Doors Open Ottawa 2014

The Canadian Conservation Institute has sent me this notice to post. They will be taking part in the Door Open Ottawa 2014 to be held over the summer months in Ottawa.

"We invite you to join us at the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) during Doors Open Ottawa on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to explore the fascinating world of conservation and conservation science. Tour CCI laboratories and speak with our conservators and conservation scientists about the work we do to preserve Canada’s heritage.

Visit us to view the following artifacts: the Salzinnes Antiphonal, a rare cultural and ecclesiastical 16th- century liturgical manuscript written in iron gall ink on parchment; a gut skin parka made of strips of walrus intestines that dates back to the Classic Thule Period, approximately 500 years ago; and a Niagara Falls panoramic photo described as the largest one-piece, one-exposure photo enlargement in the world. Also, learn about the pests of cultural property and how to control them in collections, find out which materials can damage historic objects simply by being near them, see a demonstration of photographic and radiographic techniques used in the examination of paintings and museum objects, and much more.

If you are unable to join us on June 7, we will also be open to the public on Thursday, July 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as part of our involvement in Canada History Week". 

The CCI is located at 1030 Innes Road (southeast corner of Innes and St. Laurent), Ottawa. 

Their website is at http://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/in

Ottawa Branch of the OGS meeting will be held tomorrow

Tomorrow Saturday May 31st, at 1 o’clock at the Ottawa City Archives on Tallwood Drive (Room 115), the Ottawa Branch of the OGS meeting will be held.

Are You a "Trust Me" Genealogist? - Citation of Sources: The Why and How will be presented by Heather Oakley who will explore the reasons why genealogists need to provide a citation of their sources of information. Additionally, she will show many examples of how all types of sources should be cited in their family history research.

This meeting will be simulcast for members who can't join us in person. 

To join the meeting, go to http://genealogicalstudies.adobeconnect.com/ottawaogs 

Their website is http://ogsottawa.on.ca 

The blog is at http://ogsottawa.blogspot.com

Empress of Ireland

  

I have just been to the website of the museum devoted to the sinking of the Empress of Ireland at http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/home.html.

It was today that the Empress of Ireland sank after being in a collision with the SS Storstad in dense fog off of Rimouski, Quebec. More than 1,000 people lost their lives.

You can read about the sinking of the ship, read the personal stories of the people who were on the ship, and you can plan your visit to the museum at Pointe-au-Père (near Rimouski), Quebec.

You can even plan a boat tour of the place that the ship went down, and you can witness the images of the ship via underwater sonar!

The museum is open until October 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day.

You can also revisit my post The Empress of Ireland - May 29, 1914 at
http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-empress-of-ireland-may-29-1914.html

LAC releases its latest podcast - Underwater Canada: Investigation Shipwrecks.

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has released its latest podcast episode - Underwater Canada: Investigation Shipwrecks. 

In part, the press release says that - 

"In honour of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, Marc-André Bernier, Chief of Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Service, joins us to discuss shipwrecks, their importance in Canadian history, and how LAC plays an important role in researching, discovering and investigating them". 

The podcast is at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/news/podcasts/Pages/investigating-shipwrecks.aspx 

There is also a transcription of the podcast on the website.

Underwater Canada: A Researcher’s Brief Guide to Shipwrecks

If you are researching a shipwreck in your genealogy, the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has released pointers on how to use their records to do the research - 

Shipwrecks, both as historical events and artifacts, have sparked the imagination and an interest in the maritime heritage of Canada. The discovery of the War of 1812 wrecks Hamilton and Scourge, found in Lake Ontario in the 1970s, and the discovery of the Titanic in the 1980s, served to heighten public awareness of underwater archaeology and history. 

Whether you are a wreck hunter on the trail of a lost vessel, or a new shipwreck enthusiast eager to explore images and documents that preserve the epic tales of Canadian waters, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has something for you.

Starting your research 

First, gather as much information as possible about the shipwreck(s) you are researching. Specifically, you will ideally want to obtain the following information (in order of importance):

· Name of Vessel

· Location of accident

· Date of accident

· Ship’s port of registry

· Ship’s official number

· Year of vessel’s construction 

The Ship Registration Index at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/ship-registration/index-e.html?PHPSESSID=7g9h5km4d9l7l0krorlhh9n9s5 is a helpful resource. The database includes basic information about more than 78,000 ships registered in ports of Canada between 1787 and 1966. 

Can’t locate all of the information listed? There’s no cause for concern! Not all of the information is necessary, but it is essential that you know the name of the vessel. All Government records relating to shipwrecks are organized according to the ship’s name.

What is Available?

Using Archives Search at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/search/arch , you can locate the following types of material:

Photographs

· Consult the How to Find Photographs Online article for more help.

Maps

· In Archives Search, under “Type of material”, select “Maps and cartographic material” to narrow your results.

Government Records 

All records listed are found in the documents of the Marine Branch (Record Group 42) and/or Transport Canada (Record Group 24). Official Wreck Registers, 1870‒1975

· Wreck Reports, 1907‒1974

· Register of Investigations into Wrecks, 1911‒1960

· Marine Casualty Investigation Records, 1887‒1980

Important: Government records contain information about shipwrecks that occurred in Canadian waters, and include all accidents involving foreign vessels in Canadian waters.

Please note: this is not an exhaustive list of resources, but rather a compilation of some of the major sources of documentation available on shipwrecks held at LAC.

Helpful Hints 

You can find a number of digitized photographs, maps and documents on the Shipwreck Investigations virtual exhibition at http://www.lac-bac.gc.ca/sos/shipwrecks/index-e.html. More specifically, check out the collection of digitized Official Wreck Registers in the Shipwreck Investigations Database. Simply check if the name of the vessel you are researching is listed.

Another excellent source of information on shipwrecks is local public libraries. There are many maritime histories and bibliographies that offer reference points to begin your shipwreck research.

2014 Eastern European Family History Conference

The Foundation for East European Family History Studies is presenting The Eastern European Family History Conference which will be held from August 11-15, 2014 at the Plaza Hotel, Salt Lake City, in Utah.

