Monday, October 13, 2014

Canadian Week in Review - 13 October 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 Week in Canada (October 7 – October 13, 2014) 


In 1668, Canada's first institution of higher education, The Quebec Seminary, later called Laval University, was founded by Bishop François de Laval. 

François de Laval was made a Saint by Pope Francis in April 2014.

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In 1811, Sir Isaac Brock became president and administrator of the government of Upper Canada. 

For the biography of Sir Isaac Brock, go to http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/brock_isaac_5E.html 
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In 1877, the first steam locomotive on the Prairies, the "Countess of Dufferin," arrived in Winnipeg by barge down the Red River.

The history of the “Countess of Dufferin” is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countess_of_Dufferin.  

Social Media


(Video) Editorial: Naming bridge worth effort 
Read about the effort to name a bridge in Saskatoon
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(Video) Moncton's Castle Manor to be converted into high-end condos 
The new owners of Moncton's Castle Manor plan to convert the historic landmark into high-end condos.

Newfoundland

Locals included in oral history collection project
Some Grand Falls-Windsor residents got to share their reflections of home today as part of a national project.

Nova Scotia

Home for Colored Children apology: N.S. says sorry to ex-residents 
The province has formally apologized to former residents who faced years of abuse at the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, a former Halifax orphanage.

Digby municipality accepts Bear River, Point Prim and Boars Head lighthouses
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) formally and officially offered the Bear River lighthouse, the Point Prim lighthouse, and the Boar’s Head lighthouse properties to the Municipality of the District of Digby in September.

Prince Edward Island

Winners of the 2014 National Heritage Awards announced
The recipients of the Prince of Wales Prize, the Leadership Awards, and the Ecclesiastical Insurance Cornerstone Awards were formally nominated by Canadians from across the country.

A man who left his mark on our Island
Capt. Holland was ordered by the Crown to survey British North America, including P.E.I. He and his determined crew, who arrived on the survey ship Canceaux, spent a year surveying what was then called St. John’s Island.

Ontario

A group pressing to have images of famous women included in the next set of banknotes learned that their petitions and letters have apparently fallen on deaf ears.

The First World War: Excerpts from the diary of Woodman Leonard
http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/10/08/the-first-world-war-excerpts-from-the-diary-of-woodman-leonard
The excerpts from Lt. Col. Woodman Leonard's diary of November 1916.

Canadian War Museum launches national Supply Line program for schools
Supply Line, an educational program, is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

Canadian War Museum earns TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award
The Canadian War Museum has just won a 2014 Travelers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor in the category of Top Museums.

A Queen And Her Country
The 60-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has paralleled Canada’s development as a modern, diverse country. Through her numerous visits, she has kept our British heritage and traditions alive.

Editorial of the Week



Is it time we have a Family History Month in Canada? 

Australia had their very successful Family History Month in September, and the United States is now celebrating their Family History Month this month (October), but where is Canada’s Family History Month?

The closest we come to this designation is having Family Day in February in some of the provinces (which may or may not feature genealogy), but what about a month-long celebration of this country’s family history? 

Are there enough people who would be interested in doing this? Could we keep it interesting year after year? Do you think we need a Family History Month in Canada?

All the genealogical societies would have to come together year after year to make this a success, and are we capable of making this happen? With social media so prevalent these days, it should be easier now than it was even a few years ago.

Leave a comment (below), and let me know what you think. Do you think we should start a conversation about this, or is it too much for Canadian genealogists to take seriously?

Now, word has filtered up to Ottawa that there are some people who are thinking of having a national genealogy conference in Halifax next year. Notice the proposed word ‘national’ in the title of the convention. Will this be the beginning of a new convention in Canada?

They have national Canadian speakers who are interested in attending, and maybe this could become a viable thing to start in Canada. Maybe it could be the crowning glory to a month-long genealogy Family History Month.

There are lots of ways this could be approached, but I think it’s time that we start a national conversation about this. If not, we are being left behind again. We complain when other people seem to overlook us because we don’t celebrate our own genealogists and websites, but what do we do to promote our own people?

What do you think of this idea?

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 20 October 2014.
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