I have come across the following Canadian websites, blogs, Facebook, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too
Websites
No new websites this week.
Blogs
No new blogs this week
Facebook, Videos, You Tube
Upper Canada Genealogy https://www.facebook.com/JaniceCNickerson Janice, a Canadian genealogist, has joined Facebook, and one of the first questions she asks is – “Working on my next talk - about heir tracing and finding living people. I'm collecting a list of the best online sources for Canadian obit and gravestone indexes. Would my genealogist friends care to recommend their favourites?”
Canadian Conservation Institute https://www.facebook.com/cci.conservation?ref=hl They are a year old and have had 1,242 “likes”. They ask - What do you like about our page? What kind of posts do you want to see?
Newspapers Articles of the Week
Fire on historic Lunenburg waterfront now out http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/fire-on-historic-lunenburg-waterfront-now-out-1.1871643 A fire in Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Place, on Friday night, destroyed the historic Scotia Trawler Equipment Ltd. Building. The Bluenose II schooner, currently undergoing sea trials out of Lunenburg, was not involved in the fire.
15 P.E.I. lighthouses receive heritage designation http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/15-p-e-i-lighthouses-receive-heritage-designation-1.1868056 The following 15 lighthouses across the Island receive heritage designation
Leards Front Range Lighthouse, Victoria
Cape Egmont Lighthouse, Cape Egmont
Blockhouse Lighthouse, Rocky Point
Cape Bear Lighthouse, Beach Point
East Point Lighthouse, East Point
Indian Head Lighthouse, Lower Bedeque
New London Range Lighthouse, Park Corner
North Cape Lighthouse, Seacow Pond
North Rustico Lighthouse, North Rustico
Panmure Head Lighthouse, Panmure Island
Point Prim Lighthouse, Point Prim
Seacow Head Lighthouse, Fernwood
Wood Islands Lighthouse, Wood Islands
Souris Historic Lighthouse, Souris
West Point Lighthouse, West Point
Mi’kmaq History Month launching website for 20th anniversary http://www.thevanguard.ca/Living/2013-09-25/article-3406293/-Mi%26rsquo%3Bkmaq-History-Month-launching-website-for-20th-anniversary-/1 October is recognized as the 20th anniversary of Mi’kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia. To commemorate this milestone, a website has been created “to promote awareness, share information, and highlight culturally-related events taking place during Mi’kmaq History Month”.
To go to the website, click www.mikmaqhistorymonth.com. It’s a very nice website, and has lots of information.
Story of the Week
Franco-Ontarian Resource at the Archives of Ontario
September 25th is now Franco-Ontarian Day in Ontario. This date marks the anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag’s unveiling in 1975, and it is the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain and Étienne Brûlé's journeys to what is now Ontario.
There are various family files held at the Archives, including
• Jacques Duperon Baby family fonds 1759-1866, 1946
This family was involved in the fur trade, and public service. “Francois Baby, brother of Jacques Duperon, and his descendants played an important role in Quebec's politics and economy during the late 18th and 19th centuries”
• Max LeMarchant deGodart du Planty collection [194-]-1979
“Collection consists of research notes, genealogies and correspondence on the du Planty family, the Godart family and their branches, as assembled by Max LeMarchant de Godart du Planty. Families mentioned include Dongan (Dungan), Van Buskirk and a large number of other French (continental) families.”
• Jean Baptiste Rousseau family fonds 1774-1953
“Jean Baptiste Rousseau (1758-1812) was an early merchant and mill owner in Ancaster, York and Kingston, Ontario, who died while serving in the War of 1812”.
There are many other topics that you can check, and it should be one of the places that you research if you are doing Franco-Ontarian research.
The website is http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/access/franco-ontarian.aspx
Reminder: Check out Canadian Week in Review every 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 07 October, 2013
A daily blog about Canadian genealogy, heritage, and history
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
MacDonald family history
Here is some news from Ron Zinck, who posts to the NSRoots mailing list quite often -
“I spent part of my Friday the Archives of Ontario working my way through
the collection of Rev. Ewen MacDonald. He worked for decades on Scottish
history and the McDonald family history. I have a number of scans that may
be of interest to researchers and I suspect I will have allot more after
every visit. This batch includes letters and a few charts that discusses
Antigonish, Cape Breton, and different septs in Scotland.
I hope that some of the MacDonald researchers will be able to help decipher, interpret and place these scans in context."
I uploaded them onto Google drive at this link
https://drive.google.com/?tab=mo&authuser=0#folders/
“I spent part of my Friday the Archives of Ontario working my way through
the collection of Rev. Ewen MacDonald. He worked for decades on Scottish
history and the McDonald family history. I have a number of scans that may
be of interest to researchers and I suspect I will have allot more after
every visit. This batch includes letters and a few charts that discusses
Antigonish, Cape Breton, and different septs in Scotland.
I hope that some of the MacDonald researchers will be able to help decipher, interpret and place these scans in context."
I uploaded them onto Google drive at this link
https://drive.google.com/?tab=mo&authuser=0#folders/
Saturday, September 28, 2013
The Niagara Peninsula OGS Branch announces new publication
This will be a limited-edition book to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.
The press release says that “When Thomas Jefferson made his infamous prediction that "the acquisition of Canada this year... will be a mere matter of marching," he underestimated the courage and determination of the men and women of Upper Canada, including their First Nations allies.
Our book, More Than A Mere Matter of Marching contains the fascinating stories of over 60 families whose experiences during the War of 1812 may never have been in print before. The book is 323 pages, contains both colour and black-and-white images, and an index of over 1700 names.
PRE-PUBLICATION PRICE (available Oct. 1 - Oct. 31, 2013): $25.00 shipping and handling
PUBLICATION PRICE: $30.00 shipping and handling”.
For further information, please visit the Niagara Peninsula OGS Branch website: http://www.ogs.on.ca/niagara/. Just click on to the button which says War of 1812.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Gene-O-Rama returns to Ottawa
It will be held on the 21 and the 22 March, 2014, and the featured speaker will be Toronto genealogist Jane E. MacNamara.
So mark your calendar.
For more information, go http://ogsottawa/geneorama/
Sudbury District (OGS) Branch Meeting
On Monday, October 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. there will be a meeting at the Parkside Ctr, 140 Durham Street in Sudbury of the Sudbury District (OGS) Branch.
The topic will be The Shouldering of Arms by Gary Peck. He will discuss what led to the First World War, with the intent to help better appreciate ancestors in the context of the times.
For more info, go to http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~onogs/ogs.htm
The topic will be The Shouldering of Arms by Gary Peck. He will discuss what led to the First World War, with the intent to help better appreciate ancestors in the context of the times.
For more info, go to http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~onogs/ogs.htm
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Ancestry.ca UPDATE: Historical records of passengers travelling the St. Lawrence from 1819 to 1838
I just received word this morning about a new database, and this one will interest people if they have ancestor's who immigrated to Canada 1819 to 1838.
TORONTO (Sept. 26, 2013) – Ancestry.ca, Canada’s largest family history website, announced today the launch of almost 200,000 passenger records dating from 1819 to 1836, documenting passengers travelling between Quebec City and Montreal on the ships of the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company.
The St. Lawrence River is one of the world's great waterways and has played a vital role in the history of Canada, serving as the main route into the continent for French explorers in the 17th century. Throughout the 19th century and well into the 20th, the river carried hundreds of thousands of immigrants to Canada in search of a new life in a new land. For this reason, the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company passenger lists are significant source of information for genealogists and family historians.
“The passenger lists can offer Canadians rich information about their ancestors but also help paint a picture of the changing face of Canada through one of our most significant bodies of water,” says Lesley Anderson, a genealogist and Content Manager for Ancestry.ca. “The St. Lawrence River is an important part of our history, and we are proud we can offer the only known surviving historical records of the ships that operated on the river in the 1800s. This collection is truly a national treasure.”
The history of the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company is an important part of Canada’s history. Following the successful launch of his brewing company in the 1780s, John Molson and his sons expanded into the shipping industry by creating the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company. The vessels transported passengers and freight along the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City.
