Michiganders and Canadians: Presenting at Ontario Genealogical Society’s 2026 Conference

In exciting news, I’ve been invited to present at the Ontario Genealogical Society’s 2026 Virtual Conference, "From Steamships to Microchips," being held June 12–14, 2026.

My presentation, “Michiganders and Canadians: History, Connections, and Immigration,” explores a truth many of us in the Great Lakes region know well: the border has always been a porous thing, and our ties to Canada run deep.

A Connection Spanning Centuries

Before either the United States or Canada existed as we know them today, there were deep ties between these lands. From the French Canadians who settled Fort Detroit in 1701 to Black Americans seeking freedom across the Detroit River prior to the 1860s, the movement between Michigan and Canada has been a constant ebb and flow for centuries.

In this session, we’ll dive into:

• The shared history of these two regions.

• Key immigration movements that shaped our family trees.

• Strategic ways to research ancestors who moved back and forth across the border.

Why This Topic is My Passion

It’s no secret that the genealogy of Michigan, Ontario, and Quebec is the heartbeat of my research practice. But for me, this is a deep part of my personal genealogy research. Some branches of my own tree spent eight generations in Quebec before venturing to Michigan; others lived for decades in Essex County, Ontario, just a stone's throw across the river from Detroit; and others moved to the area just south of Fort Detroit while it was still in the possession of the French government.

In my family, all roads lead through Michigan, but those roads were paved by the ancestors who crossed from Canada. I am so honored to share these stories and strategies with the OGS community.

I hope to see you there!