Canadian Week in Review (CWR) - 22 June 2015

I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, 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

Upper Canada’s last fatal duel happened on June 13, 1833 in Perth, Ontario.

To read more about the duel between John Wilson and Robert Lyon. Both were law students in Perth.

For more information. read http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/tales/last-duel.html

War of 1812

On June 18, 1812, the war of 1812 started, and it ended in 1815. Part of the force was made up of Canadians, and it is heart wrenching  to read about their courage to defend Canada.  

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/war-of-1812/

IH.M.S. Shannon Leading Her Prize the American Frigate Chesapeake into Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. 

Podcasts

There are over 200 archived episodes available on their website, TodayInCanadianHistory.ca, or downloadable as podcasts from iTunes.

A great way to hear what the experts have to say!

To listen to the podcasts, go to http://cjsw.com/program/tich/

Social Media

(Photos) Old Shubenacadie Canal route in Dartmouth to house interpretive park
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/old-shubenacadie-canal-route-in-dartmouth-to-house-interpretive-park-1.3114119
150 years of industrial history exposed in one Dartmouth site. Is is a parcel of land in downtown Dartmouth that used to house Starr Manufacturing, one of the world's first skate manufacturing plants.

(Video) Allan Hawco, Mark Critch to trace steps of Newfoundland Regiment in new documentary
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/allan-hawco-mark-critch-to-trace-steps-of-newfoundland-regiment-in-new-documentary-1.3113670
A new film about the Newfoundland Regiment's role in World War I will feature two familiar personalities from the province.

(Photos and Video) Picking up the pieces: Paperwork tells story of Halifax Explosion survivors
http://thechronicleherald.ca/thenovascotian/1293139-picking-up-the-pieces-paperwork-tells-story-of-halifax-explosion-survivors
Overwhelming tales of loss and incredible stories of recovery are all right there – in the bureaucratic paperwork.
   Retired history professor David Sutherland spends many of his days at the Nova Scotia Archives, poring through seemingly endless strips of microfilm.

Articles

Nova Scotia

Campaign puts spotlight on heritage lighthouses
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1293545-campaign-puts-spotlight-on-heritage-lighthouses
A national campaign is shining a light on Nova Scotia’s heritage lighthouses.
   The National Trust for Canada, formerly the Heritage Canada Foundation, and the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Protection Society have partnered together in the This Lighthouse Matters contest, a fundraising initiative hoping to raise money for and awareness of Nova Scotia’s unique lighthouse culture.

Prince Edward Island

Two county lighthouses to be saved
http://countylive.ca/blog/?p=53417&cpage=1
Just prior to the expiry of the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, the county heritage advocacy group, Save Our Lighthouses, was informed the Scotch Bonnet Island and Prince Edward Point lighthouses would be preserved by the Government of Canada.

New Brunswick

Gagetown, N.B., steeped in history and tranquil haven for those escaping city life
http://news.nationalpost.com/life/travel/gagetown-n-b-steeped-in-history-and-tranquil-haven-for-those-escaping-city-life
The Village of Gagetown, in southern New Brunswick, is often described as a tranquil haven for those escaping the rush of city life.
   The tiny community, just 35 minutes east of the provincial capital of Fredericton, is steeped in history and a favourite place for visitors who love wildlife, boating, and arts and crafts.

Historic Saint John church holding final service after sale
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/historic-saint-john-church-holding-final-service-after-sale-1.3108449
St. George's-St. Jude's Anglican Church was founded in 1821 and is a designated historic site. It will reopen as a resturant and as a wedding chapel.

Ontario

Stayner student's history project focuses on the family farm
http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/5679324-stayner-student-s-history-project-focuses-on-the-family-farm/
Oliviaq Walker peeled back the layers of history to present life on the family farm.

THE JOY OF GENEALOGY: Remember our fathers and the sacrifices they made
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/5679386-the-joy-of-genealogy-remember-our-fathers-and-the-sacrifices-they-made/
The month of June brings about so many celebrations: the June solstice and the beginning of summer, National Aboriginal Day, which provides a chance to learn more about Aboriginal people and their contributions to the country and Father’s Day, which gives us a chance to express our gratitude and love for our dads and other special father figures.

Peterborough Museum & Archives

http://www.mykawartha.com/shopping-story/5666228-peterborough-museum-archives/
Through stories, images, exhibits, and so much more, The Peterborough Museum & Archives traces the people, land, and rich collective heritage of Peterborough, Ontario.

