Will Héritage index their records? Maybe.

Ever since Héritage, a division of Canadiana, put on all of those records from the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) over a year ago, I was asking “Where are the indexes that go with the digitization of these records?”

Héritage has the objective of digitizing 40,000 reels of microfilm from “Canada’s most important archival collections”. 

They hope to comprise 60 million page images when the project is completed next year. 

But not one of these records has been indexed! Not one! So what good are they to me? -

They say that they “would like to enhance access to this content by partially transcribing select collections. Once transcribed, researchers can conduct key-word searches on a collection, allowing them to find specific personal names, geographical locations, events, etc. within a document. We need your help in choosing which collections to transcribe first”. 

So, they have put together a short survey to ask our opinion. I clicked every one of the records that they have included in the survey. 

They say that “By participating in this short survey, you can have a voice in telling Canadiana which collections are important to you. If interested, please share this widely with your members, branches, and other contacts to help us get the most feedback”. 

Please take a minute to go through the records, and click the ones you would like to see indexed.

The website for the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=DGkADDA1hN%2fpX6Ab5IKFgw%3d%3d

The website for Canadiana is http://www.canadiana.ca/

Family associations

One way to discover your French-Canadian roots is to join a family association. It all has to do with collaboration, doesn't it? 

The Library and Archives Canada says that “The main goal of a family association is to perpetuate the memory of these ancestors and preserve the cultural heritage associated with them, such as the land that was granted to them in New France, or the ancestral house, if it still exists”. 

The association members organize meetings and reunions, small or large, and publish newsletters, and of course, many have a website and a Facebook page.  

On a personal note, I see where my husband's paternal surname (Lapointe dit Audet) and his maternal surname (Jobin) are there. 

The website is at http://www.genealogie.org/associations.asp 

If you have Acadian roots, go to http://www.fafa-acadie.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=40 for a list of Acadian surnames. 

FamilySearch to improve its Research Wiki pages

FamilySearch.org is improving its Research Wiki pages.

They say that "There will be more space on the web page to view enriched text and images. There will also be increased editing capabilities for contributors and several other useful changes".

You can go to the Testing: Wiki Usability page at https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Testing:_Wiki_Usability to give your opinion of the proposed changes.

Meanwhile, they have added more indexed Catholic Parish Registers, Quebec 1621-1979 to their records.

This collection contains images of Catholic parish registers of baptisms, marriages and burials. It also includes some confirmations and some index entries for Montréal and Trois-Rivières.

Go to the website at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1321742

If you want to index, you can go to https://familysearch.org/indexing/get-started-indexer

Canadian Week in Review 28 July 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.

History Week in Canada

In 1793, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Scottish-born explorer and fur trader, reached the Pacific Ocean at Dean Channel. He had just crossed the Rockies, and to mark this achievement, he painted on a rock the inscription - Alex Mackenzie from Canada by Land 22nd July, 1793. This was the first east to west crossing of North America, north of Mexico.

To read more about his life, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Mackenzie_(explorer)
===================================================
In 1892, fire destroyed most of St. John's, Nfld.

To read more about the fire and its aftermath, go to http://www.heritage.nf.ca/law/fire_1892.html
===================================================
In 1948, Newfoundlanders voted narrowly in a referendum to join Confederation. The campaign for confederation was led by journalist Joey Smallwood, who was asked to form an interim government. Newfoundland officially became Canada's tenth province on March 31, 1949.
===================================================
Did you know that in 1961, the government of Canada officially opened the town of Inuvik, Northwest Territories? The town, the largest Canadian community north of the Arctic Circle, was constructed to replace the old settlement of Aklavik.

To read more about Inuvik, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuvik
==================================================

Social Media

Molly’s Canopy
http://mollyscanopy.com/
Her name is Molly and she said her “passion for family history research was ignited more than 20 years ago on a vacation trip to Montreal, Quebec, when I found my paternal great, great grandfather Laurent Charbonneau’s 1832 baptismal record in an archive”.

Crème de la crème blog
Genealogy à la carte
Be sure to check out Gail Dever’s blog. She carries other news stories in her daily blog, and I cover them on a weekly basis. Together, we try to bring the latest Canadian news to you!

Newfoundland and Labrador 

No stories this week.

Nova Scotia

Genealogical society’s records at risk
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1225407-genealogical-society-s-records-at-risk#.U9ODCs7GVIM.facebook
Cheryl Lamerson of the South Shore Genealogical Society says the society is facing a problem – what to do with the society’s museum collection. They need a space, and they need it now!

Sod turned for new Ross Farm Museum learning centre
http://www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca/NB-NL-NS-PEI/2014-07-23/article-3810892/Sod-turned-for-new-Ross-Farm-Museum-learning-centre/1
The new 16,000 square foot centre will house public spaces including an entrance and foyer, programming rooms, washrooms, meeting rooms, an open hearth room, a commercial kitchen, a gift shop, staff/administration space, a period costume area, a historical society office and research space and controlled storage for artifacts.

Gaining perspective: Unique history lessons at Maritime Museum’s War of 1812 exhibit
http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/1104929/gaining-perspective-unique-history-lessons-at-maritime-museums-war-of-1812-exhibit/
That includes Maritime causes of the war, its impact on Nova Scotia’s economy and the legacy of Black refugees.

Prince Edward Island

No stories this week.

