Tuesday, July 7, 2015

How about changing the term “Meetings”?


What I mean by this is “Meetings” is getting to be an old term. Something out of the 20th century. How about calling them something different, like the Toronto Family History Branch has done. They now call their meetings and special events Learn with Toronto Branch.

And isn't that why we hold meetings – to learn?

September will be a busy month with them, with a three-session course taught by Carol Nichols on how to make the most of Ancestry.ca Library Edition running on Wednesday afternoons. Carol’s course, titled Hands-On Ancestry.ca Library Edition, will be followed by three drop-in sessions at the Toronto Reference Library, again on Wednesday afternoons, where you can practice your Ancestry.ca skills with the help of volunteers from the Toronto Branch Members Network.

On Friday 18 September, they present a special two-hour afternoon lecture by professional genealogist Chris Paton on his research into the hardships endured by our Scottish ancestors.

And on Saturday 19 September, Chris will be back with us together with historian Dr. William Roulston for a full-day workshop on Irish Genealogy—Focus on Ulster. This workshop is aimed at family historians researching ancestors in the nine counties in the historic province of Ulster, but many of the topics discussed will be of relevance to Irish research generally.

They are now accepting registrations for all of the above courses and events.

Visit their Learn with Toronto Branch pages at http://torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/ to read about the program and details and to sign up online. We expect to open registration for October and November courses in late July.

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


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/2015/07/cwr-06-july-2015.html

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

Monday, July 6, 2015

Canadian Week in Review 06 July 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 1784, Britain split the colony of Nova Scotia into three separate colonies: New Brunswick, Cape Breton Island, and present-day peninsular Nova Scotia. The capital city was Sydney.

In 1820, the colony of Cape Breton Island was once again merged with Nova Scotia.
To read more information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Breton_Island



In 1833, Capt. John Ross and 19 of his crew were rescued from Baffin Island. After their ship became ice-bound, they survived by living with Inuit for three years.

He led three Arctic expeditions, the last one in 1850, when he set out to find Sir John Franklin. Upon returning, he settled in Scotland, and died in London in 1856.
For further information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ross_(Arctic_explorer)

Social Media

(Photos) History of Digby’s old public clock – new town clock to be dedicated this Saturday
http://www.novanewsnow.com/Community/2015-06-18/article-4187122/History-of-Digby%26rsquo%3Bs-old-public-clock-%26ndash%3B-new-town-clock-to-be-dedicated-this-Saturday/1
Digby’s new town clock will be the first one on Water Street since 1963, when the old post office was torn down.

Articles

Nova Scotia

Why no Loyalist Day for Nova Scotia?
http://www.digbycourier.ca/News/Local/2015-06-18/article-4186796/Why-no-Loyalist-Day-for-Nova-Scotia%3F/1
The Loyalists' arrival in Nova Scotia after the American Revolution doubled the province’s population, and today 20 percent or more of Nova Scotians could have an ancestor who was a United Empire Loyalist.

Local lighthouse competing for top prize
http://www.guysboroughjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82:local-lighthouse-competing-for-top-prize&catid=42:front-page-stories
The Port Bickerton Lighthouse is battling it out with other lighthouses in Nova Scotia in Heritage Canada’s “This Lighthouse Matters” crowd-funding competition, which began June 17.
Parks Canada has just named 74 lighthouses at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/lhn-nhs/pp-hl/page01.aspx

Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf remembered over Bedford Days
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/vice-admiral-harry-dewolf-remembered-over-bedford-days-1.3128308
Thousands of people will celebrate Bedford Days over the weekend, and many will do so in DeWolf Park, the waterfront hub for the Halifax community.
   Few may know the man who gave the park its name: Bedford resident and naval hero, Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf.

Prince Edward Island

Battle of Waterloo P.E.I. veteran celebrated
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/battle-of-waterloo-p-e-i-veteran-celebrated-1.3119725
A ceremony Thursday commemorated a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo, whose grave was recently discovered in a small community in eastern P.E.I.

Feasts, workshops from Macphail's new kitchen
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/feasts-workshops-from-macphail-s-new-kitchen-1.3127083
A newly-renovated kitchen at P.E.I.'s Sir Andrew MacPhail Homestead is allowing the historic property to expand its programming.

New Brunswick

Birch bark canoe from 1800s fails to excite museum community
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/birch-bark-canoe-from-1800s-fails-to-excite-museum-community-1.3112010
The canoe is around 195 years old, and it has been stored upside down in Richard Paul's garage. It is wrapped carefully in plastic to keep its fragile web of ribs and birch bark intact.

