Monday, July 25, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 25 July 2016



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 

Veterans Land Act (VLA)

1942 – Parliament passes Veterans Land Act (VLA), to award land grants or home mortgages to returning veterans. I didn't realize that this lasted until 1975. My paternal uncles took advantage of this program after the Second World War. 



1945 – Royal Canadian Navy ammunition barge catches fire in Bedord Basin, Nova Scotia; the magazine explodes for 24 hours, causing evacuation of half the city’s population. 






1976 – Montréal Olympics events begin 1976 – Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, age 14, performing on the uneven parallel bars, scores the First perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history 




Social Media 

(Photo) Memorial University of Newfoundland continues daunting digital archives initiative 


The Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) is a project of the university aimed at the preservation of materials with historical and cultural value, while broadening access for the public. 

It brings items kept throughout the university’s collections straight into the hands of private users. The online archives include paper records such as manuscripts, diaries, photographs, pamphlets and posters, and also audio and video recordings. 

To read what has already been digitized, go to http://collections.mun.ca/ 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland-Labrador 

Lost in history: Memory of WW I flying ace returns home after century away 


He was a hometown kid — a hero of the First World War, a personal friend of Lester B. Pearson, and a descendant of Swedish nobility. 

And then, as quickly as he came, Baron Carl Falkenberg was forgotten for a century. 

Newfoundland's Mistaken Point named UNESCO World Heritage site 


A Newfoundland ecological reserve that holds ancient evidence of some of Earth's oldest creatures is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Volunteer group giving up heritage church in Port au Port West 


The Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church in Port au Port West, which at the time of its completion was the largest wooden church in the province, is now in need of new caretakers after the volunteer group that looks after it announced it's giving up that job. 

Nova Scotia 

Fortress of Louisbourg celebrates 18th-century life during CultureFête 2016 


Visitors to the Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton this weekend will see hands-on demonstrations of 18th century medicine, among other events celebrating everyday life during the fortress's heyday. 

"Party is on!' Nova Scotia man pens his own larger-than-life obituary 


Paul Culligan knew how to make people laugh, even in his obituary. 

History: A look at the Cornwallis River 


Recently, for example, Kentville reader John Cochrane asked me if we knew much about the history of the Cornwallis River and if it had Acadian, Planter or Mi’kmaq links. 

Black Loyalist Heritage Centre celebrates one year 


The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown is turning one year old this weekend, and members of the African Nova Scotian community are ready to celebrate. 

Prince Edward Island 

People can dig through time at Orwell Corner archaeology project 


Islanders and tourists have a unique opportunity to dig through time at a public archaeology project at the Orwell Corner historic village. 

Over the next two weeks, anyone is welcome to drop by the excavation of a mid- to late-nineteenth century home that was part of the Scottish settlement at this historic site. 

Quebec 

Montebello, Que., attracts crowds, political elite with history and scenery 


Montebello — a small municipality in western Quebec about an hour's drive from the nation's capital — has a long history of attracting crowds that range from families to Canada's political elite. 

Ontario 

Gaps in census mean Canadians are being left out of history 


If more people don’t consent to making census information available after 92 years, two of every five Canadians will effectively fade from memory. 

Streetcar No. 696 gets facelift and new lease on life leading up to her 100th birthday 


Ottawa streetcar No. 696 will celebrate her 100th birthday next year and, truth be told, she’s broken down and showing her age. She was, after all, born in the reign of Robert Borden, during the First World War, and was, quite literally, ridden hard and put away wet. 

Military museum annual open house is July 31 


The Canadian Military Heritage Museum will host its annual open house on Sunday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Visit the museum at 347 Greenwich St. to discover Canada's military history from the War of 1812 to current events. 

Newly discovered version of O Canada offers peek into our history 


You might think Canada has always been the “true north, strong and free.” 

But, turns out, the song that would become our national anthem has gone through more than a few changes over the years. 

