Friday, September 26, 2014

Fall Events at Mackenzie House, Toronto


For those of you who do not know, Mackenzie was the last home of William Lyon Mackenzie, the city's first mayor, and one the participants in the Rebellion of 1837.

He returned from self-imposed exile to the United States as a result of his involvement in the rebellion, and the house was bought for him by his friends and supporters in 1858.

There is a host of fall events to be held at Mackenzie House, such as -

High Park Harvest Festival

Sunday, October 5, 12 to 4:30 p.m.
Visit the Mackenzie House table when you come to the High Park Harvest Festival at Colborne Lodge. They will give you information about their museum programs and the opportunity to print a special Harvest Festival souvenir on their historic proof press!

City of the Dead: The Necropolis Cemetery Tour

Sunday, October 19, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Not recommended for children under 8 years of age.

The walk starts at the Cemetery. Meet at the main entrance.

Join them for a drama-enhanced walk through the Necropolis Cemetery to visit the graves of William Lyon Mackenzie and his family, his fellow rebels and rivals. Hear stories of murder, heartbreak and great perseverance.

After the walk, participants are invited to return to Mackenzie House, for a tour and some light refreshments. 
The Necropolis Cemetery is located at 200 Winchester Street, the west side of the Don Valley near Riverdale Farm.

Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Adults (16 yrs. & older):$12.50 plus tax; Children 8-15 yrs.: $10.50 plus tax.

Spirit Walk

Saturday, October 25 - Three times available At 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

Not recommended for children under 8 years of age.

Let your imagination take over as they lead you through downtown alleys and lane ways to discover some of Toronto’s reputedly haunted buildings ….

Return to gas-lit historic Mackenzie House and soothe your goose bumps with mulled cider and biscuits as you hear about the ghost stories associated with the house.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Adults (16 yrs. & older): $12.50 plus tax; Children 8-15 yrs.: $10.50 plus tax

Contact them at 416-392-6915 or email machouse@toronto.ca

The webpage is at http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=8ccf1d18ed7a0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/mackenziehouse
The story of of William Lyon Mackenzie is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lyon_Mackenzie

Thursday, September 25, 2014

The Library and Archives Canada has digitized the War Diaries of the First World War

As the LAC say, these dairies of the “Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) units were required to maintain a daily account of their "Actions in the Field." This log was called a War Diary. 

This database contains the digitized War Diaries of CEF infantry, artillery and cavalry units, Brigade, Division and Corps commands and support units such as Railway and Forestry troops. The site also includes the War Diaries of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and several British units that served under Canadian command.”

To read about the war diaries, go to http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/Pages/war-diaries.aspx#b 

OGS Printerest Board - Ancestral Lands


The Ontario Genealogical Society has a Printerest Board now called Ancestral Lands

You can see the pictures or put your own pictures on the board. You may, as the OGS suggests,discover some new "neighbours!" 

So far, there have been 62 ''pins'' to the OGS Pinterest Board. 

The Printerest page is at http://www.pinterest.com/OGSLibrarian/ 

The website is at http://www.ogs.on.ca/

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Call for Speakers – Pre-1867 Ontario


Toronto Branch is planning a day-long workshop on 11 April 2015 on Upper Canada and Canada West Research, and has just called for speakers who would like to take part.

They are asking if you have expertise in pre-Confederation Ontario family history or local history research that you would like to share?

If so, they would like to know about it.

Potential speakers are invited to submit proposals for lectures on sources, research techniques or historical background that may be helpful to researchers.

Sessions may be targeted at beginners or at more seasoned family historians.

You’ll find a link to their detailed call for presentations on their Speakers and Instructors Wanted page at http://torontofamilyhistory.org/? s=Speakers+and+Instructors+Wanted&submit.x=10&submit.y=5&submit=Search
Please note that the deadline to submit a proposal for this workshop is Saturday 15 November.

And the latest news has come out about the 2016 Conference to be held in Toronto. It will be based at the International Plaza Hotel and conference centre, close to Pearson International Airport, Highway 401, and with good connections by local and regional public transit.

Watch for announcements coming summer of 2015.

The website is http://torontofamilyhistory.org/

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

First World War soldiers from Township of St. Clair, Lambton County, Ontario


The Township of St. Clair has compiled the names of all of the 400 men who, from a population of 5000 at the time, joined the Canadian Expeditionary Forces during the First World War. Many of these men joined the Lambton 149th Battalion and 36 made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. 

If you have ancestors from the former townships of Moore and Sombra in Lambton County, they may have made this list. 

For more information, visit their website at http://www.twp.stclair.on.ca/world_war_i.htm 

Take a side trip to view the Moore museum at http://www.mooremuseum.ca/

Sombra also has a museum, and their website is http://www.twp.stclair.on.ca/sombra_museum.htm

Mississauga at War –New Online Exhibit




This is part 1 of an exhibit that will introduce historic Mississauga’s experience of the First World War. The site will grow until it covers 1914-1918 as seen through the pages of The Streetsville Review, photographs, and personal stories. 


The site is a beginning look at these years. To learn more about local consequences of the conflict, the public is invited to contact the Canadiana Reading Room, Mississauga Central Library, at 905-615-3200 ext. 3660 or history.library@mississauga.ca

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

Monday, September 22, 2014

Canadian Week in Review - 22 September 2014


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

History Week in Canada


In 1890, the Hamilton Public Library opened.

Read more about the Hamilton Public library at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Public_Library_(Ontario)
===================================================
In 1893, Calgary was incorporated as a city.

