British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) is one of the most successful genealogical societies in Canada. They have well over 500 members, and are leaders in the study of Anglo-Celtic roots in Canada.
This year from Sept. 16 to the 18th will see the 17th Annual Conference at the Library and Archives Canada on Wellington Street in Ottawa, and it will have as it's theme "England & Wales: London & the Home Countries".
On Friday, there will be the pre-conference Seminar which will feature "I can't find them anywhere!: Effective searching, sharing, and collaborating with Ancestry" with Leslie Anderson; "Storing and Preserving Family Archives and Artifacts: Arresting the deterioration of your family treasure" by Kyla Ubbink; and "Introduction to English and Welsh Family History Research: Using civil registration, census, parish register and probate records" by Linda Reid.
There are eight lectures to choose from on Saturday and Sunday, and they range from "Tracing Your English Ancestors in The National Archives", "The Fleet Registers: Clandestine Marriages in London 1667-1754", "The London Gazette: Not Just the Brave and the Bankrupt", and "Resting Peacefully in Essex - Where I Became a Better Genealogist".
Why don't you come, and join us for a really good weekend? You can find out information about your ancestor, and at $70.00 for the full conference (member's rate), or for $50.00 a day (member's rate), or at $20.00 for a single session, how could you go wrong? And don't forget, there is also a Marketplace on all three days.
This year they have a blog http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/in which they keep you up-to-date on the latest speakers, where to stay in Ottawa while at the conference, and the Marketplace is reporting a 15% jump in registration!
You can register before Aug 12th by going to the BIFHSGO website at http://www.bifhsgo.ca/.
A daily blog about Canadian genealogy, heritage, and history
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Scottish Nick Names in Canada
There has been an interesting notice sent in by Dianne Bergstadt to Chris Paton on his blog, Scottish GENES about Scottish Nick Names that were used by people living in Glengarry County, Ontario.
As Chris points out on the blog, there are very few “Scottish” Nick Names in the list, but it is worth reading to see if your ancestor is included in the list.
Some samples of Nick Names are -
Donald MacDonald = Big Donald The Blacksmith
Sandy MacDonald = Sandy Schoolmaster
John McPhee = Old Man of Cold
John MacDonald = Johnny Alex the Cook
Alex McDonald = Alex the Grocer
The website which has the list is http://www.bytown.net/scottishnicknamesinglengarry.htm
Many thanks to Dianne for sending a notice of the list to Chris, and my thanks to Chris for putting it on his blog this afternoon.
As Chris points out on the blog, there are very few “Scottish” Nick Names in the list, but it is worth reading to see if your ancestor is included in the list.
Some samples of Nick Names are -
Donald MacDonald = Big Donald The Blacksmith
Sandy MacDonald = Sandy Schoolmaster
John McPhee = Old Man of Cold
John MacDonald = Johnny Alex the Cook
Alex McDonald = Alex the Grocer
The website which has the list is http://www.bytown.net/scottishnicknamesinglengarry.htm
Many thanks to Dianne for sending a notice of the list to Chris, and my thanks to Chris for putting it on his blog this afternoon.
Ottawa Genealogical Society Blog
The Ottawa Genealogy Society has a new blog at http://ogsottawa.blogspot.com/.
Published since June 10th, I learned about it last evening while attending the AGM of Ottawa Genealogy Society at Library and Archives Canada.
I went to their site this morning, and found out that Mike More (the former chair of the Ottawa Genealogy Society, and the Region VIII Director), Edward Kipp (the editor of the Ottawa Genealogist, the Branch’s newsletter), Jim Stanzell (the Publications Officer), and Tom White (the Program Officer) all contribute to the blog on a regular basis.
For instant, while talking to Jim last night, I learned that he is putting on information on the War of 1812. Right now, he has the first of many postings on War of 1812, and this one will interest those who have ancestors in the 100th Regiment of Foot who settled in the Goulbourn Township, Carleton County near Ottawa.
I wish everybody concerned success in this blog. It is always good to see new genealogy blogs come on the scene with important information.
Published since June 10th, I learned about it last evening while attending the AGM of Ottawa Genealogy Society at Library and Archives Canada.
I went to their site this morning, and found out that Mike More (the former chair of the Ottawa Genealogy Society, and the Region VIII Director), Edward Kipp (the editor of the Ottawa Genealogist, the Branch’s newsletter), Jim Stanzell (the Publications Officer), and Tom White (the Program Officer) all contribute to the blog on a regular basis.
For instant, while talking to Jim last night, I learned that he is putting on information on the War of 1812. Right now, he has the first of many postings on War of 1812, and this one will interest those who have ancestors in the 100th Regiment of Foot who settled in the Goulbourn Township, Carleton County near Ottawa.
I wish everybody concerned success in this blog. It is always good to see new genealogy blogs come on the scene with important information.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2011 Emancipation Day Bus Tour – “The Freedom Trial Celebration”
The Ontario Black History Society is pleased to invite you to join them on the following bus tour -
Date: Saturday, July 23rd
Departure Location: Yorkdale Mall by the Cineplex Entrance
Departure Time: 8:00AM
Return Time: 9:00PM
Cost: $ 65.00- Members, $75.00- Non-Members ($40 Deposit required upon reservation)
RSVP by June 22nd, 2011 to 416)-867-9420 or E-mail: admin@blackhistorysociety.ca
Sites to be visited include
St. Catharines Museum at the Welland Canals Centre
The St. Catharines Museum's award-winning exhibit, Follow the North Star, explores the black experience along the Underground Railroad and recounts the rich legacy of Niagara's African Canadians.
Anthony Burns Gravesite
The provincial historic plaque at this site honours the memory of Reverend Anthony Burns, the last person tried under the Fugitive Slave Act in Massachusetts. A verdict, which returned him to slavery, incited street riots. Boston abolitionists bought his freedom and educated him before he settled in St. Catharines and successfully ministered at Zion Baptist Church.
St. Catharines British Methodist Episcopal Church (Salem Chapel)
Its proximity to the border, access to rail lines, and employment opportunities, established St. Catharines as a large refugee centre. In 1855 their first small log church was replaced with this larger, more finished building. Its open hall plan includes a three-sided balcony, providing seating capacity for the large number of people who regularly attended, often including the famous Harriet Tubman and the newly arrived refugees whom she had led to freedom.
R. Nathaniel Dett British Methodist Episcopal Church
Constructed in 1836, this building was originally in the area of present-day Niagara Falls, then known as Fallsview. The church was designated a national historic site in 2001. The Chapel continues to be the spiritual and cultural center of the black community. It was named in honour of native-born, world-renowned musician and composer of sacred music, Robert Nathaniel Dett, who, from 1898 to 1903, was the church organist".
The Black History Society
10 Adelaide Street East Suite 402
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1J3
Telephone: (416) 867-9420 Fax: (416) 867-8691
Website: www.blackhistorysociety
Date: Saturday, July 23rd
Departure Location: Yorkdale Mall by the Cineplex Entrance
Departure Time: 8:00AM
Return Time: 9:00PM
Cost: $ 65.00- Members, $75.00- Non-Members ($40 Deposit required upon reservation)
RSVP by June 22nd, 2011 to 416)-867-9420 or E-mail: admin@blackhistorysociety.ca
Sites to be visited include
St. Catharines Museum at the Welland Canals Centre
The St. Catharines Museum's award-winning exhibit, Follow the North Star, explores the black experience along the Underground Railroad and recounts the rich legacy of Niagara's African Canadians.
Anthony Burns Gravesite
The provincial historic plaque at this site honours the memory of Reverend Anthony Burns, the last person tried under the Fugitive Slave Act in Massachusetts. A verdict, which returned him to slavery, incited street riots. Boston abolitionists bought his freedom and educated him before he settled in St. Catharines and successfully ministered at Zion Baptist Church.
St. Catharines British Methodist Episcopal Church (Salem Chapel)
Its proximity to the border, access to rail lines, and employment opportunities, established St. Catharines as a large refugee centre. In 1855 their first small log church was replaced with this larger, more finished building. Its open hall plan includes a three-sided balcony, providing seating capacity for the large number of people who regularly attended, often including the famous Harriet Tubman and the newly arrived refugees whom she had led to freedom.
R. Nathaniel Dett British Methodist Episcopal Church
Constructed in 1836, this building was originally in the area of present-day Niagara Falls, then known as Fallsview. The church was designated a national historic site in 2001. The Chapel continues to be the spiritual and cultural center of the black community. It was named in honour of native-born, world-renowned musician and composer of sacred music, Robert Nathaniel Dett, who, from 1898 to 1903, was the church organist".
The Black History Society
10 Adelaide Street East Suite 402
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1J3
Telephone: (416) 867-9420 Fax: (416) 867-8691
Website: www.blackhistorysociety
World Acadian Congress Family Reunions
Organizers of the L'Acadie du Monde (International World Acadian Congress, to be held in August 2014) are looking for people who can organize family reunions. They hope to bring Acadian families from all over the world to celebrate the cultural traditions by attending the Congress in August.
