Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 04 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 

Queen's Plate 

In 1860, the inaugural Queen's Plate was run near Toronto, and was won by "Don Juan." 

The Queen's Plate is the oldest uninterrupted stakes race in North America, having been stated by Sir Casimir Gzowski and Thomas Patteson who, on April 1, 1859, from the Toronto Turf Club, petitioned Queen Victoria to grant a Plate for a race in Ontario … and the Queen's Plate was born! 


Social Media 

(Video) N.L. library closures suspended until review completed 


Newfoundland and Labrador's education minister says he has requested a suspension of the decision to restructure the public library system. 

(Photos) Pictou Academy: Iconic institute remembered for historic presence in Nova Scotia 


One hundred years ago, Pictou Academy was the Crown jewel in the Scottish tradition of Nova Scotia education. 

From Aug. 27-29, 1916, the Town of Pictou rolled out the red carpet for a grand commemoration in honour of the Academy, one of the province’s leading and most influential school institutions 

(Video) Liam, Olivia remain top choices for Alberta baby names as boom continues 


Alberta’s classrooms will be filled with girls named Olivia and boys named Liam if current trends continue  

(Video) Secrets in the attic? Searching for the gallows from Halifax's hanging past 


Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of the House of Commons vote to abolish the death penalty in Canada. 

The final execution in Halifax took place in 1935. Daniel Sampson was arrested and charged with the murder of two young brothers who had been beaten to death near what's now the Armdale Rotary. 

Newspaper Articles

Newfoundland and Labrador

A poignant return to Beaumont-Hamel 


July 1, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel. Coinciding with Canada’s national birthday, July 1 represents one of the bleakest days in Newfoundland and Labrador’s history. 

Nova Scotia 

Seawall Trail project in Cape Breton gains support 


The people behind the concept of developing a 50- to 100-kilometre trail in northern Cape Breton have taken a big step towards realizing that goal. 

The Seawall Trail Society was formed in 2014 to explore the idea of creating a wilderness path that would connect Pleasant Bay with Meat Cove. 

History: June 27, 1854-The Canadian inventor who saved the whales 


Some 160 years ago, whales were being actively slaughtered by the thousands in the quest for things like their baleen, used in women’s garments, and for things like fishing rods, umbrella stays, buggy whips, etc. but especially sought after was their “oil”. Around 1850, there were over 700 whaling ships in the US alone. 

100th anniversary of No.2 Construction Battalion 


Why are we commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the No.2 Construction Battalion (Bn)? What is this Bn? For I have never heard of it. Well, let me tell you why, as well as provide some context as to why we are all commemorating and celebrating this unique Unit that is a part of our rich Canadian military history. 

Grande-Anse re-opens museum with new cultural theme 


A museum in Grande-Anse has reopened with a new name and a new theme a year after its transition began. 

The Founding Cultures Museum has replaced the former Popes' Museum that was closed in 2015 after 30 years of operation 

Prince Edward Island 

Canada Day in Ireland: County Monaghan celebrates ties to P.E.I. 


We all know Islanders are big on their St. Patrick's Day celebrations — and now a county in Ireland is drawing on shared connections with P.E.I. and preparing to celebrate Canada Day. 

Ontario  

12,000-Year-Old Campsite and Hundreds of Artifacts Unearthed in Canada 


First Nations archaeologists in New Brunswick, Canada, are unearthing hundreds of artifacts and exposing a campsite where their distant ancestors lived about 12,000 years ago. It is one of the earliest sites in eastern North America, occupied not long after the glaciers started to recede northward. 

Waving flags: Sudbury's Bridge of Nations gets new additions 


Seven new flags will be raised along Sudbury's Bridge of Nations today, representing the heritage of people in the Nickel City from Barbados, Burundi, Egypt, Indonesia, Tunisia and Nepal and Palestine. 

Manitoba 

New park commemorates St. Norbert’s Métis history 


The legacy of one of Manitoba’s early Métis families has been recognized with a new park in St. Norbert. 

On June 16, a newly minted greenspace on the east side of Pembina Highway at Grandmont Boulevard was named Parc Charette Park after the Charette family. 

Stitching their place in history 

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/lance/Stitching-their-place-in-history-384551551.html

A number of Winnipeggers have played their part in the creation of a historic tapestry. 

