Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Library and Archives Canada releases an updated version of the Immigrants from China database


Credit: Library and Archives Canada

Last month was Asian Heritage Month, and the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) updated their database to include references to the C.I.9 certificates issued to people of Chinese origin born in Canada and wanting to leave Canada for a limited time without losing their Canadian status.

If your ancestors are from China, you may want to view the adjusted database.

Here is the press release that was released by the LAC at the end of May -

“May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, during which we acknowledge the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada. Asian Heritage Month also provides an opportunity for Canadians across the country to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage to the growth and prosperity of Canada.

To celebrate Asian culture, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce the addition of references to its Immigrants from China database. It now includes references to the C.I.9 certificates issued to people of Chinese origin born in Canada and wanting to leave Canada for a limited time without losing their Canadian status. The actual records include a photograph and provide information such as the individual’s name, age and place of birth, as well as the port and date of departure, and the ship’s name.”

Chinese immigrants who arrived in Canada between 1885 and 1949 are in the database is fully explained on the website at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/immigration-records/immigrants-china-1885-1949/Pages/introduction.aspx

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Print Your Family History Book at the Toronto Public Library

This is a press release from the Toronto Public Library -

“Toronto Public Library’s newest offering is Asquith Press, a book printing service that enables customers to design and print bookstore-quality paperback books. The library is offering information sessions and classes open to all: from authors and aspiring writers to anyone who would like to create a book for their own personal interest.

Located on the main floor of the Toronto Reference Library in the recently opened Digital Innovation Hub, Asquith Press is available to people of all ages and skill levels.

With the help of workshops, print and online resources, knowledgeable library staff and guest mentors, customers will be able to develop, design and publish books."

There are two upcoming classes. The first class will be Tuesday June 17, 2014 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, and the second class will be Mon Jul 14, 2014| 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

The Toronto Public Library website is at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131

Monday, June 9, 2014

Canadian Week in Review 09 June 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


No new websites this week.

Events in History


On June 2, in 1866, Canadian militia units panicked and lost the "Battle of Ridgeway" after 700 Fenians attempted an invasion of the Niagara Peninsula.

To read about the Fenian Raid, read Battle of Ridgeway at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ridgeway
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Do you know which was the first letter of the alphabet that was sent by Guglielmo Marconi across the Atlantic from Cornwall, England to a receiving station in St. John's, Newfoundland?

It was the letter ‘S’!

It was sent across the Atlantic in 1901, because in 1897, Marconi had formed a wireless telegraphy company to develop its commercial applications – The Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company.

To read about this, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guglielmo_Marconi 

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In 1918, air mail service was inaugurated between New York, Boston, and Montreal.

In June 1871, Londoners crowded Trafalgar Square to see 7-foot-5 Anna Swan from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia marry 7-foot-9 Martin Buren Bates of Kentucky at St. Martin-In-The-Fields Church. They became engaged during a week-long trans-Atlantic voyage, and Queen Victoria provided the wedding dress!!

Social Media


History Blogs
Here is a list of history blogs in Canada.

Newspaper Articles


History comes to life at the Military Museums’ Summer Skirmish
Read about the Guns of the Golden West, a historical re-enactment group that represents the gunfighters of the 1880s.

Meewasin Trail to connect to Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Construction begins Friday to connect the Meewasin Trail to Wanuskewin Heritage Park
The official sod-turning ceremony took place Friday, kicking off construction to connect the Meewasin Trail at 71st Street to Wanuskewin Heritage Park as part of the Trans Canada Trail.

What the History Books say about the Canadian Grand Prix
First run in 1967 in Montreal, the history of the Canadian Grand Prix is told inn pictures with captions.

Camp Kadesh has deep roots in Sask. history
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Camp+Kadesh+deep+roots+Sask+history/9917454/story.html#ixzz33xhgouCm
The roots of Camp Kadesh go back to 1946 when Alfred and Eldean Friesen from Dalmeny Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church began a ministry to children that became known as Scripture Mission, from which Camp Kadesh was created. 

Canadian history lives on in Smiths Falls
http://www.kingstonregion.com/news-story/4560836-canadian-history-lives-on-in-smiths-falls
Smith’s Falls is located half way between Ottawa and Kinston on the Rideau Canal, and it is the home of the Rideau Canal Visitor Centre.

