Showing posts with label genealogy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label genealogy. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The Windmill Point lighthouse, a site of a bloody battle in Upper Canada (Prescott, Ontario), has been named as a heritage lighthouse under Canada's Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (HLPA).

In 1838, it was the place where a four-day battle in 1838 between British troops and local militia defeated an invasion force of 300 American "Hunters" and Canadian rebels. It brought an end to the Rebellion of 1837-1838.

Windmill Point Lighthouse was first built as a windmill before it was used as a lighthouse in 1874.

Battle of the Windmill National Historic Site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Windmill_National_Historic_Site

BIFHSGO meeting on January 11th

The British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) will meet on Saturday January 11th 2014 at the Library and Archives Canada.

9:00 a.m. — During the Before BIFHSGO Education Talk, learn from Ken McKinley about how to protect and save information stored on your computer.

10:00 a.m. — In Bibles and Bugs: My Welsh Ancestors In and Out of Africa, Gail Roger will talk about how an uncle's posthumously published autobiography about his missionary days in Africa helped and hindered her search for her Welsh ancestors. Gail will talk about her great-great-uncle and her maternal grandfather and some of the circumstances about their life in two very different parts of Africa

Come early to browse our Discovery Tables and meet with family history experts. Open to members and visitors. Free admission. Free parking is available in the lots east of the building only on Saturday and Sunday. Do not use the lot west of the building

Also, BIFHSGO has called for speakers for their 20th Annual Conference to be held in Ottawa, September 19 - 21, 2014.

The deadline is January 31, 2014, and the Conference will focus on three main topics -

• English family history;

• Immigration from the British Isles, including Home Children; and

• Genetic genealogy.

The interview with Gail Roger is at http://www.bifhsgo.ca/cpage.php?pt=106

The website is at http://www.bifhsgo.ca/

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Coburg Public Library closed until further notice

Brian Gilchrist, Reference Archivist at the Peel County Museum and Archives in Brampton (Ontario), has informed us that the main branch of the Coburg Public Library has suffered major water damage due to a broken pipe, and will be closed until further notice.

He says that there has been significant damage to books, videos, DVDs and so forth, but there is no damage to the Local History Collection and Archives. Which is good news!

They do have the Coburg Newspaper Index and Archival Image Database at their webpage.

The webpage is at http://www.cobourg.library.on.ca/library_newsletter.html

Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/Cobourgpubliclibrary?ref=mf

Saturday, January 4, 2014

OGS Open Forum

The Ontario Genealogical Society invites members and non-members to join in an online discussion with President, Shirley Sturdevant. Ask questions and make comments about the changing face of OGS and volunteer opportunities with the Society.

The date that the forum will be held will be Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

This forum is open to anyone who is interested but you may express your interest and receive a reminder and your own copy of the login information by contacting the OGS provincial office at provoffice@ogs.on.ca.

Please use the subject line “OGS Open Forum.”

The website of the OGS is http://www.ogs.on.ca/

Friday, December 27, 2013

UPDATE: Ancestry.ca FEE ACCESS

Ancestry.ca is giving you FREE ACCESS to more than 100 million records from Canada and around the world. Limited time only - ends December 29th.

The Canadian records are -

1921 Census of Canada

Canada, British Army and Canadian Militia Muster Rolls and Pay Lists, 1795-1850

Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900

Canada, City and Area Directories, 1819-1906

Canada, Registers of Prisoners of War, 1803-1815

Saskatchewan, Canada, Residents Index (SRI), 1800-2012

Go to http://search.ancestry.ca/search/group/favourite2013

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Aboriginal Heritage Portal

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce updates to the Aboriginal Heritage Portal at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginal-heritage/Pages/introduction.aspx

And there you will find a variety of sources for the researcher including the archived version of the School Files Series - 1879-1953, Research Guides and Finding Aids, Researching Your Aboriginal Ancestry at Library and Archives Canada, and a special Genealogy and Family History site at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-607.002.01.01-e.html.

There is enough material here to keep you busy for days.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

TONI Update

24,541 records have been added to The Ontario Name Index (TONI) bringing the total number of entries to 2,514,931.

