Schedule of 2025 Meetings

October 25, 2025
Royal Canadian Legion in Huntsville 21 Veterans Way, Huntsville - Attend in person or by Zoom
10:00am - 12:00pm

Ken McKinlay of the Family Tree Knots blog

Second World War: Researching the Canadians who Served

Ken will dive into the wealth of records available for researching Canadians who served during the Second World War. We’ll explore both the poignant records of those who gave their lives in service to Canada and the archival resources that reveal the stories of those who survived. Whether your interest lies in service details, personal narratives, or broader historical in-sights, this session provides the tools and guidance to deepen your understanding of those who served. Ken will be presenting remotely (Zoom) to an audience at the Huntsville Legion, and participants may also join from home.

Zoom participants please log in at 10:20 on this link: https://zoom.us/j/4167068534

Following the presentation we will hear a local family’s experiences during the war.
All Are Welcome.

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Past Meetings

May 17, 2025
Bracebridge Library *new location* at 34 Salmon Avenue, Bracebridge
10:00am - 12:00pm

Cindy Buhne - Library, and
Lisa Rance - MPSGG member

A Tour of the Bracebridge Library's Historical and Genealogy Resources & A Local History Story

Tour of the new library location within the Community Center led by Cindy Buhne, Adult & Information Services Librarian

Sydney Hill's Muskoka Orbit and where it led

It was in making WW1 additions to the online Canadian Virtual War Memorial that Genealogy Club member Lisa Rance chanced upon a fascinating story of a Bracebridge teen and his friendship with the world-renowned astronomer and humanitarian John A. Brashear. From his summer residence on Lake Muskoka's "Isle Urania", Professor Brashear was working with the University of Toronto's J.S. Plaskett to build the largest telescope in the world! Lisa went on a search for Brashear's own portable cottage porch refractor that had been donated to the Bracebridge Highschool in 1922.

June 7, 2025
& June 8 at J.D. Lang Activity Park (Bracebridge Fairgrounds) 331 Fraserburg Road, Bracebridge
9:00am - 5:00pm

MPSGG Drop-In

The 'Bracebridge 150'-Yr Centennial Weekend

The Town of Bracebridge is marking its 150-year anniversary in 2025 and will be celebrating with a weekend of exciting events. The Muskoka-Parry Sound Genealogy group take part in the community showcase at J.D. Lang Activity Park (Bracebridge Fairgrounds) on June 7 and 8. We will be there to answer your questions and assist with your genealogy questions.

April 26, 2025
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 995 Cedar Lane, Bracebridge
10:00am - 12:00pm

Nancy Leveque

Getting the Most from your DNA Results

DNA has become an important tool in the genealogist’s tool kit, but many people don’t truly understand how to get the most from them. Once you have taken a test and looked at the results, did you throw your hands up in the air not knowing what to make of this information? Join Nancy Leveque of the Simcoe County Ontario Ancestors as she touches on DNA basics as well as provides ideas to help you make the most of your matches through demonstration and case studies., Come and join us - Attendance is free– Bring your questions along.

October 19, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 995 Cedar Lane, Bracebridge
10:00am - 12:00pm

Jenn Huddleston, MLIS

Muskoka Records in the Simcoe County Archives

Jenn Huddleston, Archivist, Private Collections, Simcoe County Archives will speak about Muskoka District holdings in this adjacent county's collections. Jenn will be presenting remotely (Zoom) to an audience at the Bracebridge LDS Centre, and participants may also join from home on the Zoom platform.

Zoom participants please log in at 09:50 on this link: https://zoom.us/j/4167068534

September 21, 2024
Huntsville Public Library 7 Minerva Street East, Huntsville
10:00am - 12:00pm

Lynn Bennett

Finding your British Roots

Not just the genealogy but the history at that time that affected decisions made. Lynn Bennett got hooked on genealogy at the age of ten listening to the stories her Great Grandmother told her over many cups of sweat tea and lots of slices of Spanish Bar Cake. It’s been almost 60 years and while she no longer takes her tea with sugar and the cake is hard to find, Lynn continues to explore stories told by her grandparents, parents, great aunts and uncles, and cousins. Through her conversations, research and travels she has uncovered new stories—her journey continues.

June 15, 2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 995 Cedar Lane, Bracebridge
10:00am - 12:00pm

MPSGG

Scottish Records

A recording from LDS library on Scottish research will be shown. Lisa Rance will follow with some excellent free online e-books concerning Scottish migration history within Canada.

May 11, 2024
Huntsville Public Library 7 Minerva Street East, Huntsville
10:00am - 12:00pm

Wayne Cooper

Steps in Searching the Upper Canada Land Petitions on the LAC Website

This will be a workshop requiring participants to bring their own computers and gain internet access at the presentation site. All participants will receive a two-page print-out of the recommend steps. Wayne will first conduct a half-hour search demonstration and then all participants will do their own searches using the recommended steps.