Showing posts with label Quebec. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quebec. Show all posts

Saturday, February 2, 2013

QFHS slashes its membership fee by 45% for new members


The office received this notice from the headquarters of the QFHS this morning -

Montreal, February 1, 2013 -- The Quebec Family History Society (QFHS) today announced it has cut its membership fee by 45 percent, from $65 to $35, for new members. For the period February 1 to July 31, 2013, the society has reduced its regular membership fee for people who join for the first time. This special partial year membership offer includes the Summer 2013 issue of the society’s publication, Connections, and all the benefits enjoyed by its members, such as onsite access to billions of online records, access to the QFHS Heritage Centre and Library collection of 6,000 books, CDs and microfilms, and discounts on seminars and research.

QFHS Executive Secretary Joan Benoit, in charge of membership, said: “This is a terrific opportunity for new and experienced genealogists to join our society and discover the exciting world of family history research. We encourage anyone who has ever thought of joining a genealogical society to take advantage of our offer.”

The Special Offer Membership form and membership details are available on the QFHS website at www.qfhs.ca/cpage.php?pt=13 Payment can be made by cheque or money order. Cash payments can be made in person at the QFHS Heritage Centre and Library in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. To keep costs down on this special offer, QFHS cannot accept credit card or online payments.

The Quebec Family History Society is the largest English-language genealogical society in Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1977, it is a registered Canadian charity that helps people of all backgrounds research their family history. Its members, in addition to researching their Quebec roots, research historical records in all Canadian provinces and territories, the United States, the British Isles, and Western Europe. At the QFHS Heritage Centre and Library, members have free access to a collection of 6,000 books, manuscripts, and family histories, plus thousands of microfilms, microfiche, historical maps, and periodicals, and access to billions of online genealogy resources, including the Deluxe International Edition of Ancestry.ca.

The Quebec Family History Society
qfhs@bellnet.ca
www.qfhs.ca

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Westmount Historical Association

The Westmount Historical Association of Montreal has set a plaque in the GLEN to explain the centuries of use by humans.

In the 1800s, Scottish immigrants who built large homes on the sunny slopes of Westmount walked beside the streams to reach the church and the railway station in St. Henri. In the early 1700s, the French farming families who were deeded land along Côte St. Antoine Road transported their farm produce to market in Ville-Marie through the GLEN.

Before that, the Native People of the area walked to the petite St. Pierre River.

You are urged to bring your children and your visitors to Montreal to view this important transportation link running between Westmount and St. Henri as it takes you under the magnificent CPR Railway Arch.

To read more about the Westmount Historical Association, go to www.westmounthistorical.org

They have extensive archives located at the Westmount Public Library, and they have 1800 photographs, along with smaller collections of ephemera, pamphlets and personal papers. They also have extensive subject files relating to the history of Westmount.

© Elizabeth Lapointe All Rights Reserved

Sunday, January 20, 2013

IRISH HERITAGE QUEBEC

There will be a talk by Clive Kiley, the Mayor of Shannon, Quebec, who will speak on about the history of Shannon, its present and its future.

Clive Kiley has been Mayor of Shannon for 16 years and is a well known figure in local municipal affairs.

All are welcome, admission is free. Refreshments will be served and parking stubs for the parking lot at St. Patrick will be validated.

The talk will take place on Monday January 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the McMahon Hall, 1145 De Salaberry, Quebec City.

For more information, contact Irish Heritage Quebec at 418-527-2238 or 418-704-3404. Or visit the website at www.irishheritagequebec.net

Friday, January 18, 2013

What Do I Do with All My Stuff?

There will be a meeting of the Quebec Family History Society from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the QFHS Heritage Centre and Library, 173 Cartier Avenue, Pointe-Claire. The topic What Do I Do with All My Stuff? and will be presented by Cecilia Karwowski and Gary Schroder.

The problem the modern genealogist often faces is finding so much information, documents, and photos that we drown under a sea of records. If we do not organize our records, important clues leading to other ancestors will be lost in a mountain of material poorly or not organized at all.

