Monday, June 27, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 27 June 2016



I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

This Week in Canadian History 

O Canada 
In 1880, “O Canada,” the future Canadian national anthem, was first performed in Quebec City, Quebec. The music had been written in 1880 for St-Jean-Baptist Day, and the lyrics were originally in French, and English version was created in 1906. 

Canada kept the British anthem until 1967, when it was adopted as the national anthem. 

To read more about the anthem, go to http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/o-canada/ 


Social Media 

(Audio) The battle of Vimy- continued in Montreal 


A small greenspace in Montreal, Parc de Vimy (Vimy Park) has become a national issue as city council plans to rename the space after controversial politician Jacques Parizeau 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Letter: Give the Beothucks their day 


One of our Province’s statutory holidays is Discovery Day (June 24). It is a commemoration of John’s Cabot’s “discovery” of Newfoundland in 1497. The claim that Cabot discovered this island is problematic. There is no clear documented evidence that he actually came here and even if he did, he was far from the first. 

Prince Edward Island 

P.E.I. museum launches WWI exhibit 


P.E.I.'s Regiment Museum launched a new exhibit in Charlottetown on Saturday. 

The exhibit, called Rally Round the Flag — PEI and the Great War, features photos, artifacts and stories from all the units that served overseas, including nurses, navy and the air force. 

New tourism website maps out culture trail for Island visitors 

Visitors to the Island can better plan their experiences with the help of a new website from PEI Arts and Heritage Trail. 


Nova Scotia 

Monument honouring women a first for Halifax: 'This is a big deal' 


Of the 280 statues in Halifax, fewer than a dozen show women — and virtually all of them are mythical figures, such as fairies and nymphs.That is about to change: A project to recognize the contribution to Canada of real women took a leap forward on Friday 

Polish Church to reopen Sunday 


St. Mary's Polish Church in Whitney Pier, Cape Breton, has risen from the ashes following a spectacular fire that burned the 100-year-old building to the ground in November 2014. 

The doors of the newly rebuilt church will reopen to the community during an open house on Sunday 

New Brunswick 

Sisters meet for first time at Fredericton Airport 


"You're just like me!" exclaimed Sharon Rein, as she and her sister Sharon Dennis held each other for the first time. 

It was an airport moment 56 years in the making. 

With the help of an amateur genealogist and a Facebook group, the biological sisters — who share a first name — spoke on the phone for the first time earlier this year. 

Campsite dating back 12,000 years unearthed by Route 8 


Archaeologists say a campsite unearthed just metres from a new highway in Fredericton could be more than 12,000 years old. 
                                                                 
The campsite includes a fire pit, which was determined by the presence of charcoal. 

Quebec 

Quebec National Assembly to get a $60-million makeover 


The historic monument, designed by Eugène-Étienne Taché in the 1800s, is getting an unprecedented $60.5 million makeover. 

The project is ambitious: to build a 3,800-square-metre underground reception pavilion, just outside the main building, and expand facilities underneath the inner courtyard. Two additional parliamentary committee rooms are being built. 

Ontario 

Canadian shipwrecks on display at the Peterborough Museum and Archives 


An exhibition of shipwrecks has landed at the Peterborough Museum and Archives until September, giving the community the chance to learn the tragic stories of vessels of all sizes, torn apart in Canadian waters. 

CN Tower at 40: Still a magnet for Toronto photographers 


Look up. Look way up — 553.33 metres up to be exact, the crown jewel of Toronto's skyline. 

For a while there, it was the world's tallest freestanding structure and tallest tower. 

Tory MP calls on government to apologize for St. Louis 


An Alberta opposition MP is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to formally apologize on behalf of the government of Canada for turning away Jewish refugees on board the ocean liner St. Louis in 1939. 

Smiths Falls, Ont., funeral business dissolves the dead into the town's sewers 


Waterworks officials in Smiths Falls, Ont., are monitoring a funeral company that's become the first in Ontario to use an alkaline solution to dissolve the bodies of the dead — and then drain the leftover coffee-coloured effluents into the town's sewer system. 

Island has unique heritage 


About 35 kilometres southwest of Kingston in Lake Ontario, the island was out of view of the prying eyes of prohibition authorities. "It is almost directly north of the city of Oswego, making it an ideal spot for smugglers," said C.W. Hunt in Booze, Boats, and Billions: Smuggling Liquid Gold (McClelland and Stewart, Toronto 1988). "It was here that the rum-runners would lay over, waiting for darkness or better weather before making their dash for the American shore." 

Ajax seeks historic designation for munitions plant 


The Town is seeking a historic designation for the former Defence Industries Limited (DIL) munitions plant. 

Ajax is applying for a National Historic Event, though the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC). 

Three students compete at Ontario Provincial Heritage Fair 


Winners from the recent Kenjgewin Teg Regional Heritage Fair, representing two Manitoulin area schools, travelled to the University of Toronto recently to share their projects at the provincial level. 

Manitoba 

Street names tell stories of neighbourhood 


Names on the doorways of museums or universities often tell who has donated money or supplies to the institution. On street signs, names tell a different story. 

Manitoba celebrates National Aboriginal Day 


For the 20th year in a row, Manitoba is celebrating National Aboriginal Day with festivities throughout the province that honour the culture, heritage and achievements of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

British Columbia 

B.C. demands return of First Nations artifacts 


The province is calling on museums and institutions from around the world to give back artifacts and 'treasures' from British Columbia First Nations. 

