Schedule of 2026 Meetings

May 30, 2026
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 995 Cedar Lane, Bracebridge
10:00am - 12:00pm

Fred Blair

How to Find Upper Canadian War of 1812 Veterans' Stories

Join us for some interesting stories about War of 1812 Veterans and resources for researching them. Fred Blair had been following his ancestry through great grandfather Samuel Henry Blair of Sprucedale in the Parry Sound District. After connecting with lost cousins the Blair family tree was traced back to Glengarry County in 1803 and other branches back to Loyalists and Palatine Germans in New York State. In 2010, Fred discovered War of 1812 records online at Collections Canada and went looking for stories about his ancestors, and by 2015 he had created an online guide to assist others researching veterans the War of 1812 for the Bicentennial commemorations. For his blog warof1812cdnstories.blogspot.com Fred has compiled many indices and transcriptions and other research aids to regimental records. The presentation will include Chief Yellowhead (Musquakie) whose hunting grounds were in Muskoka, and Andrew Borland, the fur trader.

*If your ancestor was involved in the War of 1812 you can email the names to mpsgg1985@gmail.com before May 15 and Fred may find some information for inclusion in the presentation.

All are welcome.

June 20, 2026
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 995 Cedar Lane, Bracebridge
10:00am - 12:00pm

Rhonda Hoffman

Using AI Tools for Genealogy

Join us to learn about some cool genealogy tools that will help make your research, productivity, and planning easier — and some that will let you have a little fun. The following tools will be demonstrated: using artificial intelligence for transcribing records, making tables, and creating images; helpful apps such as Google Lens and Genius Scan; diagram sites; Family Search full-text search; citation builders; and Google Earth Pro.

Rhonda Hoffman is the Genealogy Specialist for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. She is a board member of the Western New York Genealogical Society.

*Rhonda will be presenting remotely (Zoom) to an audience at the Bracebridge venue, and participants may also join from home.

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

All Are Welcome.

October 3, 2026
Muskoka Lakes Museum 100 Joseph Street, Port Carling
10:00am - 12:00pm

- time and details to be updated -

Show and Tell Event

Do you have an item of historical significance that you would like to show and tell us about? Let us know so we can schedule you in.

The leaves should be glorious then, so we plan to give out back-road maps, marked with sites and graveyards that we know to have historical interest.

Details of nearby parking options will be updated. The museum is accessed along a paved pathway that climbs a hill.

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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 a Brashear Co. portable 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.

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.

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.