Monday, September 14, 2015

Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 14 September 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 1814, the "St. Lawrence," the largest warship built on either side during the War of 1812, was launched at Kingston, Ont. The three-decker carried 112 guns and 1,000 men. 

To read more about Kingston, Ontario in the War of 1812, go to http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/1812/kingston-supplies.aspx








In 1895, the Sault Ste. Marie canal was opened.









In 1898, the main portion of New Westminster, British Columbia was destroyed by fire.





Social Media 

(Photos) Kings County heritage houses at risk


(Video) Demolition of former United Church in Sackville begins


Newspaper Articles

Newfoundland

Down Memory Lane


A week or so ago I decided to spend an afternoon visiting Burin and to stroll around the town’s Heritage Square.

To say that I’m impressed with what Burin is doing as far as heritage and history is concerned would be an understatement.

Ontario

LEE DICKSON GENEALOGY: Following the trail of land claims through the 1st Heir and Devisee Commission Papers


As mentioned in the August column, father and son team of Thomas and John Mathews were granted family lands: farm lots in York Township and town lots in the Town of York.

GENEALOGY WITH JANICE: Records of pets in our family history are few and far between

Pets have always been important members of my family. One of my favourite photos is of me in a high chair with our cat Tom sitting on the food tray. Many of my best childhood memories involve our cats, dogs, birds and hamsters. 

Artist Steve McDonald finds new fans with adult colouring book


When Canadian artist Steve McDonald decided to move his family to the island paradise of Bali, Indonesia, two years ago, he never fully considered the implications of leaving a traditional art gallery and a dedicated client list behind. Even more surprising, he had no idea it would lead him to start creating art for other people to colour-in. 

Saskatchewan

Cypress Hills Massacre little-known dark point in Canadian history 


One of Canada’s worst mass murders occurred in what is now a remote area of southwestern Saskatchewan, but experts say it barely registers as a footnote in Canadian history today. The silence at Fort Walsh Historical Site, 60 kilometres from the U.S. border in Cypress Hills Provincial Park, can be deafening at times.

Alberta

History: The Medicine Hat Legend 


Discovery of the oldest known record of the Medicine Hat legend has, in this writer’s opinion, settled for all time three controversial questions which have harassed the city for the last few years. They are: How did Medicine Hat come by its unique name; which story is the authentic account of the legend; and which Indian head-dress is the original medicine hat?


The Stories This Week

9/11

No one should forget what happened on the 11 September 2001 to the United States. It has been 14-years, but it seems like happened yesterday. 

Canada as a country, immediately opened it's airports to take in flights that had to be diverted, as was the case of the Stanfield International Airport in Halifax. It was the first give landing rights to 40 aircraft carrying 8,000 passengers that were diverted to Halifax that day. And it was first major airport to have all diverted flights back in the air. 


New France Archives

This week the Library and Archives Canada unveiled it's New France Archives at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/exploration-settlement/new-france-archives/Pages/thematic-list-fonds.aspx

The records themselves are in French, although the description of the records are in English, and as far as I know, none of the records have been translated.

If you go to the Thematic list of fonds, you will see the Notarial Archives, and it is there that you will find the marriage records. 

So do take a look, and if you have any questions about them, I can help you.

===========================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/09/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-07.html

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

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Canadian Genealogy News (CGN) 12 September 2015


Here are some news items which have come across my desk this morning - 

Oldest society in Manitoba accepts women

St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg. Manitoba has accepted women as members.

A private society, almost as old as Manitoba itself, has opened its doors to its first-ever female members, as they approved four applications from women. Up until now, the 145-year old society, had men of Scottish descent as members.

The purposes of the society is to promote and preserve the Scottish culture and tradition for the people of Manitoba and the promotion of public understanding of the Scots' role in the origins and development of the province.

The society was responsible for the installation of The Scots Monument on Waterfront Drive in Fort Douglas Park, and the Settlers' Statue on Waterfront Drive at the foot of Bannatyne Avenue.

Their website is at phttp://www.standrews-wpg.ca/

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

Point Prim Lighthouse, Prince Edward Island
 
Many of you may be aware that the Point Prim Lighthouse will become the sole property and responsibility of the Point Prim Lighthouse Society in November. All costs associated with the Light will now be born solely by the Society.
 