Manitoba

Don Murray Museum collection goes to auction
http://www.mywestman.ca/community-news/3947-don-murray-museum-collection-goes-to-auction.html
In a two-day auction to be held July 4 and 5, Don Murray will disburse his extensive collection of antiques, collectibles, and artifacts from his private on-site museum.

Alberta

Historic church gateway to Alberta’s past
http://www.cochranetimes.com/2015/06/18/historic-church-gateway-to-albertas-past
A solitary church stands near a natural ford by the Bow River along Highway 1A between Cochrane and Morley.
   In its 140th year, the George McDougall Memorial United Church is a monument to what once was, and a reflection to what has developed since.

Grain elevators as art in Spruce Grove
http://www.sprucegroveexaminer.com/2015/06/26/grain-elevators-as-art-in-spruce-grove
Last weekend was a busy one for the Spruce Grove Agricultural Society as they played host to the Alberta Grain Elevator Society (AGES) and its membership from across the province

The Stories This Week

Read the whole census, please!
One thing that beginning genealogists don’t do is read enough. And they would say, “I read everything. I have never had so much to read in all my life – history, immigration, profile ...”.

But I ask, “When you try to find your ancestor in the 1851/52 census, for example, do you read every page of the census? There may be facts lying there in the weeds, so to speak, which you may not discover on the first reading of the census report of that particular area that the ancestor is from.”

For example, the census of this particular effort was taken by an English-speaking enumerator. When it came to surnames, he wrote down what he heard. And since many of the people were French – the surnames are somewhat “tortured”, so to speak.

Second, there are a number of pages to this particular census.

If you can’t find your ancestor, maybe they were in jail, for instance. On this particular census, two people were in jail, and the enumerator wrote them on the last pages of the census – albeit removed a number of pages from where I was looking at my ancestor.

Also, on the first pages of the census, the enumerator wrote a small description of the village in which he gave a picture of the place as it was in 1851/1852.

So the moral of the story is to watch what you read. Make sure you read all of the census, and don't disregard the "small stuff:".

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


 Canada Day Contest


This year, for the annual Canada Day Contest sponsored by the Canadian Week in Review, the skill-testing question is -

This year, Canadians celebrate the birthday of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The question is - When was his birthday, and where was he born? Hint: Like a true immigrant, he wasn't born in Canada!

One winner will be drawn from the correct entries.

The lucky contestant will get a free consultation with me in which they will be told of some of the places they can look to hopefully discover the year in which their Canadian ancestor immigrated to Canada, or some other detail.

The contest will close at the end of Canada History Week at midnight on Wednesday, 07 July 2015.

Place "Canada Day Contest" in the subject of the email to genealogyreserch@aol.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-29-june-2015.html

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

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Dear Myrt’s Beginning Genealogy Study Group: What did I learn?



As I promised in my blog on 06 January 2015 at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/01/beginning-genealogy-study-group.html, I watched Dear Myrt’s Beginning Genealogy Study Group to its conclusion, and this will be my last post in this series.

So what did I learn?

Contrary to what I said in the last post I made that it was starting to get confusing, the confusion was cleared up in the last two sessions/ I was able to review the sessions of the study group, and here is what I learned -


that I should add to my Canadian Research Toolkit. Just like Cousin Russ, who built the American Research Toolkit at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CXE1JFJ9HJaaGsbUPe7y0iPUX6_xnakSVL7S9XBIqUo/edit?usp=sharing we should build one of our own. There is also a Scottish Research Toolkit at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WctuJalvphJk9mQWVzbJuRcnrgT01EQjusfvrCDkBd0/edit#gid=1716377541, since Dear Myrt and Claire V. Brisson-Banks are presenting the Scottish Study Group.

The second thing I leaned was that, as Cousin Russ said, you should research one record group at a time. I usually start with the census records, and then the vital statistics records, and so forth. I was sort of doing this anyway, before it was mentioned in the study group by Cousin Russ, but it helped to hear someone else say it, and to put it into words that everyone could understand.

I extend a big thank you to Dear Myrt, Cousin Russ, the panelists, and the community for bringing this to us over 20 sessions. It is well worth it to take some time out of my busy day to listed to all of the sessions. Very well done!

Remember to make yourself a member of Dear Myrt’s Genealogy Community before watching the YouTube Google+ Hangout on Air at https://plus.google.com/communities/104382659430904043232
================================================
Canada Day Contest
This year, for the annual Canada Day Contest sponsored by the Canadian Week in Review, the skill-testing question is -

This year, Canadians celebrate the birthday of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The question is - When was his birthday, and where was he born? Hint: Like a true immigrant, he wasn't born in Canada!

One winner will be drawn from the correct entries.

