Blair Archival Research

More Catching Up – Speaking Engagements

The first half of this year has been very busy with speaking engagements. I speak locally and further afield at various libraries, genealogy and historical societies.

In February I did the last of my “Researching Your Ontario Ancestors” series at the Oakville Public Library. Then I presented an Irish Workshop at Heritage Mississauga which was so popular it was repeated in April.

In March I visited the Hamilton Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and presented “Taking Your Irish Ancestors Back Over the Pond.”

April I was back at Heritage Mississauga presenting “The Genealogy Top Ten Organization List” and “Five Things You Need to Know Before You Start Writing Your Family History.”

Photo Courtesy of Heritage Mississagua — Photo Courtesy of Heritage Mississauga

In May I presented the first in a series of two lectures entitled “Researching Your English and Welsh Ancestors” at the Oakville Public Library. The second part was presented in June.

It was back to Heritage Mississauga in June for my Scottish Workshop and it was a full house of eager genealogists which is always fun.

My next lectures start in the fall. In September there is a two part lecture series on Scottish Research at the Oakville Public Library and in October a First World War Workshop at Heritage Mississauga. In November I am presenting two lectures at the Waterdown & East Flamborough Heritage Society Book Fair.

As for 2016 I am already booked in March for a two part Irish lecture series at the Oakville Public Library and at Kingston Branch Ontario Genealogical Society for their March monthly meeting.

If you are looking for a speaker for one of your events you can contact me for details.

New Website Launch for Blair Archival Research

The Spring Speaking Tour is Complete

Leave a Comment / By Ruth Blair

It has been a very busy spring for speaking engagements. It started in April with a full day workshop at Heritage Mississauga where I presented “Irish Research from a Far” and “Taking Your Irish Ancestors Back over the Pond.” Before I finished the day they had booked me again for October when the subject will be Scottish research.

The next week I was at the Ontario Genealogical Society Region III Annual Meeting in Cambridge. My topic there was “Why Can’t I find it Online? Other resources to help you with your research.”

A couple of days later I presented “A Brick Wall Chisel: The Cluster Research Project” at the monthly meeting for the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.

Then it was a little time for me, well sort of, because I attended the National Genealogical Society Conference in Las Vegas. I was an official blogger and we had a great time. Since we were so close to Salt Lake City we took the opportunity to go and do some research in the Family History Library for a few days. A few days wasn’t long enough.

The week after I got home I presented “I Want to Research my Family History – Where do I Start?” at the Milton Senior Activity Centre.

Jane Watt representing Halton Peel Branch Ontario Genealogical Society Conference 2013

The following week I was off to the Ontario Genealogical Society Conference where I presented “Scottish Research from a Far,” “Maiden Aunts of the Twentieth Century: A forgotten generation of women” and “A Brick Wall Chisel: The Cluster Research Project.”

Brooke Skelton representing Waterloo Region Branch Ontario Genealogical Society Conference 2013

Last week was my last lecture of the spring speaking tour. I presented “Why Can’t I find it Online? Other resources to help you with your research” at the Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society in Trenton Ontario.

Quinte Branch OGS Trenton Ontario at the Quinte West Public Library

Now that summer is here I am already booking for the fall speaking tour. I will be presenting a full day Scottish workshop at Heritage Mississauga in October and in November I will be at the Hamilton Branch OGS General Meeting and the topic will be “The Genealogy GPS: How the Genealogical Proof Standard can help your research.”