Over hundreds of years, items including grave goods, ceremonial regalia, masks and pieces of arts have found their way out of B.C. and into museums and private collections around the world. 

Aboriginal 

Why is First Nations oral history embracing voice, video and paper? 


For centuries, First Nations people recounted the cultures’ histories orally. With decreasing use of traditional languages, the art of oral history is looking to film, audio and paper methods to pass the history on to younger generations. 

North 

New Heritage Minute explores dark history of Indian residential schools 


Making its premiere on National Aboriginal Day, Historica Canada's newest Heritage Minute explores the dark history of Indian residential schools and their lasting effects on Indigenous people. 

Goodbye Great Slave Lake? Movement to decolonize N.W.T. maps is growing 


Behind every name there is a history that moulds a collective consciousness, a narrative that transcends time and ties people to the land and for many, to their ancestors. 

WW I hero Francis Pegahmagabow given Aboriginal Day honour 


His Ojibway name was Binaaswi, translating roughly to "the wind that blows off." 

How apposite it is, then, that a hard wind was blowing off the choppy waters of Ontario's Georgian Bay when the most decorated Indigenous soldier in Canada's history was finally given an honour befitting his story. 

History largely remembers him as Corp. Francis Pegahmagabow — the deadliest sniper and scout of the First World War, credited with 378 kills and 300 captures. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Users give Library and Archives Canada low marks for public access to collection 

I don't entirely agree with this survey, and the reason I don't agree is that I think the service has improved. It got so bad a couple of years ago, you felt the negative vibes as soon as you would walk in there. But now, the attitude is a lot brighter, and you feel happier when you walk into there – it's all better. 

So to read that people still feel there isn't enough public access, I don't think I agree with that. True, I think they could do a better job on the microfilm that has been digitized and put on Heritage.com, like further explanation, but it can still be worked with – even though it could stand more publicity. 


DPLA and FamilySearch Partner to Expand Access to Digitized Historic Books Online 

FamilySearch International is on the move again – they have partnered with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), “the largest genealogy organization in the world, have signed an agreement that will expand access to FamilySearch.org’s growing free digital historical book collection”. 

They also say that “this new partnership, DPLA will incorporate metadata from FamilySearch.org’s online digital book collection that will make more than 200,000 family history books discoverable through DPLA’s search portal later this year. From DPLA, users will be able to access the free, fully viewable digital books on FamilySearch.org”.  

And don't forget, check them often to see the latest books which have been advertised. 


And Ancestry.ca has put on the Canada Homestead Grant Registers, 1892-1930.
They have put the register books online ONLY, not the actual land grant. The archives still has the index and you can still write for the land grant (for a fee), to the archives, Ancestry.ca has just put on the index book.

They have put on With 668,623 records and 78,794 images, Ancestry users can learn about some of Canada’s earliest settlers such as applicants’ names, region, date of application and homestead fee paid. 

The Canada Homestead Grant Registers 1892-1930 Collection is now available on Ancestry at: http://search.ancestry.ca/search/db.aspx?dbid=9209 

And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go towww.elrs.biz 

(c)2016 All rights reserved.
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Monday, June 20, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 20 June 2016


I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

This Week in Canadian History 

Louis Riel 

In 1884, Louis Riel left a teaching post in Montana for Canada to lead what was to become the Northwest Rebellion. He had been teaching at the Catholic mission of St. Peter's on the Sun River for about a year, but the job paid poorly and he didn't have time to pursue such interests as politics. 






Barry Morse

In 1918, actor Barry Morse was born in London, Ontario. With his Canadian-born wife, he moved to Canada during the early 1950s from England. He is best remembered as Lieut. Philip Gerard in TV's "The Fugitive." He died in February, 2008.

For more information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Morse






 Social Media 

Author runs across Quebec & Ontario to honour Irish heritage 


The United Irish Societies of Montreal and the Montreal Irish Memorial Park Foundation, Inc. got a big boost Friday as they try to build a park to remember their ancestors who died of typhus. 

Award-winning Irish author Michael Collins arrived at the Black Rock in Griffintown as part of his 900-kilometre marathon 

This Week in Hants History 


Here's a look at what was making the news 35 and 50 years ago in the Hants Journal. 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland and Labador 

Two Memorial students bound for First World War battlefields 


Two Memorial University students are set to walk in the footsteps of the bold young men who blazed a trail 100 years ago in Europe.

Prince Edward Island 

Souris heritage home may get a face lift 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/souris-heritage-home-1.3630249

A historic house in Souris could be on its way to a new life. The house at 57 Main Street is know as the old Leard house.

It`s up for sale and a local, Brian Deveau, would love to see the history of it preserved.

Nova Scotia  

Dedication highlights history of two islands 

http://www.ngnews.ca/News/Local/2016-06-10/article-4556342/Dedication-highlights-history-of-two-islands/1

Pictou County native John Ashton, Nova Scotia Representative for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, was a guest speaker recently at the unveiling of a plaque Commemorating the National Historic Significance of Deadman’s Island and Melville Island.

2016 Tattoo lineup mixes old favourites with exciting new additions 

http://thechronicleherald.ca/other/1371768-2016-tattoo-lineup-mixes-old-favourites-with-exciting-new-additions

For the first time in two decades, a serving United States Military group will perform at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo this year, when the United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team brings its skills to Halifax.

