Thursday, June 5, 2014

100 Years of Loss - The Residential School System in Canada

The Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa is recognition of National Aboriginal History Month, by presenting the travelling exhibition 100 Years of Loss – The Residential School System in Canada.

This exhibition uses reproductions of photographs, artwork and primary documents to tell the story of thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children who were removed from their families and institutionalized in residential schools. It emphasizes the present-day effects of the system, focusing on healing and reconciliation.

Special Activities

Also, as part of National Aboriginal History Month, two Residential School Survivors will share their experiences in Survivor Talks (June 9–11), and Aboriginal dancers and singers will perform in Celebrating Aboriginal Heritage (June 19).

The exhibit will be at the Canadian Museum of History from June 5 to 26, 2014 

Their website is at http://www.historymuseum.ca  

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Are you new to genealogy?

If you are new to genealogy, Family Search Learning Center has FREE Beginning Genealogy Courses, in which there are 5-minute videos that have been put on their site so that you can watch and listen to them. If you are wondering how to get started, you can learn the very rudimentary way to do research. 

Yesterday, I watched four of them – Quick Start, The Research Process, Records – An Introduction, Using Indexes to Find Records and the videos are quite good. Jesse Davis, the hostess, takes you through setting up the research problem, and brings up good points of where to look for records – at FamilySearch, naturally!

So take a look at the videos, and see what you think.

On the left hand side, there is a library of videos that are divided by a county, by subject, and by level of experience - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. Of course, none have been done about Canadian records - yet!

The videos are on https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/home.html  

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Wellington County Branch OGS will meet this Saturday

The Wellington County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is recognizing The 12th Field Regiment R.C.A. (1940-1945) in their meeting on Saturday. The program will consists of two presentations –

Family and Military History

and 

A Remembrance Service for the Honour Roll of 74 Fallen Men

The meeting will be held at Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Ontario Legion, 281 George St. Arthur, Ontario.

In the family history segment, well-known speaker Glenn Wright, a former archivist at Library and Archives Canada and a published author, will speak on locating the military records of veterans who returned to Canada and appear in researchers' family trees. The military part of the session will be presented by Rob Stark, President of the 12th Field Regiment Association and a son of a late veteran of the Regiment

A limited number of compilations of many names will be made available to those interested in both the military and family history of the 12th Field Regiment. The organizing committee requests the assistance of the community in providing service numbers of some of the men listed.

There will be a brief lunch break followed by the Remembrance service conducted by the Arthur Legion.

For more information on this special event, please visit the Wellington County website http://www.ogs.on.ca/wellington/events.html
Contact Info http://www.ogs.on.ca/wellington/index.html  

Monday, June 2, 2014

Canadian Week in Review - 02 June 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.


Events in History


Samuel Cunard
On June 1, 1840, Samuel Cunard, an owner of a fleet of ships from Halifax, navigated his 700-tonne wooden paddlewheel steamer, Unicorn, to Halifax; Nova Scotia, after a two-week trip from Liverpool with 27 passengers onboard.

To learn more about Samuel Cunard, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Cunard

In 1873, Prince Edward Island officially enters Confederation as a province of Canada
To learn about Canada’s smallest province, read about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward_Island

Joe Shuster and Superman
On July 10, 1914 in Toronto, Ontario, Joe Shuster was born. Who was Joe Shuster, you ask? He was a comic book artist and the son of Jewish immigrants from Rotterdam who drew the DC Comics character, Superman, the DC Comics character, Superman. He was a cousin of one of Canada's most popular comedians, Frank Shuster (of Wayne & Shuster fame).

To learn about Joe Shuster, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Shuster


Social Media


Research Guide to the Don River (Ontario)
http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/local-history-genealogy/2014/05/getting-started-the-don-river-and-its-valley-are-defining-features-of-the-city-of-toronto-water-power-industry-expresswa.html
This is one of the features of the city of Toronto, and this webpage on the Toronto Public library website gives a good overview of the Don River area of the city.

Starting Points: Researching Canadian Immigration and Ethnic History
https://www.pier21.ca/blog/jan-raska/starting-points-researching-canadian-immigration-and-ethnic-history#footnote-1
This blog post can give you an overview of Canadian immigration and ethnic history, and suggests some starting points to help get you started on your research.


Newspaper Articles


Settlement in Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children case 'very significant'
http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/settlement-in-nova-scotia-home-for-colored-children-case-very-significant-1.1846237#ixzz33IJT7uby
A law professor is describing the legal settlement between the Nova Scotia government and former residents of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children as “very significant.”

Lost war medals returned to Nova Scotia granddaughter
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/lost-war-medals-returned-to-nova-scotia-granddaughter-1.2660092
Two weeks ago, Heather Desveaux from Nova Scotia made a stunning discovery - medals from both world wars belonging to her grandfather and great-grandfather.
Read how she succeeded in getting them back from a collector in Calgary.

CBC offers sneak peek at Book of Negroes
http://www.novanewsnow.com/News/2014-05-30/article-3744114/CBC-offers-sneak-peek-at-Book-of-Negroes/1
The filming of the TV series, The Book of Negroes, has wrapped up in Nova Scotia, and the CBC has a sneak preview. It will be aired next winter.

