Research

One of the primary objectives of the Society is to encourage, facilitate, preserve and disseminate research of family histories by people who have ancestors in the British Isles. The Society advances its research goals in two ways: by assisting members with their personal research and by initiating projects that enrich the pool of genealogical information available to everyone.

Personal Research

While BIFHSGO does not conduct family research on behalf of its members or the public, it does suggest resources that will assist individuals in their own research. For a look at a wide range of Internet-based resources, from beginning genealogy to local archives to very specialized DNA research, vist the Links page. If you would like help in finding a new or different direction for solving a specific research puzzle, send us a query and we should be able to provide some pointers.

Surname Research

BIFHSGO members use this surname database to share their research. If you are a member, use the Surname Research Request Form to submit names to this database.

Research Projects

From time to time, the Board of Directors considers and approves a research project to further the aims and objectives of the Society. These projects come under the direction of the Director, Research and Projects, whose job it is to establish the terms of reference and recruit volunteers to carry out the project.

Interested in helping with one of BIFHSGO's existing research projects? Volunteers are always welcomed for a number of different types of tasks, such as:

Transcribing specific information from microfilm held at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) in Ottawa;
Transcribing from digital copies of documents from home;
Proofreading/editing digital documents from home;
Recording a family story.

If you might be interested in volunteering for any of the ongoing projects contact the Director of Research and Projects.

Do you have a suggestion for British Isles-related research that BIFHSGO could support or that BIFHSGO volunteers could carry out? Send an email to the Director of Research and Projects outlining your suggestion. The Guidelines for Project Proposal will asist you in preparing a proposal.

Lapointe Lapointe

Project	Tasks for Volunteers	Status
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Ottawa Baptism, Marriage and Death Records To publish a book of Birth, Marriage & Death records of the early British Isles setlers in Bytown (Ottawa) as transcribed by Donald McKenzie to celebrate the opening of the new City of Ottawa Archives.	Book published May 2011 While quantities last, the book is available at the Sociey's Saturday meetings at a discount price and can be purchased online at our store.
Home Children—Middlemore Researching history & social environment of children brought to Canada by J.T. Middlemore’s Childrens’ Emigration Home .		Ongoing see Home Children
Home Children—Ups & Downs Indexing 53,000 names of Home Children from Barnardo’s UPs and DOWNs magazine between 1895 and 1949.		Ongoing
Home Children—RG17 Extraction of information from Department of Agriculture records between 1869 and 1892. Expect approx 10,000 names to be added to the LAC database.		Ongoing
Home Children—Fegan Extraction Extract and index names of children from original papers of Fegan’s National Children’s Home, currently held in private hands.		Ongoing
Home Children—Inspection Reports To create a searchable index of Canadian Government Inspection Reports of Home Children between 1920 to 1939 contained on eight reels of microfilm at LAC.		Ongoing
Home Children Commemorative Book To publish a commemorative book of Home Children stories to celebrate The Year of the Home Child 2010.		Book published Dec 2010: "British Home Children: Their Stories" Available at Global Genealogy.
Podcasting 1. To record interviews with the monthly speakers about their talks, and 2. To create digital audio family stories/histories to be shared online from the BIFHSGO website	4	Interview with the monthly speakers for the 2012-2013 season on our podcast page.