Wednesday, April 23, 2014

GANS to hold their Annual General Meeting & Lecture

  

The Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia will hold its Annual General Meeting & Lecture on Saturday, May 10 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Akins A/V Room, Nova Scotia Archives, University and Robie Strrets, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

The lecture will be given by Terrence M. Punch, and Terry will be talking about his latest publication, Montbeliard Immigration to Nova Scotia, 1749-1752. Do you have the surnames Bailley, Burgoyne, Boutilier, Dorey, Jodrey, Patriquin, Dauphinee, Jollimore, Langille, or Tattrie somewhere in your family background? 

Come hear about where they, and other Montbeliardais, came from. You may learn some surprising facts; for example, at the time of the immigration to Nova Scotia from 1749 to 1752, Montbeliard was an independent Lutheran state. 

Light refreshments to follow. 

2nd Annual Book Sale 

We will be selling back issues of the Nova Scotia Genealogist, duplicates from our library, surplus Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society publications, and much more. Bring along your cash and pick up some great bargains! 

You can check their website at http://www.NovaScotiaAncestors.ca, and their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaAncestors. Twitter is available @NSAncestors

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

RootsTech 2015 Call for Papers

RootsTech 2015 will be held in Salt Lake City from February 11–14, 2015, and the RootsTech Content Committee is calling for dynamic presentations that inform and educate both those seeking to begin and those continuing to discovering their family story through technology.

They say that presentation submissions will be accepted June 2 to June 27, 2014, through the Call for Presentations portal on RootsTech.org

They are looking for presentations such as -

· Finding and Organizing: search tactics, resources, specialized tools, methodologies, solutions, metadata, apps and software

· Preserving Your Work And Legacy: family trees, digital migration, audio and video solutions

· Sharing: social media, and tools for collaboration, wikis, crowd sourcing, community building, blogs

· Stories and Photos: storytelling and interviewing, capturing stories, preserving stories, enhancing stories with photos, photo restoration, movies and presentations, photo editing, oral histories

· Tools: technology introductions, gadgets, genetic research, DNA, breaking down barriers,

· General: family history topics in general including geographic research, time-period research, inspirations, market trends, research trends, adjacent industries, record types. (Please note, there is still an expectation in this category that technology is a part of the presented topic.)

· Family Traditions And Lifestyle: cultural arts, handicrafts, food, influential historical events, everyday living standards, social customs, pastimes, artifacts. (Please note there is still an expectation in this category that this knowledge assists the learner in family history and that technology is a part of the presented topic.)

And at the Innovator Summit, they would like the following presentations -

· Developer: standards and API’s, mobile app development, social applications, record imaging and visualizations, apps for youth, software and tools that enable the work of family history.

· Business: funding and investment, startups- success stories and tips, opportunities and market trends, networking and partnerships, insights and entertainment

The complete Call for Presentations document is present at https://familysearch.org/blog/en/files/2014/04/RT15-CFP-041614v.2.pdf. It includes presentation and evaluation criteria, the submission timeline, and process details.

Questions regarding the RootsTech 2015 call for presentations can be emailed to the Content Committee at info@rootstech.org.

Good Luck!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Canadian Week in Review 21 April 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. 

Social Media


Elgin County Ontario Canada and Talbot Times Genealogy Blog http://elgincountyogs.blogspot.com/2014_04_01_archive.html
If you have ancestors in Elgin County, this is a blog that you should put in your reader to keep abreast of the historical documents that are online.

The CRA and LAC
The Canadian Historical Association / La Société historique du Canada is pleased with the appointment of Dr. Guy Berthiaume as the new head of Library and Archives Canada.

News Articles 


St. James church building in Gatineau damaged by fire. Century-old building, being turned into furniture store, suffers only smoke damage.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/st-james-church-building-in-gatineau-damaged-by-fire-1.2608674
The 113-year-old building St. James Anglican Church in Gatineau was engulfed in flames, but the fire was contained to the church lobby.