This year’s program will provide two and one-half days of presentations, preceded by optional workshops, and followed by time to research in the nearby Family History Library. The presentations will be Wednesday through Friday, August 12-15, and the pre-conference workshops will be Monday and Tuesday, August 10-11.

Some of the speakers will be Canadian genealogist Dave Obee, in addition to Thomas K. Edlund, Joe Everett and Nathan Murphy, just to name a few of the top-notch speakers that will be at Salt Lake City. .

To see the full program, go to http://feefhsworkshop.org

There is also a blog at http://feefhsworkshop.org/blog

Canadian Week in Review 26 May 2014

I have come across the following Canadian websites, social media websites, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

Websites

The Battle of the Atlantic
http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/navy-life/history-boa.page
The battle of the Atlantic is called “A century of sacrifice at sea”, and it was the longest and largest battle ever fought during the Second World War.

Events in History

In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier left St-Malo on his second voyage to Canada
http://www.historymuseum.ca/virtual-museum-of-new-france/the-explorers/jacques-cartier-1534-1542
This virtual website of the voyages of Jacques Cartier brings the details of his trips to Canada alive.

From the first solo flight of Charles A. Lindbergh on May 8, 1927 to Paris—to Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic to Northern Ireland in May 21, 1932—they both made their last North American stop in Newfoundland.

And why did they stop in Newfoundland? Because it was the closest landmass to Europe where they could stop and refuel the plane for the trip.

Read about Lindberg’s flight at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lindbergh#The_Orteig_Prize.2C_Spirit_of_St._Louis.2C_and_New_York-Paris_flight

Read about Earhart’s flight at http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/May-June-08/On-this-Day--Amelia-Earhart-Embarks-on-Solo-Atlantic-Flight.html

Newspaper Articles

Derksen drops plan to turn Dalnavert Museum into Candace House http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/derksen-drops-plan-to-turn-dalnavert-museum-into-candace-house-1.2651842
The long and contentious fight to rename the Dalnavert House and turn it into a home for victims of crime and their families has ended with the house to remain a museum.

Canadian province apologizes for historical wrongs against Chinese immigrants
http://english.cntv.cn/2014/05/22/VIDE1400740204186805.shtml
The province of British Columbia has officially apologized to the Chinese government for “historical wrongs against Chinese immigrants”. Although the Canadian government apologized in 2006, British Columbia is the first province to do so.

Museum mixup: War museum plans fall under 'Museum of History' mantle
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Museum+mixup+museum+plans+fall+under+Museum+History+mantle/9855768/story.html
In case you did not understand the role of the two museums in the 150th celebration of the birth of Canada—the Canadian War Museum, and the Canadian Museum of History—has been explained in Parliament! The Canadian War Museum will concern itself with the wars that Canada has been involved with, and the Canadian Museum of History will concern itself with everything else!

Museum is commemorating military milestones
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Canadian+Museum+commemorating+military+milestones/9856175/story.html
Here is how the Canadian War Museum is commemorating Canadian military over the next few years.

Library and Archives Canada Acquires Important Artwork and Maps Related to Rupert's Land
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1936704#ixzz32XWjb2uW
The LAC now has maps of Rupert's Land which was originally owned by the Hudson's Bay Company and included most of the western prairies and parts of what are now northern Quebec, northern Ontario, and Nunavut. The land was sold to the Government of Canada in 1869 for $1.5 million.

To read about Rupert’s Land, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert's_Land

D-Day: Help Canadians mark the 70th anniversary of June 6, 1944

http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/05/d-day-canadians-mark-the-70th-anniversary-of-june-6-1944-1.html
On June 6, 1944, more than 24,000 Canadians took part in D-Day, the first step in liberating Europe from Nazi Germany and the beginning of the end of the Second World War.

Prince Charles, Camilla reflect on Canada’s history, achievements on second day of tour
http://o.canada.com/news/royals/prince-charles-camilla-reflect-on-canadas-history-achievements-on-second-day-of-tour
Charles commented on Canada’s contribution of so many soldiers, sailors and airmen to the liberation of Europe as the 75th anniversary of the start of the war approaches, calling it “an extraordinary contribution” from a country with a small population.

Web documentary sheds light on Inuit relocation in Arctic Canada
https://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20140518/web-documentary-sheds-light-inuit-relocation-arctic-canada
A documentary website called "Iqqaumavara" (“I remember” in Inuttitut), the project is a co-production from the National Film Board of Canada and Makivik Corp., the Inuit land-claims organization in the Canadian province of Quebec.

Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/iqqaumavara

To read more about the forced relocation, read https://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/forced-relocation-canadian-inuit-village-memorialized-56-years-later

Statement by the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on the Occasion of International Museum Day
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1925128#ixzz329qzWXB2
Minister Glover said that “As we head toward Canada's 150th birthday in 2017, I encourage all Canadians to visit museums, to learn from them, and to reconnect with their history.”

Seeking a history I never knew
http://www.asianpacificpost.com/article/6179-seeking-history-i-never-knew.html
Learn the history behind the non-landing of Indian immigrants from a ship, the Komagata Maru in Port Alberni, British Columbia in 1914, and the way it was never covered in Canadian history until now.

There is now a website at http://komagatamaru100.com, and a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fkomagatamaru100.com%2Fabout-us%2F&t=About+Us

Electronic Library Up And Running For Canadian National Parks
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2014/05/electronic-library-and-running-canadian-national-parks25100
You can now go to the www.ParksCanadaHistory.com website and read electronic editions of publications with the aim of showcasing the rich history of the Canadian National Park System.

An oral history of the Newfoundland seal hunt

http://www.nlnewsnow.com/Columnists/Burton-K.-Janes/2014-05-20/article-3731274/COLUMN%3A-An-oral-history-of-the-Newfoundland-seal-hunt/1
Read a column on The Last of the Ice Hunters: An Oral History of the Newfoundland Seal Hunt.

Kids aged 12, 13 go on rampage in Kemptville cemetery
http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/05/20/kids-aged-12-13-go-on-rampage-in-kemptville-cemetery
Three teenagers will have to pay by doing community service after they damaged 17 headstones in a cemetery near Kemptvillt (near Ottawa) last week.