During this seminar, you will learn how to preserve the documents and photographs that you already possess and how to organize and arrange the material that you have accumulated, as well as new material that you plan or hope to obtain. The seminar will also examine the dangers inherent in simply keeping all your material on your computer, or as archivists would say "not having it at all."

The fee is $30 members, and $40 for non-members.

Reservations are required. Call 514.695.1502 or contact Jackie qfhs.communications@bellnet.ca

To go to the website, go to www.qfhs.ca

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Domaine des pères Sainte-Croix at Lac-Simon, Quebec Has Been Saved!

Just got news yesterday from Chantal Crête that the Domaine des pères Sainte-Croix at Lac-Simon, Quebec has been saved!


She goes to say “A while back you posted the link of our petition to help us save the heritage of le Domaine des pères Sainte-Croix at Lac-Simon. I wanted to let you know that we have succeeded. Municipality of Lac-Simon adopted a reglementation last night to designate the whole site. Yes, Domaine des Pères is now protected under the Cultural Heritage Act. May I express my deepest thank you to you and all of those that have supported the cause. It goes to show that mobilisation can indeed create change”.

Congratulations, Chantal!

If you would like to read my other posts on the Domaine des pères Sainte-Croix at Lac-Simon, Quebec, you can read them at

November 20 - ONLINE PETITION! Domaine d'été des Pères Sainte-Croix http://genealogycanada.blogspot.ca/2012/11/online-petition-domaine-dete-des-peres.html

November 27 - Latest Update on Domaine d'été des Pères Sainte-Croix http://genealogycanada.blogspot.ca/2012/11/latest-update-on-domaine-dete-des-peres.html

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Dick Eastman and Tourtière Genealogy

Dick Eastman wrote in his newsletter this morning about his French-Canadian ancestry, and the making of the Christmas meat pie in an article called “Tourtière Genealogy”. 

He talks about how he has it every Christmas, but he didn’t realize that people from different parts of Quebec have different views on meat pies – and it is tied in with their ancestry.

The article came about because of a story in The Montreal Gazette by Susan Semenak in which she talks about the beloved French-Canadian food tourtière called “The genealogy of your tourtière: The Quebec Christmas feast staple, the tourtière, can reveal where a person’s family comes from”.

To read about it, go to www.montrealgazette.com/genealogy+your+tourti%C3%A8re/7683786/story.html

To read Dick's article, go to http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2012/12/tourti%C3%A8re-genealogy.html


© Elizabeth Lapointe All Rights Reserved

Friday, December 21, 2012

Old Time Christmas

Father Christmas, horse-drawn sleigh rides, music in the Harvey House and the Schoolhouse featuring the Good, the Bad & the Ugly, Roger-Lee Martin, Marven Condo and Nancy Vignola, traditional food & drink, outdoor fires, Tea Room, carollers, kid’s crafts and skating on the pond. Doesn't it sounds great!
It will be available Wednesday, December 26, 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Gaspesian British Heritage Village, 351 Perron Blvd. West, New Richmond, in the Gaspe Region, which is in Quebec.

And there will be a Family Day on December 28 from 1:00 p.m. to: 4:00 p.m. which will be presented by the Town of New Richmond. There will be Dogsled rides, decorating gingerbread men, outdoor fires, treasure hunt, music, face-painting and other activities.

And it will be held at the Gaspesian British Heritage Village, 351 Perron Blvd. West, New Richmond, Gaspe.

The entrance fee to both events is $3.00 per person

For more information, go to www.villagegaspesien.com

© Elizabeth Lapointe All Rights Reserved

Thursday, December 20, 2012

35th Anniversary of the Société de généalogie de l'Outaouais


The Genealogical Society of the Outaouais in Gatineau is asking you to remember the date of April 27th.

Because that will be the day that they will celebrate their 35th Anniversary by having a conference, an exhibition, and a banquet.

All are invited!

To keep up on the plans for April 27th, go to their site at http://genealogieoutaouais.com

© Elizabeth Lapointe All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

ONLINE PETITION! Domaine d’été des Pères Sainte-Croix

The Outaouais Heritage WebMagazine of the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network has an online petition to help save a beautiful and unique piece of Quebec’s religious heritage.