The Story of Indian Immigration to Canada
This article gives a brief history of Indo-Canadian immigration to Canada which started in 1904 with a few immigrants landing ashore at Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Potato Month sales provides boost to Potato Museum
In February, Sobeys grocery stores in Atlantic Canada made a 25-cent contribution to the Potato Museum in Prince Edward Island for every specially marked 10-pound bag of Heritage Russet potatoes sold in Sobeys stores.
Visit the Canadian Potato Museum at http://www.peipotatomuseum.com

Karolyn Smardz Frost gave a talk to the Wolfville and Area Historical Society entitled Black Loyalists: the Early African Nova Scotia Experience in King's County. Between the founding of Halifax and the end of the American Revolutionary War, at least 600 people of African descent were brought to Nova Scotia.

Wolfville Historical Society
Their website is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfville_Historical_Society 

From Paris auction block to B.C. First Nation's museum, rare artifact comes home http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/From+Paris+auction+block+First+Nations+museum+rare+artifact/9719573/story.html
The Chilkat ceremonial blanket was recently discovered on the auction block in Paris and was purchased by the U'mista Cultural Society with a $27,368 grant from Canadian Heritage. Made some time between 1865 and 1871, the blanket is now on display at the U'mista Museum in Alert Bay, on the northern tip of Vancouver Island.

Canadian Sikh Billionaire Acquires Maharaja Ranjit’s Sword
In addition to the sword, Bob Dhillon, reportedly the first Sikh billionaire in Canada, has acquired a number of manuscripts, and miniature paintings.

Western Development Museum celebrates 65 years of living history. WDM uses modern methods to keep history alive.
What started off as a museum in a airport hanger has since grown to four locations in North Battleford, Saskatoon, Yorkton, and Moose Jaw.

Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada Burnt to Ashes, No Injury Reported 
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/546844/20140407/ukraine-catholic-church-burnt-ontario-canada-toronto.htm
A Ukrainian church was burned to ashes due to a two-alarm fire in Ontario, Canada. The Catholic Church, which was completely destroyed due to the fire, was situated on Heritage Road north of Bovaird Drive West in Brampton, outside Toronto.

Everyone who has lived in Halifax has at one time or another has been in the Roy Building on Barrington Street, and now the 120-year old building is being town down to make way for a new condo.

What really happened to the Bell of Batoche 
Researchers at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) have uncovered the story of the real Bell of Batoche.

Visit Quebec City, Canada, on e of North America’s oldest cities http://www.perthnow.com.au/travel/world/visit-quebec-city-canada-one-of-north-americas-oldest-cities/story-fnjjva7e-1226881044655 
It is the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist.

Montrealer wants national day for Terry Fox on April 12. Eddy Nolan wants federal recognition for the day Fox launched his historic Marathon of Hope in 1980 http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/montreal/story/1.2608744
Do you realize that Terry Fox ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day for 143 days. He completed this before his cross-Canada trek was cut short by the return of his cancer near Thunder Bay, Ont. He died nine months later on June 28, 1981, at the age of 22. 

Story of the Week

World Book and Copyright Day

World Book and Copyright Day is an annual event, celebrated all around the world to promote reading and the cultural aspects of books. It is celebrated on April 23rd.

You would be well-advised to read Dr. Margaret Ann Wilkinson's (Canada’s answer to genealogy and the law) article, Recent Developments in Canadian Law Affecting Genealogists, in the May 2014 issue of Families, the journal of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS).

She gives a full explanation of Canadian law as it pertains to privacy and copyright for other people’s work, and for your own work, as you put family trees in software and on the Internet. 

If you are not a member of the OGS, you may be able to access this article at your local genealogical society library, or you can contact the OGS at https://www.ogs.on.ca/membership.php to see if a half-year membership could include this issue of Families.

Writers' Trust of Canada
Formed in 1976 by Margaret Atwood, Pierre Berton, Graeme Gibson, Margaret Laurence, and David Young. its mission is to “advance, nurture, and celebrate Canadian writers and writing”. 

The International Edible Book Festival
Here is an interesting idea to try. Make a book and then eat it! You make a “book cake”, decorate it as you wish, and then celebrate Canada’s Book and Copyright day by toasting your accomplishment, and then eating a piece of cake. And, of course, read a good Canadian genealogy book that day!

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 April 28, 2014.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Canadian Week in Review

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

It has the latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles. 

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

Next week, the Canadian Week in Review will start its third year in bringing you the Canadian take on genealogy, heritage and history news. It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Happy Canadian Easter!


It is a beautiful Sunday morning here in the Ottawa area, with sunshine and pleasantly warm temperatures. We give thanks that we made it through a terrible winter - where we had a plenty of snow, very cold temperatures (one of coldest in Canadian history), and power outages.

But today, we are “hopping” with joy. Buds are appearing on trees, and tulips are starting to come up through the ground. There is a lightness in the air, genealogical societies are getting their spring/summer activities on the go, and our thoughts are turning toward what looks to be an exciting and rewarding summer.

So Happy Easter everyone!

Enjoy this wonderful day, and "Happy Hunting!" in your genealogy (and eggs)!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Ancestry.ca releases Lower Canada and Canada East Census Records

  

Ancestry.ca has announced the release of more than 120,000 Canadian Census records from Lower Canada (now Quebec). These records document the lives of Canadians living in Lower Canada in 1825 and 1842 – before Canada was officially a country. 

As they say in their press release “The first national Canadian census was taken in 1871; however, many local and colonial censuses were taken before this date. The 1825 Census of Lower Canada and the 1842 Census of Canada East highlight the names of heads of the family, occupation, the number of people living in the house and other information that can help people discover more about their Canadian roots. 

Lower Canada and Canada East were vibrant and rapidly growing areas during the mid-1800s. Wheat and timber had replaced the fur trade as the main industries for export, creating a booming local economy and leading to a population that expanded by approximately 300,000 between 1784 and 1825. 

“These records shed new light on the lives of people who helped build Quebec and can help countless Canadians discover more stories about their ancestors living in Pre-Confederation Canada,” says Lesley Anderson, genealogist and Content Specialist for Ancestry.ca. “We’re excited to be offering Canadians the chance to explore these new records and adding to what is the largest online collection of historical Canadian records available anywhere in the world.””

The website for the 1825 Census of Lower Canada is at http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=9807

The website for the 1842 Census of Canada East is at
http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=9808

Friday, April 18, 2014

Heritage Gaspe/Heritage Gaspesie presents “Generation Sacrificed – The Gaspe Soldiers of the Great War 1914-1918”.

Tom Eden will present a photo and information exhibit, which will be held at St. James Anglican Church, from July 28-August 2nd. It will consists of 10 panels, each with a different theme outlining the activities of the war and the sacrifice of the lives of these young Gaspesians. Tom will also be available to share his project with the community at a conference to be held on August 2nd. 

A tour of the old Wakeham cemetery will take place as well as a pamphlet on the history of the church will be made available. The exhibit is free of charge but a good will offering would be appreciated. All proceeds will go towards St. James Church.

The conference will be held August 2nd at 1:30 p.m. in St-James Church, Wakeham. The photo exhibit will be held July 28 to August 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. also at St-James Church, Wakeham.

Foe information, go to http://gaspesie.quebecheritageweb.com/attractions-and-tours

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Parish registers: Manitoba

Heritage Canada has put more digital records online, and one of the records that you may find helpful are the parish records for Manitoba. 

Government registration of vital statistics (baptism, marriage and death) for Manitoba did not begin until the late 1800s. In this collection can be found parish registers and other church records from various churches in the province of Manitoba. 

There are three microfilm rolls - 

H- 1344

H-1812

H - 1813
 
Make sure that you read the first few pages before you start you search. It looks like they in alphabetical order, but in case you do not find the person you are looking for, you will have to go page by page to see if the person is there. Many of the records include the people of the Red River Settlement. 

To go to the records click on the website http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_mikan_115731

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Guy Berthiaume appointed as Librarian and Archivist of Canada

The LAC has finally filled the position of the Head of Library and Archives Canada -

The Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Shelly Glover announced yesterday that the appointment of Guy Berthiaume as the Librarian and Archivist of Canada will be for a term of five years, effective June 23, 2014. 

Dr. Berthiaume has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec since 2009. Before this, he spent thirty years as a senior university administrator. 

Dr. Berthiaume holds a doctorate in history from the École pratique des hautes études and the Université de Paris VIII, a Master of Arts degree from the Université Laval in Québec City and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Université du Québec à Montréal. He has published a number of articles and has served on the boards and committees of numerous organizations.

Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages say that “Having a person of Dr. Berthiaume’s calibre leading Library and Archives Canada will be a solid asset to the organization. His extensive experience in the management of large cultural organizations and his strong leadership are important qualifications for this position.” 

Please go to the LAC website at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca 

Parish registers have been put online

 
Irene Schofield just sent a notice that the registers of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, Guyborough, Nova Scotia has just been transcribed and have been put on http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~saintann/Records/home.html

The parish was established in 1819. A team transcribed these records, all entries were proofread and sent back to the original transcriber for review. Every record went through several rounds of review and comments until they all agree that it was the best that they could do. 

Book 1 contains the birth, marriage, and death registers for the years 1819 to 1838, and Book 2 contains the birth, marriage, and death registers for the years 1839 to 1890.

Here is a sample taken from Burials Book 1 

Patrick Walsh 

age [blank], burial date 20 Aug 1821, death date [blank],

parents: [blank]; spouse [blank];

witnesses [blank]; clergyman John Loughnan.

Notes: Buried in Goose Harbour Church. From County Kilkinny Ireland.

Scan: 001_01_X1_0166, pg. 336 item no. 1 

From reading the website, it look like there will be other books added when they are transcribed in the future. 

Say "thank you" to the volunteers who transcribed these records.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Heritage Dinner at Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario

Jack Granatstein will be the guest speaker at the 24th annual Heritage Dinner on May 2, 2014 at 5:30 pm. at the Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. 

He will talk about  his current work on the last 100 days of World War I, its losses and the unbelievable impact these days had on Canada. 

In addition to a sit-down and served dinner, there will be a silent auctions and dessert auctions taking place. 

Tickets are $75 with a $40 tax receipt available. Tickets can be purchased online at  http://huroniamuseum.com/2014/03/26/3702 or at the museum directly at 549 Little Lake Park Road, Midland Ontario. 

You call 705.526.2844 for more information.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Canadian Week in Review 14 April 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


Ancestor Seekers of Kenora
A very bright and lively website that just started this year.

A list of FREE Canadian databases online
Links to early Canadian documents at Canadiana.org.

The Friends of the Loyalist Collection at Brock University
A detailed, descriptive catalogue has been put on the site that covers the Loyalist Collection at Brock University.

Social Media


Deborah Morrison to leave as publisher of Canada's History magazine to run national youth travel exchange program
Congratulations, Deborah, as you embark upon a new venture!

Interviews on The Genealogist Professional Podcast – Such an Honour!http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/03/interviewed-on-genealogy-professional.html
One of own is interviewed by Marian Pierre Louis on her Blog Radio Show.

News Stories


Heritage Acres: We did credit the Boss
Heritage Acres Farm Museum moved a barn from a property to the award winning museum grounds at Pincher Creek, Alberta.

Black History Enriches Canadian History
Stouffville’s Claudette Zabsonre is on a mission to make the achievements of black people more commonly known.

100th Anniversary of Sealing Disasters
Two hundred and fifty-four Newfoundland sealers lost their lives in two separate disasters (1914), within the same few days. A memorial service was held this week at George Street United Church in St. John's to commemorate those who perished.

Cy Becker a part of local history
A new master-planned community in Edmonton’s north end is named after Cy Becker, a bush pilot and wartime flying ace.

Gas bar canopy under consideration for heritage designation
The canopy of the Canadian Tire gas bar at 304 Main St. E. as an entry on the city’s buildings of heritage interest list. We stopped at that gar bar when we were in Hamilton in 2011, and remarked on the uniqueness of the structure.

Bridgetown will file an application to dissolve town
Bridgetown in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia will have a new governance structure in place by April 1, 2015. The town of 1,000 people was incorporated in 1897.

Story of the Week 



April is Sikh Heritage Month

Bramalea-Gore-Malton NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh’s Private Member’s Bill entitled, Sikh Heritage Month, has passed third reading in the legislature, and the month of April has been declared as Sikh Heritage Month.

April was chosen as the month to celebrate Sikh Heritage Month because it is the time that the community celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the creation of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. Sikh Canadians widely celebrate Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, across Ontario.

The Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada (SHMC), located in Toronto, held the opening of the Gallery as a first major step forward towards its goal of having a permanent museum on Saturday, April 5th. 

Each family who attended the museum received a commemorative Sikh Heritage Month Poster. 

The museum is located at 2980 Drew Road, Unit 125, Mississauga, ON L4T 0A7 (It is at the Great Punjab Business Centre, next to Malton Gurdwara).

The website of the museum is at http://shmc.ca, and the Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/events/652770224758332 

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 21 April 2014.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Reminder: Canadian Week in Review

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

It has the most recent news about New/Updated Websites, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles.

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

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

N.B. The CWR was not published last Monday due to the fact that I was down in Toronto attending a full-day workshop conducted by Dr. Thomas Jones, and spent two days in the Archives of Ontario.

Mennonite Migration to Ontario

The Oxford County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will meet on Monday April 14th at 6:45 pm at the Woodstock Public Library, 445 Hunter St., Woodstock, and the speaker will be Laureen Harder-Gissing. 

Her topic will be Mennonite Migration to Ontario and Resources available in the Mennonite Archives. Ms. Harder-Gissing is the Historian of the Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada and is currently Archivist at the Mennonite Archives at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo.

Contact information is available at http://oxford.ogs.on.ca/eventspg.html

The Mennonite Archives is online at https://uwaterloo.ca/mennonite-archives-ontario

The Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario http://www.mhso.org/index.shtml

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Give a VIMY for Vimy Campaign

The 100th anniversary of the Canadian victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France will take place in 2017. 
A foundation called The Vimy Foundation was started in 2006 to honor the remembrance of the battle. They have been involved in producing education resources for thousands of teachers and schools across Canada and been involved in more than 10,000 student ‘pilgrimages’ to Vimy. They also have plans to build a state- of-the-art Education Centre to be unveiled in France on April 9, 2017 on the grounds adjacent to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. 
The Government of Canada has committed $5 million to the project, but The Vimy Foundation is committed to match that commitment through the generosity of Canadians, and they have come up with a rather unique was that this can be accomplished.
The back of a $20.00 dollar bill has an image of the towering Vimy Ridge battlefield memorial in France, so the foundation is asking Canadians to donate $20 to the VIMY for Vimy Campaign. 
In exchange for your donation, you will receive a Vimy Pin and your name will be added to the list of Vimy 2017 supporters. 
To go to their site, please click https://vimyfoundation.ca/vimy2017

Friday, April 11, 2014

The Sinking of the Empress of Ireland



The Empress of Ireland was in a collision with the Norwegian collier SS Storstad in the early hours of 29 May 1914. Of the 1,477 persons on board the ship, 1,012 died. 

The Beaurepaire-Beaconsfield Historical Society will meet on Thursday April 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Centennial Hall, 288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield (Montreal). The lecture will be in English, but there will be a bilingual question period. 

The lecture will be on the RMS Empress of Ireland, and the speaker will be Derek Grout who has written a book on the ill-fated liner Empress of Ireland which sank in the Gulf of St Lawrence, in front of Pointe-au-Père, in a collision in 1914. 

The hundredth anniversary of the sinking is May 29 and the book's release in Canada is scheduled for early April, in advance of the anniversary. Canada Post is supposed to be issuing two stamps to commemorate the event, and various museums across the country have scheduled special exhibitions, most notably the Canadian Museum of History (formerly Canadian Museum of Civilization) in Gatineau, across from Ottawa. 

At this lecture, you will be able to buy the book RMS Empress of Ireland, Pride of the Canadian Pacific's Atlantic Fleet by Derek Grout, at the price of $35.00. 

Everyone welcome. Free for members and $2 for non-member. You can become a member for just $5 per year. 

You can call 514-695-2502 for information, or you can go to http://www.shbbhs.ca 

For more information about the Empress of Ireland, you can go to
RMS Empress of Ireland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Empress_of_Ireland 

Although this is a pay site, there is the passenger and crew list (FREE) at http://www.sea-viewdiving.com/shipwreck_info/empress_home/passengerindex.htm

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Field Trip to the LAC



The Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is planning their second field trip to the Library and Archives Canada on May 3rd.