Cloverdale’s heritage charm is a draw for provincial conference http://www.cloverdalereporter.com/community/260970341.html
British Columbia Historical Federation’s 2014 conference will be underway next weekend in the beautiful town of at Cloverdale. There are all sorts of things to see and experience.

Allied paratroopers tour Polish military history museum
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/131743/allied-paratroopers-tour-polish-military-
Paratroopers from the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade and the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry joined their counterparts in Poland’s 16th Airborne Battalion on a tour of the central European nation’s military history at the Museum of Polish Arms in Kolobrzeg, Poland.

Canada’s Titanic – The Empress of Ireland: Discover the story of Canada’s greatest maritime disaster
http://ottawastart.com/story/23519.php
Read about the newest exhibit at Canada’s Museum of History just unveiled this past week.

Accent: Celebrating Northern Ontario's mining history
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/05/30/accent-celebrating-northern-ontarios-mining-history
Did you know that Northern Ontario also had discoveries in mining like the 1903 silver boom in Cobalt, the gold rushes in Kirkland Lake (1911), and the Red Lake (1925), and Hemlo (1981)?

Local students in Halifax for provincial heritage fair
http://www.trurodaily.com/News/Local/2014-05-29/article-3742456/Local-students-in-Halifax-for-provincial-heritage-fair/1
Students are gathering in Halifax for the Heritage Fair this week.

WW II aircraft and remains recovered from Vancouver Island mountainside
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ww-ii-aircraft-and-remains-recovered-from-vancouver-island-mountainside-1.2659691
A Second World War training aircraft and the remains of four airmen (one of which was a Canadian), who went missing in 1942 have been recovered from a remote logging site on Vancouver Island.

Cemetery find ups city budget
http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/05/27/cemetery-find-ups-city-budget
Additional archaeological studies cost the city of Ottawa an extra $1.8 million when an old graveyard turned up on Queen Street last year during Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction work.

Ed Coleman's history: Memories of the war
http://www.novanewsnow.com/Opinion/Columnists/2014-05-25/article-3737454/Ed-Colemans-history%3A-Memories-of-the-war/1
Read how the memory of a cavalry charge at the Battle of Vimy Ridge brought back memories of the First World War. 

Nova Scotia calls off long-awaited Bluenose II test drive
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/05/28/nova_scotia_calls_off_longawaited_bluenose_ii_test_drive.html
The Bluenose II has run into another legal roadblock in doing test runs in Lunenburg.

New Brunswick to Celebrate Acadian Heritage with Maine & Quebec
http://www.travelvideo.tv/news/canada/05-28-2014/new-brunswick-to-celebrate-acadian-heritage-with-maine-quebec
From August 8 to 24, 2014, more than 600,000 of their descendants will return to the area, known as “Acadia of the Lands and Forest” for the World Acadian Congress (or Congrès Mondial Acadien, CMA), a huge international event held every five years as a salute to Acadian heritage.

‘Forgotten Empress’ sank 100 years ago, took 1,012 lives
http://o.canada.com/news/national/forgotten-empress-sank-100-years-ago-took-1012-lives
Another article written about the sinking of the Empress of Ireland.

What are Canada’s most important headlines? Canadians can vote on their favourite front pages
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/what-are-canada-s-most-important-headlines-1.2660660
This is a neat idea - what is the most important newspaper headline that you have seen?

Vets made history
http://www.leaderpost.com/Vets+made+history/9895036/story.html
Read about the 16-day pilgrimage of remembrance to northwest Europe, where the author was able to walk in the places our veterans once trod during two world wars.

Nova Scotia’s Baddeck beckons with culture, heritage
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/jun/01/nova-scotias-baddeck-beckons-with-culture/?CID=happeningnow
Discover all of the sights to see at Baddeck, including a museum dedicated to Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, among other imventions.

Seven things you didn't know about a WWI Commonwealth Cemetery
http://www.thestar.com/news/walking_the_western_front/2014/05/photo_essay__understanding_a_wwi_commonwealth_cemetery.html
This is a photo essay of WWI Commonwealth Cemeteries taken by Richard Lautens. (Special to the CWR by Gail Dever and her blog, Genealogy à la carte)

For Kids: Making tracks in history, fantasy
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Kids+Making+tracks+history+fantasy/9888616/story.html?utm_content=buffer73a2a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
This is a book called Boundless, which is centered around a boy named Edward Mallandaine at the opening of the transcontinental railline that united the country. (Special to the CWR by Montreal's Gail Dever)

Story of the Week


70th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
Canada and Canadians will be well-represented in France next weekend as they commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

And there will be ceremonies all across Canada, and in Ottawa.

On June 6th, the Government of Canada and the Canadian War Museum will hold a Commemorative Ceremony for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the Landing at Normandy, at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., the Theatre of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum will present a live broadcast of the ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in France
From 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., 14:00 at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, a ceremony will take placeto mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

To see what is taking place near where you live, go to http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/d-day/70th-anniversary 

To read up on D-Day and the Battle of Normandy go to 
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/d-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 June 9, 2014.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Canadian Week in Review

Check the Canadian Week in Review tomorrow morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

It has the latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles. 

