Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Canadian Genealogy News 29 July 2015





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

The Family History Guide

If you have been putting off researching your Canadian ancestors because you don't know where to start, how about giving this new website a try? 

A guide has been prepared to help you through the different stages of doing family history, and they do have a Canada course.



Getting Started in Genealogy Workshop

There was one thing amiss in the Bytown Days that was posted Sunday 26 July 2015. 

And that was that the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will also be giving a Getting Started in Genealogy Workshop on Sunday at 1 pm in the Bytown Days Tent. 

This is something that you should not miss. They will tell you about how to do your genealogy, and where you can find records! 

For more information, go to http://www.bytowndays.ca/

The website of the OGS is at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/

Until tomorrow, have a nice day researching!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Canadian Genealogy News 28 July 2015



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


Ontario genealogist takes top billing

The Toronto Time Capsule (TTC) has been in existence since this spring, and they have just released their seven top articles. The most read article is by Janice Nickerson. Congratulations, Janice!

Her article GENEALOGY WITH JANICE: 7 fun genealogy games for kids aims to get younger generations interested in family history with a list of games to try at home.

To read who the other six people are, go to http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/5750390-7-most-read-history-articles-in-the-toronto-time-capsule/ 

Vote now for Canadian genealogy websites

The best Canadian website 

John D. Reid, the blogger at Anglo-Celtic Connections asks “Which genealogy websites do you most value for Canadian content? Rather than trust the judgement of self-proclaimed experts in other countries let's follow the model used for Rockstar Genealogist and conduct a survey”.

So who do you think is the best website as far as Canadian Content is concerned.

Let you views be known at http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com/2015/07/best-canadian-genealogy-websites.html


Toronto Branch Workshops

Gwyneth Pearce, the secretary of the Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) writes to tell us of two special events that will take place this fall. Registration is now open for:

Atlantic Canada Genealogy – a full-day workshop on Saturday 17 October to explore the resources available to help you find your Atlantic ancestors. Led by keynote speaker Terrence M. Punch of Halifax, with additional lectures by Roberta Clark and Terri Raymond, this workshop will focus on understanding the patterns and sources of immigration into the four Atlantic provinces over the past four hundred years as well as subsequent migrations from Atlantic Canada to other parts of Canada and to the United States. Early-bird rates apply until September 22 and OGS members enjoy additional discounts.

For full program and speaker details and to register online, visit http://torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/workshops/atlantic-canada-genealogy-workshop/.

Basic Genealogy and Family History – two eight-week courses led by instructor Jane E. MacNamara designed for those who are just setting out on their family history journeys or who wish to upgrade their basic research skills. One course will be held at Riverdale Public Library on Tuesday evenings from 6 October to 24 November, and the other at North York Central Library on Wednesday afternoons from 7 October to 25 November. Learn how to "think like a genealogist"! 


Until tomorrow, have a nice day researching!

Monday, July 27, 2015

Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 27 July 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 


The Overlanders of 1862: Journeying West for Gold

Their journey had begun in southern Ontario (Niagara) and would end in the gold fields of the Cariboo Mountains, within what later became the province of British Columbia.




In 1915, Canada's foremost railway surveyor and construction engineer, Sir Sandford Fleming, died in Halifax at age 86. He helped devise a route for the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Rockies. Fleming also helped develop a way to divide the world into time zones and also designed Canada's first postage stamp.

For more information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandford_Fleming

Social Media

(Blog) Ezard – The Name and its History
The EZARD One-Name Study is registered with the Guild of One-Name Studies by blogger Jill Ezard. There are some names in Canada.

(Photos) Special find
Alex Yeadon knows of the importance a military medal holds, so when his mother came across one
by chance, he took it upon himself to try and find the family. 

Newspaper Articles

Prince Edward Island 

More churches are popping up on P.E.I.'s real estate market but the buildings are proving a tough sell.
Realtor Jeff Newson has never sold a church before, but now he's trying to sell two — the United Churches in Kingston and in New Dominion. 