Quebec 

Daytripping: Quebec Hwy. 148 to Saint-Andrews 

http://ottawacitizen.com/travel/daytripping-quebec-hwy-148-to-saint-andresaxo

Crossing from Ontario to Quebec via the Cumberland ferry ($10 for a car), we drove east along Hwy. 148, which stretches along the north shore of the Ottawa River from the Pontiac to the Montreal suburb of Laval

'An insult': Vimy Park to be renamed for separatist premier Parizeau  

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/an-insult-vimy-park-to-be-renamed-for-separatist-premier-parizeau-1.2949317

A Montreal borough's plan to pay tribute to late sovereigntist premier Jacques Parizeau by changing the name of a park that currently honours Vimy Ridge is being blasted by some critics as disrespectful to Canada's war history

Ontario 

Simcoe County history 

http://www.orilliapacket.com/2016/06/17/simcoe-county-history

Many young men would have been satisfied with life as a successful businessman in a small town.

Thomas H. Best was not one of them.

Grays and Blues add a splash of colour to Lost Villages 

http://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/News/2016-06-12/article-4557258/Grays-and-Blues-add-a-splash-of-colour-to-Lost-Villages/1

A renowned military re-enactment organization and a local heritage site have joined forces to preserve the memory of thousands of soldiers.

City celebrates 175 years of being Canada’s ‘First Capital’ with a variety of events  

http://www.kingstonregion.com/whatson-story/6721609-city-celebrates-175-years-of-being-canada-s-first-capital-with-a-variety-of-events/

On June 15, 1841, Kingston was named capital of the Union of the Canadas, the precursor to what would become the nation of Canada 26 years later; now 175 years later, the city is celebrating its roots and the unique history of both Kingston and Canada with a variety of history-focused events.

How a rare Superman sketch arrived at the Ontario Jewish Archives 

http://www.cjnews.com/culture/arts/shu-lou-became-wayne-shuster

Several years ago, OJA archivist Donna Bernardo-Ceriz was flipping through the newly acquired scrapbooks when she spotted a drawing of a caped superhero with the initials “BSR” – Beta Sigma Rho – emblazoned on his chest. The drawing was signed by Joe Shuster, the Toronto-born artist who, with Jerry Siegel, created the legendary Superman comics as published by DC Comics in the United States, beginning about 1938.

Manitoba 

Manitoba Métis mark 200 years since the Battle of Seven Oaks 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/200-years-since-battle-of-seven-oaks-1.3641997

This weekend marked 200 years since the Métis flag's infinity symbol waved over Frog Plain in a confrontation that would go down in Canadian history.

Iconic Royal Bank 'ghost sign' to be completely covered by college

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/iconic-royal-bank-sign-1.3635761

An iconic ghost sign in downtown Winnipeg is about to disappear. 

The faded blue Royal Bank of Canada sign at the top of the Union Bank Building in the Exchange District will soon be replaced with a sign for the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute at Red River College.

Alberta

Alberta’s farming heritage celebrated 

http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/local-news/2016/06/11/albertas-farming-heritage-celebrated/

Alberta was built on the backs of farmers and ranchers, and Farmer’s Day is an annual opportunity to celebrate that heritage

Saskatchewan 

Saskatoon civic pancake breakfast history dates back to Pioneer Days 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatoon-civic-pancake-breakfast-1.3638720

It's a breakfast with a history.

For the past four decades, local politicians, police, fire fighters and celebrities put on the white hats, stepped behind the big griddle and flipped flapjacks at the civic pancake breakfast

British Columbia

Vancouver Italian culture and food on display in June 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/italian-heritage-month-vancouver-1.3633652

If you were anywhere near Vancouver's Commercial Drive Sunday, you probably already know: June is Italian Heritage Month across Canada

North 

'You see time pass by': Archivists reuniting Yellowknifers with old photos 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-archives-portrait-photos-1.3629914

Archivists in Yellowknife have spent two years sifting through almost 60,000 portraits, in order to reunite them with their rightful owners.

The photos were taken by photographers at the city's Reimann Studio, later known as Yellowknife Photo, and were donated to the NWT Archives in 2008.

Go to http://nwtarchives.ca/ykphotoclaim.asp

Canadian Stories this Week 

The Canadian Week in Review received three press releases this week -

The genealogy of Acadian families of Prince Edward Island, c. 1764 to c. 1900
The public is invited to the launch of Volume VII: R – W, the last volume of the series on the genealogy of Acadian families of Prince Edward Island, c. 1764 to c. 1900, by historian-genealogist Mr. Jean Bernard. The launch will be held at the Acadian Museum of P.E.I., in Miscouche, on Thursday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m.

This book includes 325 pages on the genealogy of Island Acadian family names beginning with the letters R - W, such as Richard, Thériault, Thibodeau, and Waite. Although mainly in French, the volume includes translations in English of all the key words and abbreviations used, thus making it user-friendly for English-speaking researchers.

The public is invited to come and meet the author, and to benefit of a book discount on the evening of the launch. There will be background music with fiddler Louise Arsenault accompanied by Jonathan Arsenault. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, Mr. Jean Bernard can be contacted by email at
jeanbernard61@hotmail.com

Library and Archives Canada Announces $1.5 million in Funding to Help Local Communities Preserve Canada's Documentary Heritage
 Library and Archives Canada (LAC) program will provide $1.5 million in funding to 40 projects led by archives, libraries and heritage institutions across Canada. The announcement of the recipients of this second cycle of the Documentary Heritage Communities Program (DHCP) was made today at the annual meeting of the Association des archivistes du Quebec held in Quebec City from June 13 to 15.