New Brunswick

N.B.'s Central Hampstead Baptist Church sells for $1,900
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/n-b-s-central-hampstead-baptist-church-sells-for-1-900-1.2719059
A New Brunswick church built in Canada’s confederation year sold for $1,900 at auction on Saturday. The buyer plans to move it down the road, and turn it into a cottage. The church was built in 1867 and it was the Central Hampstead Baptist Church, near Gagetown.

Quebec

What’s happening to Montreal’s churches? Quebec finding new ways to preserve its heritage in a secular age
http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/07/25/whats-happening-to-montreals-churches-quebec-finding-new-ways-to-preserve-its-heritage-in-a-secular-age/
The purpose of church buildings are changing!

Quebec police move to block auction of Lac-Mégantic locomotive
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/07/23/locomotive_from_lacmegantic_train_from_hell_up_for_auction.html
The locomotive MMA 5017 was scheduled to go on the auction block on August 5th in Maine, but the action has been blocked by the provincial police until the end of the judicial process.

Ontario

Old tombstones located south of LaSalette
http://www.simcoereformer.ca/2014/06/25/old-tombstones-located-south-of-lasalette
Perseverance paid off for a group of history detectives in LaSalette, Ontario. Following several failed digs last year, the group has finally located the burial ground for a collection of 19th-century headstones that were destroyed and buried in an old Catholic cemetery. 

Portrait of aboriginal leader Joseph Brant sells at auction for $7.5 million
Gilbert Stuart's work may be most valuable portrait of Canadian leader ever produced
http://www.canada.com/entertainment/Portrait+aboriginal+leader+Joseph+Brant+sells+auction+million/10062517/story.html
Brant was known as Thayendanegea to his followers.

Manitoba

Group of Manitoba teachers to visit Juno Beach for educational tour
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Group-of-Manitoba-teachers-will-visit-Juno-Beach-for-educational-tour-268132572.html
Four teachers will be in Vimy as part of the 10th annual Professional Development Battlefield Tour for Educators.

Saskatchewan

Map: More Saskatoon history coming to a smartphone near you
http://metronews.ca/news/saskatoon/1108314/map-more-saskatoon-history-coming-to-a-smartphone-near-you/
Through mid-August and September, the Nutana and Broadway Heritage QR code self-guided walking tour will be expanding even further to include more than 30 new points of historic importance and interest.

Alberta 

Archeology is messy, sweaty and slow - but the rewards are worth it
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/Archeology+messy+sweaty+slow+rewards+worth/10049263/story.html
Read about a couple who are spending part of their summer at Bodo, a small Alberta community about three hours from Edmonton. The place was once inhabited by the Plains Indians, who hunted bison and camped in the area in the past 5,000 years.

Canada remembers Korean War
http://www.airdriecityview.com/article/20140724/ACV0903/307249957/canada-remembers-korean-war
Yesterday, Canada celebrated Korean War Veterans Day. From 1950 to 1953, 26,000 Canadians saw action in Korea, and played a great role in the success of the first United Nations intervention by halting the aggression and securing a truce that has held for the past 61 years.

Heirloom is part of Wild Rose Overseas: Albertans in the Great War, an exhibition at Calgary's Military Museums
http://ww1.canada.com/battlefront/great-grandfathers-letter-from-the-front-was-a-chance-discovery-with-video
Read how University of Calgary student, Michael Hilton started working on his Canadian Studies project, and he discovered a letter from his great-grandfather, Canadian soldier Edward Iley, written on the fabric of a German aircraft wing shot down by Iley’s battalion.

And the story continues …
WW I memorabilia connects family to its history: Calgary brothers find link to their great-grandfather through letter, photos
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ww-i-memorabilia-connects-family-to-its-history-1.2718683

British Columbia

'Your history is standing straight up': Survivors' Totem Pole to be raised in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-stewart/2014/07/your-history-standing-straight-survivors-totem-pole-to-be-rai?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20rabble-news%20(rabble.ca%20-%20News%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20us)
The Totem pole, called The Suvivors’ Totem Pole, is being carved by the only female apprentice of the Haida artist Bill Reid -- Skundaal, of the Raven Haida.

First Nation Works to Preserve Historically Important Trees
New project will identify, protect culturally modified trees
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/812915-bc-first-nation-works-to-preserve-historically-important-trees/?photo=2
It includes trees in the Great Bear Rainforest that have been altered by First Nations people as part of their traditional use of the forest. Some of these trees date back to pre-contact time with the Europeans.

Story of the Week

 

Top 10 Endangered Places to See Before They Are Gone

Heritage Canada National Trust recently released its Top 10 Endangered Places list, outlining the most iconic heritage sites and structures in the country that may soon be gone.

Here are the five structures -

1. The Robertson Headframe is the tallest free-standing structure in the Northwest Territories, and has ruled over the Yellowknife landscape since 1977. 

2. The pre-1940s heritage homes on Vancouver's West Side are bring torn down at an alarming rate to make way for bigger, pricier houses. 

3. The Paramount Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta was built in 1952, but Famous Players bought and closed the building in 2003. It been the site of real estate speculation ever since. 

4. Built in 1882, Guelph's heritage-designated Petrie Building is considered a local landmark in the city's downtown. The towering four-storey structure was originally built for a local pharmacist, and features large windows and a mortar-and-pestle design in the stonework. Now it is on the demolition block. 