Travellers during this time, who were mostly English speaking, often used the vibrant thoroughfare as a stepping stone to make their way into the United States. One method of entering the U.S. from Canada was to take a steamer from Quebec City to Montreal and proceed south by sleigh, foot or horse and buggy.
In this new collection of historical records, users can find the name of a passenger departure city and the amount paid for a ticket. Members can also see whether a passenger travelled in steerage or cabin, travel dates and if they travelled with family. The collection will help provide users with context for when their ancestors arrived in Canada or the U.S. This new collection supplements Ancestry.ca’s vast database of millions of historical passenger and immigration records, which also includes:
· Canadian Passenger Lists and Ocean Arrivals – These collections consist of all records of immigration to Canada by ship or overland between 1865 and 1935, a period of 70 years that saw the largest influx of immigration into Canada ever, from all parts of the world.
· Pre-Confederation Passenger Lists – These lists contain correspondence and dispatches regarding emigration from the British Isles from 1758 to 1851. The collection also includes letters from many people requesting information and assistance to immigrate to Canada. It showcases the waves of immigration to Canada in the century before Canada became a nation.
. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists – These collections relate to immigration for the U.S. and Canada prior to the 1820s. Housing more than four million records of individuals who arrived on U.S. and Canadian ports from the 1500s through the 1900s.
To check out the new St. Lawrence Steamboat Company records please visit http:www. ancestry.ca.
TORONTO (Sept. 26, 2013) – Ancestry.ca, Canada’s largest family history website, announced today the launch of almost 200,000 passenger records dating from 1819 to 1836, documenting passengers travelling between Quebec City and Montreal on the ships of the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company.
The St. Lawrence River is one of the world's great waterways and has played a vital role in the history of Canada, serving as the main route into the continent for French explorers in the 17th century. Throughout the 19th century and well into the 20th, the river carried hundreds of thousands of immigrants to Canada in search of a new life in a new land. For this reason, the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company passenger lists are significant source of information for genealogists and family historians.
“The passenger lists can offer Canadians rich information about their ancestors but also help paint a picture of the changing face of Canada through one of our most significant bodies of water,” says Lesley Anderson, a genealogist and Content Manager for Ancestry.ca. “The St. Lawrence River is an important part of our history, and we are proud we can offer the only known surviving historical records of the ships that operated on the river in the 1800s. This collection is truly a national treasure.”
The history of the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company is an important part of Canada’s history. Following the successful launch of his brewing company in the 1780s, John Molson and his sons expanded into the shipping industry by creating the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company. The vessels transported passengers and freight along the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City.
Travellers during this time, who were mostly English speaking, often used the vibrant thoroughfare as a stepping stone to make their way into the United States. One method of entering the U.S. from Canada was to take a steamer from Quebec City to Montreal and proceed south by sleigh, foot or horse and buggy.
In this new collection of historical records, users can find the name of a passenger departure city and the amount paid for a ticket. Members can also see whether a passenger travelled in steerage or cabin, travel dates and if they travelled with family. The collection will help provide users with context for when their ancestors arrived in Canada or the U.S. This new collection supplements Ancestry.ca’s vast database of millions of historical passenger and immigration records, which also includes:
· Canadian Passenger Lists and Ocean Arrivals – These collections consist of all records of immigration to Canada by ship or overland between 1865 and 1935, a period of 70 years that saw the largest influx of immigration into Canada ever, from all parts of the world.
· Pre-Confederation Passenger Lists – These lists contain correspondence and dispatches regarding emigration from the British Isles from 1758 to 1851. The collection also includes letters from many people requesting information and assistance to immigrate to Canada. It showcases the waves of immigration to Canada in the century before Canada became a nation.
. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists – These collections relate to immigration for the U.S. and Canada prior to the 1820s. Housing more than four million records of individuals who arrived on U.S. and Canadian ports from the 1500s through the 1900s.
To check out the new St. Lawrence Steamboat Company records please visit http:www. ancestry.ca.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
1911 Census Updated
Ancestry.ca has updated the 1911 Census database.
There are now over 7-million names on the database.
This database is an every name index, and it covers the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and two territories - the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories.
Go to the website at http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=8947
There are now over 7-million names on the database.
This database is an every name index, and it covers the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and two territories - the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories.
Go to the website at http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=8947
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The New Acadia Project
Warren Perrin, of the Acadian Museum in Louisiana, says that “The New Acadia Project is an archaeological/historical initiative that aims to locate the original mid-eighteenth-century settlements of the first group of Acadian exiles in the Louisiana territory.
Their descendants today comprise over 500,000 Cajuns in Louisiana and throughout the world.
The New Acadia Project seeks to locate artifacts which will help establish the locations of these Acadian settlements, evidenced to be near the Teche Ridge/Teche River, as early as 1765.”
Their goal is to raise $100,000 by private donation. If you would like a detailed summary of the project, you can go to www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~mar4160/nap.html
Their descendants today comprise over 500,000 Cajuns in Louisiana and throughout the world.
The New Acadia Project seeks to locate artifacts which will help establish the locations of these Acadian settlements, evidenced to be near the Teche Ridge/Teche River, as early as 1765.”
Their goal is to raise $100,000 by private donation. If you would like a detailed summary of the project, you can go to www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~mar4160/nap.html
Monday, September 23, 2013
Canadian Week in Review 23 September 2013
I have come across the following Canadian websites, blogs, Facebook, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too
Websites
No new websites this week.
Blogs
Family Tree Knots http://familytreeknots.blogspot.ca Ken, a cousin of mine (related through the Chipman – Webster family of Kentville, Nova Scotia) has a new blog in which he tackles brick walls in his family tree.
Facebook, Videos, You Tube
No new sites this week
Newspapers Articles of the Week
Lac-Mégantic library to get Maine donations after explosion Farmington Public Library raises funds to help rebuild destroyed library in Quebec town http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/lac-m%C3%A9gantic-library-to-get-maine-donations-after-explosion-1.1363080 Libraries across Maine have been busy collecting donations to help the people in Lac-Mégantic, Que. rebuild their library which was totally destroyed in the train derailment and explosion in June.
Plaque honours Angus MacLean - war hero, politician, farmer and family man http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2013-09-15/article-3390983/Plaque-honours-Angus-MacLean---war-hero,-politician,-farmer-and-family-man/1 The late Angus MacLean, a member of parliament and then as premier of Prince Edward Island was honoured with a plaque placed at the Lord Selkirk Park by the The Clan Maclean Heritage Heritage Trust, Clan Maclean Atlantic Canada, the Caledonian Club of P.E.I and the Belfast Historical Society.
Windsor Historical Society’s Veterans’ Memories Project http://www.examiner.com/article/windsor-historical-society-s-veterans-memories-project Corinne Frontiero writes a piece about Matthew Pritchard, a young historian involved with the Windsor Historical Society’s Veterans Memories Projects
Story of the Week
Some very sad news for Ottawa as news slowly came out that two of the six people in the train – bus accident Thursday had indirect ties to the genealogy community in Ottawa.
Robb More, the son of vice-president Mike More of the Ontario Genealogical Society, and former chair of the Ottawa Genealogical Branch, and Karen Krzyzewski, an employee at Library and Archives Canada both passed away in the accident.
Our prayers are with the families at this time.
All flags in Ottawa are at half mast this week, and if you wish to learn more about this symbol of the county’s grief, you can go to http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1311704914994/1311705010488
Reminder: Check out Canadian Week in Review every 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 30 September, 2013
Websites
No new websites this week.
Blogs
Family Tree Knots http://familytreeknots.blogspot.ca Ken, a cousin of mine (related through the Chipman – Webster family of Kentville, Nova Scotia) has a new blog in which he tackles brick walls in his family tree.
Facebook, Videos, You Tube
No new sites this week
Newspapers Articles of the Week
Lac-Mégantic library to get Maine donations after explosion Farmington Public Library raises funds to help rebuild destroyed library in Quebec town http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/lac-m%C3%A9gantic-library-to-get-maine-donations-after-explosion-1.1363080 Libraries across Maine have been busy collecting donations to help the people in Lac-Mégantic, Que. rebuild their library which was totally destroyed in the train derailment and explosion in June.
