Monday, February 2, 2015

Canadian Week in Review - 02 February 2015

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.

This Week in Canadian History

February 1, 1799 - Royal Assent is given by the British government to change the name of Île St- Jean to Prince Edward Island. It was named after George III’s son – Prince Edward Augustus.
   To read more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Prince_Edward_Island

February 1, 1854 - Fire destroys Parliament Buildings at Montreal, Québec. The government is transferred to Toronto, and from there, it will be transferred to Ottawa in 1867.
   For more, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_the_Parliament_Buildings_in_Montreal

February 2, 1800 - Massachusetts farmer Philemon Wright—attracted by offers of free land in Canada—leaves Woburn with 25 men, their wives, and 15 children to travel by sleigh to the Chaudière Falls on the Ottawa River. They founded Wrightstown, later known as Hull, and today, it is known as Gatineau, Quebec.
   To read the full story of Gatineau, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatineau

Social Media

Toronto Custom House Records
http://wherethestorytakesme.ca/toronto-customs-house
   Jane MacNamara writes about the records of the Toronto Custom House Archives (fond 214) that are found in the Archives of Ontario.

Articles

Ontario

Fiona McKean and Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke buy Opinicon Resort
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/fiona-mckean-and-shopify-ceo-tobi-l%C3%BCtke-buy-opinicon-resort-1.2933662
   Short-term plans include reopening the Opinicon restaurant and ice cream shop for this summer.

Second bid launched to dub Manitoba-Ontario area world heritage site
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2015/01/20150126-192214.html
   Ontario, Manitoba, five First Nations, and the federal government have teamed up again to have land on the east side of Lake Winnipeg declared a world heritage site.

The man who pointed the way to the Erebus: Louie Kamookak on searching for the Franklin expedition
http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/23/the-man-who-pointed-the-way-to-the-erebus-louie-kamookak-on-searching-for-the-franklin-expedition
   Louie Kamookak, an amateur historian from the hamlet of Gjoa Haven, spent 30 years collecting oral histories from Inuit elders and comparing them to the journals of subsequent expeditions. He came up with a theory of where the ships might be found, one that gave the Parks Canada explorers a much better idea of where to start looking.

Portrait of Simcoe County's first judge ready to be unveiled after months of restoration work
http://www.orilliapacket.com/2015/01/25/portrait-of-simcoe-countys-first-judge-ready-to-be-unveiled-after-months-of-restoration-work
   Sir James Robert Gowan's portrait is primed for its grand unveiling. Restoring the oil painting, which measures four feet by five feet, has been a costly venture for the Barrie Historical Association (BHA) – at nearly $18,500, including tax.

On Vimy Ridge, mighty oaks will grow again — thanks to a Canadian soldier
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/01/24/on-vimy-ridge-mighty-oaks-will-grow-again-thanks-to-a-canadian-soldier.html
   No trees were left standing in the aftermath of a bloody battle that defined the Canadian effort in the First World War. Thanks to a Canadian soldier and his passionate friend, that’s about to change.

Saskatchewan

Canadian History Ehx: A look back at St. Andrews Ceylon
http://www.grenfellsun.sk.ca/Community/2015-01-25/article-4019979/Canadian-History-Ehx%3A-A-look-back-at-St.-Andrews-Ceylon/1
   The church was officially built in 1889, and was consecrated by Bishop Anson. Donations to build the church came from across the area, and as far away as England.

British Columbia

Chinese historical sights sought in Richmond
http://www.richmond-news.com/news/chinese-historical-sights-sought-in-richmond-1.1740876
   Do you know of a historically significant place in Richmond connected to the Chinese community? If the answer is "yes", the B.C. government wants to know so it can be formally recognized for its heritage value.

Stories of the Week

Black History Month

Canada joins other countries celebrating Black History Month in February every year.

This year, the Governor General has declared 2015 as the Year of Sport in Canada, and Black History Month has taken the opportunity to spotlight Canada’s black athletes as they have performed on the international stage.

I have a bit of common history with one of the people that Heritage Canada highlights at
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/black/photo-sports.asp#a10, and that is Marjorie Turner-Bailey, who won two bronze medals at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City (100 metres, 4x100-metre relay) in track and field, and went on to represent Canada at the 1976 Olympic Summer Games in Montreal.

