Thursday, March 5, 2015

Pictures of First World War Valcartier Camp, Quebec on Flickr



The Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has put pictures of the First World War soldiers stationed at Valcartier Camp, Quebec on Flickr. The LAC says that - 
 
‘With a small army of approximately 3,000 soldiers, a small navy, and some militia units, Canada was able to enlist about 35,000 men in a matter of a few months. They were stationed at Valcartier Camp situated northwest of Québec City for initial training and formed into battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and into a division—the 1st Canadian Division.
 
Comprising 31,000 men, the Division was sent overseas by convoy for further training at Salisbury Plain in England where it continued training through the winter of 1914, and was finally sent to France in February 1915’. 
 
 


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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at 
http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review.html


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

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

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Quebec Family History Society – Video

Three members of the executive - Gary Schroder, Deborah Robertson and Kelley O'Rourke – of the the Quebec Family History Society (QFHS) has made a YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgOYA6QtXec about the Conference which they will be holding on June 19, 29, and 21, 2015 at McGill University, Montreal.

Already, there have been over 100 viewers of the video, so that shows that there is interest in the Conference.

If you are interested in Conference 2015, you can go to http://www.qfhs.ca/cpage.php?pt=174 to see the programme, the accommodation, the Genealogical Resource Fair, and the registration package.



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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review.html


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

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since

April 23, 2012.

UPDATE: OGS Conference – Interview No 4



Shirley Sturdevant, former president of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) has interviewed Dave Obee LLD (University of British Columbia) from Victoria, British Columbia. He will be a speaker at the OGS Conference to be held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29th to May 31st, 2015.

He will be participating in the Saturday morning panel discussion and be presenting lectures entitled A Sense of Place and Time, Western Canada by Rail, and From Eastern Europe to Canada.

Dave is the editor-in-chief of the Times Colonist newspaper. He is also the author of twelve books, including guides to Canadian immigration records and census records. He is a columnist for Internet Genealogy and Family Chronicle, and serves on the board of Canada’s History Society. 

To view the YouTube interview, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5932gCFc5Ig


And to review the other interviews on this blog, you can go to the following websites -

Interview No 1 with Thomas MacEntee and Dr.Janet Few at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/02/update-ogs-conference-interviews.html






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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review.html


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

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since

April 23, 2012.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Upcoming events in Ontario and Quebec



On March 21, 2015, the Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will feature author Bill Kennedy's recent book At the Call of King and Country, the stories of WWI Soldiers and the Canadian Army Medical Corp nurses, some from Hastings County. 
 
The talk will take place at the Quinte West Public Library, 7 Creswell Drive, Trenton, ON K8V 6X5 at 1 pm to 3 pm. Everyone is welcome, and bring a friend!
 
For more information, visit www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs/ 
 
And there is a 2-session genealogy course at Quebec Family History Society and the lectures will be given by Gary Schroder. The lectures will be entitled Family History Research: How Do Find Your Ancestors
 
Gary Schroder, long-time member of the Q.F.H.S. will be giving a 6 course at the Pointe Claire Public Library. This is an excellent way to learn about the Quebec Family History Society and it’s Heritage Centre and of course to learn more about family history resources and to discover what is available on the Internet. 
 
This 6-hour course is an introduction to the sources used in family history research and also how to use the Internet for genealogical research. 
 
The lectures will be at the Pointe Claire Public Library, 100 Douglas Shand, Pointe Claire, Quebec on Wednesday March 11 and March 18, 2015, and the time will be  6 to 9 (6 hour course). The cost will be $30.00 residents of Pointe Claire $40.00 non-residents.
 
Advance reservations are required: To Reserve a Place Call 514-630-1218 or go in person to the Pointe Claire Library. 
 
The website is at http://www.qfhs.ca/



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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review.html

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

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

Library and Archives Canada - online survey


 
Sylvie Tremblay, Manager, Online Content of the Library and Archives Canada (LAC), has sent out the following press release -

Library and Archives Canada is conducting a usability study of our to gather information about how visitors use our website. This study includes a question about digital content available on the LAC website. Please note that the identity of respondents is strictly confidential’.

The study can be accessed at: http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/lacbac01/lac/ until March 6th.

If you have any questions about the study, please contact: webservices@bac-lac.gc.ca.

So I took the survey, and found that they asked very good questions, such as how did you find the LAC website and what (records) were you searching for today?

The questions caused me to think, and the two things that I would like to see added would be the 1851, 1861 and 1871 agricultural census and the vast collection of newspapers that they have onsite. Whether they will accommodate my wish list remains to be seen.

What did you think of the survey? What would you like to see in the future as far as digital content is concerned? Are there questions that they should have asked, and didn’t?


