Monday, July 25, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 25 July 2016



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

This Week in Canadian History 

Veterans Land Act (VLA)

1942 – Parliament passes Veterans Land Act (VLA), to award land grants or home mortgages to returning veterans. I didn't realize that this lasted until 1975. My paternal uncles took advantage of this program after the Second World War. 



1945 – Royal Canadian Navy ammunition barge catches fire in Bedord Basin, Nova Scotia; the magazine explodes for 24 hours, causing evacuation of half the city’s population. 






1976 – Montréal Olympics events begin 1976 – Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, age 14, performing on the uneven parallel bars, scores the First perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history 




Social Media 

(Photo) Memorial University of Newfoundland continues daunting digital archives initiative 


The Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) is a project of the university aimed at the preservation of materials with historical and cultural value, while broadening access for the public. 

It brings items kept throughout the university’s collections straight into the hands of private users. The online archives include paper records such as manuscripts, diaries, photographs, pamphlets and posters, and also audio and video recordings. 

To read what has already been digitized, go to http://collections.mun.ca/ 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland-Labrador 

Lost in history: Memory of WW I flying ace returns home after century away 


He was a hometown kid — a hero of the First World War, a personal friend of Lester B. Pearson, and a descendant of Swedish nobility. 

And then, as quickly as he came, Baron Carl Falkenberg was forgotten for a century. 

Newfoundland's Mistaken Point named UNESCO World Heritage site 


A Newfoundland ecological reserve that holds ancient evidence of some of Earth's oldest creatures is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Volunteer group giving up heritage church in Port au Port West 


The Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church in Port au Port West, which at the time of its completion was the largest wooden church in the province, is now in need of new caretakers after the volunteer group that looks after it announced it's giving up that job. 

Nova Scotia 

Fortress of Louisbourg celebrates 18th-century life during CultureFête 2016 


Visitors to the Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton this weekend will see hands-on demonstrations of 18th century medicine, among other events celebrating everyday life during the fortress's heyday. 

"Party is on!' Nova Scotia man pens his own larger-than-life obituary 


Paul Culligan knew how to make people laugh, even in his obituary. 

History: A look at the Cornwallis River 


Recently, for example, Kentville reader John Cochrane asked me if we knew much about the history of the Cornwallis River and if it had Acadian, Planter or Mi’kmaq links. 

Black Loyalist Heritage Centre celebrates one year 


The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown is turning one year old this weekend, and members of the African Nova Scotian community are ready to celebrate. 

Prince Edward Island 

People can dig through time at Orwell Corner archaeology project 


Islanders and tourists have a unique opportunity to dig through time at a public archaeology project at the Orwell Corner historic village. 

Over the next two weeks, anyone is welcome to drop by the excavation of a mid- to late-nineteenth century home that was part of the Scottish settlement at this historic site. 

Quebec 

Montebello, Que., attracts crowds, political elite with history and scenery 


Montebello — a small municipality in western Quebec about an hour's drive from the nation's capital — has a long history of attracting crowds that range from families to Canada's political elite. 

Ontario 

Gaps in census mean Canadians are being left out of history 


If more people don’t consent to making census information available after 92 years, two of every five Canadians will effectively fade from memory. 

Streetcar No. 696 gets facelift and new lease on life leading up to her 100th birthday 


Ottawa streetcar No. 696 will celebrate her 100th birthday next year and, truth be told, she’s broken down and showing her age. She was, after all, born in the reign of Robert Borden, during the First World War, and was, quite literally, ridden hard and put away wet. 

Military museum annual open house is July 31 


The Canadian Military Heritage Museum will host its annual open house on Sunday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Visit the museum at 347 Greenwich St. to discover Canada's military history from the War of 1812 to current events. 

Newly discovered version of O Canada offers peek into our history 


You might think Canada has always been the “true north, strong and free.” 

But, turns out, the song that would become our national anthem has gone through more than a few changes over the years. 

Manitoba 

Highway renamed in honour of John Bracken 


Premier Brian Pallister announced Monday that John Bracken Highway will be the official name of a 195-kilometre section of PTH 10 from the International Peace Garden north to Riding Mountain National Park to honour the longest-serving premier in Manitoba history 

Storm the trenches: Camp Hughes comes alive this weekend in Manitoba 


More than 80 years after the soldiers moved out, Manitoba's Camp Hughes — home to the only intact First World War trench system in North America — is coming back to life. 

Saskatchewan 

New Saskatoon bridge getting Indigenous 


Once completed, Saskatoon's new bridge in the north will have a name reflecting Aboriginal people's history and contributions.

Alberta 

New museum exhibits celebrate city’s rich history 

The Flatiron Museum and Interpretive Centre opened its doors last Thursday evening for the grand opening of two new exhibits. 

Both “The Origins of Lacombe’s Dutch Community” and “Catalysts for Change: Local Women and the Suffrage Movement” exhibits will be on display for the next year, giving local residents and visitors to the community plenty of opportunity to learn about Lacombe’s ties to what have been proud moments in Canada’s national history. 

British Columbia 


This is the second installment of a series of columns produced by the Coquitlam Heritage Society to coincide with the city of Coquitlam’s 125th birthday this year. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Conference 2017 

Did you realize that Conference 2017, the conference to be held at Ottawa, Ontario, has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioGenealogicalSocietyConference/posts/1001401453230794?notif_t=notify_me_page&notif_id=1468770302466413 ? 

Following the Facebook page is a good way to keep up on the happenings at the OGS conference, and of course, always check out their website at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/conference-2017/. More will be added as tine goes on. 

Celebrating 125 years of Ukrainian history in Canada (1891-2016) 

The premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall, declared 2016 as the anniversary of the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants to Canada 

According to the provincial government, more than 13 per cent of Saskatchewan residents can trace part or all of their ancestry to Ukraine. 

They have been celebrating in various ways, including the release of a coin the first ever egg-shaped coin - egg-shaped, and brightly coloured, because it's of a Pysanka. 

One place to visit is the Ukrainian Museum of Canada which has displays of archives and a library where you can look for information about the immigration. The website is http://www.umc.sk.ca/page/library 


By the way, work has started on the Holocaust Memorial near the Canadian War Museum, and it is expected to be finished by 2017. 


One more thing to note, is the Holocaust Memorial is built in Ottawa near the Museum of War, is making good progress. 

To find out more about the National Holocaust Monument, go to http://holocaustmonument.ca/ 


And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

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Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go to www.elrs.biz 

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