How many people know that she used to train in the summer by running on the mile-long Crescent Beach that is part of the causeway that leads to her hometown of Lockeport, Nova Scotia? I grew up in the area, and it was always a proud thing to know Marjorie, and follow her career.

You can read all about Black History Month at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/black/index.asp



And for something completely different, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Groundhog Day!

Did you know that the tradition of our Groundhog Day comes to us from Germany? The Germans believed that the badger (their version of our groundhog) had the power to predict the coming of spring. They even watched the badger to know when to plant their crops.

February 2 is Groundhog Day in Canada, and although we don’t use it to predict when to plant our crops, we use it to “indicate’ if there will be six more weeks of winter (if he sees his shadow), or six week to spring (if he does not see his shadow).

Groundhog Day became popular in Canada, as it is today, when, in 1956, Wiarton Willie, from Wiarton, Ontario, became a household name. A festival grew up around him, and today, it is one of the largest winter festivals in Bruce County, Ontario.

Since then, other celebrity groundhogs have popped out and joined Willie from other parts of Canada, including Schubenacadie Sam from Nova Scotia, Gary the Groundhog in Ontario, Brandon Bob in Manitoba, Fred la Marmotte in Quebec, and Balzac Billy in Alberta.

And I forgot to mention last week that on 25 January 1791, the British Parliament approved the Constitutional Act which separated the old province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada. Before 1791, Quebec was a colony from Labrador down to the present-day border with the United States at Detroit. After 1840, Lower Canada became Quebec, and Upper Canada became Ontario.


Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

If you do, please go to my website, Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services, and see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor.

Great service. Reasonably priced.

Website: www.elrs.biz

Email: genealogyresearch@aol.com


And that was the week that was in Canadian genealogy, history, and heritage news!

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!

If you missed last week's post on 26 January 2015, visit http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

The next Canadian Week in Review will be posted 08 February 2015.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

OGS class handouts now online



The Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has started offering classes called Genealogy: Back to Basics. The handouts that will be used for each class has been put online at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/genealogy-back-to-basics

There is no charge for the sessions, and all are invited to return at 1:00 p.m. for the monthly presentation.

This is the current schedule for Genealogy B2B. For updates on the classes (with instructor), check back regularly.

28 February 2015 - Are You a Trust Me Genealogist? (Heather Oakley)

15 March 2015 - No meeting due to conflict with Gene-O-Rama 2015

25-April 2015 - Genetic Genealogy (Richard McGregor)

06 June 2015 - Lineage Societies (Dorothy Meyerhof)

27 June 2015 - Ottawa Resources (Mike More)

12 September 2015 - Getting Started (Mike More)

24 October 2015 - Genealogical Resources in Eastern Ontario (John Patton)

28 Nov 2015 - TBA

19 Dec 2015 - TBA

For more information, visit the announcement page at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/home/announcements

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If you haven’t done so already, remember to check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

FamilySearch.org offers FREE classes


The classes are -

07 February 2015 Registros civiles y censos. This class provides instructions on how to use Spanish civil registers and census records. It is for Spanish-speaking guests and is taught in Spanish. Class starts at 1:00 p.m.

21 February 2015 * Boy Scout Genealogy Merit Badge Workshop. This workshop begins at 10:00 a.m. Register for this 90-minute class at least one week prior to the workshop to find out which requirements should be completed before attending. For registration information, call 1-801-240-4673.

21 February 2015 Qué dice? Cόmo leer la escritura antigua. This class provides tips and guidelines for reading old Spanish handwriting. It is for Spanish-speaking guests and is taught in Spanish. Class starts at 1:00 p.m.

26 February 2015 FamilySearch Historical Records Collection Webinar. This class begins at 6:00 p.m. It provides an overview of what the FamilySearch Historical Records Collection has to offer researchers and some tips on how to get the most from your searches.

28 February 2015 * British Research Series. These classes include “British Resources on FamilySearch.org,” and “British Resources on Ancestry.com.” Classes run from 9:15 a.m. to noon.

28 February 2015 * German Research Series. These classes include “Learning to Read Old German Script” (2 hours) and “Extracting Information from German Church and Civil Records.” Classes run from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

28 February 2015 African-American Research Series. The topics include “Keynote Speaker,” “Beginning African-American Research: Post 1865,” and “Southern Plantation Records.” Classes run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

These classes and workshops are designed to help individuals and families find their ancestors and teach others family history techniques. I have already put into my calendar FamilySearch Historical Records Collection Webinar.

