Reminder: Canadian Week in Review

Check the Canadian Week in Review tomorrow morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. 

It has the most up-to-date news items covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles.

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

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

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

Societies - are they changing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FamilySearch Indexing Project is waiting for you!

Are you ready? 

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

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

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

Here are the statistics on indexing Canadian projects - 

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

Some of the project that still need indexing are –

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

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

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

Archives is asking for your help

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

And they are working on three projects -

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

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

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

Drouin Collection – Quebec Records

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

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

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

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

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

Go to https://www.genealogiequebec.com

There is a winner!

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

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest. 

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

Canadian Week in Review 14 July 2014

I have come across the following Canadian websites, social media websites, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

Websites

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

History Week in Canada

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

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

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

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

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

Social Media

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

Video: SNTC's artistic history

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

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

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

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

Newfoundland and Labrador

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

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

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

French photographers seek N.L. WWI connections for project

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

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

Nova Scotia

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

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

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

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

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

History comes to life at Iona's Highland Village

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

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

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

Prince Edward Island

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

New Brunswick

Sackville author publishes three books on local history

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

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

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

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

Quebec

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

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

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

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

Ontario

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

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

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

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

Manitoba

No stories this week. 

Saskatchewan

No stories this week. 

Alberta

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

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

British Columbia

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

Story of the Week

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review next Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! 

The next post will be on July 21, 2014.