Wednesday, August 24, 2011

120th Anniversary of Ukrainian Settlement

Over 1.2 million Ukrainian-Canadians are celebrating this year's events in the 120th Anniversary of settling in Canada.

They have completed the Historical Train of Ukrainian Pioneers from Halifax stopping in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Edmonton where they traced the steps of the people who came here in 1891; yesterday they honoured the annual Black Ribbon Day in which they remembered the victims of Communism and Nazism in Europe, and on the 24th of October of this year they will celebrate Ukrainian Day on Parliament Hill.

To view the history of Ukrainian-Canadians, the website is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Canadian

To view the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, visit the http://www.history.alberta.ca/ukrainianvillage/default.aspx


BIFGSGO Begins Fall Meetings

The British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO)first fall meeting will be Saturday, Sept 10, 2011 at Library and Archives Canada Auditorium, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa from 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Tom Rimmer has done research on the Fancy Railway Stations in Westmorland. His great-grandfather was absent from his Lancashire home as shown in the 1871 Census of Rainford, Lancashire. When Tom eventually found his great-grandfather, he was building railway stations in the Lake District. Tom's granddaughter, Anne Rimmer, will present the talk.

Come early, have a coffee, and explore the Irish, English, and Scottish Discovery Tables before the talk.

The website is http://www.bifhsgo.ca/

Digging up the Parliament Building (Montreal)

On Tuesday, the CTV News http://m.ctv.ca/topstories/20110823/archaeologists-montreal-dig-110823.html had a story about archeologists digging up the Parliament Building which was burnt down by rebels of the Rebellions of 1837 in Montreal.

Reports say that they are starting to find items including a tea set, and a pair of glasses which was probably left behind by someone when the building burnt to the ground.

The ground will be turned into a green space in time for Montreal's 375th birthday, which will take place in 2017.

Read the history of the Parliament Building http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_the_Parliament_Buildings_in_Montreal

For a history of Montreal, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal

For the Rebellion of 1837 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebellion_Losses_Bill

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Ireland Canada Monument Newsletter

Over the weekend I received this letter from Brendan Flynn at brendanflynn_1@hotmail.com

“Hello Everyone,

Please find the 50th edition of the Ireland Canada Monument Newsletter. We hope you will forward it to others.

The newletter can also be downloaded from the following link at the top of the page. Go to http://irelandmonumentvancouver.com/monumental-news/

Thank You.

The Ireland Canada Monument Society"

"Ask Granny!" Genealogy Program

The Victoria Genealogical Society's “Ask Granny!” Genealogical Program which is a free seminar in retirement homes is ready for their fall season.

They have presented four seminar so far in 2011 to a total of 29 students, and it sounds like they have been very popular.

I wonder if other societies are doing this as part of their outreach program.

For further information about “Ask Granny!' email vgsprojectdirector@gmail.com or visit the VGS Programs page on this Victoria Genealogical Society's website at http://www.victoriags.org/index.htm.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Kingston Cemetery Repaired

On 27 May 2008 a number of Kingston citizens concerned about the deterioration of the Lower Burial Ground of St. Paul's Churchyard in the heart of the city gathered and decided to establish a non-profit corporation to be known as The Lower Burial Ground Restoration Society.

Since then, they have repaired the burial ground, and was able to repair the wall which surrounds it.

You can view the work that has been done by going to http://www.uelac.org/Kingston/lower.html

Keffer Writing Contest

Every year the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) has a writing contest called the Keffer Writing Contest. The deadline for entering the contest is November 1st.

The entries must be Canadian or Ontario based genealogy, and they should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words in length.

There will be three judges, and lots of nifty prized -

1sr prize $100.00 plus 2 annual OGS memberships
2nd prize $75.00 plus 1 annual OGS memberships
3rd prize $50.00
4th prize $25.00

You have to be a member of the OGS in order to enter. They have a new membership offer of $35.00 for a half year membership. Details are at are at http://www.ogs.on.ca/home/essay.php