How about you?

* Registration is required for classes with an asterisk. Register by 9:00 p.m. the Thursday before the class date by sending an email to FHLClassReg@familysearch.org or calling 1-801-240-4950. Go to https://familysearch.org/locations/saltlakecity-library for additional information.

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If you haven’t done so already, remember to check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Roots 2015 - An International Conference On Family History in Quebec



The Quebec Family History Society is proud to announce it will be hosting Roots2015, an International Conference on Family History from June 19 – 21 at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec in 2015.

It is the LARGEST English language genealogical conference held in Quebec.
 
I have just taken a peek at it this morning, and it appeard to be a very good conference, with lots of lecture of interest to conference attenders.

Some of the speakers will be -
 
Gary Schroder, President of the Quebec Family History Society
 
Lesley Anderson, Teacher and Consultant with Ancestry.ca
 
Edward Zapletal, Publisher, Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and History Magazine
 
Ed McGuire, President of the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogy Society
 
Glen Wright, Author and Lecturer Johanne Gervais, Computer Specialist and Genealogist
 
Deborah Robertson, Librarian and Genealogist
 
Lorraine Gosselin, Lecturer and Genealogist
 
Marilyn Gillespie, Professional Photographer
 
Luc Lepine, Author and Military Historian
 
Denyse Beaugrand-Champagne, Historian and Archivist with Bibliothéque et Archives Nationales du Quebec
 

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If you haven’t done so already, remember to check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Do you want to name a geographical feature in Alberta?


Alberta is looking for people who have a name for a geographical feature to get in contact with the people at the Alberta Geographical Names Program at http://culture.alberta.ca/heritage-and-museums/programs-and-services/historic-places-research-and-designation/geographical-names-program.

The Geographic Board of Canada was established in December 1897 as an assertion of Canada's sovereignty over its own geographical territory. By the 1970s, the responsibility for most geographical features had been transferred to the provinces.

The naming of features on land in Alberta administered by the federal government is a joint responsibility.

Final naming decisions are made by the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation and the Minister of Culture.

To find Canadian Geographical Names, you can go to http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/geography/place-names/search/9170.

======

Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html.

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Archives of Manitoba has a blog



Since May 2014, the Archives of Manitoba has put on about 4 blogs per month.
 
Visit this blog for regular posts about records at the Archives of Manitoba that date from the time of the First World War at home and on the front.
 
In the blog they write the Hudson Bay Company, Wartime Cookery, and leeters from the from to relatives back home. 
 
 
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Saskatchewan Archives Week


This is the 10th annual Archives Week event showcasing the role that archives and archivists play in preserving and making available Saskatchewan's documentary heritage.
Activities in communities across the province include celebrity reading events, film nights, open houses, exhibits and more.
For instance, there will be activites at various archives at Whitewood, Shaunavon, Saskstoon, Regina, Prince Alberta, Lloydminister, La Ronge, Humbolt, and North Battleford.
All of these activies will be held during Archives Week from 01 February to 07 February 2015. 
==

Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012. 
   

Thursday, January 29, 2015

LAC updates city directories online

Montreal Directories 1842-1843 page 213

WOW! I went to genealogy heaven this morning with news from Library and Archives Canada (LAC)!

The LAC now has the digitized directories for the following Ontario cities and counties in PDF format -
  • City of Hamilton 1853-1895
  • City of Kingston 1865-1906
  • City of London 1875-1899
  • Southwestern Ontario counties (the counties of Haldimand, Lincoln, Welland, Wentworth, Huron, Middlesex, Perth, and so forth) for various years from 1864 to 1899.
They are listed on this webpage http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/directories-collection/Pages/directories-collection-available-editions.aspx#a

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Dear Myrt’s Beginning Genealogy - Session 4

As previously promised in my blog on 06 January 2015 at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/beginning-genealogy-study-group.html, I am reporting on Dear Myrt’s Beginning Genealogy study group as it proceeds. I watched Session 4 yesterday, and the two top things that were discussed were -
  1. The Research Log was discussed again, and most of the people either had a Research Log set up in Excel, or to a lesser degree, some people had Google Sheets. I personally find it easier to work with Google Sheets, but that is strictly a personal choice.
  2. Cousin Russ, Dear Myrt’s production man at the Google Hangout, has prepared an outline of a Research Log at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CXE1JFJ9HJaaGsbUPe7y0iPUX6_xnakSVL7S9XBIqUo/edit#gid=632923855.
The second part of the session was to look at a death record, which may take, for example, the form of a burial card, an obituary, an entry in a family Bible, or a death certificate.

