Searching for First World War Ancestors

Heritage Mississauga and the Halton Peel Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society are pleased to present a full-day workshop on Saturday February 8th, 2014 at 10 am-3 pm at Historic Robinson Adamson House, 1921 Dundas St. W., Mississauga, ON. 

Professional Genealogist and Lecturer, Ruth Blair will lead the workshop, and the day will be divided into two sections –

Session 1 “In Search of Your First World War Ancestors”

Was your ancestor in the First World War? Resources to find military records will be presented whether he be from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or the United States. If your First World War ancestor was a woman we will also be discussing resources to find service records for women who served at home or on the front.

Session 2: “You Won’t Find it All in Your Ancestor’s First World War Military File”

We will be discussing other resources to help you find out more about your ancestor’s experience in the First World War. You won’t find it all in the military file. These resources will help you build a better picture of what your ancestor and his family went through during the First World War.

The fee is $25.00, and it covers both sessions. Fee must be prepaid to reserve seat. Coffee and Tea will be served. Please make your own arrangements for lunch. Call to reserve your seat today - 905-828-8411 ext.”0″. Space is limited so call and make your booking early.

The website of Heritage Mississauga is http://www.heritagemississauga.com/index.php

The website of the Ontario Genealogical Society is www.ogs.on.ca

Canadian Week in Review 20 January 2014

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

Websites

No new websites this week.

Social Media

Chroniques ancestrales (Ancestral Chronicles) http://chroniquesancestralesqc.blogspot.ca/ This is a new blog  by Jean-François Dagenais, and he discusses Genealogical Tools, Quebec genealogy, and his ancestry. He is on Facebook, and YouTube also.

News Articles

Highlanders' winter journey one of most heroic feats in Manitoba's history http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/the-sutherland-saga-240975291.html An article about the Selkirk settlers and the first European colony in Western Canada.

Ontario farmer loses part of 200-year-old family farm to military http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-farmer-loses-part-of-200-year-old-family-farm-to-military-1.1637996 A farmer has lost part of his farm land after CFB Trenton expropriated it for expansion of the military base. There is also video and photos.

Royal Canadian Mint's first collector coins of 2014 herald a historic year 

http://www.menafn.com/d561b1bb-aff7-4145-b504-e97cc1a30d51/Royal-Canadian-Mints-first-collector-coins-of-2014-herald-a-historic-year?src=main Read about the plans of Royal Canadian Mint as we enter an historic year of commemoration in 2014

Canada 150 celebrations: Your responses http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-150-celebrations-your-responses-1.2500384 Read the results of a survey that the CBC asked viewers “What do you most want to see celebrated in Canada 150?”

Thanks go to Gail Dever, Canadian Week in Review’s Special Correspondent for the following news article -
The Kitchener Library http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/kitchener-library-wants-you-to-adopt-wwi-soldiers-1.2491598 The Kitchener Public Library is asking for your help getting to know local soldiers who fought overseas in the First World War.

The library’s web page about the First World War Soldier Card Project is at http://www.kpl.org/ref/gsr/soldiercards.html

Story of the Week

Major milestones in 2014

The government says that we are about to experience major activity this year. By receiving almost daily press releases from them as we approach some very important historical events in 2014 (First World War), we are finding more plans to commemorate other events in the years ahead to 2017 and beyond.

For instance, did you know that

The Library and Archives Canada say that they plan to publish a new collection called "100 Canadian Stories of the First World War" and digitize 640,000 First World War records. The major papers which has been already put online so far has been the Attestation Papers, so does this mean that they plan to put the rest of the service files online?

And there’s more

• the centennial of the start of the First World War on Aug. 4, 2014

• the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War on Sept. 10, 2014

• the centennial of the writing of In Flanders Fields in spring 2015

• the centennial of the battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel in 2016, and of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele in 2017

• the centennial of Armistice Day, the end of the First World War in 2018

• the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong (2016), Dieppe Raid (2017), Battle of the Atlantic (2018), Battle of Normandy (2019)

• the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2020

• the 100th anniversary of the City of Kitchener is a war-related milestone of major local significance that we'll reach in 2016.

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review next Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! The next post will be on 27 January 2014.

Historical Debates of the Parliament of Canada (Hansard) now online!

This week, we received news from the Library and Archives Canada about additional parliamentary debates which have been put online -

The press release says that “This new portal contains the historical debates in both official languages from 1867 to the mid-1990s. This means you can now search and browse all published debates of both the Senate and the House of Commons from Parliament 1, Session 1, until the coverage begins on http://www.parl.gc.ca/Default.aspx?Language=E

As mentioned above, the portal was developed by the Library of Parliament, in collaboration with Canadiana.org, a membership alliance dedicated to building Canada’s digital preservation infrastructure and providing wide-ranging access to Canadian documentary heritage. Library and Archives Canada is pleased to have provided support by producing the digital page images.

You can consult our blog Looking for the Debates of the House of Commons (Hansard) online of June 2012 at http://thediscoverblog.com/2012/06/05/looking-for-the-debates-of-the-house-of-commons-hansard-online/ to help you find information on the House of Commons debates”.