First Capital Day worthy of a civic holiday in 2016
http://www.thewhig.com/2015/06/14/first-capital-day-worthy-of-a-civic-holiday-in-2016
It is hard to think of another community in Canada - with the exception, perhaps, of Quebec City - that stands to benefit as much from its proud role in Canadian history as does Kingston.

Alberta

Uncovering history along the eroding Bow River
http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/uncovering-history-along-the-eroding-bow-river
A new archeological site along the Bow River has a checkered history with flooding.
   The teepee circle, a ring of sandstone blocks that mark the outline of a teepee, was covered by silt in a flood between 500 and 1,000 years ago, preserving the site. But after the Bow flooded in 2013, this bank in Fish Creek Park was eroded, washing away part of the site.

History Road rolls on with more than 600 vehicles http://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/2015/06/17/history-road-rolls-on-with-more-than-600-vehicles
The Reynolds-Alberta Museum hosted some of the nicest, rarest and most classic cars, bikes and other vehicles at History Road: The Ultimate Car Show weekend June 13-14, in partnership with AMA Insurance and the City of Wetaskiwin.

British Columbia

In Shaughnessy, New Heritage District to Halt Character Home Demolitions
http://thetyee.ca/News/2015/06/17/Shaughnessy-New-Heritage-District/
Richard Keate keeps a map of his neighbourhood at home. He's saddened every time he has to mark a demolition.
   "My records are 56 pre-1940 houses have come down," Keate said of Shaughnessy's fallen character homes. Heritage Vancouver counted 51 in 2012.

Hidden history of African American settlers in Wellington, B.C. uncovered
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/hidden-history-of-african-american-settlers-in-wellington-b-c-uncovered-1.3114170
Jimmy Claxton, the first black man to play organized baseball in the 20th century, is one of the most well-known black Canadians in history.
  But Nanaimo Community Archives manager Christine Meutzner has always believed Claxton's couldn't have been the only black family living in Wellington, B.C., where he was born in 1892.

The Stories This Week

Canadian Online Indexes

Indexes are the life blood of genealogy. We use them all the time. When we come across a new parson, or to see what’s out there for an event, we usually use an index. And of course, online societies, archives, libraries, businesses all understand this – they want to create and sell us access to plenty of indexes.

We must remember though, that indexes are NOT records, and we cannot source them as records. They are simply a finding aid to help us locate the records that we will use. And remember, not everything has been indexed. Look as hard as we may, not everything has been indexed – and may never be. For example, I am sure that that not every vital record (birth, marriages, deaths) in Canada has been indexed.

So this week, just by pure coincidence, two Canadian genealogists wrote about online indexes.

First all of, Jane McNamara has put some Ontario indexes online in her blog http://wherethestorytakesme.ca/top25/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WhereTheStoryTakesMe+%28Where+the+story+takes+me%29

She has called her posts Big indexes to consider for every Ontario ancestor.

There was one index that I hadn’t studied before, and it was the Indexes of Estate Files (Before 1859) and Surrogate Court Records by County and District (After 1858).

I took the time to look over the information that has been indexed and put it in my research took-box (you can build your own), and it now will be there for me to research whenever I need it.

And I, your genealogist blogger, have started a stint with Family History Daily at http://familyhistorydaily.com/ called 10 free Canadian Genealogy Websites and I am writing about – guess what – Canadian indexes! It's at http://familyhistorydaily.com/free-genealogy-resources/10-free-canadian-genealogy-websites/

To Canadian researchers, these are familiar indexes, but to the beginning genealogists, especially people not from our county, it can help you to find the correct indexes, which can be a daunting experience.

One of my greatest bug-a-boos is that the Library and Archives Canada has uploaded all of these microfilm to Heritage, and none of them are indexed. They say that they want them to be indexed, so I am waiting to see how this is done. And as I understand it, FamilyResearch is going to start putting unindexed microfilm online from their storage facility at the Granite Mountain in Salt Lake City. So it looks like the wave of the future, which will present new challenges to the genealogists.

So it is up to us, writers and genealogists, to keep the community aware of new developments on indexes as they come along.

Got any favourite indexes of your own you would like to share? It can be a new or old index, but there are plenty to choose from in the field of Canadian indexes.

