Monday, October 31, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 31 October 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  

The railroad spans the country 

07 November 1885 – The government passed the National Transcontinental Railway Act, to giving the Grand Trunk Railway the right to expand into Western Canada, building a line from Moncton, New Brunswick to Quebec, and then to a point on the British Columbia Coast, which will be named Prince Rupert. 

The section between Moncton and Winnipeg to be known as the National Transcontinental Railway and built by the government; the line west of Winnipeg, to be known as the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, to be built by the Grand Trunk itself by 01 December 1911. 

To read more about the railway, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Trunk_Railway  

Charlottetown, PEI

25 October 1768 - Port La Joie, the major town in Prince Edward Island, founded by the French, is renamed Charlottetown in honour of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. 

On 17 April 1855, Charlottetown was incorporated as a city, and on 01 July 1873, the island became a province in the country of Canada. 

To read more about Charlottetown, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlottetown  


The Red River Rebellion

31 October 1869 – The Red River Rebellion occurred when Canada's Governor designate William McDougall receives a letter signed by the members of the National Committee of the Métis of Red River, ordering him not to enter the territory without the permission of the Committee. 

This was done by the Métis in an attempting to force Canada to negotiate the entry of their territory into Confederation. 

The headquarters of the National Committee of the Métis of Red River was in Pembina, Manitoba. 

To read more about the Red River Rebellion, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Rebellion  

Social Media  

(Audio) St. Stephen council approves repurposing of old town hall 


The old town hall in St. Stephen could be getting a new purpose, after previously being considered for demolition. 

Town council voted this week to move ahead with an agreement with the Moncton firm, Heritage Developments, to restore the national historic building. 

Newspaper Articles  

Newfoundland 

Lower Churchill's cultural history should be protected, says archaeology professor 


A Memorial University archaeologist says the province should do more to protect the intangible cultural history of the area being flooded to create the Muskrat Falls reservoir in central Labrador.
Mapping out Gander's WW II history 


As an aviation and military town, Gander is surrounded by airplane crash locations and other historical sites.  

Some are easy to reach, such as the Second World War American Boeing B-17G crash site in the Thomas Howe Demonstration Forest. But unless you have some local knowledge, other spots are harder to find.  

Nova Scotia 

Kentville’s Gladys Porter a political pioneer 


She was the first woman in Nova Scotia history to offer for the mayoralty of any town. Porter beat her male opponent by a two-to-one margin to become mayor of Kentville in 1946 and Eastern Canada's first female mayor. She was re-elected mayor, serving for 11 years, until 1960, when she became the first female MLA in the Maritimes, representing the constituents of Kings North. 

History of the half hull 


When is half of something worth more than the whole thing? It’s when that half is the model of a ship, mounted on a backboard, where the history of the ship is recorded. 

Shipbuilding is one of the core historical elements here in Atlantic Canada. Wooden ships sailed to exotic ports of the world, with famous Nova Scotia sea captains at the helm. 

Hants History: Oct. 24, 2016 edition 


HANTS COUNTY - Here's a look at what was making the news 35 and 50 years ago in the Hants Journal. 

Acadia pop-up museum provides new view of WWI 


A pop-up museum at Acadia University in Wolfville brought together African Nova Scotians whose relatives went to the First World War. 

New Brunswick 

In Saint John in Canada, Exploring the Legacy of the Loyalists 


If you wanted to describe Saint John in just one word, I would suggest: pleasant. The city starts at Market Square, down by the harbo(u)r, which has been restored and repurposed à la South Street Seaport in New York or Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and extends up a hill, the spine of which is King Street. 

Prince Edward Island 

Founders Hall should be provincial museum: Bevan-Baker 


The Green Party leader is urging the provincial government to turn Founders Hall into a provincial museum. 


With some legions across Canada making the switch to collection boxes that are harder to steal, those on P.E.I. are sticking to the old ones, and hoping for a profitable poppy campaign. 

Ontario 

October To Be Declared Hindu Heritage Month in Ontario, Canada 


A bill to proclaim October as Hindu Heritage Month annually in Canada's Ontario province has been introduced in the provincial assembly. 

Ontario is home to more than 700,000 Indo-Canadians 

Legion hopes to revive history of First World War with launch of poppy campaign 

http://globalnews.ca/news/3031425/legion-hopes-to-revive-history-of-first-world-war-with-launch-of-poppy-campaign/

The ceremonial poppy pinning is an annual traditional for Branch 14 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Veterans, both old and young, as well as dignitaries, kicked off the drive to officially launch the poppy campaign. 