5. Former Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) Locomotive Repair Shops in Stratford, Ontario. Officials in Stratford, are trying to decide what to do with a 105-year-old locomotive repair shop they acquired in 2009. The 46,000 square-metre structure is considered culturally significant, but the city of Stratford does not see it that way.

To read about the rest of the structures, go to http://www.heritagecanada.org/en/issues-campaigns/top-ten-endangered 

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 August 4, 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 up-to-date news items covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles. 

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

If you missed least week's edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/07/canadian-week-in-review-21-july-2014.html 

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

350th anniversary of the Notre-Dame de Québec parish

The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec

Photo credit: Gilbert Bochenek

The year 2014 marks the 350th anniversary of the Notre-Dame de Québec parish, the oldest Catholic parish in North America, north of Mexico.

Monsignor François de Laval, who arrived in Québec City in 1659 as the vicar apostolic, signed the decree for the establishment of the parish on September 15, 1664, in honour of the “Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

The church, located on the Cap-aux-Diamants promontory, was opened for worship in 1650. Over the years, it has undergone many alterations, including renovations, expansions and reconstructions.

The 350th anniversary is being celebrated in a special way with the opening of a Holy Door, a symbol of humility and a rare privilege granted by the Holy See. The Holy Door is the seventh in the world and the first in North America. It will remain open until December 28, 2014.

The history of the Holy Door is http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/documents/ns_lit_doc_14121999_porta-santa_en.html

The Holy Door is open from 8:45 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Monday to Sunday, until September 1. From September 2 to December 27, the Holy Door is open from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and to 16:45 on Saturdays and Sundays. On December 28, during a celebration, the Holy Door will be closed and sealed until the next Holy Year of the Roman Catholic Church, around 2025.

To read about the history of the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica, go to https://notredamedequebec.org/en/feasts-of-the-350th.

There is not a charge to enter; however, all offerings would be greatly appreciated.

Library and Archives Canada says in its blog that it has “historical records on the Notre-Dame de Québec parish, including many iconographic representations of the church in different eras. The Notre-Dame Catholic parish fonds (Québec City) contains baptismal, marriage and burial records, as well as various parish censuses conducted in 1744 and between 1792 and 1815”.

A description of the fonds is available at http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=98024

A news article appeared in the July 21, 2014 edition of the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) in a Maine newspaper which said that a pilgrimage is being planned to Québec City in October of this year. 

The link is (go down the page until you get to Québec) http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/07/canadian-week-in-review-21-july-2014.html

Gae­no­vium: A new kind of conference

They say in their press release that “Gae­no­vium is the genea­logy tech­no­logy con­fe­rence, by genea­logy tech­no­logists for genealogy technologists. Gaenovium is exclusively for academics, developers and visionaries at the forefront of genealogy technology. 

Leaders in genealogy technology come together to learn from each other, discuss current issues, explore the bleeding edge, share their wisdom and insight, passionately argue their viewpoints, and just have an all-around good time”. 

A lecture will be given by Louis Kessler from Winnipeg, and some of the other speakers are Timo Kracke, Tony Proctor, and Michel Brinckman. 

Gae­no­vium 2014 takes place on 7 October 2014 in Leiden, Netherlands. It will be a small and intimate event, and includes an all-attendees dinner.

MyHeritage.com and RootsTech are the official sponsors. 

The website is http://www.gaenovium.com/ 

They just started a Facebook page yesterday at https://www.facebook.com/Gaenovium 

They also have started a blog at http://blog.gaenovium.com/ 

Postscript: I have just sent an email them to ask that the panel discussion - Current & Future Genealogical Exchange Standards be an HOA broadcast. If you feel the same way, you can write to them on their Facebook page or you can email them. Let’s see if we can convince them to present the panelists in an Hangout on Air.

60th annual Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion & Stampede

This year, an unique show will be held at the 60th annual Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion & Stampede from today until the 27th of July at Austin, Manitoba.

They will be commemorating the First and Second World Wars in displays, exhibits, and musical performances in the “Manitoba’s Military Heritage”. It will commemorate the impact of the 100th Anniversary of the First World War and the 75th Anniversary of the Second World War on Manitoba farms, families and communities.

The feature attraction will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that includes many unique features such as

•Manitoba’s largest assembly of operating vintage military vehicles, including 1 of 2 operating First World War era Sherman tanks in Canada and a motorized First World War field ambulance

• Live daily presentations of Life in the Trenches for a First World War soldier at 11 am and 3:30 pm

• Displays of the current and heritage capabilities of Canada’s Armed Forces from 1 RCHA and 2 PPCLI from CFB Shilo.

• Exhibits on important Manitoba military sites, people and units stationed in Manitoba

• Daily fashion show of military uniforms and civilian dress from the war years at 4 pm

• Musical performances from the RCAF Air Command Band (Friday and Saturday) and the PPCLI Regimental Drum Line (Saturday only)

Go to their website at http://ag-museum.com/

You can go to the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mbagmuseum

Ancestry Update: South African War Land Grants, 1908-1910

Ancestry.ca has added a new historical record -

“During the South African War (or Boer War) of 1899–1902, for the first time, Canada sent troops to fight in a war overseas. About 7,300 Canadian troops and 12 nurses served in South Africa. Veterans of the war were became eligible for 320 acres of Dominion Land (or a payment of $160 in scrip) under the 1908 Volunteer Bounty Act.