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! 

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

GANS office open this afternoon

Pamela Wile has just sent this notice.

If you are in Halifax today, why don’t you stop into the office at GANS for a chat, or to do some research in their library?

"Cemetery season has arrived, but you might want to do a little research before you head out to find those headstones. Drop in to see us this afternoon.

Sunday, June 1
GANS Office Open
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm - 3258 Isleville Street, Halifax, NS

The Office is open to everyone. Stop by to chat, do some internet research, check out our library or buy a publication or membership. Bring a friend!"



Twitter: @NSAncestors

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Doors Open Ottawa 2014


The Canadian Conservation Institute has sent me this notice to post. They will be taking part in the Door Open Ottawa 2014 to be held over the summer months in Ottawa.

"We invite you to join us at the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) during Doors Open Ottawa on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to explore the fascinating world of conservation and conservation science. Tour CCI laboratories and speak with our conservators and conservation scientists about the work we do to preserve Canada’s heritage.

Visit us to view the following artifacts: the Salzinnes Antiphonal, a rare cultural and ecclesiastical 16th- century liturgical manuscript written in iron gall ink on parchment; a gut skin parka made of strips of walrus intestines that dates back to the Classic Thule Period, approximately 500 years ago; and a Niagara Falls panoramic photo described as the largest one-piece, one-exposure photo enlargement in the world. Also, learn about the pests of cultural property and how to control them in collections, find out which materials can damage historic objects simply by being near them, see a demonstration of photographic and radiographic techniques used in the examination of paintings and museum objects, and much more.

If you are unable to join us on June 7, we will also be open to the public on Thursday, July 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as part of our involvement in Canada History Week". 

The CCI is located at 1030 Innes Road (southeast corner of Innes and St. Laurent), Ottawa. 

Their website is at http://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/in

Friday, May 30, 2014

Ottawa Branch of the OGS meeting will be held tomorrow

Tomorrow Saturday May 31st, at 1 o’clock at the Ottawa City Archives on Tallwood Drive (Room 115), the Ottawa Branch of the OGS meeting will be held.

Are You a "Trust Me" Genealogist? - Citation of Sources: The Why and How will be presented by Heather Oakley who will explore the reasons why genealogists need to provide a citation of their sources of information. Additionally, she will show many examples of how all types of sources should be cited in their family history research.

This meeting will be simulcast for members who can't join us in person. 


Their website is http://ogsottawa.on.ca 

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Empress of Ireland

  

I have just been to the website of the museum devoted to the sinking of the Empress of Ireland at http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/home.html.

It was today that the Empress of Ireland sank after being in a collision with the SS Storstad in dense fog off of Rimouski, Quebec. More than 1,000 people lost their lives.

You can read about the sinking of the ship, read the personal stories of the people who were on the ship, and you can plan your visit to the museum at Pointe-au-Père (near Rimouski), Quebec.

You can even plan a boat tour of the place that the ship went down, and you can witness the images of the ship via underwater sonar!

The museum is open until October 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day.

You can also revisit my post The Empress of Ireland - May 29, 1914 at
http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-empress-of-ireland-may-29-1914.html

LAC releases its latest podcast - Underwater Canada: Investigation Shipwrecks.

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has released its latest podcast episode - Underwater Canada: Investigation Shipwrecks. 

In part, the press release says that - 

"In honour of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, Marc-André Bernier, Chief of Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Service, joins us to discuss shipwrecks, their importance in Canadian history, and how LAC plays an important role in researching, discovering and investigating them". 


There is also a transcription of the podcast on the website.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Underwater Canada: A Researcher’s Brief Guide to Shipwrecks

If you are researching a shipwreck in your genealogy, the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has released pointers on how to use their records to do the research - 

Shipwrecks, both as historical events and artifacts, have sparked the imagination and an interest in the maritime heritage of Canada. The discovery of the War of 1812 wrecks Hamilton and Scourge, found in Lake Ontario in the 1970s, and the discovery of the Titanic in the 1980s, served to heighten public awareness of underwater archaeology and history. 

Whether you are a wreck hunter on the trail of a lost vessel, or a new shipwreck enthusiast eager to explore images and documents that preserve the epic tales of Canadian waters, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has something for you.

Starting your research 

First, gather as much information as possible about the shipwreck(s) you are researching. Specifically, you will ideally want to obtain the following information (in order of importance):

· Name of Vessel

· Location of accident

· Date of accident

· Ship’s port of registry

· Ship’s official number

· Year of vessel’s construction 

The Ship Registration Index at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/ship-registration/index-e.html?PHPSESSID=7g9h5km4d9l7l0krorlhh9n9s5 is a helpful resource. The database includes basic information about more than 78,000 ships registered in ports of Canada between 1787 and 1966. 

Can’t locate all of the information listed? There’s no cause for concern! Not all of the information is necessary, but it is essential that you know the name of the vessel. All Government records relating to shipwrecks are organized according to the ship’s name.

What is Available?

Using Archives Search at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/search/arch , you can locate the following types of material:

Photographs

· Consult the How to Find Photographs Online article for more help.