The theme for the 2014 Congress is "Lands and Forests", which will be held in Maine's St. John Valley, in southeast Quebec, and in northwest New Brunswick.
They are hoping for 100 family reunions, and for over 50,000 people to attend the two-week-long Congress.
Acadians are the descendants of colonial French families who were exiled from their homes in 1755 by the British government in what was called Le Grand Derangement, or The Great Displacement.
Applications for families interested in hosting a family reunion are available online at the website for the fifth World Acadian Congress at http://www.acadian.org/congres5.html.
The theme for the 2014 Congress is "Lands and Forests", which will be held in Maine's St. John Valley, in southeast Quebec, and in northwest New Brunswick.
They are hoping for 100 family reunions, and for over 50,000 people to attend the two-week-long Congress.
Acadians are the descendants of colonial French families who were exiled from their homes in 1755 by the British government in what was called Le Grand Derangement, or The Great Displacement.
Applications for families interested in hosting a family reunion are available online at the website for the fifth World Acadian Congress at http://www.acadian.org/congres5.html.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Finding Ontario Ancestors
Just received this press release from the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogy Society (OGS) -
“The Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Canadiana Department of the North York Central Library are co-sponsoring "Finding Ontario Ancestors", a one-day summer workshop exploring the richness of Ontario records. Find out how to get the most from familiar records or discover a new source to expand your understanding of your Ontario ancestors. You’ll enjoy this relaxed, information-packed day with speakers who revel in the intricacies and richness of records – and love to share their knowledge. The workshop will be held in the Auditorium of the North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto, at the North York Centre subway station. Early registration rates are available until 15 July 2011. Discounts are available for OGS members. For program, cost and registration details, visit www.torontofamilyhistory.org/Finding_Ontario_Ancestors_2011.html. To check availability, call 416-733-2608 (voice mail) or e-mail info@torontofamilyhistory.org”.
“The Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Canadiana Department of the North York Central Library are co-sponsoring "Finding Ontario Ancestors", a one-day summer workshop exploring the richness of Ontario records. Find out how to get the most from familiar records or discover a new source to expand your understanding of your Ontario ancestors. You’ll enjoy this relaxed, information-packed day with speakers who revel in the intricacies and richness of records – and love to share their knowledge. The workshop will be held in the Auditorium of the North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto, at the North York Centre subway station. Early registration rates are available until 15 July 2011. Discounts are available for OGS members. For program, cost and registration details, visit www.torontofamilyhistory.org/Finding_Ontario_Ancestors_2011.html. To check availability, call 416-733-2608 (voice mail) or e-mail info@torontofamilyhistory.org”.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
War of 1812 Database
New on the Ontario Genealogy Society (OGS) site at http://ogs.on.ca/services/1812-militia.php they have a Records Page, and today, they have added a "collection of War of 1812 Militia Documents".
The person who has worked hard, and many hours transcribing the Records from the Library and Archives Canada is Genealogist Fred Blair.
The first two sets of Records are from the York Militia, and they are -
2nd Regiment of York Militia – Payroll at http://ogs.on.ca/services/pdfs/2nd-regiment-Payrolls.pdf
2nd Regiment of York Militia and 5th Regiment of Lincoln Militia - Flank Companies and Others at http://ogs.on.ca/services/pdfs/2ndYork-5thLincoln-Flank-Companies.pdf
He offered them to the OGS with the understanding that they would be available to ALL researchers – free of charge!
I went and took a look at them myself, and Fred did an impressive job. Besides transcribing the records, he also put his own notes in with the Records, and you should read them to see if they apply to the ancestor you may be looking for in your family history.
This is just the beginning of the Records he will be allowing the OGS to place on their site, so stayed tuned as Canada goes into the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 in 2012.
The person who has worked hard, and many hours transcribing the Records from the Library and Archives Canada is Genealogist Fred Blair.
The first two sets of Records are from the York Militia, and they are -
2nd Regiment of York Militia – Payroll at http://ogs.on.ca/services/pdfs/2nd-regiment-Payrolls.pdf
2nd Regiment of York Militia and 5th Regiment of Lincoln Militia - Flank Companies and Others at http://ogs.on.ca/services/pdfs/2ndYork-5thLincoln-Flank-Companies.pdf
He offered them to the OGS with the understanding that they would be available to ALL researchers – free of charge!
I went and took a look at them myself, and Fred did an impressive job. Besides transcribing the records, he also put his own notes in with the Records, and you should read them to see if they apply to the ancestor you may be looking for in your family history.
This is just the beginning of the Records he will be allowing the OGS to place on their site, so stayed tuned as Canada goes into the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 in 2012.
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