It’s St Patrick's Day!

Why is St Patrick's Day such a time of celebration and remembrance in Canada?

Maybe the following statistics will give you a clue.

From 1825 to 1970, 1.2 million Irish immigrants arrived in Canada, and at least half of those in the period from 1831–1850.

By 1867, the Irish were the second largest ethnic group (after the French), and comprised 24% of Canada's population.

In my neighbourhood of Ottawa-Gatineau, there is the famous McCabe List: Early Irish in the Ottawa Valley.

At http://www.dippam.ac.uk/ied/records/22293dpf, there is a list of the McCabe Irish which gives county, parish, townland of origin, number of male and female children and names and addresses of relatives in the homeland for some 700 mostly Irish families who were in the vicinity of Bytown (now known as Ottawa) on 5 February 1829.

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/2015/03/canadian-news-in-review-09-march-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.

Royal Canadian Mint wants you!

To celebrate Canada’s 150 birthday in 2017, the Royal Canadian Mint is offering you the chance to see your work imprinted on a coin that will be in regular circulation from coast to coast to coast.

Five winning designs will be minted on coins that will be released into circulation to commemorate Canada’s 150th in 2017. In addition, the winning designers will earn a trip to the coins’ unveiling in Ottawa and $2,000 in cash.

There will be 5 unique categories that the Royal Canadian Mint will be looking for -

 Our wonders: From coast to coast, Canada has vibrant landscapes, flora, fauna, and defining monuments. This coin is inspired by the majesty of Canada’s natural beauty.

Our character: Canada is woven together by its shared values and cultural diversity. This coin illustrates the Canadian spirit.

Our achievements: Canada has contributed much to the world. This coin is drawn from a rich history that includes medical innovations and space exploration, from valour in combat to social advances.

Our passions: Canada boasts some of the world’s best sports, music, literature, arts, and food. This coin reveals the source of Canadian pride.

Our future: Open exclusively to Canadians age 12 or younger, this theme encourages young artists to imagine Canada’s future. What will Canada be and of what will its future leaders be most proud?

To find out more about the contest, go to http://www.mint.ca/store/template/home.jsp

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/2015/03/canadian-news-in-review-09-march-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.