Branch Meetings

Simcoe County Branch Meeting

Join the Simcoe County Branch each month as we learn about genealogy through a wonderful lineup of knowledgeable speakers and topics. Branch meetings are open to everyone, both in person and online. Should you choose to attend online, registration is required using the links provided. If you are in the area and would like to join us in person, we would love to see you. We are located in the Northwest Barrie United Church hall, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie.


Sat. March 9th, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET
 
Speaker: Mark Hall
Topic: Finding Your Innisfil Roots
 
The Innisfil Historical Society is a non profit organization dedicated to providing an ongoing community-led project working to preserve the history of Innisfil and Bradford West Gwillimbury. Join us as Mark Hall, their President, shares some of Innisfil’s history with us.
 
Location:
In Person – Northwest Barrie United Church, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie
Online – Register here.


Sat. April 6th, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET
 
Speaker: David Town
Topic: The Spirit of Orillia
 
Author of 22 books and a chiropractor by trade, historian Dr. David Town has spent many years documenting various aspects of Orillia’s history. Join us while he shares a bit of his knowledge with us. He will also have a selection of his books for sale.
 
Location:
In Person – Northwest Barrie United Church, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie
Online – Register here.


Sat. May 4th, 2024
 
Simcoe County Branch Open House ~ In Person Only
 
Join us for an afternoon with our Partners from a variety of local historical groups, libraries and archives. Get to know what is available and how they can help advance your family history project. This event will be held in person only, but if you live at a distance, please feel free to let us know if there is something that you would like help with, or would like to know. Contact: Nancy Leveque
 
Location:
In Person – Northwest Barrie United Church, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie


Sat. June 1st, 2024
 
Speaker: Fran Murphy
Topic: Asylums in 19th Century Ontario
 
Did your ancestor spend time in an Asylum in Ontario? Join us while Fran helps us understand how Asylums worked, the records that may be available for research, and to help us better understand the circumstances as to why our ancestors may have ended up in one.
 
Location:
In Person – Northwest Barrie United Church, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie
Online – Register here.


Sat. Sept 7th, 2024
Speaker: Mike Miles
Topic: Pioneering Spirit: Walt Disney’s Connection to Four Pioneering Families of the Huron Tract
 
Walt Disney became famous with his pioneering efforts in animation and entertainment. His ancestors were likewise possessed of this pioneering spirit revealed through an examination of his genealogy. Walt fondly remembered his grandmother Disney, who is Mike’s connection to the Disney family. She had come as a child with her family to the Huron Tract from Ireland. Her Disney family, along with two other families, had originated from a small region of Ireland and from within the community of former plantation colonists. More than coincidence brought them together to settle a particular part of backwoods Ontario. Join us to hear Mike describe how the families came together in the mid 1800’s and then went their separate ways.
 
Location:
In Person – Northwest Barrie United Church, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie
Online – Register here.


Sat. Oct 5th, 2024
 
Hold the date ~ will be hybrid
 


Sat. Nov. 9th, 2024
 
Speaker: Ellen Millar, Archivist, Corporate and Municipal Records, Simcoe County Archives
Topic: Simcoe Remembers
 
Join us as Ellen Millar tells us about her pet project, a database containing the names of 1,009 men and women who had connections to Simcoe County and who died while in service or as a result of wounds or injuries sustained during the First World War. This database is a virtual supplement to the public memorials located in communities around Simcoe County.
 
Location:
In Person – Northwest Barrie United Church, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie
Online – Register here.


Sat. Dec. 2nd, 2023 at 1:30 pm ET
 
Annual Show and Share ~ In Person Only
 
Join us as we gather to celebrate the season with goodies and refreshments and share some of our family mementos and finds.
 
Location:
In Person – Northwest Barrie United Church, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie