Canadian Week in Review 24 February 2014

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

Websites

No new website this week.

Social Media

Genealogy à la carte http://genealogyalacarte.wordpress.com Gail Dever recently launched her blog, Genealogy à la carte that was inspired by conversations she had with her genealogy friends over lunch and coffee. The blog is about family history news, resources, trends, issues, and education from a Montreal point of view. While the focus of the blog will often be about Quebec genealogy, it will also include posts about elsewhere in Canada and from around the world. Congratulations, Gail!

News Articles

Why we need to rethink Black History Month http://rabble.ca/news/2014/02/why-we-need-to-rethink-black-history-month Read why this writer is feeling overwhelmed by all the publicity that Black History Month has received this year.

Pride in our nation's history: O Canada! Tour stops in Pembroke, Cobden http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2014/02/20/pride-in-our-nations-history-o-canada-tour-stops-in-pembroke-cobden O Canada! Tour is a bilingual play that is in the midst of a 60-school tour across different regions of Ontario.

New book details Canadian Rangers history http://hqyellowknife.com/news/local/news/v/Local/351689/New-book-details-Canadian-Rangers-history The book is entitled: The Canadian Rangers -- A Living History and was launched in last Friday in Yellowknife.

Epilogue: History through quilting http://theaquinian.net/?p=17978 The University of New Brunswick ‘s Memorial Hall is hosting The Secret Codes exhibition. It is a display of colourful hand-woven quilts.

Steveston MLA backs bid for world heritage Status http://www.richmondreview.com/news/246002951.html A local MLA has added his voice to that of city council in a local bid to get Steveston Village added to the United Nations World Heritage list.

P.E.I. Heritage Awards handed out during ceremony at Eptek Centre
http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2014-02-18/article-3620517/P.E.I.-Heritage-Awards-handed-out-during-ceremony-at-Eptek-Centre/1
Read about who had won awards at P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation’s annual Heritage Awards last week.

Living history http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Living+history/9518292/story.html
The internment and relocation of Canadians of Japanese descent during the Second World War is the subject of a play The Tashme Project: The Living Archives at the Great Canadian Theatre Company during the theatre's Undercurrents 2014 season.

Author’s first book looks to the past http://www.airdrieecho.com/2014/02/18/authors-first-book-looks-to-the-past Read about how Stacey Carefoot wrote the story of Four Sisters, who were born in Victoria’s Chinatown in the early 1900s. The sisters were among the first Chinese children born as Canadian citizens.

Story of the Week

Canada Olympic Park (COP) (formerly known as Paskapoo Ski Hill) is located in Calgary, Alberta.

Canada comes up GOLD!

Yesterday, Canada won its 10th gold medal of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. It has been a good Olympic Games for Canada, and especially for our women’s and men’s hockey teams.

We won 10 gold, 10 silver, and five bronze from Sochi. Canada’s 25 medals total was fourth overall, behind Norway (26), the United States (28), and Russia (33).

The CBC has the latest on the men’s hockey win at http://olympics.cbc.ca/news/article/canada-beats-sweden-win-hockey-gold.html

The women’s hockey team is covered in The Toronto Star Canada’s golden generation in women’s hockey pulls it off one more time http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi2014/hockey/2014/02/20/team_canada_wins_womens_hockey_gold.html

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! The next post will be on 02 Match 2014.

MyHeritage and a BillionGraves Announcement

MyHeritage and a BillionGraves have a new imitative to announce  -

Dear friends

I'm delighted to share with you that MyHeritage has teamed up with BillionGraves to launch a global initiative to digitally preserve the world's cemeteries.

As we know, gravestones are very important for genealogy due to the rich information they contain, such as names, dates and biographical details. But there are thousands of cemeteries worldwide whose gravestones have never been documented nor has their information been made available or searchable online.

In addition, time is chipping away at the gravestones and many are becoming unreadable over the years.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working with our global community to preserve and document gravestones worldwide, for future generations, using the BillionGraves app. The app uses patent-pending technology to let users photograph and document gravestones, and, with the help of MyHeritage, the app will be available in 25 languages, and will support Gregorian, Hebrew and Julian dates. The app also records the GPS locations of gravestones to make them easy to find, and volunteers can easily see which areas of any cemetery remain undocumented, to maximize efficiency and avoid duplication.