The DHCP was created in 2015 to provide financial assistance for activities that augment the visibility of and access to materials held by Canada's local documentary heritage institutions. It also aims to increase the capacity of local institutions to sustainably preserve, promote and showcase the country's documentary heritage. The DHCP provides contributions to eligible applicants across Canada for a variety of projects that will also allow citizens to access and engage with their nation's history like never before.

Funded projects from Quebec are:

-- Celanese: A Last Salvage (Societe d'histoire de Drummond),
Drummondville;

-- Fonds and Collection Description and Management of Archival Services on
Servers and Management Software (Centre d'archives regional des Iles),
Iles-de-la-Madeleine;

-- Preservation by Technological Transfer and Promotion of the Multimedia
Document Collection of the Lanaudiere Archives (Corporation du centre
regional d'archives de Lanaudiere), L'Assomption;

-- 75,000 Pages of History (McCord Museum), Montreal;

-- Di Folks Archiv / People's Archive (Jewish Public Library Archives),
Montreal;

-- Statistical portrait of Quebec Archival Centres and Services - Phase 2
(Reseau des archives du Quebec), Montreal;

-- Creating a Professional Development Program - Phase 2 (Association des
archivistes du Quebec), Quebec;

-- The Litery and Historical Society of Quebec Transactions: The
Intellectual Heritage of Quebec's English-Speaking Community (Literary
and Historical Society of Quebec), Quebec;

-- Archives and Heritage: A Vast Laboratory (Musee regional de Rimouski),
Rimouski;

-- A Living Past: Promoting and Preserving the Archival Legacy of Yvette
Seguin-Theriault and the Families of Ripon (Comite du patrimoine de
Ripon), Ripon.

The deadline to apply for the next funding cycle (2017-18) is January
27, 2017.

Consult the list of the 2016-2017 recipients from Quebec and other provinces and territories: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/services/documentary-heritage-communities-program/Pages/funding-history-2016-2017.aspx.

Digitization of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Personnel Service Files – Update of June 2016 

As of today, 297,013 of 640,000 files are available online via our Soldiers of the First World War: 1914-1918 database.

Library and Archives Canada is digitizing the service files systematically, from box 1 to box 10686, which roughly corresponds to alphabetical order. Please note that over the years, the content of some boxes has had to be moved and, you might find that the file you want, with a surname that is supposed to have been digitized, is now located in another box that has not yet been digitized. So far, we have digitized the following files:

Latest box digitized: Box 5003 and Karpuk.

Please check the database regularly for new additions and if you still have questions after checking the database, you may contact us directly at 1-866-578-7777 for more assistance.

Go to https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/canadian-expeditionary-force.aspx

And that was the week in Canadian news!

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012!

Be sure to tell your friends about us.

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go towww.elrs.biz

(c)2016 All rights reserved.
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Monday, June 6, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 06 June 2016


I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

Social Media 

(Blog) Digging for my Roots 


Barbara Keene Garrett is a blogger, and she is researching some of her French-Canadian ancestors. 

On her mother’s side, the names she is searching for are: Wells, Soland, Gard, Kesterson, Kendall, Woodruff, Norwood, and Stewart, and on her father's side, she is researching Keene, Bergeron, Gaumond, Thompson, Kent, Ashton, and Breed.  

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Who's the lady in the locket?: Piece of WW I history contains clue to mysterious love story 


A locket that's been in the Reid family for 100 years holds a mystery and the makings of a love story. 

New Brunswick 

Saint John's Loyalist House renovations near completion 


The Saint John "Loyalist House" is nearing the end of a $600,000 repair job that started two months ago. The house is a year away from the 200th anniversary of its construction in 1817. 

Prince Edward Island 

Blanket exercise helps teach history from Indigenous perspective 


Dozens of people took part in a different kind of history lesson in Charlottetown on Saturday. 

The Mass Blanket Exercise was an activity designed to help people see history through the eyes of Indigenous peoples. 

Blocked road to Cape Tryon lighthouse could soon reopen
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/cape-tryon-lighthouse-road-1.3604395

People may soon be able drive down the dirt road leading to Cape Tryon lighthouse, one of the most iconic in the province. 

Ontario 

The Franklin Exploration 


Join us as we reawaken one of the largest manhunts in Canadian history: the search for the lost ships of the Franklin Expedition, an Arctic venture that went horribly wrong 170 years ago. The museum is the Royal Ontario Museum. 

102nd Anniversary Of Komagata Maru’s Arrival In Burrard Inlet Observed 


102 years ago Monday, a tired group of would-be migrants – all British subjects – sailed into Burrard Inlet. They were met with the fear and hatred of the local populace, at a time when Empire subjects should have been welcomed with open arms.  

Laurentian University adopts 'preferred name' policy 


Laurentian University has implemented a new system it hopes will help students and faculty in the transgender community. 

Ottawa River to receive heritage designation 


After a decade of inexplicable delay, the federal government is poised to announce the designation of the Ottawa River as one of 42 heritage rivers in Canada. 

Manitoba 

Doors Open Winnipeg gears up for day 2 


Doors Open Winnipeg was open the 28 and 29 of May. The event was organized by Heritage Winnipeg. 