The Domaine d’été des Pères Sainte-Croix located at 1565 chemin des Pères, Lac-Simon, is currently threatened by developers. Dating to the 1930s, this retreat was built to resemble a steamship on a majestic 45-acre property overlooking Lac-Simon, in the Outaouais region of Quebec, northeast of Ottawa.

Please sign the online petition calling upon the municipality of Lac-Simon to protect this building in its entirety. The petition is on
http://lacsimon.blogspot.ca/2012/10/sauvons-le-patrimoine-du-domaine-des.html

The website is at http://outaouais.quebecheritageweb.com/news/save-lac-simons-domaine-d%E2%80%99ete-des-peres-sainte-croix-sign-online-petition

© Elizabeth Lapointe All Rights Reserved

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Celebrating Our Military Roots Day

Gail from Montreal has just sent me this news about a meeting to be held at the Quebec Family History Society, and the McGill University in Montreal digitization project of the Second World War Records.

Quebec Family History Society

Join us at the QFHS Heritage Centre and Library for “Celebrating Our Military Roots Day”, the first in a series of monthly “Celebrating Our Roots Days”.

On Wednesday, December 5th, drop by between 1:00 and 4:30 pm and/or between 6:30 and 9:30 pm for coffee, tea and informal conversation. Share your research and learn from others how they learned about their ancestors who served in the military. Bring your favourite military books to show others. On display we will feature our members' memorabilia and books from the QFHS military collection.

Joining us in the afternoon will be Earl John Chapman, author of several military history books, including Canada's Black Watch: Legacies of Gallantry and Service.

So, bring along a friend, coffee mug, copies of your military letters, photos, service records, and medals, or just bring yourself.

Open to our members and the public.

For more information, please go to http://www.qfhs.ca

McGill University War Records Digitized

Family historians can now search the McGill University War Records www.archives.mcgill.ca/public/exhibits/mcgillremembers/warrecords.htm by name or browse the alphabetical list. The collection contains 6,617 index cards and more than 3,000 files containing newspaper clippings, correspondence and about 700 photos, documenting the involvement of McGill faculty, students, alumni, and staff during WWII.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Autumn 2012 Issue of QFHS “Connections”



Roots and Branches of My Maternal Family Tree is an article by Dawn Miller Ouellette in which she tells of the years of researching to try and find who David McConaghie (her maternal grandfather) was, and why no one wanted to talk about him!

Although she never really discovered what happened to David, she does point out the importance of using LDS records, and of belonging to the Quebec Family History Society in order to research correctly.

In his article, Sex in the City and Edwardian Mores, Robert N. Wilkins tells of stories run by the Montreal Star in which early 19th Century people were gossiping of “salacious stories” that were heard in court on a fairly regular basis.

The remainder of Connections has a list of their events, library news, Computree, queries, and other news and notes that will help you become more knowledgeable about Quebec genealogy.

Their website is www.qfhs.ca

© Elizabeth Lapointe All Rights Reserved.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

John D. Reid is Going to RootsTech


Earlier this week, I posted that RootsTech was staring to fill up with people going to their 2013 conference (held March 21 to 23, 2013 in Salt Lake City), and now I read where John D. Reid, a blogger of all things Anglo-Celtic in Canada, and the official blogger at BIFHSGO, http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com/2012/09/rootstech-2013.html, is going to take in next year’s conference.

I will be waiting here in Ottawa for his posts on the conference, as he always seems to be able to pick out interesting people to talk to and things to do, while at these gatherings.

Also, I noticed that he mentioned that I was in the Oct/Nov 2012 issue of Internet Genealogy http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com/2012/09/internet-genealogy-octnov-2012.html with an article on “Researching English Ancestors in the Province of Quebec”.

We both agree with the statement that while “researching English-speaking ancestors in Quebec ...  the Quebec Family History Society is fast becoming the place to conduct initial research because of the databases they hold or access”.

