Join us on Monday, March 2nd, 2026 at 7:00 pm via Zoom for a presentation by Kathryn Lake Hogan. Her topic is “Finding Faith and Family in Church Records”
Genealogists often turn to church records for vital events, but many overlook the wealth of additional information these sources contain. Churches were not just places of worship; they were social, cultural, and community hubs. Records such as membership lists, pew rentals, missionary reports, and denominational newspapers can reveal family
relationships, migration patterns, and insights into social status. This presentation guides researchers in locating and interpreting these underused sources in Canada and beyond. Attendees will learn strategies for accessing denominational archives, digital collections, and local repositories, while also gaining practical tools for applying these unique records to family history.
Examples will illustrate how these records can offer insights into ancestors’ religious practices, community involvement, and social standing. Practical advice on locating these records in archives, online databases, and digitized collections will be provided, along with strategies for interpretation, such as understanding theological terms, identifying biases in records, and connecting findings to other genealogical sources.
A native of Southwestern Ontario, Canada, Kathryn Lake Hogan, UE, PLCGS, is a professional genealogist and educator with deep roots in Canada, including a mixture of Canadian, Loyalist and New England branches connecting her to England and Wales. But her passion doesn’t stop at her own genealogy; Kathryn’s mission is to help others find their ancestors in Canada.
Kathryn is a graduate of ProGen 4 and the International Institute for Genealogical Studies, earning professional learning certificates in English and Canadian genealogy. The author of research guides featuring Canadian genealogy, Kathryn, has written articles for CrossRoads, Family Tree Magazine, The In-Depth Genealogist, and the APG Quarterly. Having served in leadership roles for notable organizations such as Ontario Ancestors, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada, she continues to champion greater accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity in family history.
Kathryn’s dynamic presentations, ranging from society meetings to genealogical research institutes in Canada and the United States, have earned her a reputation as one of the leading voices in Canadian genealogy. Whether you’ve attended one of her sessions or tuned into her “Genealogy with a Canadian Twist” webinars, you’ve likely felt the excitement of Kathryn’s dedication. To register for this presentation, click here.
On Monday, March 11th at 7:30 pm the Leeds & Grenville Branch of The Ontario Genealogical Society will learn about Evaluating Evidence with a presentation by Mike More. Guidelines and some examples will help in “Determining the significance of the information we’ve found.” There is plenty of information available to genealogists but we need to examine it and determine if it is useful and correct.