This field trip will take place on Saturday May 3, 2014 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and this time the LAC and OGS members will focus on the process of requesting retrieval of documents. After the meeting, members will be welcome to stay and do some research. The LAC is open until 6 pm on Saturdays

As part of this trip, attendees will obtain their LAC User Card (required for anyone wishing to undertake research or to consult the holdings at LAC facilities), there will be a tour of the resources on both the 2nd and the 3rd floor.

Although this trip is geared towards anyone who has never done any research at Library and Archives Canada, or to anyone who hasn't been to the LAC in a while

This special event is only open to a maximum of 15 people so reserve your spot early!

The Library and Archives Canada is located at 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa.

Also, there is a meeting on April 26 at the Ottawa City Archives on 100 Tallwood Drive, Ottawa, and the talk will be about the subject of Using Social Media for Genealogy Research and it will be given by Ken McKinlay.

The meeting will be live streamed, and details are available on their website at http://ogsottawa.on.ca

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Some OGS Branches Live Stream their meetings

More and more OGS Branches are Live Streaming their monthly meeting.

Niagara Peninsula Branch was the first one to try the new technology couple of years ago, then Ottawa Branch tried it, and then the Lambton County Branch, and the Kent County signed on so. Members at a distance can hear the meeting also, as well as members close at hand. And don’t forget the OGS Conference this year, as it will be Live Streaming some sessions as well. 

I attend the Ottawa Branch Live Streaming monthly meetings held on a Saturday of each month (except July, and August) especially in the winter time, because I can’t get to the meetings during the snowy season. But I don’t miss anything because I can see the PowerPoint presentation, hear the speakers, and have the ability to ask questions – so I am quite satisfied with the process. 

So, if you are a member of any of these societies, be sure to give it a try. 

Here are the meetings to be held in April – 

Niagara Peninsula Branch Meeting

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2014

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Location: First Grantham United Church, 415 Linwell Rd., St. Catharines

Speakers: Marjorie Stuart & Diane Clendenan

Topic: “Unregistered Cemeteries”

Brief Overview: Marjorie and Diane are the highly respected “Cemetery Ladies” for both the OGS & the Ontario Historical Society

Contact Info: http://www.ogs.on.ca/niagara 

Lambton County Branch Meeting

Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Time: 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Location: 1400 Murphy Road, Sarnia, Ontario

Speaker: Lynn Clark

Topic: Adoption Update. Drop by and learn what’s new when searching for info regarding adoptions in Ontario.

Contact Info: http://www.ogs.on.ca/lambton/index.html 

Kent County Branch Meeting 

Date: Friday, April 11, 2014

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: St. Andrew’s Residence 99 Park St., Chatham, ON

Speaker: Elise Harding-Davis

Topic: BLACK MILITIA OF KENT COUNTY

Brief Overview: Elise Harding-Davis will discuss the involvement of the Black Militia in the War of 1812.

Contact Info: http://ogs.on.ca/kent 

Ottawa Branch Meeting

Date: April 26, 2014

Time: 1:00 pm

Location: City of Ottawa Archives, Room 115,

Topic: Using Social Media for Genealogy Research

Speaker: Ken McKinlay

Brief Overview: Ken will be talking about the various social media sites, such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter and blogs to name just a few places, that can be used to help in your own research through interacting online with others around the world via the world wide web.

Contact information: http://ogsottawa.on.ca

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Fort Howe – Fort-Howe on Flickr

Credit: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1986-19-1
Fort Howe in New Brunswick, during the American Revolution, experienced continuous pressure from American forces including attacks on the colony and its inhabitants. 

After the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which ended the war between Britain and the United States, there were calls from both the citizens of Saint John and incoming loyalists for better protection of the area, and the existing and damaged fort was replaced by Fort Howe. 

Sir William Howe, replaced General Thomas Gage as Commander-in-Chief of British North America, 1775-1778. He was present at the sieges of Louisbourg, Quebec and Montreal, and he defeated the American rebel forces in Fort Washington, Fort Lee, Brandywine and Gemantown before his resignation in 1778.

Over 200 people have viewed Flickr already.