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

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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

National Aboriginal Day – June 21st

National Aboriginal Day is a day to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

In support of National Aboriginal Day, visitors to Fundy National Park and Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick are invited to meet local Aboriginal artists and learn more about New Brunswick's Aboriginal culture and heritage. Artists will be on-site between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

In Alberta, there will be Blackfoot elders who will tell stories about the plains buffalo culture, and there will be drumming and dancing, guided facility tours, a live display of Alberta Birds of Prey, traditional hand game demonstrations, and aboriginal food sampling.

There are events all across the county today, and to see what else is available, go to http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100013248/1100100013249

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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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

The International Gathering of the Clans, 2015 will be held in Nova Scotia

I couldn’t think of any better place than to hold the International Gathering of the Clans in Nova Scotia – New Scotland!

 

It will take place from July the 1^st to July 25^th , and there will be events in Pugwash, New Glasgow, Antigonish, Yarmouth, and Halifax.

 

July 1st will begin with a flag raising ceremony at the Pugwash Gathering of the Clans, and the Official Opening will be held in Halifax on July 3rd at the Grand Parade.

The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Nova Scotia will be running during the first week with acts from all over the world.

June 30 – July 7 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo will be held in Halifax.

July 1 Gathering of the Clans and Festival There will be flag-raising and first event of the 10th International Gathering of the Clans. This will ne held in Pugwash.

July 3 Flag-raisingFlag-raising Halifax City Hall, 11:30 a.m Reception courtesy Clan Lamont & Clan Stewart/Stuart. This will be held in Halifax.

 

July 5 Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan St. Matthew’s United Church, Barrington St., Halifax
Sponsored by The Scots and the FSCNS. Reception to follow. This will be held in Halifax.

 

July 5 – 12 Antigonish Highland Games.

 

July 15-19 Festival of Tartans & Highland Games New Glasgow.

 

July 25 Closing of the 10th International Gathering to be held at the Yarmouth Seafest Festival, Yarmoth, Nova Scotia.

 

The offical site for the International Gathering of the Clans, 2015 is http://www.cassoc.ca/frameset.htm

 

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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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

 

 

Are your ancestors from Iceland?

Do you want to know who your first Icelandic ancestor was and when he or she left Iceland and arrived in Canada? Are you curious about your Icelandic origins?

If so, the website at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is a great place to begin your research.

Here you will find a page dedicated to genealogical research on the http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/history-ethnic-cultural/Pages/icelandic.aspx.

This page provides you with historical information, archival documents and published material from the Library and Archives Canada collection, as well as links to other websites and institutions.

If your ancestor came to Canada between 1865 and 1935, you might find his or her name on the http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/immigration-records/passenger-lists/Pages/introduction.aspx

To read more about Iceland, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_Canadian

If you want to learn more about Icelandic Immigration to North America, go to http://www.halfdan.is/vestur/vestur.htm

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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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

Canadian Heritage is looking for Canada Day volunteers

Canadian Heritage is looking for Canada Day volunteers.

As a volunteer, you could be handing out Canadian flags, managing crowds, helping people with special needs, and serving as information officers during the July 1 festivities at Parliament Hill and Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa and Jacques-Cartier Park across the Parliament Hill in Gatineau next to the Canadian Museum of History.

Each year more than 500 volunteers help with Canada Day celebrations in the National Capital Region.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Canadian Heritage Volunteer Centre at 819-956-2626 or benevoles.volunteers@pch.gc.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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

Extra news items

 Here are some news items which have come across the desk this week -

If you want to keep abreast of the OGS Toronto Conference news, you can subscribe to their news email at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/well-done-all-aboard-for-2016/

The Conference will be held June 3 to 5th, 2016 at the Toronto’s International Plaza Hotel next to the Toronto Airport.





One good thing about summer is that it brings picnics!

The Brant County Branch is celebrating the summertime by holding a BBQ & STRAWBERRY FUND RAISER on Friday June 26, 2015 at 5:30 pm at Smokey Hollow Estates, Leisure Park.

Tickets are $15 per person.

Bring a Friend! Come & Enjoy!

Their website is ay http://www.ogs.on.ca/brant/

 

Save Our Lighthouses is the latest effort by Canadian to save our lighthouses.

The Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (HLPA) came into force in May 2010, and the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) promptly declared more than 400 active lighthouses to be surplus.

If you are interested in helping to save these lighthouses, then you should read http://lighthouses.ontariohistory.ca/index.html

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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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

Partial Year Membership at OGS

The Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) has its Partial Year Membership again this year.

