QFHS - Seminars and Public Lecture Series

News has been received from the Quebec Family History Society (QFHS) in Montreal that they will host two events in March, and they are -

The War of 1812 (Free Lecture)

It will take place on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Briarwood Presbyterian Church Hall, 70 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, QC, H9W 3Z3.

The talk, given by Luc Lépine, will be a lecture about the War of 1812 and will focus on events that took place in Lower Canada (now Quebec) and the Battle of Châteauguay. Luc Lépine is one of the leading experts on the War of 1812 and author of the book, Lower Canada's Militia Officers, 1812 - 1815.
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A Genealogical Day in England and Wales (Seminar)

It will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Quebec Family History Society Library, 173 Cartier Ave., Pointe-Claire, QC H9S 4H9, and will be presented by Gary Schroder.

The purpose of this seminar will be to a) examine the basic structures of family history research in England, Civil Registration of BMDs, 1837-2005; Censuses, 1841-1911; Wills 1858-2011, etc.; and b) examine how to find your ancestors for the period prior to 1837 and how to make the best use of the English databases to be found on Ancestry and other commercial websites.

Reservations are necessary. Please call 514.695.1502

For details, visit them online at http://www.qfhs.ca/

LDS and Nova Scotia Church Records

The LDS Church is making available church records for the Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and United Church of England denominations.

As their website says, "The Public Archives of Nova Scotia has many original church registers as well as microfilm copies. The Protestant registers generally cover 1780–1914. There are Catholic records 1679–1914. A list of these holdings can be found in Genealogical Research in Nova Scotia, by Terrence M. Punch.

Parish registers of baptisms, marriages, deaths and other records for some Catholic and Church of England in Canada parishes from Nova Scotia. These records cover 1720-2001, and dates vary for each parish. Some parish registers are written in French or Latin".

They have put on a Wiki to explain the church records, and Citation for This Collection.

The website is https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Nova_Scotia_Church_Records_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records)

Louis Riel Day

Yesterday was Louis Riel Day in Manitoba. The Library and Archives Canada just put more pictures on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/lac-bac/sets/72157628221185477

Louis Riel Day: Remembering Manitoba Founding Father http://louisrielday.com/ You can go on the Louis Riel tour, a very good timeline of events in his life, and a video.

Louis Riel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel#Execution There is a history of Louis Riel from his birth on the 22 October, 1844 to his execution on 16 November, 1885. It reviews his life in Parliament in Ottawa, and as a Métis leader of his people in Manitoba, to his involvement in the Red River Rebellion, and the North-West Rebellion.

A Biography of Louis Riel http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/riel/rielbio.html The biography discusses his education in Montreal, and as a voice of the Métis of the prairie provinces, and of his trial for treason.

Riel, Louis www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/louis-riel A very good review of Riel’s life and times.

Louis Riel www.metisnation.org/culture--heritage/louis-riel.aspx His life is examined from the Métis point of view. He is referred to a “the Father of Manitoba”.
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Books
I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com/, the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/, and now, in the U.S., from the Family Roots Publishing Company at http://www.familyrootspublishing.com/.
For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Ontario Heritage Week 2012

The Ontario Heritage Trust has been celebrating Heritage Week since 1985. This year, it celebrates Heritage Week from February 20th to the 26th. Even if you can’t get out to visit the events, the website itself, www.heritagetrust.on.ca, has a wonderful array of things to see, such as the exhibit on Samuel de Champlain; Ontario’s Places of Worship; and Heritage Matters - the organization’s magazine.

You can also see what is happening this week in the following communities - Ajax, Aurora, Brampton, Cambridge, Cayuga, Fergus, Guelph, Harley, Jordan, Kitchener, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Oakville, Smiths Falls, Thornhill, Thunder Bay, and Toronto.

They also opened the new Parliament interpretive centre on February 16th with an exhibit called, Foundations & Fire: Early Parliament and the War of 1812 Experience at York.

The interpretive centre is located at 265 Front Street East, Toronto, and it comprises the site of Ontario’s first purpose-built parliament buildings.

The press release goes on to say that they were “Opened in 1797, the buildings were burned by invading American forces during the War of 1812. They were later rebuilt, but were destroyed by fire again in 1824. Today, the site is both historically and archaeologically significant for its association with the beginnings of our representative government”.

Books

I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com, and now, in the U.S., from the Family Roots Publishing Company at www.familyrootspublishing.com.

For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Genealogy Show and Tell (GANS)

From Pamela Wile, the Programme Convener for GANS (Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia), comes this press release -

"Our society encourages those interested in their family history to participate in the social aspect of genealogy. This is our 2nd event of this type. The Show and Tell last year was fabulous and brought together people with many different research interests. As well, we heard some great stories and saw some interesting family heirlooms.

Please join us on February 25, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. for our 2nd Annual Genealogy Show and Tell.

Come and meet other folks who may share your genealogy interests.

Members have been invited to take ten minutes to tell us about their research, show us an heirloom or talk about a book they've written. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions or make suggestions on how they can further their research. As well, members that aren't in the area have been invited to email in their research interests so you'll have an opportunity to look through those and possibly "meet" a cousin or two!

Are you new to genealogy? Browse our publications, pick up some handouts and research tips and get to know some fellow genealogists.

Don't forget to wear your family t-shirts, hats or buttons!

There will be a door prize and light refreshments will be served.

All lectures are open to the public and will be held unless otherwise noted in the Akins A/V Room, Nova Scotia Archives, Public Archives Site, 6016 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Many of our publications are normally on display and available for purchase at our regular monthly meetings.

Hope to see you there.

Regards,

Pamela Wile
Programme Convener
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/GANS/
https://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaAncestors
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nsroots mailing list
nsroots@ednet.ns.ca
http://mailman.ednet.ns.ca/cgi-bin/listinfo/nsroots"

Heritage Day 2012

This year's theme of Heritage Day in Petrolia, Ontario is 'History of ENERGY’. It will take place on Saturday, March 3rd from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Victoria Hall, Petrolia.