In addition, check the http://parl.canadiana.ca/?usrlang=en

Also, special thanks Gail Dever, Special Correspondent to GenealogyCanada, for the heads-up on this news story.

WorldWide Genealogy Blog

A new blog has joined us this month, and its WorldWide Genealogy.

And anyone can post on it!

Its founder, Julie Goucher says " It is really quite simple! Each day a blogger from across the genealogy or historical community will post to Worldwide Genealogy. The posts will be about something related to either genealogy, history or local history."

But there isn’t anyone from Canada on the blog as yet. England, Scotland, Wales, Australia and the United States has posted, but no one from Canada has put anything on.

So if you are interested, contact Julie at Worldwide Genealogy

90 schools now in Toronto war memorials database

Gwyneth Pearce. the Secretary of the Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society has sent us the following message -

"Volunteers with the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society have added about 3,000 new names since the fall of 2013 to For King and Country – the growing online Branch database of school memorials commemorating Toronto students and staff who volunteered for active service in the two World Wars and other military conflicts.

This searchable collection now contains 90 schools and more than 35,000 names, with transcriptions and photographs of school war memorials, along with historical background and links to other useful school and community websites. The newest schools in the database are Oakridge Public School and Danforth Technical School. Danforth Tech holds the distinction of being the alma mater of a staggering 2,235 volunteers—students, graduates, teachers and other staff—more than any other school in the British Commonwealth—and it maintains an impressive archive of records, housed in its War Memorial Library".

Explore For King and Country now at www.torontofamilyhistory.org/kingandcountry/, and contact co-ordinator Martha Jackson at kingandcountry@torontofamilyhistory.org if you would like to get involved with this project.

Search Your Chinese Roots

The Toronto Family History Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has just announced that they will be holding a special lecture on Chinese Roots on Saturday, March 22, 2014, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

This special lecture will present an overview of how Chinese family history has been recorded over the centuries and what people living today need to know if they want to find information about their ancestors in China and elsewhere in the world. Please note that this lecture will bein Chinese with English explanations as needed.

The instructor will be Grace Chan, and it will be held at North York Memorial Community Hall, 5110 Yonge Street, Toronto.

For further details, visit our website at http://torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/courses.

Their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/TOFamilyHistory

Chinese-Canadian Genealogy http://www.vpl.ca/ccg/Migration_ON.html

TORONTO ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Are you making your plans for St. Patrick’s Day yet? If you live in Toronto, Sunday March 16th is a day to circle on your calendar, because there will be a parade!

TORONTO ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day (and the day before)!

On Sunday, March 16, all eyes will be smiling in downtown Toronto for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Enjoy a family friendly celebration of Ireland and St. Patrick with colorful floats, bands, dancers and marching groups. There will be a golden touch at the green celebration with Olympic gold medalist Irish boxer Katie Taylor acting as Grand Marshal.

The procession starts at noon from St. George and Bloor, heading east before turning south along Yonge to Queen where it makes a final turn to finish at Nathan Phillips Square. TTC access and parking are available at several points along the parade route.

For more information, please visit www.topatrick.com.

Canadian Week in Review 13 January 2014

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

Websites

No new websites this week.

Social Media

Wanted: One Great Canadian history writer http://mauricetougas.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/wanted-one-great-canadian-history-writer/ This blogger says that maybe the history of Canada needs to have a great writer to come along to write good Canadian history books. Do you agree?

News Articles

First Saskatoon council meeting of 2014 http://globalnews.ca/news/1064849/first-saskatoon-council-meeting-of-2014/ The Gardner’s Site in Victoria Park in Saskatoon is up for designation as a municipal heritage property. The city has been asked to pass a bylaw that will designate the property under The Heritage Property Act so that a plaque can be erected, The plague will honour the early settlers who passed through this site where old bison bones were sold and it was called The Old Bone Trail.

You can read about The Old Bone Trail at http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/old_bone_trail.html

Canadian Nature Museum digitizing 3 million specimens: Museum is part of an international movement to put archives online for researchers http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-nature-museum-digitizing-3-million-specimens-1.2482826 The museum is part of an international movement of natural history museums that are digitizing their archived collections of plants and animals. So far, they have collection of three million specimens and they have entered a million of them into the database.

W.P. Loggie - a chapter in Fairview’s history http://www.fairviewpost.com/2014/01/07/wp-loggie---a-chapter-in-fairviews-history Craig Baird writes about his father in this lovingly presented tribute.

Historical society celebrates 60 years http://www.trurodaily.com/Opinion/Columns/2014-01-09/article-3570214/Historical-society-celebrates-60-years-/1 Read about how the Colchester Historical Society in Truro, Nova Scotia started in 1954.

Colchester Historical Society site is at http://colchesterhistoreum.ca/

Story of the Week

Sir John A.Macdonald

There have been many histories written about Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minster in 1867, and this year was the 199th anniversary of his birthday on January 11th.

There is a new Heritage Minutes series which feature Canada’s nation-builders, Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Etienne Cartier at http://www.canada.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Heritage+Minutes+series+feature+Canada+nation+builders+John+Macdonald/9368662/story.html, and two reporters from Maclean’s Magazine went to see where he was born in Scotland.