Plaque honours Angus MacLean - war hero, politician, farmer and family man http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2013-09-15/article-3390983/Plaque-honours-Angus-MacLean---war-hero,-politician,-farmer-and-family-man/1 The late Angus MacLean, a member of parliament and then as premier of Prince Edward Island was honoured with a plaque placed at the Lord Selkirk Park by the The Clan Maclean Heritage Heritage Trust, Clan Maclean Atlantic Canada, the Caledonian Club of P.E.I and the Belfast Historical Society.
Windsor Historical Society’s Veterans’ Memories Project http://www.examiner.com/article/windsor-historical-society-s-veterans-memories-project Corinne Frontiero writes a piece about Matthew Pritchard, a young historian involved with the Windsor Historical Society’s Veterans Memories Projects
Story of the Week
Some very sad news for Ottawa as news slowly came out that two of the six people in the train – bus accident Thursday had indirect ties to the genealogy community in Ottawa.
Robb More, the son of vice-president Mike More of the Ontario Genealogical Society, and former chair of the Ottawa Genealogical Branch, and Karen Krzyzewski, an employee at Library and Archives Canada both passed away in the accident.
Our prayers are with the families at this time.
All flags in Ottawa are at half mast this week, and if you wish to learn more about this symbol of the county’s grief, you can go to http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1311704914994/1311705010488
Reminder: Check out Canadian Week in Review every 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 30 September, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Strengthening Ontario’s Heritage Network
The Ontario History Society, which was established in 1888, now has a series of FREE Webinars about Ontario’s history.
They say that “These webinars are the first in a new series of online training sessions held by The Ontario Historical Society, and as such, we would like to offer a complimentary registration to OHS members and friends!
Please spread the word to colleagues and friends”
The next webinar is Professional Development for Teachers Using Ontario's New History and Social Studies Curriculum and it will be on Tuesday September 24th
To read more about the Webinars, go to http://www.ontariohistoricalsociety.ca
They say that “These webinars are the first in a new series of online training sessions held by The Ontario Historical Society, and as such, we would like to offer a complimentary registration to OHS members and friends!
Please spread the word to colleagues and friends”
The next webinar is Professional Development for Teachers Using Ontario's New History and Social Studies Curriculum and it will be on Tuesday September 24th
To read more about the Webinars, go to http://www.ontariohistoricalsociety.ca
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Kent County Branch Meeting
On Friday, October 11, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the St. Andrews Residence, 99 Park St., Chatham, ON, the Kent County Branch of the OGS will hold their monthly meeting at which Reg Johnston will speak on 150 YEARS! THE CHATHAM GRANITE CLUB.
Mr. Johnston with share the history and the people involved with building the curling club.
Contact http://ogs.on.ca/kent
If you can’t make it to the meeting, there is a short history of the Chatham Granite Club on their website at http://chathamgraniteclub.com/club
Mr. Johnston with share the history and the people involved with building the curling club.
Contact http://ogs.on.ca/kent
If you can’t make it to the meeting, there is a short history of the Chatham Granite Club on their website at http://chathamgraniteclub.com/club
Friday, September 20, 2013
Grande Prairie and District Branch - Fall Workshop
The Grande Prairie and District Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society is offering a workshop this weekend to help you find your ancestors in Canada. The workshop is offered in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The workshop will take place on Friday and Saturday (Sept 20 and 21st), at the Family History Centre at 11212-102 Street and Grande Prairie Public Library at 9839-103 Avenue in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Quebec Family History Society President Gary Schroder, and John Althouse will headline the weekend with discussion on searching census records, birth, marriage and death records, and passenger lists. More than 60 people have already registered for the event, and they welcome all walk-ins.
There is no cost associated with the event, but a lunch will be available on Sept. 21, for a pre-ordered price of $15.
Sign-up begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, to save your seat call 780-766-2920 or 780-538-9464.
For more information and a complete schedule, visit http://gp.abgensoc.ca
The workshop will take place on Friday and Saturday (Sept 20 and 21st), at the Family History Centre at 11212-102 Street and Grande Prairie Public Library at 9839-103 Avenue in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Quebec Family History Society President Gary Schroder, and John Althouse will headline the weekend with discussion on searching census records, birth, marriage and death records, and passenger lists. More than 60 people have already registered for the event, and they welcome all walk-ins.
There is no cost associated with the event, but a lunch will be available on Sept. 21, for a pre-ordered price of $15.
Sign-up begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, to save your seat call 780-766-2920 or 780-538-9464.
For more information and a complete schedule, visit http://gp.abgensoc.ca
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Many volunteers make blog postings
If you are a society having problems keeping up with blog postings, then a number of societies have a solution for you!
Why don’t you do what the Alberta Family History Society and the Ottawa Genealogical Society have done – designate a number of people to write blog posts, instead of just one person doing all of the work? Spread the responsibility around to a number of potential bloggers in the society.
Here are the websites of the two blogs -
The Alberta Family History Society blog at http://afhs.ab.ca/blog
The Ottawa Genealogical Society blog at http://ogsottawa.blogspot.com
Why don’t you do what the Alberta Family History Society and the Ottawa Genealogical Society have done – designate a number of people to write blog posts, instead of just one person doing all of the work? Spread the responsibility around to a number of potential bloggers in the society.
Here are the websites of the two blogs -
The Alberta Family History Society blog at http://afhs.ab.ca/blog
The Ottawa Genealogical Society blog at http://ogsottawa.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Region One Annual Meeting
The Region One Annual Meeting of the Ontario Genealogical Society hosted by Lambton County Branch OGS will be held on October 19th, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the John Knox Christian School at 4738 Confederation Road, Wyoming, Ontario.
The title of the one-day conference will be On and Off the Internet Strategies for Effective Genealogical Research.
Steve Fulton, Technical Support and Innovations Committee Chair, OGS/Chair, Niagara Peninsula Branch OGS will talk on Searching the Past with the help of the .com
Alan Campbell, Newsletter Editor and Past Chair, Lambton County Branch OGS will talk about Going Totally Off-line-Almost/On-Site Researching in Libraries and Archives
Heather Lavallee, Archivist -Lambton County Archives, Wyoming, Ontario will talk about Finding the Secrets of the Archives
Advance Registration [Includes Lunch] OGS Members $30.00 CDN Non Members $35.00 CDN Registration at the Door $35.00
Register on-line at http://www.lambton.ogs.on.ca/Bulletinboard.html
The title of the one-day conference will be On and Off the Internet Strategies for Effective Genealogical Research.
Steve Fulton, Technical Support and Innovations Committee Chair, OGS/Chair, Niagara Peninsula Branch OGS will talk on Searching the Past with the help of the .com
Alan Campbell, Newsletter Editor and Past Chair, Lambton County Branch OGS will talk about Going Totally Off-line-Almost/On-Site Researching in Libraries and Archives
Heather Lavallee, Archivist -Lambton County Archives, Wyoming, Ontario will talk about Finding the Secrets of the Archives
Advance Registration [Includes Lunch] OGS Members $30.00 CDN Non Members $35.00 CDN Registration at the Door $35.00
Register on-line at http://www.lambton.ogs.on.ca/Bulletinboard.html
One-Place Studies to expand world-wide
News come to us that the One-Place Studies, a charitable organisation founded in 2013 by dedicated family and local historians, is looking for members world-wide.
Members will have an interest in one particular place, whether it is a street, village, hamlet or town.
Is anyone in Canada is involved with One-Place Studies? If you are, can you let us know of the place that you are studying?
To go to their site, please click http://one-place-studies.org/studies
To go to this site, please click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-place_study
Members will have an interest in one particular place, whether it is a street, village, hamlet or town.
Is anyone in Canada is involved with One-Place Studies? If you are, can you let us know of the place that you are studying?
To go to their site, please click http://one-place-studies.org/studies
To go to this site, please click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-place_study
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Nuit Blanche Ottawa-Gatineau
The Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa has announced its first-time partnership with Nuit Blanche Ottawa-Gatineau.
It will be held this weekend on September 21, from 6:21 p.m. to 4:22 a.m., and it is Free!
Come enjoy the pop-up lounge, a temporary art installation and special exhibitions.