The lucky contestant will get a free consultation with me in which they will be told of some of the places they can look to hopefully discover the year in which their Canadian ancestor immigrated to Canada, or some other detail.

The contest will close at the end of Canada History Week at midnight on Wednesday, 07 July 2015.

Place 'Canada Day Contest" in the subject of the email to
genealogyreserch@aol.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-29-june-2015.html
 

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

Friday, July 3, 2015

Family History Conference in Ottawa


Marianne Rasmus, in charge of publicity at the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa's (BIFHSGO) Conference Planning Committee, has just informed me that registration is now open.

Marianne tells us that this year's conference will take place from September 18 to 20, 2015 in Ottawa.

The conference themes will be -

Scottish Family History

Photographs in Genealogy

Technology for Genealogists

They will also have a fantastic slate of speakers, including Maureen Taylor, Chris Paton and Thomas MacEntee.

Pre-conference workshops are also offered.

The program and registration information are available on the BIFHSGO website at http://www.bifhsgo.ca.

Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 14, 2015.

Please note the new conference venue: Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa, Ontario.

 ===============================================================
Canada Day Contest

This year, for the annual Canada Day Contest sponsored by the Canadian Week in Review, the skill-testing question is -

This year, Canadians celebrate the birthday of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The question is - When was his birthday, and where was he born? Hint: Like a true immigrant, he wasn't born in Canada!

One winner will be drawn from the correct entries.

The lucky contestant will get a free consultation with me in which they will be told of some of the places they can look to hopefully discover the year in which their Canadian ancestor immigrated to Canada, or some other detail.

The contest will close at the end of Canada History Week at midnight on Wednesday, 07 July 2015.

Place 'Canada Day Contest" in the subject of the email to genealogyreserch@aol.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-29-june-2015.html
 

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

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Extra news items

Here are some news items which have come across the desk this week -


News has come to me that the Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Ottawa—first reported to our readers here in http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/02/canadian-week-in-review-09-february-2015.html (the story appears under Stories of the Week)—has turned out to be an ever-changing saga.

I understand from the latest news is that the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Heritage Ottawa, and two architects are taking the National Capital Commission’s decision to begin decontamination of the site for the Memorial to the Victims of Communism to court.

Hmmm, this could changes things a bit, doesn't it?

This is right behind last week's meeting that the National Capital Commission had with interested parties to show them some of the changes that had been suggested to the design of the memorial, such as -

 - that the five folded sheets of steel called “Memory Folds,” will reach up eight metres, not 14.3 meters high

 - that the foot bridge (Bridge of Hope) will be five metres high, down from 11, and there will not be a proposed elevator inside

 - that the whole project will be farther back from Wellington Street, and it will be settled or “nestled” behind a natural earth berm. Apparently, this would reduce its visibility on the street view

But it will still be located in front of the Supreme Court, next to the Library and Archives Canada, and won't be moved to the Gardens of the Provinces park across the street from the Library and Archives Canada that was its original site.



The Library and Archives Canada has released studies of photographs that you may interesting -

These photographs of Oscar Peterson and his family which were taken in 1944 is at http://thediscoverblog.com/2015/06/26/oscar-peterson/.

Also, there is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Tour of Western Canada – Visit to Jasper National Park, which was commissioned as a trip across the country.

His trip can be viewed at http://thediscoverblog.com/2015/06/25/sir-arthur-conan-doyle-tour-of-western-canada-visit-to-jasper-national-park/



It has been suggested by Fin Armsworthy, the Municipality of the District of Guysborough councillor, that the town of Canso, Cape Breton, may be interested in hosting The Never Forgotten National Memorial, which was first reported to our readers in the June post under the title of Is the Never Forgotten National Momument going to be built?

You can read  the post at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/06/is-never-forgotten-national-momument.html

When a meeting is held July 8, Armsworthy intends to bring it forward to the rest of the members, and ask for public consultations to have it construed at Canso.

Stay tuned for future developments.

Until next time, this is what crossed my desk this week.

===============================================================
Canada Day Contest


This year, for the annual Canada Day Contest sponsored by the Canadian Week in Review, the skill-testing question is -

This year, Canadians celebrate the birthday of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The question is - When was his birthday, and where was he born? Hint: Like a true immigrant, he wasn't born in Canada!

One winner will be drawn from the correct entries.

The lucky contestant will get a free consultation with me in which they will be told of some of the places they can look to hopefully discover the year in which their Canadian ancestor immigrated to Canada, or some other detail.

The contest will close at the end of Canada History Week at midnight on Wednesday, 07 July 2015.

Place 'Canada Day Contest" in the subject of the email to genealogyreserch@aol.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-29-june-2015.html
 

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

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Canada Day at the Museum


Today is Canada's 148th birthday!

