2026-03-24 Cultural Programming: Discover Your Roots: A Deep Dive into Canadian Heritage

THE RECORDINGS ARE POSTED BELOW

A Two-Part Interaction Genealogy Workshop! Are you ready to uncover the stories hidden in your family tree? Whether you’re just starting or looking to break through a brick wall, join us to explore your Canadian ancestry with expert guidance.

• Famous Lineage: Could you be descended from a notable Canadian figure?
• Deep Roots: How many generations back can you actually go?
• Indigenous Heritage: Do you have many-times-great-grandparents with Indigenous roots?

SESSION 1:

The meeting focused on genealogy research techniques and resources, with Janine Cotugno Guimond providing detailed instructions on tracing Canadian family history. She demonstrated how to use FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and other genealogical websites to find birth, marriage, and death records, with particular emphasis on Quebecois records and French-Canadian naming customs. The session included practical examples of searching census records and building family trees, while Channon Mondoux shared information about Canadiana Fest events and resources. The presentation concluded with a discussion of various genealogical tools and websites, including RootsTech, and addressed questions about documentation, name variations, and religious records.

SESSION 2:

Here is the recording for Session 2:

The song I refer to in this video is “Un Canadien Errant” an ode to Canada by a French Canadian in 1842 after the Great Expulsion. According to Wikipedia, “Un Canadien errant” (“A Wandering Canadian”) is a song written in 1842 by Antoine Gérin-Lajoie after the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837–1838. Some of the rebels were condemned to death, others forced into exile to the United States and as far as Australia. Gérin-Lajoie wrote the song, about the pain of exile, while taking his classical exams at the Séminaire de Nicolet. The song has become a patriotic anthem for certain groups of Canadians who have at some point in their history experienced the pain of exile. Like with Canadians exiled following the Lower Canada Rebellion, the song has come to hold particular importance for the rebels of the Upper Canada Rebellion, and for the Acadians, who suffered mass deportation from their homeland in the Great Upheaval between 1755 and 1763. The Acadian version is known as “Un Acadien errant”. Whitehorse does my favorite version- you can listen to them here.

Here is the handout for both parts with extensive resources for genealogical research:

What We’ll Cover:

This isn’t just a lecture—it’s a hands-on masterclass. Over two sessions, you will:

• Master the Databases: Watch live demonstrations of essential genealogy tools.
• Learn the “Do’s & Don’ts”: Avoid common pitfalls in historical research.
• Build Your Toolbelt: Access genealogy software and research aids to help organize your findings.
• Source Like a Pro: Learn how to cite your findings so your research stands the test of time.
• Get Guided Support: Each session ends with a 10-minute moderated Q&A.

To ensure the best experience for our participants, please note:

• Space is Limited: Attendance is capped at the first 95 registered attendees.
• Public Service: This workshop is provided FREE as a public service.
• Focus Areas: This session is strictly for genealogical research. We will not be covering U.S.-to-Canada emigration, Bill C3 implications, or citizenship by descent.

Your Hosts:

• Channon Russette Mondoux: Director/Creator of Canadiana Fest (Canadian American).
• Janine Guimont Cotugno: Genealogist with the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogy Society (Canadian by descent)