Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 09 May 2016



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 

Saint John, New Brunswick 

In 1789, the Loyalist United Empire settlements of Parrtown and Carleton became Saint John, New Brunswick. It was Canada's first incorporated city. 

Today, it is known as the Fundy City, and be sure to read about the city's firsts. It is quite astounding for a city, today's population of about 70,000. 

If you would like to learn more, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_John,_New_Brunswick 

Montreal's First School  

In 1658, Montreal's first school, the Ville-Marie School, was opened in a stable. 

Governor Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve ceded to Marguerite Bourgeoys, and commissioned an abandoned stable to build the first school in Ville-Marie for the dozen or so school-aged children in the colony. 

To read about the school, go to http://www.archivesvirtuelles-cnd.org/en/node/2895


Social Media 

Audio: Ottawa colouring book 'total love letter' to capital 


Sharpen your pencil crayons — an Ottawa-themed colouring book featuring drawings from local artists is coming in the capital. 

Jason Cobill and Maxime Gauthier-Kwan were awarded a $1,000 Awesome Ottawa grant for their Ottawa in Colour project that reflects life in the capital. 

Newspaper Articles 

Nova Scotia 

In-class Gaelic program to be offered 


Baile nan Gàidheal/Highland Village will offer an in-class Gaelic program for students from May 16-19, to celebrate Gaelic Awareness Month. 

Halifax to consider scrubbing city of Edward Cornwallis 


Cornwallis founded Halifax in 1749. Later that year, he issued a bounty on the scalps of Mi'kmaq men, women and children. 

Demolition of Young Avenue mansion halted over safety concerns 


Demolition of a large home called the Cleveland Estate — also known as the wedding cake house — on Young Avenue in Halifax is temporarily on hold after an occupational health and safety officer discovered safety issues at the site. 

Ontario 

JOY OF GENEALOGY: The family Bible is a great place to research your family tree 


Old bibles may contain the trilogy of family records: births, marriages and deaths. Perhaps even more. Maybe an elusive maiden name is listed in the marriage records or a baptism is recorded for a child you didn’t know existed. 

Tecumseh statue to mark important War of 1812 battle 


Mark Williams can finally sit back and take in the life-size statue of Chief Tecumseh in his garage art studio. 

Standing almost three metres high, there is plenty of detail to look at with the statue carved out of clay and Styrofoam over the past six months. Williams now has the delicate task of cutting the statue into pieces so it can be sent off to be bronzed. 

Hundreds Gather at First Canadian Black History Summit 


Nearly 500 people recently gathered for the inaugural Canadian Black History Summit held in a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The free conference, held April 16, 2016, was co-hosted by the nonprofit FamilySearch International (the genealogical arm of the Church) and the Ontario Black History Society. 

Families of the Kawarthas: The Batten Family 


Richard Batten came to Canada and died 1833 Mar 30, intestate (no will). His younger brother, William of Dummer, requested admon as the only relative in Upper Canada (admon is the legal permission to administer an intestate estate). 

Manitoba 

Winnipeg walkabout

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2016/05/04/winnipeg-walkabout

I would have been more engaged in history class if my teachers included more about how our city evolved, but for whatever reason there was little discussion about local past events.

Winnipeg’s roots are quite entertaining — just ask Matt Carreau, who has been organizer of Jane’s Walk the past six years.

Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame and Museum moving archives online 

http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/05/03/manitoba-curling-museum-moving-archives-online.html

The Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame and Museum (MCHFM) announced during its annual hall of fame induction ceremony on May 1 that it has begun developing an online display of its vast collection of curling artefacts.

The decision to migrate the archives into a digital space follows the museum’s display spaces at The Forks and later the Bay downtown being lost.

Alberta

U of L’s Centre for Oral History and Tradition to offer public workshops 

http://www.nantonnews.com/2016/05/03/u-of-ls-centre-for-oral-history-and-tradition-to-offer-public-workshops

Oral history projects help bring the past to life through the voices of people who lived at the time. Members of the University of Lethbridge’s Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT), in partnership with the Galt Museum and Archives, are offering their expertise as oral historians to help southern Albertans make their projects a reality

British Columbia 

Further recollections of the historical society 

http://www.pinchercreekecho.com/2016/05/03/further-recollections-of-the-historical-society 

In last week’s Living History article, we had a look back at some of the chronicles of the Pincher Creek and District Historical Society. This year, 2016, marks the half-century celebrations of this agency which operates the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village so it seems fitting to take a look back at some of its own history.

Canadian Stories this Week 

Have you completed your census yet? 

That has been the question on Canadian minds this week as our census has been distributed across Canada. The people have responded with unbounded joy when they filled it out, especially when they received the long-form census this week.

In fact, the StatsCan website confirms to CBC News that service to census was interrupted for 45 minutes this week. That is unheard of – especially for the county's census.