The records will be available free on BillionGraves' website, and MyHeritage's search engine for historical records, SuperSearch. MyHeritage's Record Matching technologies will ensure that our users will receive notifications whenever a gravestone matches their family tree.

Best regards

Daniel Horowitz
Chief Genealogist and Translation Manager

At the same time they issued a news release in which they said –

“We’re thrilled to embark on this global initiative with BillionGraves", said Gilad Japhet, Founder and CEO of MyHeritage. “Gravestones are among the most valuable information sources for family history research, and although there are many thousands of cemeteries worldwide, most of them have never been documented, and their information is not available online. Time is chipping away at the gravestones and many are becoming unreadable over the years, so it’s up to our generation to preserve them.”

“We’re delighted to work with MyHeritage on digitizing the world’s cemeteries”, said Hudson Gunn, President of BillionGraves. “At BillionGraves we are working to provide a comprehensive family history database for records and images from the world’s cemeteries—but it’s not something we can do alone.With MyHeritage’s support in mobilizing its massive user community and working with us to launch in 25 languages, we’ll be able to provide incredible value for millions of families and preserve this valuable data for generations to come.”

Over the coming weeks, MyHeritage users will receive documentation about the project and will be able to download the application via a special website designed for this project.

MyHeritage is available at www.myheritage.com

Southeast & Winnipeg Branch of the Manitoba Genealogical Society has an on-line e-zine

Did you know that the Southeast & Winnipeg Branch of the Manitoba Genealogical Society has an e-zine online at http://ymlp.com/zvyD8n?

In the November issue, there is news about the Manitoba Probate Records, the University of Manitoba on-line collection of historical records and photographs, a calendar of events up to June 2014, and The Family Genealogy Trivia Game.

The fall Seminar was covered. Robin Shimpa and Louis Kessler were the guest speakers, and the e-zine gives a short summary of their talks.

They also have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Manitoba-Genealogical-Society-Inc/7054423205

THE BEAUREPAIRE-BEACONSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 The Beaurepaire-Beaconsfield Historical Society meets for lectures each 3rd Thursday of the month. Everyone welcome. Free for members and $2 for non-member. Become a member for just $5 per year.

For 2014, our theme is The United Empire Loyalists

There will be a lecture entitled The United Empire Loyalists: an overview and it will be presented by Robert Wilkins.

A general overview of the United Empire Loyalists, what made them who they were, their diversity(religious, linguistic and racial), and their heritage in Canada today, with a couple of specific examples, just to illustrate what they lived through and experienced during the Revolutionary War and afterwards when getting re-established in what remained of British North America (now Canada).

Lecture in English, bilingual question period.

WHEN: Thursday, March 20, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Centennial Hall, 288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, H9W 4A4 

Information: 514-695-2502 or http://www.hist-beaurepaire-beaconsfield.com

They have a very interesting website which tells the history of the BEAUREPAIRE-BEACONSFIELD area of Quebec. There are many on-going projects, exhibits, and histories of  people who use to live in the area.

Saving Historic Buildings; A Tale with Three Endings

 The Beach & East Toronto Historical Society, along with the Toronto Public Library, is pleased to present former editor of the Beach Metro News and vice Chair, Toronto Historic Board, Carole Stimmell, as their first speaker of 2014.

Date: Wednesday February 26, 2014

Time: 7:00 – 8:15 pm

Location: The Beaches Library, 2161 Queen St. E, Toronto

Admission Free. All Welcome

Early Bird pricing for Conference 2014 will end on Feb. 28th, 2014

Until Feb 28th a full weekend package (covering Friday night, Saturday and Sunday lectures) is only $120 for members and $150 for non-members.

The price increases on March 1st, 2014.

Check out the prices and register at https://www.ogs.on.ca/conference2014/register.php

Conference 2014 committee is making arrangements for shuttle buses to operate between the Conference at Brock University and accommodations at the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus of Niagara College. More details on the shuttles and costs will be available shortly.