Manitoba 

Highway renamed in honour of John Bracken 


Premier Brian Pallister announced Monday that John Bracken Highway will be the official name of a 195-kilometre section of PTH 10 from the International Peace Garden north to Riding Mountain National Park to honour the longest-serving premier in Manitoba history 

Storm the trenches: Camp Hughes comes alive this weekend in Manitoba 


More than 80 years after the soldiers moved out, Manitoba's Camp Hughes — home to the only intact First World War trench system in North America — is coming back to life. 

Saskatchewan 

New Saskatoon bridge getting Indigenous 


Once completed, Saskatoon's new bridge in the north will have a name reflecting Aboriginal people's history and contributions.

Alberta 

New museum exhibits celebrate city’s rich history 

The Flatiron Museum and Interpretive Centre opened its doors last Thursday evening for the grand opening of two new exhibits. 

Both “The Origins of Lacombe’s Dutch Community” and “Catalysts for Change: Local Women and the Suffrage Movement” exhibits will be on display for the next year, giving local residents and visitors to the community plenty of opportunity to learn about Lacombe’s ties to what have been proud moments in Canada’s national history. 

British Columbia 


This is the second installment of a series of columns produced by the Coquitlam Heritage Society to coincide with the city of Coquitlam’s 125th birthday this year. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Conference 2017 

Did you realize that Conference 2017, the conference to be held at Ottawa, Ontario, has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioGenealogicalSocietyConference/posts/1001401453230794?notif_t=notify_me_page&notif_id=1468770302466413 ? 

Following the Facebook page is a good way to keep up on the happenings at the OGS conference, and of course, always check out their website at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/conference-2017/. More will be added as tine goes on. 

Celebrating 125 years of Ukrainian history in Canada (1891-2016) 

The premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall, declared 2016 as the anniversary of the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants to Canada 

According to the provincial government, more than 13 per cent of Saskatchewan residents can trace part or all of their ancestry to Ukraine. 

They have been celebrating in various ways, including the release of a coin the first ever egg-shaped coin - egg-shaped, and brightly coloured, because it's of a Pysanka. 

One place to visit is the Ukrainian Museum of Canada which has displays of archives and a library where you can look for information about the immigration. The website is http://www.umc.sk.ca/page/library 


By the way, work has started on the Holocaust Memorial near the Canadian War Museum, and it is expected to be finished by 2017. 


One more thing to note, is the Holocaust Memorial is built in Ottawa near the Museum of War, is making good progress. 

To find out more about the National Holocaust Monument, go to http://holocaustmonument.ca/ 


And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go to www.elrs.biz 

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.
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Canadian Week in Review 25 July 2016


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 

Veterans Land Act (VLA)

1942 – Parliament passes Veterans Land Act (VLA), to award land grants or home mortgages to returning veterans. I didn't realize that this lasted until 1975. My paternal uncles took advantage of this program after the Second World War. 



1945 – Royal Canadian Navy ammunition barge catches fire in Bedord Basin, Nova Scotia; the magazine explodes for 24 hours, causing evacuation of half the city’s population. 






1976 – Montréal Olympics events begin 1976 – Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, age 14, performing on the uneven parallel bars, scores the First perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history 




Social Media 

(Photo) Memorial University of Newfoundland continues daunting digital archives initiative 


The Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) is a project of the university aimed at the preservation of materials with historical and cultural value, while broadening access for the public. 

It brings items kept throughout the university’s collections straight into the hands of private users. The online archives include paper records such as manuscripts, diaries, photographs, pamphlets and posters, and also audio and video recordings. 

To read what has already been digitized, go to http://collections.mun.ca/ 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland-Labrador 

Lost in history: Memory of WW I flying ace returns home after century away 


He was a hometown kid — a hero of the First World War, a personal friend of Lester B. Pearson, and a descendant of Swedish nobility. 

And then, as quickly as he came, Baron Carl Falkenberg was forgotten for a century. 

Newfoundland's Mistaken Point named UNESCO World Heritage site 


A Newfoundland ecological reserve that holds ancient evidence of some of Earth's oldest creatures is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Volunteer group giving up heritage church in Port au Port West 


The Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church in Port au Port West, which at the time of its completion was the largest wooden church in the province, is now in need of new caretakers after the volunteer group that looks after it announced it's giving up that job. 

