UELAC Conferences

Upcoming Conferences

Each year one of the UELAC Branches organizes a conference. This event is normally four days but may be longer or shorter.

A list of upcoming and past conferences is on the national website at UELAC Annual Conference.

Past UELAC Conferences

  • 2022: From Heartbreak to Hope in the Heart of the Continent May 25-29 hosted by Manitoba Branch.
  • 2021: Join the rEvolution - Come Be Part of the Story May 27-31 hosted by Bridge Annex Branch with partners including Cornwall Tourism.
  • 2020: Eyes on the Heart of the Continent 23 March - Cancelled due to COVID-19, hosted by Manitoba Branch.
  • 2019: The Capital Calls May 30 - June 2, hosted by Sir Guy Carleton Branch
  • 2018: Loyalist Ties Under Living Skies June 7-10 hosted by Saskatchewan Branch
  • 2017: June 22-25 in London ON, co-hosted by London & Western Ontario Branch and Grand River Branch
  • 2016: Loyalists, Lighthouses & Lobsters - Thursday July 7 to Sunday July 10 in Summerside, PEI, hosted by The Branches of the Atlantic Region: Abegweit, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
  • 2015: Loyalists Come West - Thursday May 28 to Sunday May 31 in Victoria BC, hosted by Victoria Branch

UELAC Conference 2015 - Loyalists Come West - Victoria, BC

Invitation to all Loyalists to attend the 2015 UELAC Conference in Victoria

Tour of Ross Bay Cemetery and Government House Garden - Loyalist Trails 2015-4, 25 January 2015

Ross Bay Cemetery Tour.

Although not the oldest or first cemetery in Victoria, it is the last resting place of both the ordinary and elite. The property was originally part of the farm of Isabella Ross. She was the first woman to hold title to land in BC and was the widow of a former Hudson's Bay Factor.

John Adams, who will be conducting the Walking Tour, is well known as a historian and for his very popular Ghost Tours in and around Victoria. It has been reported that, from time to time, Isabella appears in spirit, near her grave. Perhaps she is just reluctant to leave her farm.

As anyone who is involved in Genealogy knows, cemeteries are an archive of information and history recorded on the grave markers. In this regard Ross Bay Cemetery does not disappoint. You will find the people who participated in all aspects of Victoria's development and growth from the early to more recent years.

Some of the notable "residents" include Sir James Douglas (founder of Fort Victoria and an early Governor of BC),


Emily Carr (renowned artist and author),

Robert and James Dunsmuir (father and son wealthy industrialists of BC),

and victims of the tragic SS Valencia's sinking on the treacherous west coast of Vancouver Island. Wikipedia has an extensive article on this tragedy if you wish further information.

The tour being presented will focus on Loyalist's and their descendants who are resting in Ross Bay Cemetery.

We have a Father of Confederation who is descended from a Halifax Loyalist buried in Ross Bay Cemetery. The first law student called to the bar in Victoria who is a Loyalist descendant also lays in this cemetery. Come on the tour to discover who are these persons and many more with Loyalist ties.

You may find that not all who rest here are below ground. Some chose to repose above ground as this fellow attests.


Government House Garden Tour

Government House, the third building on this site, is home to British Columbia`s Vice-Regal representative of the Canadian Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC, is the Queen`s current representative.

Considered a Royal residence, the gardens of Government House reflect the status of the building.

The Gardens are under the loving care of volunteers, of the Friends of the Government House Gardens Society, in conjunction with Government House gardeners. The volunteers began in the early 1990`s and currently the Society has over 400 members. Not all members don gardening gloves and hats as many work in areas such as archives, photography, publications, greeting cards, administration, tours, the museum and special events.

There are themed gardens within the garden such as the British Columbia Native Plant Garden, the Dorothy Lam Orchard, the Victorian Rose Garden, the Woodlands Garden and the Terrace Garden.

Come and experience the delight of these varied themes of style and colour.

You may wish to visit the web site for Government House at www.ltgov.bc.ca/



Conference 2015 Planning Committee Victoria, BC