The index now includes records from the following Ontario Heritage Organizations:

- Millbrook Cavan Historical Society

-Bruce Township Historical Society

-Westminster Historical Society

-Upper Ottawa Valley Genealogy Group

-Northumberland County Archives

You can search these records at https://www.ogs.on.ca/integrated/toni_database1.php

Postscript: December is membership month at the OGS. For the yearly rate of $61.20, you can join the provincial society. Go to http://www.ogs.on.ca/ogsblog/





Saturday, December 21, 2013

Tallest Lighthouse in Atlantic Canada Protected

Point Amour Lighthouse (Newfoundland and Labrador) has been designated as a heritage lighthouse under the Canadian Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. (CNW Group/Parks Canada)

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, has designated an iconic landmark of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Point Amour lighthouse, as a heritage lighthouse under the Canadian Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (HLPA).

The HLPA, which was adopted in 2008, allows for the protection of federally-owned lighthouses on Canada's coastal and inland waters that have significant heritage value. Administered by Parks Canada, the HLPA helps ensure Canada's maritime history is protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Canadians have nominated hundreds of lighthouses to be considered for designation under the Act

Quick Facts

Point Amour Lighthouse is the tallest in Atlantic Canada, and the second tallest in the country.

Located at L'Anse Amour, on the Strait of Belle Isle, this lighthouse was built in 1857 to increase the safety of transatlantic shipping.

The lighthouse is associated with the most famous marine disaster in the history of the Strait of Belle Isle, the wreck of HMS Raleigh, a British warship, in 1922.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has agreed to acquire this lighthouse and protect its heritage character.

There are two sitye you may like to check, and they are

HeritageLighthouses of Canada
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/lhn-nhs/pp-hl/index.aspx

Designated Lighthouses http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/lhn-nhs/pp-hl/page01.aspx

Friday, December 20, 2013

Meagham's Atlas (1880) of PEI

 

The P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation has commissioned a reprint of Meagham's Atlas (1880), the most comprehensive property atlas ever published on Prince Edward Island. It goes on sale today at various museums, and bookstores around the island.

Meanwhile, you can search the atlas by surname and town/lot number online at the following websites -

Names Appearing in Meagham's Atlas (1880) http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mvreid/pei/35atl80.html

Searchable database of the Patron's List/Directory of the 1880 "Meacham's Illustrated Historical Atlas of Prince Edward Island". Searchable by town/lot and surname http://www.islandregister.com/meachams/patronindex.html

Thursday, December 19, 2013

International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) Conference 2014



The IAJGS conference will be held in Salt Lake City next year from July 27-Aug 1.

The press release says that “This conference brings together people from all over the world who are interested in Jewish genealogy. Last year’s conference in Boston had over 800 people representing 20 different countries, including researchers, archivists, writers and bloggers.

In addition to presentations on Jewish genealogy, this year’s conference will have strong representation on events leading to the beginning of World War I, which approaches the 100th anniversary of its beginning.

An important notice to all registrants – you will be encouraged to share family stories and pictures from the World War One era. These stories and pictures will be compiled into an online volume which will provide a unique resource for genealogists and historians. Please gather your stories and pictures to be ready to upload them once Registration opens in late December”.

To go to Website http://conference.iajgs.org/2014/

To go to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IAJGSConference

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Caledonian Club of PEI~ annual Burns Concert

Next year marks the 255th anniversary of the birth of Robbie Burns, and celebrations will be taking place all over Canada. One of the celebrations will be at the Caledonian Club of P.E.I. where they will present the 125th annual Robbie Burns concert -

"The Caledonian Club of PEI will present the 125th annual Robbie Burns Scottish Concert, on Friday, January 24, (storm date Jan. 25th), at 7 pm at the Carrefour Theatre, 5 Acadienne Drive in Charlottetown.

The 150th anniversary of the Caledonian Club of Prince Edward Island will be held throughout 2014, with special events to mark its sesquicentennial of Scottish culture and Island traditions to complement the history of the Club.

This year also marks the 255th anniversary of the birth of Burns (Jan. 25, 1759), known as Scotland’s favourite son, the Ploughman Poet and the Bard of Ayrshire, where many referred to him as The Bard.

The club is overjoyed to welcome back Tom MacDonald who makes his home in Arisaig, N. S., with his wife, Maria, and family. MacDonald and his guitarist, Rob Wolfe, have built up a considerable following on the Island, and are always delighted to performing on this side of the water.

In his day job, MacDonald is a lobster fisherman on the Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. But his real love is the wonderful music of his Scottish ancestors and the great songs of the sea.

In addition to MacDonald, Burns’ songs, music, poetry, and Highland dancing will be performed at the concert on Jan 24th".