There will be at the display the Union Gas, the Oil Museum of Canada, Van Tuyl and Fairbank Solarware, Waste Management, Wind Power, the Lambton Room, and the Lambton Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society!

Oil was discovered in Petolia, and in the Oil Springs area in the 1850s, and the Petrolia Heritage Committee has amassed a huge amount of material you can go through at http://www.petroliaheritage.com.

Storing and Preserving Family Archives and Artifacts

On 3 March 2012 from 1 pm to 4 pm, there will be at the City of Ottawa Central Archives, 100 Tallwood Drive, a talk will be given by Kyla Ubbink, and sponsored by Ottawa Branch OGS.

She will let you in on the secrets when it come to telling you how to store your family documents, how to save newspaper clippings, why your photographs are going ‘silvery’, and how you get rid of that musty smell in your books.

The cost: $20.00 per person. The registration is limited and the Deadline for Registration is 24 February 2012

Please make cheques payable to “OTTAWA BRANCH, OGS”

Registration Form available at http://ogsottawa.on.ca

Ancestry.ca Offers FREE Access to Records

I just received this press release from Ancestry.ca. In part, it says -

“Did you know that almost 40 per cent of Ontarians can’t trace their ancestry back more than 100 years, and 40 per cent don’t know when their family first arrived in Canada? Even more surprising, almost 35 per cent don’t know the maiden names of either of their grandmothers.

Family Day is an ideal time to spend with loved ones discovering the ancestors that came before you. With schools and shops closed, not to mention the chilly winter temperatures, there’s no better time to stay indoors and close to the ones you love, and to start to learn about your genealogy.

Lesley Anderson, genealogist for Ancestry.ca, is available to discuss:

· Why Family Day is the perfect time of year to begin your family research
· Tips on getting started and gathering information
.  How to use historic records available on Ancestry.ca to find your ancestors
· How to get family members – including your kids – involved in your family history project
. How to incorporate memories from this year’s Family Day into your family tree

In honour of Family Day, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca/) is providing free access to more than 28 million records. Those wishing to discover their family history this week will be able to explore all Canadian birth, marriage and death records free of charge until Monday, February 20th".

Call for Papers the Ontario Genealogical Society

The Ontario Genealogical Society (the Durham Region Branch) will hold it's conference May 31 – June 2, 2013 at The University of Ontario Institute of Technology/ Durham College, Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario.

The deadline for Submissions is 31 July, 2012, and selected speakers will be notified in the late summer of 2012, and the Syllabus material (PDF files), due in late 2012, is require for...

The theme will be Pulling Up Stakes – Putting Down Roots

The press release says that “We invite lecture submissions on topics about migration from all over the world to Canada – to Ontario specifically from early times to the present.

They should include: why the people left their homeland, the method of transportation used and why and where they settled. Topics could also include movement from Ontario to other parts of Canada and the USA”.

If you have any questions, email the Programme Chair at <2013progcom@gmail.com>.

Books

I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com.

For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Manitoba Genealogical Society Sponsors Heritage Fair Award

The society is sponsoring the MGS Book Award for the Best Project Utilizing Family or Local History at this year's Red River Regional Heritage Fair, taking place in Winnipeg on May 3, 2012.

The website says that "The project must be based on research that deals with family or local history. The subject could be biographical; about someone who lived in or is living in what is now Manitoba (formerly Rupert’s Land/Northwest Territories). This person may be famous or not but, ideally, they should be related to the contestant. The subject could also deal with a historical topic concerning the student’s local Manitoba community or neighbourhood. The project should make use of primary source materials".

For other entry information see the Red River Regional Heritage Fair at www.redriverheritage.ca or the MGS site at www.mbgenealogy.com.

Books

I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com.

For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html
and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Roots to Boots Festival War of 1812

The Bicentennial Signature Event in Amherstburg, Ontario to commemorate the War of 1812 will take place on the weekend of August 3, 2012.

They say that it will be a community “totally immersed in 1812” during the festival.

There will be a Genealogy Pavilion – Ontario Genealogy Society & Certificate Program on the Saturday, as well as a Grand Parade Downtown, a First Nations presentation at Kings Navy Yard Park, and a Destiny Art Exhibit, and much more!

Go to www.1812amherstburg.com to find out about the summer long program.

Books

I have just published two booklets  -

The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com

For more on the booklets, please visit these links -

War of 1812 - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html, and

Migration - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Ancestry Search at Library and Archives Canada Blog

In their blog today, they had hints for doing ancestry research in their databases by simply using the ancestor’s name. I have used this method before on my Webster line, and it has worked for me, so give it a try, and see what you can find.

They also give hints under the title of "Did you know?", and some of them are -

Databases can have indexing errors because of poor handwriting, poor legibility, or the fading of ink over time in the original records. If you find an error in the index, use the “Suggest a correction” feature.

Some databases allow for wildcard searching, that is, you can substitute a letter with a symbol to allow for more search results. For example, use “Sm*th” for Smith or Smyth, or “Fred*” for Frederick or Fredrich.

In the past, many names were written phonetically by the person recording them, such as the priest for a Parish Register or an enumerator for the Census. This resulted in various spellings of the same name.

To read the rest of the hints, go to http://thediscoverblog.com

To search for your ancestor, go to www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/search/anc_adv .

============
I have just published two booklets -

The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com

For more on the booklets, please visit these links -

War of 1812 - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html, and

Migration - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

New/Improved Canadian Websites and Blogs Week 19

Here are some of the websites and blogs that I have come across the week ending February 5, 2012.

Yukon Territory Online Historical Directories  http://sites.google.com/site/onlinedirectorysite/Home/can/yt Over a dozen directories, and you can search them online. They include telephone directoties, city directories, and Alaska-Yukon City and Business Directory.

