Tuesday, March 24, 2015

NEWS FLASH!!! OGS extends early-bird deadline



Early-Bird Registration for OGS Conference 2105 in Barrie has been extended until 10 April 2015

The recent finalization of the Conference Tours necessitated the change to give more time for registrants to sign up. Those already registered will have the opportunity to order tours as well.

The Conference Committee also felt that the late departure of winter from most of Canada had prevented many people from making travelling plans for the spring, so they are offering time for you to make plans to go to Barrie – a city only one hour north of the Toronto airport.

To go to the Conference site, go to http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/

To go to the Facebook page, go to https://www.facebook.com/OntarioGenealogicalSocietyConference?ref=hl

To go to Tourism Barrie, go to http://www.tourismbarrie.com/



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/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review-23-march-2015_23.html

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

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

UPDATE: OGS Conference – Interview No 5


Shirley Sturdevant, former president of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) has interviewed Richard M. Doherty of Troy, MI who is a professional genealogist, lecturer and author with 40+ years of experience. Dick is director of Celtic Quest LLC and has made 34 research trips to Ireland. He lectures in the U.S., Canada and Ireland and is president of the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research.

He will be participating in the Friday workshop and the theme of his workshop is called ­Tracking Generations using 19th Century Irish Land Valuation Records and it will be Sponsored by the OGS Ireland Special Interest Group.

He will be on the Saturday Panel Discussion: Tracks through Time, and the Saturday lecture will be Tools for Embarking upon German Research. The Sunday lecture will be Ireland’s Estate Papers: Tracking Landlords and Tenants by Richard M. Dohertyand it will be Sponsored by the OGS Ireland Special Interest Group.

To view the YouTube interview, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSw4yxEtoU&feature=youtu.be

And to review 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

The OGS website is at http://www.ogs.on.ca/

The Conference Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioGenealogicalSocietyConference?ref=hl



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/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review-23-march-2015_23.html

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

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

Monday, March 23, 2015

Canadian Week in Review - 23 March 2015

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 1900, Lord Strathcona's Horse, a unit of 537 mounted troops recruited in Manitoba, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories for the Boer War, sailed to South Africa. It was the third contingent of Canadian troops sent to South Africa.
   For more information, you can read about Lord Strathcona Horse at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Strathcona's_Horse_(Royal_Canadians)#South_African_War

Social Media

(Photos) All Saints Anglican Church resurrected in Louisiana
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/all-saints-anglican-church-resurrected-in-louisiana-1.2997306
   For the first 200 years of its existence, it was the All Saints Anglican Church of Granville Centre in the Annapolis Valley. Now it’s Louisiana Church in Abita Springs.

(Video) Building demolitions in Saskatoon draw crowds
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Building+demolitions+Saskatoon+draw+crowds/10897822/story.html
   Like many others, Life of Pi author Yann Martel was drawn to the corner of Broadway Avenue and 11th ast to watch history disappear.

(Video) Two young men want to save an Alberta grain elevator: ‘It’s part of a disappearing history’
http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/two-young-men-want-to-save-an-iconic-alberta-grain-elevator-its-part-of-a-disappearing-history
   Since watching the destruction of his own town’s elevator more than a decade ago, Kapcsos has been obsessed with the wooden structures that jutted into prairie skylines in the 1930s and once numbered nearly 1,800 in Alberta alone.

(Video) Bathurst bishop discovers 16th century books in diocese basement
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/bathurst-bishop-discovers-16th-century-books-in-diocese-basement-1.2998627
   Bishop Daniel Jodoin had no idea of treasures hiding in the basement library until flood cleanup. The books appear to be scripture,written in Greek and Latin, and some are bound in lamb skin.

Articles

Nova Scotia

Controversial black heritage poster to be displayed again
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1274473-controversial-black-heritage-poster-to-be-displayed-again
   A poster depicting a black slave in chains that was removed from a Shelburne high school after a complaint will be displayed once again.
   The poster was drawn by student Hannah Cameron after a Grade 8 class visit to the Black Loyalist Heritage Site in Birchtown.