Saskatchewan 

Largest flight school in Saskatchewan turns 70 


It's been 70 years since Harold Mitchinson first opened his own flight school in Saskatoon following a stint as a flight instructor in the Second World War. 

Now, it's the largest flight school in Saskatchewan. 

Alberta 

The Canadian Rockies through the eyes of history’s travellers 


With a Calgary departure at five in the morning, a sky transforming from a deeper blue to a paler version, and an early slanted sun striking the peaks at Canmore and soon lighting up whole mountains near Banff, the mountain cracks and corners normally obscured by later flat light were fully detailed and on display. 

British Columbia 

Saving a fading icon, Centennial Totem Pole slated for renewal 


Hewn from red cedar, Mungo Martin's iconic Centennial Totem Pole had been telling history to the sky since 1958, but weather, insects and time are taking their toll. 

Tokyo connection keeps memories of the Vancouver Asahi baseball team alive 


In 2005, when the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame inducted the Asahi team, it named 75 former players as medallists for their contributions as athletes. It was also a poignant nod to the times in which the Vancouver Asahi played 

Historic house safe from demolition — for now 


A historic house in Vancouver is safe from demolition - for now. Vancouver city councillors Tuesday gave the 94-year-old house temporary heritage protection for 120 days. 

The North 

Fire at Yellowknife's St. Patrick's Church deemed suspicious 


A suspicious fire damaged the outside of St. Patrick's Catholic Church early Saturday morning in Yellowknife. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

OGS Conference + Jamboree Conference 2016 
Ontario 
The annual Ontario Genealogical Society's Conference was held this past weekend, with lots of interesting lectures and activities.

For more, please visit the OGS online at https://www.ogs.on.ca/conference

I didn't go this year, but since it will be held in Ottawa next year, I will be there!

For our American friends, the Southern California Genealogical Society held its Jamboree this past weekend. Read Randy Seaver's SCGS 2016 Genealogy Jamboree Blog Compendium, or view the webcasts at http://streaming.webcastandbeyond.com/jamboree.

Why the interest in California? I'm researching my Haley ancestors from Nova Scotia who went to Alameda, and even brought their own lumber on the ship for a new house ...

And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go to www.elrs.biz 

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.
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Monday, May 30, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 30 May 2016

I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too. 

This Week in Canadian History

In 1948, Canadian war ace Buzz Beurling was killed when his plane crashed during a flight to Rome. Beurling was recognized as "Canada's most famous hero of Second World War", as "The Falcon of Malta" and the "Knight of Malta", having been credited with shooting down 27 Axis aircraft in just 14 days over the besieged Mediterranean island. Before the war ended, his official total was 31. 

For more information, go to http://www.constable.ca/caah/beurling.htm  




Social Media 

(Tweet) Tweeting the Great War: Free Press retraces steps of Winnipeg soldier 


While fighting in the First World War, Cpl. Stanley Evan Bowen also fought to keep the flame alive between him and his sweetheart in Winnipeg by writing more than 150 letters. 

(Video) Celebration plans for Canada’s 150th anniversary announced in Saskatoon 


A national physical activity advocate will receive $5.4 million from the Canadian government to help mark the country’s 150th anniversary next year, according to an announcement made in Saskatoon Wednesday morning. 

(Video) Peace by Piece project threads WW I history together in quilts 


Peace by Piece, an exhibit showcasing a collection of quilts commemorating the First World War held its grand opening Saturday, honouring the men and women involved in the Great War. 

(Video) Ghost Town Mysteries: can Sandon, B.C. be saved forever? 


Across British Columbia, there is a common thread to how our historical towns are maintained – or rather, for the most part, aren’t. 

There is Barkerville and Fort Steele, heritage towns that have survived and become tourist attractions. 

But much more common are the dozens of ex-towns spread throughout every region where virtually nothing remains. 

(BLOG) Salt Lake City in September 


Jane MacNamara and a group of fellow researchers are heading to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City this September. 

The particulars of the trip are at http://wherethestorytakesme.ca/salt-lake-city-trip/ 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Harbour Grace courthouse placed on national list of endangered sites 


The National Trust for Canada has identified the Harbour Grace courthouse as one the top 10 endangered historic places in Canada. 

Great walks on the Rock: top 5 hikes in Newfoundland 


Hikers in the province will find history mingles with stunning scenery along its varied trails. 

Nova Scotia 

Halifax’s wartime history evoked in Battle of the Atlantic ceremony 


As the Battle of the Atlantic ceremony proceeded at the Sailors Memorial in Point Pleasant Park on Sunday, May 1, HMCS Montréal stood just offshore to carry out the committal of ashes ceremony while the Charlottetown sailed past on her way out to sea, and a container ship sailed up the harbour towards the container terminal. 

New Brunswick 

Dorchester students successful at regional heritage fair 


Five students from Dorchester attended the regional fair, and each student came back home with an award. Madison Holmes, Kassandra Goodland, Phaedra Williams, Dominick Fournier, and Cadence Nelson were all successful. 

Ontario 

CFB Borden making Canadian history with sacred soil collected at Vimy Ridge

https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/cfb-borden-making-canadian-history-with-sacred-soil-collected-at-vimy-ridge-297023

For the first time in Canadian history, sacred soil recovered from a World War 1 battlefield in France will be repatriated in a ceremony to be held in Barrie next month.​  

Canadian Canal Society supports Welland Canal Memorial 


The Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial Task Force has received support from the Canadian Canal Society. 