The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry is currently on tour from Scotland and will be on display on the main floor at the legislative building daily until July 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. 

British Columbia 

Evidence Found Supporting the Oral History of Indigenous Tribe 
An archaeological dig, which was started after workers on a construction project at Kamloops Lake in British Columbia, Canada, uncovered evidence of an indigenous settlement; has unearthed evidence supporting the Skeetchestn Indian band’s oral history regarding a pre-contact settlement that was located on the lake hundreds of years ago. 

North 

Order of the N.W.T. welcomes 4 new members 


The Order of the Northwest Territories welcomed its four newest members Thursday in Yellowknife, as Nellie Cournoyea, Jan Stirling, Anthony Whitford and Marie Wilson received the territory's highest honour. 

Eskasoni celebrates 25th powwow that 'revived who we are' 


This weekend is not only celebrating Canada Day but it's also an extremely important holiday in the Eskasoni First Nation. 

The community will be celebrating its 25th annual powwow, the largest in Atlantic Canada. This anniversary year will honour the powwow's founding elders, like Georgina Doucette. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Archives of Ontario 

The Archives of Ontario (AO) had two new events to mark July – they have started a Facebook page and have a new online exhibit called the Meet the Browns: A Confederation Family. 


The Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/ArchivesOntario/, and so far, so good. They are putting on good and interesting stories and photos about Ontario, and hopefully, they will continue. 


Anniversary Celebration

This is a shortened Canadian Week in Review because my husband and myself had an anniversary weekend in the city of Ottawa, and no time was left for the Canadian Week in Review. 

Through the thunderstorm and downpours of rain, we stuck through Canada Day on July 1st but then spent a beautiful Saturday in the Byward Market meeting different people, and enjoying the music that was everywhere. 

I thank Mario for a really cool weekend, and now we look towards Canada's birthday next year, when we will also celebrate our 30th anniversary on July 4th! It's all good! 

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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Monday, July 4, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 04 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 

Queen's Plate 

In 1860, the inaugural Queen's Plate was run near Toronto, and was won by "Don Juan." 

The Queen's Plate is the oldest uninterrupted stakes race in North America, having been stated by Sir Casimir Gzowski and Thomas Patteson who, on April 1, 1859, from the Toronto Turf Club, petitioned Queen Victoria to grant a Plate for a race in Ontario … and the Queen's Plate was born! 


Social Media 

(Video) N.L. library closures suspended until review completed 


Newfoundland and Labrador's education minister says he has requested a suspension of the decision to restructure the public library system. 

(Photos) Pictou Academy: Iconic institute remembered for historic presence in Nova Scotia 


One hundred years ago, Pictou Academy was the Crown jewel in the Scottish tradition of Nova Scotia education. 

From Aug. 27-29, 1916, the Town of Pictou rolled out the red carpet for a grand commemoration in honour of the Academy, one of the province’s leading and most influential school institutions 

(Video) Liam, Olivia remain top choices for Alberta baby names as boom continues 


Alberta’s classrooms will be filled with girls named Olivia and boys named Liam if current trends continue  

(Video) Secrets in the attic? Searching for the gallows from Halifax's hanging past 


Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of the House of Commons vote to abolish the death penalty in Canada. 

The final execution in Halifax took place in 1935. Daniel Sampson was arrested and charged with the murder of two young brothers who had been beaten to death near what's now the Armdale Rotary. 

Newspaper Articles

Newfoundland and Labrador

A poignant return to Beaumont-Hamel 


July 1, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel. Coinciding with Canada’s national birthday, July 1 represents one of the bleakest days in Newfoundland and Labrador’s history. 

Nova Scotia 

Seawall Trail project in Cape Breton gains support 


The people behind the concept of developing a 50- to 100-kilometre trail in northern Cape Breton have taken a big step towards realizing that goal. 

The Seawall Trail Society was formed in 2014 to explore the idea of creating a wilderness path that would connect Pleasant Bay with Meat Cove. 

History: June 27, 1854-The Canadian inventor who saved the whales 


Some 160 years ago, whales were being actively slaughtered by the thousands in the quest for things like their baleen, used in women’s garments, and for things like fishing rods, umbrella stays, buggy whips, etc. but especially sought after was their “oil”. Around 1850, there were over 700 whaling ships in the US alone. 