Their article is at http://www2.macleans.ca/2014/01/10/what-would-sir-john-a-say/

Canadian Heritage has a site where there is a biography, a quiz, and his burial site at Kingston, Ontario http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1363182861019/

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review next Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! The next post will be on 20 January 2014.

Announcing the New FamilySearch Indexing Website

We are starting to get press releases from FamilySearch and other organizers prior to the RootsTech Conference that will be held in Salt Lake City in February. This is the latest from FamilySearch regarding indexing.

They have a newly redesigned indexing website at FamilySearch.org/indexing, and they invite you to come and take a look. This new website integrates indexing with the rest of FamilySearch.org, making it easier for indexers to know how to get started and find the help they need.

They say that “FamilySearch indexing is the volunteer program that has already generated more than a billion freely searchable names on FamilySearch.org. Changes to the indexing program over time have greatly increased the number of records that FamilySearch is able to publish. Projects that used to take years to index can now be completed in a matter of months, and as the indexing program improves, the availability of searchable records will only accelerate”.

Join FamilySearch.org at RootsTech in February to learn more about what's coming. Visit the FamilySearch indexing booth in the exhibit hall, which is free and open to the public, to get a hands-on experience with the new indexing program, or attend the session "Introducing the new FamilySearch indexing tool”.

The RootsTech: Where Families Connect website is at https://rootstech.org/

Pre-1865 Immigration to Canada

Library and Archives Canada has just issued a reminder on pre-1864 immigration to Canada -

Validating your ancestor’s arrival in Canada before 1865

“So you have searched the records, and still no trace of your ancestor? If you didn’t find your ancestor’s arrival before 1865, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has other genealogical resources that can assist in confirming an ancestor’s arrival in Canada.

Where did he or she settle?

Is he or she listed in census returns? LAC’s collection of census databases, which can be searched by a person’s name, can confirm an individual’s presence as early as 1825. Perhaps a reference exists for one of the parents (recorded as the head of the family) or for a sibling.

Many early settlers submitted petitions to obtain land where they could establish their family in Upper Canada or Lower Canada. LAC’s databases provide references to land transactions that give the person’s name, the date of the application and the county or township within a province.

Life events in records

The date of arrival in Canada can be estimated by searching birth, marriage, and death records for first occurrences such as the birth of a child to confirm the presence of the family in a location. Consult our previous blog on how to search for Birth, Marriage and Death Records.

Published sources and the genealogical community

Family histories, historical atlases and other published works can be searched in AMICUS, LAC’s online catalogue. It is also possible that your ancestor lived in a location that published a city directory.

Many genealogical societies have resources specific to where your ancestor settled. Finding aids that describe a location are valuable tools when searching for ancestors”.

Go to the Library and Archives Canada site at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/Pages/default.aspx

In the end, it all boils down to local records at local archives, local libraries, local museums, local genealogical societies.

Just as a coincidence, I have a column on this very subject in next month’s free magazine In Depth Genealogist at http://www.indepthgenealogist.com .

It will appear in the February issue.

Spring workshops to be held at local library

Oakville Public Library in Oakville, Ontario will hold workshops in the coming month, starting with a workshop today. It starts at 10:00 am.

The title of the workshop will be Genealogy Resources and the talk will be given by Heather Martyn who will introduce you to Ancestry Library Edition and other library resources that will help you get started. This will be a “hands on” presentation.

It will be free, but you must register.

The second workshop will be held on February the 18th from 7:00 to 8:20 pm and the workshop will Capture Your Family Story: Book Making With Blurb

You’ll discover how easy it is to create and self-publish a book of photos and stories that your family will treasure. We’ll share examples of published books, and demonstrate how to design your own. If you can imagine it, you can make it with Blurb.

The cost will be $7.00 per class, and you must register.

The third workshop will be Movie Night! And it will be held on February 25, 2014 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and the cost will be $5.00.

The movie will be Seeking Salvation: A History of the Black Church in Canada in which this documentary will profile slavery in Canada from the 1600s to the Underground Railroad in the 1800s.

Written by Oakville native Lawrence Hill, this documentary has been screened at film festivals around the world, and won numerous awards.

The last workshop will be Taking Your Irish Ancestors Back Over the Pond by Ruth Blaie who will shows you the best ways to begin researching your Irish family history in Canada and show you how to use the information to help you go back over the pond to Ireland.

It will start on March 11th, at 7:00 pm, and will cost will be $7.00 per class.

You can go to the Oakville Public Library at http://www.opl.on.ca/blog/type/genealogy/

The Family History Writing Challenge

Have you ever thought about writing a family history book?

If you have, but have been waiting to have some instruction to follow, you should go to Lynn Palmero of The Armchair Genealogist, because she can help you put your family history book together.

Lynn tells us that “Learning to write your family history stories is a fantastic vehicle for compiling your years of research into a shareable format to leave as a legacy for future generations.

The Family History Writing Challenge is a 28-day focus. As a registered member, you'll receive daily emails with inspiration, motivation and education all centred around writing your family history stories. You'll have access to our writer's resources, a collection of article archives to help get you started. We have industry professionals joining us and lending their expertise and you can join us in the writer's forum where you can learn from others struggling with the same issues as well as sharing their successes along the way".