Canada’s threatened heritage 


Canada’s iconic wooden grain elevators, a wooden Ukrainian church, the prairie grasslands, a particular lighthouse- these are all parts of Canadian heritage that have been listed as ‘threatened’ this year. 

Why Ottawa needs a national museum of Indigenous Peoples 


Walking down the tree-lined Mall in Washington, D.C., an Ottawa visitor might notice a familiar-looking building: the National Museum of the American Indian. 

Manitoba 

Riding Mountain National Park to offer expanded Indigenous culture programming 


Parks Canada will offer more programming for visitors to learn about Indigenous culture and heritage in Riding Mountain National Park this summer. 

Make your list of Mustseeums 


Whether you’re inspired by nature or fascinated by history, Manitoba has you covered when it comes to museums. With over 270 across the province, there are more than a few that are likely on your must see list. We call those ‘mustseeums’! 

Manitoba celebrates provincial flag’s golden anniversary 


This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Manitoba flag, and the provincial government will commemorate the milestone with a special exhibit. 

Manitoba Museum sees record attendance Saturday 


The Manitoba Museum broke a record over the weekend, hosting 9,934 people in one day. 

The Museum offered free admission on Manitoba Day this past Saturday, marking our province’s 146th birthday. 

The crowd beat out the previous record by 53 per cent — 6,500 visits on a day in 2014 

Saskatchewan 

Railway Museum picking up steam 


The Alberta Railway Museum held its season opening on the Victoria Day long weekend and is now welcoming locomotive enthusiasts from Fort Saskatchewan and the area to experience a ride on their 1913 steam-powered train. 

British Columbia 

42 sites to explore during Doors Open Richmond weekend 


Fancy trying dragon boating or taking a behind-the-scenes tour of a museum as an exhibition is installed? How about adding your own creative touch to a piece of community artwork? These are just some of the options offered at 42 arts, culture and heritage sites during the ninth annual Doors Open Richmond on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. 

Barkerville history celebrated in documentary series 


There may seem like no shortage of stories from the gold rush town of Barkerville, but a pair of researchers have gone rather far afield to find stories of Barkerville's citizens. 

Indonesian Canadian society to launch project to record community history 


While the historical stories of Chinese and Japanese Canadians have been recorded and told, another group of Asian Canadians is hoping to do the same for their community. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

FamilySearch.org is 15 years old! 

FamilySearch started with two key databases, which included Ancestral File and the International Genealogical File (IGI), along with a few minor genealogical databases 15 years ago. I remember it well! The site originally provided access to 400 million names. Today, FamilySearch contains more than 3.2 billion records. Isn't that amazing! 

The press release says that “Over the past 15 years, FamilySearch has gone through a number of changes and revisions. Users can now access billions of digitized images of original records. It now offers a single unified pedigree called Family Tree, which allows users to work with each other to coordinate their work, thus dramatically reducing needless duplication of effort.File and the International Genealogical File (IGI), along with a few minor genealogical databases. The site originally provided access to 400 million names. Today, FamilySearch contains more than 3.2 billion records.” 

And this week, in her weekly Wacky Wednesday hangout, Dear Myrt, went over the FamilySearch Pilot Indexing Tool, which is a Cloud Based Extension which will allow you to index the books the the Family history Library have at Salt Lake City which has your family name in them. 

Well, this is finally getting down to the nitty-gritty of the library. By indexing these books that have the names we are researching, we done't have tp wait for them to be completed be someone else. 

They won't be checked by someone else to the correctness, as it is done in the indexing programme, but they will be indexed. 

So take a look. What do you think? Is this a step forward? 

You can go to http://hangouts.dearmyrtle.com/next-hangout.html to view the video. You must register first at http://hangouts.dearmyrtle.com/ 

Canada Day celebrations 

The Department of Canadian Heritage is calling for volunteers to help with this year’s Canada Day celebrations. 

Volunteers will be assigned to Parliament Hill, Major’s Hill Park and the Canadian Museum of History, where a total of about 350,000 visitors normally gather to partake in the festivities. 

Responsibilities of the 500 or so volunteers will include handing out flags, controlling crowds and helping people with special needs, among other tasks.

Manulife Financial Corp. will be this year’s sponsor for the volunteer program. 

You can email the Canadian Heritage Volunteer Centre at PCH.centredesbenevoles-volunteercentre.PCH@canada.ca to obtain a copy of the application form or download the PDF version (1.3 MB), or call the Canadian Heritage Volunteer Centre at 819-956-2626. 

If you need more information, you can contact the following - 


The position that are required, are listed at http://canadaday.gc.ca/eng/1399993822481

And that was the week in Canadian news!

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go to www.elrs.biz 

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.
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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 23 May 2016


I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too. 

Social Media 

(Video) Cité Mémoire: History comes alive in Old Montreal 


For the next four years, the trees, buildings and cobblestone streets of Old Montreal will be lit with a series of projections inspired by the history of the city. 

Newspaper Article

Prince Edward Island 

Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst, P.E.I. gets $500K in upgrades 


Visitors to Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National historic site in Rocky Point, P.E.I., will notice some improvements this season, as the park is undergoing $500,000 in upgrades. 

Tiny east-coast island losing land to the sea 


Lennox Island - off the northwest coast of Prince Edward Island - is in a battle with the sea, and the sea is winning. 