Quebec

Souvenir album looks back at Roxboro's 100 years
http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/west-island-gazette/souvenir-album-looks-back-at-roxboros-100-years
   Long before Roxboro merged to become the borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, it was considered the summer destination for wealthy families from Hochelaga.

Ontario

Discovering that Canadians did not invent the painted highway divider
http://www.journalofcommerce.com/Home/News/2015/3/Discovering-that-Canadians-did-not-invent-the-painted-highway-divider-1006338W/
   This article was supposed to be an account of another great Canadian invention — the painted longitudinal road line — but it isn't. I was initially inspired by a web page on the site of Library and Archives Canada

Find haute and history in Toronto’s Distillery District
http://www.qconline.com/business/find-haute-and-history-in-toronto-s-distillery-district/article_9ee37860-dc28-52ad-b425-7c9b26e2d8c5.html
   At the core of the District is the history of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, whose predecessor company started in 1831. Established in 1837 as a distillery on the shores of Lake Ontario, 50 years later, it had evolved into the largest distillery in the British Empire.

Last box of Frosted Flakes from London, Ont., bound for museum
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/last-box-of-frosted-flakes-from-london-ont-bound-for-museum-1.2997479
   The box of Frosted Flakes that the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) reported last week, is now going to the Regional History at Museum in London, Ontario.
   If you wish, you can read the original story in the 16 March 2015 edition of the CWR at http://genealogycanada.blogspot.com/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review-16-march-2015.html

SD&G Regimental Museum seeks cash to buy artifacts
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2015/03/16/sdg-regimental-museum-seeks-cash-to-buy-artifacts
   Leon Chamois, curator of the Regimental Museum for the United Counties, addressed counties council on Monday looking for funding to help buy artifacts to keep the museum going.

Manitoba

Canadian History Ehx: The story of Jack McEwen
http://www.sasknewsnow.com/Community/2015-03-15/article-4077817/Canadian-History-Ehx%3A-The-story-of-Jack-McEwen/1
   One of the first people to travel through the area before Grenfell even existed, was a man by the name of Jack McEwen, who came to Winnipeg in 1876, along the Red River Valley.

Take a tour of North End history
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/Take-a-tour-of-North-End-history-296601311.html
   Local blogger and history buff Christian Cassidy wants to take you on a tour of the North End Winnipeg. He will deliver a presentation titled Wonder Who Lived There? The History of North End Buildings on Thurs., April 16 at St. John’s Library (500 Salter St.) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Saskatchewan

Thieves steal power tools, Lydia's signs from Farnam Block
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/thieves-steal-power-tools-lydia-s-signs-from-farnam-block-1.2998093
   The Lydia's signs were being preserved for the Saskatoon Heritage Society. It appears the theft happened on Sunday, before the building was torn down.

Restored building serves as reminder of the past
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Restored+building+serves+reminder+past/10899197/story.html
   A red brick house that was built as a residence for the superintendent of the Forestry Farm Park, at the time it was known as Sutherland Forest Nursery Station (part of the PFRA or Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Program). At one time, the prairie shelter belt program shipped seven million trees annually to farms for shelterbelts, which helped protect land from drought and wind.

Alberta

Where a gated community meets with history
http://calgaryherald.com/life/homes/condos/white-where-a-gated-community-meets-with-history
   When it comes to local history, most people’s first thoughts are probably the Glenbow, Heritage Park, Fort Calgary or Military Museums, maybe places like Stephen Avenue, Inglewood or Kensington. Bet you didn’t guess Currie Barracks!

British Columbia

Squamish, B.C. history: from fur-trappers to homesteaders
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/squamish-b-c-history-from-fur-trappers-to-homesteaders-1.2992888
   Less than an hour's drive from Vancouver, Squamish, B.C. is a community that is growing fast.
   The community has an official plan to grow, renew, and to re-branding itself as Canada's Outdoor Recreation Capital.