The Society was wondering if anyone had historical pictures of the Lighthouse inside or out, that they would gift the reproduction rights to the Society. The idea is that the Society would sell Pictures, Postcards, Posters and Bookmarks of the lighthouse as part of our ongoing fundraising efforts.
 
The Point Prim Lighthouse was built in 1845, and it is the first and oldest lighthouse on Prince Edward Island. It is also one of only a few round brick lighthouses in Canada
 
Please email pictures, or for more information to Vic Douse at douse@sympatico.ca For more Information, go to http://pointprimlighthouse.com/

Happy Researching!
===========================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/09/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-07.html

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


Friday, September 11, 2015

Grimsby Historical Societyand Archives


I have written about the Grimsby Historical Society and Archives before, but it also has an interesting social schedule.

For example, some of their meetings for 2015/2016 are -

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. - St. Andrew's Anglican Church Parish Hall, 7 St. Andrews Avenue, Grimsby there will be a Pie Social and Entertainment.

A talk called The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada: An Historical Footprint in Niagara will be given by Trevor Campbell, Sergeant Retired CDI.

On Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. At the Carnegie building corner of Adelaide and Ontario Streets, Grimsby, the topic will be Back to Basics - Heritage Farming in 2015 by Andy Sproston, Farmer, Our Gate to Your Plate and on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 7:30 p.m., there will be a talk on Grimsby Home Building Co-operative 1953-1956 given by Bernadette Walsh & Janet Muise, Co-op at 60 Working Group.

All are welcome and there’s no cost for non-members.

For more information email info@grimsbyhistoricalsociety.com or cookingpete@yahoo.ca.

And they also have over 100 files on area families, some containing considerable genealogical information, and they are listed on http://www.grimsbyhistoricalsociety.com/families.php

The website is http://www.grimsbyhistoricalsociety.com/

Happy Researching!

===========================================================================
Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/09/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-07.html

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

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Canadian Society of Mayflower Descendants


I have to say “Thank You” to Margaret Dougherty, the Deputy Governor of the
Canadian Society of Mayflower Descendants, for sending me notices of two meetings of their society to take place this fall in Canada. It should be noted that non-members can attend these meetings. 

This weekend, September 12th and 13th, the Nova Scotia Colony of Mayflower Descendants holds its annual meeting in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, beginning with a Friday night supper, followed by a day long meeting on Saturday. 

For details, you can go to http://csmd.org/?page_id=814

Then, on Saturday, October 17, they will hold their annual compact meeting and luncheon. Their guest speaker at this luncheon is Sue de Groot, who will be making her popular Dead and Buried presentation. 

This will be their 35th Annual Compact Meeting and Luncheon. 

Payments and attendance confirmation are due by October 4th

For details, you can go to http://csmd.org/?page_id=1218 

If you have any questions, you can contact Margaret Dougherty at deputygovernor@csmd.org 


Happy Researching!

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

Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/09/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-07.html

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

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Canadian Genealogy News 08 September 2015



Here are some news items which have come across my desk this morning - 

Family history from Scratch 

Basics and best practices for beginners and beyond!

Presented by both Hamilton and Niagara Peninsula Branches of the Ontario Genealogical Society, and it helps you find out where to begin.

Network with beginner, intermediate, advanced, and professional genealogists through a day of back-to-basics style of learning!

The highlights will be - 

An Overview of Family Search by Terri Wood

Essentials of Ancestry.ca by Lesley Anderson

Research from a Distance by Danielle Manning - Archives of Ontario

Inspirational/Research in the UK by Kirsty Gray, Family-Wise Ltd.

It will be held on Saturday from 8:45 till 4:00 pm, at the St. Andrew's Church, Grimsby, Ontario. 

The cost is $20.00.


Branch meetings 

There has been a change of date for the September meeting – it will be held tonight with the Durham Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society at the Oshawa Public Library Auditorium, Bagot St., Oshawa at 7:30 pm. 