Maps

· In Archives Search, under “Type of material”, select “Maps and cartographic material” to narrow your results.
Government Records 

All records listed are found in the documents of the Marine Branch (Record Group 42) and/or Transport Canada (Record Group 24). Official Wreck Registers, 1870‒1975

· Wreck Reports, 1907‒1974

· Register of Investigations into Wrecks, 1911‒1960

· Marine Casualty Investigation Records, 1887‒1980

Important: Government records contain information about shipwrecks that occurred in Canadian waters, and include all accidents involving foreign vessels in Canadian waters.

Please note: this is not an exhaustive list of resources, but rather a compilation of some of the major sources of documentation available on shipwrecks held at LAC.

Helpful Hints 

You can find a number of digitized photographs, maps and documents on the Shipwreck Investigations virtual exhibition at http://www.lac-bac.gc.ca/sos/shipwrecks/index-e.html. More specifically, check out the collection of digitized Official Wreck Registers in the Shipwreck Investigations Database. Simply check if the name of the vessel you are researching is listed.

Another excellent source of information on shipwrecks is local public libraries. There are many maritime histories and bibliographies that offer reference points to begin your shipwreck research.


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

2014 Eastern European Family History Conference

The Foundation for East European Family History Studies is presenting The Eastern European Family History Conference which will be held from August 11-15, 2014 at the Plaza Hotel, Salt Lake City, in Utah.

This year’s program will provide two and one-half days of presentations, preceded by optional workshops, and followed by time to research in the nearby Family History Library. The presentations will be Wednesday through Friday, August 12-15, and the pre-conference workshops will be Monday and Tuesday, August 10-11.

Some of the speakers will be Canadian genealogist Dave Obee, in addition to Thomas K. Edlund, Joe Everett and Nathan Murphy, just to name a few of the top-notch speakers that will be at Salt Lake City. .

To see the full program, go to http://feefhsworkshop.org

There is also a blog at http://feefhsworkshop.org/blog






Monday, May 26, 2014

Canadian Week in Review 26 May 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


The Battle of the Atlantic
http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/navy-life/history-boa.page
The battle of the Atlantic is called “A century of sacrifice at sea”, and it was the longest and largest battle ever fought during the Second World War.

Events in History


In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier left St-Malo on his second voyage to Canada
http://www.historymuseum.ca/virtual-museum-of-new-france/the-explorers/jacques-cartier-1534-1542
This virtual website of the voyages of Jacques Cartier brings the details of his trips to Canada alive.

From the first solo flight of Charles A. Lindbergh on May 8, 1927 to Paris—to Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic to Northern Ireland in May 21, 1932—they both made their last North American stop in Newfoundland.

And why did they stop in Newfoundland? Because it was the closest landmass to Europe where they could stop and refuel the plane for the trip.

Read about Lindberg’s flight at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lindbergh#The_Orteig_Prize.2C_Spirit_of_St._Louis.2C_and_New_York-Paris_flight

Read about Earhart’s flight at http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/May-June-08/On-this-Day--Amelia-Earhart-Embarks-on-Solo-Atlantic-Flight.html

Newspaper Articles


Derksen drops plan to turn Dalnavert Museum into Candace House http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/derksen-drops-plan-to-turn-dalnavert-museum-into-candace-house-1.2651842
The long and contentious fight to rename the Dalnavert House and turn it into a home for victims of crime and their families has ended with the house to remain a museum.

Canadian province apologizes for historical wrongs against Chinese immigrants
http://english.cntv.cn/2014/05/22/VIDE1400740204186805.shtml
The province of British Columbia has officially apologized to the Chinese government for “historical wrongs against Chinese immigrants”. Although the Canadian government apologized in 2006, British Columbia is the first province to do so.

Museum mixup: War museum plans fall under 'Museum of History' mantle
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Museum+mixup+museum+plans+fall+under+Museum+History+mantle/9855768/story.html
In case you did not understand the role of the two museums in the 150th celebration of the birth of Canada—the Canadian War Museum, and the Canadian Museum of History—has been explained in Parliament! The Canadian War Museum will concern itself with the wars that Canada has been involved with, and the Canadian Museum of History will concern itself with everything else!

Museum is commemorating military milestones
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Canadian+Museum+commemorating+military+milestones/9856175/story.html
Here is how the Canadian War Museum is commemorating Canadian military over the next few years.

Library and Archives Canada Acquires Important Artwork and Maps Related to Rupert's Land
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1936704#ixzz32XWjb2uW
The LAC now has maps of Rupert's Land which was originally owned by the Hudson's Bay Company and included most of the western prairies and parts of what are now northern Quebec, northern Ontario, and Nunavut. The land was sold to the Government of Canada in 1869 for $1.5 million.

To read about Rupert’s Land, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert's_Land

D-Day: Help Canadians mark the 70th anniversary of June 6, 1944
http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/05/d-day-canadians-mark-the-70th-anniversary-of-june-6-1944-1.html
On June 6, 1944, more than 24,000 Canadians took part in D-Day, the first step in liberating Europe from Nazi Germany and the beginning of the end of the Second World War.