To read more about Calgary, go to http://www.calgary.ca/CA/city-clerks/Pages/Corporate-records/Archives/Historical-information/Historical-Information.aspx
===================================================
In 1792, Upper Canada's first legislature convened at Newark – now Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

To read more about Niagara-on-the-Lake , go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara-on-the-Lake
===================================================
In 1844, Canada's first suspension bridge, a 74-metre span over the Ottawa River, was opened for traffic.

To read more about the Chaudière Bridge, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaudi%C3%A8re_Bridge
===================================================
In 1859, the Victoria Bridge at Montreal was completed. It was the first bridge over the St. Lawrence and was opened in 1860.

To read more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Bridge_(Montreal)

Social Media


(Photos) Fire at Quebec City’s Museum of Civilization now under control
http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/09/15/fire-breaks-out-at-quebec-citys-museum-of-civilization/
Although the fire was brought under control, here are some photos that were taken while the fire was fought this past week.

New Brunswick

Fire destroys St. John the Baptist church in Edmundston
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fire-destroys-st-john-the-baptist-church-in-edmundston-1.2772801
Crews battled blaze for about 2 hours, but there was no hope of saving the Anglican church.

Tidal bore unveiling pieces of Moncton’s shipbuilding history
http://globalnews.ca/news/1564668/tidal-bore-unveiling-pieces-of-monctons-shipbuilding-history/
The Petitcodiac’s tidal bore is revealing relics from the city of Moncton’s shipbuilding in the 1800s.

Prince Edward Island

New heritage status celebrates 150-year-old family farms
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/new-heritage-status-celebrates-150-year-old-family-farms-1.2765387
Ninety-one farms on Prince Edward Island run by the same family for 150 years have received special heritage distinction recognizing their deep roots. The award was given to them by the P.E.I. Agriculture Sector Council at a special party in their honour on Friday night as part of the 2014 celebrations.

Ontario

Excerpt # 5 – The First World War: Excerpts from the diary of Woodman Leonard
http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/09/18/the-first-world-war-excerpts-from-the-diary-of-woodman-leonard
For links to the other installments, visit last week's CWR post at -
http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2014/09/canadian-week-in-review-15-september.html

RMS Seqwun, a historic Muskoka ship, needs tender-loving care
http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/09/16/rms-segwun-a-historic-muskoka-ship-needs-tender-loving-care
According toJohn Miller of the Muskaka Steamship & Historical Society, the immediate need is to replace the decking under the wheelhouse.

5 things Ottawa owes to Scotland
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/5-things-ottawa-owes-to-scotland
In Ottawa, about 16 per cent of the population is of Scottish origin, and Scottish heritage is an important part of Canadian history, with our first prime minister—Sir John A. Macdonald—being from Scotland.

Ship stats: Details about Canadian warships being decommissioned
The four ships being decommissioned by the Royal Canadian Navy are HMCS Algonquin, HMCS Iroquois, HMCS Preserver, and HMCS Protecteur.

Remembering British Home Children 
The museum, housed at Upper Canada Village, opened last year as a joint effort between the Ontario East British Home Child Family and the Parks of the St. Lawrence. 

Sandy Hill heritage church sale raises concerns in community
The former All Saints Anglican Church on Chapel Street in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighbourhood is in doubt, and it may be sold. It was completed in 1900 and designated a heritage property in 1998.

Manitoba

Documents a vital part of our history
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Documents-a-vital-part-of-our-history-275580041.html?cx_navSource=d-tiles-4
Nearly a dozen documents, including the proclamation of Canada’s 1982 Constitution and the first treaty with Cree and Chippewa people that helped settle Manitoba, was on display at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights when parts of the museum was opened for preview tours Saturday.

Alberta

An almost forgotten village – predicted to be the 'Pittsburgh of the Prairies' – turned 100 in July
http://www.vulcanadvocate.com/2014/09/14/an-almost-forgotten-village--predicted-to-be-the-pittsburgh-of-the-prairies--turned-100-in-july
July 13th marked the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Bow City, which was located east of Lomond, on the edge of Vulcan County. The Alberta Historical Resources Foundation recently approved the placing of a permanent marker at the site of the former village.

Buzzing bees force Kemp roof repairs
http://www.innisfailprovince.ca/article/20140916/INN0801/309169974/-1/inn0801/buzzing-bees-force-kemp-roof-repairs
An investigation into an early spring buzzing bee problem at the historic Kemp House has forced town council to approve spending of more than $21,000 to fix the problem.

British Columbia 

Explore B.C. in Burnaby library reading series
http://www.burnabynow.com/community/explore-b-c-in-burnaby-library-reading-series-1.1354929
British Columbia is a land of adventure - and you can experience that adventure in an upcoming reading series at the Burnaby Public Library's McGill Branch.

Overseas ‘Angel’ to Canadian soldiers arrives in Vancouver
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/This+week+history+1938/10199056/story.html
Jenny Morris, a London boarding housekeeper who befriended thousands of Canadian servicemen during the First World War, visited Vancouver on this day 76 years ago to be feted by former soldiers who had never forgotten her kindness.

Chilliwack Poppy project will create interactive map of WWI soldiers
http://www.theprogress.com/news/275810341.html
It's historical research in the form of an interactive map, plotting the addresses of Chilliwack's war dead from 100 years ago.

Story of the Week


The newest Canadian museum opens in Winnipeg.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened this past weekend in Winnipeg, and there are lots to see and experience in the museum.

For instance, the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War was featured at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights when it officially opened this past weekend.

Among those attending the museum's opening ceremony on Friday was Art Miki, who was interviewed by museum staff about his experience in an internment farm during the war.

To read more, you can go to http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/internment-of-japanese-canadians-to-be-featured-at-human-rights-museum-1.2769708

There is a space where you can carry out research, and an oral history section at https://humanrights.ca/research-and-collections

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 29 September 2014.