Registrants who will not be bringing their own vehicle to Conference are advised to book their accommodations at the Niagara on the Lake location: http://www.stayrcc.com/properties/view/index/Niagara-on-the-Lake

Tools to help you tell the Story of Your Family

Pierre Clouthier of Progeny Genealogy will give a talk at the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Akins A/V room at the Nova Scotia Archives on University Avenue, Halifax.

They say that "Pierre has been programming computers since 1965, learning FORTRAN at the University of Montreal. He has programmed for the life insurance industry, computer manufacturing and sales, electronic publishing, food, transportation, telecommunications, paper, petroleum, banking, electric utilities, provincial and municipal governments. His grandfather got him interested in genealogy in the 1970s.

Progeny Genealogy was founded in 1995, to develop and distribute graphics software to genealogists in over 50 countries. Progeny has partnered with Ancestry.com, Corel, Mindscape, The Learning Company, Individual Software, and the LDS Church. Their mission is to help you tell the story of your family".

And he will be offering a 40% discount on sales of his software CDs at the meeting.

The general public is invited to join us for this free lecture!

For more information on our lecture series visit
http://www.NovaScotiaAncestors.ca or you can phone 902.454.0322 or email them at Info@NovaScotiaAncestors.ca

Canadian Week in Review 17 February 2014

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

Websites

No new website this week.

Social Media

IRV'S LONDON http://www.irvslondon.blogspot.com The Fugitive Slave Chapel is located in London, Ontario. A group has been formed to raise money so that they can move the chapel to a new location. 

Lesser Known Databases for Scottish Genealogy Research Christine Woodcock is holding a free webinar on Thursday, February 27, 2014 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EST. https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/155864215

The South Peace Regional Archives has produced a video of stills and film to celebrate Grande Prairie, Alberta's 100th anniversary this year. This is posted on A YouTube website http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwjra9axXEY&feature=youtu.be

3D model a virtual tour of Saskatoon's past http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/model+virtual+tour+Saskatoon+past/9492980/story.html Michael Swaan is using video game software to construct a virtual model of the city's downtown in the 1930s. There is a YouTube video on the news site.

News Articles 

Sleep in a First Nations longhouse
http://www.montrealgazette.com/travel/Checking+Ancient+long+house+addition+chic+hotel/9503741/story.html The longhouse is the newest addition to the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations in Wendake, Quebec, 15 minutes north of Quebec City. Visitors, who opt not to sleep in one of the 55 deluxe hotel rooms, may sleep under bearskins on one of the bunk-style platforms in the longhouse where firepits provide heat. A longhouse stay includes a snack of bannock, dinner in the hotel, and traditional Huron storytelling. 

A virtual exhibit on the South Peace Regional Archives website that will interest family historians with Western Canadian homesteaders in their ancestry Oliver H. Johnson’s diary. From June 1908 to January 1909, Johnson recorded his daily activities about working on his homestead and interacting with neighbours. The last few pages of the diary list recipes, drugs, groceries, dry goods, and hardware. 

Digitized images of the diary and a transcription are available at http://southpeacearchives.org/publications/photo-essays/oliver-h-johnson-diary. 

Festival du Voyageur Warms Up Winnipeg - Minister Glover joins thousands of Manitobans at annual winter celebration http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1736619 The Festival du Voyageur is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. 

Black History Month: CBC readers pay tribute to inspiring black Canadians http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/02/black-history-month-meet-some-inspiring-black-canadians.html Every day, black Canadians break barriers, create change and evoke empowerment. Read about seven people and how they do it to give back, to speak for the voiceless or for pure joy.

Black History Month in full swing across the island http://www.westislandchronicle.com/Community/2014-02-13/article-3614925/Black-History-Month-in-full-swing-across-the-island1See how the West Island in Montreal has celebrated Black History Month. 

(Some stories were suggested by Special Correspondent Gail Dever). 

Story of the Week

Family Day at the Museum

Today is Family Day in parts of Canada, with lots of events taking place.

