Kelowna and District Genealogical Society Activities

Regular Monthly Meeting
Kelowna and District Genealogical Society’s Regular Monthly Meeting will be held at 6:45 PM on Monday February 7 via Zoom. Sign in will begin at 6:45 and the main topic will be: Planning a Genealogical Road Trip.
Not a member and interested in joining us as a guest? Please contact: info@kdgs.ca and a Zoom invitation will be sent to you.

Genealogists in Residence
Do you need help with your family history project? Volunteers from the Kelowna and District Genealogical Society are freely available to do look-ups in our collection (see our booklist at http://www.kdgs.ca, library page), or assist you by email, phone, or Zoom. For more information contact: Librarian@KDGS.ca

Heritage Week
Join us during Heritage Week (Feb. 21-26) for several events sponsored by the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society (KDGS) and the Kelowna Branch Okanagan Regional Library:
1. Tuesday, February 22, 6:30-8:00pm. Dave Obee, renowned genealogist and historian, will give an inspirational and entertaining Zoom presentation entitled, “A Fresh Light on Old Newspapers:” With old Okanagan newspapers finally being digitized and placed online, researchers have a terrific new source for learning about local history or their family history. The answers you’re looking for might be a matter of minutes away — but for best results, it would pay to use proper search strategies.  Dave Obee, the publisher of the Victoria Times Colonist, will review some of the best ways to use old newspapers, as well as some of the pitfalls to avoid. He will explain the process of digitizing newspapers, starting with printed copies. Dave has been working in the newspaper industry for five decades, and was city editor of the Kelowna Daily Courier in the late 1970s. Mr. Obee is also an avid genealogist and founder of the CanGenealogy website, http://www.cangenealogy.com/. He is a popular international lecturer, has written over a dozen books and has been honoured with the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award among others.
This is a free event but you must pre-register to attend by clicking on the event on the ORL’s Events Calendar and following the instructions. Be sure to enter your email address correctly and watch for the email from the ORL to confirm your registration. https://orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar – click on the listing on the Tuesday, February 22nd section of the calendar.
2. Thursday, February 24th, 1:00-2:00pm. Claire Smith-Burns of the KDGS will give an in-person talk on “Local Resources for Family History” (this presentation will also be available via Zoom). There is a wealth of genealogical records and resources available in the Central Okanagan, no matter if your family lived locally or your roots take you around the world. Learn what and where they are, including some wonderful free websites. A handout will be provided. Seating is limited for the in-person talk; you may register for in-person or to attend via Zoom by clicking on this event on the ORL’s Events Calendar and following the instructions. Be sure to enter your email address correctly and watch for the email from the ORL to confirm your registration. https://orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar – click on the listing on the Thursday, February 24th section of the calendar. You must present your Covid vaccine passport and ID to attend the in-person talk.
3. Thursday, February 24th, 1:00-4:00pm. The KDGS will be offering their free “Genealogists in Residence” service. These one-on-one, socially distanced consultations will be held on the 2nd floor of the downtown Kelowna Branch of the public library. You must pre-register for a 20-minute consultation with one of our experts who will guide you in discovering your family history story. The registration form requests some information on your family to help us prepare for your appointment. Please also bring information on your family as a starting point. Register for a consultation by clicking on this event on the ORL’s Events Calendar and following the instructions. Be sure to enter your email address correctly and watch for the email from the ORL to confirm your registration. https://orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar – click on the listing on the Thursday, February 24th section of the calendar. You must present your Covid vaccine passport and ID to attend the consultation.
4. Monday-Saturday, February 21st – 26th. Visit the “Heritage Personality” displays focused on Central Okanagan personalities and families, located on the 2nd floor of the downtown Kelowna Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library. Be sure to fill out the form for our prize draw which will take place on February 26th at 3pm. Prizes are generously donated by the City of Kelowna. These displays were researched and created by the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society – we would love your suggestions for future “heritage personalities!”