Sunday, May 8th, was the 66th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day).
Over 1,159,000 men and women served in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War (1939-1945), and 44,093 lost their lives.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that "Leading up to that historic day, hundreds of thousands of Canadians left behind their families, friends and hometowns for the battlefields of Europe to defend the fundamental values that all Canadians cherish dearly - freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Hundreds of thousands of other Canadians laboured tirelessly on the home front to produce the war material needed by our soldiers in uniform as well as by our allies".
There are some records online for the Second world War, and they are located at -
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/war-dead/index-e.html - There are members of the Canadian Armed Forces who died in service between 1939 and 1947, including those killed in action, those who subsequently died of injuries related to service, and those who died as a result of accident or illness while in service.
All other records are held by the Library and Archives Canada, and are not available for online access due to privacy laws.
www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=history/secondwar - For a history of Canada in the Second World War, this is an excellent website covering The Battle of the Atlantic, The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, The Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Dieppe, to name just a few of the battles.
www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=collections/books/bww2 - You can search the Remembrance Book online, and the people are listed in the year in which they died.
www.museedelaguerre.ca/cwm/exhibitions/chrono/1931crisis_e.shtml - The Museum of War in Ottawa is a great place to go to when you are in Ottawa. They have extensive displays for you to check, and a exhaustive number of Second World War vehicles that can mean a great deal to your family history if your ancestor was in the Second World War.
A daily blog about Canadian genealogy, heritage, and history
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Korean War Anniversary
Photo Credit: Mario Lapointe CDMay the 3rd was the 58th Anniversary of the battle for Hill 187 during the Korean War by Canadians who fought in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment.
In marking the Anniversary, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says that "The Korean War, like all wars, was marked by both losses and triumphs. One most notable achievement, particularly for Canadians, was the Battle of Kapyong on Hill 677. April 24th, 2011 marked the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong, a battle in which the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry defended the front line against enemy forces that greatly outnumbered the Canadians. The Battle of Kapyong in April 1951 earned the brave Canadians a United States Presidential Citation for their undeniable valour".
A total of 26,791 Canadians served in the Korean War.
Some of the websites which talk about the Korean War are -
www.korean-war.com/canada.html This site provides a good, basic account of the war, and the Canadians action in it.
www.kvacanada.com/canadians_in_the_korean_war.htm The site goes into detail about the Canadian action in the Korean War by the Korea Veterans Association of Canada Inc. It has the awards and medals won by Canadians, and the Wall of Remembrance in Brampton, Ontario.
www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=history/koreawar The website breaks down the war into the battles.
To look at the Remembrance Book of those who died in the war, go to
www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=collections/books/bkorea.
Friday, May 6, 2011
The World Memory Project
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has teamed with Ancestry.com to put the "millions of historical documents containing details about survivors and victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution during World War II" on the Ancestry.com website at The World Memory Project at http://www.worldmemoryproject.org/.
Together, the two organizations have created the World Memory Project to allow the public to help make the records from the Museum searchable by name online for free—so more families of survivors and victims can discover what happened to their loved ones during one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Anyone, anywhere, can contribute to this effort; even just one record and a few minutes at a time can make a world of difference to someone.
Getting started is as simple as downloading a free software program and then typing details from a record image into a database that will then become searchable online.
By being part of the World Memory Project, you'll be helping to create the largest online resource of information about individual victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution. You'll also be restoring the identities of people the Nazis tried to erase from history, and making sure future generations never forget.
Get started today. The power of truth is in your hands".
The website says that the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has gathered more than 170 million pages on 17 million individuals, which include names, dates, locations, conditions, and physical descriptions of victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution.
The database will be available in the late summer or early fall of 2011 at Ancestry.com.
Together, the two organizations have created the World Memory Project to allow the public to help make the records from the Museum searchable by name online for free—so more families of survivors and victims can discover what happened to their loved ones during one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Anyone, anywhere, can contribute to this effort; even just one record and a few minutes at a time can make a world of difference to someone.
Getting started is as simple as downloading a free software program and then typing details from a record image into a database that will then become searchable online.
By being part of the World Memory Project, you'll be helping to create the largest online resource of information about individual victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution. You'll also be restoring the identities of people the Nazis tried to erase from history, and making sure future generations never forget.
Get started today. The power of truth is in your hands".
The website says that the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has gathered more than 170 million pages on 17 million individuals, which include names, dates, locations, conditions, and physical descriptions of victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution.
The database will be available in the late summer or early fall of 2011 at Ancestry.com.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
2011 Canadian Census
Shirley L. Sturdevant, Vice-President of the Ontario Genealogical Society, has just issued this statement concerning the 2011 Canadian Census -
"If you have not already completed your electronic census, please consider doing the following:
1. Print each page before you go to the next set of questions and store it with your family documents
2. Check 'yes' to the last question which will give permission to release your information in 92 years for the next set of family historians who might be looking for you. (If you say 'no', or leave it blank, your information will not be released.)