In the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, it is observed on the third Monday of February. In the provinces of Manitoba and Prince Edward Island,  the statutory holiday on this date is instead referred to as Louis Riel Day and Islander Day

If you are in Ottawa, you can go to the Museum of History. Join in, play games, listen to music and learn about traditional snowshoe making. And don’t forget to visit the Snow exhibition… indoors.

Their website is at http://www.historymuseum.ca/home

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! The next post will be on 24 February 2014.

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on National Flag Day

February 15, 2014

Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark National Flag of Canada Day:

“The Canadian flag is an inspiring and endearing symbol that unites Canadians from coast to coast to coast. It is equated both at home and abroad with a peaceful and progressive country of enormous natural beauty, prosperity and generosity of spirit. At no time is national pride in our flag more evident than during the Olympic Games, and it is certainly on prominent display in Sochi over so many podiums and around so many of our magnificent athletes. We could not be more proud.

“In keeping with the recent tradition of presenting a Peace Tower flag to deserving Canadians, I am deeply honoured to present this symbol of our country to Gordon Burke and Jan Phelan, parents of the late Sarah Burke, who are accompanied today by widower Rory Bushfield. Sarah was a gifted athlete, a trailblazer in freestyle skiing, and one of the principal reasons why the half pipe was introduced as an Olympic sport this year in Sochi, Russia. She was a great Canadian whose efforts have had a remarkable impact on the world of sport, and whose story has touched the nation. Her legacy will live on in the many athletes who take up the sport she so championed.

“On this day, I invite all Canadians to take a moment and reflect on our national icon and what it means to be Canadian.”

February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996. To celebrate this special day in Canadian history, each year the Peace Tower flag is presented to a Canadian who has exemplified the values our country holds most dear.

To read about the history of National Flag Day, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Flag_of_Canada_Day and go to http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1359736104513

FUNDING FOR GENEALOGICAL PROJECTS

 

The Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical society is offering grants of up to $2,500 each to support genealogically related projects within the geographical area under the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, which includes the amalgamated City of Ottawa, the United Counties of Prescott & Russell, the County of Lanark and the County of Renfrew. The total grant money available for 2014 is $5,000.

Acceptable projects will contribute to the knowledge of genealogical techniques and to the knowledge of genealogy relating to names, places, dates and family histories. This can include creating publications, developing databases, digitization of archival material collections, hosting training sessions and workshops, and the preservation of archival material collections. This grant is not meant to fund employees, or other in - house labour wages , but can be used to contract services and goods.

Only non - commercial entities may apply for this grant money including, genealogy societies, museums, archives, libraries, schools, historical societies, and community groups. An eligible applicant may submit more than one project proposal in any given year, and may apply in any year the grants are offered regardless of previous proposals or grants issued.

Successful applicants will be required to prepare and deliver a presentation related to their funded project at either a Branch Meeting or Ottawa Branch Conference. The support and funding given by the Ottawa Branch must be acknowledged with the logo, web address, and name of the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society appearing on all promotional material and/or physical aspects related to all projects receiving funding. Successful applicants must agree in writing to these conditions.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2014

Their website is at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/grants

Thanks to Gail Dever, Special Correspondent to Canadian Week in Review, for bringing this to our attention.

Heritage Day in Saskatchewan

The Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogy Society invites you to join them at “Heritage Day” on Sunday, February 16 at the Western Development Museum in Yorkton from 2 PM – 5 PM..

The theme of Heritage Day is “Have Fun with Heritage: Historic Places Made for Play”, with the goal of seeing the historical value of places designed for play.

The press release says that "Guest speakers will talk about interesting locations in the area that have special memories for them. You can take your genealogy work one step further and record special family stories and memories as part of your family archives.

Every family has a story: make this the year to discover yours with the Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogy Society”. 

The website is at http://www.saskgenealogy.com. 

The Western Development Museum where Heritage Day is being held is in the city of Yorkton. The website is http://wdm.ca

And they have a Family History File at http://www.wdmprairiegamble.com 

All Saskatchewan-based stories of family, community, organization and business history are welcome. The Family History Album is a perfect celebration of anniversaries, birthdays and family milestones like becoming a Century Farm.