Dear Myrt brought it to the attention of the viewers that often there is a mistake on the burial card or the death certificate, and we have to be very careful to have more than one piece of evidence that says the person died on a specific date.

To review my three previous summaries, go to

Session 1 - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/dear-myrts-beginning-genealogy-session-1.html

Session 2 - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/dear-myrts-beginning-genealogy-session-2.html

Session 3 - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/dear-myrts-beginning-genealogy-session-3.html

Remember to make yourself a member of Dear Myrt’s Genealogy Community before watching the YouTube Google+ Hangout on Air at https://plus.google.com/communities/104382659430904043232

If you haven’t done so already, remember to check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Irish Genealogy Workshop at Heritage Mississauga

Heritage Mississauga—in conjunction with the Halton-Peel Branch of the OGS—will present an all-day Irish Genealogy Workshop with Ruth Blair on Saturday, February 21st, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Robinson Adamson House, 1921 Dundas Street West in Mississauga.

Topics will be -

Taking Your Irish Ancestors Back over the Pond

and

Researching your Irish Family History From Afar

The cost is $25, and registration must be paid in advance by calling Heritage Mississauga at 905-828-8411, ext. 0 or by email info@heritagemississauga.org.

Heritage Mississauga was stated in 1960 by a small group of volunteers. Known then as the Toronto Township Historical Foundation, the charitable organization supported the move of the Bradley House to its present location, and worked to open the as the area’s first museum.

From its offices known at "The Grange"—the historic Robinson-Adamson House (1921 Dundas Street West, Mississauga)—the Heritage Mississauga provides the community with a comprehensive Heritage Resource Centre.

A little-known online resource is Heritage Profiles, where you will find over 50 local residents who have written profiles at http://www.heritagemississauga.com/section/?section=17.

They also have a cemetery map at http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/cemeteries, and another online resource, Mississauga; A City of Many Villages at http://www.heritagemississauga.com/section/?section=7, where one can download a map of the villages.

Their website is at http://www.heritagemississauga.com

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Wellington County Museum and Archives

What a museum and archives! What a fantastic website!

Wellington County Museum and Archives is located in Fergus, Ontario, and is housed in the former House of Industry in Canada, otherwise known as the Poor House, or as a place of refuge for the poor, homeless, and destitute people in Wellington County.

It operated as a Poor House and Industrial Farm until 1947, when it became a County Home for the Aged. Later, it was transformed into the Wellington County Museum and Archives. A new Archives wing opened in 2010.

They have records of interest to those people who have ancestors who came to Wellington County to settle, such as the Women's Institute Tweedsmuir Histories, the Wellington County Historical Society Essay and Journal Collection, and the Wellington County Local History Articles. These records are at http://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/searchthemuseumandarchivesonlinecollections.asp

They also have a monthly newsletter, and every issue for 2014 is on the website at http://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/newsletter.asp

Right now, until May 10, 2015, they have an exhibit called No One Goes 2 Palmerston ON: The Collection of Chad Martin, which, at one time, was a bustling town in Wellington County. The link is http://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/exhibitsandevents.asp

Their website is at http://www.wellington.ca/Museum.

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Ancestry.ca updates Canadian Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

Ancestry has upgraded the Find A Grave Index on its website, and now there are over 3-million records on Ancestry.com.

Find A Grave provides users with a virtual cemetery experience, with images of grave markers from around the world, as well as photos, biographies, and other details uploaded by volunteers. You may find obituaries and links to other family members included, as well.

But I must sound a note of caution. This is an INDEX, and it is not a SOURCE. These are simply pictures of gravestones, and there can be errors in the data that is put on the stone - even the date of death can be wrong. You will need the death certificate to go along with the burial record in your genealogy.

And another important thing – the gravestone may or may not be a true record of whom is buried under it. The husband or wife may have been remarried after the death of a spouse, and is actually buried with the subsequent spouse, not with the original spouse.