Heritage Village to celebrate black history with new cabin http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2014/05/20/heritage-village-to-celebrate-black-history-with-new-cabin
Essex County’s Heritage Village is adding a replica of the residence of Esther Malawice Banks, who was—according to family lore—the daughter of Major General Sir Isaac Brock and his cook, Almania Malawice.

Celebrating Chilliwack's Unique Agricultural Heritage: Parliamentary Secretary Mark Strahl Announces Funding for the Chilliwack Fair

http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/celebrating-chilliwacks-unique-agricultural-heritage-parliamentary-secretary-mark-strahl-1912787.htm
The Chilliwack Fair is the second oldest fair in British Columbia, and their website is at http://chilliwackfair.com

Author sharing family history
http://www.westernwheel.com/article/20140521/WHE0302/305219992/-1/whe03/author-sharing-family-history#CommentsArea
Lorraine Lohr Cathro is bringing to life more than 60 years of family history in a collection of short stories she hopes will captivate Alberta readers.

The Alberta Railway Museum in Edmonton opens doors again for the summer

http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2014/05/21/the-alberta-railway-museum-in-edmonton-opens-doors-again-for-the-summer
The Alberta Railway Museum held an unofficial grand reopening over the long weekend in May inviting the public to view the outdoor displays mainly focus on Canadian National Railway and Northern Alberta Railway equipment and vehicles.

Exhibit captures dark part of our history

http://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/05/24/column-exhibit-captures-dark-part-of-our-history
There is a travelling exhibit travelling Ontario this summer that has been put together by Toronto’s Columbus Centre called Ordinary Canadians, Extraordinary Times: Italian Canadian Experiences during World War II, and this weekend it will be at the Anderson Farm Museum, Sudbury.

The exhibit is about some 31,000 Italian Canadians that were designated enemy aliens by the Canadian government, and approximately 600 of these individuals were sent to internment camps, like Camp 33 in Petawawa, Ottawa during the Second World War.

Story of the Week

Aboriginal Awareness Week

Aboriginal Awareness Week was started in 1999 “to provide national leadership and support within Parks Canada on matters relating to Aboriginal peoples and to facilitate the strengthening of relationships with Aboriginal Peoples”.

Canada recognizes three distinct people are they are the First Nations people, the Inuit and the Métis, and according to Statistic Canada, there are a total of 1,172,790 people who identify as Aboriginal.

Aboriginal Awareness Week was held the third week in May, and in June, there will be National Aboriginal History Month, and a National Aboriginal Day to be held on June 21st.

There is a video called Working Together: Our Stories at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/agen/aa/video.aspx

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review next Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country!

The next post will be on June 2, 2014.

Canadian Week in Review

Check the Canadian Week in Review tomorrow morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. 

It has the latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles.

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! 

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

The Empress of Ireland - May 29, 1914

The sinking of the RMS Empress of Ireland at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in 1914 had a great affect on the people of Canada, as more than 1,000 people lost their lives when the ship was stuck by the SS Storstad on that fateful foggy morning.

While I was at a Canada Post kiosk the other day, I picked up their May 2014 magazine called Details with a photograph of the Empress of Ireland on the front, as shown in the picture above. The story of the sinking is on pages 12 to 14, and you should pick up this excellent pocket-sized magazine the next time you are in the post office.

The story of the Empress of Ireland is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Empress_of_Ireland

Gail Dever of the Genealogy à la carte blog from Montreal has sent me articles about the Empress of Ireland from Canadian newspapers, such as -

The Empress of Ireland: Remembering ‘Canada’s Titanic’ http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2014/05/16/the_empress_of_ireland_remembering_canadas_titanic.html

Doomed liner to be commemorated in coming days with stamp, coins, monuments and more
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/national/Empress+Ireland+sinking+Canada+Titanic+finally+getting/9870408/story.html

British Columbia Birth Registrations, 1854-1903

The LDS has updated the registration of births for British Columbia. . .

Birth registrations usually include the following information -

• Date of birth

• Place of birth

• Name of child

• Gender of child

• Name of father

• Name of mother, including maiden name

• Residence of parents

• Occupation of father

• Birthplace of parents

• Age of parents

• Date and number of registration

Native birth records generally contain the following information:

• Name of child

• Place of birth

• Gender of child

• Date of birth

• Single, twin, triplet, or other

• Marital status of parents

• Name of parents

• Tribe of parents

• Age of parents

• Occupation of father

• Birthplace of parents

• Number of children

• Residence

• Name of doctor and date of registration

To begin your search, it would be helpful if you knew the names of parents, and the approximate year of birth for the child.

For more information, go to https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1307731?ET_CID=46886537&ET_RID=genealogycanada@aol.com

Southern California Genealogy Jamboree will be offering FREE Lectures

Southern California Genealogy Jamboree will be held from June 6th to the 8th, 2014 and there is going to be 14 streamed sessions over three days, and these sessions will be FREE! Like they say "All Class. No Travel"

The cost of doing this is partially underwritten by Diamond Sponsor Ancestry.com, but they will be free to people like myself who don’t go to the conference. Many sessions will be available in the SCGS webinar archive for viewing by members of the SCGS. 

Here are the sessions - 

Friday, June 6 - 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm PDT

· Judy G. Russell JD, CG, CGL - "Dowered or Bound Out: Records of Widows and Orphans"

· Blaine Bettinger PhD, JD - "DNA and the Genealogical Proof Standard"

· Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA - "Manuscript Finding Aids: Locating Migrating Family Records"

· F. Warren Bittner, CG - "Proof Arguments: How and Why" 

Saturday, June 7 - 8:30 am to 6:00 pm PDT

· F. Warren Bittner, CG - "Elusive Immigrant!"

· Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL - "Staying out of Trouble: The Rights and Responsibilities of Today's Genealogist"

· Michael Leclerc - "Researching Your New England Ancestors"

· Bennett Greenspan - "The Future of Genetic Genealogy"

· Dr. Maurice Gleeson - "Researching Your Irish Ancestry"

· Cyndi Ingle - "The Internet: A Genealogist's Printing Press" 

Sunday, June 8 - 8:30 am to 3:30 pm PDT 

· D. Joshua Taylor - "Resources of the DAR: Beyond Revolutionary War Soldiers"

· Dawn Thurston - "How to Write a Personal History that Captures your Interesting Life"

· Dr. Maurice Gleeson - "Ireland and the Slave Trade"

· Denise Levenick - "Dirty Pictures: Save Your Family Photos from Ruin"

So I am going to read the pre-conference handout list, and then I will decide which ones I will watch. 

Go to http://www.scgsgenealogy.com

Family History Libraries offers FREE scanning

You can now take your photos and other documents to your nearest Family History Library and scan them for FREE! 

They have recently installed a customized Lexmark multifunction product (MFPs) which quickly scan photos or significant documents and transfer them online to your personal genealogical space. The scanning system produces high-quality digital images in both .jpg and .png file formats and will accommodate up to 5 MB in size. Items may also be scanned and saved to a thumb drive, all FREE of charge.  

You can then identify people in the photos and connect them to respective ancestors in your FamilySearch Family Tree, and you can post links and share the information with other family members and encourage them to share as well. 

To see if there is a Family History Library in your area, go to https://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator

First Annual Unreadables Tombstone Challenge

Here is a project started by Canada GenWeb that we can all help with -

Canada GenWeb is looking for people to help decipher tombstones that have been photographed but are unreadable due to being weathered, for example.

And unfortunately there are many photos that are unsearchable because they are difficult, or impossible, to decipher. That means that those named on the stone cannot be found.

To change that,Canada GenWeb are starting the First Annual Unreadables Challenge! The goal is to decipher as many headstones as possible. And they are all across Canada.

Can you help put a name to some of our unreadable stones and possibly help someone find their long-lost relation?

Go to http://geneofun.on.ca/query/?table=NAMES&template=query_challenge&search=FIRST&search=SURNAME&find=(u&smode=S&sort=ASSIGNED,SURNAME,FIRST to see the unreadable tombstones. 

To see what is needed in the way of volunteers, go to http://cemetery.canadagenweb.org/volunteer/index.html

Canadian Week in Review 19 May 2014

I have come across the following Canadian websites, social media websites, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

History

On May 11, 1833, the brig, The Lady of the Lake, struck an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland enroute to Quebec City from Belfast, Ireland. It is estimated that 265 passengers and crew were lost. Survivors spent more than three days in an open boat in frigid temperatures before being rescued by the ship Amazon.
To read more about the brig, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_of_the_Lake_(brig)

In May 1756, the Seven Years' War (1756–1763) began when Britain declared war on France. In 1758, the British captured Louisbourg, then Quebec City in 1759, and Montreal in 1760. The Treaty of Paris (1768) ended the war, and France formally ceded Canada to the British.

To read more about the Seven Years' War, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Years'_War

In May 1878, Canada's governor general and his wife, Lord and Lady Dufferin, were treated to a demonstration of Thomas Edison's recent invention, the phonograph, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Read more about The Virtual Gramophone at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/gramophone/028011-3005-e.html

Social Media

Heritage Fair features family, provincial, hockey history

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/heritage-fair-features-family-provincial-hockey-history-1.2644994

More than 150 students from 29 schools in Prince Edward Island recently took part in the provincial Heritage Fair at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.

News Articles

Canada’s youth ambassadors for D-Day
http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/4526209-canada-s-youth-ambassadors-for-d-day
Centre Dufferin District High School (CDDHS) students Rebecca Janke and Jeff Allen have been chosen to be the official representatives for Canada’s youth during the 70th anniversary of D-Day at Juno Beach in France on June 6.

Greek Canadian History Project’s exhibition examines Greek immigration in Toronto
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/4522626-greek-canadian-history-project-s-exhibition-examines-greek-immigration-in-toronto

The Greek Canadian History Project’s (GCHP) exhibition, Memory and Migration: A History of Greek Immigrants in Toronto, 1864-2014 is now on display at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. in the Rotunda. It kicks off Greek Heritage Week in Toronto.

Western Evangeline
http://www.canadiancattlemen.ca/2014/05/16/western-evangeline
Read about how the government took land from the people of Bingville just northeast of Medicine Hat, Alberta for a military base in the Second World War.

Local students wins Provincial Genealogical Essay Award

http://windsorite.ca/2014/05/local-student-wins-provincial-genealogy-essay-award
Learn how University of Windsor student Chelsea Meloche begin looking into her family history, and subsequently wrote this year’s award-winning essay for the Ontario Genealogical Society's (OGS), making her the proud recipient of the Mike Brede Genealogical Essay Prize.

Shine Bright Like A Lighthouse. A Love Affair With Maritime History
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-fascinating-fate-of-north-americas-lighthouses-85824127957.html
Read John Sylvester's article about saving Atlantic Canada’s lighthouses.

Canadian War Museum to commemorate Canada's military past, not the Canadian Museum of History, as reported

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1924012#ixzz324ZyZZ5T
All of the exhibitions and programs commemorating the First and Second World Wars are taking place at the Canadian War Museum, and not at the Canadian Museum of History, as has been reported by The Canadian Press.

Trees cut down for Colonial Building renovations

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/trees-cut-down-for-colonial-building-reno-1.2644390
The trees have been down as part of a multi-million dollar restoration of the Colonial Building and its surrounding grounds.

Canada Post to celebrate UNESCO World Heritage sites with breathtaking stamps
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1920448#ixzz31u16o7Ve
Canada Post will issue five stamps celebrating Canadian UNESCO World Heritage sites. The five stamps feature Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; SGang Gwaay, British Columbia; the Rideau Canal in Ontario; the Landscape of Grand Pré, Nova Scotia; and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta.

Elevators fade in the light of changing economics
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/History+1993+Elevators+fade+light+changing+economics/9847624/story.html
Alberta Wheat Pool plans to reduce its elevators by 60 per cent, to 102 from 257 in the next 10 to 20 years.

