Saturday, May 23, 2015

Toronto Star Archives - FREE!


Every once in a while, the Toronto Star archives is FREE!

And it is now free until May 31st. 

The Toronto Star archive is at http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/terms.html 

Please read the Terms of Service at http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/terms.html first before using this service.

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

 Happy Researching!
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SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your elusive Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!

Research Tip! You can search the Canadian online historical newspapers at http://libguides.bgsu.edu/c.php?g=227443&p=1507138
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-18-may-2014.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada

 

Friday, May 22, 2015

North Sydney Heritage Museum, Nova Scotia


Thirty years ago, the people of North Sydney, Nova Scotia built a heritage museum because they wanted some place to put all of their artifacts and paper documents.

They have just recently renovated the place, and now they have a number of exhibitions on display.  These exhibits centre around immigration, transportation, the military and communication.

They are also planning to have a number of speakers come to the museum this summer, and one of them will be Joan Dawson who has written A History of Nova Scotia in 50 Objects. She will appear on Monday the 25 of May from 7-8 p.m.

She has also authored Mapmaker's Legacy, Nova Scotia's Lost Highways, and Nova Scotia's Historic Rivers.

The website is http://www.northsydneymuseum.ca/index.html

=========================================================================
SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!

Research Tip!  There are immigration records for North Sydney from November 1906 to August 1922. The immigrants came from Newfoundland and St-Pierre et Miquelon.  r========================================================================

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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-18-may-2014.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada

Canadian genealogist to present Family Tree University webinar


If you don’t know who Janice Nickerson is already, she is a professional Canadian genealogist from Toronto, Ontario who has been asked by Family Tree University to give a live, one-hour webinar called Canadian Genealogy Crash Course on Tuesday, May 26th, starting at 7 pm Eastern (6 pm Central/5 pm Mountain/4 pm Pacific).

To register for the course, go to http://www.shopfamilytree.com/canadian-genealogy-crash-course-live-webinar?et_mid=753000&rid=238906143

Janice has been doing Canadian genealogy for 30 years, so she knows her stuff.

There will be a live Q&A after the webinar, so be sure to have your questions ready!

Janice also has a website at Upper Canada Genealogy (helping you trace your Ontario roots…) at http://www.uppercanadagenealogy.com/

Thursday, May 21, 2015

UPDATE: OGS Conference – Interview No 7


Cindy Robichaud of the Ontario Genealogical Society interviews conference attendee, Michele Watson, from Essex Branch, OGS.
 
Listen to Michele as she tells us how she became interested in family history, and what she hopes to gain from attending the Conference in Barrie this year. 
 
 
And to view the other interviews on this blog, you can go to the following websites -

Interview No 1 with Thomas MacEntee and Dr.Janet Few at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/02/update-ogs-conference-interviews.html

Interview No 2 with Dr. Maurice Gleeson at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/02/another-ogs-interview.html

Interview No 3 with Kirsty Gray http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/02/update-ogs-conference-interview-no-3.html

Interview No 4 with Dave Obee http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/update-ogs-conference-interview-no-4.html

Interview No 5 with Richard M. Doherty http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/update-ogs-conference-interview-no-5.html

Interview No 6 with Kathryn Lake Hogan http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/update-ogs-conference-interview-no-6.html 
 
 
==============================================================
SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! What a better way to see and meet with people that are from the same areas as your ancestors than to go to the Marketplace at the OGS conference where there will be many vendors from the province there. The website is http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/marketplace/ 
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-18-may-2014.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada

 

Lennox-Addington Museum/Archives opens


The Lennox-Addington Museum/Archives has opened in Napanee, Eastern Ontario, not far from the city of Belleville.

Recently, Jane MacNamara, a member of the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and a blogger, has been there, and gives us a real good tour of the facility in her blog Where the Story Take Me at http://wherethestorytakesme.ca/lennox-addington-archives/

When you visit, you will see “themed exhibits, a modern reading room, genealogical research opportunities as well as regularly scheduled programming and special events about a wide variety of topics”.