So these indexes must be treated with a dose of caution, and care.

Otherwise, have fun researching, as more and more graves come online.

The website is at http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=60527

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

The conference lowers its price – sort of ...

The inaugural National Genealogy Conference—to be held in Halifax this summer from the 17th to the 19th of July—has lowered its price from $895.00 to $210.00 for the conference.

But I think if you look at the programme, they have removed the included tours, accommodations, and some extras like the Ceilidh-style reception (with entertainment) to be held Friday evening. However, these things will still be available at an extra cost.

However, it should be quite a conference. Halifax is especially lovely that time of the year.

The website is at https://www.visiontravel.ca/heidiwilker/en/national-genealogy-conference

If you want to check out my original blog post dated 09 January 2015, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/national-genealogy-conference-in-canada.html

Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-26-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Canadian Week in Review - 26 January 2015


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


January 20, 2014 - The Sands of Time
   Someone from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts sent a bottle with a message in it to test the currents of the ocean, along with a reward of 50 cents. It found found on Sable Island nearly sixty years later.
   Read the story on http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/cseh-twih/index_e.asp

On the 7 of April 1634, the city of Trois-Rivières (Three Rivers) was founded in Quebec, and on 18 of May 1642, Montreal, Quebec was founded.
   To read about Trois-Rivières, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trois-Rivi%C3%A8res, and for Montreal, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal

Social Media

(Blog) My Moynahan Genealogy Blog
http://moynahangenealogy.blogspot.ca
   Cindi, from Ottawa, has a blog to ‘honour my ancestors: Moynahan, Coughlin, Broderick, Annal, Brennan, Hussey, Hess and Duffy. (Essex & Kent County Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Ireland, Scotland); and Creighton, Moreland, (Nova Scotia, England and Scotland); and Foreman (Ireland, Scotland and Norway)’.

(Video)Two canal boats from mid-1800s found in Lake Ontario
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/01/21/two-canal-boats-from-mid-1800s-found-in-lake-ontario.html
   A team of shipwreck explorers found the canal boat and canal scow over 200 feet below the surface, using side scan sonar.

(Photos) Canadian golf pioneer’s family donates historical pieces to Hall of Fame
http://www.golfcanada.ca/news/article/amateur/canadian-golf-pioneers-family-donates-historical-pieces-hall-fame
   At the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in Oakville (outside of Toronto), the lasting legacy of Albert H. Murray has taken its rightful place alongside a number of the nation’s most prized and treasured items celebrating Canada’s storied history with golf.

(Video) New Brunswick Museum's park expansion bid meets opposition
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-museum-s-park-expansion-bid-meets-opposition-1.2919389
   The New Brunswick Museum wants to expand to the park next door, but that park has a monument, including trees planted in honour of soldiers who died in the Boer War.

Articles

Nova Scotia

ED COLEMAN'S HISTORY: Which is correct – Scots Bay or Scott’s Bay?
http://www.kingscountynews.ca/Opinion/Columnists/2015-01-22/article-4014063/ED-COLEMANS-HISTORY%3A-Which-is-correct-%26ndash%3B-Scots-Bay-or-Scott%26rsquo%3Bs-Bay%3F/1
   “From these temporary residents, the place got its name,” writes Arthur W. H. Eaton in The History of Kings County.

Black Loyalist Heritage Society to attend gala Book of Negroes screening
http://www.novanewsnow.com/News/Local/2015-01-23/article-4018167/Black-Loyalist-Heritage-Society-to-attend-gala-Book-of-Negroes-screening/1
   Black Loyalist Heritage Society members are picking out their wardrobe for the red carpet Nova Scotia screening of The Book of Negroes on January 28 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

New Heritage project announced in Yarmouth
http://www.thevanguard.ca/News/2015-01-20/article-4014309/New-heritage-project-announced-in-Yarmouth/1
   The Town of Yarmouth will develop Heritage in Your Hand, a self-guided activity app to promote the community's culture and heritage.