Genealogists has ticked off the box which say that they want their census information to be made public in 92 years, so we have made our wished made.

You have until May 10th to send it in.

You can read the website http://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/census-2016-nerds-1.3563808

Canadian blogger attends NGS 2016

As we approach the Ontario Genealogical Society's conference next month, the US NGS 2016 had their conference at Fort Lauderdale this week, and Christine Woodcock, the well-known Canadian blogger, posted Poor Turn Out at NGS 2016 was quite surprised that a low number had attended.

She asks why attendance was so light. But I think all attendance at conference is low since the early 2000's. It has been in the OGS, as well as attendance in the membership, year by year.

The reason for that? There are many reasons – the rise of Webinars, Goggle+ Hangouts, Live Streaming of certain lectures, the rise of look-ups on the Internet by hobby genealogists, the rise of DNA which lead the hobby genealogists to think that they have their solve genealogy; whereas, they may have not and they give up, the causes are many – often too numerous to delineate. But it all goes back to the rise of the Internet, and people have to put parts of their genealogy on the Net for free, and people can't see the advantage of going to conferences.  

Read the post at http://scottishgenealogytipsntricks.blogspot.com/2016/05/poor-turn-out-at-ngs-2016.html

And that was the week in Canadian news!

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012!

Be sure to tell your friends about us.

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go towww.elrs.biz

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 02 May 2016




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 

Women in Nova Scotia were granted the right to vote 

In 1918, women in Nova Scotia were granted the right to vote. 

Nova Scotia was the 6th province in which women were granted the right to vote and hold office on 26 April 1918 after the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario. 




Roman Catholic Jesuits arrived in Canada at Quebec from France

In 1625, the first Roman Catholic Jesuits arrived in Canada at Quebec from France 

The Jesuits first came to New France as missionaries in 1611. Pierre Biard and Enemond Massé arrived at Port-Royal on 22 May 1611. Massé was driven out of Acadia by the English but was among the first group of Jesuits who arrived at Québec in June 1625. 



Social Media 

(Photos) HANTS HISTORY: April 28, 2016 edition 


 Here's a look at what was making the news 25 and 50 years ago in the Hants Journal


But once I started to follow the Lighthouse Route, along the southwest coast between Yarmouth and Halifax, I was also made aware of the fascinating history of this part of our province, especially with regard to the United Empire Loyalists. 

My hometown! And it is the town that my paternal grandfather helped to found in 1783! Everything he says about it is true, it's a living museum. 

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland-Labrador

More than half of N.L. libraries closing in wake of budget cuts 


The library board in Newfoundland and Labrador announced sweeping changes to its services Wednesday, adopting a regional library model which will see 54 branches close in the next two years. 

Nova Scotia

Huge granite harvest table assembled in Grand Pré 


The long-anticipated installation of the 16-seat table took place April 18.

Halifax group wants heritage designation for Young Avenue building 


The committee voted to move the Yonge Avenue site ahead of three other potential heritage sites in order to have Regional Council look at granting the property heritage status. 

Shand House to remain ‘mostly closed’ by province 


The historic Shand House was donated to the Province of Nova Scotia in Gwendolyn Shand’s will in the 1980s under the condition that it be operated as a museum. 

But it has been closed for most of the time by the province. 

Prince Edward Island

Lights, camera, action: seniors share stories on video 


The tradition of telling family stories is taking at 21st century turn in a new program from the P.E.I. Seniors Citizen' Federation called "I Have a Story." 

It's a three-part workshop where seniors learn how to talk on camera and then record a ten minute video, sharing part of their life story. 

Ontario 

Historic guided bus tour through Perth, Tay Valley Township June 4 


If time travel is possible then become one of the visitors from the future on June 4. Tickets are going fast for this guided bus tour through historic Perth and Tay Valley Township, in celebrating their 200th anniversary. 

Tickets for the full event, which includes the catered lunch, are $30 per person. Also available a limited number of tickets for the luncheon and afternoon speaker portion for only $15 per person. 

Cheques can be made payable to Lanark County Genealogical Society and mailed to Lanark County Genealogical Society, Glen Tay Bus Tour Group, P.O. Box 512 Perth, ON. K7H 3K4.  

PayPal option is available. Information is available at: lanarkgenealogy.com

The Lanark County Genealogical Society is https://lanarkgenealogy.com/

Canada 150: NCC approves $630K transformation of vacant Victoria Island warehouse 


The National Capital Commission board has approved a $630,000 plan to restore a stone warehouse on Victoria Island as part of a plan to create "Confederation pavilions" for Canada's 150th birthday. 

NCC board approves victims of communism memorial in Garden of the Provinces and Territories 


A memorial for victims of communism can be built in the Garden of the Provinces and Territories after the National Capital Commission board approved a federal land use request at its meeting Thursday morning. 