This database contains applications for these bounty land grants. Applications typically include the following details:

· name

· gender

· service start date, location

· residence

· death date

· place of death

· age at death

· birth date

· birth place

· regiment

The applications are two pages long, so be sure to page forward to see the entire record.” 

One thing I did notice is that in some applicant’s forms, there are notes that you may finding helpful, and the date range of service is there also. 

You can go to the website at http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=9150 

The records are in the Library and Archives Canada, under the citation of Department of Veterans Affairs. Soldiers of the South African War, Land Grant Applications. Record Group 38 (vols. 117-136). Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.

Did you index yesterday?

The FamilySearch Indexing project yesterday had over 66,000 individuals who indexed at least one batch, and many did more than one batch of documents. Over 3 million records were indexed, and over 500,000 were arbitrated! That is a fantastic number.

And did you watch some or all of DearMYRTLE’s GeneaSleepOver Hangouts On Air on Google+ and archived at YouTube?

If you didn't watch, you can view the 24-hour session (divided into segments) at https://www.youtube.com/user/DearMYRTLE

So congratulation to everyone who indexed. It is not too late to start indexing today. Go to https://familysearch.org/indexing/.

There are plenty of Canadian records waiting to be indexed.

Canadian Week in Review 21 July 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.

History Week in Canada

In 1792, a royal proclamation divided Upper Canada into counties.

Go to the website of the Archives of Ontario at http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/maps/ontario-districts.aspx

Also, Brenda Dougall Merriman, in her 30th anniversary edition of Genealogy in Ontario: Searching the Records, has maps on pages 7-10 which shows the different political divisions in Ontario
===================================================

In 1880, Dr. Emily Howard Stowe became the first woman licensed to practise medicine in Canada. She graduated from the New York Medical College, because at the time, no Canadian medical college would accept a female student.

To read more about Dr. Stowe, go to http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/physicians/030002-2500-e.html
===================================================

In 1836, the first Canadian railway opened. The track of the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railway, which ran 24 kilometres between the St. Lawrence and Richelieu Rivers, was built of a wooden base and wooden rails covered with a protective metal strip.

To read more about the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railway, go to http://canadachannel.ca/HCO/index.php/1836_-_Canada's_First_Railway_- The_Champlain_and_St._Lawrence

===================================================

In 1874, the first Mennonites arrived in Quebec. They eventually settled in Manitoba.

To read more about this subject, go to http://www.mennonitegenealogy.com/canada/quebec/quebec7480.htm

Social Media 

OGS Conference Community

https://www.facebook.com/OntarioGenealogicalSocietyConference

To keep abreast of the developments of the OGS conference at Barrie in 2015, become a “friend” and keep informed.

The History Blog

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/31413

An archaeological team excavating the Newfoundland colony of Avalon has found a small copper crucifix from the early dates of the settlement in the 1600s.

The Empress of Ireland – a century after Canada’s 'Titanic' tragedy http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/The-Empress-of-Ireland---a-century-after-Canadas-Titanic-tragedy.html

There are photos of the Empress of Ireland – a very impressive story.

New tour focuses on city's haunted history

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/tour+focuses+city+haunted+history/10030651/story.html

There is a news story as well as a video on the city’s “haunted history”.

Newfoundland and Labrador

A dog indelibly part of our history

http://www.thetelegram.com/Living/2014-07-14/article-3799044/A-dog-indelibly-part-of-our-history/1

Read the history of the Newfoundland dog in the province’s development.

Nova Scotia

Fire upgrades part of work at site symbolizing Acadian deportation

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1223812-grand-pre-chapel-gets-new-protection\

The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. There has been preservation work going on since 2009 to the site. The chapel was built in 1930 to commemorate the deportation of the Acadians in 1755.

New exhibit tells story of Gaelic history, culture in N.S.
http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/new-exhibit-tells-story-of-gaelic-history-culture-in-n-s-1.1915540#ixzz37f1lv4o5

An exhibit has opened at the McCulloch House Museum and Heritage Centre. Here is interpretive panels in Gaelic and English which tells the story of the arrival of the Scottish Gaels in Nova Scotia, their language and culture.

COUNTERPOINT: Western Nova Scotia up to scratch

http://thechronicleherald.ca/letters/1223141-counterpoint-western-nova-scotia-up-to-scratch

A response has been written to the Halifax-Boston ferry that others have raised.

Prince Edward Island

Troupe that brings Sir John A. to life seeks sponsors

The future of the Confederation Players is unclear with P.E.I. 2014 funding close to an end
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/troupe-that-brings-sir-john-a-to-life-seeks-sponsors-1.2711882

Summer students bring the 1864 Charlottetown Conference to life every summer, but now its unclear if the program will continue because of cut backs to the funding. The players conduct paid walking tours.

New Brunswick

No stories this week.

Quebec

Bishop Deeley to lead pilgrimage to Quebec City
http://www.portlanddailysun.me/index.php/newsx/news-briefs/12470-bishop-deeley-to-lead-pilgrimage-to-quebec-city

There will be a pilgrimage from Maine to Quebec City to honour the 350th anniversary of Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral from Friday October 3rd through Sunday October 5th.

Ontario

Donated artifacts tell new stories in local history

http://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/News/2014-07-13/article-3798886/Donated-artifacts-tell-new-stories-in-local-history/1

Forty-one donors have given more than 2,000 artifacts, documents, photographs and postcards to the Cornwall Community Museum in the Wood House.