'Inspiring' month planned, African Nova Scotian affairs minister says
http://www.thevanguard.ca/News/Local/2015-01-21/article-4015786/Inspiring-month-planned,-African-Nova-Scotian-affairs-minister-says/1
   As Tony Ince, African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister, said in Yarmouth he wanted the program to be a "prelude to African Heritage Month”. He said that "African heritage should be celebrated all year long”.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island commemorates Samuel Holland survey
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2015-01-21/article-4014766/Prince-Edward-Island-commemorates-Samuel-Holland-survey/1
   A commemorations committee has been established to recognize the 250th anniversary of Samuel Holland’s map of the province. A series of promotional and educational activities this year will pay tribute to Holland’s role in the Island’s history.

New Brunswick

Saint John art exhibit focuses on industrial heritage
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/saint-john-art-exhibit-focuses-on-industrial-heritage-1.2917640
   A new art exhibit at the Saint John Arts Centre features 13 young artists who have looked to New Brunswick's industrial heritage for inspiration.

Quebec

European Flavor, Closer to Home
http://www.417mag.com/417-Magazine/February-2015/European-Flavor-Closer-to-Home
  Consider a long weekend to Quebec City. Leave Springfield mid-morning on a Friday, change planes in Chicago, and be in Quebec City late Friday afternoon, with plenty of time to check into your room and enjoy a memorable dinner chosen from a rich list of restaurant options.

Anne Fortin invites you into the kitchen of Quebec's past
http://montrealgazette.com/life/food/anne-fortin-invites-you-into-the-kitchen-of-quebecs-past
   Anne Fortin is the owner of Librairie Gourmande in downtown Montreal at the Jean Talon Market that recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and it’s her job to know what’s out there.

Ontario

NDP MPs Want To See More Women On Canadian Money
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/01/17/women-canadian-money-ndp_n_6482954.html
   Thousands of people have demanded that more Canadian women be shown on the country's bank notes, and at least two opposition MPs are listening.

Diving deep into history
http://www.recorder.ca/2015/01/17/diving-deep-into-history
   Read this interesting interview with Jonathan Moore, one of the divers on the Victoria Strait Expedition that discovered the HMS Erebus last summer in the Arctic.

1812 bicentennial a 'gift' to Niagara, Canada
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2015/01/17/1812-bicentennial-a-gift-to-niagara-canada
   Was the more than $15 million that went towards infrastructure and programming support money well spent?
   The Niagara 1812 Legacy Councilthe superintendent of heritage for the Niagara Parks Commission, and a senior member of the federal government that forked over a good chunk of that cashsays an unequivocal "Yes!"

ZAVITZ: The history of a newspaper
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2015/01/16/zavitz-the-history-of-a-newspaper
   Founded by two brothers, James and William Anger, who were originally from the Fort Erie area, the paper had its office on the second floor of a small building on the west side of Erie Avenue. Printed on a Washington hand press, the first edition of the weekly paper appeared on Oct. 10, 1879.

CCAH and Town of Oakville present Black History Month
http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5261613-ccah-and-town-of-oakville-present-black-history-month
   The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) is partnering with the Oakville Museum to host the kickoff to Black History Month.

Where is the federal support for historical church?
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2015/01/16/where-is-the-federal-support-for-historical-church
   The Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church stands— for now—at the corner of Old Barrie Road and Line 3 in Oro-Medonte Township. The township is still looking for funding to help save the church, which was built in the 1840s and is one of the oldest African log churches still standing in North America.

Niagara Falls man thinks he has oldest hockey stick
http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5265713-niagara-falls-man-thinks-he-has-oldest-hockey-stick
   Art Federow suspects his stick could be just as antique as the one heralded as the world's oldest by the Canadian Museum of History.

Manitoba

South Main Street buildings are among city's oldest
http://www.thecarillon.com/provincial/building--block-288955611.html
   South Main Street, between Graham and Assiniboine Avenues, is a "key opportunity for intensification and redevelopment," and is creating a redevelopment strategy that will soon be released to the public.

Saskatchewan

Demolition likely for Lydia's building in Saskatoon
http://cjme.com/story/demolition-likely-lydias-building-saskatoon/518986 
   If the economics don’t make sense, the Farnam Block Building on the corner of 11th Street and Broadway could be demolished, according to its property owners.

British Columbia

Chinese historical sites in B.C. call for nominations
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/chinese-historical-sites-in-b-c-call-for-nominations-1.2928706
   The provincial government is seeking nominations from the public of locations with significance to B.C.'s Chinese community that would be added to a registry of historic places.