It is availble from June 1 until October 31 and new members can join at the reduced rate of $37.00 CDN for the rest of the year. The partial year membership allows you to join right away rather than waiting for the next calendar year. And this category is also available to those who have not been an OGS member for the past two years and would like to come back, and join again.

Full details can be found on the website at http://www.ogs.on.ca/membership.php

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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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

FamilySearch Update: Newfoundland, Vital Records, 1840-1949

FamilySearch has made additions to the index and images of births, delayed registrations of births, marriages, and deaths of Newfoundland 1840-1942.

363,845 records have been indexed, with images added or upgraded as of 10 June 2015

Newfoundland, including the area of Labrador, became a province of Canada in 1949. Official registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1891.

Until 1948, most vital records were copies of church records.

Official registration of births, marriages, and deaths did not occur in Newfoundland until 1891.

The website is at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1790939

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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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

LAC Update: Digitization of First World War Service Files

Library and Archives Canada has busy digitizing the service files of the First World War veterans. 

They sent out this press release -

As of today, 162,570 of 640,000 files are available online via our database at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/search.aspx. Library and Archives Canada is digitizing the service files systematically, from box 1 to box 10686, which roughly corresponds to alphabetical order.

Please note that over the years, the content of some boxes has had to be moved and, you might find that the file you want, with a surname that is supposed to have been digitized, is now located in another box that has not yet been digitized.

The latest digitized box is #3655, which corresponds to the surname Gore.

Please check the database regularly for new additions and if you still have questions after checking the database, you may contact us directly at 1-866-578-7777 for more assistance.

Their website is at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/canadian-expeditionary-force.aspx

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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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

Canadian Week in Review - 15 June 2015

I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, 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

In 1866, the first meeting of the Canadian Parliament was held in Ottawa, in the Parliament buildings, which were still unfinished. Construction on the building had begun in 1857, but was not finished until 1877.

To read more about this, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Canada

In 1846, a fire ravaged St. John's, Newfoundland, leaving nearly 12,000 people homeless.

To read more about the fire, go to http://www.stjohns.ca/living-st-johns/your-city/st-johns-history/history-st-johns

(Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library)
 

Social Media

(Photos) Canada Science and Technology museum asks for public feedback on redesign

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canada-science-and-technology-museum-asks-for-public-feedback-on-redesign-1.3104229

The Canada Museum of Science and Technology wants to hear from Canadians on its proposed redesign to bring the museum back to life.

You can take an online survey at http://cstmc-smstc.fluidsurveys.com/s/CSTM_MSTC_2017/

Articles

Nova Scotia

Canada’s history told through immigrants’ voices

http://thechronicleherald.ca/roadtrip/nova-scotia/1292553-canada%E2%80%99s-history-told-through-immigrants%E2%80%99-voices

If you came from another country to live in Canada, do you remember what happened on your first day here? How did you feel? What surprised you?As the days went by, turning into weeks and then years, how did you adjust to your new life?

William Davis, Lost Miners Honoured With Route Name

http://novascotia.ca/News/Release/?id=20150611004

The road leading from Dominion to New Waterford, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Trunk 28, has been ceremonially renamed William Davis Memorial Trail, in honour of the Cape Breton miner, and all those lost in Nova Scotia's coal mines.

Spirits not dampened by rain at Black Loyalist Heritage Centre celebration

http://www.thevanguard.ca/News/Local/2015-06-06/article-4173452/Spirits-not-dampened-by-rain-at-Black-Loyalist-Heritage-Centre-celebration/1

The rain caused some problems but didn’t dampen the celebration in Birchtown as hundreds of people arrived in the small community for the grand opening of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre on June 6.

At the Historeum – By Jordan LeBlanc: Valuable piece of history recently donated to Colchester Historeum

http://www.trurodaily.com/Opinion/Columns/2015-06-05/article-4172471/At-the-Historeum-%26ndash%3B-By-Jordan-LeBlanc%3A-Valuable-piece-of-history-recently-donated-to-Colchester-Historeum/1

A great piece of history was donated to us recently - an 1827 land grant and seal, Earltown, Colchester County. It came by way of Mary MacCara Reid of Halifax, who is the niece of Michelle Roads of California, who was the keeper of the grant.

Prince Edward Island

Province House restoration set to begin next year

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/province-house-restoration-set-to-begin-next-year-1.3103003

The restoration work on Province House is not expected to begin until next year.