If you want to do something different this year to celebrate Canada's birthday, how about going to the events being held at the Canadian Museum of History today, located right across the river from Parliament Hill in Ottawa?

They are planning a whole day of FREE activities from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Family Fun with Music
At 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. in the Grand Hall

Family Fun with Crafts
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Canadian Children’s Museum

Adventures with Odysseus
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the exhibition, The Greeks – Agamemnon to Alexander the Great

The website is http://www.historymuseum.ca/event/canada-day-at-the-museum/

And right cross from the museum is Jacques Cartier Park, where you can also take part in Canada Day activities http://canadaday.gc.ca/eng/1399923093900/1399923177644

Enjoy yourself, and above all – Have fun!

Canada Day Contest

This year, for the annual Canada Day Contest sponsored by the Canadian Week in Review, the skill-testing question is -

This year, Canadians celebrate the birthday of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The question is - When was his birthday, and where was he born? Hint: Like a true immigrant, he wasn't born in Canada!

One winner will be drawn from the correct entries.

The lucky contestant will get a free consultation with me in which they will be told of some of the places they can look to hopefully discover the year in which their Canadian ancestor immigrated to Canada, or some other detail.

The contest will close at the end of Canada History Week at midnight on Wednesday, 07 July 2015.

Place 'Canada Day Contest" in the subject of the email to genealogyreserch@aol.com

Good luck to all, and Happy Canada Day!

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Annual Seminar 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia


Merv Scott, the Project Director of the Victoria Genealogical Society (the one in British Columbia, Canada) writes to tell me that they have finalized their program for their Annual Seminar, and registration is now open at http://www.victoriags.org/seminar.php

The date of the seminar is October 24, 2015 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and it will be held at St. Aidan’s Church Hall, 3703 St Aidan's Street, Victoria, BC.

They will have an impressive lineup of speakers to address this year's theme - Creating Connections Through DNA: Genetic Genealogy in the Digital Age.

Some of the speakers will be -

Barbara Johnson has a degree in Medical Microbiology, and has taught science both at elementary school and with Pacific Science Center

Wedlidi Speck, a hereditary chief of the Namgis First Nation, is Director of Aboriginal Service Change with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Stuart Rennie is a Lawyer, Records and Information Management and Information Governance consultant as well as an Adjunct Professor at UBC in the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies.

Merv says that “Some of your followers might like the idea of enjoying our beautiful fall weather. Combining a trip to Victoria and all it has to offer with a day of genealogy with like minded people - what could be better"?

The website is www.victoriags.org

The Seminar website is http://www.victoriags.org/seminar.php

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

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

More Vital Statistics added to Nova Scotia Archives database



 An additional 26,625 historical vital statistics have been added at www.novascotiagenealogy.com

These records were released on 31 December 2014 and they have been digitized, fully indexed and checked for quality control.

This year's posting include 15,123 births (1914), 5,086 marriages (1939) and 6,416 deaths (1964).

As usual, the birth records include some 'delayed' entries for individuals born in 1914 (or earlier) but not registered until a later date.

Meanwhile, FamilySearch has added more Nova Scotia indexed records, such as -

Nova Scotia Deaths, 1864-1871

27,717 images organized by county (Annapolis, Antigonish, Cape Breton, Colchester, Cumberland, Digby, Guysborough, Halifax, Hants, Inverness, Kings, Lunenburg, Pictou, Queens, Richmond, Shelburne, Victoria, Yarmouth) and year range.

The site is at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2242825

Nova Scotia Marriage, 1864-1918

21,950 images organized in the same way as above.

The site is at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2242886

Nova Scotia Births, 1864-1877

35,025 images organized in the same way.

The site is at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2243378

If you are looking for an Nova Scotian ancestor, I would advise you to look through the entire section, because I have found births, marriages and deaths on each roll of microfilm, regardless if it says, for instance, Nova Scotia Deaths. Although, through FamilySearch, you do have direct access to the records, that may not be available elsewhere.

 Happy Researching!

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

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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-29-june-2015.html

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

Monday, June 29, 2015

Ancestry.ca is FREE!

 

It is Canada's birthday on July 1st, and Ancestry.ca will be FREE until Midnight July 1st ET. 

And that is FREE access to all Canadian records.

You will need to register for free with Ancestry.ca with your name and email address.

Once registered a user name and password will be sent by email.

After July 1, 2015, you will only be able to view these records using an Ancestry.ca paid membership.

Go to http://home.ancestry.ca/

Happy Researching!

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

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/2015/06/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-29-june-2015.html

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

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

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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 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/

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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 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.

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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 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

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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 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