This Week in Canadian History
In April 1861 an ice dam caused St Lawrence River rapidly to overflow its banks, inundating one-quarter of Lachine and old Montreal with river water 24 feet deep.
For more information, please go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachine,_Quebec
Also in April 1871 Parliament passed Act to create uniform currency in Canada; sets denominations of currency as dollars, and cents.
For more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_dollar
And on April 14, 1872, Parliament passed the Dominion Lands Act to promote homesteading in the Western (prairies) of Canada.
For more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Lands_Act
Social Media
(Photos) Northumberland’s historic records revealed in vault opening
http://www.northumberlandnews.com/news-story/5545984-northumberland-s-historic-records-revealed-in-vault-opening/
The 1845, first-ever meeting minutes of the former Alnwick Township landowners were among items found in a recently opened vault
(Video) Saving the disappearing prisms: Saskatoon heritage advocates try to save relics
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Saving+disappearing+prisms+Saskatoon+heritage+advocates+save+relics/10969990/story.html
Saskatoon's downtown is less colourful after a section of sidewalk containing glowing purple prisms was yanked earlier this week.
Construction crews tore up the concrete in front of the Avenue Building on 21st Street after a fire marshal deemed the tunnels below unsafe following an inspection.
Articles
Newfoundland & Labrador
Putting history afloat
http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2015-04-10/article-4107725/Putting-history-afloat/1
Basque whaler sunk in Labrador in 1565 will be relaunched in Spain
A piece of Newfoundland and Labrador history is slowly being brought to life by the Albaola Foundation, a sea factory in Pasaia, Spain, to celebrate the Basques’ achievements in exploration and marine history.
Holocaust survivor Lisa Hurd: Her story, 76 years later
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/holocaust-survivor-lisa-hurd-her-story-76-years-later-1.3029291
The Jewish Community Havura of Newfoundland and Labrador is holding its annual Holocaust memorial service on Sunday night in St. John's.
Sunday's special guest speaker is actress and long-time St. John's resident Lisa Hurd, who is a Holocaust survivor.
Nova Scotia
Hants History (April 9, 2015 edition)
http://www.hantsjournal.ca/Opinion/Columnists/2015-04-09/article-4104788/Hants-History-(April-9,-2015-edition)/1
Here's a look at what was making the news 25 and 50 years ago in the Hants Journal
Province supporting region’s plans for 150th birthday
http://www.novanewsnow.com/News/Regional/2015-04-12/article-4108679/Province-supporting-region%26rsquo%3Bs-plans-for-150th-birthday/1
Momentum continues to grow in southwestern Nova Scotia to build a regional legacy strategy to mark Canada’s 150th birthday, according to the local organizing committee.
Nova Scotia adoption record access urged in new petition
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-adoption-record-access-urged-in-new-petition-1.3030200
More than 600 Nova Scotians have signed a new petition asking the province to allow more access to adoption records.
New Brunswick
Partridge Island tourism feasibility study now underway
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/partridge-island-tourism-feasibility-study-now-underway-1.3026359
Partridge Island being established as a quarantine station in 1830.
Up to 2,500 people were quarantined there with small pox and typhus fever during the peak of the Irish immigration. Over the past two centuries, the island has also served as a military post for soldiers, and home to lighthouse keepers.
Ontario
Parliament Hill’s booze-filled history revealed as archeologists unearth thousands of 19th century artifacts
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/parliament-hills-booze-filled-history-revealed-as-archeologists-unearth-thousands-of-19th-century-artifacts
Recent archeological digs outside some of the main buildings in the precinct have turned up tens of thousands of artifacts from the early 19th century.
Petition wants government to force return of drill rifles to Navy League cadets
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/petition-wants-government-to-force-return-of-drill-rifles-to-navy-league-cadets
A petition is being circulated to try to force the Navy League of Canada to reverse its decision to take away replica rifles from its cadets.
The online petition is at https://www.change.org/p/minister-of-national-defence-jason-kenney-navy-league-of-canada-chief-cadet-bureaucrat-mr-paul-bury-force-the-navy-league-and-quebec-cadet-region-to-bring-back-rifle-drill-for-cadets
Old Durham Road cemetery to get pavilion
http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2015/04/12/old-durham-road-cemetery-to-get-pavilion
Some important pieces of Grey County's black history will be better protected thanks to a pavilion being constructed near Priceville this summer.
