Monday, June 29, 2015

Canadian Week in Review (CWR) - 29 June 2015



I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, 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 1774, the "Quebec Act" was passed by the British Parliament, establishing French civil law and the British system of criminal law in Quebec. As well, Roman Catholics were to have religious freedom. It also enlarged the province's borders to include Newfoundland and territory south of the Great Lakes.

For more information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Quebec_Act



In 1955, the laying of a transatlantic telephone cable began at Clarenville, Newfoundland.

For more information, go to http://strowger-net.telefoniemuseum.nl/tel_hist_tat1.html




In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier discovered Prince Edward Island

For information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Jacques_Cartier





Social Media

(Video) Timber! Crowd gathers to watch old mill implode in Saskatoon
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/timber-crowd-gathers-to-watch-old-mill-implode-in-saskatoon-1.3121465
   It woke up the neighbourhood, if you were not already up to watch.
   This morning, at least 100 people gathered on Saskatoon's west side to watch the 105-year-old Parrish & Heimbecker mill's demolition.

Articles

Newfoundland

Website reveals Newfoundland's best-kept secrets
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/website-reveals-newfoundland-s-best-kept-secrets-1.3120632
   Local adventurers have a new source of inspiration for their expeditions. A new website called Hidden Newfoundland is dedicated to revealing unknown and forgotten locations across the island for people to explore.
   The website called Hidden Newfoundland is at http://www.hiddennewfoundland.ca/

Quebec

NCC to preserve iconic Gatineau Strutt House as public pavilion
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ncc-to-preserve-iconic-gatineau-strutt-house-as-public-pavilion
   Gatineau’s iconic Strutt House, lauded by National Capital Commission CEO Mark Kristmanson as “a unique 20th century architectural treasure in the national capital,” will be preserved, rehabilitated, and opened as a public pavilion in time for Canada’s 150th birthday celebration in 2017.

Ontario

Champlain's legacy endures: Sudbury historian
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2015/06/22/champlains-legacy-enduresn-history-his-influence-on-canada-is-still-presentonepla

   This series has examined the life of Samuel de Champlain, his accomplishments and the mysteries surrounding him. This final part looks at how we relate to him and what we can learn from his life.

Is it too late to save Canada’s national horse?
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/06/19/is-it-too-late-to-save-canadas-national-horse.html
   There’s a common saying in the horse world: “A dog may be man’s best friend, but the horse wrote history.”
   In the case of Canada’s national horse, this saying couldn’t be more true.
   Yet as “le Cheval Canadien” celebrates its 350th anniversary this year, it’s pacing on the verge of extinction.

Manitoba

Gridiron Greats Exhibit Opens At Manitoba Sports Hall Of Fame
http://www.cjob.com/2015/06/23/gridiron-greats-exhibit/
   Tuesday marked the start of a brand new display at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, as “Gridiron Greats” opened through until November 22nd on the main floor of the Canada Games Sport For Life Centre at 145 Pacific Avenue.

Saskatchewan 

Possible changes to iconic traffic bridge concerns heritage advocate
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Possible+changes+iconic+traffic+bridge+concerns+heritage+advocate/11155185/story.htmlChanging
   The distinctive look and design of the Traffic Bridge replacement would represent a “tremendous loss” for Saskatoon, a heritage advocate says.

Alberta

Heritage quilts documented at guild anniversary
http://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/2015/06/23/heritage-quilts-documented-at-guild-anniversary
This initiative focuses on quilts made before 1970 to preserve a little bit of history of the trade and Canadians. The documentation ran alongside the Millet Arts and Crafts Guild’s 35th Anniversary, whose members also participated in the documentation process

British Columbia

Footprints found on a remote B.C. island could be 13,000 years old — the oldest in North America
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/footprints-found-on-a-remote-b-c-island-could-be-13000-years-old-the-oldest-in-north-america
   Evidence of what could be the oldest footprints in North America has been discovered below the shoreline of a remote British Columbia island.

