Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research (VIGR)

In order to give my research clients the most-up-to-date information, using modern methodology—and in addition to my working towards a Certificate in Professional Development from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (NIGS)——I have just enrolled in Michael Hait’s course in Writing a Logical Proof Argument, a course from the new Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research (VIGR).

As I wrote to the people behind VIGR, “I am really excited to be a part of the first class! This is groundbreaking in the realm of genealogical institutes, and I am so glad that it has come to pass”. 

The link to the Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research (VIGR) website is  http://vigrgenealogy.com/news/ 

The Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/vigrgenealogy 

My research website is at www.elrs.biz.

Nuit Blanche at the Museum

The Canadian Museum of History is partnering again with Nuit Blanche, a dusk-till-dawn celebration of contemporary art and culture taking place in multiple venues in Ottawa–Gatineau.

Come experience history with an after-hours twist and groove to music spun by our own in-house DJ, performances by the Ottawa Stilt Union, and more. Sip on a “Bypass”, the signature drink created especially for the event… and enjoy. 

Nuit Blanche is on Saturday, September 20, 6:20 p.m. to Sunday, September 21, 4:21 a.m. 

Go to the website http://nbog.ca/ to see what else is on. 

Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre - Ontario Jewish Archives-

Back in 1973, the Ontario Jewish Archives, known as the Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, started to acquire, preserve and today, it is making available documentary sources related to Ontario's Jewish community. 

Now, the Government of Canada has announced that it will be providing $195,100 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund to support a renovation project undertaken by the Ontario Jewish Archives Foundation. With this funding the Foundation will retrofit the vault and redesign and furnish the public access space and document processing area in the Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre. 

The Ontario Jewish Archives is the largest professionally maintained repository of Jewish archival material in Canada.

You can search their archives where they have over 5,000 cubic feet of textual records, photos, newspapers, films, and oral histories. 

The website is at http://ontariojewisharchives.org/

The Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioJewishArchives

Niagara Peninsula has a new website!

The Niagara Peninsula of the Ontario Genealogical Society has a new website, and it is exciting because of the new features that are on the site. 

In addition to having a new website (which is very neat and well organized), they are also starting to put video of their meetings and cemetery tours under the heading of Media! 

Last evening, I watched a video of their last meeting, and I was impressed with the quality and media presence of the presenters. I was left with the thought that everyone should do this. It’s a great way to tell everybody about your Branch or Chapter for free!  

So why isn’t this an initiative from the head office? Maybe it is, and we are just finding out about it, but I don’t think so. 

The website is at http://www.ogs.on.ca/niagara/

9/11 - The day we shall never forget

There were 24 Canadians killed in 9/11 – The day we shall never forget. 

There is a list of the people plus their profiles at
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/09/07/1810996.html 

Canada on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in 2011, started the National Day of Service. It honours and celebrates the acts of kindness that Canadians are known for at home and all over the world.

Two genealogical events at Quinte Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society

There are two genealogical events taking place at the Quinte Branch of the Genealogical Society in Trenton, Ontario this month, and they are – 

Doors Open 2014

Come and check out the holdings and resources of their Genealogical Library. Meet their volunteers and find out how they can help you in your research. 

The Open House will be held on Saturday September 13th at 1:00 pm.

Everyone is welcome!

And the second event is their regular monthly meeting which will be held on Saturday September the 20th at 1:00 pm and the topic will be Discovering the Lennox & Addington Archives . The talk will be given by Shelley Respondek, Lennox & Addington County Archivist.

Local repositories are vital for researchers, providing many collections not accessible elsewhere. Knowing what is available is important as we create our research plans.

Mark your calendars for this meeting and hope to see you there!

The venue is Quinte West City Hall Library, 7 Creswell Drive, Trenton, Ontario.

The webpage is http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs/ 

The Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/QuinteBranch.OGS

75th anniversary of Canada’s engagement in the Second World War

Today, September 10th, marks 75th anniversary of Canada’s engagement in the Second World War.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has issued the following statement -

“On September 10th, 1939, nine days after Germany invaded Poland, Canada made its first declaration of war as a sovereign country.

“Though still recovering from the hardship and sacrifices wrought by the First World War and the Great Depression, Canada did not hesitate to stand up for what was right.

“The Canadian contribution to the war effort was remarkable. From a population of just 11 million, over one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in military uniform between 1939 and 1945. By war’s end, our country possessed the fourth-largest air force and the third-largest naval surface fleet in the world.

“In the air, on land and at sea, those young Canadians served with honour and integrity, both at home and abroad. Their resolve and clarity of purpose was evident in hostile skies, on the shores of Dieppe and Normandy, in the mountains of Italy, on the frigid North Atlantic waters, and in the searing Hong Kong sun. From Europe to the Far East, they stood strong, supported by the loved ones they left behind and millions of Canadians diligently working on the home front. Freedom was won, but at a tremendous cost, with more than 45,000 Canadians giving their lives and another 55,000 wounded.

“Though decades have passed, the effects of the Second World War are still felt in Canada. The courage and sacrifice of those who served must be honoured through meaningful remembrance.

“Today, as we mark the 75th anniversary of Canada’s engagement in the Second World War, I ask all Canadians to take time to think about the enormous contributions our Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members have made to the country we enjoy today.

“Lest we forget.”

For a history of Canada's involvement in the Second World War, please read The Canadian Encyclopedia at http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/second-world-war-wwii/