If you have ancestors in this county, you should carefully read both her blog and the site of the museum/archives at http://www.lennox-addington.on.ca/museum-archives.html

Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lennox-and-Addington-County-Museum-and-Archives/158030467740667

==============================================================
SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! The Lennox-Addington Museum/Archives has the following fonds (personals papers) William Bell fonds, Benson Family fonds, Thomas Willet Casey fonds, Roblin Family fonds, John Stevenson fonds, Celia File fonds, Harry Babcock fonds, and the Walters-Wagar fonds.
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-18-may-2014.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada

 

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

More Canadian records are added to FamilySearch


They have added the following records -

Canadian Passenger List 1881-1922

They have added 2111 images to an existing collection.

The website says “Contains records for the ports of Quebec City, 1900-1921; Halifax, 1881-1922; Saint John, 1900-1912; North Sydney, 1906-1912; Vancouver, 1905-1912; Victoria, 1905-1912; New York, 1906-1912; and Eastern US Ports, 1905-1912. The lists for United States ports include only those names of passengers with intentions of proceeding directly to Canada”.

The website is https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1823240?et_cid=49343831&et_rid=839174644&linkid=https%3a%2f%2ffamilysearch.org%2fsearch%2fcollection%2f1823240&cid=

Newfoundland Vital Statistics 1753 - 1893

They have added 191,573 new indexed to the record collection

The website includes images of church record transcripts. Contains baptisms, marriages, and some burials from many churches in the province

The website is https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1793777?et_cid=49343831&et_rid=839174644&linkid=https%3a%2f%2ffamilysearch.org%2fsearch%2fcollection%2f1793777&cid=
==============================================================
SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! If you want to explore the possible research Wiki for Canada, go to https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Canada_Genealogy. They have completely sourced documents, and are adding more every day.
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-18-may-2014.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada

 

Tracks through Time Panel Discussion


If you can’t attend the annual Ontario Genealogical Society 2015 Conference in Barrie, Ontario, there is an opportunity to see what you’re missing. They will be web-streaming live their Saturday morning Panel Discussion - Tracks through Time.

Their moderator, Thomas MacEntee and panelists Richard M. Doherty, Dr. Maurice Gleeson, Kirsty Gray and Dave Obee will discuss challenges, concerns and opportunities related to tracking our ancestors and leaving behind our own tracks to follow.

To see and hear the discussion live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4PUUdj5axA&feature=youtu.be

The session starts at 8:30 am on Saturday, May 30th and can only be viewed live – there won’t be a recording!

The website for the 2015 Ontario Genealogical Society Conference is at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/

==============================================================
SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! If you have ancestors that lived or passed through the province of Ontario, make your first stop The Ontario Name Index (TONI) at https://www.ogs.on.ca/toni.php, or its predecessor Ontario Genealogical Society Provincial Index (OGSPI) at http://www.ogs.on.ca/ogspi.php
===============================================================

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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-18-may-2014.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada.

 

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Passenger and Crew Lists for U.S. Bound Vessels Arriving in Canada



Ancestry.com has added a new database to their site over the weekend - Passenger and Crew Lists for U.S. Bound Vessels Arriving in Canada 1912-1939 and 1953-1962.

These are people who disembarked at Montreal, Quebec; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Victoria, British Columbia; Toronto, Ontario either by boat or by plane.

They say that ‘This collection contains forms, or passenger lists, submitted to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) by airline captains and shipmasters. These passenger lists and crew manifests provide information regarding vessels and passengers arriving in various Canadian ports from 1912-1939 and 1953-1962’.

You can expect to find some or all of the information, such as -

  • Full name of passenger
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Marital status
  • Occupation
  • Citizenship (nationality)
  • Place of residence
  • Final destination
  • Birth date
  • Birth place
  • Port of arrival
  • Date of arrival
  • Port of embarkation
  • Ship name
  • Shipping line

The database is at http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60501

==============================================================
SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! Canada is known as an immigrant nation. To research the immigrants who cane here, a good book on the subject is Destination Canada: A Genealogical Guide to Immigration Records by Dave Obee.
===============================================================

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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-18-may-2014.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada.
 

LAC will hold a Town Hall meeting



The Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is holding a Town Hall meeting on June 1, 2015 between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa. They are interested in hearing from clients that currently use, or plan to use its services onsite, on the website or by telephone - that means genealogists!

It is limited to a maximum of 100 persons, and will be allotted on a first come first serve basis. The email to reserve a seat is by email: rsvp@bac-lac.gc.ca, and you should register by May 22, 2015.