A snoop through closets past with two new books that offer smart takes on history’s fashion sense

http://life.nationalpost.com/2014/07/12/a-snoop-through-closets-past-with-two-new-books-that-offer-smart-takes-on-historys-fashion-sense/

These are two books to add to the library.

Van Doos make history at Buckingham Palace

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/07/14/van-doos-make-history-at-buckingham-palace

The Royal 22nd Regiment is standing guard at their posts at Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace respectively where they began six days guarding the British Royal Family, to the cheers of thousands of tourists thronging the capital.

History of Canadian Furniture

http://www.therecord.com/shopping-story/4631896-history-of-canadian-furniture/

Do you know that Kitchener (then known as Berlin) was the birthplace of Canadian furniture?

Is Hotel Waverly's lurid past keeping it from heritage designation?

'A sense of nostalgia...doesn’t necessarily warrant physical protection'

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/is-hotel-waverly-s-lurid-past-keeping-it-from-heritage-designation-1.2711343

The hotels does not meet the criteria for a heritage building, it was decided recently. The four storey hotel located in on Spadina Avenue close to the University of Toronto's downtown campus opened in 1900.

Remembering the Bloody Assize

http://www.chch.com/remembering-bloody-assize/
Did you know about this trail? I didn’t. It certainly tells of a time when we had a trial for high treason - 15 men were charged with espionage, and giving aid to the American enemy

Manitoba 

Showcasing the Natural and Cultural History of the East Beaches Area 

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2052316#ixzz37Xk3gqaE

Manitoba has given financial support to the Rural Municipality of St. Clements for the renovation of the Heritage Wing in the Grand Marais Community Central.

Saskatchewan

No stories this week.

Alberta

Bringing ghosts to Innisfail Historical Village
Author Johnnie Bachusky to make presentation for Chamber event at historical village 

http://www.innisfailprovince.ca/article/20140715/INN0801/307159968/-1/inn0801/bringing-ghosts-to-innisfail-historical-village

His books - Ghost Towns of Alberta, Ghost Towns of the Red Coat Trail, and Ghost Towns of British Columbia capture his solitary sojourns from British Columbia to Saskatchewan in pursuit of hamlets and hovels, long since abandoned by those who once called them home.

MacEwan University uncovers part of Edmonton’s railway history

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/MacEwan+University+uncovers+part+Edmonton+railway+history/10028262/story.html

The century-old Canadian Northern Railways turntable pit has been unearthed in preparation for the building of the university’s new centre for arts and culture. And it’s still intact.

Historic Barron Building will not get legal protection from province
Calgary Heritage Initiative Society says it was notified by Alberta's culture minister of decision

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/historic-barron-building-will-not-get-legal-protection-from-province-1.2709419

The Barron Building will not be getting legal protection from the province after all so the Calgary Heritage Initiative Society has been told.

British Columbia

No stories this week.

Story of the Week

The birthplace of Winnipeg - Upper Fort Garry will open in September

Governor Gate, a new entrance to Upper Fort Garry, will open in September. Backed by the Friends of Upper Fort Garry, the gate will transform the land around Upper Fort Garry, known as the birthplace of Manitoba. The land will turn into an heritage park and interpretive centre.

The fort was first erected in 1835 under orders from George Simpson, then-governor of the Hudson Bay Company. Upper Fort Garry served as the centre for trade in the West, and was the site of significant historic events, such as the development of Manitoba.

The Friends of Upper Fort Garry have a website that you can go to and view the blog at http://www.upperfortgarry.com/blog, videos at http://www.upperfortgarry.com/videos/, and get the story behind the building of the Governor Gate.

There is a Virtual Heritage Exhibit of the Upper Fort Garry at http://www.virtual.heritagewinnipeg.com/vignettes/vignettes_128W.htm, as well as a timeline and photos at http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/upperfortgarry.shtml

And if you are interested in the history of upper Fort Garry, there is a historical summary online at  http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6939

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 July 28, 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 up-to-date news items covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles.

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

If you missed least week's edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/07/canadian-week-in-review-14-july-2014.html

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

Societies - are they changing?

Genealogical societies in Canada are going through a change of sorts, because a number of societies are asking their members to attend special meetings so that they can discuss and vote on new bylaws, and other pressing matter which affect their societies.

The Ontario Genealogical Society went through this last year, and I think we have a renewed vigor and a vision for the future. I think these new bylaws will see us through the coming years.

As reported on GenealogyCanada on July 10th, the Quebec Family History Society at www.qfhs.ca will hold a special meeting on September 13, 2014 for approval to obtain a Certificate of Continuance, a document that grants the organization continuance as a federally incorporated not-for-profit society. 

They have asked their members to be prepared to discuss possible changes to its constitution, and the members are asked to submit written recommendations for changes to the bylaws, which, by the way, were written in 1992! The deadline for these submissions is August 13th.

The link to the full story is http://genealogyensemble.wordpress.com 

And now, we hear that the Alberta Family History Society is going to have a special meeting on the 8th of September at 7 o’clock at the River Park Church, 3818 14 A Street SW, Calgary, Alberta to discuss bylaws. 

They has put the proposed changes on their website at http://www.afhs.ab.ca/docs/bylaw-changes-explanation.pdf, and the proposed new by-laws can be read at http://www.afhs.ab.ca/docs/proposed-bylaws-2014.pdf 

I know that bylaws can be a very boring subject to many, but it is a necessary part of doing business, and every so often, they have to be upgraded to meet with the changing times.