If you feel comfortable doing so, please forward this message to family and friends.
Thanks!"
Shirley can be reached at vp@ogs.on.ca.
"If you have not already completed your electronic census, please consider doing the following:
1. Print each page before you go to the next set of questions and store it with your family documents
2. Check 'yes' to the last question which will give permission to release your information in 92 years for the next set of family historians who might be looking for you. (If you say 'no', or leave it blank, your information will not be released.)
If you feel comfortable doing so, please forward this message to family and friends.
Thanks!"
Shirley can be reached at vp@ogs.on.ca.
British Home Child SIG – Organization Meeting
This is the latest news to come from the Ontario Genealogical Society -
"For those who are able to attend the upcoming Ontario Genealogical Society's Conference 2011 in Hamilton next week, there will be a meeting to discuss the organization of the British Home Child SIG. The objectives of this meeting are to solicit input into the formation of this group, establish an executive and to determine how many people intend to join. I have included a short presentation on finding my British Home Child ancestors.
NOTICE OF MEETING
Subject: British Home Child Special Interest Group – Organization Meeting
Date: Friday May 13, 2011
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 P.M.
Location: OGS Conference 2011, Hamilton Convention Centre, located in downtown Hamilton, Ontario (See http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference2011/)
Room: Albion 'A'
Sign in sheet to be sent around room.
AGENDA:
1. Introductions (5 min.) – Shirley Sturdevant (Vice President, OGS) 2. Status of the SIG (10 min.) – (current number of potential members / executive positions etc.) – Shirley Sturdevant 3. Presentation (15 min.) – "In Search of My British Home Child Ancestors" – Phil Ellis 4. Open discussion (15 min.) 5. How/when to join – Shirley Sturdevant
UNABLE TO ATTEND?
If you are unable to attend the meeting and plan to join this special interest group, please send an email to Shirley Sturdevant, OGS Vice-president at vp@ogs.on.ca prior to the conference.
Hope to see you there".
Phil Ellis
"For those who are able to attend the upcoming Ontario Genealogical Society's Conference 2011 in Hamilton next week, there will be a meeting to discuss the organization of the British Home Child SIG. The objectives of this meeting are to solicit input into the formation of this group, establish an executive and to determine how many people intend to join. I have included a short presentation on finding my British Home Child ancestors.
NOTICE OF MEETING
Subject: British Home Child Special Interest Group – Organization Meeting
Date: Friday May 13, 2011
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 P.M.
Location: OGS Conference 2011, Hamilton Convention Centre, located in downtown Hamilton, Ontario (See http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference2011/)
Room: Albion 'A'
Sign in sheet to be sent around room.
AGENDA:
1. Introductions (5 min.) – Shirley Sturdevant (Vice President, OGS) 2. Status of the SIG (10 min.) – (current number of potential members / executive positions etc.) – Shirley Sturdevant 3. Presentation (15 min.) – "In Search of My British Home Child Ancestors" – Phil Ellis 4. Open discussion (15 min.) 5. How/when to join – Shirley Sturdevant
UNABLE TO ATTEND?
If you are unable to attend the meeting and plan to join this special interest group, please send an email to Shirley Sturdevant, OGS Vice-president at vp@ogs.on.ca prior to the conference.
Hope to see you there".
Phil Ellis
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
FamilySearch Historical Collections Update
There have been two Canadian collections updated by the FamilySearch Historical Collection in April, and they are -
Ontario Census 1861
The 1861 Ontario Census has been updated, and there are 1,709,804 records now online.
It includes the population census as well as the agricultural censuses at the end of each county or township.
The website says that the information is "Arranged by census district (generally by county). Within each county, arrangement is usually alphabetical by name of township. Cities, towns and villages are often enumerated separately from the townships in which they are located".
It can be found at https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1460164
Quebec Notarial Records, 1800-1900
The second collection is the Quebec Notarial Records which contains images of notarial records arranged by locality, then notary, then time period.
They can be seen at https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1471015
Ontario Census 1861
The 1861 Ontario Census has been updated, and there are 1,709,804 records now online.
It includes the population census as well as the agricultural censuses at the end of each county or township.
The website says that the information is "Arranged by census district (generally by county). Within each county, arrangement is usually alphabetical by name of township. Cities, towns and villages are often enumerated separately from the townships in which they are located".
It can be found at https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1460164
Quebec Notarial Records, 1800-1900
The second collection is the Quebec Notarial Records which contains images of notarial records arranged by locality, then notary, then time period.