GenDisasters: Events That Touched Our Ancestors' Lives http://www3.gendisasters.com/taxonomy_menu/6/80 News reports about Newfoundland and Labrador disasters.

Ancestral Notes: A family history blog with genealogy links, resources, ancestors, and related topics http://ancestralnotes.ebradt.org A blog wich talks about family history found in Southwestern Ontario in Essex County.

Madeline's Essex County: A History of Canada's Deep South http://alifeinessexcounty.wordpress.com/about  A completely blog to the piece just written in the previous post. It is a blog about Madeline Wallace, and her time in Essex County by her daughter Victoria Fenner.

Mining Accidents U.S., Canada and Australia http://www.genealogy.com/users/s/h/e/Jerry-Sherard There have been 485,000 mining accident records (fatal and nonfatal) covering most of the United States, and the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec in Canada

Family Names: Beck, Keffer, Kratochvil, Moore, Puterbaugh, Secor http://ks-gt.blogspot.com This blog covers the families of Beck etc as they moved to Ontario from Pennsylvanian.

Canadian Vital Stats Genealogy Canada: Births Deaths & Marriages Exchange
www.olivetreegenealogy.com/can/bdm/index.shtml Have you checked this resource lately? The Olive Tree Blog has the Canadian Births or Baptism, Deaths and Marriages Exchange on file.

Panoramic Maps Canadian Map http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/pmhtml/canmap.html Check out these panoramic maps of the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec.

War of 1812 http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/sswetw/index.html?launch=true It gives a history of each of the topics covered as well as nifty graphics!

Rare list of P.E.I. Acadians intrigues N.B. researchers http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2012/01/31/nb-acadian-list-pei.html They have found a "rare list" of PEI Acadians at l'Université de Moncton. The list is of 289 names of Acadians who were living on Prince Edward Island in 1763.

Books

 I have just published two booklets -


The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.  

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com

For more on the booklets, please visit these links -

War of 1812 - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html, and

Migration - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Rama-Mara History Website

On February the 16th, Rama-Mara History Society of Orillia, Ontario will meet at 7 o'clock at the Rama-Mara History Website

On February the 16th, Rama-Mara History Society of Orillia, Ontario will meet at 7 o'clock at the
Udney Community Centre at 2347 Concession Road 10, Rama Township at which Mike Crosby will conduct a "Genealogy 101 Workshop."

Recent acquisitions of the society are Fires of 1881, McKinnon Family Tree, Murphy-Heiztener Tree/genealogy site, Sebright United Cemetery, and St. John's Anglican Cemetery Atherly/Ramara Cemeteries.

They have records of 26620 individuals, 8694 families, 3759 Surnames, Photo of the Day, and 2136, Photos, and 126 Photo Albums online at www.ramarahistoricalsociety.net/index.php?module=pnTNG&func=main.

Books

I have just published two booklets: The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and
Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com

For more on the booklets, please visit these links -

War of 1812 - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html,

and

Migration - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Genealogical Society Study Groups

Some genealogical groups in Canada have study groups, and Brant County Branch has two such groups -

The British Isles Study Group meets at the Brant County OGS library, 114-118 Powerline Road, Brantford at 7:30pm on the 1st Tuesday of each month.

There is also The Family History Study Group meets at the Brant County OGS library at 10:00am on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

Bring what you have, and the groups will be glad to assist you. The groups are a great place to meet fellow researchers and to obtain valuable assistance in your pursuits of elusive ancestors.

The website is http://brantcountybranchogs.ca

Books

I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com.

For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html
and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Are You Listening to RootsTech 2012?

All keynote speakers, and people who are giving lectures in Room 155 in the Salt Palace are having their talks live streamed to us at RootsTech 2012. Are you listening to them? Lots of interesting things are being said with many new features being introduced now at the conference.

I have heard from Louis Kressler, a Canadian from Winnipeg, and founder of Behold Genealogy (who is at the conference), and have read three posts on his blog already at
www.beholdgenealogy.com/blog/?p=915. 

Follow him and his posts. He is giving a demo of his product on Saturday at 12:30 at the conference. So if you know someone there, be sure to tell them about it.

To go to the conference, click on www.rootstech.org

Remember GeneaBloggers Radio Birthday Bash tonight. It's been a year since Thomas MacEntee started the radio program, and sounds like it is going to be fun with everything that is going on at the conference.

Check www.geneabloggers.com to see the time in your area.

Books 

I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com.

For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

2012 Bruce & Grey Branch Family Story Contest

For the second year, the KEN YOUNG FAMILY STORY FOR GREY COUNTY and the BETTY WILSON FAMILY STORY FOR BRUCE COUNTY is being sponsored by the Bruce & Grey County Branch of the OGS. 

The story must be a previously unpublished work in essay form, 800 to 1500 words in length telling of the arrival, the life, or other interesting detail of your family in Bruce or Grey County.

The entrants must be a member of BGOGS or another branch of OGS., and the winner will be announced at the Bruce Grey Annual Fall Event in September 2012

Please submit your entry by e-mail to rdclark@sympatico.ca or by regular mail to BGOGS, Box 66, Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 5P1.

The winners will receive a Certificate of Achievement and the Township CD of their choice. The winning stories will be published in the Branch Newsletter with the author retaining the copyright. 

The Branch is also inviting members to a fall trip for research to Salt Lake City on August 12-18, 2012.

For details, go to http://tiffanyweb.bmts.com/~bgogs/calofevent.html

Books


I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com.