Too see what available, go to http://www.civilization.ca/event/nuit-blanche
OGS Webinars for Members Only
American genealogist blogger and speaker Judy G. Russell, the Legal Genealogist, will give the first OGS Webinar - Genealogy in Your Genes on Saturday October 5, 2013 at 4:00 pm EDT via Adobe Connect. This Webinar is for Members Only.
They say that “The key to so many genealogical secrets may be locked inside your genes -- but today those secrets can be unlocked through DNA testing. Learn about the three major test types -- YDNA, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the new autosomal DNA testing -- and what each offers to the genealogist.
The Legal Genealogist Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, is a lecturer, educator and writer who enjoys helping others understand a wide variety of genealogical issues, ranging from the interplay between genealogy and the law to the way DNA tests can be used in genealogy.
She is a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, a member of the National Genealogical Society, the Association of Professional Genealogists and numerous state societies, and on the faculty of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh.
OGS Webinars allow you to expand your genealogy knowledge from the comfort of your own home.
This event is open to OGS members only and is free as a benefit of your membership. For more information about Webinars, visit the Webinars link in the OGS Members Only area.
The OGS website is www.ogs.on.ca
Monday, September 16, 2013
Canadian Week in Review 16 September 2013
I have come across the following Canadian websites, blogs, Facebook, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too
Websites
No new websites this week.
Blogs
It has been since 1775 that the ship, the Hector arrived at Brown's Point, near Pictou, N.S. carrying 178 Scottish immigrants to Canada.
The first large wave of immigration that made Scots the predominant ethnic group in Nova Scotia. A replica ship was later built to commemorate the voyage and is on display in Pictou harbour.
You can read about the trip that Phil Neville took to The Hector Exhibit Centre & Archives in Pictou at http://www.novascotiablogs.com/2011/11/the-hector-exhibit-centre-archives-in-pictou.html.
Facebook, Videos, You Tube
Terry Copp Presents “Italy: Normandy’s Long Left Flank” A Video Lecture http://www.canadianmilitaryhistory.ca/terry-copp-presents-italy-normandys-long-left-flank-a-video-lecture If you are interested in Canadian military history, this video will interest you.
Newspapers Articles of the Week
Historical Nameshttp://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Historical+Names/8912481/story.html The Star Phoenix of Saskatoon has a Op-Ed piece in which are discussed the new names that the city council has for streets in the city. The writer wonders if they are dismissing the city’s past?
Banff pavilion highlights WWI internment camps http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/banff-pavilion-highlights-wwi-internment-camps-1.1829468 Did you know the Canada had internment camps during the First World War? Parks Canada unveiled a new pavilion Friday in Banff that hopes to shed light on internment camps built across Canada during the First World War.
New Initiative to Document History of Canada’s Greek Immigrants http://canada.greekreporter.com/2013/09/13/new-initiative-to-document-history-of-canadas-greek-immigrants The Greek Reporter has an article in which they report that the Canadian Greek community will be setting up the Greek Canadian History Project (GCHP). It will be “an initiative designed and committed to identifying, acquiring, digitizing, preserving, and providing access to primary source materials which reflect the experiences of Canada’s Greek immigrants and their descendants. The collected sources, currently in the hands of private individuals and organizations in the Greek-Canadian community, will be placed in the care of the Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections of York University Libraries in Toronto.”
Sarnia man searches for roots – in his genes http://www.sarniathisweek.com/2013/07/25/sarnia-man-searches-for-roots--in-his-genes Thanks to Gail Dever in bringing this newspaper article to my attention. It is the story about Alan Campbell, of the Lambton County Branch of the OGS, and the many hours he has spent in tracing his own family.
Canadian Army Commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Battle of Medak Pockethttp://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1466825#ixzz2eyFx88TTIt has been 20 years since Canada sent peacekeepers over the Bosnia. The Battle of Medak Pocket, which occurred in September 1993, which Canadian and French peacekeepers defended their position against Croatian forces, making it possible to stop the escalation of violence in the region.
Story of the Week
More Powerful Free Genealogy Search
Word has been received from GenealogyInTime Magazine, an Ottawa business, that they have enhanced their search engine.
The press release reads that “the world’s most popular online genealogy magazine, and one of the world’s largest free genealogy websites, is announcing a very significant upgrade to our free Genealogy Search Engine. It continues to become even more powerful:
• An additional 532 million free genealogy records from around the world are now searchable. In total, the Genealogy Search Engine indexes 2.7 billion records from over 1,000 websites.
• In a first for a genealogy website, the entire Google Newspaper Archive can now be searched by the Genealogy Search Engine. This extremely valuable archive covers over 2,000 historic newspapers going back as far as the 1700s.
• The massive Australian Trove archive can now be completely searched with the Genealogy Search Engine.
To learn more about the latest upgrades to the free Genealogy Search Engine, read http://www.genealogyintime.com
I use their news service at the end of every day, just to see what has happened during the day. It is at http://www.genealogyintime.com/genealogy-news.html
Reminder: Check out Canadian Week in Review every 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 23 September, 2013
Websites
No new websites this week.
Blogs
It has been since 1775 that the ship, the Hector arrived at Brown's Point, near Pictou, N.S. carrying 178 Scottish immigrants to Canada.
The first large wave of immigration that made Scots the predominant ethnic group in Nova Scotia. A replica ship was later built to commemorate the voyage and is on display in Pictou harbour.
You can read about the trip that Phil Neville took to The Hector Exhibit Centre & Archives in Pictou at http://www.novascotiablogs.com/2011/11/the-hector-exhibit-centre-archives-in-pictou.html.
Facebook, Videos, You Tube
Terry Copp Presents “Italy: Normandy’s Long Left Flank” A Video Lecture http://www.canadianmilitaryhistory.ca/terry-copp-presents-italy-normandys-long-left-flank-a-video-lecture If you are interested in Canadian military history, this video will interest you.
Newspapers Articles of the Week
Historical Nameshttp://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Historical+Names/8912481/story.html The Star Phoenix of Saskatoon has a Op-Ed piece in which are discussed the new names that the city council has for streets in the city. The writer wonders if they are dismissing the city’s past?
Banff pavilion highlights WWI internment camps http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/banff-pavilion-highlights-wwi-internment-camps-1.1829468 Did you know the Canada had internment camps during the First World War? Parks Canada unveiled a new pavilion Friday in Banff that hopes to shed light on internment camps built across Canada during the First World War.
New Initiative to Document History of Canada’s Greek Immigrants http://canada.greekreporter.com/2013/09/13/new-initiative-to-document-history-of-canadas-greek-immigrants The Greek Reporter has an article in which they report that the Canadian Greek community will be setting up the Greek Canadian History Project (GCHP). It will be “an initiative designed and committed to identifying, acquiring, digitizing, preserving, and providing access to primary source materials which reflect the experiences of Canada’s Greek immigrants and their descendants. The collected sources, currently in the hands of private individuals and organizations in the Greek-Canadian community, will be placed in the care of the Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections of York University Libraries in Toronto.”
Sarnia man searches for roots – in his genes http://www.sarniathisweek.com/2013/07/25/sarnia-man-searches-for-roots--in-his-genes Thanks to Gail Dever in bringing this newspaper article to my attention. It is the story about Alan Campbell, of the Lambton County Branch of the OGS, and the many hours he has spent in tracing his own family.
Canadian Army Commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Battle of Medak Pockethttp://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1466825#ixzz2eyFx88TTIt has been 20 years since Canada sent peacekeepers over the Bosnia. The Battle of Medak Pocket, which occurred in September 1993, which Canadian and French peacekeepers defended their position against Croatian forces, making it possible to stop the escalation of violence in the region.
Story of the Week
More Powerful Free Genealogy Search
Word has been received from GenealogyInTime Magazine, an Ottawa business, that they have enhanced their search engine.
The press release reads that “the world’s most popular online genealogy magazine, and one of the world’s largest free genealogy websites, is announcing a very significant upgrade to our free Genealogy Search Engine. It continues to become even more powerful:
• An additional 532 million free genealogy records from around the world are now searchable. In total, the Genealogy Search Engine indexes 2.7 billion records from over 1,000 websites.
• In a first for a genealogy website, the entire Google Newspaper Archive can now be searched by the Genealogy Search Engine. This extremely valuable archive covers over 2,000 historic newspapers going back as far as the 1700s.