Ed Coleman's History: Names of men important to history forgotten
http://www.novanewsnow.com/Opinion/Columnists/2014-06-05/article-3749837/Ed-Colemans-History%3A-Names-of-men-important-to-history-forgotten/1
Colemam writes about Ernest Steckle Eaton, the man who first discovered that Debert in Nova Scotia was a site of where Paleo-Indians settled over 10,000 years ago. 

St. Peter's among Nova Scotia communities to receive spirit award
http://www.capebretonpost.com/Living/2014-06-06/article-3753633/St.-Peters-among-Nova-Scotia-communities-to-receive-spirit-award/1
The other towns that were chosen in Nova Scotia were Bridgewater, the Sackville area and the Town of Amherst.

Students paired with soldiers who died overseas http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/06/04/students_paired_with_soldiers_who_died_overseas.html
40 students from John McCrae Secondary School in Nepean, Ontario toured Europe last week as part of almost 1,000 Canadian students, teachers, cadets and military personnel who visited battlefields and landmarks of the Second World War to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Historic sign dismantled to appear in club
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Historic+sign+dismantled+appear+club/9905363/story.html
The marquee from the old Capitol Theatre, which was demolished in 1979, was recently moved to the new Capitol Music Club, and it’s causing some concern to the Saskatoon Heritage Society. 

Detroit River history showcased at community museum
SOS Saving our Strait showcases clean up efforts along Detroit River over last 60 years
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/detroit-river-history-showcased-at-community-museum-1.2661612
There's a new exhibit at Windsor's Community Museum showcasing the Detroit River's history. 

Government of Canada Invests $10.05 million in Province House National Historic Site
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1955273#ixzz33ZnZU7E3
They will do o repairs to the roof and windows, addressing water infiltration into the building and contributing, in general, to the preservation of the structure. 

A traditional Hungarian wedding in New Brunswick
http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2014/06/glimpse_of_history_a_traditional_hungarian_wedding_in_new_brunswick.html
Read about 20th century Hungarian wedding in the province of New Brunswick.

Story of the Week

Credit: Emily Wang of Edmonton, Alberta 

2014 Canada Day Challenge

As the country get ready to celebrate the 147th birthday of Canada on the 1st of July, the young people of the country have been busy.

They have used their “creativity and imagination” and have taken “up the challenge to explore Canada's history, culture, and identity and to discover what makes this country a truly special place”.

The 1st place winner in the Draw it! Competition was Emily Wang of Edmonton, Alberta and she 13 years old. The 1st place winner in the Snap it! Competition was Alana Krug-Macleaod of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and she is 16 years old, and the 1st place in the Write it! Competition is Sarah Peerless of Tell, British Columbia, who is 16 years old.

Go to http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1292269021030 to view the winners, and 1st and 2nd runners-up in each category.

Congratulations to everyone!

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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 16 June 2014.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

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 latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles.

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

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

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Special Notice: Join the OGS First World War Society

Credit: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1983-28-826

If you had anyone in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, you should read this notice -

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, OGS has launched a new Heritage Society. The First World War Society is a lineage Society open to anyone who can show descent from a person who served in a documented capacity on the Allied side of the First World War.

To qualify for this Society, your research must show that your named ancestor(s) fits in the category above, and then show the line of descent from that ancestor(s) to you or the person you wish named on the certificate.

For more information and an application form visit the Heritage Societies area on the OGS website is http://www.ogs.on.ca/heritage_societies.php#WW1

If you want to check the CEF site to see if your relative is there, go to the Library and Archives Canada site to see if they are listed as having joined. The site is http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/pages/home.aspx

If I can be of any assistance to you in researching your CEF member, you can email me at genealogyresearcha@aol.com or visit my site at http://www.elrs.biz

Ontario: Then and Now


The Archives of Ontario is offering a new feature and is asking for your help.

Grab your camera and get involved on Flickr! Recreate our fascinating historical photographs of neighbourhoods and landmarks across the province. We’ll provide the “then”… you provide the “now”! 

This is a great idea. It will allow you and others to see how a neighbourhood or landmark use to look years ago, and the way it looks today. Or does it look the same or different? 

You can find out about the new project by going to https://www.flickr.com/groups/ontariothenandnow

Friday, June 6, 2014

D-Day Live: The historic invasion in real time on the CBC

Credit: Lieut. Ken Bell / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-136820

Today is the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, and CBCNews.ca has re-imagined how the events of that historic day would have been reported if Twitter been around at the time. Relive history through a real-time recreation 


Meanwhile, the Library and Archives Canada has an expanded version of the Service Files of the Second World War – War Dead, 1939-1947 Database onsite.