So read them over, and then be prepared to discuss the changes so that your society can meet the demands of the future.

FamilySearch Indexing Project is waiting for you!

Are you ready? 

FamilySearch would like to have 50,000 indexers and arbitrators to submit at least one batch in a 24-hour period! Do more if you would like, but one batch is all that is required to be counted in the record!

The record-setting begins at 00:00 coordinated universal time (UTC) on July 21, which is 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (MDT or Utah time) on Sunday, July 20. It ends 24 hours later, at 23:59 UTC (or 5:59 p.m. MDT) on Monday, July 21. 

Check the FamilySearch Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/722157871184202/ for your local start time and status updates.

Here are the statistics on indexing Canadian projects - 

• There are 67,802 current volunteers 
• There are 15 current projects
• There are 7,832 Images awaiting arbitration 
•  There have been 787,408 Canada records contributed 

Some of the project that still need indexing are –

• British Columbia Marriages 1937
• Newfoundland Vital Records 1840-1949
• Prince Edward Island 1721-1905

Plan now to get involved and add your name to the record-setting event!

The Canadian projects are at https://familysearch.org/indexing/projects/country/ca  

Archives is asking for your help

The Flamborough Heritage Society & Archives, is one of the largest and most active, local heritage groups and archives in Ontario. It is located in the former Wentworth County which was in the city of Hamilton in southwestern Ontario.  

And they are working on three projects -

• The first project is a planned book on the history behind the names of communities that exist, or did exist at one time, in Flamborough
• The second project is a compilation of the businesses in Flamborough, with an emphasis on Waterdown, from around 1850 onwards 
• The third project is an inventory of street names in Waterdown, and the history behind the name

They would like to receive any material which would help with this research - photos, stories, advertisements or flyers etc. They can scan the original photos, or you can send in scanned photos, or documents to flamarch@hpl.ca, or you can phone them for details at 905. 540.5161.

The website is at http://www.wefhs.myhamilton.ca/

Drouin Collection – Quebec Records

The people at the Drouin Collection have put together a 16-page user guide and it’s free to everyone. 

It is divided according to the time periods - 17th century to the 21st century, as well as baptisms/births, marriages, deaths. There is even a 250,000 postcard collection from the personal collection of Jean-Pierre Pepin that covers the years from 1980 and 2002! 

There are also collections from the United States and Canada (outside of Quebec), and they have hundreds of genealogies, and it includes Protestant baptisms/births, marriages, deaths, as well.

The finding aid is here https://www.genealogiequebec.com/documents/keywords.pdf

This is a subscription site, and it is bilingual – French/English. 

Go to https://www.genealogiequebec.com

There is a winner!

The winner of the Canada Day Brick Wall Contest is contestant number 12. Congratulations, Susan!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest. 

The next contest will be held during Canada's Veterans Week from November 5th to the 11th.

Canadian Week in Review 14 July 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

New websites to help families find graves of first world war dead
Commonwealth War Graves Commission puts 300,000 original documents online for public viewing for the first time
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/08/websites-help-families-graves-relatives-killed-first-world-war

History Week in Canada

In 1978, Alfredo Bessette of Montreal, known as Brother André, was declared venerable in a decree approved by the Pope. In Feb. 2010, he became modern-day Canada's first saint, with the formal canonization held on Oct. 17th in Rome.
To read more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Bessette
===================================================

In 1989, CN Rail was allowed to abandon Prince Edward Island's only rail service.
To read about the history ot trains on PEI, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward_Island_Railway

===================================================

On 12 July 1920, author and historian Pierre Berton was born in Whitehorse. He died on Nov. 30, 2004. Ten years later, on 12 July 1930, actor Gordon Pinsent was born in Grand Falls, Newfoundland. 

To read about Pierre Burton, go to http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/pierre-berton/, and to read about Gordon Pinsent, go to http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gordon-pinsent/

Social Media

Former farmland now urban wetland
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Former+farmland+urban+wetland/10015776/story.html
A video shows Hyde Park, a 123-acre wetland park in the Rosewood part of Saskatoon. that has been reclaimed from farmland that once was farmed by Orville and Hermine Hyde.

Video: SNTC's artistic history

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Video+SNTC+artistic+history/10022670/story.html

A video shows the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company has produced an artistic retelling of the history of Saskatchewan.

No gimmicks needed to travel back in time to the first Calgary Stampede
http://www.camrosecanadian.com/2014/07/11/no-gimmicks-needed-to-travel-back-in-time-to-the-first-stampede

In the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, you can take a trip back in time to the first Stampede by listening to Christine Leppard shares the history of the Calgary Stampede as its historical specialist. She is appearing in the Quirk Cabin, the 1886 home of pioneers John and Mary Quirk, located in Weadickville, Alberta.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Tunnel vision: What's with the underground discovery at Bannerman Park?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/tunnel-vision-what-s-with-the-underground-discovery-at-bannerman-park-1.2704461
Was this a water drain or something else that has been discovered beneath Bannerman Park in St John’s?

Celebrating the wooden boat
http://www.nlnewsnow.com/News/Local/2014-07-08/article-3791540/Celebrating-the-wooden-boat/1
The Trinity Historical Society and the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador are putting together new exhibits to mark Trinity Historical Society’s 50th Anniversary. It is called Before Fiberglass: Wooden Boats of Newfoundland and Labrador, and it will include workshops.