I won’t be going to the Town Meeting but my husband will, and it will be interesting to see what will be discussed.

In the meantime, the transcript of the speech that was given by Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada to the Friends of the City of Ottawa Archives on April 30th called Something old, something new: access and the heart of LAC's mandate is at http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=tp&crtr.page=1&nid=973169&crtr.tp1D=970

The website for the LAC is at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Pages/home.aspx

==============================================================
SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! If you want a place to start your genealogy research, read “What to do First” at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/genealogy/how-to-begin/Pages/what-to-do-first.aspx 
 
===============================================================

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

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-11-may-2015.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada.
 

Monday, May 18, 2015

Canadian Week in Review 18 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.

This Week in Canadian History



In 1803, Philemon Wright, the founder of Hull (now known as Gatineau) Quebec, helped open up a new timber trade of pine and oak staves, with huge rafts of squared white pine being floated down the Ottawa River to Quebec, where they were broken up and loaded into ships bound for Britain.

To read more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philemon_Wright





In 1871, an Imperial Order-in-Council in London, England let British Columbia join the Dominion as Canada's sixth province.

To read more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia


Social Media

(Photos) The root cellars of Twillingate: A personal passion for local history
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/the-root-cellars-of-twillingate-a-personal-passion-for-local-history-1.3061508
Elliston has earned its reputation as the root cellar capital of the world, but Twillingate could give it a run for the title.
   Some 232 root cellars have been counted SO FAR in the Twillingate area, and Otto Sansome is the man who has taken the time to document each and every one.

(Photos) HANTS HISTORY (May 14, 2015 edition)
http://www.hantsjournal.ca/Opinion/Columnists/2015-05-14/article-4145487/HANTS-HISTORY-(May-14,-2015-edition)/1
Here's a look at what was making the news 25 and 50 years ago in the Hants Journal.

Articles

Newfoundland

No caribou statue for Gallipoli to honour Royal Newfoundland Regiment
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/no-caribou-statue-for-gallipoli-to-honour-royal-newfoundland-regiment-1.3069831
Plans for a new caribou statue in Gallipoli in Turkey to mark the contribution of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the First World War have been scrapped due to provincial budget cuts.
   The statue was meant to honour soldiers from Newfoundland and Labrador who were killed in Turkey. Gallipoli was one of the first battles N.L. soldiers fought. Thirty of them died in combat, and ten others died from disease.

First World War life recreated in Elliston
http://www.thepacket.ca/News/Local/2015-05-14/article-4145699/First-World-War-life-recreated-in-Elliston/1
The Great War Living History Committee in Elliston has done a lot to pay tribute to history, and now they are sharing their resources with Parks Canada.

Nova Scotia

ED COLEMAN HISTORY: A school on wheels: the shopmobile
http://www.novanewsnow.com/Opinion/Columnists/2015-05-10/article-4140636/HISTORY-A-school-on-wheels%3A-the-shopmobile/1
The "shopmobile" began in Kings County early in 1942. Its aim was to prepare kids in rural areas for training in vocational and industrial arts.

Black Loyalist lineage is world-wide
http://thechronicleherald.ca/more/blhc/1285377-black-loyalist-lineage-is-world-wide
Referencing census counts, birth and marriage records, Carleton’s Book of Negroes (regarded as “the single most important document relating to the immigration of African Americans to Nova Scotia following the War of Independence” by the Nova Scotia Archives), as well as other resources, Hill has traced the genealogy of Black Loyalist descendants near and far.

First-hand history in Halifax: Beer, boats and things that go bump in the night
http://o.canada.com/travel/destinations/first-hand-history-in-halifax
You don’t have to read about history in Halifax — you can live it instead.
   The 266-year-old city offers many ways to experience its past in person this summer.

Lights out at Sydney Harbour’s Low Point Lighthouse
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1286272-lights-out-at-sydney-harbour%E2%80%99s-low-point-lighthouse
A Cape Breton lighthouse that faces an uncertain future is no longer functioning.
   Rob Romard, a professional photographer who lives in the Whitney Pier neighbourhood of Sydney, said he is alarmed after noticing the strobe inside the Low Point Lighthouse had stopped working late Monday evening.

