GenealogyCanada is 6 years old today!

Yes, it’s been six years since this blog was started. And each year just keeps getting better, thanks to you!

This past year, this blog was recognized as being among the best in the business by being accorded the following accolades –

Ø Named as one of Internet Genealogy Magazine’s 25 Top Genealogy Blogs

Ø Named as one of the 40 Best Genealogy Blogs in 2013 by FamilyTree Magazine

Ø Named as one of the Top 90 Genealogy Blogs from Free People Search.org

And there are plans to continue on with this success, so please stay tuned.

Last year, of course, was the Year of the 1921 Census.

It was the singular most popular subject on my blog, by the amount of traffic and comments by you, faithful readers. When the indexed version was finally released by Ancestry.ca in November, it was met with much enthusiasm by the public!

I also held a contest on Canada Day where readers were given the chance to get some help with their brick walls. There were four winners.

So, here’s hoping for another good year, full of more news from across Canada.

All the best,

Elizabeth

 

Happy New Year!

May all of your genealogical dream come true in 2014!

I know that I have a number of conferences to attend, some research projects that need my attention, and a summer full of museums, libraries and archives to visit in 2014.

It will be noteworthy year in Ottawa because it will be the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

So what do you plan to do in 2014? 

LAC has a new version of the Naturalization Records (1915-1951)

The LAC has sent the following announcement -

“Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce the release of a new version of the online database Naturalization Records, 1915-1951. The nominal index has been extended with the addition of more than 93,000 names and now covers the years from 1915 to 1939, inclusively. Work is ongoing to extend the nominal index to 1951, and volunteers are welcome to help.

This database is one of the few Canadian genealogical resources specifically designed to benefit researchers having roots other than British. The reference numbers indicated in the database can be used to request copies of the original naturalization records, which are held by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Library and Archives Canada would like to thank the Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal and its volunteers, without whom this project would not have happened”.

The database is at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/citizenship-naturalization-records/naturalized-records-1915-1951/Pages/introduction.aspx

You can write to Cdn-Nat-Coord@jgs-montreal.org

Archive CD Books - Midwinter SALE

We have just received this notice from Malcolm and Chris at the Archive CD Books site -

“Once again we are running our limited time midwinter sale:

We have marked almost ALL OF OUR CANADIAN PRODUCTS down an amazing 50% for the duration of the sale.

We are also clearing our Inventory of British (UK) products (i.e., already made and packaged) at up to 40% off.  There is only one of two of each of these and once they are sold - THAT’S IT!  (After all the idea is to CLEAR the stock - not to remake it.)

All the sale prices are marked in our online catalogue AND for your quick reference there is a temporary, new CATALOGUE CATEGORY, “Sale Up To 50% Off” so come to our web site and view the regular catalogue,

OR:

follow the link below to go straight to the complete listing:

http://www.archivecdbooks.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.viewCatalog&lstCtl=29&lstCat=&lstSCat=#cat29

This sale won’t last for ever but the more popular you show us it is the longer it will last!  (British CDs excepted - when they’re gone - they’re GONE!)”

Postscript: I have bought books from Archive CD Books before, and I have always been impressed with the quality and top-notch care that is taken by Malcolm and Chris in putting the books on CD. They do an excellent job of putting historical books onto CD.

UPDATE: Ancestry.ca FEE ACCESS

Ancestry.ca is giving you FREE ACCESS to more than 100 million records from Canada and around the world. Limited time only - ends December 29th.

The Canadian records are -

1921 Census of Canada

Canada, British Army and Canadian Militia Muster Rolls and Pay Lists, 1795-1850

Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900

Canada, City and Area Directories, 1819-1906

Canada, Registers of Prisoners of War, 1803-1815

Saskatchewan, Canada, Residents Index (SRI), 1800-2012
Go to http://search.ancestry.ca/search/group/favourite2013

Buildings may soon be named after prominent Canadian women

Credit: This image of Laura Secord is from Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto by J. Ross Robertson.

Postmedis News reports that the government has floated the idea that buildings in Canada may soon be named after prominent Canadian women in history.

The example that the government gives is that a building in St. Catharines, Ontario could be named after Laura Secord, the War of 1812 heroine.

But no decision has yet been made.

If you want to read more about the plan, the story Prominent Canadian women may soon have names etched into history is at http://www.canada.com/Prominent+Canadian+women+soon+have+names+etched+into+history/9323249/story.html                                                                                                                                                

Boxing Day

Borrowed from Britain, and adopted in Canada as a Christmas holiday, Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day.

 In Britain, it was customary for employers to give their employees "Christmas boxes" of money or presents as thanks for good service throughout the year.