Qualicum Beach Family History Society
This page lists the Speaker Program, Qualicum Beach Family History Centre,  Educational Opportunities and the Special Interest Groups (SIG's).

SPEAKER PROGRAM

General meetings are held in the meeting room at the rear of the Qualicum Beach branch of The Royal Canadian Legion at 180 E. 1st Avenue, Qualicum Beach, on the third Wednesday of each month at  7:00 p.m.  

November 18th - “Obituaries; a Vital Research Tool” will be the topic of our Guest Speaker Bob Ell from Courtenay.

December 9th – we are planning now for our Christmas Social. Please note the change from our usual Wednesday.

January 5th - we will co-host a meeting with the QB Historial Society; the Speaker will be Margaret Horsfield (author of Cougar Annie) who has written a new book. Please note that we will be meeting on the first Tuesday of January at the Civic Centre rather than on our usual meeting night.

The LDS Family History Centre - Qualicum Beach
Members of our Family History Society volunteer at the local Family History Centre on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9-4 pm. They are there to assist you do your research. From the FHC you can research online or order microfilm copies of genealogical items that have been filmed at archives and libraries around the world. Examples of these records are church records (baptisms, marriages, and burials) and census records.

The Family History Centre, located at 591 Arbutus in Qualicum Beach (telephone 250-752-2233 on Monday or Tuesday only). The FHC’s hours of operation are Mondays 9:00 – 4:00 pm and Tuesdays 9:00 – 4:00 and 5 – 8 pm

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

November 3rd   - Introduction to Family History   is being presented again by Donna Fraser.

The series of four weekly Tuesday morning sessions (10:00 - 11:30 a.m.) will introduce the subject of family history; it is ideal for beginners and those who have been dabbling at their research and now want to learn the important basics.  The course will cover "getting started" and the basic sources needed to start your research.  Location of class:  Family History Centre, 591 Arbutus, Qualicum Beach.

It is anticipated that another series will be held early in the new year which will cover the sources used to research our ancestors in more detail.  New researchers are encouraged to take the introduction sessions before enrolling in the 2010 classes.

Registration is limited to members of the QBFHS and members of the LDS Church who are sponsoring this series.  There is no charge although a donation towards photocopying, etc., is appreciated.

Members may register on a "first-come-first-served" basis by contacting our Secretary Barb Brett.

Learn by attending the Nanaimo Family History Society meetings.    Members of the Qualicum Beach Family History Society are welcome to attend society meetings as guests on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7.30 p.m. Our members are also able to conduct research in the Nanaimo FHS genealogical library. For details of the locations of meetings, speaker's topics and to find the hours of operation and address of their library, please see their website at www.members.shaw.ca/nfhs 

Online Educational Courses:
Pharos Teaching & Tutoring Ltd – online courses in British and US genealogy. Check their website for free genealogy help and upcoming courses. http://www.pharostutors.com/index.php

National Institute of Genealogical Studies – online certificate courses for British, Canadian, and U.S.A. research. See http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS  
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are held during the months of November, January, February and March. 

These group meetings are a great way to meet informally with others who share your common area of interest.  SIGs are an opportunity for experienced researchers to help others with their research problems.  No need to register, just show up on the designated dates at 2:00 p.m. Sessions are held at the Family History Center, 591 Arbutus Street, Qualicum Beach.  Everyone is welcome.

Dates and coordinators for the Special Interest Group meetings are,
(1st Tuesday) - England and Wales - Joe Forsyth
(2nd Tuesday) - Scotland - Donna Fraser
(3rd Tuesday) - Ireland - Ann Buchanan 
(4th Tuesday) - Computing - Karen Taylor