Ontario

Victoria Day 2015: 24 facts about May 24 long weekend
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/victoria-day-2015-24-facts-about-may-24-long-weekend-1.3072164
From historic controversy to Victoria Day disasters, the weekend known in Canada as the unofficial start of summer is our oldest state holiday.

Russian-Canadians in Belleville celebrate May 9
http://www.intelligencer.ca/2015/05/10/russian-canadians-in-belleville-celebrate-may-9
The Russian-Canadian had a special thought for her 80-year-old mother Sunday, not only for Mother’s Day, but because Natalie Le Chat survived 100 days of Leningrad Blockade when she was a child.
   Le Chat and about 20 other members of Belleville’s Russian-Canadian community attended ‘War and Life’, an event at the Greek Community Hall,  to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany in 1945.

LEE DICKSON GENEALOGY: Tap into the records of Toronto’s earliest jails
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/5611783-lee-dickson-genealogy-tap-into-the-records-of-toronto-s-earliest-jails/
The first Toronto jail was built in 1798 to 1799 on the south side of King Street West near Toronto Street, Town of York; a rough log structure hidden inside a hewn cedar stockade. The Home District Gaol serviced the Counties of Peel, York, and Ontario.

Afghanistan mission and Victoria Cross recipients to be commemorated
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1535243/afghanistan-mission-and-victoria-cross-recipients-to-be-commemorated
The National Memorial to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan and the National Victoria Cross Memorial will be placed at Richmond Landing, along Confederation Boulevard, as part of the new Memorial Route.
   Both memorials and the Memorial Route will be officially unveiled in 2017, helping to mark Canada's 150th year since Confederation.

Manitoba

Restoring treasured but decrepit heritage homes costly, controversial
htttp://www.thecarillon.com/provincial/the-high-price-of-history-303376381.html
It's like debtor's prison for heritage homes.
   Behind a chain-link fence is the seventh-oldest building still standing in Manitoba. It once belonged to the family for whom Henderson Highway was named.

British Columbia

Gold Rush: Royal B.C. Museum mines rich vein of history
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/gold-rush-royal-b-c-museum-mines-rich-vein-of-history-1.1933098#sthash.AgFdQykX.dpuf
One hundred kilograms of the purest gold ever minted into one coin greets visitors to the latest exhibit at the Royal B.C. Museum.

A forgotten history: tracing the ties between B.C.'s First Nations and Chinese workers
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/chinese-heritage/article24335611/
First Nations people and Chinese immigrants have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship since before B.C. joined Confederation. Now, archeologists are chronicling this chapter of history by documenting sites where the two communities lived together.

Stories of the Week


Editorial: Are genealogical societies stuck in the mud?

This is a question that has been trending this week in genealogy – is there still a need for genealogical societies as they exist right now, or, as David Pike—President of Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, in his article on Global Genealogy—asks, “Will genealogy societies always just be there? Not necessarily.”

The article is at http://globalgenealogy.com/news/articles/00210.htm?utm_source=GlobalGenealogy.com+Newsletter&utm_campaign=d7b640e329-newsletter_2013_07_07_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1b3ab7d22a-d7b640e329-21554413

This discussion has been brought to the fore by American blogger Susan Petersen, when she recently wrote an open letter to genealogical societies http://longlostrelatives-smp.blogspot.com/2015/04/an-open-letter-to-genealogy-societies.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FQhOkH+%28Long+Lost+Relatives.net%29 in which she listed seven recommendations, including asking questions like why do some societies hoard money, can they change the way they put on conferences, and the validly of newsletters and journals – questions I have asked myself.

The response was almost immediate! Some people agreed and some disagreed – but everyone agreed that we should talk/write about it. This type of disagreement is good for the societies, as the societies will learn from this, and hopefully will grow in new and dynamic ways.

So what do you think? Are societies stuck in the mud? Are they missing the new opportunities out in the world today – like social media?

In Canada, a series of belt-tightening has started because the societies are losing members ‘hand over fist’ - people are simply not joining, and some people would say, the old way of putting on conferences are going the way of the dodo bird, too – people are simply not going.

