Oxford County Branch of Ontario Ancestors Virtual Meeting!

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Oxford County Branch – Ontario Ancestors – Zoom Meeting: March 10, 2025 at 7pm!

The Devon Elliotts: The Stories of Those Who Came, Those Who Stayed and
Those Who Left Presented by Glenn Elliott

Glenn was born and raised on a North Oxford farm two kilometres west of Beachville. He spent an idyllic childhood of chores, tractors, and farm activities. However he was one of those who left.  A 40 year career in Broadcast Television in Vancouver was a far cry from the solitude of the farm and dairy herd. With retirement and Covid limiting activities he was looking for a project and started researching his family.  His massive family history is still a document in progress.  It was an eye
opening road to discovery of the exciting, tragic, humbling, humorous stories of his extended family and those who preceded them.  Along his journey he met family members he didn’t know before and made many new friends.

To register for this free presentation, please visit our website at https://oxford.ogs.on.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

Join the OxHS at the Rec & Leisure Fair!

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Hello Everyone,

Please visit our booth at this year’s Rec & Leisure Fair and enter our free draw!

When: Sunday, March 2, 2025 from 1-4pm
Where: Oxford Auditorium

At our booth you can purchase local history books and 2025 memberships! Memberships are $10.00 per person for the year! Please note that this is a cash only event.

Can’t attend the event but want to join the Society? No problem, you can complete the Membership form and send us payment via e-transfer or PayPal.

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

OxHS Upcoming Presentation – Wednesday, March 26, 2025!

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Dear Members,

Please welcome Helen Dowd, Secretary of the Zorra Caledonian Society and the Embro Highland Games for her presentation on:

A History of the Zorra Caledonian Society – Host of Ontario’s Oldest Highland Games!

Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Time:  6:30 p.m.
Location: Woodstock Museum National Historic Site 

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

Oxford County Branch Ontario Ancestors Upcoming Events!

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Oxford County Branch – Ontario Ancestors – February 10th Meeting on Zoom

The Potter’s Field Project at the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery:  Presented by Cody Groat, Assistant Professor in the Department of History and the Indigenous Studies program at Western University. 

This presentation will focus on the work of the Potter’s Field Project at the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery. The Potter’s Field is an unmarked section of the cemetery where nearly 400 people were buried. These community members were differentiated based of their socio-economic status. The stories of people who were buried in the Potter’s Field will be shared including stories of former enslaved African Americans, British Home Children, people impacted by the Chinese Head Tax, and the unhoused.

To register for this free presentation, please visit our website at https://oxford.ogs.on.ca

Family Day at the Oxford Branch of Ontario Ancestors – February 17, 2025

Make this a true Family Day activity and take this opportunity to start the next generation on a lifelong journey of discovery by introducing them to genealogy and family history.  Drop in at the Oxford County Branch of Ontario Ancestors Open House at the Governors’ House, in Court House Square, 82 Light Street, Woodstock on Family Day, from 10 am 4 pm. Oxford Branch holds a large and growing collection of resources and reference material on family and local history. Regular hours are Tuesday – Thursday 10 am to 4 pm. The Open House will be held on February 17th, 2025 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Everyone is welcome.  For more information check our web site at https://oxford.ogs.on.ca  email oxford@ogs.on.ca or call 519-421-1700.  

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

OxHS 2025 AGM Update!

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025: AGM & Presentation

Please join us for the Society’s AGM, which will be held at the Woodstock Museum, NHS, doors open at 6:30pm, meeting will start at 6:45pm.

At this meeting the 2025 Executive will be voted in, all paying members will have a chance to vote. 

The nominees for each positions are:

Chair – Scott Gillies
Vice Chair – Eleanor Gardhouse
Treasurer – Brian Garner
Secretary – Brenda Boswell
Membership – Catherine Spears
Director – Don Wilson

Membership fees are due at the AGM. 
Annual memberships run from January to December. 
Memberships are $10.00
Membership can be paid by cash or cheque to the Oxford Historical Society, or by eTransfer or PayPal to purchases@oxhs.ca
To become a member complete this form: 2025 Membership Form 
Email the completed form to info@oxhs.ca
Or, mail the completed form to:
Oxford Historical Society
PO Box 20091
Woodstock ON N4S 8X8

Elaine Becker presenting To Be Continued: The Story of the Salvation Army in Woodstock
From Elaine: “In January 1884 the Salvation Army came to Woodstock Ontario led by a group of Salvationists from Ingersoll Ontario. The organization had only begun in London England in 1865 under the Leadership of William and Catherine Booth. Who are these people and how did this organization spread so quickly as an international movement?

Learn the origins and the motivation of this organization that still keep it moving forward today. In how many countries does it operate?  Perhaps the more important question for the local residents will be the progress of the Army here in Woodstock. You will be introduced to some of the colourful characters. Bring any questions you may have about this group of people and Elaine will endeavour  to answer them.”

Copies of To Be Continued: The Story of the Salvation Army in Woodstock will be available for sale for $15.00 each, taxes included.

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!