This is a hybrid meeting:
- Join us in person at Knox Presbyterian Church (Lisgar & Elgin) in Geneva Hall. Please use the Garden Entrance on Elgin Street. Limited free street parking is available on Saturdays, and the City Hall Parking Garage is available for $2.00.
- Join online by registering here.
. This registration covers both events.
Documenting Lives: A Spotlight on BIFHSGO's Partnership with Library and Archives Canada from 1994 to 2026 and Beyond / 9.30 a.m. EDT
BIFHSGO Research and Projects Director Sue Lambeth, joined by Nicole Watier, Genealogy Consultant at Library and Archives Canada (LAC), will speak about the partnership between BIFHSGO and LAC that has spanned more than 31 years. They will highlight projects undertaken by BIFHSGO volunteers that document events in the lives of British home children. Sue and Nicole will also offer a look ahead, describing new initiatives planned for 2026 and beyond.
A Good and Faithful Servant: the life of Henry Arrowsmith Brogdon (1812-1883)
Presenter: Veronica Scrimger
In the 19th century, Methodism expanded greatly in the counties of Northumberland and Durham. Like many other lay preachers at this time, Veronica Scrimger’s 3x great-grandfather Henry Brogdon made a significant lifelong contribution to the spread of the word of God. He preached in over 165 cities, towns and villages in the northeast of England. His was a dual life; Henry worked a full-time job and spent his evenings and Sundays sharing the teachings of Jesus Christ. Henry witnessed the development of the railways and the expansion of coal mining in the Great Northern coalfield. His death in December 1883 left a huge void in his community of Willington, County Durham.
Veronica Scrimger is a retired librarian and telecommunications product manager. Her one regret in life is that she did not discover the enjoyment of family history research long before 2015! So far, she has researched and written about most of her husband's interesting Scrimger ancestors. Hannah Scrimger's story appeared in the ACR in Spring 2025. Veronica is now delving into the lives of her Methodist ancestors on the paternal side, including one who was a contemporary of John Wesley. She is currently an active member of the BIFHSGO Writing Group.