Gene-O-Rama 2011

Library and Archives Canada was the venue last Friday and Saturday for The OGS Ottawa Branch annual conference, Gene-O-Rama. I was in Toronto, but received reports on the meeting.

The pre-conference beginner's course, given by Lesley Anderson and Glenn Wright, sometimes actually presenting together, was over-subscribed at 53. While the room was crowded and warm, and not everything planned could be said, several very positive comments were received.

Friday evening saw the Houston Lecture given by Fawne Stratford-Devai. I've never known Fawne to disappoint. According to Elizabeth Kipp this was no exception. Elizabeth commented on her blog that she "enjoys Fawne's talks mostly because they set my mind thinking about circuitous ways of looking at my ancestors. Not just looking right at them but noticing what is around them in terms of structure and in terms of other people not just relatives."

By all accounts Saturday's presentations and the marketplace went well with 196 people registered, plus people who didn't register coming just for the marketplace which is open to the public. The event ended with a banquet at Algonquin College with a relaxed Lesley Anderson extolling the benefits and virtues of Ancestry.ca.

With Ottawa Branch involved in organizing the OGS annual conference in Kingston in 2012 there will be no Gene-O-Rama. However, Ottawa Branch will be hosting the OGS Region VIII AGM in 2012 which is usually around the same time of year.