If you want to hear what Gary Schroder, President of the Quebec Family History Society has to say about the “Cadastral Numbers System: The Key to Quebec Land Records” then you should listen to Brian Glenn's interview with him in a two-part series on www.bifhsgo.ca/cpage.php?pt=59

Friday, August 17, 2012

A Genealogical Day in Quebec: 1621-2012

A seminar will be held on Saturday, September 29 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the QFHS Heritage Centre and Library, 173 Cartier Avenue, Pointe-Claire. It will be presented by Sharon Callaghan and Gary Schroder.

This seminar will examine the main sources used in Quebec genealogical research regardless of whether your ancestors originated from France, the British Isles, or any other part of the world.

They will explain church records, civil registration records, censuses, notarial records, ship lists, newspapers, land and judicial records. There will also be emphasis on the most important websites used in Quebec genealogical research and how to use the website and databases of the Bibliotheque et Archives nationales du Québec.

The registration fee is $30.00 members, and $40.00 for non-members. Reservations are required.

Call 514.695.1502 or contact Jackie Billingham at qfhs.communications@bellnet.ca.

For more information, go to www.qfhs.ca

Friday, July 20, 2012

Podcasts at the LAC


Sylvie Tremblay, the Manager, Content Delivery and Coproduction Services at the LAC has just announced the following -

“Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce the release of our latest podcast episode: The Shamrock and the Fleur-de-Lys.

In this episode, we consult a panel of experts about the massive immigration of Irish settlers to Quebec in the 1800s. We examine the journey they made in order to establish their new lives on foreign soil, as well as the cultural bond that formed between the Irish and the Québécois.

Subscribe to episodes using RSS or iTunes, or just tune in at: Podcasts – Discover Library and Archives Canada: Your History, Your Documentary Heritage”.

I have listened to the podcasts, and have read the transcript, and have found them to be very good.

People are interviewed including Sylvie from the LAC, Jo-Anick Proulx from Parks Canada, and Simon Jolivet, a history professor from the University of Ottawa each with their own knowledge in the area. And you get a good, rounded view of the Irish as they came to Canada – and many of them were sick and died at the Grosse-Île Quarantine Station just beyond Quebec.

It deserves a listen.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

SCOTCH ROAD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

This a press release that was sent along the other day - 
“St Mungo's United Church will hold a Scottish Memorial Day in honour of the 
Scottish pioneers of the North Shore of the Ottawa River, on August 19, 2012. 
The activities will start with a church service at 3:00 p.m. and continue with a 
barbecue afterwards. Taking part in the festivities will be the Black Watch 
Association Pipes & Drums of Montreal under the command of Pipe Major Brian 
MacKenzie, and Gaelic singers, Fiona McDonald, Director of the Gaelic Choir of 
Ottawa and Catherine-Ann MacPhee of Barra who is universally regarded as one of 
the most gifted and engaging Gaelic singers of her generation.
The impressive stone church, built in 1836 by the Scottish stonemasons who 
worked on the Ottawa River canals, has undergone extensive restoration of the 
exterior in recent years. This event will launch St Mungo's fundraising for the 
restoration of the interior. Official tax receipts for all donations over $20.
WHEN: August 19, 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: St Mungo's United Church, 661 Route des Outaouais (Highway 344) in 
Cushing on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River.
For more information, call 514-937-2131 or e-mail avoca@allstream.net

