Volunteers Make It Happen

VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN! While this is true of any organization where volunteers play an essential role, there are many volunteers who”made it happen” for the Quinte Branch of Ontario Ancestors in 2023. These active volunteers include Terry Buttler (Team Lead/Research), Kurt Woermke (Treasurer), Mary Shaw (Secretary), Shannon Brian (Library), […]

Belleville Cemetery Celebrates 150 Years

Check out the excellent article by Alana Cameron in “quintenews” and plan to participate in the activities this weekend as the Belleville Cemetery celebrates its 150-year anniversary! Belleville Cemetery marks its 150th anniversary with a celebration on Saturday, June 17. Some very notable names are buried at the Dundas Street […]

Family Treasures: Care and Repair

Kyla Ubbink will present a workshop titled “Practical Tips for Repair and Care of Family Treasure” on Saturday, June 17. This will be an in-person event at the Belleville Public Library.

Quaker Registers for West Lake

Thanks to Jennifer and Sharon, over 1900 records extracted from the West Lake Quaker Registers have been added to FIND-IT. If your family tree has Quaker roots in Prince Edward County, you might want to review these new additions to the Quinte Branch FIND-IT database. FIND-IT SEARCHABLE DATABASE

April 15: You Found What! Where!

The records of our province contain many gems for genealogists, several of which are well-known.  However, this free presentation by the Quinte Branch of Ontario Ancestors will highlight some of the more obscure sources, opening up new fields to explore in your search for your family history.

Peter Robinson Settlers

The Peter Robinson Settlers were part of a British Government emigration scheme to transport Irish immigrants to Upper Canada. Peter Robinson was certainly the right man for this task. 

Vernon Directories for Belleville

  Ontario Ancestors, along with Family Search International and Library & Archives Canada, is undertaking the digitization of all available editions of the Vernon Directories. These digital copies are fully searchable and, best of all, they are freely available to all. [SOURCE: Ontario Ancestors] As of August 2022, these Vernon […]

OnLand for Genealogists

Once we know where our ancestors lived, the next step is to see if we can find the land records such as deeds and even wills. In this presentation, we will be looking at the Ontario Land Property Records Portal, often referred to as OnLand, to help us research where […]

Bob Dawes: A Loss Beyond Measure

For the second time in just over a month, another pillar of the Quinte Branch operation has been torn away. On January 7, 2023, Bob Dawes passed away. Bob was extremely active in the Quinte Branch and in the greater genealogy community. Bob held several executive offices, including Chair, and […]

PEC Genealogies by John Brebner

If your genealogy research leads you through Prince Edward County, check out the nearly 200 family histories compiled by John Brebner. These genealogies include the following surnames … and much more! John Brebner http://www.pollymoth.com/genealogies.html

John Carew: A Decade of Service

The Quinte Branch lost one of its “pillars” with the passing of John Carew on November 28, 2022. During a decade of service, John had served as Chair, Vice-Chair, Publications Coordinator and Library Coordinator, while taking an active role in supporting family history research throughout the Quinte area. John was […]

Bob’s Bytes – An Enduring Resource

For over 20 years, Bob Dawes shared his computer expertise in many ways. “Bob’s Bytes” was a regular feature in the Quinte Branch newsletter, “The Quinte Searchlight“. Bob created and mentored a “special interest group (SIG)”, a “TECH SIG“, that focused on using computers for genealogical research. A pre-eminent speaker […]

Resources on the Quinte Branch Website

The Quinte Branch website contains many resources, both new and old. One section that has withstood the “test of time” is GENEALOGY 101, available from the top navigation bar. Check out “Tool Kit Links” [https://quinte.ogs.on.ca/tool-kit-links/], “Links to Resources” [https://quinte.ogs.on.ca/genealogy-links/] or an entire beginner’s course in genealogy [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgvvLjtQ7Ww].

Hats Off to Amanda at the CABHC

Amanda Hill, Archivist at the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County, made an excellent presentation to the Quinte Branch of Ontario Ancestors on Saturday. The digital resources, among others, at the CABHC should not be overlooked by any serious family historian. A great deal of research can be accomplished […]

October 15: Using the Community Archives

Tour the many resources of the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County with Amanda. From newspapers to directories, maps, assessment rolls and photos, CABHC has it all. Amanda Hill trained as an archivist in England in the 1990s and was employed at Canterbury Cathedral Archives, the Essex Record Office […]

Trees by Dan – The History Guy

Since 2000 Dan has been building a database of interconnected family trees focussed on the local area around Brighton but following the family connections back more than 200 years before U.E.L.’s came to the area and up into more recent times. The information on www.treesbydan.com is made available to support […]

