A new Canadian global website

Here is terrific news – a new website has been launched in time for the anniversary of the Battle of Britain - the first ever global Spitfire pilot database.

The site, which allows historians, aviation enthusiasts and genealogists alike to add pilot data including specific aircraft flown, images, comments, video, and pilot biography is being brought together by Canadian Kurt Turchan from Ontario.

His press release says that “Allspitfirepilots.org represents a new adventure in acquiring information and creating a centralized, user-friendly site that people interested in aviation history can access”,

“The Spitfire played a key role in the Battle of Britain and beyond, and is a key draw at air shows today capturing the imagination of would be pilots, enthusiasts, and history buffs. It is perhaps the most iconic aircraft of all time.”

He also wants to attract half a dozen digital curators from various countries. Andrew Pentland graciously allowed his database of Spitfire serials to be included in the site. Once a complete serial number database for the Hurricane is located, plans are to support this aircraft type as well.

Go to http://www.allspitfirepilots.org/

Since tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Governor General David Johnston will take part in the national ceremony on Sunday, September 20 at 12:45 p.m., on Parliament Hill.

During the ceremony, the press release says that the governor-general will inspect the guard of honour, lay a wreath and deliver remarks to pay tribute to the airmen who fought and died during the battle and to acknowledge those who continue to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force today.

Happy Researching!

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Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) every Monday 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/2015/09/i-have-come-across-following-canadian.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

Culture Days in Canada

Culture Days is a coast to coast to coast celebration of arts and culture which takes place every year in September.

In 2015, Culture Days will take place on September 25, 26 & 27, and you are invited to share your culture.

It was instituted in 2010, and Culture Days in Canada has generated enthusiastic interest, participation and support from a network of artists, organizations, municipalities, as well as the private and public sector and media across the country.

To see what is on in your area, go to http://culturedays.ca/en/2015-activities

The Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/CultureDays.Fetedelaculture/timeline/

Happy Researching!

=====================================================================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) every Monday 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/2015/09/i-have-come-across-following-canadian.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

Canadian Genealogy News (CGN)17 September 2015

Here are some news items which have come across my desk this morning - 

   

Location of registration desk at the LAC

Anyone who has frequented the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) over the years, know that the location of the registration desk has moved many times. Well, it has moved once again. The registration desk has now moved from the first floor to the second floor.

As usual, all visitors must report to the security desk upon arrival and present a piece of valid government-issued photo identification. Then you will go to the second floor of the building to get your registration card.

There hasn't been any change in the hours of operation of the library and archives. You can see the hours of operation on the website at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Pages/service-opening-hours.aspx

The WWII Service Files of War Dead, 1939-1947

Some of the WWII Service Files of War Dead, 1939-1947 for Canada has been put on the Ancestry at http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=9145

While the names and background information are available at the Library and Archives Canada at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/second-world-war/second-world-war-dead-1939-1947/Pages/files-second-war-dead.aspx, Ancestry has the actual file online for you to read.

The files can include attestation papers, death certificates, and photos of the soldiers. Information found on the documents varies, but can include a wide variety of details, such as:

soldier's name 

date and place of birth 

address

religion

marital status

names and birthdates of children

military service

physical description

education

occupational history

parents’ names

next of kin and address

Since Ancestry has only put 29,000 records online so far, the remaining case files will be added to this collection at a later date. Please be reminded that there were some 44,090 Canadians who lost their lives in the Second World War. So there will be more service files posted on Ancestry in the future.   

Personally, I would use both places in order to get the full picture of Canada's involvement in the Second World War. 

Happy Researching!

=====================================================================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) every Monday 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/2015/09/i-have-come-across-following-canadian.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

FREE! findmypast website

Word has come to us that findmypast will be free this weekend from midday on Friday, September 18th (BST) to midday Monday, September 21st (BST)*.

They have a collection of over 4 billion records and 11 million newspaper pages online, and they will be absolutely free!

You will be able to explore your family’s international history at www.findmypast.com

Happy Researching!!

* British Standard Time

=====================================================================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) every Monday 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/2015/09/i-have-come-across-following-canadian.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

Home Children in Canada

Learn about the experience of Home Children in Canada presented by the British Home Child Group International at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, London, Ontario on 26 and the 27 of September 2015.

On Saturday 26 September, you will see and experience how to search for British Home Children, there will be a display of artifacts, and there will be an open mike where you will hear from some of the descendants of Home Children.

On Sunday 27 September you will see and experience a musical program, learn how to search for Home Children, and you will be able to listen to a guest lecturer.

The admission is FREE! The parking is FREE!

The website of the Fanshawe Pioneer Village is
http://fanshawepioneervillage.ca/

Happy Researching!

=====================================================================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) every Monday 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/2015/09/i-have-come-across-following-canadian.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!
 

Saskatchewan Archives’ booklet

The Saskatchewan Archives’ booklet Build Better Projects highlights the many ways that the archives is available to assist with initiatives and projects.

The description on their website says “Whether you plan to enhance your web presence, create a celebratory program or display, or have special projects that would benefit from the use of archival materials, consider using our many resources and consulting with our archivists. As custodian of the history of this province, the Archives holds an amazing collection of documentary materials in many formats for your use”.

The website where you can download a PDF copy of the booklet, is at http://www.saskarchives.com/sites/default/files/pdf/sask_archives_booklet_apr_7-15_fnl_file_for_web.pdf

Happy Researching!
=====================================================================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) every Monday 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/2015/09/i-have-come-across-following-canadian.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!

Quebec Marriage Contract Index, 1761-1941

This is an Index des contrats de mariage, Québec, Canada, 1761 à 1946 at Ancestry.com, taken from the original notary data at the Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales du Québec (BAnQ).

It is especially useful with the earlier marriages because they can be included in the notary records rather than at the church records, so they deserve a look.

The website is http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=70768

 Happy Researching!

===========================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) every Monday 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/2015/09/i-have-come-across-following-canadian.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!