Prince Charles, Camilla reflect on Canada’s history, achievements on second day of tour
http://o.canada.com/news/royals/prince-charles-camilla-reflect-on-canadas-history-achievements-on-second-day-of-tour
Charles commented on Canada’s contribution of so many soldiers, sailors and airmen to the liberation of Europe as the 75th anniversary of the start of the war approaches, calling it “an extraordinary contribution” from a country with a small population.

Web documentary sheds light on Inuit relocation in Arctic Canada
https://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20140518/web-documentary-sheds-light-inuit-relocation-arctic-canada
A documentary website called "Iqqaumavara" (“I remember” in Inuttitut), the project is a co-production from the National Film Board of Canada and Makivik Corp., the Inuit land-claims organization in the Canadian province of Quebec.

Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/iqqaumavara

To read more about the forced relocation, read https://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/forced-relocation-canadian-inuit-village-memorialized-56-years-later

Statement by the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on the Occasion of International Museum Day
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1925128#ixzz329qzWXB2
Minister Glover said that “As we head toward Canada's 150th birthday in 2017, I encourage all Canadians to visit museums, to learn from them, and to reconnect with their history.”

Seeking a history I never knew
http://www.asianpacificpost.com/article/6179-seeking-history-i-never-knew.html
Learn the history behind the non-landing of Indian immigrants from a ship, the Komagata Maru in Port Alberni, British Columbia in 1914, and the way it was never covered in Canadian history until now.

There is now a website at http://komagatamaru100.com, and a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fkomagatamaru100.com%2Fabout-us%2F&t=About+Us

Electronic Library Up And Running For Canadian National Parks
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2014/05/electronic-library-and-running-canadian-national-parks25100
You can now go to the www.ParksCanadaHistory.com website and read electronic editions of publications with the aim of showcasing the rich history of the Canadian National Park System.

An oral history of the Newfoundland seal hunt
http://www.nlnewsnow.com/Columnists/Burton-K.-Janes/2014-05-20/article-3731274/COLUMN%3A-An-oral-history-of-the-Newfoundland-seal-hunt/1
Read a column on The Last of the Ice Hunters: An Oral History of the Newfoundland Seal Hunt.

Kids aged 12, 13 go on rampage in Kemptville cemetery
http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/05/20/kids-aged-12-13-go-on-rampage-in-kemptville-cemetery
Three teenagers will have to pay by doing community service after they damaged 17 headstones in a cemetery near Kemptvillt (near Ottawa) last week.

Heritage Village to celebrate black history with new cabin http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2014/05/20/heritage-village-to-celebrate-black-history-with-new-cabin
Essex County’s Heritage Village is adding a replica of the residence of Esther Malawice Banks, who was—according to family lore—the daughter of Major General Sir Isaac Brock and his cook, Almania Malawice.

Celebrating Chilliwack's Unique Agricultural Heritage: Parliamentary Secretary Mark Strahl Announces Funding for the Chilliwack Fair
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/celebrating-chilliwacks-unique-agricultural-heritage-parliamentary-secretary-mark-strahl-1912787.htm
The Chilliwack Fair is the second oldest fair in British Columbia, and their website is at http://chilliwackfair.com

Author sharing family history
http://www.westernwheel.com/article/20140521/WHE0302/305219992/-1/whe03/author-sharing-family-history#CommentsArea
Lorraine Lohr Cathro is bringing to life more than 60 years of family history in a collection of short stories she hopes will captivate Alberta readers.

The Alberta Railway Museum in Edmonton opens doors again for the summer
http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2014/05/21/the-alberta-railway-museum-in-edmonton-opens-doors-again-for-the-summer
The Alberta Railway Museum held an unofficial grand reopening over the long weekend in May inviting the public to view the outdoor displays mainly focus on Canadian National Railway and Northern Alberta Railway equipment and vehicles.

Exhibit captures dark part of our history
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/05/24/column-exhibit-captures-dark-part-of-our-history
There is a travelling exhibit travelling Ontario this summer that has been put together by Toronto’s Columbus Centre called Ordinary Canadians, Extraordinary Times: Italian Canadian Experiences during World War II, and this weekend it will be at the Anderson Farm Museum, Sudbury.

The exhibit is about some 31,000 Italian Canadians that were designated enemy aliens by the Canadian government, and approximately 600 of these individuals were sent to internment camps, like Camp 33 in Petawawa, Ottawa during the Second World War.

Story of the Week


Aboriginal Awareness Week

Aboriginal Awareness Week was started in 1999 “to provide national leadership and support within Parks Canada on matters relating to Aboriginal peoples and to facilitate the strengthening of relationships with Aboriginal Peoples”.

Canada recognizes three distinct people are they are the First Nations people, the Inuit and the Métis, and according to Statistic Canada, there are a total of 1,172,790 people who identify as Aboriginal.

Aboriginal Awareness Week was held the third week in May, and in June, there will be National Aboriginal History Month, and a National Aboriginal Day to be held on June 21st.
There is a video called Working Together: Our Stories at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/agen/aa/video.aspx

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 June 2, 2014.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Canadian Week in Review



Check the Canadian Week in Review tomorrow morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. 

It has the latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles.

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! 