Recognizing British Columbia's Chinese Canadian history
http://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/living/recognizing-british-columbia-s-chinese-canadian-history-1.1791430#sthash.1hTExFNb.dpuf
   Such was the recent mandate of the Heritage B.C. Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council which advertised, "Do you know a historic place associated with the Chinese community in B.C. that is important to you and your community?

News Stories of the Week

The anniversaries that Canada has celebrated already, for instance, the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Flag in February, will continue for the rest of the year.
April will see the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands, and Canada played a major part in the liberation.


During the Second World War (1939-1945), tens of thousands of Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen played a key role in the Liberation of the Netherlands, including up to 175,000 Canadian soldiers of the First Canadian Army. More than 7,600 Canadians lost their lives.

You can go to http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/liberation-netherlands where they have a calendar of events in the Netherlands, and a history of the liberation.


And our national game, hockey, (my apologies to the players of Lacrosse) is celebrating its 100th anniversary as an association this year!


The Chateau Laurier, a hotel in Ottawa, was the setting for the formation of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. And it was formed to oversee the amateur game at a national level, and the Allan Cup, donated by Montreal banker and steamship line owner Sir H. Montague Allan, C.V.O. in 1908, was selected as the championship trophy of amateur hockey.

You can go to http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/Corporate/About/History to see when the exhibit will come to your city.



And the Magna Carta is coming to the History Museum of Canada this summer!



As you probably know, it is celebrating its 800th Anniversary (1215-2015) this year, and it along with the Charter of the Forests.

This will be the first time that Canada will have participated in the anniversary by touring the Magno Carta in cities of Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Edmonton, beginning in June.

You can learn more about the Magna Carta and Canada’s plans for a momentous celebration of the 800th anniversary, and contribute to the celebration at www.magnacartacanada.ca


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/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review-16-march-2015.html

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

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



Need help in finding your Canadian ancestors?

Susan I. of Toronto, Ontario says –
"With her wonderful suggestions, including provincial and local archival holdings, books, and local church records, I was delighted to uncover a marriage certificate naming my paternal great, great grandparents and their original county in Ireland.

Elizabeth also mentored me regarding further educational opportunities. I was delighted with her services."
If you do, go to Elizabeth Lapointe Research Services and see how I can help you find that elusive Canadian ancestor. 

The next Canadian Week in Review will be posted 30 March 2015. 


Sunday, March 22, 2015

Monthly Meeting OR Speaker Series?



This question has been answered by the Victoria Genealogy Society (VGS), They have decided to change the title of their Monthly Meetings to the Speaker Series – and they seemed to have struck on a winning title. 

They say that they are ‘more about presentations and less about VGS business’ – therefore the change.

So the first participant in the Speaker Series will be John Azar and he will talk about LEST WE FORGET WHERE THEY LIE: Remembering War Dead and Veterans Buried in Victoria Region Cemeteries.

John Azar, President of the CEF 100 Commemoration Society, will provide an overview of the South Vancouver Island cemeteries where veterans are buried. After telling stories about a few of those veterans, John will invite the audience to indicate the research they are conducting on ancestors who served in the First World War or other conflicts.

He is also inviting people to the annual Old Cemeteries tour of the Veterans Cemetery in Esquimalt on April 19th.

Doors open at 7pm at Gordon Head United Church, 4201 Tyndall Avenue. Admission is free for VGS members and by donation for visitors.

Come early to view the displays and the sales table, and to network with other genealogy enthusiasts.

So the business of the group will not be discussed at this meeting, and the emphasis will be changed to the speaker, displays, and networking between the attendees.

What do you think about changing the emphasis of Monthly Meetings to the Speaker Series? Does it make any difference what you call a meeting? Would it help to attract new members to have a new nomenclature? Notice that the speaker will 'invite' the attendees to talk about their research. He won't be there just to talk, and answer a few questions - it will be an exchange of research. Is this what people want in their meetings? Interesting, isn’t it?