Later this week, she will be delivering some exciting news about The Companion Guide to the Family History Writing Challenge, a workbook dedicated to getting you ready to write. Watch your inbox for that information coming your way in a few days.

To get more information, go to http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/

The Windmill Point lighthouse, a site of a bloody battle in Upper Canada (Prescott, Ontario), has been named as a heritage lighthouse under Canada's Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (HLPA).

In 1838, it was the place where a four-day battle in 1838 between British troops and local militia defeated an invasion force of 300 American "Hunters" and Canadian rebels. It brought an end to the Rebellion of 1837-1838.

Windmill Point Lighthouse was first built as a windmill before it was used as a lighthouse in 1874.

Battle of the Windmill National Historic Site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Windmill_National_Historic_Site

BIFHSGO meeting on January 11th

The British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) will meet on Saturday January 11th 2014 at the Library and Archives Canada.

9:00 a.m. — During the Before BIFHSGO Education Talk, learn from Ken McKinley about how to protect and save information stored on your computer.

10:00 a.m. — In Bibles and Bugs: My Welsh Ancestors In and Out of Africa, Gail Roger will talk about how an uncle's posthumously published autobiography about his missionary days in Africa helped and hindered her search for her Welsh ancestors. Gail will talk about her great-great-uncle and her maternal grandfather and some of the circumstances about their life in two very different parts of Africa

Come early to browse our Discovery Tables and meet with family history experts. Open to members and visitors. Free admission. Free parking is available in the lots east of the building only on Saturday and Sunday. Do not use the lot west of the building

Also, BIFHSGO has called for speakers for their 20th Annual Conference to be held in Ottawa, September 19 - 21, 2014.

The deadline is January 31, 2014, and the Conference will focus on three main topics -

• English family history;

• Immigration from the British Isles, including Home Children; and

• Genetic genealogy.

The interview with Gail Roger is at http://www.bifhsgo.ca/cpage.php?pt=106

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

Canadian Week in Review 06 January 2014

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

WebsitesNo new websites this week.

Social Media
No new site this week.

News Articles
Artist brings area history to mural at Galt http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/local-news/2014/01/artist-brings-area-history-to-mural-at-galt/ At the Galt Museum in Lethbridge, Alberta, Alex Pavlenko, a local artist, has installed a series of murals in a classroom onsite dedicated to education.

The Land Conservancy to accept deal to sell heritage Vancouver Island farm http://www.vancouversun.com/Land+Conservancy+accept+deal+sell+heritage+Vancouver+Island+farm/9343001/story.html The Land Conservation of British Columbia may be selling the Keating Farm, located about 60 kilometres north of Victoria near Duncan, because the Land Conservation is running out of money, according to an article in the Vancouver Sun.

What you didn’t know about Canada’s Parliament Hill http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000101348/what-you-didn-t-know-about-canada-s-parliament-hill A writer for the Ottawa Citizen write about parliament Hill, and tells us some things we may not know about it.

Story of the Week

John Matheson, 'Father' Of Canadian Flag dies at age 96

February 15th is the National Flag of Canada Day in Canada. Next year it will celebrate its 50th anniversary, but this year, the day will be different, because the man who lead the committee which was responsible for choosing the winning design, has died.

Beside fighting and being wounded in Italy during the Second World War, Matheson also served as an MP and judge and helped found the Order of Canada.

Social Media has played its part in reporting the death because you have a chance to see the 149 designs that were submitted for the new flag by ordinary Canadians on this news site. Plus, there are videos.

The website is http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/12/30/john-ross-matheson-dead-canadian-flag_n_4519659.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

If you want to read more about the flag, you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Canada

If you want to read about the National Flag of Canada Day, you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Flag_of_Canada_Day

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review next Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! The next post will be on 13 January 2014.

Coburg Public Library closed until further notice

Brian Gilchrist, Reference Archivist at the Peel County Museum and Archives in Brampton (Ontario), has informed us that the main branch of the Coburg Public Library has suffered major water damage due to a broken pipe, and will be closed until further notice.

He says that there has been significant damage to books, videos, DVDs and so forth, but there is no damage to the Local History Collection and Archives. Which is good news!

They do have the Coburg Newspaper Index and Archival Image Database at their webpage.

The webpage is at http://www.cobourg.library.on.ca/library_newsletter.html

Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/Cobourgpubliclibrary?ref=mf

OGS Open Forum

The Ontario Genealogical Society invites members and non-members to join in an online discussion with President, Shirley Sturdevant. Ask questions and make comments about the changing face of OGS and volunteer opportunities with the Society.

The date that the forum will be held will be Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

This forum is open to anyone who is interested but you may express your interest and receive a reminder and your own copy of the login information by contacting the OGS provincial office at provoffice@ogs.on.ca.

Please use the subject line “OGS Open Forum.”

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

Saskatchewan Provincial Records (1879-1987)

The FamilySearch.org website has put more Homestead Records on their website at
https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Saskatchewan_Provincial_Records_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records)

Eventually, they intend to including all of the homesteads records, voter lists, pioneer questionnaires, biographies, military and municipal records, teacher registries, township registers, and Henderson Directories.

Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society's website has a new look - http://www.saskgenealogy.com.

Check out their cemetery index, comprised of a database containing the names and locations of over 3,486 cemetery and burial sites in Saskatchewan.

GenealogyCanada is 6 years old today!

Yes, it’s been six years since this blog was started. And each year just keeps getting better, thanks to you!

This past year, this blog was recognized as being among the best in the business by being accorded the following accolades –

Ø Named as one of Internet Genealogy Magazine’s 25 Top Genealogy Blogs

Ø Named as one of the 40 Best Genealogy Blogs in 2013 by FamilyTree Magazine

Ø Named as one of the Top 90 Genealogy Blogs from Free People Search.org

And there are plans to continue on with this success, so please stay tuned.

Last year, of course, was the Year of the 1921 Census.

It was the singular most popular subject on my blog, by the amount of traffic and comments by you, faithful readers. When the indexed version was finally released by Ancestry.ca in November, it was met with much enthusiasm by the public!

I also held a contest on Canada Day where readers were given the chance to get some help with their brick walls. There were four winners.

So, here’s hoping for another good year, full of more news from across Canada.

All the best,

Elizabeth

 

Happy New Year!

May all of your genealogical dream come true in 2014!

I know that I have a number of conferences to attend, some research projects that need my attention, and a summer full of museums, libraries and archives to visit in 2014.

It will be noteworthy year in Ottawa because it will be the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

So what do you plan to do in 2014? 

LAC has a new version of the Naturalization Records (1915-1951)

The LAC has sent the following announcement -

“Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce the release of a new version of the online database Naturalization Records, 1915-1951. The nominal index has been extended with the addition of more than 93,000 names and now covers the years from 1915 to 1939, inclusively. Work is ongoing to extend the nominal index to 1951, and volunteers are welcome to help.

This database is one of the few Canadian genealogical resources specifically designed to benefit researchers having roots other than British. The reference numbers indicated in the database can be used to request copies of the original naturalization records, which are held by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Library and Archives Canada would like to thank the Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal and its volunteers, without whom this project would not have happened”.

The database is at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/citizenship-naturalization-records/naturalized-records-1915-1951/Pages/introduction.aspx

You can write to Cdn-Nat-Coord@jgs-montreal.org

Archive CD Books - Midwinter SALE

We have just received this notice from Malcolm and Chris at the Archive CD Books site -

“Once again we are running our limited time midwinter sale:

We have marked almost ALL OF OUR CANADIAN PRODUCTS down an amazing 50% for the duration of the sale.

We are also clearing our Inventory of British (UK) products (i.e., already made and packaged) at up to 40% off.  There is only one of two of each of these and once they are sold - THAT’S IT!  (After all the idea is to CLEAR the stock - not to remake it.)

All the sale prices are marked in our online catalogue AND for your quick reference there is a temporary, new CATALOGUE CATEGORY, “Sale Up To 50% Off” so come to our web site and view the regular catalogue,

OR:

follow the link below to go straight to the complete listing:

http://www.archivecdbooks.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.viewCatalog&lstCtl=29&lstCat=&lstSCat=#cat29

This sale won’t last for ever but the more popular you show us it is the longer it will last!  (British CDs excepted - when they’re gone - they’re GONE!)”

Postscript: I have bought books from Archive CD Books before, and I have always been impressed with the quality and top-notch care that is taken by Malcolm and Chris in putting the books on CD. They do an excellent job of putting historical books onto CD.

UPDATE: Ancestry.ca FEE ACCESS

Ancestry.ca is giving you FREE ACCESS to more than 100 million records from Canada and around the world. Limited time only - ends December 29th.

The Canadian records are -

1921 Census of Canada

Canada, British Army and Canadian Militia Muster Rolls and Pay Lists, 1795-1850

Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900

Canada, City and Area Directories, 1819-1906

Canada, Registers of Prisoners of War, 1803-1815

Saskatchewan, Canada, Residents Index (SRI), 1800-2012
Go to http://search.ancestry.ca/search/group/favourite2013

Buildings may soon be named after prominent Canadian women

Credit: This image of Laura Secord is from Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto by J. Ross Robertson.

Postmedis News reports that the government has floated the idea that buildings in Canada may soon be named after prominent Canadian women in history.

The example that the government gives is that a building in St. Catharines, Ontario could be named after Laura Secord, the War of 1812 heroine.

But no decision has yet been made.

If you want to read more about the plan, the story Prominent Canadian women may soon have names etched into history is at http://www.canada.com/Prominent+Canadian+women+soon+have+names+etched+into+history/9323249/story.html                                                                                                                                                

Boxing Day

Borrowed from Britain, and adopted in Canada as a Christmas holiday, Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day.

 In Britain, it was customary for employers to give their employees "Christmas boxes" of money or presents as thanks for good service throughout the year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Aboriginal Heritage Portal

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce updates to the Aboriginal Heritage Portal at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginal-heritage/Pages/introduction.aspx

And there you will find a variety of sources for the researcher including the archived version of the School Files Series - 1879-1953, Research Guides and Finding Aids, Researching Your Aboriginal Ancestry at Library and Archives Canada, and a special Genealogy and Family History site at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-607.002.01.01-e.html.