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

The Empress of Ireland - May 29, 1914

The sinking of the RMS Empress of Ireland at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in 1914 had a great affect on the people of Canada, as more than 1,000 people lost their lives when the ship was stuck by the SS Storstad on that fateful foggy morning.

While I was at a Canada Post kiosk the other day, I picked up their May 2014 magazine called Details with a photograph of the Empress of Ireland on the front, as shown in the picture above. The story of the sinking is on pages 12 to 14, and you should pick up this excellent pocket-sized magazine the next time you are in the post office.

The story of the Empress of Ireland is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Empress_of_Ireland

Gail Dever of the Genealogy à la carte blog from Montreal has sent me articles about the Empress of Ireland from Canadian newspapers, such as -

The Empress of Ireland: Remembering ‘Canada’s Titanic’ http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2014/05/16/the_empress_of_ireland_remembering_canadas_titanic.html

Doomed liner to be commemorated in coming days with stamp, coins, monuments and more
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/national/Empress+Ireland+sinking+Canada+Titanic+finally+getting/9870408/story.html

Friday, May 23, 2014

British Columbia Birth Registrations, 1854-1903

The LDS has updated the registration of births for British Columbia. . .

Birth registrations usually include the following information -

  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Name of child
  • Gender of child
  • Name of father
  • Name of mother, including maiden name
  • Residence of parents
  • Occupation of father
  • Birthplace of parents
  • Age of parents
  • Date and number of registration

Native birth records generally contain the following information:

  • Name of child
  • Place of birth
  • Gender of child
  • Date of birth
  • Single, twin, triplet, or other
  • Marital status of parents
  • Name of parents
  • Tribe of parents
  • Age of parents
  • Occupation of father
  • Birthplace of parents
  • Number of children
  • Residence
  • Name of doctor and date of registration

To begin your search, it would be helpful if you knew the names of parents, and the approximate year of birth for the child.

For more information, go to https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1307731?ET_CID=46886537&ET_RID=genealogycanada@aol.com

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Southern California Genealogy Jamboree will be offering FREE Lectures



Southern California Genealogy Jamboree will be held from June 6th to the 8th, 2014 and there is going to be 14 streamed sessions over three days, and these sessions will be FREE! Like they say "All Class. No Travel"

The cost of doing this is partially underwritten by Diamond Sponsor Ancestry.com, but they will be free to people like myself who don’t go to the conference. Many sessions will be available in the SCGS webinar archive for viewing by members of the SCGS. 

Here are the sessions - 

Friday, June 6 - 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm PDT

· Judy G. Russell JD, CG, CGL - "Dowered or Bound Out: Records of Widows and Orphans"

· Blaine Bettinger PhD, JD - "DNA and the Genealogical Proof Standard"

· Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA - "Manuscript Finding Aids: Locating Migrating Family Records"

· F. Warren Bittner, CG - "Proof Arguments: How and Why" 

Saturday, June 7 - 8:30 am to 6:00 pm PDT

· F. Warren Bittner, CG - "Elusive Immigrant!"

· Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL - "Staying out of Trouble: The Rights and Responsibilities of Today's Genealogist"

· Michael Leclerc - "Researching Your New England Ancestors"

· Bennett Greenspan - "The Future of Genetic Genealogy"

· Dr. Maurice Gleeson - "Researching Your Irish Ancestry"

· Cyndi Ingle - "The Internet: A Genealogist's Printing Press" 

Sunday, June 8 - 8:30 am to 3:30 pm PDT 

· D. Joshua Taylor - "Resources of the DAR: Beyond Revolutionary War Soldiers"

· Dawn Thurston - "How to Write a Personal History that Captures your Interesting Life"

· Dr. Maurice Gleeson - "Ireland and the Slave Trade"

· Denise Levenick - "Dirty Pictures: Save Your Family Photos from Ruin"

So I am going to read the pre-conference handout list, and then I will decide which ones I will watch. 

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Family History Libraries offers FREE scanning

You can now take your photos and other documents to your nearest Family History Library and scan them for FREE

They have recently installed a customized Lexmark multifunction product (MFPs) which quickly scan photos or significant documents and transfer them online to your personal genealogical space. The scanning system produces high-quality digital images in both .jpg and .png file formats and will accommodate up to 5 MB in size. Items may also be scanned and saved to a thumb drive, all FREE of charge.  

You can then identify people in the photos and connect them to respective ancestors in your FamilySearch Family Tree, and you can post links and share the information with other family members and encourage them to share as well. 

To see if there is a Family History Library in your area, go to https://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

First Annual Unreadables Tombstone Challenge

Here is a project started by Canada GenWeb that we can all help with -

Canada GenWeb is looking for people to help decipher tombstones that have been photographed but are unreadable due to being weathered, for example.

And unfortunately there are many photos that are unsearchable because they are difficult, or impossible, to decipher. That means that those named on the stone cannot be found.

To change that,Canada GenWeb are starting the First Annual Unreadables Challenge! The goal is to decipher as many headstones as possible. And they are all across Canada.

Can you help put a name to some of our unreadable stones and possibly help someone find their long-lost relation?