Nova Scotia

Amherst heritage building likely faces the wrecking ball
A provincially registered heritage property that's been a landmark in downtown Amherst for more than a century could soon be history.

Amherst town councillors have voted to demolish the red sandstone former Bank of Montreal building at the corner of Victoria and LaPlanche streets.

Ontario

Artist Jimi McKee wants facelift for totem pole
As Jimi McKee works to restore a piece of Canadian history sitting on a trailer in his yard, his thoughts also turn to a fixture in Couchiching Beach Park.

Plaque honouring William F. Sharpe unveiled in Prescott 
The Grenville County Historical Society held a special unveiling and dedication on Saturday for a historical plaque commemorating Lt. William F. Sharpe.

One of Canada's first military airmen during the Great War (1914-1918) 

British Columbia

McVittie House, Land Surveying Office open at Fort Steele
Dignitaries and guests gathered on Saturday July 11 at Fort Steele Heritage Town to celebrate the grand opening of McVittie House and Land Surveying Office.

The Stories This Week

Summer in Canada is our time to hold special conference, and to those who like picnic, there is that too!

On Tuesday 28 July 2015 at 6 p.m., there will be a Picnic Potluck and Cemetery Walk - Bruce and Grey Branch Ontario Genealogical Society, Owen Sound, ON at the Place: Family History Centre, 490 2nd Ave S.E. Owen Sound. 

The Picnic Potluck will start at 6 p.m. and then a Cemetery walk with Terri Jackson at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound Please bring along a favorite potluck dish to share and a plate & cutlery for your dinner. After dinner join us for a cemetery walk through Greenwood Cemetery, located at 290 1st Street S.W. Owen Sound, with our own Terri Jackson as our tour guide. We invite you to join us! All are welcome!

Call 519-534-1875 for further information

Thursday 06 August to Sunday 09 August 2015, there will be the Convention: The Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe (SGGEE), Gatineau, Quebec and the theme will be Researching Our German Roots in Poland and the Russian Empire.

It will be located in Gatineau, Quebec just across the river from Ottawa, Ontario, and my husband and myself will be going to this convention in hopes of learning lots of information about German Roots in Poland and Russia.

To find out further information, go to https://www.sggee.org/


Friday 21 August and Saturday 22 August 2015, there will be One World, One Family Conference in Brampton Ontario. The organizers and host Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Family History Center, 10062 Bramalea Rd., Brampton, Ontario. 

Lesley Anderson - Connecting with our Ancestors is an Incredible Journey will be the keynote speaker.

To see the rest of the speakers, go to http://www.oneworldonefamily-theevent.com/



The Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead is delighted to invite guests to join in its inaugural 'Eilean an Àigh: Celebration of Island Gaelic Language and Culture' Festival, taking place on site in Orwell, Prince Edward Island at 271 Macphail Park Road, the evening of Friday, 31 July, and throughout the day Prince Edward Island on Saturday, 1 August 2015. 

This year they are delighted to host Dr. John Shaw of the School of Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh and James Watson of the Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum, who worked together recording surviving Island Scottish Gaelic traditions in 1987 under the auspices of the Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward Island. 

James Watson will be leading a workshop focusing on the regional repertoire of Scottish Gaelic songs as well as a hands-on 'thickening frolic' (luathadh) that will allow participants to join in around the table with choruses they learned in the workshop. The festival will conclude with Taigh Cèilidh 'ic Phàil (Macphail Cèilidh House) grand finale concert with special guests, including many of our talented Island musicians and singers for an evening of song, story, and foot-tapping tunes.

Spaces are limited and pre-booking is highly recommended. Full two-day festival passes, including special lunch, evening lecture and finale cèilidh concert, are available at a discounted $50. There will also be limited passes available for these events individually. 

Thigibh air chèilidh! Bidh fàilte chridheil romhaibh! (Come for a visit! A hearty welcome awaits you!)

For more information, go to http://macphailhomestead.ca/

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