The topic will be Solve Genealogical Problems by Creating a Timeline (recorded webinar) 

Timelines are very useful ways of visualizing data. Timelines give you an order of and context for events, or to show what kinds of events were happening around your ancestors. Using Excel spreadsheets, this webinar will show how to solve different types of genealogical problems by using timelines.

The webpage is at http://www.durham.ogs.on.ca/

And 

On September 19th, Quinte Genealogical Society will be holding Great Moments in Genealogy. Members will be encouraged to share their research successes, brick wall breakthroughs, serendipity moments or any other significant event in the pursuit of our past.

Join them for the afternoon is Jim Harrison, Mayor of Quinte West. In addition to bringing words of greeting from the city, Mayor Harrison will be making a presentation to Quinte Branch to mark and recognize their 35th Anniversary. 

The meeting is held at Quinte West City Hall Library, 7 Creswell Drive, Trenton, Ontario at 1:00 pm. 

Their website is at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs/index.htm (They hold records for Prince Edward, Hastings & part of Northumberland Counties).

They also have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/QuinteBranch.OGS

Happy Researching!

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

Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/09/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-07.html

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

Monday, September 7, 2015

Canadian Week in review (CWR) 07 September 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

A note to researchers, did you know that before September 1955,the Anglican Church of Canada was known as the Church of England in the Dominion of Canada.

In 1977, the church's General Synod adopted l'Église épiscopale du Canada as its French-language name, and the name was changed again in 1989 to l'Église anglicane du Canada.

To read more about the subject, go to http://www.anglican.ca




On 02 September 1912, a wild west show cowboy named Guy Weadick, started a show called the Calgary Stampede, billed as the The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth, and The Last and Best Great West Frontier Days Celebration. 

Over 150 riders from Western Canada and the US arrive to claim the purse, and 25,000 spectators watch the six day pageant of bronc busting, calf roping, trick riding and steer wrestling at an oval arena at the confluence of the Bow River and Elbow River. 

The Stampede reopened again after the First World War, in late August, 1919, when it was billed as the Victory Stampede. It was then renamed the Calgary Stampede, and it has been held annually every summer.  

To read more about the Calgary Stampede, go to http://www.calgarystampede.com/

Social Media

I am so glad that Fred Blair has decided to do a blog on War of 1812 Canadian Stories at http://warof1812cdnstories.blogspot.ca/

Among Canadian genealogists, he is a recognized authority on the Canadian side of the War of 1812, and has spent many hours going over the microfilm at the Library and Archives Canada.

To use his own words, his blog will be “a collection of stories on life in Upper Canada organized in order by the date of the event. You can search for stories related to historical events like the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812, by checking that date or the days before or after that date". 

There is also a name index and list of sources. 

Newspaper Articles

Nova Scotia

Amherst to meet with Heritage Trust over BMO building

http://www.cumberlandnewsnow.com/News/Local/2015-09-01/article-4263427/Amherst-to-meet-with-Heritage-Trust-over-BMO-building/1

Amherst is going to meet with representatives of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia to discuss the fate of the former BMO building, but it’s continuing to move forward with the demolition process.

Halifax's first zoo is well-kept secret of Fairmount history

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/halifax-zoological-gardens-1.3207653

The year 1847 was a long, long time ago — so long, in fact, that the area around what is now Joseph Howe Drive and the Armdale Rotary was a little on the wild side.

One of the area's well-kept secrets is that there was a zoo located in what's now known as Fairmount. 

Ontario 

THE JOY OF GENEALOGY: Beware the seven dastardly deeds of genealogy

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/5818759-the-joy-of-genealogy-beware-the-seven-dastardly-deeds-of-genealogy/

The Catholic religion has a list of seven cardinal vices, the Seven Deadly Sins: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony. 

Heritage on the buses, rails and Internet

http://www.lfpress.com/2015/09/04/heritage-fun-on-the-buses-rails-and-internet

There is big-time heritage fun on the buses, on the rails and online in the London region this month.

The bus gets rolling on what is wittily dubbed “the steel wheels tour” on Sept. 19 when the London and Middlesex Historical Society and Architectural Conservancy of Ontario London team up to offer a day trip into London, St. Thomas and Port Stanley railway heritage.

Manitoba 

Kennedy House tea room faces 2.5 year closure: province

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/kennedy-house-tea-room-faces-2-5-year-closure-province-1.3215175

A popular summer destination north of Winnipeg has spent the summer closed and won't open again anytime soon.

Captain Kennedy House, a privately-run tea room in St. Andrews, was closed by the province in April after engineers found the 150-year-old historic building had structural problems.

Saskatchewan

Proposed Bill Would Make Province More Accountable for Archives

http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68525:proposed-bill-would-make-province-more-accountable-for-archives&catid=61&Itemid=179

Bill 141, which is the Archives and Public Records Management Act, which has yet to be proclaimed, will advance government accountability for the management of public records, particularly electronic ones.

The Stories This Week 

Is Canadian Family History Month in our future??

I listened to Jill Ball's six-hour Hangout on Air last week on the subject of Australia National Family History Month, and it lead me, once again, to wonder if Canada should have such a month, so that the county can focus on their family history. 

If you listen to the hangout, Jill was successful in bringing Australian genealogists from all over the county together, and they discussed various topics addressing their societies, groups, bloggers, and conferences. 

I thought it was very good, and along with the help of Dear Myrt and Cousin Russ in the United States who helped Jill with the technology stuff. Jill did a good job.  

So to get back at the question - Do we need a family history month in Canada? Do we want a family history month in Canada? Do we need to define Canadian genealogy? Does our genealogy need a national forum like Canadian Family History Month?

What do you think? Would it be a good or bad thing for us to start working towards the goal of having our own family history month? 

If you need some direction, take a look at http://www.familyhistorymonth.org.au/ 


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

Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/08/canadian-news-in-review-cwr-31-august.html

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

Friday, September 4, 2015

FREE! Ancestry is providing free access to its entire collection of Canadian immigration records


Part of their press release says -

The majority of Canadians view Labour Day as the unofficial end to summer, but how often do we stop and think of the historic origins of this national holiday?  How many of us know it marks a massive public protest in the streets of Toronto in 1872 for worker’s rights and benefits?

If you’re a third-generation Canadian, there’s a good chance your great-grandparents would have been working-age during the first Labour Day over 140 years ago, or may have even taken part in the protest themselves. But do you know what they actually did? 

According to a recent Ancestry survey, only one-third of Canadians know the occupation of at least one great-grandparent. 

And for those Canadians that don’t know when their ancestors arrived or where they arrived from, AncestryDNA gives you the ability to learn your ethnic ancestry and connect with others who may hold the key to the stories of your family’s past. More information about AncestryDNA can be found at: http://dna.ancestry.ca 

To access the immigration records Sept 3-7, please go to http://www.ancestry.ca/cs/labourday2015?o_iid=67317&o_lid=67317&o_sch=Web+Property

Happy Researching!

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

Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/08/canadian-news-in-review-cwr-31-august.html

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

Ontario's Oldest Family History Fair - Norfolklore Family History Fair 2016



The Norfolklore Family History Fair is the oldest genealogy fair in Ontario and is the one annual event that should not be missed if you are interested in Norfolk history and genealogy.
Each year since 1976 it has attracted dozens of genealogical resource providers/exhibitors and hundreds of genealogists researching their Upper Canada/Ontario/Norfolk roots.

It will be held Saturday, September 19th, 2015 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Eva Brook Donly Museum & Archives, 109 Norfolk St. S. Simcoe, Ontario. 

The admission will be $10.00 per person. $5.00 for Historical Society Members. 

Included in Admission - Norfolklore Gift Bag, containing information from family history providers across the Internet and local businesses.

There will be a speaker series, door prizes, and vendors.



Happy Researching!

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

Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/08/canadian-news-in-review-cwr-31-august.html

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

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Canadian Genealogy News (CGN) 03 September 2015



Here are some news items which have come across my desk this morning - 

Legacy Vital Statistics Now on Family Search Website

 
Although I reported on this during the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) conference back in May of this year, this is the first chance I have had to read about it on the Archives of Ontario website at http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/microfilm/legacy_vital_statistics_on_family_search_website.aspx

They signed a licencing agreement with Family Search International (FSI) to make available online several years of historical Ontario vital statistics records previously available only on microfilm.

The following records will be available online through the FSI website for free

Births 1869-1910 are available at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1784212

Marriages 1869-1927 are available at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1784216

Deaths 1869-1937 are available at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1307826

1392 Steam Locomotive Running Labor Day Weekend!

The Alberta Railway Museum located in Edmonton, Alberta, will be taking passengers on the Labour Day weekend September 5th, 6th and 7th for a trip around the museum. 

The museum is an outdoor display of railway equipment and buildings. The museum replicates a small terminal with station, water tank and shops. The main emphasis is on cars and locomotives from the Canadian National Railways (CNR), Northern Alberta Railways (NAR) and industrial and short line railways.

So, you can go to the museum at http://www.albertarailwaymuseum.com/

Happy Researching!

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

Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/08/canadian-news-in-review-cwr-31-august.html

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

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Canadian Genealogy News (CGN) 02 September 2015



Here are some news items which have come across my desk this morning - 

Genealogy courses at Oakville Public Library

The Oakville Public Library, Oakville, Ontario has announced the list of genealogy courses for the fall and winter of 2015-2016.

The courses for September are -

Scottish Research From Afar

Professional Genealogist Ruth Blair will take you through the process of using the site (ScotlandsPeople) and show you how to use other resources to narrow down your search in order to use it in a cost – effective manner. She’ll also demonstrate other online resources that can assist you with our research. If you can’t go to Scotland to research your family, then this lecture will help you discover what is available online.

The course will be held at the Central Branch on Wednesday September 23 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm 

The cost: $8.00

You can register through the website https://secure.oakville.ca/iris/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp 


The course code is 210787

Scottish Research beyond the Census and Civil registration

You’ve searched the Scottish census and civil registration records for your ancestors. What’s next? Are you on the right track? 

Professional Genealogist Ruth Blair will provide you with some resources to take you past the basic records to help you find out more about your Scottish ancestors. Why did the Scots emigrate and where did they settle? Understanding the emigration of the Scots is vital and will assist with your research and enhance your family history story.

Central Branch on Wednesday September 30th from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm

You can register through the website https://secure.oakville.ca/iris/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp 


The course code is 210785




Job opportunity

Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) is looking for an editor of their newsletter/journal The Ottawa Genealogist, as well as one new proof reader.

This is a very good newsletter/journal, with lots of news and articles, photos and local news. It is produced both electronically and manually, and is published four times a year. 

If you are interested, contact ottawachair@ogs.on.ca.


Happy researching!

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

Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/08/canadian-news-in-review-cwr-31-august.html

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

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Canadian Genealogy News (CGN) 01 September 2015


Here are some news items which have come across my desk this morning - 


1921 census for Pictou County, Nova Scotia has been posted 

The 1921 census for Pictou County, Nova Scotia is now fully transcribed and available to view at the link below. 

As usual, if you are not already a member of his site, you will have to complete a free registration form. 

Canada and U.S., Dutch Emigrants, 1946-1963

Very seldom does Ancestry put on new Canadian records, but this week there is a new one - Canada and U.S., Dutch Emigrants, 1946-1963.

You may find the following on the databse -

name

birth date

place of origin

arrival year

destination

sponsor year

religion

relation to head

family size

This database was Dutch Emigrant Families Assisted by the Immigration Committee of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, 1946–1963. Archives at Calvin College in Heritage Hall, Christian Reformed Church of North America, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

The database is at http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60926

Family members and others gathered at the DeForest Pioneer Cemetery in Milton, Ontario

On Saturday Aug 29, members of the DeForest family and others gathered at the DeForest Pioneer Cemetery in Milton, Ontario to witness the unveiling of a United Empire Loyalist Burial Site plaque to recognize Abraham DeForest.

See the photos on the Halton-Peel Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/774317655963454/permalink/920942034634348/

Abraham DeForest is listed at the United Empire Loyalist Directory at http://www.uelac.org/Loyalist-Info/loyalist_list.php?letter=d

Happy researching!

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

Check the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) 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/2015/08/canadian-week-in-review-cwr-23-august.html

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