Nova Scotia 

Fortress of Louisbourg celebrates 18th-century life during CultureFête 2016 


Visitors to the Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton this weekend will see hands-on demonstrations of 18th century medicine, among other events celebrating everyday life during the fortress's heyday. 

"Party is on!' Nova Scotia man pens his own larger-than-life obituary 


Paul Culligan knew how to make people laugh, even in his obituary. 

History: A look at the Cornwallis River 


Recently, for example, Kentville reader John Cochrane asked me if we knew much about the history of the Cornwallis River and if it had Acadian, Planter or Mi’kmaq links. 

Black Loyalist Heritage Centre celebrates one year 


The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown is turning one year old this weekend, and members of the African Nova Scotian community are ready to celebrate. 

Prince Edward Island 

People can dig through time at Orwell Corner archaeology project 


Islanders and tourists have a unique opportunity to dig through time at a public archaeology project at the Orwell Corner historic village. 

Over the next two weeks, anyone is welcome to drop by the excavation of a mid- to late-nineteenth century home that was part of the Scottish settlement at this historic site. 

Quebec 

Montebello, Que., attracts crowds, political elite with history and scenery 


Montebello — a small municipality in western Quebec about an hour's drive from the nation's capital — has a long history of attracting crowds that range from families to Canada's political elite. 

Ontario 

Gaps in census mean Canadians are being left out of history 


If more people don’t consent to making census information available after 92 years, two of every five Canadians will effectively fade from memory. 

Streetcar No. 696 gets facelift and new lease on life leading up to her 100th birthday 


Ottawa streetcar No. 696 will celebrate her 100th birthday next year and, truth be told, she’s broken down and showing her age. She was, after all, born in the reign of Robert Borden, during the First World War, and was, quite literally, ridden hard and put away wet. 

Military museum annual open house is July 31 


The Canadian Military Heritage Museum will host its annual open house on Sunday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Visit the museum at 347 Greenwich St. to discover Canada's military history from the War of 1812 to current events. 

Newly discovered version of O Canada offers peek into our history 


You might think Canada has always been the “true north, strong and free.” 

But, turns out, the song that would become our national anthem has gone through more than a few changes over the years. 

Manitoba 

Highway renamed in honour of John Bracken 


Premier Brian Pallister announced Monday that John Bracken Highway will be the official name of a 195-kilometre section of PTH 10 from the International Peace Garden north to Riding Mountain National Park to honour the longest-serving premier in Manitoba history 

Storm the trenches: Camp Hughes comes alive this weekend in Manitoba 


More than 80 years after the soldiers moved out, Manitoba's Camp Hughes — home to the only intact First World War trench system in North America — is coming back to life. 

Saskatchewan 

New Saskatoon bridge getting Indigenous 


Once completed, Saskatoon's new bridge in the north will have a name reflecting Aboriginal people's history and contributions.

Alberta 

New museum exhibits celebrate city’s rich history 

The Flatiron Museum and Interpretive Centre opened its doors last Thursday evening for the grand opening of two new exhibits. 

Both “The Origins of Lacombe’s Dutch Community” and “Catalysts for Change: Local Women and the Suffrage Movement” exhibits will be on display for the next year, giving local residents and visitors to the community plenty of opportunity to learn about Lacombe’s ties to what have been proud moments in Canada’s national history. 

British Columbia 


This is the second installment of a series of columns produced by the Coquitlam Heritage Society to coincide with the city of Coquitlam’s 125th birthday this year. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Conference 2017 

Did you realize that Conference 2017, the conference to be held at Ottawa, Ontario, has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioGenealogicalSocietyConference/posts/1001401453230794?notif_t=notify_me_page&notif_id=1468770302466413 ? 

Following the Facebook page is a good way to keep up on the happenings at the OGS conference, and of course, always check out their website at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/conference-2017/. More will be added as tine goes on. 