There is enough material here to keep you busy for days.

NOTICE: Canadian Week in Review

The next Canadian Week in Review will not be published for the next two weeks because of the Holiday Season. 

The Canadian Week in Review has the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country.

The next post will be on Monday 6 January 2014.

TONI Update

24,541 records have been added to The Ontario Name Index (TONI) bringing the total number of entries to 2,514,931.

The index now includes records from the following Ontario Heritage Organizations:

- Millbrook Cavan Historical Society

-Bruce Township Historical Society

-Westminster Historical Society

-Upper Ottawa Valley Genealogy Group

-Northumberland County Archives

You can search these records at https://www.ogs.on.ca/integrated/toni_database1.php

Postscript: December is membership month at the OGS. For the yearly rate of $61.20, you can join the provincial society. Go to http://www.ogs.on.ca/ogsblog/

Tallest Lighthouse in Atlantic Canada Protected

Point Amour Lighthouse (Newfoundland and Labrador) has been designated as a heritage lighthouse under the Canadian Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. (CNW Group/Parks Canada)

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, has designated an iconic landmark of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Point Amour lighthouse, as a heritage lighthouse under the Canadian Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act (HLPA).

The HLPA, which was adopted in 2008, allows for the protection of federally-owned lighthouses on Canada's coastal and inland waters that have significant heritage value. Administered by Parks Canada, the HLPA helps ensure Canada's maritime history is protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Canadians have nominated hundreds of lighthouses to be considered for designation under the Act

Quick Facts

Point Amour Lighthouse is the tallest in Atlantic Canada, and the second tallest in the country.

Located at L'Anse Amour, on the Strait of Belle Isle, this lighthouse was built in 1857 to increase the safety of transatlantic shipping.

The lighthouse is associated with the most famous marine disaster in the history of the Strait of Belle Isle, the wreck of HMS Raleigh, a British warship, in 1922.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has agreed to acquire this lighthouse and protect its heritage character.

There are two sitye you may like to check, and they are

HeritageLighthouses of Canada
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/lhn-nhs/pp-hl/index.aspx

Designated Lighthouses http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/lhn-nhs/pp-hl/page01.aspx

Meagham's Atlas (1880) of PEI

 

The P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation has commissioned a reprint of Meagham's Atlas (1880), the most comprehensive property atlas ever published on Prince Edward Island. It goes on sale today at various museums, and bookstores around the island.

Meanwhile, you can search the atlas by surname and town/lot number online at the following websites -

Names Appearing in Meagham's Atlas (1880) http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mvreid/pei/35atl80.html

Searchable database of the Patron's List/Directory of the 1880 "Meacham's Illustrated Historical Atlas of Prince Edward Island". Searchable by town/lot and surname http://www.islandregister.com/meachams/patronindex.html

International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) Conference 2014

The IAJGS conference will be held in Salt Lake City next year from July 27-Aug 1.

The press release says that “This conference brings together people from all over the world who are interested in Jewish genealogy. Last year’s conference in Boston had over 800 people representing 20 different countries, including researchers, archivists, writers and bloggers.

In addition to presentations on Jewish genealogy, this year’s conference will have strong representation on events leading to the beginning of World War I, which approaches the 100th anniversary of its beginning.

An important notice to all registrants – you will be encouraged to share family stories and pictures from the World War One era. These stories and pictures will be compiled into an online volume which will provide a unique resource for genealogists and historians. Please gather your stories and pictures to be ready to upload them once Registration opens in late December”.

To go to Website http://conference.iajgs.org/2014/

To go to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IAJGSConference

Caledonian Club of PEI~ annual Burns Concert

Next year marks the 255th anniversary of the birth of Robbie Burns, and celebrations will be taking place all over Canada. One of the celebrations will be at the Caledonian Club of P.E.I. where they will present the 125th annual Robbie Burns concert -

"The Caledonian Club of PEI will present the 125th annual Robbie Burns Scottish Concert, on Friday, January 24, (storm date Jan. 25th), at 7 pm at the Carrefour Theatre, 5 Acadienne Drive in Charlottetown.

The 150th anniversary of the Caledonian Club of Prince Edward Island will be held throughout 2014, with special events to mark its sesquicentennial of Scottish culture and Island traditions to complement the history of the Club.

This year also marks the 255th anniversary of the birth of Burns (Jan. 25, 1759), known as Scotland’s favourite son, the Ploughman Poet and the Bard of Ayrshire, where many referred to him as The Bard.

The club is overjoyed to welcome back Tom MacDonald who makes his home in Arisaig, N. S., with his wife, Maria, and family. MacDonald and his guitarist, Rob Wolfe, have built up a considerable following on the Island, and are always delighted to performing on this side of the water.

In his day job, MacDonald is a lobster fisherman on the Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. But his real love is the wonderful music of his Scottish ancestors and the great songs of the sea.

In addition to MacDonald, Burns’ songs, music, poetry, and Highland dancing will be performed at the concert on Jan 24th".