For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Spring Meetings for Toronto Branch OGS

The Branch will be presenting five courses in April and May 2012. Three are co-sponsored by the Toronto Public Library, and two are being held at the Archives of Ontario:

Going Back to Basics – A Refresher

This course will cover the basic resources used to find your family history – it will be centred on Ontario records, but can be expanded to cover participants’ areas of interest. Instructor: Ruth Burkholder

Hands-On Ontario Estate Records

Participants will follow assigned case histories to learn hands-on at the Archives of Ontario how to find estate files and land registry records. Instructor: Jane E. MacNamara

Advanced English Family History

This course will focus on the 1700-1837 period – topics will include vital events, parish research, population listings, poor relief, apprenticeship, land tenancy and inheritance records. Instructors: James F.S. Thomson and Joan Read

A Day of Technology for Family Historians

Spend a full day finding out how technology can assist family historians in finding and organizing information, and in editing and sharing photographs and other images. Instructor: Carol Nichols

Hands-On Early Ontario Land Records

Participants will learn through hands-on practice how to use the collections at the Archives of Ontario to trace ancestors’ attempts to acquire land in Upper Canada. Instructor: Jane E. MacNamara

For program details, course dates, speaker biographies and information on how to register for Toronto Branch courses, visit www.torontofamilyhistory.org/courses.html.

Black History Month in Canada

This year, the government of Canada will celebrate Black History Month (February) by recognizing the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812. It will honour the contributions of Black soldiers in the fight for Canada.

Black History Canada: War of 1812 http://blackhistorycanada.ca/events.php?themeid=21&id=5 This site gives the history of Black volunteers (Canadian) who fought for the British in the War of 1812.

Toronto Celebrates Black History Month www.toronto.ca/blackhistory As the website says, “Each year, the City of Toronto is proud to support events and exhibits scheduled for Black History Month, inviting members of the public to explore and celebrate the heritage, traditions and culture of African-Canadians”.

Black History Month www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/black-history/index-e.html Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has a list of resources as well as related Internet links on their website.

Books

I have just published two booklets with references to Blacks in Canada -

• The War of 1812: Canada and the United States includes a section on Blacks who fought both on the Canadian and American sides during the War of 1812, and

• Migration: Canada and the United States has a section on the migration of Blacks to Canada

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com

For more on the booklets, please visit these links -

War of 1812 - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html, and

Migration - http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Upper Canada Land Petitions (1763-1865)

The Library and Archives Canada has put the Upper Canada Land Petitions.

They say that “Before the arrival of the Loyalists and British military settlers, the present-day Province of Ontario was an extension of the Province of Quebec. Following the Constitutional Act of 1791, the colony of Quebec was divided to create Upper Canada (today Ontario) and Lower Canada (today Quebec). Many early settlers, both military and civilian, submitted petitions to the Governor to obtain Crown land. Sons and daughters of Loyalists were also entitled to free lands.

The Upper Canada Land Petitions contain petitions for grants or leases of land and other administrative records. This research tool provides access to more than 82,000 references to individuals who lived in present-day Ontario between 1783 and 1865”.

For example, there is a Thomas Barclay in the database. 

The information an him was that he was from New York, the year was 1819, Volume 43, Bundle B 12, Petition 273, Microfilm C-1625, Reference RG 1 L3.

To check out the database, go to www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/upper-canada-land/index-e.html?PHPSESSID=9ukhscr15duaokeg7j3vk5qtf6

Books 

I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com.

 For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Canadian Bloggers will be at RootsTech 2012

I have deviated from the usual New/Improved Canadian Websites and Blogs for the week, so that I can wish our Canadian Official Bloggers the very best at the RootsTech 2012 in Salt Lake City starting Thursday.

We have two Official Bloggers going to RootTech (that I know of right now), and they are -

Olive Tree Genealogy Blog

http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com/2012/01/rootstech-presentation-international.html Lorine McGinnis Schulze is subbing for Joan Miller, and will be present at an International Panel slated to present a discussion of Social Media at Rootstech 2012.

It will be her second year at RootsTech, and usually does interviews – so watch for her!


^{Lynn Palermo The Armchair Genealogist http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/ This will be Lynn's first RootsTech, and she is planning great things at the conference. She has carried a number of posts already on RootTech. So check out her site.}

As for me, as many of you know, I am a great RootsTech follower, and this year there will be streaming videos of all the keynote speakers at http://rootstech.org/downloads, and there will sessions that will be covered. 

The site at http://rootstech.org.

Leeds and the Thousand Islands Archives

It is reported that the Leeds and the Thousand Island Archives, located at the Front of Escott Township Hall in Escott, Ontario, is regularly receiving significant donations of local historical material, including both documents and over 1,500 digital images depicting the history of the area.

They have over ten fonds available, including the Darling Family Fonds, McAlonan Family Fonds, and the Hewitt Family Fonds. As well, over ten places are listed on their website, such as Black Rapids, Ellisville, Escott, and Grenadier Island, as is information on over 40 subjects like the Loyal Orange Lodge #51, and Global Heritage Press.

They are having an "Introduction to Digitization Workshop", on Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Elgin Community Hall, Elgin, Ontario.

Erika Heesen, the archivist for Leeds and the Thousand Islands Archives, will talk about digitization, as will Patrick McMaster, the Digitization Co-ordinator for "Lakes & Islands Times Past Project", an ongoing digitization program. It is the largest and most comprehensive digital repository for heritage and historical documents from the area. You can search it at www.lakesandislands.ca

The website of the archives is located at http://216.168.105.110

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I have just published two booklets - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States, and Migration: Canada and the United States.

They are available for purchase through Global Genealogy at http://globalgenealogy.com, and the National Institute of Genealogical Studies at www.genealogicalstudies.com.

For more on the booklets, go to http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html and http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-2-migration-canada-and-united.html

Genealogy Hands-On Workshop

A genealogy hands-on workshop will be held at Heritage Mississauga. 

It will be held Saturday February 11th, 2012 from 10am-4pm for a fee of $10.00 per person.