Celebrating 125 years of Ukrainian history in Canada (1891-2016) 

The premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall, declared 2016 as the anniversary of the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants to Canada 

According to the provincial government, more than 13 per cent of Saskatchewan residents can trace part or all of their ancestry to Ukraine. 

They have been celebrating in various ways, including the release of a coin the first ever egg-shaped coin - egg-shaped, and brightly coloured, because it's of a Pysanka. 

One place to visit is the Ukrainian Museum of Canada which has displays of archives and a library where you can look for information about the immigration. The website is http://www.umc.sk.ca/page/library 


By the way, work has started on the Holocaust Memorial near the Canadian War Museum, and it is expected to be finished by 2017. 


One more thing to note, is the Holocaust Memorial is built in Ottawa near the Museum of War, is making good progress. 

To find out more about the National Holocaust Monument, go to http://holocaustmonument.ca/ 


And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go to www.elrs.biz 

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.
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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 18 July 2016



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

Wilfrid Laurier

1896 – Wilfrid Laurier was sworn in as Canada’s seventh Prime Minister, succeeding Charles Tupper.  He died in 1919 in Ottawa.  He entered the House of Commons on 26 March 1874, and became the had of the Liberal party in 1887. 



Lord’s Day Act 

1906 – Senate passes the Lord’s Day Act, restricting trade, labour and recreation on Sundays; struck down by Supreme Court of Canada in 1985, Coincidentally, it was Wilfrid Laurier who introduced the Lord’s Day Act in 1906 to the House of Commons.   




Social Media 

(Photos) Still hope for mill 


Stanley MacDonald, who purchased the mill from its last miller, Warren Leard, and donated it to the museum, said it is still his wish to save the building. He admitted, though, the board has been unsuccessful convincing funding partners to jump onboard. 

(Photos) Bringing history to life at Upper Canada Village 


If you had a chance to stop by Upper Canada Village over the weekend, you may have thought you stepped into another world. 

Villagers dressed in traditional 1800s garb and soldiers in British and American uniforms had set up camp in tiny white tents, along with a stable of horses and a military surgeon, for the re-enactment of a battle that some say saved Canada during the War of 1812 -- the Battle of Crysler's Farm. 

(Photos) This Week in Hants History 


Here's a look at what was making the news 35 and 50 years ago in the Hants Journal. 

(Photos) McNabs Island's crumbling historic houses deserve to be saved, guide says 


A private shuttle operator in Eastern Passage, N.S., is calling on the province to repair three historic houses which sit within the boundaries of McNabs Island Provincial Park before they are completely ruined and devoid of historic value. 

‘Postcards From the Train’ debuts at Corner Brook's historic train site Tuesday 


Set at the Railway Society of Newfoundland Historic Train Site on Riverside Drive, the play, which opens Tuesday, will weave through the site as the audience hops on and off the two trains at the site. 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland 

Behind barbed wire

Some cut 12 tons of stone a day at quarries, while others toiled from 4 a.m. until 11 p.m. on farms. 

One soldier describes being locked in a dark room with a window covered in bricks and a barrel by the door to use as a latrine. 

Prince Edward Island 

P.E.I. National Park getting $23M in upgrades 


The federal government announced $23-million in upgrades for P.E.I. National Park Thursday. The improvement include seven different projects 

Beaches rehabilitation: $4.3 million. 

Rehabilitation of park entrances: $5.3 million. 

Trails rehabilitation: $2 million. 

Water and wastewater system improvements: $1.6 million. 

Green Gables rehabilitation: $9.5 million.  

Operational and directional signage: $427,000. 

Ardgowan landscape conservation maintenance: $304,000. 

Charlottetown aims to have Victoria Park bandstand ready for 2017 


Charlottetown wants to start construction on a new bandstand in Victoria Park this fall, so it will be ready for celebrations of Canada's 150th birthday next year. 