‘Remington of the Canadian West’ given $10,000 to paint B.C.'s history
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/THIS+WEEK+HISTORY+1924+Remington+Canadian+West+given+paint/9848627/story.html#ixzz324exZBnu
John Innes was considered one of Canada’s most important historical and western painters, referred to as the “Remington of the Canadian West”.

Minister Denis Lebel announces financial support for Rendez-vous naval de Quebec
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/15/idUSnMKW9q6yQa+1c2+MKW20140515
Rendez-vous naval de Quebec will mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of the Normandy Landings this summer in Quebec City.

Column: The Chicago swindler and Pinehurst
http://www.novanewsnow.com/Opinion/Columnists/2014-05-14/article-3724547/Column%3A-The-Chicago-swindler-and-Pinehurst/1
Read how a real-life Chicago swindler used to own a resort in Southwestern Nova Scotia.

Collecting history across the province
http://www.thelabradorian.ca/News/Local/2014-05-13/article-3723584/Collecting-history-across-the-province/1
The First World War Road Show and Tell is making its way through Newfoundland collecting stories, artifacts, and memorabilia from the Great War (WWI).

Happy Birthday, Manitoba — Province Turns 144

http://www.chrisd.ca/2014/05/12/manitoba-day-birthday-144-years-old-celebrations/#.U3INzIFdXKo
Manitoba celebrated its 144 birthday on the 12 of May.

Exhibition gets federal funding

http://www.thevanguard.ca/News/2014-05-12/article-3721624/Exhibition-gets-federal-funding/1
This year’s Western Nova Scotia Exhibition is scheduled for July 29 to Aug. 2nd, and it will be the 155th year for the exhibition.

Doors Open across Quinte
http://www.intelligencer.ca/2014/05/12/doors-open-across-quinte
The first province-wide event of its kind in Canada. Since 2002, more than five million visits have been made to heritage sites in the Doors Open Ontario.
The theme suggested by Ontario Heritage Trust for this year is the First World War.

Vote on proposal to rename park postponed

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Proposal-to-rename-park-postponed-258938751.html
The proposal calling for the renaming of Machray Park—supposedly named for Robert Machray, the first archbishop of the Anglican diocese of Rupert’s Land, to one honouring Harry Lazarenko, a city councillor for 30 years who was forced to retire in 2010 because of illness—has been put on hold until the June meeting of Winnipeg City Council.

Manitoba Archives exhibit showcases First World War

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-archives-exhibit-showcases-first-world-war-1.2639933
On the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, the Archives of Manitoba is offering people a chance to learn more about the province's role, and to get a glimpse at what life was like between 1914 and 1918.

Pride in language, culture comes into full flower in Cape Breton
http://herald.ca/novascotia/1206802-pride-in-language-culture-comes-into-full-flower-in-cape-breton
Read how the Scottish language and culture plays a role in everyday life of the people in Cape Breton. (Special to the CWR by Gail Dever, of Genealogy à la carte fame).

Lakeview's rich war history remembered with community mural

http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/news-story/4513014-lakeview-s-rich-war-history-remembered-with-community-mural
In front of Lakeview's Small Arms building in Mississauga, next to Toronto, a three-panel commemorative mural was unveiled Saturday morning.

Story of the Week

Victoria Day in Canada (National Patriots' Day in Quebec)

Victoria Day (National Patriots' Day in Quebec) is celebrated on the Monday closest to the May 24th, and this year it is May 19th.

In Canada, it is considered the first holiday of summer, and people are outdoors, putting in their flower gardens, raking their lawns, and have a nice relaxing long weekend topped off with fireworks at night.

In 1901, the year of Queen Victoria's death, the holiday officially became known as Victoria Day. Since that time, Victoria Day has commemorated two royal birthdays - the birthday of Queen Victoria, and that of Queen Elizabeth, the current monarch.

To read more about Victoria Day, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Day

In Quebec, the same day used to be called Fête de Dollard, but in 2003, the name was changed to National Patriots' Day (Fête des patriotes).

The name change took place because it was to recognize the importance of the struggle of the patriot’s of the Rebellion of 1837-1838, which was fought so that the people of Quebec could obtain political liberty and obtain a democratic system of government.

For more on the Lower Canada Rebellion, go http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Canada_Rebellion.

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review next Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! The next post will be on May 26, 2014.

Canadian Week in Review

Check the Canadian Week in Review tomorrow morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. 

It has the latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles. 

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! 

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

The Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia is planning a bus trip to the New England Regional Genealogical Conference in April 2015. The theme of the 2015 conference is Navigating the Past: Sailing into the Future. 

The bus will leave Halifax and will make several stops in NS and NB to pick up participants. The cost of the trip will be approximately $975.00. This will include accommodation, breakfast and transportation. What is not included is the fee to register for the conference and meals.

Those who wish to register send an email to info@novascotiaancestors.ca to let them know that they are interested and ready to commit to a $200.00 deposit so that they can estimate the interest and begin planning. 

Trip Itinerary

56 passenger bus would leave Halifax, and possible pick-up spots, Dartmouth, Airport, Truro, , Amherst in Nova Scotia, Aulac, Moncton, St John , Fredericton in New Brunswick

April 13: Travel to Bangor, Maine. Over-night at the Fireside Inn & Suites in downtown Bangor. It is next to the Casino and across the street from the new Bangor Civic Center. Dinner on their own.

April 14: Following an included hot breakfast, we travel to Boston and visit the NEHGS at 99-101 Newbury Street - a research visit. We over-night at Woburn dinner on their own.

April 15: Following our included breakfast, we travel to Providence, Rhode Island. Register at the Conference. On to our hotel ( Comfort Inn @ Atlantic Beach, Middleton RI -- 45 minutes from conference site - we stay here four nights: April 15, 16, 17, 18 -- Breakfast daily

Conference: travel back and forth from hotel daily as required - other meals as per your conference package and/or on your own.

April 19: Following breakfast and conference wind-up activities, we depart for Bangor. We'll have time for a side trip to Freeport Maine ( LL Bean et all ). Bangor hotel will be the Fireside Inn & Suites

April 20: Following breakfast and check out ( maybe a quickie shopping stop ) we head for home - Halifax

To make this trip possible, please let us know if you are interested in this exciting opportunity.