There will be three speakers at the workshop, and they are -

Fawne Stratford-Devai - Co-Star of television's “Ancestors in the Attic”

Dorothy Kew - Executive Member Halton Peel OGS

Jane Webb - Executive Member Halton Peel OGS

Sponsored by the Halton-Peel OGS at  www.halinet.on.ca/sigs/ogshp and the Heritage Mississauga at www.heritagemississauga.com.

Formation of a Scottish Interest Group - OGS

Christine Woodcock, the OGS Provincial Region IV Director, has put forward the idea of forming a Scottish Special Interest Group as part of the Ontario Genealogical Society.

She writes that -

"I am interested in forming a Scottish Special Interest group through the OGS. In order for the Scottish SIG to work, we will need 25 members as a minimum. I am hopeful that we will get this support. If you are aware of anyone in your respective branches, who may have an interest in joining this group, please pass along my e-mail address to them and I will be in touch with them from there.

I am hoping that this SIG will be a supportive group in terms of those researching Scottish Ancestors, and I am also hoping that we will be able to provide some training opportunities as well.

At this time, I would think that the membership fees will be the same as for the British Home Child SIG, which is $5 over and above your OGS annual membership".

You may contact her at genealogytoursofscotland@gmail.com

Canadian Genealogy on Facebook

FamilySearch.org has put Canada on Facebook! 

Although this particular Facebook first appeared in May 2011, how of us know that it existed?

FamilySearch says that is it a popular site, and “These pages and groups are run by experienced genealogy volunteers for those areas. These virtual communities are the online equivalent of asking for help at your local Family History Center. We grew from 4 communities to 59 over the past several months. With a minimum need of 2-3 admins per community--and a greater need for larger communities--we are at less than 50 percent "staffed." Advisers are looking to recruit more volunteers”.

Would you want to to help by volunteering your time to connecting researchers the world over? It looks like a good idea that FamilySearch has here. Maybe it could be a good place to post your brick wall. 

Find out about the Facebook Community by going to "Join a Facebook Research Community" at www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Join_a_Facebook_Research_Community.

Sault Ste. Marie Public Library

I see where the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library Community Access Program is offering free Ancestry.com workshops to members of the community.

The one hour workshops will be available until March 29, 2012. Morning, afternoon and weekend workshops are offered. Class sizes are limited to six participants and spots are filling up quickly.

They says that they are "pleased to bring back one of their most popular workshops “Using Ancestry.com”. This workshop will help you discover your genealogy and build your ancestral family tree. Using the library’s account on ancestry.com you have access to millions of historical records to research your family tree. This workshop will guide you through using the ancestry.com database".

And before you go to the library, check out the Genealogy Section of their website, where they have put resources in a pdf. Some examples are "The Anishainaabe: Tracing Your Ancestral Line", and "French Canadian Genealogy".

To sign up for a workshop, or for more information please visit the main branch of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library or contact the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library Reference and Information Desk at (705) 759-5236.

Their website is http://www.ssmpl.ca

UPDATE! I see where the Ontario Genealogical Society has revamped it's front page to reflect the end of the 50^th Anniversary Year, and they have put it back to the way it was before – somewhat.

If you are looking for TONI (one of the OGSs most popular pages), go to the right, and click on the page. It use to be at the front of the page in the old configuration.

The OGS site is www.ogs.on.ca.

New/Improved Canadian Websites and Blogs Week 18

Here are some of the websites and blogs that I have come across the week ending January 23, 2012.

Family Photo Reunion www.familyphotoreunion.blogspot.com A wonderful blog which is an "An archive of found family photos and artifacts for genealogists and historians". Carol MacKay says that she has reunited over 300 family photos with people over the past 20 years.

Tom Hawthorn's Blog www.tomhawthorn.blogspot.com Tom is a local newspaper writer who lives in Victoria, B.C., and writes about local people and places. He also writes a twice-weekly column for the Globe and Mail.

The Wallace B. Chung and Madeline H. Chung Collection http://chung.library.ubc.ca/news  At the Library of British Columbia, they have over 25,000 rare and unique items (documents, books, maps, posters, paintings, photographs, and other artifacts) that you can go and see.

Out and About Nova Scotia www.outandaboutns.com Photos of Nova Scotia, with a bent towards history of the province.

The Shoreline Journal www.theshorelinejournal.com/obits.html The Shoreline Journal is a monthly community newspaper based in Bass River, Nova Scotia, and serves the Fundy Shore/Glooscap Trail from Truro to Parrsboro. They have obituaries from 2009 to the present.

AuthentiCity: The City of Vancouver Archives Blog http://vancouverarchives.ca This blog provides access to authentic records about the history and culture of Vancouver.

Elmwood Cemetery: Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke County, Quebec www.interment.net/data/canada/qc/sherbrooke/elmwood/index.htm Contributed by Joan Cruickshank, with the last edition being submitted Jan 17, 2012. There are a total of 6,331 records. 

New Canadian Panelist for RootsTech

Lorine McGinnis Schulze has just posted that she will be at the Rootstech Presentation: International Panel: Genealogy 2.0 in Salt Lake City next month.

She explains on her blog that Joan Miller, a blogger from Alberta, was to appear on the panel, but she can't make it due to illness, so Lorine will take her place.

Lorine will appear at the Salt Palace for the presentation in Room 225B at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2012.

If you are going to RootsTech http://rootstech.orghttp://rootstech.org be sure to say “Hello” to Lorine!

Lorine's blog, "Olive Tree Genealogy Blog", is at http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com

And we hope that Joan will get better soon, and return to blogging! Her blog is at www.luxegen.ca

Simcoe Counyy Ancestor News

The November newsletter of the Simcoe County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society celebrates the 175^th years in 2012 of the founding of the community of Bond Head, Simcoe County.

Bond Head was originally named Wragg Corners, but in 1837 it was renamed to it's present name after Sir Frances BOND HEAD.