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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review.html
 It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

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

Call for Speakers - Irish Genealogy


 
Gwyneth Pearce, the Secretaryof the Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society has sent me the following press release -

'Toronto Branch is planning a one-day workshop on 19 September 2015 on Irish genealogy and family history with a specific focus on Ulster. Historian Dr. William Roulston and genealogist Chris Paton have agreed to lead this workshop as keynote presenters, and we are now seeking other speakers with Irish expertise who would like to be part of the team. We invite proposals for presentations at either a beginner or more advanced level aimed at family historians researching ancestors in the nine counties in the historic province of Ulster'.


The deadline to submit a proposal for this workshop is Saturday,18 April 2015.

Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/TOFamilyHistory

Their Twitter account is @TOFamilyHistory



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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review.html


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

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since

April 23, 2012.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Canadian Week in Review 02 Mar 2015

 


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.

This Week in Canadian History

1917 Women in Ontario win right to vote in provincial elections. On December 6, 1921, at the age of 31, Agnes Macphail became the first woman to sit in the House of Commons.

For more information, go to http://www.cbc.ca/history/EPISCONTENTSE1EP12CH3PA1LE.html

On February 24, 2013, the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, unveiled a plaque at the former site of Hogan’s Alley, officially recognizing the area’s deep historical ties to the city’s first Black community

For more information, go to http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/cseh-twih/index_e.asp

Social Media

(Video) Black Halifax’s unseen histories

http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/black-halifaxs-unseen-histories/Content?oid=4553663

Black Halifax: Stories from Here highlight 14 important historical African Nova Scotian moments
(Photos) Sir John A. Macdonald's gold watch impresses students

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/sir-john-a-macdonald-s-gold-watch-impresses-students-1.2971780

A pocket watch owned by the first prime minister of Canada has proven popular with students at a Summerside school.

New Brunswick

Girl Guides seek memorabilia for Saint John archives
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/girl-guides-seek-memorabilia-for-saint-john-archives-1.2973309
Former N.B. Brownies, Guides and Pathfinders asked for uniforms, photos and other items

Nova Scotia

Creignish stone cottage restoration wins heritage award
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/creignish-stone-cottage-restoration-wins-heritage-award-1.2971559
Settler's descendant reclaims family homestead. Ian MacMaster built what's known as Moidart house around 1801


Broughton ghost town attracts heritage interest
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/broughton-ghost-town-attracts-heritage-interest-1.2968959
Cape Breton heritage group hopes to preserve former mine town

Ontario

Museum of History among local cultural institutions to get a boost in funding
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/museum-of-history-among-local-cultural-institutions-to-get-a-boost-in-funding
Local museums and cultural agencies will be among the beneficiaries of federal government largesse this year, according to spending plans outlined in the 2015-16 main estimates.

Saskatchewan

A special month for black history in Saskatchewan
http://www.leaderpost.com/life/special+month+black+history+Saskatchewan/10836909/story.html
A pphysician, politician, pharmacist, farmer and publisher: Dr. Alfred Schmitz Shadd was the man whom history records as the first black settler in Saskatchewan.

News Stories of the Week

This week The Stories of the Week is slanted towards the youth of Canada – your talents are wanted!

Canadian Day Challenge 2015


This year, the youth from ages 8 to 18 years across Canada are asked to tell us what makes them proud to be Canadian by submitting their best, most dynamic drawings, photos or pieces of creative writing that represents everything that Canada is as a strong, proud and free nation.

Enter the 2015 Canada Day Challenge for a chance to win great prizes, including all-expenses paid trip for two to Ottawa to celebrate Canada Day on Parliament Hill: go backstage, meet some of Canada’s most inspiring people, tour museums, galleries, the iconic Parliament Buildings and be part of a special summer exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History!

Plus, there’s even more to be excited about this year! Winners will also receive the opportunity to work with the amazingly talented team of education specialists from the National Film Board of Canada to create their very own short films about their adventures in Ottawa.

How cool all of this is. So parents and grandparents, be sure to encourage the young people in your lives to enter the contest. The deadline is coming fast, so be sure to enter before March 20, 2015.

Contact the Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages at 819-997-7788
for further information.

Commonwealth Day


Commonwealth Day  is March the 9th, and the theme this year is 'A Young Commonwealth'.

"A Young Commonwealth recognises the capacity, contribution and potential of young people, who play a vital role at the heart of sustainable development and democracy," said Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, announcing the theme.

"The Commonwealth is also a family of dynamic countries at the forefront of innovation, growth and contributing global value. As a diverse and increasingly connected global network, we bring fresh perspectives and new ideas.”

Find out about youth events taking place throughout the year at thecommonwealth.org/ayoungcommonwealth

That was the Canadian genealogy, history and heritage news in Canada this past week!
 
The next Canadian Week in Review will be posted 09 March 2015