October 8: Doors Open Hastings County

20 locations across Hastings County will be opening their doors in celebration of community heritage on Saturday, October 8th as part of Doors Open Hastings County. Doors Open is designed to highlight the culturally and historically significant places and spaces within our many communities, creating access and awareness to our […]

Is Your Research Headed to a Dumpster

Considering the countless hours we all spend researching our family history, part of that time should be spent planning for the eventuality when our research passes from our hands. Do you have family or friends who will carry on? Will you donate that research to an institution that could make […]

Expanding FIND-IT

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Lori P., over 7,000 records have been added just this week to the free searchable database, FIND-IT, maintained by the Quinte Branch of Ontario Ancestors. These records were drawn from the Canada 150 Project available in the Quinte Branch Marketplace. CHECK OUT THE TUTORIAL […]

Canada 150 Project

Canada 150 Project

The Canada 150 Project showcases an essential collection of 46 contributed family histories made available by researchers whose family trees extended back to the creation of Canada in 1867. This collection is rich in content and visuals, moving far beyond the scope of BMD data to embrace a vivid narrative […]

Master Index to Digital Publications

Master Index to Digital Publications

The Quinte Branch Marketplace has a lot of research material related to the Greater Quinte Area. Hundreds of cemetery transcriptions, church records, newspaper clippings and access to experienced on-site research can all be found in the Marketplace. A “Master Index to Digital Publications in the Marketplace” can be found on […]

September 17: All the Daniels

The September Quinte Branch meeting will feature Quinte Branch member John Walker sharing his story called “All the Daniels”. This presentation will reflect a portion of the research Mary Lou and John Walker have done on their respective families in Eastern Ontario. Mark your calendar for September 17 at 1:00 […]

Doors Open Laptop Reminder

September 10: Doors Open Quinte West

The 11th annual Doors Open Quinte West returns in person this year on Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm! This event offers free access for the public to explore, discover and enjoy the history of local organizations, businesses and attractions throughout Quinte West. Residents and visitors have […]

Canada 150 Project

Canada 150 Project

A Quinte Branch project, showcasing an essential collection of contributed family histories made available by researchers whose family trees extended back to the creation of Canada in 1867. This collection is a virtual bonanza of names and family relationships woven through the history of the Greater Quinte area and beyond. […]

Daily Intelligencer Newspaper

Searching the Intelligencer on the Internet Archive

A post earlier in August on the Quinte Branch Facebook page discussed how to search the Intelligencer newspapers uploaded by the CABHC to the Internet Archive. https://archive.org/search.php?query=(intelligencer)%20AND%20-title%3A(weekly)%20AND%20collection%3A(CABHC)&sort=date The video referenced below may help in a search for individuals or events described in the early editions of the Intelligencer newspaper published […]

Daily Intelligencer Newspaper

100 Years of the Daily Intelligencer Newspaper

CABHC reports … “The end of July marked an important milestone in our summer project to photograph the nineteenth-century issues of The Daily Intelligencer newspaper. All of the volumes of the newspaper from June 1867 to 1900 have now been digitized and made available online through the Internet Archive. The […]

Quinte Branch Research Library Catalogue

The Quinte Branch Research Library’s “online catalogue” is an often overlooked resource on the website. There are many categories of resources that would support family history research, including both digital and paper publications. Existing categories include audio-visual, cemeteries, censuses, directories, genealogies, histories, lists, newsletters, records and reference works. This “online […]

Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Prince Edward County

Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register – PEC

These surnames and many more appear in the Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register for Prince Edward County, covering a large part of the 1800s. Information in these baptismal records showing fathers, mothers, birthdates, locations and ministers are indexed and organized into a format promoting genealogical research. Bongard-Clapp-Sprung-Clark-Walt-Curry-Dingman-Squires-Dulmage-Furgeson-Haylock-Weese-Hicks-Kerr-Lalanne Williamson-Larmer-Love-McCoid-Adams-McLellan-Miller-Reynolds-Ackerman-Robins-Rose-Butler-Ruttan-Switzer-Thompson-Chase-Trotter-VanDusen-Herington-VanVlack-Waddington-Morden-Wallbanks-Master-Cole-Deremo-Garrison-Moore-Reid-Walmsley-Bennett-Carson-Harrison-Patterson-Toby-Anderson-Brooks-Choats-Redner-Cook-Delong-Dempsey-Fox-Frederick-Giles-Way-Haycock-Hayes-Johnson-McCullogh-Beminger-Roblin-Burley-Hill-Martin-Ostrander Check out this […]