Friday, April 27, 2012

2012 Vintage Wings of Canada Flight

Yesterday, a press release was received by this blog, and it says -

On behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, took part this evening in the launch of the 2012 Vintage Wings of Canada flight season at the Gatineau Airport. The aviation enterprise is dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of Canadian aviation
"Vintage Wings of Canada does important work in preserving and better enabling us to understand the role and history of Canadian aviation in the development of our country," said Honourable Blaney.
Vintage Wings of Canada brings together aviators and aviation enthusiasts, who maintain a fleet and participate in flight activities and the promotion of Canada's aviation heritage. The organization offers educational programs and guided tours (by reservation only) of its collection, exhibited in their hangar at the Gatineau Airport. Veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces are welcome at all times. 
Veterans Affairs Canada maintains on its Web site at www.veterans.gc.ca archived videos that capture the personal experiences of women and men who have served Canada in times of conflict, including Canadian aviators.
Earlier this month, Minister Blaney and MP Hawn announced a $100,000 contribution toward the creation of a new Bomber Command Memorial to be unveiled this June in London's Green Park in the United Kingdom.
During the Second World War, while the Royal Air Force Fighter Command defended the United Kingdom against aerial attacks, approximately 50,000 Canadian service men and women were part of the Bomber Command, which attacked the enemy's military strength by bombing key targets in an attempt to weaken its military and industrial capabilities.
To see Vintage Wings of Canada's calendar of events, visit www.vintagewings.ca.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Branches, Twigs, and Roots Newsletter

I received my first issue of the newsletter Branches, Twigs, and Roots this week.

Sue has an interesting topic this month in her newsletter, and it’s about how doing genealogy in different cultures can lead to brick walls.

She gives an account of a query she received by a reader in which she was asked to help find Edward Mayo/Maheux and his wife Ann Toose of Quebec. Were they of different cultures - or are they from the same culture? Is Edward French? Is he Irish? Are there any clues in their surnames?
Read about her case study, and what she has to say about taking culture into account in working through the problem.

To subscribe to the newsletter, go to http://www.familyhistoryalive.com/.

While you are there, look at the various topics which she has included to help you in your researh.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Genealogical Day in England and Wales (Seminar)

Gary Schroder, QFHS President, will give a talk on Sa turday, March 31st 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Quebec Family History Society Llibrary, 173 Cartier Avenue in Pointe-Claire.

The purpose of this seminar will be to A) examine the basic structures of family history research in England, Civil Registration of BMD's 1837-2005, Censuses 1841-1911, Wills 1858-2011, etc., and B) examine how to find your ancestors for the period prior to 1837 and how to make the best use of the English databases to found to be found on Ancestry and other commercial websites.

Reservations are necessary: call 514.695.1502, or you can visit the society online at http://www.qfhs.ca/. The fee $30.00.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

National Acadian Day

August 15th was National Acadian Day.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said yesterday that “The Acadian people endured early hardships with great resolve and courage to emerge a proud and determined community that continues to make significant contributions to Canada, in every area of endeavour. Their customs, traditions and way of life have become a distinctive part of Canada’s social fabric”.

They have just finished the Acadian Festival and Cyr Family Reunion http://www.acadianfestival.com/

Read about the Congress in 2014 The Acadian World Congress http://www.acadian.org/congres5.html

Acadian Arts & Crafts in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia http://www.yarmouthandacadianshores.com/

They have just had the festival The Acadian Festival of Caraquet http://festivalacadien.ca/en

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Irish Symposium 2008 at Library and Archives Canada

The Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is holding its second Irish Studies Symposium on November 3 & 4. The first one was held in Ottawa in 2006.

The door will be open at 8:30 for the two days, and the sessions will be held until 5:00 p.m on the first day and until 7:00 p.m. the second day. A book launch of A Story to be Told: Personal Reflections on the Irish Emigrant Experience in Canada, which is a collection of stories of about 128 Irish Emigrants to Canada, will be held the second day from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m..

There will be six sessions and one roundtable panel that will cover topics such as -

The Irish in Quebec

- Famine and Commemoration

- Politics: Shifting Attitudes and Political Impact

- The 1911 Census of Ireland

- Irish Culture: Print, Music, Food, and Film

- Irish History and Modern Media

- Directions in Irish Canadian Studies

Some of the people attending will be Irish historian and noted author on Grosse-Île, Sister Marianna O'Gallagher from Quebec, Dr. Diarmid Ferriter from Boston College, and Dr. Catherine Cox, Director for the Center for the History of Medicine in Ireland.

The cost to attend the symposium is FREE but an RSVP is required.

To attend the symposium, simply call 613.992.2618 or e-mail <webservices@lac-bac.gc.ca>. The webpage is <www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/ireland/033001-1001-e.html>.