100th anniversary of No.2 Construction Battalion 


Why are we commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the No.2 Construction Battalion (Bn)? What is this Bn? For I have never heard of it. Well, let me tell you why, as well as provide some context as to why we are all commemorating and celebrating this unique Unit that is a part of our rich Canadian military history. 

Grande-Anse re-opens museum with new cultural theme 


A museum in Grande-Anse has reopened with a new name and a new theme a year after its transition began. 

The Founding Cultures Museum has replaced the former Popes' Museum that was closed in 2015 after 30 years of operation 

Prince Edward Island 

Canada Day in Ireland: County Monaghan celebrates ties to P.E.I. 


We all know Islanders are big on their St. Patrick's Day celebrations — and now a county in Ireland is drawing on shared connections with P.E.I. and preparing to celebrate Canada Day. 

Ontario  

12,000-Year-Old Campsite and Hundreds of Artifacts Unearthed in Canada 


First Nations archaeologists in New Brunswick, Canada, are unearthing hundreds of artifacts and exposing a campsite where their distant ancestors lived about 12,000 years ago. It is one of the earliest sites in eastern North America, occupied not long after the glaciers started to recede northward. 

Waving flags: Sudbury's Bridge of Nations gets new additions 


Seven new flags will be raised along Sudbury's Bridge of Nations today, representing the heritage of people in the Nickel City from Barbados, Burundi, Egypt, Indonesia, Tunisia and Nepal and Palestine. 

Manitoba 

New park commemorates St. Norbert’s Métis history 


The legacy of one of Manitoba’s early Métis families has been recognized with a new park in St. Norbert. 

On June 16, a newly minted greenspace on the east side of Pembina Highway at Grandmont Boulevard was named Parc Charette Park after the Charette family. 

Stitching their place in history 

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/lance/Stitching-their-place-in-history-384551551.html

A number of Winnipeggers have played their part in the creation of a historic tapestry. 

The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry is currently on tour from Scotland and will be on display on the main floor at the legislative building daily until July 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. 

British Columbia 

Evidence Found Supporting the Oral History of Indigenous Tribe 
An archaeological dig, which was started after workers on a construction project at Kamloops Lake in British Columbia, Canada, uncovered evidence of an indigenous settlement; has unearthed evidence supporting the Skeetchestn Indian band’s oral history regarding a pre-contact settlement that was located on the lake hundreds of years ago. 

North 

Order of the N.W.T. welcomes 4 new members 


The Order of the Northwest Territories welcomed its four newest members Thursday in Yellowknife, as Nellie Cournoyea, Jan Stirling, Anthony Whitford and Marie Wilson received the territory's highest honour. 

Eskasoni celebrates 25th powwow that 'revived who we are' 


This weekend is not only celebrating Canada Day but it's also an extremely important holiday in the Eskasoni First Nation. 

The community will be celebrating its 25th annual powwow, the largest in Atlantic Canada. This anniversary year will honour the powwow's founding elders, like Georgina Doucette. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Archives of Ontario 

The Archives of Ontario (AO) had two new events to mark July – they have started a Facebook page and have a new online exhibit called the Meet the Browns: A Confederation Family. 


The Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/ArchivesOntario/, and so far, so good. They are putting on good and interesting stories and photos about Ontario, and hopefully, they will continue. 


Anniversary Celebration

This is a shortened Canadian Week in Review because my husband and myself had an anniversary weekend in the city of Ottawa, and no time was left for the Canadian Week in Review. 

Through the thunderstorm and downpours of rain, we stuck through Canada Day on July 1st but then spent a beautiful Saturday in the Byward Market meeting different people, and enjoying the music that was everywhere. 

I thank Mario for a really cool weekend, and now we look towards Canada's birthday next year, when we will also celebrate our 30th anniversary on July 4th! It's all good!

Happy 4th of July


And speaking of anniversaries, last but certainly not least, a big "Happy 4th of July!" shout-out to our American friends, neighbours, and fellow genealogists.

Here's to wishing you and yours all the best on your special day!

(I have many happy memories of  visiting family in the Boston States ...)


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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Friday, July 1, 2016

Happy Canada Day!!!



Next year will be the 150th birthday of Canada, and we will all celebrate it in our own way, but celebrate we will. Are you starting to plan your Canadian vacation for next year? There are so many places we can choose from - each province has its own historical significance.