They can be seen at https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1471015
Monday, May 2, 2011
Toronto OGS Courses
Here are a couple of courses that the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogy Society will put on for May -
Course # 1
"DATE: 3 May - 24 May 2011: 4 sessions, Tuesdays (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
COURSE: Toronto Branch OGS
LOCATION: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto (Room 2)
TITLE OF COURSE: "Palaeography for Family Historians"
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: Cherryl Moote
BRIEF INFO: This course will help students decipher historical documents and gather information from them. Students are invited to bring in their own records for study".
CONTACT INFO: www.torontofamilyhistory.org
Course # 2
"DATE: 30 May 2011 (7:30 p.m.)
MEETING: Toronto Branch OGS
LOCATION: Burgundy Room, North York Memorial Community Hall, 5110 Yonge Street, Toronto
TITLE OF TALK: "Using Technology in Your Family History"
NAME OF SPEAKER: Carol Nichols
BRIEF INFO: A look at how computers and the internet can help you gather genealogical facts, photos and background information to fill in your stories, lead you in new directions, store and organize your genealogy, and link your family members to their history. Additional short presentation by Evelyn Kidd: "What you find when you aren't even looking". $5 charge for non-members of OGS".
CONTACT INFO: www.torontofamilyhistory.org
Course # 1
"DATE: 3 May - 24 May 2011: 4 sessions, Tuesdays (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
COURSE: Toronto Branch OGS
LOCATION: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto (Room 2)
TITLE OF COURSE: "Palaeography for Family Historians"
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: Cherryl Moote
BRIEF INFO: This course will help students decipher historical documents and gather information from them. Students are invited to bring in their own records for study".
CONTACT INFO: www.torontofamilyhistory.org
Course # 2
"DATE: 30 May 2011 (7:30 p.m.)
MEETING: Toronto Branch OGS
LOCATION: Burgundy Room, North York Memorial Community Hall, 5110 Yonge Street, Toronto
TITLE OF TALK: "Using Technology in Your Family History"
NAME OF SPEAKER: Carol Nichols
BRIEF INFO: A look at how computers and the internet can help you gather genealogical facts, photos and background information to fill in your stories, lead you in new directions, store and organize your genealogy, and link your family members to their history. Additional short presentation by Evelyn Kidd: "What you find when you aren't even looking". $5 charge for non-members of OGS".
CONTACT INFO: www.torontofamilyhistory.org
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Genealogy Genies!
Genealogy Genies! They're real! They're free!
"On Saturday, June 4, 2011, the Stratford-Perth Archives will partner with the Perth County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society to host 'Genealogy Genies', a Stratford Heritage Week-End event.
Ask the volunteer experts about anything, from explaining the mysteries of finding an Ontario vital statistic record to tips about researching overseas, making the best use of on-line sources, how to access records here that you may not have thought of using, what's the best software for genealogists, and, of course, swapping stories about family history research.
This free event will take place June 4, 2011 at the Stratford branch of the Archives at 24 St. Andrew St. from 8:30 – 4:30.
http://www.perthcounty.ca/page/stratford_perth_archives"
"On Saturday, June 4, 2011, the Stratford-Perth Archives will partner with the Perth County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society to host 'Genealogy Genies', a Stratford Heritage Week-End event.
Ask the volunteer experts about anything, from explaining the mysteries of finding an Ontario vital statistic record to tips about researching overseas, making the best use of on-line sources, how to access records here that you may not have thought of using, what's the best software for genealogists, and, of course, swapping stories about family history research.
This free event will take place June 4, 2011 at the Stratford branch of the Archives at 24 St. Andrew St. from 8:30 – 4:30.
http://www.perthcounty.ca/page/stratford_perth_archives"
Genealogy Series
Lifetime Learning Centre presents "Your Genealogy Goals", the first of a series of four programs on genealogy by John Herl, on Wednesday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at 32444 Seventh Ave., Mission. BC. Cost for the 4-part series is $25/members, $30/non-members.
Also, take a minute and look at the Virtual Quilt that is on their site at www.lifetimelearningcentre.org/oral-history.html.
The website says that "The virtual quilt is a multimedia format using the Internet and our website to access Mission history. By clicking on a photograph within the quilt you are accessing our collection of Mission histories.
To date we have collected more than 125 Oral Histories showcasing our diversity, distinctiveness, and determination as a community".
What an inventive program for every genealogical society to try to do!
If your society has done an oral history project like this one, contact me at genealogycanada@aol.com, and let me advertise it to the world that such a project exists.
Also, take a minute and look at the Virtual Quilt that is on their site at www.lifetimelearningcentre.org/oral-history.html.
The website says that "The virtual quilt is a multimedia format using the Internet and our website to access Mission history. By clicking on a photograph within the quilt you are accessing our collection of Mission histories.
To date we have collected more than 125 Oral Histories showcasing our diversity, distinctiveness, and determination as a community".
What an inventive program for every genealogical society to try to do!
