Reminder: Canadian Week in Review

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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/09/canadian-week-in-review-01-september.html 

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! 

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

Edmonton City as Museum Project

The Edmonton City as Museum Project will tell the ‘stories of the people, places, and things’ that make up the city of Edmonton. 

So far, the site has explored the North Saskatchewan River, told the story of the Edmonton’s Pioneer Photographers, and they will host a special exhibit on Freedom this month. 

They would like you to recommend songs that will create a sense of freedom for the visitors to the exhibit. 

The songs will be compiled into the Freedom Playlist and will be shared in the exhibit and on line. 

The last day to submit is September 27, 2014 and the exhibit will take place on September 28th from 1 – 4 pm at the Prince of Wales Armoury. 

And they want your stories! So if you have a story to contribute, you can email them at 

mroberts@edmontonheritage.ca 

The website is at http://citymuseumedmonton.ca/ 

The Facebook page is on https://www.facebook.com/YEGCityasMuseum

Family history courses at the Surrey Library System

The Cloverdale Library (a branch of the Surrey Library System) is having a FREE introduction session called An Introduction to Family History on Sept 13 from 10:30 to noon.

This free session will show participants what's available, where to find it, and how to document your search. Learn some of the tips and tricks that are unique to genealogy research.

There will be workshop in five lessons called Start Searching Your Family History. 

It will be a series of five, three-hour classes, developed by writer and researcher Brenda Smith.

It starts Mondays from Sept. 22 to Nov. 17 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.), the cost is $100, and participants must commit to all five sessions.

Learn How to Navigate Ancestry and Heritage Quest is a single session scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27 (10:30 a.m. to noon). Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest are free to use for anyone visiting the Cloverdale Library. Find out how these tools work, and how to interpret what you find.

The Cloverdale Library is at 5642 176A Street, Surrey, British Columbia. It is home to one of the largest Canadian family history collections in the country, with extensive resources, programs and expertise.

Register for these programs at 604-4598-7327 or email familyhistory@surrey.ca.

The website for Family History at the Surrey Library System is at http://www.surreylibraries.ca/programs-services/4815.aspx

Essex Branch has a new website

The Essex Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has a new exciting website on WordPress.

They have tagged themselves as Volunteer Genealogists: Networking & Collaborating. Advocates for Archives and Cemeteries.

They have the usual divisions of Publications, Events, Resources, and the ever-important Member’s Only page.

Plus, they highlight news of interest to people who have ancestors in the Essex area.

The Branch will celebrate it’s 35th anniversary by holding an Open House on Monday, September 8, 2014 from 6 pm – 8 pm at the Windsor Public Library, 850 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor.

If you are new to family history, or a seasoned researcher, they hope you will join them to discuss family history research, tour their library collection, hear about the branch history and their plans for the future, meet other members of the branch, other branches, and other Essex County family history-driven organizations, and, of course, enjoy some cake and good company!

So their site is at http://www.ogs.on.ca/essex/

If you wish to belong to Essex Branch, go to the Ontario Genealogical Society at http://www.ogs.on.ca/membership.php.

They are still offering a Partial Year Membership ($35.70 - available June 1 to October 31)

It is an introductory offer for brand new members that allows you to join right away rather than waiting for the next calendar year (this category is also available to those who have not been an OGS member for the past two years and would like to come back).

Canadian Expeditionary Force Registers

The pre-August 1914 Canadian Expeditionary Force Registers are now online at Canadiana at http://www.canadiana.ca/en/cef-register They are an important part of the picture of the First World War because they tell us who was in the militia, when they enlisted, how much they were paid. With the personnel files of the Canadian Expeditionary Force available at the Library and Archives Canada, we can paint a fairly complete picture of the life of a Canadian soldier.

Many of these battalions were broken up on arrival in Europe and absorbed into existing reserve units before being fed piecemeal to reinforce units at the Front. 

And I have run into this many times in my research. For instance, they may have left Canada as a member of the 1st Canadian Division and ended up in the 4th Canadian Division when they were sent from England to fight in France. So read the service file very carefully. 

The Canadian Army Services Registers are -

Canadian Field Artillery

1st Canadian Division

2nd Canadian Division

3rd Canadian Division

4th Canadian Division 

So if you think that your First World War person was in the militia before the war broke out, or he put the division on his enlistment paper, check these registers to see if he is there.

A Toronto Branch workshop - Industrial England

Gwyneth Pearce, Secretary of the Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society has sent us this notice -

“[The Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that registration for our fall workshop, "Industrial England", is now open. 

This full-day workshop on Saturday 1 November 2014, co-sponsored with the Canadiana Department of North York Central Library, will explore the social, economic and cultural effects of the Industrial Revolutions on the lives of English people from 1750 to 1900. 

Author and professional genealogist Kirsty Gray, a founding member and Chair of the Society for One-Place Studies, and Director of English Studies with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, will be our keynote speaker for this event. Kirsty and six other expert genealogists and social historians will team up to present a day of learning and discovery that you won’t want to miss.

The early-bird registration deadline is 18 September, and there is a further discount for OGS members. 

We hope this workshop will be of interest." 

Full details about the program, speakers and how to register, are available on our Branch website at http://torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/workshops/industrial-england-workshop/.

