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Episode #74-June 1, 2018
A friend of mine came back from Rootstech 2018 raving about this new virtual genealogy society, the Québec Genealogical eSociety. She lives on the west coast and quite often grumbles because I live within a one and a half hour’s drive of three wonderful French-Canadian genealogy libraries, and she has none. So this really peaked her interest, and she suggested I do an episode on it. So, Margie, here it is!
Québec Genealogical eSociety
Purpose
The purpose of the eSociety is to “replicate in the virtual world the brick-and-mortar experience of a Québec-focused genealogical society.”
The three fundamental pillars of the eSociety are the same as they are for brick-and-mortar societies:
Research – using computer databases and books containing such items as cemetery transcriptions and family genealogies
Networking – work with and help others, share discoveries, socialize
Continuous improvement – improve methodologies and research skills
The Québec Genealogical eSociety hopes to provide these same experiences but in a virtual world. Its intent is not to take people away from the brick-and-mortar societies, but to provided help to those without access, for whatever reason, to a brick-and-mortar society and to provide another tool for those who are members of other societies.
Volunteers
Members pretty much run all aspects of the society. The society needs an assistant webinar coordinator. Members also present all webinars, at least for now. Especially needed are bilingual volunteers.
The website is in both English and French. There is an English version newsletter as well as a French version. The webinars, however, will not be translated from one language to the other.
Webinars
Webinars are an opportunity for members to share with other members. Every month, there is a New Member Orientation webinar, one in French and one in English. This will explain the features of the website to you. For a list of all upcoming webinars, see Upcoming Webinars. The website also provides an Attendee Quick Reference Guide which explains how to register for and join a webinar. If you miss a webinar, they are archived for members to view at a later date.
Virtual Library
This is in the planning stages. The society is hoping to soon add many digitized books for Quebec genealogists.
Online databases
- PRDH– most researchers are familiar with the PRDH; it includes records from the beginning of Quebec up to the early 1800s and is growing.
- BMS2000– the work of twenty-four different Quebec genealogical societies; includes Catholic and non-Catholic records up to the middle of the 20th century.
Suggested strategy: Begin with the BMS2000 to find grandparents and great-grandparents. Work your way back. Once you’re back to the early 1800s, switch to the PRDH.
Genealogyquebec is not currently one of the available databases (stay tuned).
A membership to the Québec Genealogical eSociety gives you unlimited access to these databases.
Resource links
After researching in the databases, be sure to check out the resource links. Here you’ll find links to valuable resources, such as cemetery transcriptions and census records, divided into the seventeen administrative regions of Quebec and categorized by record type.
In the future
The society hopes to increase membership and have more webinar volunteers in the next year or so. They are also adding a members’ forum to aid in networking and will be adding a Family Genealogies section to the website.
Eventually the society will get the virtual library up and running. There are also plans to institute an online coaching feature where members can get assistance from other members with expertise in a particular area.
To join
Go to the website at genquebec.com and click on Login/Join, or go directly to the Login/Join page. You are encouraged to create a profile with a photo to help other members connect with you. Annual membership is $45.00 CDN (currently approximately $35.00 US).
Find us
Website: https://www.genquebec.com/
Facebook: In English, search for the Quebec Genealogical Esociety
Facebook: In French, search for esociété généalogique du québec (The name of the society will soon change to Société Généalogique virtuelle du Québec.)
Email: At the bottom of each page at genquebec.com, you’ll see a link to Leave us a message.
Johanne will be in the Maple Stars and Stripes Facebook Group to answer any questions you might have about the society.
Announcements
Donation
Tricia from California made a generous donation in support of this podcast. Thank you, Tricia!
French-Canadian News
The Franco-American Centre
June 16, Fête de la St-Jean-Baptiste: 4 PM-a mass at St. Anthony Church in Manchester. 5:30 PM- buffet dinner in the St. Anthony Community Center with special guest Josée Vachon.
The French-Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut
June 22, 6 PM: commemorative dinner-dance at Maneeley’s in South Windsor in celebration of the 5th Anniversary of French-Canadian Day. This event honors our ancestors and recognizes the “heritage and substantial contributions the French-Canadians have brought to the state.”
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