If your society has done an oral history project like this one, contact me at genealogycanada@aol.com, and let me advertise it to the world that such a project exists.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Canada's Royal Wedding Gifts
Here is a press release from the Government of Canada concerning the country's wedding gifts to His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton.
April 28, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to announce the Canadian wedding gifts for His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton:
April 28, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to announce the Canadian wedding gifts for His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton:
“I am pleased to announce the Government of Canada will make a donation to the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in honour of the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton. The Government of Canada will offer this wedding gift on behalf of all Canadians.
“The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary was chosen by Prince William and Miss Middleton to be the Canadian beneficiary of a special charitable fund that was set up to celebrate their wedding. The donation of $50,000 by the Government of Canada will allow the organization’s volunteers to carry out their mission, which is to offer—day and night—a permanent search and rescue program to meet the needs of Canada’s marine services, as well as to prevent injuries or loss of human life at sea. Through its search and rescue and nautical safety programs, this not-for-profit organization assists the Coast Guard and the Department of National Defence.
“Canada is proud to offer a wedding gift to a family member of our Head of State, Her Majesty The Queen. This gift was chosen specifically for the occasion and represents Canadians and the pride they have in their country.
“The selection of this worthy cause is symbolic of Canada’s affection for the Royal couple. Canadians are eager to welcome the Royal couple to Canada for their first Royal Tour as newlyweds and share the best of our great land.”
The Prime Minister and Mrs. Harper have also arranged for a personal gift of outdoor equipment for use when the Royal couple experience Canada's natural splendour later this year.
From June 30 to July 8, 2011, the newlyweds will undertake a Royal Tour of Canada, their first visit outside the United Kingdom as a married couple. They will visit Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and the National Capital Region. A detailed itinerary will be released at a later date.
For more information on the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, visit www.ccga-gcac.com.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Toronto's Genealogy Summer Camp 2011
There are only five days left to register for Genealogy "Summer Camp" in Toronto. Registration has to be sent in by May 1st.
From their website comes this news -
"The 2011 Genealogy "Summer Camp" will be number 15! More than 100 participants from England, right across Canada and many US states have attended the 14 previous Summer Camps - some more than once!
Genealogy "Summer Camp" is a unique program that brings out-of-town family historians to Toronto for an intensive week of tutorials and hands-on research, with the guidance of local experts, at the many archives and reference libraries in Toronto. We take full advantage of Toronto's great public transit system and we keep the group small to allow lots of help from our local experts.
Some tutorials will emphasize Toronto sources, but most repositories have holdings from a much broader area. Researchers with ancestors anywhere in Ontario will benefit from Summer Camp.
We've also welcomed many local participants as "day campers". It is an excellent way to get acquainted (or reacquainted) with the libraries and archives in our city. It is also a great excuse for a week of concentrated research.
This year's Summer Camp is scheduled for June 5 to 10, 2011.
For more information, please go to http://www.torontofamilyhistory.org/summercamp.html or send an email to info@torontofamilyhistory.org, or leave a voicemail message at 416-733-2608."
From their website comes this news -
"The 2011 Genealogy "Summer Camp" will be number 15! More than 100 participants from England, right across Canada and many US states have attended the 14 previous Summer Camps - some more than once!
Genealogy "Summer Camp" is a unique program that brings out-of-town family historians to Toronto for an intensive week of tutorials and hands-on research, with the guidance of local experts, at the many archives and reference libraries in Toronto. We take full advantage of Toronto's great public transit system and we keep the group small to allow lots of help from our local experts.
Some tutorials will emphasize Toronto sources, but most repositories have holdings from a much broader area. Researchers with ancestors anywhere in Ontario will benefit from Summer Camp.
We've also welcomed many local participants as "day campers". It is an excellent way to get acquainted (or reacquainted) with the libraries and archives in our city. It is also a great excuse for a week of concentrated research.
This year's Summer Camp is scheduled for June 5 to 10, 2011.
For more information, please go to http://www.torontofamilyhistory.org/summercamp.html or send an email to info@torontofamilyhistory.org, or leave a voicemail message at 416-733-2608."
Monday, April 25, 2011
Hudson's Bay Company Biographical Material
Hudson's Bay Company formed in 1670 as a company which—at one time—covered the central and far western part of North America. Its archives is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. and some of the records (in part) are online at
www.gov.mb.ca/chc/archives/hbca/about/hbca.html.
Besides photos, maps, sound recordings, and textual documents, it has "biographical sheets" online of various people who use to work for the company at www.gov.mb.ca/chc/archives/hbca/biographical.
The website says that "Biographical sheets outline the person's employment history and may also include the parish of origin or place of birth; positions, posts and districts in which the person served; family information, if available; and references to related documents, including photographs or drawings".
For more information, you can contact them at hbca@gov.mb.ca.
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