Go to http://geneofun.on.ca/query/?table=NAMES&template=query_challenge&search=FIRST&search=SURNAME&find=(u&smode=S&sort=ASSIGNED,SURNAME,FIRST to see the unreadable tombstones. 

To see what is needed in the way of volunteers, go to http://cemetery.canadagenweb.org/volunteer/index.html

Monday, May 19, 2014

Canadian Week in Review 19 May 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.

History

On May 11, 1833, the brig, The Lady of the Lake, struck an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland enroute to Quebec City from Belfast, Ireland. It is estimated that 265 passengers and crew were lost. Survivors spent more than three days in an open boat in frigid temperatures before being rescued by the ship Amazon.
To read more about the brig, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_of_the_Lake_(brig)

In May 1756, the Seven Years' War (1756–1763) began when Britain declared war on France. In 1758, the British captured Louisbourg, then Quebec City in 1759, and Montreal in 1760. The Treaty of Paris (1768) ended the war, and France formally ceded Canada to the British.

To read more about the Seven Years' War, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Years'_War

In May 1878, Canada's governor general and his wife, Lord and Lady Dufferin, were treated to a demonstration of Thomas Edison's recent invention, the phonograph, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Read more about The Virtual Gramophone at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/gramophone/028011-3005-e.html

Social Media


Heritage Fair features family, provincial, hockey history
More than 150 students from 29 schools in Prince Edward Island recently took part in the provincial Heritage Fair at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.

News Articles


Canada’s youth ambassadors for D-Day
http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/4526209-canada-s-youth-ambassadors-for-d-day
Centre Dufferin District High School (CDDHS) students Rebecca Janke and Jeff Allen have been chosen to be the official representatives for Canada’s youth during the 70th anniversary of D-Day at Juno Beach in France on June 6.

The Greek Canadian History Project’s (GCHP) exhibition, Memory and Migration: A History of Greek Immigrants in Toronto, 1864-2014 is now on display at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. in the Rotunda. It kicks off Greek Heritage Week in Toronto.

Western Evangeline
http://www.canadiancattlemen.ca/2014/05/16/western-evangeline
Read about how the government took land from the people of Bingville just northeast of Medicine Hat, Alberta for a military base in the Second World War.

Local students wins Provincial Genealogical Essay Award
http://windsorite.ca/2014/05/local-student-wins-provincial-genealogy-essay-award
Learn how University of Windsor student Chelsea Meloche begin looking into her family history, and subsequently wrote this year’s award-winning essay for the Ontario Genealogical Society's (OGS), making her the proud recipient of the Mike Brede Genealogical Essay Prize.

Shine Bright Like A Lighthouse. A Love Affair With Maritime History
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/the-fascinating-fate-of-north-americas-lighthouses-85824127957.html
Read John Sylvester's article about saving Atlantic Canada’s lighthouses.

Canadian War Museum to commemorate Canada's military past, not the Canadian Museum of History, as reported
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1924012#ixzz324ZyZZ5T
All of the exhibitions and programs commemorating the First and Second World Wars are taking place at the Canadian War Museum, and not at the Canadian Museum of History, as has been reported by The Canadian Press.

Trees cut down for Colonial Building renovations
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/trees-cut-down-for-colonial-building-reno-1.2644390
The trees have been down as part of a multi-million dollar restoration of the Colonial Building and its surrounding grounds.

Canada Post to celebrate UNESCO World Heritage sites with breathtaking stamps
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1920448#ixzz31u16o7Ve
Canada Post will issue five stamps celebrating Canadian UNESCO World Heritage sites. The five stamps feature Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; SGang Gwaay, British Columbia; the Rideau Canal in Ontario; the Landscape of Grand Pré, Nova Scotia; and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta.

Elevators fade in the light of changing economics
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/History+1993+Elevators+fade+light+changing+economics/9847624/story.html
Alberta Wheat Pool plans to reduce its elevators by 60 per cent, to 102 from 257 in the next 10 to 20 years.

‘Remington of the Canadian West’ given $10,000 to paint B.C.'s history
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/THIS+WEEK+HISTORY+1924+Remington+Canadian+West+given+paint/9848627/story.html#ixzz324exZBnu
John Innes was considered one of Canada’s most important historical and western painters, referred to as the “Remington of the Canadian West”.

Minister Denis Lebel announces financial support for Rendez-vous naval de Quebec
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/15/idUSnMKW9q6yQa+1c2+MKW20140515
Rendez-vous naval de Quebec will mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of the Normandy Landings this summer in Quebec City.

Column: The Chicago swindler and Pinehurst
http://www.novanewsnow.com/Opinion/Columnists/2014-05-14/article-3724547/Column%3A-The-Chicago-swindler-and-Pinehurst/1
Read how a real-life Chicago swindler used to own a resort in Southwestern Nova Scotia.

Collecting history across the province
http://www.thelabradorian.ca/News/Local/2014-05-13/article-3723584/Collecting-history-across-the-province/1
The First World War Road Show and Tell is making its way through Newfoundland collecting stories, artifacts, and memorabilia from the Great War (WWI).

Happy Birthday, Manitoba — Province Turns 144
http://www.chrisd.ca/2014/05/12/manitoba-day-birthday-144-years-old-celebrations/#.U3INzIFdXKo
Manitoba celebrated its 144 birthday on the 12 of May.