The Stories This Week

Are people using the DNA correctly? 

I hear that it has become quite a concern to some genealogists that people are expecting their DNA test to tell them exactly where their ancestors are from, without verifying it with their paper records – a family tree. In fact, some people who have DNA done, don't even have a family tree. This is amazing, since the information sent with the DNA kit, tells you to consult and make a family tree!

They don’t ask - are my ancestors really from “x” place in England, for example. And in fact, some of these people don’t and will never make their paper records which would show them where their peoplr are from. They don’t see a need for it, now that DNA can answer all questions exactly who their ancestors were.

And then, to make it worse for themselves, they tell other people whose tree they may have seen on FamilySearch or at Ancestry, that they are their 5th cousin – only to find that they are in effect barking up the wrong tree.

It harkens back to the day, when people hooked themselves on to other people's tree if they thought they had the correct tree without doing the research.

So it all goes back to the old axiom, you must do your paper or computer family tree first, so that you can be sure that your ancestors are correct. Then, you can have your DNA done, and then proceed from there.



Cyndi's List is 20 years old this year! Congratulations, Cyndi Ingles!

What would we do without Cyndi's List? How many time have I use it – too many times to count. If you are looking for places to research, it should be your first place to stop on the Internet.

For the Canadians site, go to http://www.cyndislist.com/canada/

For a while , I was using the Canadian version of Cyndi\s List, the Canadian Genealogy & History Links at http://www.islandnet.com/~cghl/index.php. It's has been almost 8 years since anything has been done to the list, but I still check it, especially the personal websites that are there.



And this week, we will celebrate the 148th birthday of Canada on July 1 and the National History Week from July 1st to July 7th. 

Canada’s historical organizations, including museums, historical societies, and festivals, will be hosting activities during this week to get their communities involved in learning about our past.

The page is at http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1403094611161


  

I am taking the week off to go to Cornwall and Hawkesbury in eastern Ontario to do client research. All of my research notes are in order, the appointments have been made, the vet has been called, and the dog will be at “camp” that week while we are away. My husband and I will be in 'genealogist heaven' for the time that we are there!






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




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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-22-june-2015.html

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

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Scottish SIG Symposium



Scottish SIG Symposium this year will be held on August 21st from 8 am to 4:30 pm at the Courtyard by Marriott Brampton at 90 Biscayne Cres, Brampton, Ontario. 

It will be a full day of learning about Scottish genealogy.

There will be the following speakers -

Dave Naylor - will talk about DNA

 Melissa McAfee - Scottish Special Collections, University of Guelph

James Fraser - Chair, Scottish Studies, University of Guelph

Christine Woodcock - Dinnae Waste Yer Credits, Then - helping increase your success and reduce your wasted credits on the ScotlandsPeople Website

And Global Genealogy will be in the marketplace

Registration fees include continental breakfast and lunch.

You can register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/scottish-sig-symposium-tickets-15845340841

==================================================================

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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-22-june-2015.html

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

Friday, June 26, 2015

Rendez-vous 2017


The government announced yesterday that in connection with the lead-up to the 150th celebration of Canada's birthday in 2017, there will be a journey of tall ships that will cover Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

It will take place from June 29 to August 20, 2017, and you are encouraged to go and see them and take in the activities that will take place where they are in port.

 “The site of this magnificent regatta of ships along the shores of the St. Lawrence will no doubt remind Canadians of the golden years of sailing ships and our deep ties to the waterways of the land.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

The website is http://rendezvous2017.com/

  ==================================================================

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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-22-june-2015.html

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

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Awesome new series of activities at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa



If you live in Ottawa, or are having family and friends coming to visit over the summer, and kids are involved, here is something that the children may like to do on the last Sunday of the month at the Canadian War Museum -

Starting June 28, the Canadian War Museum and the Friends of the Canadian War Museum are pleased to present Awesome Sundays, an exciting new series of activities for the whole family. On the last Sunday of every month, visitors can take part in exciting demonstrations, hands-on activities and take-home crafts. 