Tickets will be available at the door.Adults $10 and children under 12 admitted free. Tickets are also available by calling the following club members: Cecil MacPhail, 892-2181; John Bryanton, 566-2082; Bill Acorn, 892-1666; Douglas MacKenzie, 394-0669; or Eleanor Boswell, 368-7378.

The grand finale will include club members and performers on stage for the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Tom’s website is https://sites.google.com/site/tommacdonaldceltictenor/home

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Are you curious about your Finnish origins?

The Library and Archives Canada has a blog about tracing your Finnish Ancestors.

Do you want to know who your first Finnish ancestor was and when he or she left Finland and arrived in Canada? Are you curious about your Finnish origins?

That say that “If so, our website is a great place to begin your research. Here you will find a page dedicated to genealogical research at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-905.009-e.html This page provides you with historical information, archival documents and published material from the Library and Archives Canada collection, as well as links to other websites and institutions”.

If your ancestor came to Canada between 1865 and 1935, you might find his or her name on http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-908.003-e.html

You can also check these websites -

Finnish Canadian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Canadian

The Genealogical Society of Finland http://www.genealogia.fi/sss/indexe.htm

Finland's Family History Association http://www.sukuhistoria.fi/sshy/index_eng.htm

Saturday, December 14, 2013

British Women’s Emigration Association Database



The British Islands Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) has just written to me about a new database which they have just put on their site - British Women’s Emigration Association Database.

They say that “The Hon. Mrs. Ellen Joyce was the head of the British Women’s Emigration Association (BWEA) from 1901 until 1919. Mrs. Joyce was married to a Church of England clergyman and they resided at St. John’s Croft, Winchester, Hampshire, England. Most of her work appears to have been carried out from this house as the address shows frequently in her correspondence.

The aim of the Association was to encourage middle class women to emigrate to the colonies because of a perceived surplus of women in England and Wales while there was a dearth of British women in the colonies, particularly in Canada and Australia. The 1901 Census revealed that there were a million more women than men in England and Wales.

The young women ranged in age from 14 to mid 40s and the majority went to Ontario or Western Canada, most were single but a few of the older women were widows. All were said to be `of good character’.

Any records in England that contained information on individual women were destroyed in 1964, therefore the records held by Library and Archives Canada have added significance for any persons researching women’s immigration to Canada”.

To view the database, go to http://www.bifhsgo.ca/cstm_mrsJoyce.php

Friday, December 13, 2013

CrowdSourcing: OGS and The Ontario Heritage Fairs Association



The OGS and the Ontario Heritage Fairs Association (OHFA) are teaming up to CrowdSource to see if they can continue to offer provincial heritage fairs for students in Grades 4 to 10.

“The OGS supports this initiative by providing a prize for the best genealogical project at each regional fair, with the aim of encouraging our future genealogists and historians.

This year’s Provincial Fair is in need of funding and to this end, the OHFS is running a CrowdSourcing campaign". 

If you wish to support the work of the Association and to fund another Provincial Heritage Fair in the spring of 2014, please visit them at https://chimp.net/groups/ontario-provincial-heritage-fair

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Acadian Family Recipes Newsletter

Yvon Cyr has written to tell us that they will be “creating a newsletter to share Acadian Family Recipes. Get together with family members over the holidays and pick your favorite, and send it to us.

We are looking to have this newsletter out by February 2014.

Have a great Holiday!”

The website is www.acadian.org
Gwyneth Pearce, Secretary of the Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, has sent the winter meeting schedule, and it is -

Tracing Your African Heritage in the British West Indies
Saturday, February 1, 2014, 1 – 5 p.m.
This half-day course will cover the basic principles of research, how to read and interpret slave registers, what to look for in vital records, church records, parish registers and much more.
Instructor: Pooran Bridgelal
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

The Social History of Medicine in 19th Century CanadaTuesdays, February 4 & 11, 2014, 2 – 4 pm
This two-part lecture series will examine life and death and the role of medicine in Canada in the nineteenth century, as well as the revolution in Canadian medical education from 1875 to 1920 that extended life span and professionalized medicine and medical training.
Instructor: Dr. Marianne Fedunkiw
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

Making the Internet Work for GenealogyWednesdays, February 12, 19 & 26 & March 5, 2014, 6:15 – 8:15 pm
This four-week course is aimed at those who have considerable experience already with using the Internet for genealogy, but who are interested in learning how to fine tune their search abilities and how to take advantage of the social networking opportunities the Internet provides.
Instructor: Marian Press
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto

Tracing Your East Indian Heritage in the British West IndiesSaturday, February 15, 2014, 1 – 5 pm
This half-day course will cover the basic principles of research, how to understand indenture contracts, what to look for in vital records, church records, parish registers and much more.
Instructor: Pooran Bridgelal
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

The Social History of Dress in 19th Century CanadaTuesdays, February 18 & 25, 2014, 2 – 4 pm
This two-part lecture series is intended as a primer to the social history of dress seen in 19th century photographs, with a special emphasis on Canadian history. The course will cover the period from 1840 to 1910.
Instructor: Ingrid Mida
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

Introduction to Genealogy and Family History
Saturday, February 22, 2014, 10 am – 3 pm
A fast-paced one-day course that introduces some of the type of records and techniques needed for researching your family tree. It highlights vital records (civil and church), census records and probates (wills), showing how to extract and evaluate data.
Instructor: Linda Reid
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto
They are parented by the OGS and the North York Central Library.
To learn more, you can go to http://torontofamilyhistory.org/

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Annual general meeting at the Niagara Peninsula Branch

The area that is covered by the Niagara Peninsula Branch of the OGS

Tyler Stevens, the Membership Coordinator at Niagara Peninsula Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society write to tells us of a meeting that they will hold this Thursday at 7 pm.

They will feature a Genealogy Showcase, Branch Voting & the Holiday Gathering. Looking forward to seeing what folks have put together for their Showcase's.

So if you have a something to show or tell, email niagara@ogs.on.ca to book your time.

The website of the Niagara Peninsula Branch is http://www.ogs.on.ca/niagara/

Global Genealogy makes an announcement


Global Genealogy has just made the announcement that they have almost completed work on a book and CD called Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier Newspaper 1834-1929.

Global Genealogy says that "It will be an 8 volume set of genealogical extracts from the Perth Courier newspaper that were published between 1834 and 1929 (known as the Bathurst Courier in its early years).

They say that the series will be available in a coil-bound printed edition, and as books on CD (searchable pdf). Buy individual volumes (sorted by year of publication) or save by purchasing a complete set.

The series includes 3618 pages of extracts of births, marriages, deaths, silver and golden anniversaries and other information of genealogical interest - about 40,000 extracts in all. All are extensively indexed including cross referencing and females listed by both maiden and married names when known.

They say that they will announce the release date in an early January newsletter. A complete online index will be provided at that time . This collection will be a valuable addition to every genealogical reference library that has a Canadian section".

Global Genealogy website is http://globalgenealogy.com/

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Connections Journal Autumn 2013 Issue

The fall issue of the Connections journal has been sent out by the Quebec Family History Society located in Montreal.

There are many short articles in this issue, and they are –

The Farnsworth/Phaneuf Connections by Rene E. Peron in which the author writes about the connections between the two families going back 300 years.

Captives Carried to Canada During the French and Indian Wars by Dawn Miller Quellette in which she talks about the Farnsworth family as it is related in the book New England Captives Carried to Canada – 1677 – 1760 by author Emma Lewis Coleman.

Pilgrimage for Bert: Remembering the 1st Anti-Tank Regiment, 1st Canadian Divison by Shelia Snow Wilkins in which Wilkins writes about the trip she and her husband took to Sicily this past summer to visit the places where her father fought in the Second World War.

Filles du Roi: Brides of New France by Dawn Miller Ouellette writes about the young women who came to New France looking for a husband. One thing new I learned that if they did not find a suitable suitor in Quebec City, they would travel on to Three Rivers, and then to Montreal, if they did not find a man to marry.

Ouellette also has written an article on The Battle of Chateauguay (the cover has the photo of the painting of the battle) as it has been 200 years since the Canadians fought the Americans on the shores of the Chateauguay River in October 1813.

 If you want to see what else the QFHS offers, you can go to http://www.qfhs.ca/ http://www.qfhs.ca/          


Saturday, December 7, 2013

IMPORTANT: Ontario Genealogy Society Open Forum

This notice has just come into the office

The Ontario Genealogical Society invites members and non-members to join in an online discussion with President, Shirley Sturdevant. Ask questions and make comments about the changing face of OGS and volunteer opportunities with the Society.

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

Time: 7:00 p.m.

More information will follow.

This forum is open to anyone who is interested but you may express your interest and receive a reminder and your own copy of the login information by contacting the OGS provincial office at provoffice@ogs.on.ca.

Please use the subject line “GS Open Forum.”

I will be there. Will you?