• The massive Australian Trove archive can now be completely searched with the Genealogy Search Engine.
To learn more about the latest upgrades to the free Genealogy Search Engine, read http://www.genealogyintime.com
I use their news service at the end of every day, just to see what has happened during the day. It is at http://www.genealogyintime.com/genealogy-news.html
Reminder: Check out Canadian Week in Review every 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 23 September, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Common Mistakes Often Made With Family Tree Data
Do you use the Family Tree option of FamilySearch?
If you do, you may be interested in this blog post by Kristi Etherington.
It answers some of the questions that have been asked over the past couple of months about Family Tree. Is it helpful?
Te post is at http://www.sarniathisweek.com/2013/07/25/sarnia-man-searches-for-roots--in-his-genes
If you do, you may be interested in this blog post by Kristi Etherington.
It answers some of the questions that have been asked over the past couple of months about Family Tree. Is it helpful?
Te post is at http://www.sarniathisweek.com/2013/07/25/sarnia-man-searches-for-roots--in-his-genes
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Future of Canada's Libraries and Archives
The Royal Society of Canada has establishing an Expert Panel on “The Status and Future of Canada’s Libraries and Archives" to help Canadian institutions find their way through the 21st century.
These are the founding principles of the Expert Panel of the Royal Society of Canada, which has as its mandate
1. To investigate what services Canadians, including Aboriginal Canadians and new Canadians, are currently receiving from libraries and archives.
2. To explore what Canadian society expects of libraries and archives in the 21st century.
3. To identify the necessary changes in resources, structures, and competencies to ensure libraries and archives serve the Canadian public good in the 21st century.
4. To listen to and consult the multiple voices that contribute to community building and memory building.
5. To demonstrate how deeply the knowledge universe has been and will continue to be revolutionized by digital technology.
6. To conceptualize the integration of the physical and the digital in library and archive spaces.
Public consultations are being planned to take place in: Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary/Edmonton, Vancouver, and Yellowknife in the coming months.
To read more about the The Status and Future of Canada's Libraries and Archives go to http://rsc-src.ca/en/expert-panels/rsc-reports/status-and-future-canadas-libraries-and-archives
These are the founding principles of the Expert Panel of the Royal Society of Canada, which has as its mandate
1. To investigate what services Canadians, including Aboriginal Canadians and new Canadians, are currently receiving from libraries and archives.
2. To explore what Canadian society expects of libraries and archives in the 21st century.
3. To identify the necessary changes in resources, structures, and competencies to ensure libraries and archives serve the Canadian public good in the 21st century.
4. To listen to and consult the multiple voices that contribute to community building and memory building.
5. To demonstrate how deeply the knowledge universe has been and will continue to be revolutionized by digital technology.
6. To conceptualize the integration of the physical and the digital in library and archive spaces.
Public consultations are being planned to take place in: Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary/Edmonton, Vancouver, and Yellowknife in the coming months.
To read more about the The Status and Future of Canada's Libraries and Archives go to http://rsc-src.ca/en/expert-panels/rsc-reports/status-and-future-canadas-libraries-and-archives
Friday, September 13, 2013
Join Italians and Italian Fans for a Record-Setting Weekend!
We have received this exciting news from FamilySearch
“FamilySearch International, Salt Lake City Italian natives and those with Italian language skills, Italian ancestors, or a love of all things Italian are invited to help index (transcribe) historic Italian records this weekend (Sept. 13-15) to make them freely searchable on FamilySearch.org.
The event, part of the ongoing Italian Ancestors Project sponsored by the National Archives of Italy and FamilySearch, will unite participants from around the world in an attempt to set a new two-day volunteer mark of 35,000 records (approximately 100,000 ancestor names) indexed.
The event will start Friday, September 13 at 6:00 p.m. (MDT) and end Sunday, September 15, at 6:00 p.m. (MDT). To volunteer, or for details and status updates throughout the event, visit the Italian Ancestors Facebook event page.
About the Italian Ancestors Project
The Italian Ancestors Project, jointly sponsored by the National Archives of Italy and FamilySearch, is the largest historic Italian records preservation and access initiative ever.
Through this unprecedented effort, more than 115 million historic birth, marriage, and death records from Italy’s civil registration (1802 to 1942) containing some 500 million names of Italian ancestors, will be digitized, indexed (transcribed) and made freely searchable online.
Indexing of these valuable records is being provided by thousands of volunteers worldwide. Working from their homes at their own pace, volunteers have already made more than two million records available. Thousands more volunteers are needed”.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.familysearch.org/italian-ancestors.
“FamilySearch International, Salt Lake City Italian natives and those with Italian language skills, Italian ancestors, or a love of all things Italian are invited to help index (transcribe) historic Italian records this weekend (Sept. 13-15) to make them freely searchable on FamilySearch.org.
The event, part of the ongoing Italian Ancestors Project sponsored by the National Archives of Italy and FamilySearch, will unite participants from around the world in an attempt to set a new two-day volunteer mark of 35,000 records (approximately 100,000 ancestor names) indexed.
The event will start Friday, September 13 at 6:00 p.m. (MDT) and end Sunday, September 15, at 6:00 p.m. (MDT). To volunteer, or for details and status updates throughout the event, visit the Italian Ancestors Facebook event page.
About the Italian Ancestors Project
The Italian Ancestors Project, jointly sponsored by the National Archives of Italy and FamilySearch, is the largest historic Italian records preservation and access initiative ever.
Through this unprecedented effort, more than 115 million historic birth, marriage, and death records from Italy’s civil registration (1802 to 1942) containing some 500 million names of Italian ancestors, will be digitized, indexed (transcribed) and made freely searchable online.
Indexing of these valuable records is being provided by thousands of volunteers worldwide. Working from their homes at their own pace, volunteers have already made more than two million records available. Thousands more volunteers are needed”.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.familysearch.org/italian-ancestors.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The BCGS Bring-A-Friend Membership Contest
I read about the Bring-A-Friend Membership Contest this morning, and think it’s a really good idea. What do you think?
The notice says that “All current BCGS members are eligible for one entry for each full membership (not associate memberships) they sign up from August 2013 to January 9, 2014.
Three Prize Baskets will be awarded at the June 2014 meeting by draw.
New memberships taken out now will run from September 2013 to December 2014 so this is a nice bonus for the new members too!”
Go to http://www.bcgs.ca/?page_id=1885 for the Contest Membership Application Form.
The notice says that “All current BCGS members are eligible for one entry for each full membership (not associate memberships) they sign up from August 2013 to January 9, 2014.
Three Prize Baskets will be awarded at the June 2014 meeting by draw.
New memberships taken out now will run from September 2013 to December 2014 so this is a nice bonus for the new members too!”
Go to http://www.bcgs.ca/?page_id=1885 for the Contest Membership Application Form.
Call for speakers
The Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has issued a Call for Speakers for a spring 2014 workshop titled Scotland and its People.
This full-day workshop for family historians, to be held on Saturday 12 April 2014, will explore the social, economic and cultural history of Scotland.
We are seeking proposals for presentations at this workshop from professional genealogists, historians, family historians, librarians and archivists.
The deadline for proposals is Monday 18 November 2013.
You can contact Gwyneth Pearce, Secretary, Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society at
publicity@toronto familyhistory.org or contact them at www.torontofamilyhistory.org.
This full-day workshop for family historians, to be held on Saturday 12 April 2014, will explore the social, economic and cultural history of Scotland.
We are seeking proposals for presentations at this workshop from professional genealogists, historians, family historians, librarians and archivists.
The deadline for proposals is Monday 18 November 2013.
You can contact Gwyneth Pearce, Secretary, Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society at
publicity@toronto familyhistory.org or contact them at www.torontofamilyhistory.org.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Recent changes at the FHL, Salt Lake City
Have you heard about the recent changes made to the FHL library in Salt Lake City?
Apparently, the research consultants have been moved from behind their walls and desks, and now they will be on the floors to be more accessible to the library patrons.
In the FamilySearch blog it says that “We have moved our consultants out from behind staff doors to assist at research counters and out on the patron floor.”
At the time of writing, the change had only been made, so they are asking “for patience and understanding as we implement and refine the new patron service model.”
They say that “The Family History Library is open more hours, provides more computers, printing options, and professional help than any other genealogical library, society, or archive in the world. We remain committed to providing all of these services free of charge to patrons from all over the world.”
So, do you think that these changes will be beneficial to the patrons? If anyone is going there this fall, on your return,tell us how you found it.
Apparently, the research consultants have been moved from behind their walls and desks, and now they will be on the floors to be more accessible to the library patrons.
In the FamilySearch blog it says that “We have moved our consultants out from behind staff doors to assist at research counters and out on the patron floor.”
At the time of writing, the change had only been made, so they are asking “for patience and understanding as we implement and refine the new patron service model.”
They say that “The Family History Library is open more hours, provides more computers, printing options, and professional help than any other genealogical library, society, or archive in the world. We remain committed to providing all of these services free of charge to patrons from all over the world.”
So, do you think that these changes will be beneficial to the patrons? If anyone is going there this fall, on your return,tell us how you found it.
TONI database tops 2,400,000
The Ontario Name Index (TONI) has just recorded its 2,401,406 name, and it keeps on growing.
When I am asked to research a name in Ontario, one of the first places I check is TONI, to see if the name is there. One aspect of TONI which I find is really helpful is that often TONI also gives the county in which the name is found.
So what does TONI do?
• TONI is an indexing program and NOT a digitization program. Unlike some of our commercial and non-commercial colleagues, we are not limiting TONI to digitized sources and indexing them
• The Ontario Name Index (TONI) is a mega-index of names with the goal of including every name found in any publication relating to Ontario
• Indexes, particularly name indexes. These are the most valuable thing a genealogical society can produce
• The index will point people to the location of the information about that name. The location may be a Branch document, a web site, a microfilm, a family history, an archive, etc
• TONI will be on the public part of the OGS website so that anyone can access it
TONI is all of these things.
Go to TONI at http://www.ogs.on.ca/integrated/toni_database1.php
When I am asked to research a name in Ontario, one of the first places I check is TONI, to see if the name is there. One aspect of TONI which I find is really helpful is that often TONI also gives the county in which the name is found.
So what does TONI do?
• TONI is an indexing program and NOT a digitization program. Unlike some of our commercial and non-commercial colleagues, we are not limiting TONI to digitized sources and indexing them
• The Ontario Name Index (TONI) is a mega-index of names with the goal of including every name found in any publication relating to Ontario
• Indexes, particularly name indexes. These are the most valuable thing a genealogical society can produce
• The index will point people to the location of the information about that name. The location may be a Branch document, a web site, a microfilm, a family history, an archive, etc
• TONI will be on the public part of the OGS website so that anyone can access it
TONI is all of these things.
Go to TONI at http://www.ogs.on.ca/integrated/toni_database1.php
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
LAC UPDATE: Access to 15 databases in one stop
Some positive news from Library and Archives Canada, in that you can now search the nominal indexes of the censuses from 1825 to 1916 online. That is a total of more than 32 million documents, and they are FREE!
I have used them, and they are very helpful. Especially, when it comes to finding people of the same names in a particular county.
In the press release, the LAC says “This massive undertaking required continuous cooperation from members of a number of LAC teams, as well as highly organized operations, over a number of months.
What is the final result?
• A clear presentation that is consistent with the Government of Canada’s Internet accessibility standards.
• The ability to perform a search using nominal or geographical criteria.
• Standardized geographic metadata that is now available in both official languages.
• The ability to choose between images in JPG or PDF formats.
• Weekly automatic updates.
And, ultimately, for you, valued users, a much simpler and easier way to trace your ancestors”!
To go to the website, click on to http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/Pages/census.aspx
I have used them, and they are very helpful. Especially, when it comes to finding people of the same names in a particular county.
In the press release, the LAC says “This massive undertaking required continuous cooperation from members of a number of LAC teams, as well as highly organized operations, over a number of months.
What is the final result?
• A clear presentation that is consistent with the Government of Canada’s Internet accessibility standards.
• The ability to perform a search using nominal or geographical criteria.
• Standardized geographic metadata that is now available in both official languages.
• The ability to choose between images in JPG or PDF formats.
• Weekly automatic updates.
And, ultimately, for you, valued users, a much simpler and easier way to trace your ancestors”!
To go to the website, click on to http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/Pages/census.aspx
Toronto school memorials database
Gwyneth Pearce, Secretary,Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, sent us this notice –
More than 32,000 names now in Toronto school memorials database
It’s that time again… when children, parents and teachers launch into a new school year!
And to mark the start of classes for 2013, the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has added more than 2,700 new names and eight more schools to its on-line database of school memorials commemorating Toronto students and staff who volunteered for active service in the two World Wars and other military conflicts.
The newest schools in the For King and Country database include Essex Street, John English, Rose Avenue, Lambton Mills, Lansdowne, Humewood Public and Runnymede Collegiate Institute.
We’ve also added our first independent school – St. Michael’s College School – a Catholic middle and high school with a rich history dating back to 1852. The database now contains more than 32,000 names and 88 schools, with transcriptions and photographs of school war memorials, historical background and links to other useful school and community websites.
Explore this growing collection now at www.torontofamilyhistory.org/kingandcountry/.
To find out more about the For King and Country project, and how you can help, contact co-ordinator Martha Jackson at kingandcountry@torontofamilyhistory.org.
And if you happen to be one of the many heading back to school this month, take a moment to remember the past generations of students and staff who went to war.
More than 32,000 names now in Toronto school memorials database
It’s that time again… when children, parents and teachers launch into a new school year!
And to mark the start of classes for 2013, the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has added more than 2,700 new names and eight more schools to its on-line database of school memorials commemorating Toronto students and staff who volunteered for active service in the two World Wars and other military conflicts.
The newest schools in the For King and Country database include Essex Street, John English, Rose Avenue, Lambton Mills, Lansdowne, Humewood Public and Runnymede Collegiate Institute.
We’ve also added our first independent school – St. Michael’s College School – a Catholic middle and high school with a rich history dating back to 1852. The database now contains more than 32,000 names and 88 schools, with transcriptions and photographs of school war memorials, historical background and links to other useful school and community websites.
Explore this growing collection now at www.torontofamilyhistory.org/kingandcountry/.
To find out more about the For King and Country project, and how you can help, contact co-ordinator Martha Jackson at kingandcountry@torontofamilyhistory.org.
And if you happen to be one of the many heading back to school this month, take a moment to remember the past generations of students and staff who went to war.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Canadian Week in Review 09 September 2013
I
have come across the following Canadian websites, blogs, Facebook, and
newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought
you might be interested in them, too
Websites
Biggar Branch,
Saskatoon Genealogical Society http://biggargenealogy.wikifoundry.com The website says that the “Society members have
recorded and indexed cemeteries in the R.M.'s of Biggar and Glenside, and the
cemeteries at Landis, Cando and Lett (Rosemount). The Biggar Branch has
published a list of births, deaths and marriages from The Independent Biggar,
SK for the period 1913 to 1950 and they are available for purchase. Other
indexing projects have included: obituaries from The Independent -1984
to 2006, undertaker records, census records, Canadian National Railway
seniority lists and early school registers”. Note: These indexes are not
online.
Barnardo’s Homes http://www.barnardos.org.uk/what_we_do/who_we_are/history/barnardos_homes.htm The website says “Barnardo’s ran hundreds of children’s homes across the UK from Thomas Barnardo’s day until the 1970’s. We don’t run orphanages and children’s homes anymore. However, this is a complete directory of all the homes and what has happened to them”. Note: I have used this list while doing research, and have found it to be a good list to locate Barnardo’s homes in the UK.
Blogs
Genealogy
Home Children in Canada http://coolenconnections.hubpages.com/hub/Genealogy-Home-Children-in-Canada
This is a new site, provides an excellent list of Home Children websites in
Canada.
Gone Researching: Genealogy experiences, thoughts, ... and
we'll see where we go with this http://goneresearching.blogspot.com
This new blogger is following family line in Ontario, among others.