Acadian heritage signs to be showcased in Evangeline

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/acadian-heritage-signs-to-be-showcased-in-evangeline-region-1.3103746

Bilingual road signs saying 'Village musicaux/Musical Villages' are being posted at the entrance of each of the 14 small villages and municipalities in the Evangeline region.

New Brunswick

Traditional birch bark canoe built by arts students

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/traditional-birch-bark-canoe-built-by-arts-students-1.3101611

College students have spent weeks scouring the woods for bark, roots, and special wood in order to build a traditional birch bark canoe.

Waterloo Row subdivision gets Fredericton council approval

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/waterloo-row-subdivision-gets-fredericton-council-approval-1.3105652

The controversial subdivision of a property on historic Waterloo Row was approved by Fredericton council at its Monday meeting.

   City council voted 4-2 to allow homeowners Ayten and Marc Kranat to subdivide their lot at 58 Waterloo Row, choosing to take eight per cent of the value of the land in cash in lieu of public land.

Ontario

Congratulations to the 2015 AAO Award Recipients!

http://aao-archivists.ca/Awards/3377740 

Two of the 2015 recipients of Archives Association of Ontario Awards were the Institutional Award Winner – City of Thunder Bay Archives, and the Corporate Award Winner – County of Perth and City of Stratford.

Dickinson Days kick off Manotick's summer

http://www.ottawasun.com/2015/06/07/dickinson-days-kick-off-manoticks-summer

The Village of Manotick had its summer fair this weekend. Dickinson Days. First weekend in June.

Morris Saxe and the Canadian Jewish Farm School

http://www.cjnews.com/node/140498

Georgetown and Acton, two former towns in the picturesque Halton Hills region west of Toronto, were once home to the Canadian Jewish Farm School, an ambitious plan by an entrepreneurial farmer-humanitarian named Morris Saxe to give young Jewish orphans from Poland a better life in Canada.

Saskatchewan

Trail linking Saskatoon to Wanuskewin Heritage Park opens
http://ckom.com/story/trail-linking-saskatoon-wanuskewin-heritage-park-opens/559557
Trans-Canada Trail stretch 24,000 kilometres, linking 16,000 communities and 82 percent of Canadians.

Heritage rebates unlikely for Spadina Crescent home
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Heritage+rebates+unlikely+Spadina+Crescent+home/11130384/story.html
Richard Maj, who owns a house on Spadina Crescent East that was once home to author Farley Mowat and other prominent Saskatoon residents, requested heritage designation for his house late last year before embarking on renovations approved by the city.

British Columbia

Walking tours in B.C.'s urban crush best way to see the sights
http://www.theprovince.com/travel/Sights+Walking+Tours+Urban/11112686/story.html
For shutterbugs, Vancouver Photowalks offers outdoor pursuits that expertly blend walking tours with tutored photography classes. These two-hour, small-group excursions are guaranteed to take in well-tread scenic spots, with cameras or phones in hand: enthusiasts can choose their skill level (Basic, Technical or Creative) or fine-tune their genre (Stanley Park walks mix natural and urban settings, while Night Photowalks document either Granville Island or Gastown’s expansive waterfronts).

Stories in the News

What’s in a name?

For years, genealogists have been concerned about name changes – usually in spelling. But what do you think about changing the names of places and streets in Canada because the original name were no longer in favor – no matter what the city or street was originally named?

We do have a history of doing this in the past. Perhaps the most famous one is the name of the city of Berlin that was changed to Kitchener in 1916 because the name was too closely aligned to Germany in the First World War.

The name-change did not come without controversy, for the majority of people wanted it to stay the same, but anti-German sentiment ruled the day, and the name was changed.

By the way, the name Kitchener was chosen because it was the name of Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener, who died that year while serving as the Secretary of State for War of the United Kingdom!

Now, in Alberta, there is a argument that some people want the name of a Langevin Bridge and school names changed because Hector-Louis Langevin, a father of Confederation, was one of the architects of the residential schools.

But the writer asks what about Father Lacombe High School, Father Lacombe Care Centre, and the town of Lacombe, along with Calgary’s Bishop Pinkham Junior High, and Regina’s Dewdney Avenue – they are just a few that would have to be changed.

Some people are saying that is change the names would delete Canadian history. Agree or disagree?