Betty Bruce Scrapbook

Betty Bruce Scrapbook

The Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society was officially formed in 1980 by a small group of people, who got together and were interested in Genealogy. Betty Bruce, her husband Lorne, and their son Roy, along with his wife Ruth, were all part of the founding members of the […]

Quinte Branch Research Library

Research Hit a Brick Wall? You’re Not Alone

If you need experienced research volunteers to assist you in your search for your ancestors, contact the Quinte Branch Research Coordinator to request help in the Quinte Branch Research Library. Your research request will be evaluated and acted upon by our research team. Following the resolution of your request, you […]

Quinte Branch Changes Mailing Address

The Quinte Branch has changed its mailing address. Mail for the Quinte Branch should now be directed to the Quinte Branch “care of” the Quinte West Public Library.  

Old Hay Bay Church Pilgrimage Service

The Board of Trustees welcomes everyone to the Pilgrimage Service on Sunday, August 28, at 3:00 pm. Weather permitting, attendees will gather on the east lawn of the church for a traditional Methodist-style camp meeting. The speaker is Dr. Rev. William (Bill) Smith, who has made the Pilgrimage many times […]

Vernon Directories for Belleville, Ontario

The Ontario Genealogical Society reports … “Ontario Ancestors, along with Family Search International and Library & Archives Canada, is undertaking the digitization of all available editions of the Vernon Directories. These digital copies are fully searchable and, best of all, they are freely available to all.” A downloadable list of […]

Quinte Branch Marketplace

Cemetery Research with the Quinte Branch

A collection of video tutorials on ways to research cemeteries in Hastings, Northumberland and Prince Edward Counties using the resources of the Quinte Branch of Ontario Ancestors. Instructional videos are presented for Quinte Branch “Members” and “Non-Members” and for “Remote Researchers” who would like to use the resources of the […]

Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register for Hastings County

Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Registers

Each year, every ordained Wesleyan Methodist minister was provided with a ruled book, in which he was required to make uniform entries of births and baptisms. At the end of the year, the minister returned this book to the Conference Office and the entries were copied into the General Register.

Cemetery Transcriptions - Price Reduction

Cemetery Transcriptions – Price Reduction

Prices have been reduced for most of the cemetery transcriptions in the Quinte Branch Marketplace. Reductions range from 25% to 70% depending on the individual publication. Many of these publications covering Hastings, Prince Edward and Northumberland county cemeteries are one-of-a-kind and contain valuable genealogical information. CHECK IT OUT!  

Records of Inheritance

Whether your ancestor left hundreds of acres of land, money or a few modest belongings, the records created when those legacies were distributed can provide valuable clues to family connections, relationships, and just how your ancestors lived. Plan on joining us for this insightful journey into “inheritance”.  

FIND-IT is Getting Bigger

Dianne Taylor-Harding, Indexing Coordinator, and her enthusiastic indexing team have added records from several new family histories to the FIND-IT database. These family histories can be searched at the Quinte Branch Research Library in the Quinte West Public Library. If any of the surnames shown below appear in your family […]

Find A Real Treasure: Surname Interest List

[UPDATED: October 2023] Helping Hands Outreach Program at Quinte Branch:  … to facilitate research collaboration, brick wall demolition, and cousin finding. The SIL is composed of over 4500 downloadable family surnames of interest to our members, past members and library contacts (AKA the providers), based on their research focus in […]

Researching the Canadian Fallen: WWII

Explore the methodology and resources available for researching Canada’s fallen heroes of World War II with Ken McKinley on Saturday,  May 21, 2022. READ MORE for details of the presentation; explore Ken’s excellent research resources; and discover Ken’s collection of engaging workshops!

FIND-IT: On the Move in May

Under the able leadership of the Quinte Branch “Indexing Coordinator”, Dianne Taylor-Harding, a number of family histories on the shelves of the Research Library have been professionally indexed and added to the free searchable database, FIND-IT, available from the Quinte Branch website. Is your long-lost relative in this collection?   […]

MILESTONE 1,641,653

Recently Bob Dawes acquired files from the Campbellford Herald newspaper referencing BMDs and special events as covered in that newspaper between 1874 and 1996. These additions to the Quinte Branch FIND-IT searchable database totalled 44,919 records and will bring the total number of searchable records in the FIND-IT database to […]

Adolphustown-Fredericksburgh Website

The Adolphustown-Fredericksburg Heritage Website is definitely worth checking out for research into “Loyalist Country” on the North Shore of Lake Ontario. Features include the AFHS newsletter, “Neighbourhood Messenger”, back to 2012 available free online and many other “links of interest” to explore in the Greater Bay of Quinte area.  