New Brunswick 

Little Free Library makes Saint John debut 


A bright red box in the shape of an over sized birdhouse sits attached to a tree in Bob Arseneault and Cindy Moyer's front lawn. The tiny library fits no more than 100 books, and the catalogue is constantly changing as people pick up a new favourite and leave behind something they've loved and want to pass on. 

Ontario 

Nellie McClung top choice for first Canadian woman on banknote: Poll 


Famous Five activist Nellie McClung is the No. 1 choice to become the first Canadian woman on the face of one of the country's banknotes, according to a recent online survey.

A look inside Kitchener's old Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 50 


The old Kitchener Legion building at 48 Ontario Street North could be the city's next arts hub according to a report that will be presented to the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee on May 30 

Damage to Woodside National Historic Site pegged at $10,000, Parks Canada says 


Parks Canada says it will cost about $10,000 to repair damage caused by vandals at the Woodside National Historic Site in Kitchener overnight Sunday.  

In total, 66 panes of glass were broken in ground floor windows. 

Saskatchewan 

Town of Kindersley, Sask., seeking city status 


The town of Kindersley is ready for an upgrade. 

Kindersley Town Council has voted in favour of submitting a request to the provincial government to give the community city status.  

British Columbia 

B.C. man trying to reunite lost wedding photo with its owners 


A Cloverdale man is trying to reunite a lost wedding photo with its rightful owners. 

George Bencze, a former photo technician at a Langley Shoppers Drug Mart, discovered the image sitting in the store's unclaimed pile more than three and half years ago and he's been hoping someone would return for it. 

Komagata Maru apology: Ship's story represents 'dark chapter' of Canada's past 


It's an apology more than a century in the making. 

Nearly 102 years after the Komagata Maru sailed into Vancouver, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will tomorrow (Wed) offer a full apology in the House of Commons for the government of the day's decision to turn away the ship, which was carrying hundreds of South Asian immigrants, most of whom were Sikhs. 

Canadian Stories this Week  

This weekend has been our first weekend of the summer, and since the weather was so nice, we were out enjoying it like the rest of our neighbors. So the CWR is very short this week. 

Hope you enjoyed your weekend, and we shall see you next Monday. 

And that was the week in Canadian news!

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go towww.elrs.biz 

(c)2016 All rights reserved.
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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 16 May 2016


I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

This Week in Canadian History

King's William War 

In 1690, the first major engagement of King William's War, British troops from Massachusetts seize Port Royal in Acadia (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) from the French.


Social Media 

(Photos) 'Transported to another time and place': Saskatoon historian talks history of radio 


These days it's easy to come by various radio programs, whether it's through a car stereo or streaming on a computer. But 100 years ago, tuning in wasn't a reality for people who lived in Saskatchewan. 

ARCHIVES: Inside the Kingston Penitentiary in 1981 


As the notorious former Kingston Penitentiary is set to open up for public tours in June, we take a look at archival footage from inside the prison more than 30 years ago. 

Newspaper Articles 

Nova Scotia 

Acadian Recorder heritage building in Halifax could go to developers 


A heritage building that was home to one of the longest-running newspapers in Nova Scotia needs hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs as it is offered up by the province to developers. 

The provincial government wants to find out who is interested in the Acadian Recorder building and the adjacent Dennis Building, both located on Granville Street near Province House in Halifax. 

Annapolis Royal Canada Needs A New Website 

http://everything-pr.com/annapolis-canada-website-rfp/81569/ 

The Town of Annapolis Royal is rich in history, arts, culture and beauty which makes Annapolis Royal the place where history meets opportunity – and they seek to build a new website. Home to Canada’s oldest National Historic Site, Fort Anne, where you can see the Royal Charter from which Nova Scotia gets its name and flag. 

Proposals are due by  May 27, 2016 to: Attention: Gregory Barr, CAO, PO Box 310, 
Annapolis Royal, NS, B0S 1A0 

 Subdivision streets to be named after N.S. women who propelled province forward 

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1364562-subdivision-streets-to-be-named-after-n.s.-women-who-propelled-province-forward 

 The new subdivision going up in Rockingham South is more than just a development. 

 It recognizes women of great importance to Nova Scotia’s history. Five street names in the area near Clayton Park pay homage to the great Nova Scotia women who propelled the province forward. 

 EDITORIAL: CHNS has woven Halifax’s story on air 

http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/1364567-editorial-chns-has-woven-halifax%E2%80%99s-story-on-air 

 Its list of on-air personalities reads like a broadcast who’s who. 

 Think Don Tremaine, Ian Hanomansing, Stan Carew and Frank Cameron. Radio greats all. 

 Hank Snow began his professional career there in 1933. 

 CHNS, Nova Scotia’s oldest radio station, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this month and is sharing a storied past with listeners. That past has been woven into the tapestry of everyday life in Halifax for almost a century. 

 Tall Ships to return to Nova Scotia for Canada’s 150th anniversary 

 http://globalnews.ca/news/2700158/tall-ships-to-return-to-nova-scotia-for-canadas-150th-anniversary/ 

 What better way to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday than with a fleet of Tall Ships? 

 Returning to Halifax just in time for the province’s anniversary celebration, a fleet of 40 vessels will sail into the harbour next July. 

 Halifax's Mi'kmaq poet laureate calls council's decision on Cornwallis 'disrespectful'

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/edward-cornwallis-naming-mi-kmaq-poet-laureate-1.3578604 

 Halifax's first Mi'kmaq poet laureate says she is disappointed — but not surprised — city council rejected a debate over reviewing public sites named for Edward Cornwallis, the city's controversial founder. 