To be completed 2019. 

Memorial for More Than 1,000 Fallen Italian-Canadian Workers Unveiled in Toronto 


A memorial honouring more than 1,000 Italian workers who died in workplace accidents in Ontario was unveiled at Villa Charities' Toronto campus today. 

The unveiling ceremony coincides with the International Day of Mourning for workers killed, injured or disabled on the job. 

Bank of Canada announces short list of women being considered for bank note 


The short list in alphabetical order: 

Pitseolak Ashoona (c. 1904-1983) 

Emily Carr (1871-1945) 

Thérèse Casgrain (1896-1981) 

Viola Desmond (1914-1965) 

Lotta Hitschmanova (1909-1990) 

E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913) 

Elizabeth (Elsie) MacGill (1905-1980) 

Nellie McClung (1873-1951) 

Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) 

Fanny (Bobbie) Rosenfeld (1905-1969) 

Gabrielle Roy (1909-1983) 

Idola Saint-Jean (1880-1945) 

REMEMBERING OUR YESTERDAYS: Genealogist Bill Gladstone suggests publishing a book is next step after filling in gaps in a family tree 


In genealogy, you either publish your research or it perishes: what other fate awaits your unkempt assortment of files and papers that no one else can sort out or understand? 

Manitoba 

Celebrating Ukrainian migration to Canada

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/correspondent/Celebrating-Ukrainian-migration-to-Canada-376993391.html

Did you know 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of Ukrainians in Canada?

The first wave of Ukrainian immigration to Canada began in 1891. 

Alberta

Southminster church gets Historic Designation 


The church, located at 1011 4 Ave. S., has a long history in Lethbridge, and is associated with boom-period religious development in the city. 

Originally known as the third Wesley Methodist Church, it was built between 1913 and 1914 to house the growing Methodist population. Several additions were since made to the building including Wesley Hall in 1914, Southminster Hall in 1950 and Buchanan Chapel in 1961. 

British Columbia 

Maple Ridge cemetery helps local history live on 


About two years ago, Maple Ridge Historical Society president Erica Williams and society chair Brenda Smith decided it was time to share the rich history found inside the Maple Ridge Cemetery with community members 

Antique tractor rebuilt by Canadian history lover 

George Hoffman brought a 1911 Rumely back to life 


A history buff from Surrey, British Columbia needed help from other parts of Western Canada and the United States to bring an antique tractor back to life. 

It took George Hoffman 22 years, but he finally rebuilt a 24-foot, 1911 Rumely steam tractor from scratch 

The North

Franklin Expedition: Exploration of HMS Erebus wreck may reveal more than artifacts 


The eerie video hints at some of the secrets that may lie hidden in the wreck of HMS Erebus. 

In the images shown recently by Parks Canada, there's a seaman's chest and a galley stove lying amid the timbers of the reinforced British wooden warship that was one-half of Sir John Franklin's doomed quest to find the Northwest Passage. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

FamilySearch Wiki 

Have you noticed that the FamilySearch Wiki has been changing? And that it includes the Canada 's Wiki.  

They have modified the following -

the navigation has changed from the right side of the screen to the left

country and state pages are being redesigned for easier use. This redesign will take place as close to the time of the new release as possible, but may not be completed when the upgrade takes place

The URL for the Wiki has been changed for better usability to https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Main_Page

The upgraded version of the Wiki will be editable in all browsers, including Chrome, and all article will be retained in the new upgraded version of the Wiki

I am at the Wiki nearly everyday, and find it very clean and crisp now. The places are very easy to find, and easy to use. Now, if only we would completely fill in the missing pages in the Canadian pages so that everyone could use them. 

But I would like to say "thank you" to the people at FamilySearch for making the Wiki so popular, and they await to hear about your input on the new look and feel of the new Wiki.

Kitchener Public Library Genealogy Fair

This year the library will have Jen Baldwin of FindMyPast and Twitter’s #genchat at the Kitchener Public Library Genealogy Fair in Ontario.

If you are planning to go to the library on Saturday November 5, 2016 as an exhibitor, speaker or vendor, please have your completed application form to them by Monday May 16, 2016

You can email your completed form to genealogyfair@kpl.or or fax it to us at 519-743-1261 or send it by post to Sheila’s attention at the address shown on the application form. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact them!

The website is http://kpl.org/ 

I also got a reminder from FindMyPast headquarters in Britain this week saying that there are new Canadian records coming next week – I wonder what they be!

Ad that was the week in Canadian news!

This e-newspaper has been - published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

If you would like to subscribe, please send your email to genealogycanada@aol.com 

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

Sponsored by Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services. To learn more about the research services offered by ELRS, go towww.elrs.biz 

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.