The article "Half-Way Stopping Place: A pioneer Ontario Community"gives a very good history lesson about Bond Head, and the article ends with "Bond Head Presbyterian Church – Communion Roll" which gives the names on the communicants, their residence, their profession or occupation, how and when they were admitted, and how and when they removed from thr roll.  

There are 202 names on these pages of Presbyterians who were living in West Gwillimbury in 1822.

In previous meeting in September Melissa Ellis gave a talk about the "Web Sites to further your Family History Project" in which she used Margaret Rudy (ROUTCLIFFE) EDMUND as a case study.

You can go to their website at http://www.simcoebogs.com

If you are interested in joining Ontario Genealogical Society, and the Simcoe County Branch there are two ways to join. Read about the two ways at http://www.ogs.on.ca/membership.php.

Articles at GenealogyToday.com

Since 2002, from time to time, I used to contribute articles on Canadian genealogy for a column called "Canadian Connections" on Illya D'Addezio's website, Genealogy Today, at www.genealogytoday.com/ca/connect/index.html

They are still on his site, and when I took a look at them again, it brought me back to thinking of the time I spent writing for Illya, and the many pleasant memories of researching the subjects and getting them published.

They covered all subjects, from “Canadians 'Out West'” to "Maritimers in the 'Boston States'" to "The Irish in Canada" to “Canada Remembers” to “1906 Canadian Census Released Today”, and more.

If you get a chance to take a look at the articles I wrote, there still is lots of good information in them, and it will provide you with an interesting peek into my life as a genealogical writer.

Alberta Cemetery Records

Have you checked the latest cemetery records at Alberta Family Histories Society?

They say that “This database, which has been recorded over the past 25 years by numerous volunteers, is based on monument and burial information from various cemeteries in Calgary and the surrounding region”.

They now have 168,565 records in the index, and you can check them online at http://www.afhs.ab.ca/data/cemeteries/search.php.

The database includes the Name, Birth/Death Years and Cemetery Name.

For a list of cemeteries transcriptions for sale on DVD http://www.afhs.ab.ca/publications/cemetery.shtml#publications

New/Improved Canadian Websites and Blogs Week 17

^{Here are some of the websites and blogs that I have come across the week ending January 16, 2012.} 

The Legal Resource Centre http://www.legalresourcecentre.ca/blog/?page_id=34 The Blogosaurus Lex blog (Legal Resource Centre of Alberta) One subject covered the The 1929 Person’s Case

Kinsey Family Genealogy The Kinsey.ca Blog http://kinseydotca.blogspot.com If you are related to Stephen Vaughan Kinsey, this blog is for you. The blogger writes about a newspaper report on Google News that gives an account of Kinsey's move from Saskatoon to Manitoba in 1940.  

About Ottawa, Canada, Beechwood Cemetery Registers, 1873-1990 http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2168&cj=1&o_xid=0001029688&o_lid=0001029688

The five burial ledgers digitized in this database document interments at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario, from 1873 to 1990. The ledgers also contain names for some people who died before 1873 (as early as 1821) whose remains were later moved to Beechwood.

Susan’s Genealogy Blog http://www.susansgenealogyblog.com A very interesting post in June, 2011 shows Joseph Mullin and his wife, Mary Ann, their five children, and how she searched the Ontario vital records to find this information.

Roots to the Past: Atlantic Canada's Genealogy Hub http://rootstothepast.wordpress.com/about Diane Tibert has started a new blog to go with her newspaper column Roots to the Past that appears in local Maritime newspapers.  

The Quebec Family History Society http://qfhs.ca Just received a press release from the society which says that "the website features several new sections, such as Gary’s Genealogical Picks, research tips, surname interests, and a bulletin board. 

QFHS members researching their ancestors in Quebec will benefit from the new Jacques Gagné Church Compilations in the members’ section. Long-time member Jacques Gagné has compiled historical information and the location of records for more than 1,000 English and French Protestant churches across the province, from 1759 to 1899".

Sask. Archives Board Photo Blog http://sabphotos.wordpress.com The blog invites the reader to look at the photo, and see are any that they recognize. They want to know if you know a location, a date? They say that they will post new photographs approximately once a week, so please come back to take another look.

William Mc/MacDonald – One Name Study

Diane Tibet write that she has started a One Name Study on her great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were both William McDonald from Harrigan Cove, Halifax County, Nova Scotia.

She says that as "many of you can testify, researching common names like this add to the challenge of locating pertinent information".

You can read about here: http://rootstothepast.wordpress.com/genealogy-news

Diane Lynn Tibert is the author of Roots to the Past genealogy column which appears in several newspapers around Atlantic Canada.

Booklet #2 – Migration: Canada and the United States

To continue from yesterday's post on my newly-published booklets, the second one in the "Canadian Series" has been published.

"Migration: Canada and the United States" discusses the exchange of people who have crossed the borders even before the borders were set, as they are today.

The first two pages of the booklet concentrate on Canadians who went to the States. Headings include - The Acadian Migration; Migration to the "Boston States"; French Canadian Migration; Migration to the Midwestern and Southwestern States; and Migration from Canada to the United States Due to War.

The second part of the booklet is about the migration of Americans to Canada. Headings include - New England Planters to Nova Scotia; The United Empire Loyalists; The United States Migration to Central Canada; The United States Migration to Central Canada; The US Migration to the Prairie Provinces & the Yukon; Migration from the US to Canada as a Result of Wars; and Migration of Blacks from the US to Canada.

These headings offer good examples of those who came to Canada, or of Canadians who left for the US, and why.

The booklet gives a synopsis of what records to look for, the books written on the subject, where to find online resources, and a bonus list of some famous Canadians who migrated to the US.

Both the Migration and the War of 1812 booklets can be purchased from Global Genealogy www.globalgenealogy.com and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies www.genealogicalstudies.com.

