online and in the Seattle area. He currently lives in Seattle with his wife, two children, two cats, and one dog.
April 7: Lost in London
London can be a daunting place to research. Part of this is due to the massive population growth: 600, 000 in 1700 to nearly 6.9 million in 1900 which resulted in more than 100 parishes in the City let alone everything in Greater London when 1889 the County of London was formed from parts of the ancient counties of Middlesex, Surrey and Kent. London was a constant attractant for the young, the desperate and the hopeful, as well as immigrants from across the world resulting in an intensity of population. There is no central index but there are many resources to aid in your London research including directories, newspapers, court records, insurance records and local history books.
Date: Monday, April 7, 2025
Presenter: Helen Smith of Brisbane, Australia
Location: via Zoom
Price: KDGS members Free; non-members $10; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Bite-size: Finding Genealogical Treasures in Business Archives, presenters KDGS members, Brenda Gloster
Helen Smith is a speaker, DNA specialist, researcher, and author with a strong interest in Australian, English, medical and social history. She has spoken in person and online in every state and territory in Australia, in Canada, USA, New Zealand and England, on 18 Unlock the Past cruises and has regularly presented for Legacy Family Webinars. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speakers Guild. Helen lives in Brisbane, Australia.
May 5:
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025, 7pm
Presenter:
Location: via Zoom
Price: KDGS members Free; non-members $10; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Bite-size: Post Office Records, presenter KDGS member, Marlene Crane
 June 4: June Social
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 7pm
Location: Reid Hall at Benvoulin Heritage Church
KDGS Members only