Nova Scotia 

Sydney neighbourhood boundaries, history captured in new map

A Cape Breton-centric website has posted a map that attempts to get a handle on the various historic, if unofficial, neighbourhoods in Sydney, N.S. 

Canada’s one and only ‘Black Battalion’ celebrated in parade 


The premier of Nova Scotia and high-ranking military officials gathered in Pictou, N.S. to mark the 100th anniversary of the first and only segregated black military unit in the Canadian history. 

Reminiscing on the Past and Preserving History 


A new project by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador will help preserve provincial history by recording stories from seniors across the island. 

Ontario 

Historicist: Wicket Little Town 


Due to the limited source material available, it is unclear when the game (cricket) was first played in York. 

Historic PoW site in Ontario to get new lease on life 


The derelict buildings of historic Camp 30, believed to be Canada’s only remaining prisoner of war camp from the Second World War, which were once feared unsalvageable, have emerged victorious against the test of time. 

Manitoba 

Capturing the spirit of early Winnipeg 


The Spirit of Red River exhibit holds photographs, documents, postcards, letters and maps that tell the story of the people and places who contributed to the fabric of the community in the early 1880s. 

Alberta 

Documenting Alberta's quilts 


Become a part of Alberta's quilt history by bringing in your pre-1970s quilts for documentation at the Grande Prairie Museum this weekend. 

The Western Canadian History Program at the Royal Alberta Museum has been working on a research initiative to document the material culture of craft production within Alberta. 

Special day celebrates unique history 


Trick shooting and storytelling are among the day’s events as a Foothills national historic site celebrates its existence this weekend. 

The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is joining the Canada-wide Parks Day on July 16 to showcase what makes the park unique. 

The ranch, established in 1882, was among a small group of large corporate ranches that operated during the early pioneer days in western Canada. 

British Columbia 

Plaque pays honour to internees

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/community/386473051.html?mobile=true

Motorists travelling along a section of Highway 6 will be reminded of a dark chapter in Canadian history.

The Father Pandosy Mission Society received funding under the 2013-18 Canada-British Columbia Official Language Agreement on French Language Services. This money will be used to translate promotional material for the Father Pandosy mission heritage site. 

The North 

Postcards from the Canadian North

https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic 

In June, a group of ambassadors and high commissioners packed their bags and flew north for a nine-day tour of northern Canada. They came from all over the globe – the U.S., the E.U., Africa and Asia – to learn more about the Canadian Arctic, its environment, peoples and cultures. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Arcadian Tour 2016 

Have you seen the picture that Lucie LeBlanc Consentino from Massachusetts has been putting on her Facebook page about the Arcadian Tour 2016? They are terrific! 

The picture are of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and for the past week, she has been leading a bus tour of the different Acadia communities. 

Her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/luciemc?pnref=lhc.unseen, and her wensitem the Acadian & French-Canadian Ancestral Home is at http://www.acadian-home.org/frames.html 

Quinte Branch (Ontario Genealogical Society) 

Did you know that the Quinte Branch has a new and unproved Names Index Database and the new Quinte Branch Surname Interest List (SIL), both of them downlaodable lists? 

The older Names Index Database now has 1.35 Million Names, I have had the occasion to use the first database, and have found it very useful for clues in my research. Do not use them as records, but only as clues. 

The website for this database is https://snap360.ca/quinteogs/ 

They sat that “The SIL is comprised of family surnames of interest to our members, past members and library contacts (AKA the providers), based on their research focus in Hastings, Prince Edward, and neighboring Counties.” 

You can look forward it to be updated twice a year - June and December. 



Digitizing of First World War files

The Library and Archives Canada keeps “rolling on” , as it were, with the digitizing project, Soldiers of the first World War: 1914 - 1918 because of July the 15th they have 307,588 of 640,000 files are now available online. 

The latest box which has been digitized is Box 5218 and Knaggs. 

I used a file just this past week, and found the digitizing progress very good. The file is right there, it is free (because it is housed at the Library and Archives Canada), and easy to use. 


And that was the week in Canadian news!

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go to www.elrs.biz

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.
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