Category: Events

We are currently finalizing our speaker lineup for the 2026–2027 season.
Stay tuned! We have an exciting lineup of speakers and fascinating genealogy topics coming your way.

Join fellow KDGS members for informal genealogy discussions in the park during July and August. Whether you have a family history question, a recent discovery to share, or simply enjoy chatting with others who love genealogy, we’d love to see you!
Where: Guisachan Heritage Park, 1060 Cameron Ave, Kelowna
Time: 10:00 am to approximately noon
What to Bring:

A camp chair
Your favourite beverage
A genealogy story to share or any questions you may have

Everyone is welcome. Come enjoy a relaxed summer morning of genealogy and good company!
 

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!

The Italians in World War II Canadian Internment Camps, by KDGS member, Gord Hotchkiss
On the 10th of June, 1940, Benito Mussolini declared war on Britain and France. Suddenly, almost half a world away, neighbours here in the Okanagan were at war with each other. For Italians here in Kelowna, it didn’t matter that you had lived here for a decade or more, had become a citizen or even had enlisted to fight for the Allies. You were still considered an enemy alien. Across Canada, over 700 Italians were gathered up and sent to internment camps. Here in BC, about 70 Italians were interned. But the Okanagan would prove to be unique in many ways. As you’ll see, the Italians of the Okanagan and their neighbours found a way to stay united as a community when the clouds of war rolled in. This talk looks at the internment in general, what lead to it and what happened here in our Valley.

Bite-size:  Using Libby – the Library App, presenter KDGS member, Beverley Brooks