Category: Events

November 2: “Second World War: Researching the Canadians Who Served” presented by Ken McKinlay, manager of the “Family Tree Knots” blog.
This presentation delves into the wealth of records available for researching Canadians who served during the Second World War. We’ll explore both the poignant records of those who gave their lives in service to Canada and the rich archival resources that reveal the stories of those who survived. Whether your interest lies in uncovering military service details, personal narratives, or broader historical insights, this session hopefully provides the tools and guidance to deepen your understanding of those who served Canada.

Bite-size: Hero – a presentation about Louey King. A Chinese Canadian Secret Commando and War Hero, presented by Joan Kirkbride

Ken McKinlay: Located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Ken is a genealogy consultant with almost 30 years of trial and error experience in researching his own family’s history in Canada, United States of America, England, Scotland and Ireland. Ken belongs to the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (AKA BIFHSGO) and the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Ancestors (AKA Ontario Genealogical Society). In addition to their monthly meetings and several of their special interest groups, he provides guidance to patrons who attend the Ottawa Public Library-Ottawa Branch Ontario Ancestors Genealogy Drop-In sessions. Ken has also been with conference planning for both the BIFHSGO and the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Ancestors Gene-O-Rama conferences.
 

We have a wonderful lineup of speakers planned for our 2026–2027 genealogy season, with fascinating topics for both experienced researchers and those just beginning their family history journey!
Registration is required. Attendance is free for KDGS members. Non-members are welcome and pay a $10 fee per meeting.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
September 14: Mohini Singh will be talking about discovering her Grandfather’s First Family in India; Bite-size
October 5: Diane Henriks, presenting “Unraveling Family History with AI: Leveraging AI to Trace an Ancestor’s Journey” (no Bite-size due to AGM)
November 2: Ken McKinlay, presenting “Researching Your Canadian World War II Ancestors;” Bite-size, Joan Kirkbride tells us about the research she’s done on Louis King, WW II Commando
January 4: Tara Shymanski, presenting “Connecting with our Roots: How Family Stories Shape our Lives;” Bite-size, Bruce Stevens tells us about his RCAF Ancestor
February 1: Nicole Elder Dyer, presenting “DNA Evidence & Analysis with AI;” Bite-size, Carol Winston, “White Knuckles, Time Travel and AI: Unlocking a 1932 Family Road Trip”
March 1: Andrea Lister, presenting “Permissions made Simple” (navigating copyright for genealogists); Bite-size, Claire Smith-Burns will guide you through making your own Family History Display Board

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!