Manitoba 

New book uncovers places left behind in Manitoba's past 


A new book by Winnipeg historian Gordon Goldsborough takes the reader to places that few Manitobans have ever been — at least not anytime recently. 

St. Boniface residents rally to preserve one of its oldest trees 


The Brigade de la Rivière Rouge, a non-profit organization that commemorates the history and lifestyle of the Voyageurs, wants to see the tree saved or, failing that, turned into a commemorative tree sculpture. 

Alberta 

Open house at Royal Alberta Museum; heritage group hopes to save old site 


Advocates are encouraging the public to come out for an open house in Glenora to urge government to save the old Royal Alberta Museum site. 

Heritage Forward is a community-driven advocacy group that focuses on preserving heritage buildings in Edmonton. 

Witch history takes flight in rare manuscript 


U of A finds lost treasure in its vaults 

It is a book of remarkable beauty — and unspeakable evil. 

It’s testament to timely artistry, and to the eternal dangers of hate and fear. 

British Columbia 

Friends of the Archives let history be their guide 


I (Patrick A. Dunae) recently became president of the Friends of the British Columbia Archives. It’s a non-profit society that aims to foster awareness and appreciation of the B.C. Archives and the documentary heritage of our province. 

B.C. Archives the place to go in search for family history 


After his marriage failed, my great-great-grandfather, John Montgomery, headed west from Manitoba, and picked up a large farm about five kilometres straight south of Fort Langley. He farmed there for a decade, until his death in 1900. 

Art theft from Vancouver church shocks local fabric artists 


Two Vancouver-area fabric artists are reeling after a number of their expensive works were stolen from a Vancouver church. 

Exhibition will highlight B.C.’s native languages 


In 2012, the First Peoples’ Cultural Council reached out to Jack Lohman at the Royal B.C. Museum after reading an article in this newspaper in which he talked about how he had been drawn to B.C. and the role of CEO at the museum as a result of his interest in First Nations culture and heritage. 

Creating a Punjabi Canadian Legacy Project in B.C.: Please work with us 


THE Royal BC Museum (RBCM), as the provincial museum and archives, is committed to preserving, exploring and sharing the history of all British Columbians. 

'Reconciliation tour' reveals dark history of Mission, B.C. school 


Cyril Pierre, 68, whacks a picnic table with a heavy leather strap. The sharp noise startles the dozens of teachers, youth workers and local politicians gathered before him. 

The group is taking part in a tour of St. Mary's Indian Residential School in Mission, B.C., built in 1863. 

History: Oct 24, 1918 – The SS Princess Sophia disaster 


It’s not the worst maritime disaster in world, or even Canadian history, but it certainly is among the most tragic. 

Over 344 people lost their lives, and knew for a day and half, waited for help that they could see, but that could not help rescue them from the icy Pacific water. 

Canadian Stories this Week  

LegacyTree answers question 


About two weeks ago, Legacy Tree asked their Facebook friends to send in a question to their first ever DNA Q & A which was to premiere on Saturday, 29 October 2016. 

I entered my question on behalf of my readers 'What would you suggest as the first DNA test to take' and it was answered by DNA expert Paul Woodbury very nicely. Mine is the last question asked, under my first name, Elizabeth. 

The Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/legacytree/  


OGS membership is open 01 November

2017 will be a great year to belong to the Ontario Genealogy Society (OGS), because there is going yo be lots of exciting events that we can take part in during Canada's 150 birthday. The conference will be held in Ottawa next year, and it sounds exciting. 

And they have something new this year called Help us Grow our Family!

They are asking you to think about a friend, colleague, neighbour, or cousin who isn’t currently a member of The Society, and ask them if they wish to join at a reduced fee.When they agree, you can go to the Membership Renewal page, push the button that says Click here for “Grow our Family” discount, and enter the name of your recruit into the box which says “I encouraged someone to become a new OGS member”. 

That’s all you need to do. The fee box will automatically calculate the discount when it processes the payment. The discount has a value of $31.50 – 50% of the OGS Individual Membership fee. So you can go to https://www.ogs.on.ca/ to join or renew. 




And have a wonderful Halloween!








And that was the week in Canadian news!

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