All activities are free with Museum admission. Each month will feature a different theme.

The first three Awesome Sundays are

 Awesome Colosseum Sunday, June 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., LeBreton Gallery Construction of the Colosseum in Rome took about a decade, with inauguration ceremonies that lasted 100 days. Join us as we build and celebrate the Colosseum, in a single weekend! Learn about the ancient Colosseum with a “virtual reality” trip back in time, then work alongside others to build a Roman amphitheatre with Mega Bloks®. Take a ride in a Roman-style chariot, check out ancient Roman fashion and etch your own Roman-style graffiti to take home. Related event: Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., LeBreton Gallery — Colosseum Mega Bloks® construction

In conjunction with the temporary exhibition Gladiators and the Colosseum – Death and Glory.

Awesome Tanks Sunday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Plaza and LeBreton Gallery, Did you know that some of the Museum’s tanks still run? Feel the rumble of their massive engines and witness history in motion at our vehicle demonstrations. Chat with Museum staff and get close to these powerful machines. Explore military technology through a display of over 100 model tanks and armoured vehicles.

Meet members of the Ottawa Valley Armour Modellers Association and learn more about their fascinating hobby. Then decorate your own delicious tank ... cookie!

Awesome Gladiators Sunday, August 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., LeBreton Gallery

In ancient Rome, gladiators trained hard for the high-stakes spectacle of gladiatorial games. Learn more as you watch actors demonstrate ancient Roman fighting techniques. After the demonstration, visitors ages 16 and under can try their hand at these techniques using special equipment and make their own gladiatorial shield to take home.

In conjunction with the temporary exhibition Gladiators and the Colosseum – Death and Glory.

For a list of Awesome Sunday themes and activities planned for the fall and winter, please visit http://www.warmuseum.ca later this summer.

 ==================================================================

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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-22-june-2015.html

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

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Polar Medal



A press release from the Prime Minister of Canada office was received today - 

“Prime Minister Stephen Harper today welcomed the announcement of the creation of a Canadian Polar Medal. As Sovereign and font of all honours, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has given her approval to this addition to the Canadian Honours System.

The Polar Medal will recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the Canadian North across a diverse range of endeavours.

The design of the new medal was released earlier today by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. The medal program will be managed by the Chancellery of Honours as part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, which is responsible for administering the Canadian Honours System”

The Polar Medal will celebrate Canada’s Northern heritage and recognize persons who render extraordinary services in the polar regions and Canada's North.

The call for nominations will start fall 2015

The website is http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=16120&lan=eng

==================================================================

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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-22-june-2015.html

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

"Demolish the Deficit” Fund is starting to move


As I reported on May 30, 2015 blog post at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/05/is-there-another-canadian-genealogy.html, I commented on the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society Demolish the Deficit fundraiser. At the time, I said I would keep my eye on it, and there has been positive movement.

Nearly half of the 2015 goal of $12,000 - $6,526 has been raised so far!

So there is hope that the society can raise the rest of the money, and return to it’s former self as an vibrant Canadian genealogical society.

If you would like to contribute, you can contact them at their website at http://www.saskgenealogy.com/

==================================================================


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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-22-june-2015.html

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

Monday, June 22, 2015

Canadian Week in Review (CWR) - 22 June 2015


I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, 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

Upper Canada’s last fatal duel happened on June 13, 1833 in Perth, Ontario.

To read more about the duel between John Wilson and Robert Lyon. Both were law students in Perth.

War of 1812

On June 18, 1812, the war of 1812 started, and it ended in 1815. Part of the force was made up of Canadians, and it is heart wrenching  to read about their courage to defend Canada.  
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/war-of-1812/

IH.M.S. Shannon Leading Her Prize the American Frigate Chesapeake into Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. 


Podcasts

There are over 200 archived episodes available on their website, TodayInCanadianHistory.ca, or downloadable as podcasts from iTunes.

A great way to hear what the experts have to say!