Facebook,
Videos, You Tube
Photos: New Brunswick’s Internment Camp B70 http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Brunswick+Internment+Camp+photos/8746644/story.htmlThis is a photo archives of Internment Camp B70, located in Ripples, N.B. It housed more than 700 Jews in the early months of the Second World War.
Newspapers
Articles of the Week
Ottawa is a work in progress http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Ottawa+work+progress/8842977/story.html
Ottawa’s Carleton University professor Andrew Cohen write about the choice of Ottawa
as the capital of Canada, and how so many people disagreed with Queen Victoria’s
choice in 1857.
http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/to-learn-more-about-maine-make-the-pilgrimage-to-quebec_2013-08-29.html
The Maine Sunday Telegram suggests a trip to Quebec should be on
every Mainer's must-do list.
Blackberry tea honours group's wartime heritage http://www.canada.com/Blackberry+honours+group+wartime+heritage/8883306/story.html Read about how the British Columbia Women's Institute helped the Second World War effort by canning fruit and vegetables and sending them to Britain.
British Home
Children enhanced Canada’s mosaic http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/Opinion/Columnists/2011-12-07/article-2827996/----British-Home-Children-enhanced-Canada%26rsquo%3Bs-mosaic/1Read
about how a British Home Child stayed in the grandparents home of writer Bill
Hamilton, and how he was able to trace her voyage back to Liverpool, England.
Doors Open in Ontario this fall http://www.canoe.ca/Travel/Canada/Ontario/2013/09/04/21096946.html
See the lineup of the Doors Open in
Ontario this fall.
Story of the
Week
Some
land records have been digitized
(Based on a bi-weekly column I write for the Vankleek Hill’s The Review. Parts of the column appeared on August 28, 2013)
Canadiana.org is a Canadian company in Ottawa which is preserving
Canada's published history and some of these non-indexed records will be – free! Over
the next ten years, it will work with 40 institutions, such as libraries, the
Library and Archives Canada, and archives, to “identify, catalogue, digitize and
store documentary heritage—books, newspapers, periodicals, images and
nationally-significant archival materials—in specialized research databases”.
The part of Canadiana.org which
interests me is the Heritage Project at http://heritage.canadiana.ca.
The Heritage Project is going to take some
of Canada’s most popular archival collections, such as 60-million pages of FREE
primary-source microfilm images from the 1600s to the mid-1900s.
I have read the list and I am impressed!
What would have taken me years to find these documents in the different
institution across the country, will be appearing online right in my own
computer.One of the first projects that they have done is the Heir and Devisee Commission of the Upper
Canada (Ontario) Land Records.
Records can include
(although not always) affidavits, bonds, location certificates, powers of
attorney, orders-in-council, copies of wills, mortgages, deeds of sale, and testimonial
letters.
The digitized copies of the microfilm
reels onsite appear in the same order as on the microfilm reels themselves.
Remember, unfortunately, there is NO index by name.
Alternatively, the records are
arranged by district, then by type of document, then in chronological, alphabetical,
or numerical order.
The
list of microfilm rolls are on http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_mikan_205142,
just click on the reel you want to view, and it is there for you to research.
Reminder: Check out
Canadian Week in Review every 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 16 September, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Reminder: Canadian Week in Review posted tomorrow Sept 9th
Check
out Canadian Week in Review every Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage,
and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in the country!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Fall Seminar in Manitoba
The Southeast and Winnipeg Branch of the Manitoba Genealogical Society will be putting on their fall seminar New Directions on Saturday October 189, 2013 at the Silver Heights United Church in Winnipeg.
The speakers will be Roblin Shimpa, and she will talk on Crossing the Border –Minnesota and North
Dakota to Manitoba –and back, and Louis Kessler, who will talk about Ideas and More Ideas for
Your Genealogy Society.
The registration fee is
$65.00 which includes a hot turkey dinner which is included with your fee.
To download the
registration form, go to http://www.mbgenealogy.com/news/58/51/NEW-DIRECTIONS-Southeast-and-Winnipeg-Branch-Fall-Seminar
Friday, September 6, 2013
Closed for Maintenance
The OGS e-Store site will be closed for maintenance
on Tuesday September 10th from 7 to 9 pm, so the site will not be available
during that time.
The Ontario Genealogical Society website is at
http://www.ogs.on.ca/index.php
One billion global records will be available online
This notice was received yesterday, and it says that Ancestry.com and FamilySearch is going to make a billion records available online over the next five years!
Ancestry.com and
FamilySearch International (FamilySearch.org),
the two largest providers of family history resources, announced today an
agreement that is expected to make approximately 1 billion global historical
records available online and more easily accessible to the public for the first
time. With this long-term strategic agreement, the two services will work
together with the archive community over the next five years to digitize, index
and publish these records from the FamilySearch vault.
The access to the global collection of records marks a major investment in international content as Ancestry.com continues to invest in expanding family history interest in its current markets and worldwide. Ancestry.com expects to invest more than $60 million over the next five years in the project alongside thousands of hours of volunteer efforts facilitated by FamilySearch.
“This agreement sets a path for the future for Ancestry.com and
FamilySearch to increasingly share international sets of records more
collaboratively,” said Tim Sullivan, CEO of Ancestry.com. “A significant part
of our vision for family history is helping provide a rich, engaging experience
on a global scale. We are excited about the opportunities it will bring to help
benefit the family history community and look forward to collaborating with
FamilySearch to identify other opportunities to help people discover and share
their family history.”
The organizations will also be looking at other ways to share content across the two organizations. Both organizations expect to add to the already digitized records shared across the two websites in addition to new record projects to be completed over the next five years.
“We are excited to work with Ancestry.com on a vision we both share,” said Dennis Brimhall, President of FamilySearch. “Expanding online access to historical records through this type of collaboration can help millions more people discover and share their family’s history.”
The organizations will also be looking at other ways to share content across the two organizations. Both organizations expect to add to the already digitized records shared across the two websites in addition to new record projects to be completed over the next five years.
“We are excited to work with Ancestry.com on a vision we both share,” said Dennis Brimhall, President of FamilySearch. “Expanding online access to historical records through this type of collaboration can help millions more people discover and share their family’s history.”
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Doors Open Quinte West
On September 14, Door Open Quinte West will take place at the Quinte Genealogy Centre from 10:00 to 4:00 pm and learn about the Quinte Branch of the OGS
(Ontario Genealogy Society).
Explore the Research Library and discover how they can assist you with your family history research.
The
Quinte West City Hall Library is at 7
Creswell Drive, Trenton, Ontario.
The web site is at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs/
NIGS appoints a Director of Professional Development
The National Institute for Genealogical Studies (NIGS), the Canadian educational company, announces that Gena Philibert-Ortega has been appointed Director of Professional Development.
In her new position, Philibert-Ortega will be reviewing, updating and overseeing the addition of courses to the program.
Louise St Denis, Managing Director of NIGS, comented that "We are excited to have Gena Philibert-Ortega's involvement in our Professional Development program. Gena has had a successful full-time genealogy career for over 12 years and her experience will assist others as they transition to professional work or continue in their careers."
Philibert-Ortega said "I'm excited about this opportunity to bring courses designed for
In her new position, Philibert-Ortega will be reviewing, updating and overseeing the addition of courses to the program.
Louise St Denis, Managing Director of NIGS, comented that "We are excited to have Gena Philibert-Ortega's involvement in our Professional Development program. Gena has had a successful full-time genealogy career for over 12 years and her experience will assist others as they transition to professional work or continue in their careers."
Philibert-Ortega said "I'm excited about this opportunity to bring courses designed for
those interested in professional genealogy. I'm looking forward to continuing to
grow the program to meet the needs of the genealogy community."
Everyone at The National Institute welcomes Gena Philibert-Ortega to her new
position and looks forward to the growth of the Professional Development
Certificate.
For more information, please visit their site at http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/
or call them toll-free in North America at 1-800-580-0165 or email them at
admin@genealogicalstudies.com
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Nova Scotia 1921 census is being transcribed
More 1921 census records have been added to Dwayne Meisner’s Nova
Scotia site.
Some of them are -
Bill Bruhm has transcribed the 1921 census for several areas in
Lunenburg
County.
County.
The areas are Northfield, which also includes West Northfield,
Cookville, Lower and Upper Northwest, Pine Hurst. He has also transcribed
the Chester Asylum, County Asylum, and the Indian Reserves.