Tickets will be available at the door.Adults $10 and children under 12 admitted free. Tickets are also available by calling the following club members: Cecil MacPhail, 892-2181; John Bryanton, 566-2082; Bill Acorn, 892-1666; Douglas MacKenzie, 394-0669; or Eleanor Boswell, 368-7378.

The grand finale will include club members and performers on stage for the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Tom’s website is https://sites.google.com/site/tommacdonaldceltictenor/home

Burleigh Papers Online

Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario and its archives has just announced the public launch of their latest digital initiative - the digitization of the Dr. Herbert Clarence Burleigh fonds.

I took time and checked certain family names, and found quite a bit of information - especially Loyalists families of the area. For example, it just doesn’t pertain to people in Kingston, there was information on the townships of the Bay of Quinte area too.

They say that “Through the Burleigh Family, and in particular, Peter and Evelyn Burleigh, whose generous donation has made this exciting initiative a reality, and in collaboration with the Internet Archives of Toronto the research amassed by Dr. Burleigh on approximately 1,000 families, who have roots in the Kingston region, is now available on-line”.

You can go to the website at http://archives.queensu.ca/databases/genealogy/burleigh.html

Canadian Week in Review 16 December 2013

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

Websites

No new websites this week.

Social Media
Writing Up the Ancestors http://writinguptheancestors.blogspot.ca/ Janice Hamilton writes about her family (James Hamilton) who emigrated from Scotland to Upper Canada and the United States.

News Articles

Sikh Heritage Month http://www.sikh24.com/2013/12/april-is-sikh-heritage-month-in-ontario-as-ndp-mpp-jagmeet-singhs-bill-passes-final-reading/#.UqhdldJDvKo April has been designated as Sikh Heritage Month in Ontario, the bill passed final reading in the legislation this month.

Oversized map brings history to life http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/4264251-oversized-map-brings-history-to-life/ The newspaper reports that “Students at Huron Park Public School follow in the footsteps of Laura Secord, Sir Isaac Brock and other historical figures on an 88-square-metre map produced by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, with the support of Canadian Heritage”. What a cool idea!

Dave Obee: At 155 years, we offer a fresh look at the past http://www.timescolonist.com/news/world/dave-obee-at-155-years-we-offer-a-fresh-look-at-the-past-1.754516#sthash.p1gk7W1G.dpuf Dave Obee tells us that they now have expanded the digitization project to include all of the Colonist issues from 1910 to 1920, which means that the newspaper now covers the First World War.

Conservatives ask public how we should celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017 http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/12/11/conservatives-ask-public-how-we-should-celebrate-canadas-150th-anniversary-in-2017/ The Heritage Department is asking us how we want to brand the 150th Anniversary of Canada?

Story of the Week
Canada Post

M. François-Xavier Giroux dressed in his fall clothing. 

Credit: William James Topley/Library and Archives Canada/PA-012269

I suppose everyone has heard of the changes coming to Canada Post – eg the elimination of door-to-door delivery, but how many of us know the history of the post office in Canada.

It all started in 1755, the first post office in Canada opened in Halifax. It was started so that military communication could be improved between Britain and North America, so the British started a monthly packet run to New York. From there, any available vessel carried mail to Halifax, until 1788, when regular packets called in the port.

And did you that one of the first databases to be put on the Library and Archives Canada website was the http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/post-offices/index-e.html.

The database documents changes of postmasters at individual post offices located across Canada. The data relate to open and closed post offices located in the ten provinces and territories.

For additional information, you can go to http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/0201/020129_e.html which is also at the Library and Archives Canada website and they have Canada Post Publications, biographical notes about the people who have created stamps used by Canada Post, and the government files about the post office.

Reminder: The next Canadian Week in Review will be Monday January 6, 2014 because of the Holiday Season. Check the Canadian Week in Review for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country. 

Are you curious about your Finnish origins?

The Library and Archives Canada has a blog about tracing your Finnish Ancestors.

Do you want to know who your first Finnish ancestor was and when he or she left Finland and arrived in Canada? Are you curious about your Finnish origins?

That say that “If so, our website is a great place to begin your research. Here you will find a page dedicated to genealogical research at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-905.009-e.html This page provides you with historical information, archival documents and published material from the Library and Archives Canada collection, as well as links to other websites and institutions”.

If your ancestor came to Canada between 1865 and 1935, you might find his or her name on http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-908.003-e.html

You can also check these websites -

Finnish Canadian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Canadian

The Genealogical Society of Finland http://www.genealogia.fi/sss/indexe.htm

Finland's Family History Association http://www.sukuhistoria.fi/sshy/index_eng.htm

British Women’s Emigration Association Database

The British Islands Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) has just written to me about a new database which they have just put on their site - British Women’s Emigration Association Database.

They say that “The Hon. Mrs. Ellen Joyce was the head of the British Women’s Emigration Association (BWEA) from 1901 until 1919. Mrs. Joyce was married to a Church of England clergyman and they resided at St. John’s Croft, Winchester, Hampshire, England. Most of her work appears to have been carried out from this house as the address shows frequently in her correspondence.