Canadian Week in Review 01 September 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.

History Week in Canada

In 1954, 16-year-old Marilyn Bell became the first person to swim across Lake Ontario. About 300,000 people were on hand when she came ashore in Toronto.

Bell continued her long-distance efforts, and, in 1955, became—at the time— the youngest person to swim the English Channel.

To read more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Bell

Nova Scotia

Gottingen Street celebrates 250 years with special audio project

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/gottingen-street-celebrates-250-years-with-special-audio-project-1.2746668

One of the most well-known streets in Halifax is about to turn 250 years old, and the birthday will be celebrated from September 9th-14th.

The webpage is http://gottingen.ca

Parrsboro's Ottawa House hosts genealogy workshop

http://www.cumberlandnewsnow.com/News/Local/2014-08-26/article-3848600/Parrsboros-Ottawa-House-hosts-genealogy-workshop/1

A two-day genealogy workshop called Muddles and Mysteries was held in Parrsboro last weekend.

Prince Edward Island

Creating their own success on and off P.E.I.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/150th-Charlottetown/2014-08-28/article-3851321/Creating-their-own-success-on-and-off-P.E.I./1

The family tree of Father of Confederation George Coles features generations of self-made men and women.

Fatal flights

http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2014-08-26/article-3848710/Fatal-flights/1

They have unveiled honouring those who lost their lives in three tragic training flights.

Canada's premiers pose like it's 1864 in Charlottetown

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-s-premiers-pose-like-it-s-1864-in-charlottetown-1.2749853

Council of the Federation photo pays homage to 150th anniversary of Charlottetown Conference.

Quebec

Historical Day on the Plains of Abraham

http://www.lifeinquebec.com/historical-day-on-the-plains-of-abraham-10033

The National Battlefields Commission invites the public to its traditional “Historical Day”—this year, on the theme of War and the Plains—on Sunday, September 7th from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Ontario

Mint unveils four new Superman coins at Fan Expo 2014

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/mint-unveils-four-new-superman-coins-at-fan-expo-2014-1.2750654

The limited-edition coins, inspired by iconic comic book covers, will be available Sept. 2nd.

Canada struggled to produce official historical record of First World War

http://ww1.canada.com/after-the-war/canada-struggled-to-produce-official-historical-record-of-first-world-war

Scottish-born former artilleryman and staff officer, Archer Fortescue Duguid, was pegged to write the first official history of the First World War.

Mint unveils coin marking 150th anniversary of Charlottetown, Quebec Conferences
http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/national_news/article_cee8e0f9-f25d-52c1-9830-184199e4945f.html
The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a new gold coin Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences.

Manitoba

Fighting for history: Uncovering the truth of residential schools

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/08/29/fighting_for_history_uncovering_the_truth_of_residential_schools.html

A report from the front lines of the search for “truth” in Truth and Reconciliation, and a look at the people trying to make history accessible to aboriginals and non-aboriginals alike.

Northern Manitoba featured in eighth season of Ice Road Truckers

http://globalnews.ca/news/1526232/northern-manitoba-featured-in-eighth-season-of-ice-road-truckers

Ice Road Truckers debuts its eighth season Wednesday night on the History Channel, and this year, its all about Manitoba’s northern ice roads, and it showcases the province.

Saskatchewan

Saskatoon berry at centre of naming spat

http://cjme.com/story/saskatoon-berry-centre-naming-spat/410099

American group wants to market them as 'Juneberries'.

Alberta

Red Ensign flag protected for future generations

http://www.highrivertimes.com/2014/08/29/red-ensign-flies-again-in-high-riverr

The historic Canadian Red Ensign—flown as the country's national flag from the late 19th century until 1965—has returned to its former home at the #187 Foothills Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron base at the High River Regional Airport after being out of sight for five decades.

Airplane parts stolen from Alberta Aviation Museum
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/25/airplane-parts-stolen-from-alberta-aviation-museum
The Boeing 737's emergency hatch and other parts were stolen, but thieves trashed the plane, to make the crime look like vandalism.

British Columbia

Vancouver real estate titles reveal city's racist history
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-real-estate-titles-reveal-city-s-racist-history-1.2747924
Now-void land title clause was used to prevent sale or rent of land to people of Asian and African descent.

Story of the Week

War Brides of the First and Second World Wars

The Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has just released a press release about their holdings on the War Brides of the First and Second World Wars. 

During the First and Second World Wars, Canadian soldiers often found love overseas. They married their loved ones overseas, or sent for them once they were back in Canada, and then got married. 

As they point out, the majority of war brides were from Great Britain, with a smaller number originating from Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany.

The LAC has put together a new page, and on it, you will find the records from a variety of sources. The majority are found in the records of National Defence, Department of Employment and Immigration, Department of External Affairs, the Directorate of Repatriation, and the Canadian Wives′ Bureau, but many also come from private organizations.

Do not expect to be presented with lots of indexes because the records have not been indexed. You would have got through the microfilm yourself or hire a researcher to go through them for you.

Visit the War Brides page at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/Pages/war-brides.aspx which explains the printed and archival resources available at Library and Archives 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 September 8, 2014.