Exhibition gets federal funding
http://www.thevanguard.ca/News/2014-05-12/article-3721624/Exhibition-gets-federal-funding/1
This year’s Western Nova Scotia Exhibition is scheduled for July 29 to Aug. 2nd, and it will be the 155th year for the exhibition.

Doors Open across Quinte
http://www.intelligencer.ca/2014/05/12/doors-open-across-quinte
The first province-wide event of its kind in Canada. Since 2002, more than five million visits have been made to heritage sites in the Doors Open Ontario.
The theme suggested by Ontario Heritage Trust for this year is the First World War.

Vote on proposal to rename park postponed
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Proposal-to-rename-park-postponed-258938751.html
The proposal calling for the renaming of Machray Park—supposedly named for Robert Machray, the first archbishop of the Anglican diocese of Rupert’s Land, to one honouring Harry Lazarenko, a city councillor for 30 years who was forced to retire in 2010 because of illness—has been put on hold until the June meeting of Winnipeg City Council.

Manitoba Archives exhibit showcases First World War
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-archives-exhibit-showcases-first-world-war-1.2639933
On the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, the Archives of Manitoba is offering people a chance to learn more about the province's role, and to get a glimpse at what life was like between 1914 and 1918.

Pride in language, culture comes into full flower in Cape Breton
http://herald.ca/novascotia/1206802-pride-in-language-culture-comes-into-full-flower-in-cape-breton
Read how the Scottish language and culture plays a role in everyday life of the people in Cape Breton. (Special to the CWR by Gail Dever, of Genealogy à la carte fame).

Lakeview's rich war history remembered with community mural
http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/news-story/4513014-lakeview-s-rich-war-history-remembered-with-community-mural
In front of Lakeview's Small Arms building in Mississauga, next to Toronto, a three-panel commemorative mural was unveiled Saturday morning.

Story of the Week


Victoria Day in Canada (National Patriots' Day in Quebec)

Victoria Day (National Patriots' Day in Quebec) is celebrated on the Monday closest to the May 24th, and this year it is May 19th.

In Canada, it is considered the first holiday of summer, and people are outdoors, putting in their flower gardens, raking their lawns, and have a nice relaxing long weekend topped off with fireworks at night.

In 1901, the year of Queen Victoria's death, the holiday officially became known as Victoria Day. Since that time, Victoria Day has commemorated two royal birthdays - the birthday of Queen Victoria, and that of Queen Elizabeth, the current monarch.

To read more about Victoria Day, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Day

In Quebec, the same day used to be called Fête de Dollard, but in 2003, the name was changed to National Patriots' Day (Fête des patriotes).

The name change took place because it was to recognize the importance of the struggle of the patriot’s of the Rebellion of 1837-1838, which was fought so that the people of Quebec could obtain political liberty and obtain a democratic system of government.

For more on the Lower Canada Rebellion, go http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Canada_Rebellion.

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 May 26, 2014.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Canadian Week in Review


Check the Canadian Week in Review tomorrow morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. 

It has the latest news covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles. 

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country! 

It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.


The Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia is planning a bus trip to the New England Regional Genealogical Conference in April 2015. The theme of the 2015 conference is Navigating the Past: Sailing into the Future. 

The bus will leave Halifax and will make several stops in NS and NB to pick up participants. The cost of the trip will be approximately $975.00. This will include accommodation, breakfast and transportation. What is not included is the fee to register for the conference and meals.

Those who wish to register send an email to info@novascotiaancestors.ca to let them know that they are interested and ready to commit to a $200.00 deposit so that they can estimate the interest and begin planning. 

Trip Itinerary

56 passenger bus would leave Halifax, and possible pick-up spots, Dartmouth, Airport, Truro, , Amherst in Nova Scotia, Aulac, Moncton, St John , Fredericton in New Brunswick

April 13: Travel to Bangor, Maine. Over-night at the Fireside Inn & Suites in downtown Bangor. It is next to the Casino and across the street from the new Bangor Civic Center. Dinner on their own.

April 14: Following an included hot breakfast, we travel to Boston and visit the NEHGS at 99-101 Newbury Street - a research visit. We over-night at Woburn dinner on their own.

April 15: Following our included breakfast, we travel to Providence, Rhode Island. Register at the Conference. On to our hotel ( Comfort Inn @ Atlantic Beach, Middleton RI -- 45 minutes from conference site - we stay here four nights: April 15, 16, 17, 18 -- Breakfast daily

Conference: travel back and forth from hotel daily as required - other meals as per your conference package and/or on your own.

April 19: Following breakfast and conference wind-up activities, we depart for Bangor. We'll have time for a side trip to Freeport Maine ( LL Bean et all ). Bangor hotel will be the Fireside Inn & Suites

April 20: Following breakfast and check out ( maybe a quickie shopping stop ) we head for home - Halifax

To make this trip possible, please let us know if you are interested in this exciting opportunity.

The website of GANS is http://www.novascotiaancestors.ca

The website of the NERGC is http://www.nergc.org/Conference-Home-Page.html