The frequency of conferences are declining. Two have been cancelled this year – one national conference planned for Halifax this summer, and a provincial one in Saskatchewan – and it has been suggested that Ontario’s yearly conference be turned into a bi-annual conference. Are these changes in direct relationship to the increases in membership to online, commercial companies? I wonder …

If, for example, I have Internet access, then I don't have to travel (especially in the winter) to attend monthly meetings, as most societies have them online. Furthermore, I can take genealogical courses, listen to webinars in the comfort of my own home, access online records at my society, and interact with other genealogists through Facebook, genealogy communities, Google Hangout on Air, and chat with fellow members face-face through Skype, or even send them a quick email from my laptop or smartphone using a ubiquitous Wi-Fi connection.

With all of this convenience, then why should I care if a society doesn’t hold conferences anymore, especially if it's the same old, same old?

I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter. Please send them to me at genealogycanada@aol.com.

Genealogical societies have to change in order to keep current with the times. The days of being a closed society are gone. Genealogy has opened up to everyone now – but everyone has to voice their opinion, and we have to come to some sort of agreement – else the exercise will be for not, and that would be a shame.

And that was the Canadian genealogy, history, and heritage news in Canada this past week!


SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!



Need help in finding your Canadian Ancestors?

 As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15%.

If you are interested, go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz. and see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor.

The email is genealogyresearch@aol.com

 Let us help you find your elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
RESEARCH TIP!

The Library and Archives Canada has the history of ethnic Canadians at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/history-ethnic-cultural/Pages/introduction.aspx.

You can access photographs, art, texts, music, and any other material that is available and associated with that group.

 
The next Canadian Week in Review will be posted 25 May 2015.

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

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

Sunday, May 17, 2015

The Georgetown Boys


On April 23, city councillors and over 400 interested people gathered at a solemn ceremony at Cedarvale Park, Georgetown, Ontario commemorate the 100th anniversary of the genocide that the Turkish Ottoman Empire raged on the Armenian people. As a result, more than 400 Canadians, mostly of Armenian descent, came to Georgetown.

Why Georgetown you may ask?

From 1915-1923 the Turkish Ottoman Empire tragically killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians during a disgraceful act of genocide.

In 1923 Armenian orphans were given a second chance at life by our Canadian government. In 1923, on Dominion Day, 50 Armenian boys arrived at the Cedarvale farm. Overall, 109 boys aged 9-12 endured a three week long journey by foot, road, sea and train to arrive in Georgetown.

They all became known as the “The Georgetown Boys”.

The Georgetown Boys http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Georgetown_Boys

Georgetown Boys Farmhouse Designated Historic Site

http://armenianweekly.com/2010/07/08/georgetown-boys-farmhouse-designated-historic-site/

The Georgetown Boys

https://humanrights.ca/blog/georgetown-boys-and-girls

==============================================================
SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! If you are researching the Home Children of Canada, the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa ( BIFHSGO) has a list at http://www.bifhsgo.ca/cpage.php?pt=4
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-11-may-2015.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada.
 

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Northern Lights on Parliament Hill


 
On July 10, 2015, Canadian Heritage, in collaboration with its exclusive sponsor Manulife, will launch Northern Lights. This entirely new 30-minute experience of sound and light is a thrilling thematic journey through Canada's history presented in spectacular detail against the backdrop of the Parliament Buildings.
 
As momentum builds toward Canada 150 celebrations, Northern Lights reflects the important milestones in Canadian history.
 
Facts you should know about the show -
  • The inaugural season for Northern Lights runs from July 10 to September 12, 2015.
  • Northern Lights is a free bilingual show that will be presented each night on Parliament Hill for the next five summers (2015 to 2019).
  • Using state-of-the-art digital technology, the show illuminates Canadian stories of nation-building, partnership, discovery, valour, pride and vision for a country.
  • It is the sixth edition of the sound and light show on Parliament Hill since 1984.
  • Over its five-year run, the previous show, Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people, was seen by more than 1.1 million spectators.
I saw my first shows about 4-years ago, in the company of about a 1,000 spectators who were amazed by the show. It seems as if the whole center block of the Parliament Building came alive as it traced Canadian history through the ages.
 
Now I will have an excuse to go back this summer!
 