The next booklet to come "off the presses" will be about Ontario's genealogical societies and groups, including some lesser-known "hidden gems", all of which may have the resources you need to help flesh out the Ontario branch of your family tree.

For more on our first booklet, "The War of 1812: Canada and the United States", go to www.genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2012/01/booklet-1-war-of-1812-canada-and-united.html.

Booklet #1 - The War of 1812: Canada and the United States

If you've wondered why you haven't seen me around much the past few months, I've been busy writing laminated 4-page research guides on topics of interest to genealogists tracing their Canadian roots.

Why did I write booklets instead of a book? It's because I wanted to present the information clearly in a compact format that you could take on research trips without having to worry about adding yet another bulky book to your (probably) overstuffed tote bag.

The guides provide a basic understanding of the subject, as well as listings of relevant books and online information. In short, it's a primer that covers sources from Canada, the United States, and the UK.

For example, the booklet, “The War of 1812: Canada and the United States”, gives a synopsis of the causes of the War, and details the battles that took place (who, where, and when), and which included British forces, Blacks, and Aboriginal warriors who fought on both sides of the conflict.

For a list of the contents, please visit the following blog and websites -

The booklets were mentioned on John D. Reid's Anglo-Celtic Connections blog yesterday (Jan 10th), and I thank him for the review.

The booklets are available for sale through Global Genealogy's website, www.globalgenealogy.com, and are listed on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/GlobalGenealogycom-Inc/168601933226521?sk=wall, and in their free online newsletter, http://globalgenealogy.com/newsletter/2012-001.htm. You can also write them at sales@globalgenealogy.com, or call them toll-free at 1-800-361-5168.

They are also available at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies website at www.genealogicalstudies.com, by email at info@GenealogicalStudies.com, or call the Institute toll-free at 1-800-580-0165.

I am happy to say that the booklets are selling briskly!

Tomorrow Post: Booklet #2 – Migration: Canada and the United States

Sir John A. Macdonald Dinner

Wednesday, January 11 is the 196^th birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald in Scotland – Canada's first prime minister.

The Kinston Hisorical Society http://kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca/index.html has held, for the past 12 years, the dinner on his birthday at the Royal Military College's Senior Staff Mess.

The dinner's guest speaker this year is Mr. Peter Milliken, retired MP for Kingston and The Islands, and former Speaker of the House of Commons. His talk will be "Sir John A. Macdonald and the Kingston Heritage".

To find out more about Sir John A. (as he is called in Canada), here are some informative websites -  

Sir John A. Macdonald: Canada's Patriot Statesman www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/sir-john-a-macdonald/index-e.html

Sir John A. Macdonald www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/primeministers/h4-3025-e.html

Bellevue House National Historic Site of Canada  www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/bellevue/index.aspx

The Street Arab – The Story of a British Home Child

On January the 12th there will be a meeting of the Waterloo Genealogical Society at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10 Lorraine Ave (corner of River Road) Kitchener, Ontario at 7:00 p.m.

Sandra Joyce will give a talk on her novel called The Street Arab – the Story of a British Home Child which is about a boy from a small mining town in Scotland, whose family is torn apart by the First World War, and resulting poverty.  

On her website http://www.sandrajoyce.com it says that "The after foraging for food one day, Robbie returns home to find his family missing and suffers a horrific accident. With strength and determination, he forges ahead and is sent, along with countless other British Home Children, to Canada to begin a new life".

To check meetings at Waterloo Genealogical Society, their website is at http://www.waterlooogs.ca/upcoming_meetings.htm

New/Improved Canadian Websites and Blogs Week 16

^{Here are some of the websites and blogs that I have come across the week ending January 8, 2012.} 

Toronto 1861 http://toronto1861.blogspot.com The "Old Census Scribe" continues her work in transcribing the 1861 Census, but she does more than that, she includes her "method and organization, and the social and geographical details of the area at that time". She started the blog on January 9^th, 2009.

Christopher Moore's History News http://christophermoorehistory.blogspot.com If you want an interesting view of Canada's history, then read Moore's blog.

Toronto Public Library http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/local-history-genealogy/2012/01/jewish-genealogy.html The blog has been online since 2011, and it discovers "the history of your family, your Toronto neighbourhood, or places in Ontario and across Canada".

Diane Lynn Tibert – Handling Over the Reins http://dianetibert.com/2012/01/02/handing-over-the-reins This blog discusses history and genealogy of Nova Scotia.

Kent County GenWeb http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~onkent As the site says "Kent County is located near the South-Western tip of Ontario, between London and Windsor. It was created in 1792 and from 1792 to 1849 was part of the Western District". There are lots of resources here for you to use.

Anglo-Celtic Roots - Winter 2011

The first article in the Winter 2011 edition of Anglo-Celtic Roots, the newsletter of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) www.bifhsgo.ca, belongs to Sharon Callaghan.

While reading through "Genealogy Clues – Know Your Sources", I discovered that it is the first time I have seen Quebec records explained in this way. (This is important to me. Although my husband has had his genealogy done as far as BMDs are concerned, the article goes way beyond that, with additional records).

She divides records into four distinct categories – Most Common Searches, which includes directories, censuses, and BMDs; Less Common Searches, which includes obituaries, coroner's reports, and wills; Uncommon Searches, which includes groups, institutions, and photographers; and Most Uncommon Searches, which includes newspapers, and notaries.

I will be taking this copy of Anglo-Celtic Roots with me when I go to Quebec City later this year to do more research on my husband's genealogy.

Other articles include "What Happened to the Hodge Home Children?" by Bryan D. Cook; "'Hugh' Wouldn't Thought It?" by Christine Jackson; "The Cream of the Crop" by John D. Reid; and "The Bookworm" by Betty Warburton.

As usual, another great issue!