To listen to the podcasts, go to http://cjsw.com/program/tich/

Social Media

(Photos) Old Shubenacadie Canal route in Dartmouth to house interpretive park
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/old-shubenacadie-canal-route-in-dartmouth-to-house-interpretive-park-1.3114119
150 years of industrial history exposed in one Dartmouth site. Is is a parcel of land in downtown Dartmouth that used to house Starr Manufacturing, one of the world's first skate manufacturing plants.

(Video) Allan Hawco, Mark Critch to trace steps of Newfoundland Regiment in new documentary
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/allan-hawco-mark-critch-to-trace-steps-of-newfoundland-regiment-in-new-documentary-1.3113670
A new film about the Newfoundland Regiment's role in World War I will feature two familiar personalities from the province.

(Photos and Video) Picking up the pieces: Paperwork tells story of Halifax Explosion survivors
http://thechronicleherald.ca/thenovascotian/1293139-picking-up-the-pieces-paperwork-tells-story-of-halifax-explosion-survivors
Overwhelming tales of loss and incredible stories of recovery are all right there – in the bureaucratic paperwork.
   Retired history professor David Sutherland spends many of his days at the Nova Scotia Archives, poring through seemingly endless strips of microfilm.

Articles

Nova Scotia

Campaign puts spotlight on heritage lighthouses
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1293545-campaign-puts-spotlight-on-heritage-lighthouses
A national campaign is shining a light on Nova Scotia’s heritage lighthouses.
   The National Trust for Canada, formerly the Heritage Canada Foundation, and the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Protection Society have partnered together in the This Lighthouse Matters contest, a fundraising initiative hoping to raise money for and awareness of Nova Scotia’s unique lighthouse culture.

Prince Edward Island

Two county lighthouses to be saved
http://countylive.ca/blog/?p=53417&cpage=1
Just prior to the expiry of the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, the county heritage advocacy group, Save Our Lighthouses, was informed the Scotch Bonnet Island and Prince Edward Point lighthouses would be preserved by the Government of Canada.

New Brunswick

Gagetown, N.B., steeped in history and tranquil haven for those escaping city life
http://news.nationalpost.com/life/travel/gagetown-n-b-steeped-in-history-and-tranquil-haven-for-those-escaping-city-life
The Village of Gagetown, in southern New Brunswick, is often described as a tranquil haven for those escaping the rush of city life.
   The tiny community, just 35 minutes east of the provincial capital of Fredericton, is steeped in history and a favourite place for visitors who love wildlife, boating, and arts and crafts.

Historic Saint John church holding final service after sale
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/historic-saint-john-church-holding-final-service-after-sale-1.3108449
St. George's-St. Jude's Anglican Church was founded in 1821 and is a designated historic site. It will reopen as a resturant and as a wedding chapel.

Ontario

Stayner student's history project focuses on the family farm
http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/5679324-stayner-student-s-history-project-focuses-on-the-family-farm/
Oliviaq Walker peeled back the layers of history to present life on the family farm.

THE JOY OF GENEALOGY: Remember our fathers and the sacrifices they made
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/5679386-the-joy-of-genealogy-remember-our-fathers-and-the-sacrifices-they-made/
The month of June brings about so many celebrations: the June solstice and the beginning of summer, National Aboriginal Day, which provides a chance to learn more about Aboriginal people and their contributions to the country and Father’s Day, which gives us a chance to express our gratitude and love for our dads and other special father figures.

Peterborough Museum & Archives

http://www.mykawartha.com/shopping-story/5666228-peterborough-museum-archives/
Through stories, images, exhibits, and so much more, The Peterborough Museum & Archives traces the people, land, and rich collective heritage of Peterborough, Ontario.

First Capital Day worthy of a civic holiday in 2016
http://www.thewhig.com/2015/06/14/first-capital-day-worthy-of-a-civic-holiday-in-2016
It is hard to think of another community in Canada - with the exception, perhaps, of Quebec City - that stands to benefit as much from its proud role in Canadian history as does Kingston.