The aim of the Association was to encourage middle class women to emigrate to the colonies because of a perceived surplus of women in England and Wales while there was a dearth of British women in the colonies, particularly in Canada and Australia. The 1901 Census revealed that there were a million more women than men in England and Wales.

The young women ranged in age from 14 to mid 40s and the majority went to Ontario or Western Canada, most were single but a few of the older women were widows. All were said to be `of good character’.

Any records in England that contained information on individual women were destroyed in 1964, therefore the records held by Library and Archives Canada have added significance for any persons researching women’s immigration to Canada”.

To view the database, go to http://www.bifhsgo.ca/cstm_mrsJoyce.php

CrowdSourcing: OGS and The Ontario Heritage Fairs Association

The OGS and the Ontario Heritage Fairs Association (OHFA) are teaming up to CrowdSource to see if they can continue to offer provincial heritage fairs for students in Grades 4 to 10.

“The OGS supports this initiative by providing a prize for the best genealogical project at each regional fair, with the aim of encouraging our future genealogists and historians.

This year’s Provincial Fair is in need of funding and to this end, the OHFS is running a CrowdSourcing campaign". 

If you wish to support the work of the Association and to fund another Provincial Heritage Fair in the spring of 2014, please visit them at https://chimp.net/groups/ontario-provincial-heritage-fair

Acadian Family Recipes Newsletter

Yvon Cyr has written to tell us that they will be “creating a newsletter to share Acadian Family Recipes. Get together with family members over the holidays and pick your favorite, and send it to us.

We are looking to have this newsletter out by February 2014.

Have a great Holiday!”

The website is www.acadian.org

Gwyneth Pearce, Secretary of the Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, has sent the winter meeting schedule, and it is -

Tracing Your African Heritage in the British West Indies
Saturday, February 1, 2014, 1 – 5 p.m.
This half-day course will cover the basic principles of research, how to read and interpret slave registers, what to look for in vital records, church records, parish registers and much more.
Instructor: Pooran Bridgelal
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

The Social History of Medicine in 19th Century CanadaTuesdays, February 4 & 11, 2014, 2 – 4 pm
This two-part lecture series will examine life and death and the role of medicine in Canada in the nineteenth century, as well as the revolution in Canadian medical education from 1875 to 1920 that extended life span and professionalized medicine and medical training.
Instructor: Dr. Marianne Fedunkiw
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

Making the Internet Work for GenealogyWednesdays, February 12, 19 & 26 & March 5, 2014, 6:15 – 8:15 pm
This four-week course is aimed at those who have considerable experience already with using the Internet for genealogy, but who are interested in learning how to fine tune their search abilities and how to take advantage of the social networking opportunities the Internet provides.
Instructor: Marian Press
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto

Tracing Your East Indian Heritage in the British West IndiesSaturday, February 15, 2014, 1 – 5 pm
This half-day course will cover the basic principles of research, how to understand indenture contracts, what to look for in vital records, church records, parish registers and much more.
Instructor: Pooran Bridgelal
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

The Social History of Dress in 19th Century CanadaTuesdays, February 18 & 25, 2014, 2 – 4 pm
This two-part lecture series is intended as a primer to the social history of dress seen in 19th century photographs, with a special emphasis on Canadian history. The course will cover the period from 1840 to 1910.
Instructor: Ingrid Mida
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

Introduction to Genealogy and Family History
Saturday, February 22, 2014, 10 am – 3 pm
A fast-paced one-day course that introduces some of the type of records and techniques needed for researching your family tree. It highlights vital records (civil and church), census records and probates (wills), showing how to extract and evaluate data.
Instructor: Linda Reid
Where: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

They are parented by the OGS and the North York Central Library.

To learn more, you can go to http://torontofamilyhistory.org/

Annual general meeting at the Niagara Peninsula Branch

The area that is covered by the Niagara Peninsula Branch of the OGS

Tyler Stevens, the Membership Coordinator at Niagara Peninsula Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society write to tells us of a meeting that they will hold this Thursday at 7 pm.

They will feature a Genealogy Showcase, Branch Voting & the Holiday Gathering. Looking forward to seeing what folks have put together for their Showcase's.

So if you have a something to show or tell, email niagara@ogs.on.ca to book your time.

The website of the Niagara Peninsula Branch is http://www.ogs.on.ca/niagara/

Global Genealogy makes an announcement

Global Genealogy has just made the announcement that they have almost completed work on a book and CD called Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier Newspaper 1834-1929. Global Genealogy says that "It will be an 8 volume set of genealogical extracts from the Perth Courier newspaper that were published between 1834 and 1929 (known as the Bathurst Courier in its early years). They say that the series will be available in a coil-bound printed edition, and as books on CD (searchable pdf). Buy individual volumes (sorted by year of publication) or save by purchasing a complete set. The series includes 3618 pages of extracts of births, marriages, deaths, silver and golden anniversaries and other information of genealogical interest - about 40,000 extracts in all. All are extensively indexed including cross referencing and females listed by both maiden and married names when known. They say that they will announce the release date in an early January newsletter. A complete online index will be provided at that time . This collection will be a valuable addition to every genealogical reference library that has a Canadian section". Global Genealogy website is http://globalgenealogy.com/