French photographers seek N.L. WWI connections for project

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/french-photographers-seek-n-l-wwi-connections-for-project-1.2699024

Read how Eric Ecolan and Mathieu Drouet got together to visit Newfoundland to gather information about the soldier who fought in the First Woirld war in France, especially in two battles - Monchy-le-Preux and Beaumont Hamel.

Nova Scotia

Halifax, Nova Scotia: Bluenose Sidecar Tours
Tours provide a unique window on the significant episodes in the city’s life http://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2014/07/11/halifax_nova_scotia_bluenose_sidecar_tours.html
Isn’t this a neat idea? Is there anyone else doing this?

You can now fire a cannon at Fortress Louisbourg
All visitors can learn about 18th century French artillery science and fire away http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/you-can-now-fire-a-cannon-at-fortress-louisbourg-1.2700322
Another neat idea! For $38.80 fee, you can shot a cannon at Fortress Louisbourg this summer. 

You can book your opportunity online at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/activ/activ9/canon-cannon.aspx 

Maxine Cochran, Nova Scotia’s first female cabinet minister, dies
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1221415-maxine-cochran-nova-scotia-s-first-female-cabinet-minister-dies
She first served in 1984 after the death of her husband, Bruce. She was re-elected later that year in a general election and went on to hold a number of portfolios, including transportation, consumer affairs, and culture, recreation and fitness. 

Nova Scotia Revealed film crew visit Ship Hector
http://www.trurodaily.com/News/Local/2014-07-10/article-3793959/Nova-Scotia-Revealed-film-crew-visit-Ship-Hector/1
Clerisy Entertainment, a production company based out of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is in Pictou to explore the Hector Heritage Quay.

History comes to life at Iona's Highland Village

http://www.capebretonpost.com/section/2014-07-09/article-3793155/History-comes-to-life-at-Ionas-Highland-Village/1
The Highland Village brings to life nearly two centuries of the Nova Scotia Gaelic story. 

‘The most famous pipes in Canadian history’ come home to Scotland http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/scotland/the-most-famous-pipes-in-canadian-history-come-home-to-scotland-1.462726

Read the story about the Scottish pipes that were rescued at the Somme in 1916 in the First World War.

Prince Edward Island

Ellerslie student in the running in Young Citizens video contest
You can see who has won the Young Citizens video contest by going to http://www.canadahistory.com website. Voting stopped July the 11th.

New Brunswick

Sackville author publishes three books on local history

http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/Living/2014-07-09/article-3793500/Sackville-author-publishes-three-books-on-local-history/1

Eugene Goodrich, Professor Emeritus (History), Mount Allison University, in association with the Westmorland Historical Society, has completed three works on aspects of the Tantramar region and southeastern New Brunswick. 

NB Museum gets extra $300K, and maybe a new home
Request for proposals for construction or renovation of Market Square location to be issued this month
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-museum-gets-extra-300k-and-maybe-a-new-home-1.2704046

There are changes coming to the The New Brunswick Museum – all for the better. 

Quebec

Lac-Mégantic vigil marks a solemn anniversary
http://www.montrealgazette.com/a9gantic+vigil+marks+solemn+anniversary/10005365/story.html 

A very moving story of Lac-Mégantic a year after the explosion and fire of the train explosion that hit the town on July 6th. 

200-year-old Quebec convent closing its doors; 19 nuns told to leave
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/200-year-old-quebec-convent-closing-its-doors-19-nuns-told-to-leave-1.1906664#ixzz373qjIVU3 

The Notre-Dame-du-Vieux located in Pointe-Claire will close its doors in December, and 19 nuns will have to find other accommodation. 

Ontario

'Camp X' unearths Canadian roots of CIA
http://www.therecord.com/whatson-story/4627491--camp-x-unearths-canadian-roots-of-cia
History Channel documentary "Camp X: Secret Agent School," tells the story of an unlikely training ground for Canadian, British and American Second World War spies — some of whom went on to become the founding members of the CIA.

Watch 'Speakers for the Dead' - 50-Minute Documentary on *Hidden* History of Blacks in Canada
http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/watch-speakers-for-the-dead-50-minute-documentary-on-hidden-history-of-blacks-in-canada-20140707

"Speakers for the Dead," which reveals some of the *forgotten* history of Blacks in Canada - specifically, the original black settlers of Priceville, Ontario, Canada, who've been there for centuries, and whose long-time presence and contributions have been mostly ignored. 

To view the documentary, go to http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/watch-documentary-short-from-the-heart-of-black-nova-scotia-20140703

Manitoba

No stories this week. 

Saskatchewan

No stories this week. 

Alberta

Alberta wants to change 'Wild Rose Country' to alberta.ca on licence plates

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-wants-to-change-wild-rose-country-to-alberta-ca-on-licence-plates-1.1910619#ixzz37GXpPNZ2
Read about the reaction to eliminate “Wild Rose Country” and replace it with “alberta.ca” – the government’s website address.

British Columbia

Heritage home could serve as agricultural interpetive centre
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/heritage-home-could-serve-as-agricultural-interpetive-centre-1.1202260#sthash.WL3LA8FB.dpuf
The Kittson house could become an agricultural interpetive centre if everythinbg turns out right.

Story of the Week

Here is a fun thing to do – vote for your favourite Canadian city.