Stories of the Week


How many newsletters do you receive every week?

One of the newsletters I receive is American Ancestors from the New England Historic and Genealogy Society whose website is now as American Ancestors.

Each week in their newsletter The Weekly Genealogist, and they have The Weekly Genealogists Survey.

The survey for the Vol 18 No 2 January 18 2015, issue, they asked us about our relationship to New England. Of the 5,172 people who answered, 54% of them noted that they had “One or more of my ancestors lived in New England but was born in New England”.

That is definitely true of my family. We lived in two worlds when I was growing up – partly in Nova Scotia, and partly in the New England States. Relatives would either come to Nova Scotia in the summer time, or we would go there – there was a constant stream of Barclay’s and Blades’ across the border. There was such a strong bind that my grandfather, Lester John Blades, joined the American Army in 1917 in Boston instead of the Canadian army! *

So I understand why 54% would say that they had ancestors who were born in New England, although not all of them came from Nova Scotia.

Which brings me to one of my favorite subjects of migration, which will be the topic of my new e-book, to be published this spring. In the book, I examine the topics of migration between Canada and the Unites States, and its effect on both countries. I will discuss the history of migration, actual groups who migrated, and where they migrated to the countries. So watch for that. 

And have you heard of the National Bird Project of the Welcome to Canadian Geographic’s National Bird Project?

The goal of which is to help designate an official bird for Canada by 2017, the country’s sesquicentennial. And they want your help finding a species that can represent this nation of forest, prairie grassland, Arctic and sub-Arctic, maritime and wetland, agricultural and urban, and many other habitats, so vote for your favourite species, or contribute your own short essay today!

Right now the Loon is in the lead, but you can still vote your choice for the official bird for Canada at http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/nationalbird/#Shorebirds

* "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZNL-N8R : accessed 24 January 2015), Lester Blades, 1917-1918; citing Boston City no 5, Massachusetts, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,684,776




Need help in finding your Canadian Ancestors?

If you do, go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services and see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor. Great service. Reasonably priced.

Website: www.elrs.biz

Email: 
genealogyresearech@aol.com 




 The next post will be published on Groundhog Day - 02 February 2015.
 

Sunday, January 25, 2015

News from the Alberta Family History Society



The Alberta Family Histories Society (AFHS) is having a busy pre-spring month of February.

The Society will be offering a course on Sunday, February 1, at 2:00 p.m. at the AFHS Library (712 - 16 Avenue NW) in Calgary, Alberta.

You will learn how to find records, and what they can tell you about your ancestors. You will have time to search on AFHS computers, with individual assistance from the presenters.

There is also a DNA SIG ,which is becoming very popular.

Their newly-formed DNA Special Interest Group (SIG) has already held two meetings, which were very well-attended.

To help spread the word, the first issue of Thermometer is onsite at http://www.afhs.ab.ca/docs/thermometer-jan-2015.pdf

Their website is http://www.afhs.ab.ca

Their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/AlbertaFHS

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-19-january-2015.html
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

I love reading genealogy travel articles

To my mind, there is nothing so interesting and educational as genealogy travel articles. Don’t you agree?

My imagination tends to wander through the settlements where the writer’s ancestors once lived, and I'm hard-pressed to find anyone better in writing these types of articles in Canada than Elizabeth Kipp, and her husband, Ed.

I think I have read every one of their travel pieces, and I wasn’t disappointed when I received the January-March 2015 edition of The Ottawa Genealogist (the journal of the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, of which Ed is the editor), and there was an article entitled, Visiting Some WW II and WW I Sites & etc.: French Elegance Tour of France 2014 by Elizabeth Kipp (with the assistance of Edward Kipp).

They went on a tour of France in May and June of 2014, and they were interested in finding more information about Elizabeth’s Richard le Blak (Blake) of Rouen, and Edward was interested in going to Île de Ré and Saint-Martin-de-Ré on the Île de Ré, where his Huguenot ancestors were from. And they were both interested in the First and Second World War battlefields and cemeteries.

She takes us through the tour of what they saw on a daily basis, starting and ending in Paris. They saw the Bayeux Tapestry, the beaches of Normandy, the Chateux of Chenonecu, and Saint-Martin-de-Ré, toward the end of their trip.

It was truly breathtaking, the places that they were able to see. Do you write your travel stories up so that you can share them with people at your local society?

I can hardly wait until their next article. I wonder where they will travel this year?

The website for the Ottawa Genealogical Society is at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-19-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Half-year memberships is becoming popular in Canada

There are a number of societies in Canada now that offer half-year memberships. I believe that the thinking behind this is that people will want to try a half-year membership, and if they find it useful, then maybe they will try a full-year membership next time. Remember, this special deal is usually open to new members only.

So now, the Quebec Family History Society (QFHS) has offered a half-year membership for the period from January 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015 for only $40.00.*

This membership will provide you with a copy of the Summer 2015 issue of their newsletter, Connections, and full member's access to their website. Also, they invite members and non-members alike (free for members) to go to their research library in Montreal to access their many books, and use special genealogy searching programs.

To join, click on the membership form below. After printing and completing the form, you can mail it to them, along with your cheque or money order for $40.00.

The membership form is at http://www.qfhs.ca/upload/files/Special_Membership_Form_2015(1).pdf

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

*Their membership year runs from August 1 to July 31. Payment received after May 31 will apply to the next membership year, beginning August 1st. For an individual, the membership costs $75.00 per year for one person, or for two people living at the same address.

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-19-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

There has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Eaton’s Goes To War

Jay Young, Outreach Officer at the Archives of Ontario (AO), says that the archives has a new online exhibit entitled Eaton’s Goes To War, which shows the contributions made by the T. Eaton Company and its employees to the war effort during the First World War.

Soon after war broke out in 1914, Eaton’s contributed an unprecedented amount to Canada’s war effort. The company announced that all military contracts it received would be delivered at cost, and it even paid the salaries of enlisted employees for the duration of their service, in addition to their military wages.

In total, 3,327 Eaton’s employees across Canada enlisted, with 2,200 from the Toronto store alone.

The press release says that ‘Each time an enlistee employed at Eaton’s Toronto location was shipped overseas, a portrait was taken of him to be displayed prominently in the store. More than 2,000 of these portraits—part of the T. Eaton Company records at the Archives of Ontario—are featured in the exhibit. The faces of these men show an intimate side of the war.

These photographs are an excellent resource for genealogists who are researching their family history in Toronto. In particular, the exhibit allows users to view a list of names of Eaton’s enlistees and their portrait. You might discover that someone in your family was an “Eatonian” – an enlistee employed at Eaton’s.

Eaton’s Goes To War also asks users to contribute their own stories of ancestors who worked for Eaton’s during the 1910s. These stories will help to show how Eaton’s had a personal impact on Ontarians during the Great War.

To view the exhibit, go to http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/soldiers/remembrance_day.aspx

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-19-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Name a ferry!

Transport Canada wants your ideas for the naming of a new ferry which will cross the Bay of Fundy between Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Greg Kerr, MP for West Nova, at a meeting in Digby, said the name should have some regional significance, and has to mean something to people on both sides of the Bay of Fundy.

One name which he said he had heard has been Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer and cartographer who made the first accurate map of the coast of Canada. But all ideas of a name are welcome.

There are guidelines for you to follow, and some of them are -
  • It should promote Canadian culture, history or geography by honouring people or places of importance to Canadians.
  • It should have some regional significance. The name should be brief and easily understood by radio or phone.
  • Complicated or confusing spelling or pronunciation should be avoided.
  • If it is has professional or honorific titles, like Dr. or Right Honourable, and family abbreviations, like Jr. or III, they should be avoided.
  • A vessel name will only be considered for persons posthumously.
  • Canadian citizens can enter as many suggestions as they wish, but only until 20 February 2015.
Forms are available at the ferry terminals in Digby and Saint John, as well as online at http://www.ferries.ca/naming.

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-19-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Get creative with The Armchair Genealogist!

Lynn Palermo, aka The Armchair Genealogist—a long-time Canadian blogger and family history writer—is encouraging everyone to get creative, and turn their family history research into stories by being a part of The Family History Writing Challenge - which runs from the 1st to the 28th of February.

For details on the challenge, to register, and take advantage of other incentives, such as receiving the Daily Dose newsletter, please visit her site at http://www.familyhistorywritingchallenge.com.

So how about you? Are you ready for the challenge??

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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/canadian-week-in-review-19-january-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.