The website of GANS is http://www.novascotiaancestors.ca

The website of the NERGC is http://www.nergc.org/Conference-Home-Page.html

Theatre to present Canadian plays

  

The 4th Line Theatre, an outdoor located at Winslow Farm at Millbrook, Ontario is presenting two plays this summer - Doctor Barnardo’s Children from July 1-26, and Wounded Soldiers, August 5-30, 2014. 

4th Line Theatre is committed to “the development and presentation of original Canadian theatre at the Winslow Farm, the family farm of Founding Artistic Director Robert Winslow, in Millbrook, Ontario. Idyllic, rural, and quintessentially Canadian, 4th Line Theatre presents Canadian plays, written by and about Canadians, from small town stories to broad national sagas.” 

For more information, go to http://4thlinetheatre.on.ca. Phone the Box Office at 705. 932.4445 for tickets.

Alberta Quilt Project

The Alberta Quilt Project will be coming to Pincher Creek’s Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village at the end of May and the start of June. 

The project will index all the quilts either made in Alberta or brought there by the immigration process from the 1800s to the 1960s. On Saturday (May 31st), the first local day of the event, the quilts held by the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village will be indexed for the project. 

The following day, Sunday 01st June, quilts owned by individuals can be brought into the museum and be inventoried – please phone ahead to book your spot. They will also are looking for four to six volunteers to help with the quilt inventory, volunteers who would be available for days. 

Histories of the quilts will be researched and written in addition to the items being photographed. The data will be compiled in a province wide index accessed at www.quiltindex.com.

If you would like to participate, contact Trisha Carleton at 403. 627.3684 or email her at mail.kbpv@gmail.com

Building Personal Archives

The Quinte Branch of the OGS will hold their monthly meeting on Saturday May 17, 2014 at 1 pm at the Quinte West Library, 7 Creswell Dr, Trenton.

Entitled Building Personal Archives, the presentation will be given by guest Stephanie Wright. She will show what can be done with the ephemera left behind, why it’s important to keep these things from both a research and a emotional perspective, and why it’s important to consider how to preserve these items. Stephanie will explain in detail what might be necessary to create a step-by-step plan for building our personal archives, including our unique items.

To find out more information, go to ww.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs

Their email is quinebranch@ogs.on.ca

The Genetic Genealogy Standards Committee

The The Genetic Genealogy Standards Committee is looking for your comments on the setting of standards "to provide ethical and usage standards for the genealogical community".

The committee say that - 

"A group of individuals, including genealogists, genetic genealogists, and scientists, have worked for the past several months to develop a draft of genetic genealogy standards. The document is intended to provide ethical and usage standards for the genealogical community to follow when purchasing, recommending, sharing, or writing about the results of DNA testing for ancestry.

To ensure that this document accurately reflects the standards embraced by the community, we are opening this document for a period of public comment, from May 12, 2014 through June 6, 2014. By clicking the "Document" tab in the left-hand panel, you will be able to download a PDF of the current draft of the standards. Please review that document, come back to this site, and click on the "Comment" tab in the left-hand panel where you will be prompted to leave comments about the standards.

Although there may be discussion of this document in Facebook groups, on blogs, or elsewhere, only comments submitted through this website will be reviewed and considered by the standards committee".

Thank you,
The Genetic Genealogy Standards Committee

CeCe Moore
Blaine Bettinger
David Bachinsky
Traci Barela
Katherine Borges
Angie Bush
Melinde Lutz Byrne
George Cicila
Shannon Christmas
Michael Hait
Tim Janzen
James Owston
Ana Oquendo Pabón
Ugo Perego
Steven Perkins
Ann Turner
Debbie Parker Wayne
Jennifer Zinck

You can download the document, and you can send your comments to the committee on the website at https://sites.google.com/site/geneticgenealogystandard 

Voices from the Dust – Family History Conference

The Ottawa Ontario Stake Family History Centre of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold 7 different workshops on May 17, 2014 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. And these workshops are FREE.

The workshops are -

Sandra Adams – Researcher, and Family History Centre Volunteer
Workshop: A One-Name Study: What is it and why would you want to do one?

Doug Gray – Researcher, and Family History Centre Volunteer
Workshop: A Visit to WWI Military Cemetery in Northern France

Diana Hall – Genealogy Librarian, Ottawa Public Library
Workshop : Genealogy Websites and Sources for the First World War

Shirley-Ann Pyefinch – Director, Ottawa Stake Family History Centre
Workshop: Military Records and Other Resources Available at FamilySearch

Carol Reid – Collection Specialist, Canadian War Museum.
Workshop : Genealogical Resources in the Military History Research Centre

Gloria Tubman - Researcher.
Workshop : British Home Children and World War I

Glenn Wright – President of BIFHSGO, and author
Workshop: For King, Empire and Home: Documenting Service in the First World War.

For more details visit the website at www.ottawastakefhc.on.ca

Postscript: I am going to take in a workshop, but which one will I pick? I will have to study the subject of each workshop at the website, and decide from there. I will report back on Sunday.    

Canadian Week in Review 12 May 2014

I have come across the following Canadian websites, social media websites, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

Canada in History

Here are some moments in our countries history which may interest you –

May 5, 1814 - During the War of 1812 to 1814, a small British and Canadian fleet destroyed the United States naval base at Oswego, New York. The victory re-established British control of Lake Ontario for the remainder of the War of 1812.
You can read more about this battle at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Oswego_(1814)

In 1900, Pte. Richard R. Thompson of Ottawa was awarded the Queen's Scarf for gallantry during the Boer War. The scarf was knitted by Queen Victoria and was awarded only seven times. Thompson, who died in 1908, served with the 2nd Special Service Battalion. His scarf is on permanent loan to the National War Museum.
You may read about it at http://www.angloboerwar.com/other-information/16-other-information/1852-queens-scarf

In 1882, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Assiniboia and Athabaska were formed as districts of the Northwest Territories.
You may read about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_the_Northwest_Territories

In 1987, Ottawa unveiled the $1 coin, nicknamed the "Loonie" because a loon was engraved on its flip side. It is made of nickel, copper and recycled tin.
You can read more about the Loonie at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loonie

And here is something we can think about as we enjoy our summer ice cream - In 2008, Irvine Robbins, a Canadian-born visionary who helped bring Rocky Road, Pralines ‘n Cream, and other exotic ice-creams to Canada and United States, died in Rancho Mirage, Calif., at age 90. He, along with his brother-in-law, helped to found the Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream parlor stores in 1945.
You can read more about him at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irv_Robbins

Websites

Cemeteries and Headstones in Canada (The ROE Family)

Some cemeteries in Canada were the Roe family is buried.
http://roefamilytree.info/headstones.php?country=CANADA&tree=roe

Social Media

Lynn Palermo
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/114977011024441632198
Lynn has added a Google+ community site called FamilyHistory Writers along with her blog, The Armchair Genealogist.

