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
In 1954, 16-year-old Marilyn Bell became the first person to swim across Lake Ontario. About 300,000 people were on hand when she came ashore in Toronto.
Bell continued her long-distance efforts, and, in 1955, became—at the time— the youngest person to swim the English Channel.
To read more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Bell
Nova Scotia
Gottingen Street celebrates 250 years with special audio project
One of the most well-known streets in Halifax is about to turn 250 years old, and the birthday will be celebrated from September 9th-14th.
The webpage is http://gottingen.ca
Prince Edward Island
Historical Day on the Plains of Abraham
Parrsboro's Ottawa House hosts genealogy workshop
A two-day genealogy workshop called Muddles and Mysteries was held in Parrsboro last weekend.
Prince Edward Island
Creating their own success on and off P.E.I.
The family tree of Father of Confederation George Coles features generations of self-made men and women.
Fatal flights
They have unveiled honouring those who lost their lives in three tragic training flights.
Canada's premiers pose like it's 1864 in Charlottetown
Council of the Federation photo pays homage to 150th anniversary of Charlottetown Conference.
Quebec
Historical Day on the Plains of Abraham
The National Battlefields Commission invites the public to its traditional “Historical Day”—this year, on the theme of War and the Plains—on Sunday, September 7th from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Ontario
Mint unveils four new Superman coins at Fan Expo 2014
The limited-edition coins, inspired by iconic comic book covers, will be available Sept. 2nd.
Canada struggled to produce official historical record of First World War
Scottish-born former artilleryman and staff officer, Archer Fortescue Duguid, was pegged to write the first official history of the First World War.
Mint unveils coin marking 150th anniversary of Charlottetown, Quebec Conferences
http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/national_news/article_cee8e0f9-f25d-52c1-9830-184199e4945f.html
The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a new gold coin Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences.
Fighting for history: Uncovering the truth of residential schools
A report from the front lines of the search for “truth” in Truth and Reconciliation, and a look at the people trying to make history accessible to aboriginals and non-aboriginals alike.
Mint unveils coin marking 150th anniversary of Charlottetown, Quebec Conferences
http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/national_news/article_cee8e0f9-f25d-52c1-9830-184199e4945f.html
The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a new gold coin Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences.
Manitoba
Fighting for history: Uncovering the truth of residential schools
Northern Manitoba featured in eighth season of Ice Road Truckers
Ice Road Truckers debuts its eighth season Wednesday night on the History Channel, and this year, its all about Manitoba’s northern ice roads, and it showcases the province.
Saskatchewan
Saskatoon berry at centre of naming spat
Alberta
Red Ensign flag protected for future generations
The historic Canadian Red Ensign—flown as the country's national flag from
the late 19th century until 1965—has returned to its former home at the
#187 Foothills Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron base at the High River
Regional Airport after being out of sight for five decades.
Airplane parts stolen from Alberta Aviation Museum
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/25/airplane-parts-stolen-from-alberta-aviation-museum
The Boeing 737's emergency hatch and other parts were stolen, but thieves trashed the plane, to make the crime look like vandalism.
Airplane parts stolen from Alberta Aviation Museum
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/25/airplane-parts-stolen-from-alberta-aviation-museum
The Boeing 737's emergency hatch and other parts were stolen, but thieves trashed the plane, to make the crime look like vandalism.
British Columbia
Vancouver real estate titles reveal city's racist history
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-real-estate-titles-reveal-city-s-racist-history-1.2747924
Now-void land title clause was used to prevent sale or rent of land to people of Asian and African descent.
Story of the Week
War Brides of the First and Second World Wars
The Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has just released a press release about their holdings on the War Brides of the First and Second World Wars.
During the First and Second World Wars, Canadian soldiers often found
love overseas. They married their loved ones overseas, or sent for them
once they were back in Canada, and then got married.
As they point out, the majority of war brides were from Great Britain, with a smaller number originating from Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany.
The LAC has put together a new page, and on it, you will find the records from a variety of sources. The majority are found in the records of National Defence, Department of Employment and Immigration, Department of External Affairs, the Directorate of Repatriation, and the Canadian Wives′ Bureau, but many also come from private organizations.
Do not expect to be presented with lots of indexes because the records have not been indexed. You would have got through the microfilm yourself or hire a researcher to go through them for you.
Visit the War Brides page at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/Pages/war-brides.aspx which explains the printed and archival resources available at Library and Archives Canada.
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 September 8, 2014.