One thing we can think about attending now are the genealogical and historical conferences that will be held in 2016. Be sure to keep your eyes open for them!

So happy birthday to us, and we will see you next year as you travel across our country!
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Monday, June 27, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 27 June 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 

O Canada 
In 1880, “O Canada,” the future Canadian national anthem, was first performed in Quebec City, Quebec. The music had been written in 1880 for St-Jean-Baptist Day, and the lyrics were originally in French, and English version was created in 1906. 

Canada kept the British anthem until 1967, when it was adopted as the national anthem. 

To read more about the anthem, go to http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/o-canada/ 


Social Media 

(Audio) The battle of Vimy- continued in Montreal 


A small greenspace in Montreal, Parc de Vimy (Vimy Park) has become a national issue as city council plans to rename the space after controversial politician Jacques Parizeau 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Letter: Give the Beothucks their day 


One of our Province’s statutory holidays is Discovery Day (June 24). It is a commemoration of John’s Cabot’s “discovery” of Newfoundland in 1497. The claim that Cabot discovered this island is problematic. There is no clear documented evidence that he actually came here and even if he did, he was far from the first. 

Prince Edward Island 

P.E.I. museum launches WWI exhibit 


P.E.I.'s Regiment Museum launched a new exhibit in Charlottetown on Saturday. 

The exhibit, called Rally Round the Flag — PEI and the Great War, features photos, artifacts and stories from all the units that served overseas, including nurses, navy and the air force. 

New tourism website maps out culture trail for Island visitors 

Visitors to the Island can better plan their experiences with the help of a new website from PEI Arts and Heritage Trail. 


Nova Scotia 

Monument honouring women a first for Halifax: 'This is a big deal' 


Of the 280 statues in Halifax, fewer than a dozen show women — and virtually all of them are mythical figures, such as fairies and nymphs.That is about to change: A project to recognize the contribution to Canada of real women took a leap forward on Friday 

Polish Church to reopen Sunday 


St. Mary's Polish Church in Whitney Pier, Cape Breton, has risen from the ashes following a spectacular fire that burned the 100-year-old building to the ground in November 2014. 

The doors of the newly rebuilt church will reopen to the community during an open house on Sunday 

New Brunswick 

Sisters meet for first time at Fredericton Airport 


"You're just like me!" exclaimed Sharon Rein, as she and her sister Sharon Dennis held each other for the first time. 

It was an airport moment 56 years in the making. 

With the help of an amateur genealogist and a Facebook group, the biological sisters — who share a first name — spoke on the phone for the first time earlier this year. 

Campsite dating back 12,000 years unearthed by Route 8 


Archaeologists say a campsite unearthed just metres from a new highway in Fredericton could be more than 12,000 years old. 
                                                                 
The campsite includes a fire pit, which was determined by the presence of charcoal. 

Quebec 

Quebec National Assembly to get a $60-million makeover 


The historic monument, designed by Eugène-Étienne Taché in the 1800s, is getting an unprecedented $60.5 million makeover. 

The project is ambitious: to build a 3,800-square-metre underground reception pavilion, just outside the main building, and expand facilities underneath the inner courtyard. Two additional parliamentary committee rooms are being built. 

Ontario 

Canadian shipwrecks on display at the Peterborough Museum and Archives 


An exhibition of shipwrecks has landed at the Peterborough Museum and Archives until September, giving the community the chance to learn the tragic stories of vessels of all sizes, torn apart in Canadian waters. 

CN Tower at 40: Still a magnet for Toronto photographers 


Look up. Look way up — 553.33 metres up to be exact, the crown jewel of Toronto's skyline. 

For a while there, it was the world's tallest freestanding structure and tallest tower. 

Tory MP calls on government to apologize for St. Louis 


An Alberta opposition MP is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to formally apologize on behalf of the government of Canada for turning away Jewish refugees on board the ocean liner St. Louis in 1939. 

Smiths Falls, Ont., funeral business dissolves the dead into the town's sewers 


Waterworks officials in Smiths Falls, Ont., are monitoring a funeral company that's become the first in Ontario to use an alkaline solution to dissolve the bodies of the dead — and then drain the leftover coffee-coloured effluents into the town's sewer system. 