Cookville, Lower and Upper Northwest, Pine Hurst. He has also transcribed
the Chester Asylum, County Asylum, and the Indian Reserves.
In Halifax County, the following areas have been transcribed –
Lawrencetown, County Jail, City Prison, Sable Island Portuguese
Cove in Halifax County, Ketch Harbour, Chebucto Head, Duncan Cove, Bedford
Basin, Rockingham, Mount Saint Vincent, Hammond's Plains, as well as a few
names from Fairview.
Tom Downing has transcribed the census for Seal Harbour in
Guysborough
County. The census also includes Drum Head, Coddles Harbour
County. The census also includes Drum Head, Coddles Harbour
Alan Dinn has transcribed the 1921 census for Clementsport in
Annapolis
County
County
Wendy Morash has transcribed the 1921 census for Peggy's Cove in
Halifax
County. The census also includes Hackett's Cove, Glen Margaret and Indian
Harbour.
County. The census also includes Hackett's Cove, Glen Margaret and Indian
Harbour.
There are other areas that have been transcribed, and he adds to the site daily, so check it often.
Dwayne’s website is http://www.dwaynemeisner.com/census/novascotia/index.php
Are there other areas in Canada being transcribed?
Contact me at genealogycanada@aol.com, so that I can post them. Thank you.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Announcing a new Certificate Design Competition
This press release was just received from the OGS -
"Create a design for a new Heritage Society certificate for
The Ontario Genealogical Society.
As an addition to our current heritage clubs and societies, OGS is
developing the First World War Society for genealogists who
can prove they have one or more ancestors who served with the allied forces in
the First World War.
We need a striking certificate for members of the First
World War Society to proudly display, particularly as we commemorate
the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War next year.
Prize: $500
Design Criteria
Each 8.5" x 11" portrait format certificate design must
have,
- The OGS
logo present somewhere on the certificate (.jpg of the logo may be
obtained by contacting OGS provincial office provoffice@ogs.on.ca)
- Space for
the name(s) of applicant(s)
- Space for
the name of qualifying ancestor
- Space for
the date of issue and signature of the OGS president
- Room for
the OGS seal measuring 5.5 cm in diameter
Please visit the OGS site to view examples of our other
certificates. We are looking for a design that will fit into our collection.
Multiple entries are welcome.
While you may submit your entry in a format of your choice, please
be aware that the OGS office is a PC environment.
Deadline: December 31, 2013
The winner will be contacted in March 2014 and the certificate
will be launched at The Ontario Genealogical Society's Annual Conference May
1st - 4th 2014
Please submit entries and any questions you may have to provoffice@ogs.on.ca
The website is http://www.ogs.on.ca/home/heritage_societies.php
Nova Scotia Obituaries
If you haven’t been to the Nova Scotia
Roots Facebook page and the Nova Scotia Obituaries website yet by Ron Zink, you
should check it out.
The Facebook page has comments by various visitors, and vary up-to-date information on Nova Scotians that you will find helpful.
As the Facebook says "It is an open group, and shares charts, scans, and discusses various family histories".
There are over 67,000 Nova Scotia Obituaries
listed on the websitw http://nsobits.ca/nsobits/default.asp
The Facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/groups/510478038981398
How accurate are French Canadian immigration records?
In August, Nathan W. Murphy, wrote a blog on the FamilySearch
website, where he wondered out loud about how accurate French Canadian record are – especially French
Canadian immigration records.
As he reviewed his French Canadian ancestry at
FamilySearch, he realized that “some of
my ancestors are literally in the database 100s of times”!
To get around this problem, he used Ficher
Origine, which he explains in his blog posting. You put in the name you are
researching, and there you will see the latest up-to-date information on your immigrant
ancestor. It should help you sort out your ancestors, one from the other.
So give it a try.
Read this very interesting blog at https://familysearch.org/blog/en/judging-familytree-accuracy-french-canadian-immigrants/#comments
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Library and Archives Canada and Canadiana.org announces partnership
Last week, I reported on the new digitization partnership
between the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and Canadian.org (see blog
posting of Aug 23rd “Some land
records are being digitized”), and now it has been made official.
The LAC has agreed to a “large-scale digitization
partnership involving about 60 million images from numerous collections”.
A couple of things caught my eye –
This will be a ”10-year agreement with this
longstanding partner (which) covers the digitization, indexing and description
of millions of personal, administrative and government documents, as well as
land grants, war diaries and photographs. There will be no change for those
Canadians who wish to access these collections at LAC.
The go on to further say that “Canadiana.org also
will also transcribe millions of handwritten pages, and create related
descriptions. Enhanced search tools facilitating access to these records will
be available to Canadians free of charge at LAC, as well as at hundreds
of subscribing libraries in regions across Canada. For a small monthly fee,
Canadians will also be able to use the enhanced tools online to conduct
advanced searches without leaving home”
Notice that the press release says nothing about
newspapers. And what will be the fee? And when will this take place?
It also sounds as if you want to see these records
free of charge, you will have to visit them at the LAC in Ottawa.
To read the full report, go to http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/news/Pages/2013/lac-canadiana-partner-digitization.aspx
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Is your ancestor on this list?
And the OGS has a new Heritage Society Certificate on the Father of Confederation.
The certificate is open to anyone who can prove descent from one of these 36 officially-named Fathers of Confederation -
Sir Adams George Archibald
George Brown
Sir Alexander Campbell
Sir Frederick Carter
Sir George-Etienne Cartier
Sir Edward Barron Chandler
Sir Jean-Charles Chapais
Sir James Cockburn
George Coles
Robert B. Dickey
Charles Fisher
Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt
Col John Hamilton Gray
Sir John Hamilton Gray
Sir Thomas Heath Haviland
William Alexander Henry
Sir William Pearce Howland
John Mercer Johnson
Sir Hector-Louis Langevin
Andrew Archibald Macdonald
Sir John A. Macdonald
Jonathan McCully
William Alexander McDougall
Thomas D’Arcy McGee
Peter Mitchell
Sir Oliver Mowat
Edward Palmer
William Henry Pope
John William Ritchie
Sir Ambrose Shea
William H. Steeves
Sir Etienne-Paschal Tache
Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley
Sir Charles Tupper
Edward Whelan
Robert Duncan Wilmot
Go to http://www.ogs.on.ca/home/heritage_societies/Fathers%20of%20Confederation%20Society%20Application.pdf for more information on this society and an application form.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Records
Starting in 1843, Wesleyan Methodist
ministers kept a book of entries for births and baptisms. Each year, they submitted
their book to the Conference Office.
Entries were then copied into the General Register, arranged by township, town, village and circuit. The records of the Wesleyan Methodist Church are from 1826 to 1910.
The United Church of Canada Archives who hold copyright on these records, but they have allowed the OGS to transcribe and sell these records through its thirty Branches located throughout Ontario.
To obtain copies of these baptismal record indexes, contact the Branch in the area in which you are doing your family research.
You can go to the list of Branches within the OGS at http://www.ogs.on.ca/branches.php
Postscript: Remember that these are copies of the original baptismal record. It is best if you can get the original record so that you can be sure that there are not any mistakes in transcribing the copies.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
90th Annual Buxton Homecoming
What
started as a one-day celebration back in 1924, has turned into a four-day
heritage event which will take place this weekend (Aug 31st to Sept
2nd) at the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, Buxton, Ontario.
Organizers expect nearly 3,000 people will attend the events.
The
event starts on the Friday with a U.S./Canadian history and genealogy
conference at the museum. There will be three speakers and a panel of
students from York University.
Saturday
will feature a baseball tournament with the baseball teams in the form of a
family tree, and Sunday there will be an afternoon church service and an historical
re-enactments at the museum park grounds. There will also be a bronze marker that
will be unveiled in the Buxton cemetery to commemorate Eliza Parker.
Parker
was a historical figure with the Fugitive Slave Act
in the US before coming to Canada and settling in North Buxton in the
mid-1800s.
Then
there will be the North Buxton Parade on Monday, and a midway fairgrounds.
If you want to find out more about the event, you can go to http://www.buxtonmuseum.com
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