Alberta

Uncovering history along the eroding Bow River
http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/uncovering-history-along-the-eroding-bow-river
A new archeological site along the Bow River has a checkered history with flooding.
   The teepee circle, a ring of sandstone blocks that mark the outline of a teepee, was covered by silt in a flood between 500 and 1,000 years ago, preserving the site. But after the Bow flooded in 2013, this bank in Fish Creek Park was eroded, washing away part of the site.

History Road rolls on with more than 600 vehicles http://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/2015/06/17/history-road-rolls-on-with-more-than-600-vehicles
The Reynolds-Alberta Museum hosted some of the nicest, rarest and most classic cars, bikes and other vehicles at History Road: The Ultimate Car Show weekend June 13-14, in partnership with AMA Insurance and the City of Wetaskiwin.

British Columbia

In Shaughnessy, New Heritage District to Halt Character Home Demolitions
http://thetyee.ca/News/2015/06/17/Shaughnessy-New-Heritage-District/
Richard Keate keeps a map of his neighbourhood at home. He's saddened every time he has to mark a demolition.
   "My records are 56 pre-1940 houses have come down," Keate said of Shaughnessy's fallen character homes. Heritage Vancouver counted 51 in 2012.

Hidden history of African American settlers in Wellington, B.C. uncovered
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/hidden-history-of-african-american-settlers-in-wellington-b-c-uncovered-1.3114170
Jimmy Claxton, the first black man to play organized baseball in the 20th century, is one of the most well-known black Canadians in history.
  But Nanaimo Community Archives manager Christine Meutzner has always believed Claxton's couldn't have been the only black family living in Wellington, B.C., where he was born in 1892.

The Stories This Week


Canadian Online Indexes

Indexes are the life blood of genealogy. We use them all the time. When we come across a new parson, or to see what’s out there for an event, we usually use an index. And of course, online societies, archives, libraries, businesses all understand this – they want to create and sell us access to plenty of indexes.

We must remember though, that indexes are NOT records, and we cannot source them as records. They are simply a finding aid to help us locate the records that we will use. And remember, not everything has been indexed. Look as hard as we may, not everything has been indexed – and may never be. For example, I am sure that that not every vital record (birth, marriages, deaths) in Canada has been indexed.

So this week, just by pure coincidence, two Canadian genealogists wrote about online indexes.

First all of, Jane McNamara has put some Ontario indexes online in her blog http://wherethestorytakesme.ca/top25/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WhereTheStoryTakesMe+%28Where+the+story+takes+me%29

She has called her posts Big indexes to consider for every Ontario ancestor.

There was one index that I hadn’t studied before, and it was the Indexes of Estate Files (Before 1859) and Surrogate Court Records by County and District (After 1858).

I took the time to look over the information that has been indexed and put it in my research took-box (you can build your own), and it now will be there for me to research whenever I need it.

And I, your genealogist blogger, have started a stint with Family History Daily at http://familyhistorydaily.com/ called 10 free Canadian Genealogy Websites and I am writing about – guess what – Canadian indexes! It's at http://familyhistorydaily.com/free-genealogy-resources/10-free-canadian-genealogy-websites/

To Canadian researchers, these are familiar indexes, but to the beginning genealogists, especially people not from our county, it can help you to find the correct indexes, which can be a daunting experience.

One of my greatest bug-a-boos is that the Library and Archives Canada has uploaded all of these microfilm to Heritage, and none of them are indexed. They say that they want them to be indexed, so I am waiting to see how this is done. And as I understand it, FamilyResearch is going to start putting unindexed microfilm online from their storage facility at the Granite Mountain in Salt Lake City. So it looks like the wave of the future, which will present new challenges to the genealogists.

So it is up to us, writers and genealogists, to keep the community aware of new developments on indexes as they come along.

Got any favourite indexes of your own you would like to share? It can be a new or old index, but there are plenty to choose from in the field of Canadian indexes.

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



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

If you missed last week’s edition, it is at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-15-june-2015.html

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