To go to their website, it is at http://www.victoriags.org

To go their  Facebook page, it is at https://www.facebook.com/vicgs



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/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review-16-march-2015.html

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

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

Meeting in Halifax - The House on Refugee Hill

Om Tuesday March 24th at 7:00 pm, the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia (GANS) will hold a meeting at 33 Ochterloney Street, Suite 100, Dartmouth, NS, and it will be called The House on Refugee Hill: An Archaeological Time Capsule.

The talk will be given by Dr. Jonathan Fowler, and he will address his recent archeological work in Beechville, an historic Black refugee community located in the area.

Dr. Jonathan Fowler is an historical archaeologist who teaches at Saint Mary’s University. He holds degrees from Saint Mary’s, Acadia University, the University of Sheffield, and the University of Oxford and has wide-ranging interests in the fields of archaeology, anthropology and history. For the past decade, Jonathan has directed archaeological excavations at Grand-Pre National Historic Site. He is the co-author, with Paul Erickson, of two popular books on regional archaeology, Underground Nova Scotia and Underground New Brunswick.

GANS lectures are open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Their website is at http://www.novascotiaancestors.ca

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



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/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review-16-march-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada!
 
It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.








Saturday, March 21, 2015

Canadian genealogy conference features Thomas MacEntee


Every year, there are a number of American who come ‘north of the border’ to take in the Ontario Genealogical Conference (OGS), and to learn about their Canadian ancestors, but this year there are a number of added incentives:
  • The American dollar is worth more this year! It’s currently about $1.25 Canadian. Think of how much you will save while learning more about the hobby that we all enjoy!
  • The Conference will not be far from the US border, as it's being held in Barrie, a city about an hour north of  the Toronto airport. 
  • The conference will also feature Thomas MacEntee from Chicago, who will be the moderator on the Panel Discussion: Tracks through Time on Saturday morning, and on Sunday, will present Tracing Your New York Ancestors.
The OGS Conference 2015, Tracks through Time, will be held at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario from May 29 to 31, 2015. Early-bird registration continues until the end of March. Accommodation remains available at either the Georgian College Barrie Residence or the Holiday Inn Barrie Hotel & Conference Centre. More information on Conference 2015, as well as on-line registration, can be found at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/

There are interviews with the various speakers, and I have covered them in the following blogs -

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

Come join us for all this, and more.

Barrie is not only a lovely place to visit at that time of the year, but it is also—relatively-speaking—a short drive away from some of Ontario's historic pioneer settlements, as found around Lake Simcoe; the cottage country of the Kawarthas (home to the Peter Robinson Settlers, near Peterborough); the Penetang region, including Penetanguishene; some of the older parts of (now, since amalgamation) the City of Toronto; scenic Georgian Bay; and the gateway to beautiful Northern Ontario.

Are you looking for photos of Mennonite life in Canada?


 
If you are looking for photos of Mennonites in Canada, there is a new online photo archive that is making thousands of images of Mennonite life from across Canada and around the world easily available to the public. It is located in the Mennonite Archival Image Database (MAID) at Mennonite Archives of Ontario at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. 
 
The images, some over 100 years old, chronicle everything from weddings to barn-raisings, and is the product of the work of seven Mennonite archives across the country - one each in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario and three in Manitoba. 
 
There are 80,000 photos with descriptions in the database, but at this point only 10,000 of the photos are scanned and are currently available from the archives. 
 
As an added bonus, people who browse the archives and spot family members or other photos that interest them, they can easily buy and download digital copies of the photos online. 
 
The website of the Mennonite Archives of Ontario at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo is at https://uwaterloo.ca/mennonite-archives-ontario/photograph-and-slide-collections 
 


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/2015/03/canadian-week-in-review-16-march-2015.html

It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in Canada! 
 
It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.