If you agree with this position, there is a petition that has just come online at https://www.change.org/p/the-city-of-calgary-mayor-nahed-nenshi-rename-the-langevin-bridge-to-honor-aboriginal-residential-school-victims-now?recruiter=8251136&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive  
But Quebec beat every one to the punch, when last week, it changed the name of two streets in Gatineau, Quebec (across the Ottawa River from Ottawa) because the former names had had links to the Nazis of the Second World War. It should be said that these two streets are in an area where the streets were named after Nobel Prize winners.

The streets have been changed from Alexis-Carrel and Philipp Lenard to Marie Curie and Albert Einstein Streets.

The reasoning for the change was that Quebec’s Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs began a campaign to get the city to change the street names. They argued that Carrel was a supporter of eugenics and that he had an active role with the Vichy France government. They also argued that Lenard was a supporter of Nazi thought who had apparently served as an advisor to Adolph Hitler in the early years.

Of course, it was done over the disinterest of the people who live on the streets involved, and Gilles Carpentier, the councillor for the district, took up the cause anyway and put a motion before the city council to rename the streets. The city council passed the motion by a vote of 14 to 5.

So does this all sound familiar? And what do you think? Will the genealogists of the future realized what has happened here?

Place name and street name changes in Canada are relatively common in Canadian history, which means that we should always check the name of the village, town, or city, and the streets within those villages, towns and cities because they not be the name they were once know as – they might have changed!

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

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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-08-june-2014.html

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

The Royal Canadian Mint issues coin celebrating 400th anniversary of Champlain's discovery of Huronia

The Royal Canadian Mint issued this press release this week -

Four hundred years after French explorers led by Samuel de Champlain explored the territory that would become present-day Ontario, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a silver collector coin celebrating the 400th anniversary of Champlain’s historic journey to Huronia. The coin was unveiled on June 11 in Ottawa, Ontario, during the official launch of the 2015 Festival Franco-Ontarien.

The reverse image of this 99.99% pure silver coin is designed by Canadian artist Laurie McGaw and is engraved to emulate the famed 17th-century astrolabe—long attributed to Champlain—found in Cobden, Ontario. Against this navigational tool is set a full-body portrait of Samuel de Champlain. Visible through the spaces between the astrolabe’s latitude and longitude crosshairs are engravings of scenes from Champlain’s journeys in Huronia, which also depict the Huron guides who were indispensable to his expedition. The unique reverse is engraved with the word “CANADA”, the date “2015” and the face value of “3 DOLLARS”. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

This coin has a limited mintage of 10,000 and retails for $29.95.

The coin can be ordered directly from the Mint as of June 11 at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the U.S., or on the Internet at http://www.mint.ca. The coin will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through the Mint’s global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

 

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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-08-june-2014.html

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

Lambton County Archives wants to hear your First World War stories

If you have First World War stories, then Lambton County Archives in Ontario wants to talk to you! You stories can still be incorporated into their exhibit Lambton At War.

 

As early as 1865, a volunteer company was formed to protect the Canadian border and Lambton County that it shares with Michigan and are separated by the St. Clair River.

 

In 1872, this Lambton regiment was given the name the St. Clair Borderers.

 

During the First World War, the Borderers supplied troops to the fighting fronts through the 70th and 149th Battalions. Men from towns such as Watford, Petrolia and Sarnia boarded troop transport trains and made their way to England were they went onto fight in the Somme, at Vimy and Ypres.

 

And many Americans who had Canadian parents who had migrated to Michigan enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the First World War.

 

And do you know a story of someone who sewed bandages, scavenged war materials, or put together Red Cross kits? Or perhaps you know stories of men and women who stayed behind and contributed to the war efforts by working on farms or in factories and who have interesting stories to tell.

 

They have an online submission form at http://www.lambtonmuseums.ca/exhibit/lambton-war/986-2/

 

The website of the archives is http://www.lambtonmuseums.ca/heritage/

 

The Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/LambtonCountyArchives

 

 

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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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-08-june-2014.html

 

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

 

70th Anniversary, the Saskatchewan Archives

 

In celebration of their 70th Anniversary, the Saskatchewan Archives has prepared a new online exhibit which outlines the creation and development of their institution.

The exhibit includes many original photographs and documents that highlight the fascinating story of the Saskatchewan Archives.

You can visit their on site exhibit at http://www.saskarchives.com/Timeline

There is just tons of pictures to see, and documents to pursue.

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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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-08-june-2014.html

 

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

 

Extra news items

 Here are some news items which have come across the desk this week -

There will be a 1-day conference in Peterborough Saturday 03 October 2015 called Military Settlers.