Island has unique heritage 


About 35 kilometres southwest of Kingston in Lake Ontario, the island was out of view of the prying eyes of prohibition authorities. "It is almost directly north of the city of Oswego, making it an ideal spot for smugglers," said C.W. Hunt in Booze, Boats, and Billions: Smuggling Liquid Gold (McClelland and Stewart, Toronto 1988). "It was here that the rum-runners would lay over, waiting for darkness or better weather before making their dash for the American shore." 

Ajax seeks historic designation for munitions plant 


The Town is seeking a historic designation for the former Defence Industries Limited (DIL) munitions plant. 

Ajax is applying for a National Historic Event, though the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC). 

Three students compete at Ontario Provincial Heritage Fair 


Winners from the recent Kenjgewin Teg Regional Heritage Fair, representing two Manitoulin area schools, travelled to the University of Toronto recently to share their projects at the provincial level. 

Manitoba 

Street names tell stories of neighbourhood 


Names on the doorways of museums or universities often tell who has donated money or supplies to the institution. On street signs, names tell a different story. 

Manitoba celebrates National Aboriginal Day 


For the 20th year in a row, Manitoba is celebrating National Aboriginal Day with festivities throughout the province that honour the culture, heritage and achievements of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

British Columbia 

B.C. demands return of First Nations artifacts 


The province is calling on museums and institutions from around the world to give back artifacts and 'treasures' from British Columbia First Nations. 

Over hundreds of years, items including grave goods, ceremonial regalia, masks and pieces of arts have found their way out of B.C. and into museums and private collections around the world. 

Aboriginal 

Why is First Nations oral history embracing voice, video and paper? 


For centuries, First Nations people recounted the cultures’ histories orally. With decreasing use of traditional languages, the art of oral history is looking to film, audio and paper methods to pass the history on to younger generations. 

North 

New Heritage Minute explores dark history of Indian residential schools 


Making its premiere on National Aboriginal Day, Historica Canada's newest Heritage Minute explores the dark history of Indian residential schools and their lasting effects on Indigenous people. 

Goodbye Great Slave Lake? Movement to decolonize N.W.T. maps is growing 


Behind every name there is a history that moulds a collective consciousness, a narrative that transcends time and ties people to the land and for many, to their ancestors. 

WW I hero Francis Pegahmagabow given Aboriginal Day honour 


His Ojibway name was Binaaswi, translating roughly to "the wind that blows off." 

How apposite it is, then, that a hard wind was blowing off the choppy waters of Ontario's Georgian Bay when the most decorated Indigenous soldier in Canada's history was finally given an honour befitting his story. 

History largely remembers him as Corp. Francis Pegahmagabow — the deadliest sniper and scout of the First World War, credited with 378 kills and 300 captures. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Users give Library and Archives Canada low marks for public access to collection 

I don't entirely agree with this survey, and the reason I don't agree is that I think the service has improved. It got so bad a couple of years ago, you felt the negative vibes as soon as you would walk in there. But now, the attitude is a lot brighter, and you feel happier when you walk into there – it's all better. 

So to read that people still feel there isn't enough public access, I don't think I agree with that. True, I think they could do a better job on the microfilm that has been digitized and put on Heritage.com, like further explanation, but it can still be worked with – even though it could stand more publicity. 


DPLA and FamilySearch Partner to Expand Access to Digitized Historic Books Online 

FamilySearch International is on the move again – they have partnered with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), “the largest genealogy organization in the world, have signed an agreement that will expand access to FamilySearch.org’s growing free digital historical book collection”. 

They also say that “this new partnership, DPLA will incorporate metadata from FamilySearch.org’s online digital book collection that will make more than 200,000 family history books discoverable through DPLA’s search portal later this year. From DPLA, users will be able to access the free, fully viewable digital books on FamilySearch.org”.  

And don't forget, check them often to see the latest books which have been advertised. 


And Ancestry.ca has put on the Canada Homestead Grant Registers, 1892-1930.
They have put the register books online ONLY, not the actual land grant. The archives still has the index and you can still write for the land grant (for a fee), to the archives, Ancestry.ca has just put on the index book.

They have put on With 668,623 records and 78,794 images, Ancestry users can learn about some of Canada’s earliest settlers such as applicants’ names, region, date of application and homestead fee paid. 

The Canada Homestead Grant Registers 1892-1930 Collection is now available on Ancestry at: http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=9209 

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 towww.elrs.biz 

(c)2016 All rights reserved.
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