Ruth Blair - The Passionate Genealogist
http://blog.familyhistorysearches.com

Ruth had been at the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference in Richmond, Virginia this past week, and has been blogging about it from a Canadian point of view. 

The blog posts are -

• National Genealogical Society Conference in Richmond Virginia. Are you ready? #NGS2014gen
• NGS Conference Richmond Virginia – Day 1 – #NGS2014gen
• NGS Conference Richmond Virginia – Day 2 #NGS2014gen
• NGS Conference Richmond Virginia – Day 3 #NGS2014gen

News Articles

Québec reaches for record

http://www.cruiseandferry.net/article/News/001401/Qu%C3%A9bec-reaches-for-record
For the first time in Quebec City’s history, six cruise shipswill be docking in the city harbour on 3 October 2014.

History come alive in Shelburne
http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/1206484-history-comes-alive-in-shelburne
Lou Gossett Jr., who won an Emmy for his role as Fiddler in the 1977 miniseries Roots, has been in Shelburne, Nova Scotia filming Book of Negroes.

Canada Post releases stamp on Komagata Maru http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Chandigarh/Canada-Post-releases-stamp-on-Komagata-Maru/articleshow/34895536.cms
It will be the 100th anniversary of Komagata Maru incident on May 23rd. Canada Post has issued a special stamp in memory of the ship that carried 376 Indians to Canada, and although it embarked at Vancouver they were not allowed to leave the ship. It returned to India and British troops had gunned down several of the occupants at Baj Baj, near Calcutta 

Manitoba Museum to honour vets 

http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/2014/05/08/manitoba-museum-to-honour-vets
In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the Second World War, the Manitoba Agricultural Museum will exhibit the country’s military heritage at this year’s Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede.

1947-1980 history of oil

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/1947+1980+history/9819438/story.html
This article gives a timeline of oil discoveries in Alberta.

Kingston Region
http://www.kingstonregion.com/news-story/4508361-there-really-is-something-about-a-lighthouse
Prince Edward County's Marc Seguin, a founding member of the Organization "Save our Lighthouses," has had a life long interest in Canadian history and has a passion for Canada's built heritage – lighthouses.

Nova Scotia students submit dozens of possible names for February holiday http://www.timescolonist.com/nova-scotia-students-submit-dozens-of-possible-names-for-february-holiday-1.1025747#sthash.Dlbeo0AC.dpuf
Students from across Nova Scotia have submitted 75 suggestions on what to name the province's new holiday in February.

Change Street Naming policy http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Change+street+naming+policy/9817995/story.html
Saskatoon city council was told that they should establish a blue-ribbon committee of historical, cultural, social and demographic experts public before a public street is named, or the street name is changed.

South Asian Heritage Month features the big three: colour, culture and contribution
http://www.mississauga.com/community-story/4502760-south-asian-heritage-month-features-the-big-three-colour-culture-and-contribution/
May provides an opportunity to learn about the history of people from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka during South Asian Heritage Month.

School trip to Quebec aims to inspire
http://www.cloverdalereporter.com/community/258151851.html
Students in Grades 6 and 7 at the George Greenaway Elementary School in Cloverdale, Surrey, British Columbia will be visiting the province Quebec next week to take part in the culture and language of the area. 

Historic milestones usher new release of Royal Canadian Mint collector coins http://www.menafn.com/7191df7c-e082-4cdd-8253-5d6cb9a9dc70/Historic-milestones-usher-new-release-of-Royal-Canadian-Mint-collector-coins?src=main
The 75th anniversary of the first Royal visit to Canada and the centennial of the sinking of R.M.S. Empress of Ireland among latest national story-telling themes of the Royal Canadian Mint.

Holocaust education in Canada uneven at best

http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?q=node/124759
Now that the Holocaust Remembrance Day has passed for another year, Naomi Azrieli says that we needs to take stock of the state of Holocaust education in Canada and ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust go beyond commemoration one day a year. 

Tour the province this summer 

http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/2014/05/05/tour-the-province-this-summer
An annual Experience Alberta History Pass offers unlimited access to Alberta’s provincial historic sites, interpretive centres and museums. 

Manitoba Book Awards handed out on April 27

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/aboriginal-lawyer-takes-home-book-award-1.2624484
Aboriginal issues were front and centre at the 2013 Manitoba Book Awards. Thirteen awards were given out at an event at the West End Cultural Centre on April 27

At stunning memorial near Ypres, 'sentinel' looms over Canadians killed in gas attacks http://www.thestar.com/news/walking_the_western_front/2014/04/at_stunning_memorial_near_ypres__looms_a__sentinel__over_canadians_killed_in_gas_attacks.html 

Long-form census: Internal survey blasts feds for missing database 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/long-form-census-internal-survey-blasts-feds-for-missing-database-1.2638569 

Some of the databases are missing!

Story of the Week

Social Media

Two conferences in two weeks – the OGS in Canada and the NGS in the States - means that there was a lot of social media going on - Tweets, Blogs, Facebook, and now Dear Myrt’s AmbushCAM https://plus.google.com/communities/104382659430904043232 interviews with everyone from the latest news on software, to the people in the know like Dick Eastman, and ordinary people at the NGS. It was something like the “Man in the Street” interviews of the Steve Allen days on TV.