The approximately 100-square-foot concrete structure is to better protect and display four headstones at the site of the Old Durham Road Pioneer Cemetery.
Library and Archives Canada set to spend after six-year drought
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/library-and-archives-canada-set-to-spend-after-six-year-drought-1.2311078
Library and Archives Canada is suddenly in a spending mood after six years of budget cuts and curtailing of acquisitions.
In its first purchase in six years, the collector of national art and archives announced Thursday it would spend $175,000 on 10 items from the coveted Winkworth collection, including a variety of watercolour paintings and a journal of a tour in Canada, the United States, and Jamaica.
Manitoba
Rotten logs concerning Heritage North Museum board
http://www.thompsoncitizen.net/news/thompson/rotten-logs-concerning-heritage-north-museum-board-1.1823056
Board members from the Heritage North Museum spoke to the Chamber of Commerce on April 8 about concerns facing the Manitoba Star attraction site.
Saskatchewan
Railroad through Lac La Biche reaches 100-year milestone
http://www.laclabichepost.com/article/20150402/LLB0801/150409996
Railway reached Lac La Biche in 1915, became fully operational in 1916
Saskatoon's heritage at stake
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Saskatoon+heritage+stake/10960269/story.html
It seems everyone believes in the value of preserving a community's unique identity, but how far is Saskatoon willing to go to ensure that our city retains its own "sense of place"? Are we prepared to "walk the talk"?
Alberta
Group wants to save historic structures in Lethbridge's shrinking Chinatown
http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/group-wants-to-save-historic-structures-in-lethbridges-shrinking-chinatown
Walking through the green doors of the Bow on Tong building in downtown Lethbridge is like stepping back in time nearly a century.
British Columbia
Mining has made its mark on maps of British Columbia
http://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/living/mining-has-made-its-mark-on-maps-of-british-columbia-1.1823828
It should come as no surprise that mining has left its mark on our maps and our landscape. We are, after all, a boom and bust province.
Stories of the Week
This week, we have definitely felt spring with temperatures in the high 60s, and the report of crocus and daffodils and tulips are on their way to blooming in gardens across the National Capital Region.
We are getting ready for our annual Canadian Tulip Festival to be held from May 8th to May 18th, 2015 in Ottawa.
There will be the annual VE Day on May 8th, and it will feature a public ceremony from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Canadian War Memorial near the Parliament Buildings, and a Tribute to Veterans fireworks performance that night over Dow’s Lake.
This year the Floral Fireworks at Dow's Lake on May 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th features an extravaganza of pyrotechnic artistry over Dow’s Lake at 9:30 p.m., which will commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Netherlands.
Their website is at http://tulipfestival.ca/about/
Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/CanadianTulipFestival
One thing that is a regular rite of spring in Canada are the Heritage Fairs which take place across the land.
The Heritage Fairs program encourages students to explore Canadian heritage in a dynamic, hands-on learning environment. Students use the medium of their choice to tell stories about Canadian heroes, legends, milestones, and achievements — and present the results of their research at a public exhibition.
In 2013, heritage fairs were held in more than 80 communities across Canada. The fairs would not have been possible without the work of 7,500 volunteers who worked more than 30,000 hours to make the program a success.
You can see where Heritage Fairs are held each year in Canada at http://www.canadashistory.ca/Kids/Heritage.aspx
Now I have to go outdoors and enjoy the sun, and take a research trip to the Library and Archives Canada – the records are not all online, you know!
And that was the Canadian genealogy, history, and heritage news in Canada this past week!
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/2015/04/canadian-week-in-review-13-april-2015_13.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.
Need help in finding your Canadian Ancestors?Susan I. of Toronto, Ontario says -
"With her wonderful suggestions, including provincial and local archival holdings, books, and local church records, I was delighted to uncover a marriage certificate naming my paternal great, great grandparents and their original county in Ireland.
Elizabeth also mentored me regarding further educational opportunities. I was delighted with her services."
If you do, go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services and see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor.
The next Canadian Week in Review will be posted 27 April 2015.