If you want more information, go to http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1431101626033/1431101731481
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SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! Include your ancestors in their proper historical context. Read history books, watch Canadian history shows, read this blog which regularly has posts which feature Canadian history. To find those posts, use the Search feature to the right of this post.
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-11-may-2015.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada.
 

Friday, May 15, 2015

An International Conference on Family History in Quebec


 
There will be the Roots 2015 Conference held by the Quebec Family history Society in Montreal this summer from June 19 - 21, 2015 at McGill University. 

If you are already registered you know you will be -

  • Attending The largest English Language Genealogical Conference held in Quebec  
  • Listening to speakers with extensive knowledge and experience in genealogical research
  • Attending an Opening Ceremonies with a Special Guest Speaker
  • Enjoying a Gala Banquet with a Gourmet Meal and Live Entertainment
  • Receiving Gift Bags that Includes a Complementary Course for Genealogical Studies from a National Institute
  • Browsing and Shopping at a Genealogical Resource Fair
  • Winning Door Prizes 

However if you are NOT registered, it is not too LATE.

The early registration prices for members and non-members have been EXTENDED to June 19, 2015

Registration is simple and payment can be made online or by cheque

Since you are receiving this email you are eligible to select the lower registration price for members.

Your Membership Number appears at the top of the mailing label on the back cover of Connections.

If you cannot find it, leave the number blank and we will look it up for you.

For more Details including Registration go to http://www.qfhs.ca/

Come Expand your Genealogical Knowledge and Have Fun 
 
PS: A block of rooms for visitors has been reserved at McGill University New Residence Hall. These luxury hotel-style accommodations are in the center of Montreal and are priced at $89.00 per day. 
 
Contact the Residence directly at (514) 398 - 3471 or by email residence@megill.ca
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SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip!  Are you a cherry picker when it come to genealogy? When you see a name that you think belongs to your tree in an index, put it through a rigorous set of tests before you place the name is your tree. For example, is he/she from the correct place, and is he/she the correct age?   
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-11-may-2015.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada

UPDATE! LAC adds more service files online


As of today, 155,110 of 640,000 service files are available online, and you can see them by going to the Soldiers of the First World War: 1914-1918 database at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/canadian-expeditionary-force.aspx.

Library and Archives Canada is digitizing the service files systematically, from box 1 to box 10686, which roughly corresponds to alphabetical order.

The latest digitized box is #3518, which corresponds to the surname “Gilbert”

Please visit the Digitization of the Canadian Expedition Force Service Files at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/Pages/digitization-cef-service-files.aspx for more details on the digitization project.

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SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! Please note that over the years, the content of some boxes of the Soldiers of the First World War; 1914-1918 has had to be moved and, you might find that the file you want, with a surname that is supposed to have been digitized, is now located in another box that has not yet been digitized. You should phone the LAC at 1-866-578-7777 for more information.    
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-11-may-2015.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada

Artifacts from HMS Erebus on display this Victoria Day weekend



Don’t miss this rare chance to view artifacts recently recovered from the HMS Erebus, on display at the Canadian Museum of History this weekend only. The micro-exhibit features objects recovered during the recent Canada Park’s expedition in the High Arctic to research the famed Sir John Franklin shipwreck. Parks Canada staff will be on site to answer your questions.

The exhibit will be open to the public May 14–18, 2015 at the W.E. Taylor Salon
Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec. (The museum is located right across the river from Ottawa).

They also say that in 2017, the Museum, in collaboration with Parks Canada, will present a special exhibition on the search for the Northwest Passage and Sir John Franklin’s disastrous final voyage of 1845.

The website is http://www.historymuseum.ca/home

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SPECIAL OFFER!!!!!!!!!

Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

As a nod of the hat to the Ontario Genealogical Conference being held in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to May 31, may we take this opportunity to offer a month-long discount on our research and consultation services of 15% (ends 11 June at midnight).

Just go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services at www.elrs.biz, or send an email with the subject "special" to genealogyresearch@aol.com to see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor!
 
Research Tip! You should focus your research question when contacting a professional genealogist. The most popular question concerns the relationship of one person to another. For example, Who were the parents of Andrew Barclay who lived in Shelburne, Nova Scotia from 1783 to 1832? 
 
 
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Check the Canadian Week in Review every Monday morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada.

If you missed this week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/canadian-week-in-review-11-may-2015.html
 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada