KAREN INKSTER VANCE
2026
March 28
Surrey FamilySearch Centre, 6270 126 Street, Surrey, BC
2 pm | One Memory at a Time: Writing Family Stories
We all carry stories of parents and grandparents, and of our own lives. But where do we begin when we want to write them down? This beginner-friendly workshop will guide you step by step in turning simple memories into meaningful written stories. You don't need to be a writer, just comeone who remembers. Through practical tips and a short guided writing exercise, you'll learn how to capture one small moment at a time and preserve it for future generations.
October 17
Abbotsford Family History Day, 30635 Blueridge Dr, Abbotsford, BC
Stay tuned for further details!
2025
May 10
Abbotsford Family History Day, 30635 Blueridge Dr, Abbotsford, BC
10 am & 11 am | Census Research 101: Learning the Basics
Census records are one of the best starting points for discovering your ancestors. They can reveal names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, immigration details, and more. In this beginner-friendly session, you'll learn how to find, read, and make sense of these valuable records - whether you're researching in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., or beyond. Then, we'll apply your new skills to help solve a real family history mystery!
2024
January 10
BC Genealogical Society (Online Presentation), 1.5 hours www.bcgs.ca
Delving Deep: The Power of Place
May 11
Powell River Genealogical Society
Snapshot stories: Using photos to tell your family history
Ancestors in Context: Putting the History in your family history
September 21
Shetland Family History Society Online Conference 2024
Spinsters, Widows & Wives: Stories of Shetland Women
2023
March 18
Victoria Genealogical Society (Online workshop, 1.5 hours) www.victoriags.org
Storytelling 101: Write + Share Your (Short) Family Stories
April 15
Abbotsford Family History Day (in-person conference)
Snapshot stories: Using photos to tell your family history
Census Research 101
September 9
Shetland Library & Shetland Family History Society (In-person)
'A cruel maister, da sea'
December 2
Surrey, BC Book Launch (in-person)
'A cruel maister, da sea'
2022
August 10
BC Genealogical Society (Online Presentation, 1 hour) www.bcgs.ca
From Researcher to Writer (Part I): Preparing to Write Your Ancestor's Story
November 19
BC Genealogical Society (Online Workshop, 2 hours) www.bcgs.ca
From Researcher to Writer (Part 2): Writing Your Ancestor's Story
2021
January 18
Nanaimo Family History Society, Nanaimo, BC (Webinar) www.nanaimofamilyhistorysociety.ca
Tabletop Stories: Food and your Family History
February 10
BC Genealogical Society (Webinar) www.bcgs.ca
Storytelling 101: Write + Share your (short) family stories
March 18
Abbotsford Family History Centre (Webinar)
Ancestors in Context: Putting the History in your Family History
May 6
Campbell River Genealogy Society (Webinar)
Storytelling 101: Write + share your (short) family stories
September 20
Surrey Family History Centre (Webinar) 10 a.m. PST
A Story a Day: Capturing your family memories on-the-go
September 22
Surrey Family History Centre (Webinar) 7 p.m. PST
A Story a Day: Capturing your family memories on-the-go
2020
January 14
Surrey Family History Writing Group
Building a Book with Blurb's Bookwright
2019
January 14
Nanaimo Family History Society, Nanaimo, BC www.nanaimofamilyhistorysociety.ca
Snapshot Stories: Using photos + images to Enhance your Family History
January 15 & 16
Qualicum Beach Genealogical Society
Ancestors in Context: Putting the History in your Family History
Snapshot Stories: Using photos + images to Enhance your Family History
February 18 & 20
Surrey Family History Centre
Storytelling 101: Write + Share your (short) family stories
March 2
Victoria Family History Conference
Storytelling 101: Write + share your (short family stories)
Ancestors in Context: Putting the history in your family history
April 3
Surrey 1st Ward Relief Society Meeting
Tabletop Stories: Food and your family history
May 4
Abbotsford Family History Day
Talk to Me: Techniques for Conducting a Successful Oral History Interview
Storytelling 101: Write + Share your (short) family stories
October 19
Finding Your Roots Conference, Surrey BC
Tabletop Stories: Food and your family history
Storytelling 101: Write + share your (short) family stories
2018
March 9-10
Victoria Family History Conference, Victoria BC
Keynote address: World War I: The Stories Around Us
Storytelling 101: Write + share your (short) family stories
Ancestors in Context: Putting the history in your family history
October 13
Finding Your Roots Conference, Surrey BC
Storytelling 101: Write + share your (short) family stories
WWI: The Stories Around Us
Talk to Me: Techniques for conducting a successful oral history interview
2017
March 11
Victoria Family History Conference
Talk to me: Techniques for conducting a successful oral history interview
Write Now!: How to write and share a compelling family history
April 29
Family History Day, Abbotsford BC
Snapshot Stories: Using Photos + Images to Enhance your family history
May 15 & 17
Surrey Family History Centre
Ancestors in Context: Putting the history in your family history
June 15
Abbotsford Genealogical Society, Abbotsford BC
Talk to Me: Techniques for conducting a successful oral history interview
October 14
Finding Your Roots Conference, Surrey BC
Ancestors in Context: Putting the history in your family history
Census Research 101
Snapshot Stories: Using photos + images to enhance your family history
November 16
Abbotsford Genealogical Society
Storytelling 101: Write + Share your (short) family stories
2016
February 17
Family History Seminar, Surrey, BC
Write Now! How to Write and Share a Compelling Family History
February 27
Victoria Genealogy Conference, Victoria, BC
Objects with tales to tell: Preserving family stories through heirlooms
Talk to me: Techniques for conducting a successful oral history interview
Write Now! How to write and share a compelling family history
April 30
Galiano Genealogy Society, Galiano, BC
Write Now! How to Write and Share a Compelling Family History
October 15
Finding Your Roots Conference, Surrey, BC
Snapshot Stories: Using photos + images to enhance your family history
Objects with Tales to Tell: Preserving family stories through heirlooms
2015
January 30
Victoria Genealogy Conference
Talk to Me: Techniques for conducting a successful oral history interview
Write Now! How to write and share a compelling family history
October 17
Finding Your Roots Conference, Surrey BC
Talk to Me: Techniques for conducting a successful oral history interview
Write Now! How to write and share a compelling family history