 Rebecca Thomas criticized the all-white group who appointe\d her to the role in March, noting the "sweet irony" of some concerns that history would be erased in favour of an indigenous narrative. 

 Ontario 

 Tilbury and District Historical Society recognized by University of Windsor 

http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2016/05/11/tilbury-and-district-historical-society-recognized-by-university-of-windsor 

 There's a lot of interesting family history in this West Kent community that a fairly new organization has received recognition for preserving and making available to the community. 

 The Tilbury and District Historical Society (TADHS) is the latest recipient of the Community Heritage Medal from the University of Windsor's history department. 

 Painful' Ottawa street name changes done by 2017, councillors told 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-street-name-changes-2017-1.3575282

 Sunnyside Drive in Stittsville became a continuation of Brightside Avenue in March, to avoid confusion with Sunnyside Avenue in Old Ottawa South. But Stittsville's Bell Street, Meadowland Drive and Elm Crescent are still waiting for their new names. 

 Once Upon a City: Will Ontario’s gem glisten again? 

 https://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/once-upon-a-city-archives/2016/05/12/once-upon-a-city-will-ontarios-gem-glisten-again.html 

 Ontario Place, a cutting-edge showpiece in 1971, lost its lustre. It’s set to reopen next year. 

 Manitoba

Bylaw changes recommended to protect Winnipeg heritage buildings 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bylaw-changes-recommended-to-protect-winnipeg-heritage-buildings-1.3575997 

A city committee has endorsed recommendations from Winnipeg's planning department to put more pressure on heritage building owners to maintain their properties. 

Holding on to history: Northeast Winnipeg Historical Society preserving the past 

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/Holding-on-to-history-379421891.html 

A small group of volunteers is working tirelessly to preserve Northeast Winnipeg’s history, and there’s plenty of it to preserve, Jim Smith said. 

Happy birthday, Manitoba! Province turns 146 today 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-day-birthday-1.3579210

Take a deep breath, Manitoba, that's a lot of candles to blow out. 

 It's Manitoba's 146th birthday and throughout the province, museums and other facilities are hosting events or offering free admission to mark this special occasion. 

 CP derails plans for train museum in Minnedosa, heritage group says 

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/minnedosa-museum-train-station-on-hold-1.3577974 

 A Manitoba heritage group's plan to open a rail museum is in limbo because Canadian Pacific Railway told them the company wants the old train station back — after the group spent more than $50,000 renovating the building. 

 British Columbia 

 Vancouver heritage house could be saved from demolition after city intervenes 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-heritage-house-intervention-1.3581601 

 A heritage house in Vancouver could be saved from demolition after the City of Vancouver ordered a heritage inspection of the property under the terms of a new bylaw passed by council in September last year. 

 The property — at 1550 West 29th Ave. — a Tudor-style home built in 1922, was once used to demonstrate how electricity could be used in the home. It is not currently listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register. 

 Opinion: 'This used to be Chinatown …' 

http://vancouversun.com/opinion/opinion-this-used-to-be-chinatown 

 I travel to cities around the world that have Chinatowns — San Francisco, Honolulu, Brisbane, Yokohama, even Amsterdam. I visit because of my research as a historian, but I also have a personal interest. 

 Yukon 

 Pierre Berton sculpture unveiled in Whitehorse 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/pierre-berton-sculpture-unveiled-whitehorse-1.3575725

 Pierre Berton, who always had an eye for a good story, now has a central viewpoint in his storied birthplace — Whitehorse. 

 A bronze bust of the late historian, writer and broadcaster was unveiled Tuesday on Main Street in the city's downtown. It was commissioned by local entrepreneur Rolf Hougen and his family. 

 Canadian Stories this Week 

 Tulip Festival 
Tulip Festival is back for another year, in fact this will be the 71st year that it will be held. 

 This has been the first weekend, and it will be held until the 23 May 2016 in Ottawa. 

 This year it is being held at Lansdowne Park at the historic Aberdeen Pavilion, and it should be just beautiful. 

 Be sure to go out and see the tulips. They are beautiful!

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

 The OGS Blog 
Building a Yearly Genealogical Research, Writing and Learning Plan 
Have you read the OGS blog lately? 

 Alan Campbell, the author of the blog, comes up with some great subjects, and the subject this month is building your yearly research plan. 

 He gives credit to George G. Morgan, an American professional genealogist, and one of the Genealogy Guys, for being his 'unofficial mentor in building yearly research plans'. 

 He gives credit to George credit for his article “Genealogical Resolutions for 2003,” which describes how you can plan to do your research, and how you can use spreadsheets and research tools to do your research. 

 Read the rest of the post at https://www.ogs.on.ca/ogs_blog.php?p=6327 

First World War Service Files 

The Library and Archives Canada, as of today, has put 2786,285 of 640,000 files are available online via our Soldiers of the First World War 1914-1918 database.

Latest box digitized: Box 4810 and Jellyman.

Please check the database regularly for new additions and if you still have questions after checking the database, you may contact them directly at 1-866-578-7777 for more assistance.



 In closing today, I see where Findmypast didn't put any Canadian records on the site last week, as they were going to. Maybe they will this week. I am so interested to see what they put on the Internet. 

 And that was the week in Canadian news! 
This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

 Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

 If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

 Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

 Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research 

 services offered by ELRS, go to www.elrs.biz 

 (c)2016 All rights reserved.
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