Canada, because of its size and diversity, has lots of favourite places, and one of my favourite places is – Quebec City.

I first went to Quebec City with my parents in the 1980s for a short one day visit, and two years later, I went back to the city on my honeymoon. We had taken a trip through Maine, up the Canada Highway (where so many French-Canadians had gone down to the United States for work at the turn of the 20th century), through the Beauce – and it was beautiful beyond words.

We have returned there many time that first visit, and it is the most captivating city I have ever seen - especially in the wintertime – it’s beautiful. There is something about being there in all of the seasons that is like no other place I have ever been to in Canada. And besides - my husband is from there!

So now that your know my pick, vote for your favourite city at 

http://www.yareah.com/2014/07/06/quebec-winnipeg-toronto-victoria-vote-favorite-city-canada

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 July 21, 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 latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles.

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

If you missed least week's edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/07/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-07-july-2014.html 

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

Call for Presenters: OGS Conference 2015 – “Tracks Through Time”

The Ontario Genealogical Society will host the Society’s annual conference on 29-31 May 2015 at Georgian College Campus, Barrie, ON, Canada. The conference theme — Tracks through Time – originates from the 130th Anniversary of the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway across Canada.

Many family historians have their roots in the immigrant laborers who built this railway across our vast country. Other ancestors were tempted by the transportation routes and migration opportunities allowed by its completion. Still others worked for the railway company itself over the years to follow. As researchers, we track our family history through time in many ways, always attempting to ensure we are tracking the right people from the right line. The variations on Tracks through Time are endless. 

The subject of presentations should preferably fall within one of the following categories:

1.Impact of the development of the railway in Canada
2. Tracking various cultural and ethnic ancestor groups to and within Canada (e.g., Aboriginal, African American, Chinese, Scandinavian, Quaker, Polish, Jewish, etc.)
3. Tracking ancestors through various record groups (land, company, religious, civil, etc.)
4. Tracking the right people (sorting out same-name research, One-Name Studies, etc.)
5. Technological advancements in tracking our ancestors

Saturday and Sunday lectures will be one hour long, including time for questions. Friday workshops offering a more in-depth exploration should be 2.5 to 3 hours in length, including time for questions. Consideration will also be given to distance presentations – “streamed in” from a presenter’s location and/or “streamed out” to a distance audience.

Each one-page proposal should include:

Presentation Title

Abstract – no more than 200 words

Presentation Description – one or two sentences for program brochure• Full Contact Information – name, postal address, telephone number, e-mail address, and website (if applicable)

Brief Biography

Target Audience – beginner, intermediate or advanced level family historians; general or specialist audience.

If your proposal is accepted, you will be requested to provide a 2- to 4-page summary of your lecture or workshop for our Conference Syllabus. This may include a brief overview, references and web addresses mentioned, sample screen shots, etc. It will be submitted electronically no later than 1 March 2015 as a word processing file or in rich text for ease of formatting our Program Syllabus. Speakers should also bear in mind that PowerPoint presentations must be clearly readable from a minimum distance of 20 metres/65 feet and should employ fonts no smaller than 32 points.

Please include your approximate travel costs, economy class, to Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Remuneration will normally include reimbursement of transportation expenses, free conference registration, free accommodation, meals on the day(s) of your talk(s), free social activities, plus honorarium. Workshop fees may be negotiated.

Contact Info: Conference 2015 website: http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/

Email address: program.conference@ogs.on.ca

The deadline is 12 September 2014 

LAC: Soundex - How to find spelling variations of a surname

The Library and Archives Canada explains how to use the JOS Soundex code to find information on names that are difficult to find because of the way that they are spelled. 

They say that “Many American archival records have been indexed using this system. It’s a way to search surnames while ignoring minor differences in spelling. The code uses the first letter of the surname, followed by three numbers associated with the sound of the name. 

Letters of the alphabet are assigned a number (0 to 9). Vowels (A, E, I, O, U and Y) and the letters H and W are not considered. Also, if the same letter occurs twice in a row in the name, it is counted only once (e.g., Lloyd becomes Loyd). If there are fewer than 3 letters in the name, 0 is used for the last digit.” 

To help you identify different spellings of surnames, we suggest that you use the following Soundex indexing site: Avotaynu Consolidated Jewish Surname Index at http://www.avotaynu.com/csi/csi-home.htm. It can also be used for non-Jewish surnames. To help you identify the Soundex code, you can use the JOS Soundex calculator found at http://www.jewishgen.org/JOS/jossound.htm.

So, speaking of ways to make genealogy research easier for you, have you entered the Canada Day Brick Wall Contest? This is the second year that I have had the contest and it closes at 6:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday, July 15th.

You can go to the website and get the details http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/07/happy-canada-day.html and get the details.

GOOD LUCK!  

Special Meeting - QFHS Society

This office received a link to an article on the Genealogy Ensemble blog by Janice Hamilton to tell us about a special meeting of members of the Quebec Family History Society (QFHS) to be held this fall.

In part, the message says “The QFHS will hold a special general meeting of its members on September 13, 2014 for approval to obtain a Certificate of Continuance, a document that grants the organization continuance as a federally incorporated not-for-profit society.

Also on the meeting agenda is a discussion of possible future changes to its constitution. Members have been invited to submit written recommendations for changes to the bylaws, which were written in 1992. The deadline for these submissions is August 13.”

The link to the full story is http://genealogyensemble.wordpress.com