It was really neat. She would have 2-3 minute interviews with the Conference participants by using her camera and putting them on Goggle+ Hangouts On Air, and it worked very well. There didn’t seem to be any glitches, the picture qualify was god, and the audio was excellent.

Just like at the OGS last week, there was an ambitious Live Streaming programme that certain speakers took apart in and gave special lectures. And it worked for the people who could not go to the Conference and people who actually went, because now they will be able to view the Live Streaming after they get home.

So where does this leave Canadian genealogy?

Is Canada keeping up-to-date with Social Media? We are great Facebook users, but are we taking advantage of Live Streaming and Google+ Hangout On Air as much as we should?

For example, Australia has a number of Hangouts On Air now on a regular basis, and also there are a number of Genealogy Podcasts being produced ‘down under’, so if they can do it - why can’t we?

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review next Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! The next post will be on May 17, 2014.

Canadian Week in Review

Check the Canadian Week in Review tomorrow morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. 

It has the latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles. 

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! 

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Happy Mother's Day!

The Ottawa Genealogist April-June 2014

   

                                     
First of all, congratulations to Edward Kipp, editor of the The Ottawa Genealogist, the newsletter of the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, for they won this year’s Dr. Don Brearley Newsletter Award. It was announced at the OGS conference held in Brock University in St. Catharines this year.

 Since I live in the Ottawa area, it is my ‘home’ newsletter, and I particularly like the articles in it each issue. I never miss the genealogical travels that Edward and Elizabeth Kipp make to Salt Lake City, down to New York State, and other places because I enjoy them so much. Well done!

In this issue, some of the articles are –

Merrill Allan Clay A Veteran of World War I and World War II by Marilyn Adair. She tells of her father’s service in the First World War as a Sapper with the Canadian Division , Corps of Engineers, Signal Company in France, and Belgium.

The Rathbun Family and the Town of Deseronto by Joyce Fingland where she writes about the Rathbun Company in Deseronto, a company that built its fortune on prepared lumber for the American and overseas market, the railway which ran through the town, and the Portland cement company.

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2014 by Ellen Paul. Ellen tells of her experience at the Salt Lake City Institute and how the instructor helped her along the path of trying to breaking down her brick walls.

Ottawa Heritage Day Celebration 2014 was well-attended, and received a good review in this issue, and there is the Early Bytown Settlers Index as well in this issue which covers surnames beginning with N, O, P, and Q.

Plus, there are many more news items to read. There is the library branch news, special interest group news, historic plaques, and a message from the Chair.

In order to receive this newsletter, you must be a member of the Ontario Genealogical Society, and the Ottawa Branch of the OGS.

They have a special right now where you can join for half of the year for $35.00. Go http://www.ogs.on.ca/membership.php for more information.

The local Ottawa Genealogical society site is http://ogsottawa.on.ca

69th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands

Patric Allard, Taken May 2006 at Hog's Back, Ottawa.

Monday was the 69th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands, which was led by the Canadians in the Second World War.

After the war, the Netherlands wanted to say Thank You to Canada for its war service, and it gave the country, and Ottawa in particular, tulip bulbs. Ottawa adopted the tulip as its official flower.

In 1953, Ottawa started the Tulip Festival, and this year, it runs from May the 9th to the 19th, with fireworks, musical shows, Cirque de Liberation, and the International Pavilion.

The festival claims to be the world's largest tulip festival. There are over one million tulips planted all over the city, and there are over 500,000 visitors each year. It is quite a show!

This year, the festival will honour artist Silvia Pecota. She will be in attendance May 9th, 17th & 18th from 2 pm to 4 pm at Queen Juliana Park (by Dow’s Lake – a man-made lake in the center of the city) and you will be able to view some of the photos she took of the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan (2001-2014).

She is presently working on an art book that incorporates her poetry. It covers the War of 1812 (Bicentennial), WWI (Centennial) and the Closure of the Afghan Mission (2014).

For more information, visit her website at www.silviapecota.com.

To read about Canada’s role in the liberation of the Netherland, go to http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/canada-netherlands

To read about the Tulip Festival, see http://tulipfestival.ca/site/home/en

The United Empire Loyalists – Finding their Records

The statue of UEL in Hamilton, Ontario

The Library and Archives of Canada has prepared the following material on the United Empire Loyalists records which the LAC holds - 

The term “United Empire Loyalists” (often referred to as UEL) refers to the American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution, and many of which fought for Britain during that conflict. They fled the United States and settled in what are now the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario. All the archives in these provinces hold records relating to Loyalists, some of which are searchable online.

Here are the records held at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) - 

Loyalists in the Maritimes – Ward Chipman Muster Master’s Office 1777-1785 
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/loyalists/loyalists-ward-chipman/Pages/loyalist-maritimes-ward-chipman.aspx
These references include business records and papers relating to the Loyalists and to boundary commissions.

Land Records
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/land/Pages/land-records.aspx
Many Loyalists and their descendants submitted petitions for land for their service in the war or as compensation for lands lost during the American Revolution. Databases on this subject:

· Land Petitions of Upper Canada, 1763-1865

· Land Boards of Upper Canada, 1765-1804

Sir Frederick Haldimand Fonds
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c1475/1?r=0&s=1
The collection contains some provision lists and muster rolls relating mostly to Loyalists, disbanded soldiers and their families in the province of Quebec. It includes a nominal index.

Black Loyalist Refugees, 1782-1807 - Port Roseway Associates
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/loyalists/loyalist-port-roseway/Pages/port-roseway-associates-loyalists.aspx
Many black Loyalists served and were affected by the evacuation of New York which led to their resettlement in the Port Roseway, now Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

British Headquarters papers
http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=105117
The records known as the Carleton Papers or the American Manuscripts contain lists of refugees in New York, lists of persons who were evacuated from New York, lists of refugees from Massachusetts and Rhode Island who were evacuated through the port of New York and numerous references to Port Roseway in Nova Scotia.

British military and naval series
http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=105012
These records cover the period from the American Revolution to the mid-1800s. Thenominal/subject card index (provide a brief description of the document, date, C Series volume number and a page number)

Also discover-

· Fort Howe (Flickr Album)