Sunday, August 25, 2013

Find your Ukrainian ancestor at the LAC



The LAC site says "Do you ever wonder who your first Ukrainian ancestor was and when he or she left the Ukraine and arrived in Canada? Are you curious about your family’s Ukrainian heritage? 

If so, the Library and Archives Canada is a great place to begin your research. 

For instance, you will find a page specific to genealogical research at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/022-905.010-e.html

It provides you with historical background information, archival and published material from the collection, as well as links to other websites and records".

Toronto Ukrainian Genealogy Group http://www.torugg.org

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Elgin County OGS monthly meeting

The Elgin County OGS meets on the fourth Monday of March, April, May, September, October and November in the Carnegie Room at the St. Thomas public Library at 7:30 p.m.

Martin DeKeyzer will talk about Elgin County Postcards & Postal Memorabilia on Monday, September 23, 2013.

For further information, contact info@elginogs.ca

While you are checking out the Elgin County site. Don’t forget to go to Ancestry Indexes at

http://www.elginogs.ca/Home/ancestor-indexes. There you will find cemetery, census, land records and much, much more!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Some land records are being digitized

Canadiana.org is a Canadian company in Ottawa which is preserving Canada's published history and is making it available online to everyone – free!
The part of Canadiana.org which interests me is the Heritage Project. 

The Heritage Project is going to take some of Canada’s most popular archival collections, such as 60-million pages of FREE primary-source microfilm images from the 1600s to the mid-1900s.
I have read the list and I am impressed! What would have taken me years to find these documents in the different institution across the country, will be appearing online right in my own computer.

One of the first projects that they have done is the Heir and Devisee Commission of the Upper Canada (Ontario) Land Records.

The second commission met in York, and they were restricted to claims to land made by heirs, devisees, or assignees, not by the original nominees themselves


This commission was established by provincial statute in 1797, to clarify the titles to lands in Upper Canada.

There were actually two distinct periods which the commission covered. In the first commission, they heard from people who had originally received the land, their heirs, devisees, and assignees.

Records can include (although not always) affidavits, bonds, location certificates, powers of attorney, orders-in-council, copies of wills, mortgages, deeds of sale, and testimonial letters.
The digitized copies of the microfilm reels onsite appear in the same order as on the microfilm reels themselves. Remember, unfortunately, there is NO index by name.

Alternatively, the records are arranged by district, then by type of document, then in chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.

The list of microfilm rolls are on  http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_mikan_205142, just click on the reel you want to view, and it is there for you to research.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Update on closure of QFHS library and office

Just got word from the Quebec Family History Society (QFHS) that the "Library and office of the Quebec Family History Society will also be closed up to and including Tuesday September 3, 2013.

The library and office will re-open on Wednesday September 4, 2013".

If you require further information, please go to http://www.qfhs.ca

Quebec Family History Society Holiday Hours




The library and office of the Quebec Family History Society will be closed from Thursday August 22, 2013 until and including, Monday September 2, 2013.

On Tuesday September 3, 2013 the library and office will reopen and the regular schedule of opening hours will resume.

Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday Evening 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For information on upcoming events please consult our website http://www.qfhs.ca/

The Quebec Family History Society is the largest English-language genealogical society in Quebec

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Lecture Series: Canadian History, eh?

On Tuesdays in November, at 2:30 pm, there will be the Fall Lecture Series presented by Grey Roots, and Gary Weigner will give talks on the following -

November 5: European Discovery Natives and Europeans first contact: struggle was inevitable. How Europe paid for its future industrial growth on the backs of the Natives of North America.

November 12: French VS EnglishWhy is there still tension between us? Where did it begin in our history? Why did the French stay in Canada after 1763? Where do we go from here?

November 19: The Canadian IdentityBritish? American? Melting pot or Fruitcake blend? How has our history shaped our character?

November 26: From Nationhood to the Present
Explore the hot button issues about why we confederated and how we began as a player on the international stage.

A graduate in History and Political Science from the University of Guelph, Gary Weinger taught High School History, English, Law and Business for over thirty years.

For more information, go to Grey Roots Museum and Archives at http://www.greyroots.com/programs-events/events
.

They are located in Owen Sound, Ontario.

Decoration Days, Doors Open and Tours

My thanks go to Sherri Pettit for posting Decoration Days, Open Doors, and Tours in local cemeteries in Ontario.  

For example, some of the events will take place on the following dates –

Amherstburg – Christ Church Anglican Cemetery Aug 28 Open Doors

Burlington – Nelson United Cemetery Sat., Sep. 28. Doors Open.

Fairfield – Fairfield Cemetery Sun., Sep. 8. Decoration Sunday


For more information about the places where these events will be held, go to http://canadacems.blogspot.com/2013/08/decoration-days-tours.html