Quinte Branch Marketplace

Energize your research using cemetery transcriptions! The Quinte Branch Marketplace has over 300 cemetery transcriptions from Hastings, Prince Edward and Northumberland counties. Many of these transcriptions are unique and one-of-a-kind research sources. Check out the Quinte Branch Marketplace.

Living in Interesting Times

“During the American Revolutionary War, these UEL ancestors–Henry Dennis, his son John, John’s wife Martha (née Brown), and Lawrence Johnson–all fled Pennsylvania. Three of the four made it out of the USA, first to Nova Scotia, and finally to York Township and the town of York in Upper Canada.” Share […]

Community Archives (CABHC)

The Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County has a wealth of historical material worth investigating on the website and in the CABHC photostream on FLICKR, like historical photographs, such as this one showing students at the Ontario Business College in 1896 including names on the original at CABHC. SUBSCRIBE […]

Prince Edward County Cemeteries

Check out the cemetery transcriptions for Prince Edward County: These are on sale in the QUINTE BRANCH MARKETPLACE on ONTARIO ANCESTORS ready for digital download.

Software for Genealogists

Genealogists collect and manage images of important documents and photos; they correspond with other genealogists and relatives; they create documents and charts; they access a multitude of websites; they absorb skills and proficiency from webinars and podcasts. If this sounds like your life … this workshop is for YOU!

Quinte Branch Marketplace

The Quinte Branch has joined the OGS “Marketplace”. As a result of this move the Quinte Branch is no longer providing CD’s for cemetery transcriptions. More than 300 cemetery transcriptions can be viewed by members for free in the Members’ Lounge or purchased online from the Quinte Branch as a direct download from […]

Surname Interest List

UPDATED:  OCTOBER 2023 The SIL is comprised of family surnames of interest to our members, past members, research library contacts and the genealogy community. The focus of the SIL is based on research in Hastings, Prince Edward, and neighboring counties. Check out the possibility that one or more of our […]

2022 – The Way Ahead/Terry Buttler

Quinte Branch OGS has a great group of council members, a great team, well-regarded within the OGS community for our commitment to the organization and our leadership on issues. We have strong and steady membership numbers. Our financial position is solid. Basically, the Branch is in great shape! OGS and […]

November 3: Cemetery Vandalism in Quinte

    These represent far less than 10% of the vandalized stones in this cemetery. How can a cemetery be kept safe? Public education about the cemetery is important, particularly among young community members. Keeping the cemetery grounds well-kept with signage, benches and visible trails helps to present an image […]

Peter Wayne Johnson

It is with sadness that the Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society notes the passing of Peter Wayne Johnson, a former member of the Branch Executive almost three decades ago. Peter served as Vice Chair of the Branch in 1994 and Chairman in 1995, guiding the Branch in some […]

April 27: Family History Reno Project

A genealogy Do-Over is hard work and requires re-visiting a lot of sources and re-entering your family data.  The Family History Reno project preserves your original work file and provides a methodical way to find errors and omissions and to make corrections.  This allows you to carry on with current […]

April 14: Virtual Genealogy Class

Participate [11:30 am] in an online introduction to the library version of Ancestry.ca and learn about the databases maintained by the Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. The presenter will be the noted speaker and family historian, Bob Dawes, a former Chair of the Quinte Branch. REGISTER: 613-394-3381 or […]

February 20: Portable Genealogy

Bob Dawes, a retired technology executive and avid family historian has developed the presentation “PORTABLE GENEALOGY-YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU” for genealogists who want to take their family history research with them when they travel or visit research repositories. Bob, a past chair of the Quinte Branch, discusses GEDCOMs […]

Bob’s Bytes

For the last fifteen years Bob Dawes has been providing computer advice for his fellow genealogists in the Quinte Branch and beyond, from his article on “Using a Spreadsheet to Record Research Findings” in the March 2006 edition of The New Searchlight to his advice on “Capturing Images for Genealogy” […]

Marilyn Mae Harry

It is with profound sadness that the Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society notes the passing of Marilyn Mae Harry, a charter member of the Branch for many years. Marilyn served in a number of roles with the Branch including Treasurer, Branch Librarian and acting as Branch President in […]

Stockdale Cemetery Updated: 2024

Peter Johnson UE Burials in this historic cemetery date back at least to the 1830s and possibly to the 1820s. This cemetery has become the “final resting place” of early pioneers, loyalists, veterans from the War of 1812, and even a veteran from the American Civil War. HISTORIC SURNAMES WALT-MAYBEE-GUNTER-CROWE-SHARP-SMITH-MORAN-OSTERHOUTMacDONALD-ANDERSON-ROGERS-JOHNSON […]