This Week in Canadian History
Canada and the First World War
1914 – Britain declares herself and her Empire at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary when Germany invades Belgium; Canada automatically enters the War on Britain’s declaration.
This was a sea-change for Canada, some saying that the country grew into an independent nation at the end of the war.
To read some more, go to http://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/
The Telephone
1922 – All telephone service in Canada was halted for 80 seconds, starting at 6:25 pm, to mark the death of Alexander Graham Bell on August 2 at his Beinn Bhreagh home on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
Although he was born in 1847, in Edinburgh, Scotland, he, with his family, emigrated to Canada, and lived his early years in Ontario, before going to the United States.
To read some more, go to http://www.biography.com/people/alexander-graham-bell-9205497
Trans-Canada Highway
1962 – Prime Minister John Diefenbaker officially opens the Trans-Canada Highway to traffic.
Stretching nearly 8,000 kilometres from St. John’s, Nfld. to Victoria, B.C., the Trans-Canada Highway is among the longest national highway in the world, traveling through all ten provinces of Canada between its east and west coasts.
To read more, go to http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/policy/acg-acgd-menu-highways-2153.htm
Social Media
(Photos) Sherks sure to share stories at huge reunion
As the Sherk family reunion takes over Conrad Grebel University College this weekend, the more than 150 attendees will be savouring their much-storied past.
(Video) Did you know Aug. 1 is Emancipation Day in Ontario?
Many people are out celebrating Civic Day on Monday but did you know it is also Emancipation Day in Ontario?
(Photos) Quebec City celebrates its beginnings with Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France
A parade Wednesday night kicked off the Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France, a historic festival that showcases Quebec City’s 17th and 18th century heritage and culture.
(Video) Japanese-Canadians push for PNE livestock barns to become historic site
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/japanese-canadians-push-for-pne-livestock-barns-to-become-historic-site
Most visitors to the PNE will be familiar with the sounds and smells of the cattle and horses in the livestock barns — but few are aware of the building’s dark history.
During the Second World War, the barns were used to hold thousands of interned Japanese-Canadians.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia history makes digital jump
A huge portion of Nova Scotia history has just gone digital.
The Legislative Library has posted all of the available debates of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly (Hansard) from 1868–1993 online, thanks to five years of scanning – and generations of preservation before that.
The Legislative Library has posted all of the available debates of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly (Hansard) from 1868–1993 online, thanks to five years of scanning – and generations of preservation before that.
Legislative Council Debates (1858-61, 1875-1922)
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1384722-nova-scotia-history-makes-digital-jump
New Brunswick
Fredericton museum combines Pokemon Go and historical tour
It's a tough job to combine both a history tour and Pokemon Go, but the summer students at Fredericton Region Museum are willing to give it a try.
The legal release of Pokemon Go was on July 17 and it's the game that allows players to catch the classic Nintendo creatures called Pokemon.
Quebec
The story of the Gatineau River: Historic fights and fierce independence
Yet it was here, during a snowy autumn late in the 19th century, where the only armed tax revolt in Canadian history took place – our own Boston Tea Party, but with a decidedly different outcome.
Ontario
Council hopes Lancaster repairs will fly faster
The City of Windsor will spend $500,000 over 10 years to help refurbish its prized wartime possession: the Lancaster Bomber.
Canada kicks off 150-day countdown until start of 150th anniversary party
Canada is 150 days away from the launch of a yearlong celebration to mark its 150th anniversary.
Provider of fur, food and floods, the beaver is a Canadian symbol
As many Canadians take to beaches and cottages for an August long weekend, let's take a moment to consider one of our national symbols that lives out there year-round.
Out of a farming tragedy came the world's largest Allis-Chalmers tractor collection.
As a seven-year-old boy growing up on a farm near Renfrew, Ont., George Nesbitt would read his father's farming magazines, admiring the pictures of the tractors advertised inside.
Manitoba
Heritage Festival returning to Carberry
The Carberry Heritage Festival is back, and this year, it’s bigger and better than ever.
Taking place on Friday, Aug. 12 and Saturday, Aug. 13, the event marks the fourth year of heritage celebrations.
Mennonite Heritage Village selected for funding through Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
The Government of Canada is providing funding of $600,000 to the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) for cultural infrastructure projects on its campus in Steinbach, Manitoba. In Budget 2016, the Government of Canada announced that it will be investing an additional $168.2 million in cultural infrastructure through CCSF over the next two years.
Manitoba threshing bee yields new world record
Owners and operators of antique threshing machines unofficially cracked the world record for a threshing bee at a fundraising event Sunday for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Manitoba Agricultural Museum.
Winnipeg presentation to tell the little-known story of Canada's British Home Children
From 1867 to 1949, nearly 120,000 children were shipped across the sea to Canada without their parents. These were the British Home Children who were brought over to work on farms or as servants once they arrived.
Alberta
Five Edmonton mansions that tell stories about our city's history
For more than 100 years, Edmonton has been home to some historically significant mansions. With their European-inspired architecture, they certainly have an aged elegance about them. Still intact today, they provide a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of Edmonton’s past elite.
Saskatchewan
Cultural camp offers taste of history
Time traveling through Alberta’s Ukrainian history has been possible for almost three decades.
The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village’s (UCHV) week-long Historic Children’s Program for children aged six to 11 and their Junior Interpreter’s Program for ages 12 to 16 encourages kids to unplug and step back in time. The kids visit various farmsteads, experience early 1920s school life, make Ukrainian cuisine, make crafts and learn cultural dances.
North
Climate change may cause Cold War-era Arctic military base to resurface
The hazardous waste of a Cold War-era military base once thought to be buried forever in the Greenland ice sheet may eventually resurface due to climate change, says a new York University study.
Canadian Stories this Week
Learn how to easily calculate the relationship between two people
I have followed Amy Johnson Crow for quite a few years now. I always see if she is on the free live steaming of different conference, and now I see where she is doing Facebook videos, so I decided to take a look.
Her video, which only lasts about 5 minutes, in an explanation, among other things, of about second cousins 2 times removed, or other relations between cousins.
I hope she does many more short videos, and if you decide to view this one, tell her in the comment section that you learned about it from me at Canadian Week in Review. . She would be happy to hear from you.
Here is the webpage, https://www.facebook.com/AmyJohnsonCrow/videos
Three more frequently asked genealogy questions
Here is what the Library and Archives Canada's say are three most frequently asked questions -
How do I start my genealogy search?
The first step is to ask questions (such as “who,” “what,” “where”) and start writing down information. Find out which details in your family tree you are missing.
You can learn more on their website on how to begin your genealogy search.
Why does LAC have census records but no birth certificates?
The division of power between the federal government and the provinces dictates which government records are part of the LAC collection.
The records pertaining to births, marriages and deaths are a provincial jurisdiction and are thus found in provincial and territorial archives.
I want to search the 1871 Canadian Census for Gimli, Manitoba, but I can’t find it in the LAC database. Why isn’t it there?
Not all areas in Canada were enumerated in early census returns. Each census return database on the LAC website has a list of the districts and sub-districts that were enumerated. For example, the answer to this question would be that the earliest Gimli (former county of Lisgar) was enumerated was 1891, but Lisgar was enumerated in 1881.
To read more, go to https://thediscoverblog.com/2016/08/03/three-more-frequently-asked-genealogy-questions/
And that was the week in Canadian news!
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