Newspaper Vital Statistics Indexing Project - GANS

I see where the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia (GANS) www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/GANS has put out a call for volunteers for the Newspaper Vital Statistics Indexing Project.

They have already indexed vital statistics from 1769 to 1856, and now they need help to index and proofread the years up to 1864 because that is when the provincial government required that vital statistics be kept.

If you can help, please contact them at gans@chebucto.ns.ca.

They have published their Fall 2011 Newsletter, and some of the stories highlighted in this issue are "Between the Lines: The Story of Harry G. Cooke in World War I" by H. Day; "The Private Log of William Ackhurst, Jr., 1867-1868" by K. Lamb; "The Braines of Queens County, Nova Scotia" by D. Cochrane; and "Collins Family Bible, Digby County" by J. Fralic-Brown.

World War I Veterans of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia

A retired Social Studies teacher in Nova Scotia has started collecting the personal history of people from Guysborough County, Nova Scotia who were in World War One.

He says that his "goal is to compile a biographical sketch of each veteran who was born and/or lived in Guysborough County"

He has had the blog since November,2011, and so far he has posted "Pte. Arthur Ellsworth Armsworthy: A Wounded Soldier's Story", "A Soldier's Wage", and "Pte. Robert Burns: KIA November 25, 1915."

He says he hopes to collect this material so that it will be available to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the war from 2014 to 2018.

The blog is at http://guysboroughgreatwarveterans.blogspot.com, and if have any information, please contact him brucefrancismacdonald@gmail.com.

March Workshop in Toronto – Finding Your Great War Ancestors

Registration is now open for what may be the most authoritative Great War workshop during your genealogical lifetime!

Don’t miss "Finding Your Great War Ancestors", a packed full-day workshop to be held in March 2012 in Toronto, co-sponsored by the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Canadiana Department of North York Central Library.

Choose one of three concurrent lecture streams – British Research, Canadian Research and “Case Studies and Curios” – or mix and match the topics that interest you the most.

Where: North York Memorial Community Hall, 5110 Yonge Street, Toronto (at North York Centre subway station)

When: Saturday 31 March 2012

Early registration rates apply until 22 February 2012, and special discounts are available for OGS members.

Simon Fowler, Glenn Wright, Linda Reid, and Brenda Dougall Merriman are some of the people who will lead the workshops.

I have just read the program, and I wish I could be there. Hopefully, some people who will attend will be able to blog about it.

For full programs details, speaker biographies and registration information, visit
http://www.torontofamilyhistory.org/GreatWarWorkshop2012.html

NewsLeaf Goes Electronic

GenealogyCanada has just received this news -

"Starting in 2012, the Ontario Genealogical Society will publish NewsLeaf in electronic format. This "green initiative" will save the environment while providing members with alternate means of receiving and storing their issues".

NewsLeaf is the newsletter of the Ontario Genealogical Society, and word is that the journal Families will still be in paper format.

The website of the OGS is http://www.ogs.on.ca

Saskatchewan Probate Estate Files, 1887-1931

FamilySearch.org has just released it's update on one of the Canadian records it is putting online.

On December 22, 2011, it reports that there are now 1, 591, 193 records of Saskatchewan Probate Records Index (1887-1931) at  https://familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1918293

These index, and images are of estate files from Saskatchewan judicial districts. The website says that the  "estate records contain loose papers relating to the settlement of estates including such matters as provision for heirs including minor children as well as distribution of funds, land and property. This project was indexed in partnership with the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society".

Happy 4th Blogiversary!

GenealogyCanada.blogspot.com is now 4 years old!

Thank you to all who have followed this blog over the years, and those who have posted links.

A special invitation goes out to new visitors to stop by and take a few minutes to enjoy the 600+ posts.

Besides myself, there are two others who have their Blogiversary on this day -

Mary's Musings http://musingmary.blogspot.com Mary is from Phoenix, Arizona, and she started the blog in 2010. She is on google+ as Mary Warren, and she says that she is on Facebook as Mary Post Warren, if you would like to go there to see her latest news.

The Rippers www.gyrippers.blogspot.com Another blogger from Arizona, she is a Graveyard Rabbit! She has had the blog since 2009, and there are cemeteries from all over the US.

Congratulations to all my fellow bloggers who are celebrating a Blogiversary this year!

New for 2012, you can now reach me on Facebook. This is where I'll be posting extra material and photos not seen on the blog.

I invite you to drop by for a visit www.facebook.com/GenealogyCanada, and if you wish, join me as a Friend.

Thanks again for your support. It's appreciated!

Elizabeth

Happy 2012!

The past year of 2011 was great as far as Canadian Genealogy was concerned!

For the Ontario Genealogy Society (OGS) www.ogs.on.ca, it was their 50th Anniversary (which was celebrated in Hamilton), the OGS and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies www.genealogicalstudies.com started a partnership, and TONI (The Ontario Names Index) www.ogs.on.ca/home/TONI.php was started.

It was also the year of the 17th Conference of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ontario (BIFHSGO) www.bifhsgo.ca, and the beginning of covering the Conference using Social Media tools (I was one of their Official Bloggers, which included John D. Reid of Anglo-Celtic Connections blog fame http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com, and Susan Davis, BIFHSGO's Director of Communications, and presenter of her excellent and informative lecture, “A Social Media Primer for Family Historians”).

My blog was very successful this year: I published 326 posts, and I made many new friends over the year through the blog. It was the first year that I tried a series of blog postings for Remembrance Week www.genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2011/11/blogger-showcases-canadas-veterans-week.html, and it was extremely well-received.

Another year has past as Editor of Families, the journal of the Ontario Genealogical Society, and I had a year of exceptional papers submitted and published. And it doesn't look like it will slow down ...

So I wish everyone a Very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year, and may all of those Genealogy Wishes (and you know what they are) do come true for you!

Elizabeth

Monday's Post: 4th Blogiverary