It will be held by the Kawartha Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society.

Speakers will discuss the political and military situation in the UK and Canada, useful records, and several military settlement schemes.

Cost $35, includes snacks and lunch. Registration is essential. Watch for announcements.

The website address is www.ogs.on.ca/kawartha

This sounds like a meeting that I would like to attend if I lived closer to Trenton, Ontario.

June 20, 2015 is the 35th Anniversary Celebration for Quinte Branch of Ontario Genealogical Society will feature Reflections on 35 Years of Genealogical Endeavour.

It will be at the Quinte West Public Library, 7 Creswell Drive, Trenton, ON K8V 6X5
from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Everyone Welcome, bring a friend.

For more information visit www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs/

Meanwhile, you can Celebrate National Aboriginal History Month at the Canadian Museum of History by attending the following events -

Aboriginal Storytelling with Daniel Richer
Saturday, June 13
10 a.m. (English) and 11 a.m. (French)

Aborginial Storytelling with Jo Maple
Sunday, June 14
11 a.m. (English) and 1 p.m. (French)

Aborginal Music Celebrations
Tuesday, June 16
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

Until next time, this is what crossed my desk this week.

http://ogsottawa.on.ca/
=======================================================================

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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-08-june-2014.html

 

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

The OGS Blog is one you should read

Do you ever read the Ontario Genealogical Society blog?

Over the past month, someone has posted blogs such as Family Stories - Truth or Fiction?, Connection between Official Records, “Men of the Cloth”-Tracking Records for Preachers, Pastors and Priests”, and Researching Your Canadian World War 1 Soldier Ancestor- Part 1 and 2.

These posts provide a good overview of the subjects, although they do not give the nitty-gritty of the records available. You will have to go to the sites mentioned to get this, but if you want a good understanding of the basics of the record, you can get that here.

So if you have Ontario answers, be sure to keep the blog page in your research toolkit so you can access it anytime you wish.

The blog site is http://www.ogs.on.ca/ogs_blog.php

The website is https://www.ogs.on.ca/

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Last Day to take advantage of this offer!!!

Need help finding your ELUSIVE Canadian ancestors???

 

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

 

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services website at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!

 

Research Tip! While you are in Ottawa, if you have ancestors who lived here, a good place to check is the Ottawa Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society 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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-08-june-2014.html

 

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

Ancestry launches family history DNA testing service in Canada TODAY!

This press release was just received -

TORONTO (June 9, 2015) – Ancestry, the world’s largest family history resource, today launched AncestryDNA in Canada. AncestryDNA allows individuals to learn about their genetic heritage and discover new family connections in Canada and around the world.

When coupled with Ancestry’s database of more than 16 billion historical records, AncestryDNA will enable family history enthusiasts and novices alike to discover even more about their own past, including the ability to find entire new cousin matches around the world.

“Historical records on Ancestry.ca provide an insight into one’s recent past, but usually go around 200-300 years, so it’s incredibly exciting to be able to offer DNA testing that takes your family history experience back many hundreds and even thousands of years,” said Christopher Labrecque, Country Manager for Ancestry Canada. “AncestryDNA enables users to learn more than ever about where they came from and discover new family lines and relatives. It really is the ultimate family history experience.”

AncestryDNA details the breakdown of one’s ethnic origins, predicting the likely locations of a person’s ancestors across 26 worldwide populations, providing a glimpse into one’s ancestral past that goes back to a time before historical records began to be kept.

The service also introduces users to new family members through DNA member matches which identifies unknown relatives pulled from more than 850,000 people who have previously taken the test. Many users can expect to be connected with 3rd and 4th cousins, allowing them to further grow their family trees and discover family members they may not have known existed.

In a recent survey, more than three-quarters of Canadians stated they would consider having their DNA tested to discover more about where their ancestors came from. Many said they know very little about their own family history, with 42 per cent indicating that they do not know where their grandparents were born, and 30 per cent stating they do not know where their ancestors lived before coming to Canada.

How AncestryDNA Works

The test uses microarray-based autosomal DNA testing to look at more than 700,000 locations across an individual’s entire genome through a simple saliva sample. The AncestryDNA approach provides a much more detailed look at one’s family history than other existing Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA tests that only look at specific branches of a person’s family tree.

AncestryDNA kits are now available for purchase for $149 plus shipping at http://dna.ancestry.ca/