Monday, January 25, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 25 January 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 

First Canadian parachute jump in 1912

In May 1912, promoters of an “Aviation Meet” at Hastings Park announced plans for the first parachute jump out of a plane in Canada. 

The “birdmen” were pilots Phil Parmelee and J. Clifford Turpin, and a parachutist named Professor Morton. 

If you wish more about the parachute jump, go to 

Rationing during the Second World War 

According to new sugar rationing controls in the Second World War in 1942, sugar bowls were to be removed from tables in all restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, and institutions across the country. Sugar was to be served only by request and in reasonable quantities, generally understood to mean two lumps. 

If you wish to read about rationing, go to http://wartimecanada.ca/archive-categories/rationing 

Social Media 

(Video) Royal Alberta Museum prepares for the move downtown 


Behind the closed doors of the old Royal Alberta Museum, staff is culling exhibits from the 2.1 million artifacts in the museum's storage rooms that will be displayed at the new location downtown. 

Upcoming Canadian Events 

Conferences

NEW! 32nd Gene-O-Rama of the Ottawa Genealogical Society 

The conference will be held from April 1 – 2, 2016 at the Confederation Education Centre, 1645 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario which is at the corner of Hunt Club & Woodroffe Streets. 



If you need further information, go to http://ogsottawa.on.ca/Gene-O-Rama/  

UNLOCKING THE PAST 2016 

International Genealogy Conference UNLOCKING THE PAST 2016 will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the The Beach Club Resort, Parksville, British Columbia of the Qualicum Beach Family History Society in British Columbia. 

The featured speakers will be Colleen Fitzpatrick and Chris Paton, and registration is now open at http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-genealogy-conference-unlocking-the-past-2016-tickets-18765135024. It includes an early bird price. 

The website is located at http://www.qbfhs.ca/ 

Genealogy on the Cutting Edge 2016 

The Ontario Genealogical Society will be holding its annual conference from June 3rd to 5th at the Toronto’s International Plaza Hotel, Toronto. 

Speakers and agenda has been announced this past week. Registration will open in January. Registration is now open at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/registration/, Keep up-to-date with the latest news by following their website at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/, or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/171812826485725/ 

Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation 2017 

The Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will host the 2017 annual conference, and they have a call out for presentations. 

The conference will be held in Ottawa on June 16-18, 2017 at Algonquin College. The theme of the conference is Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation. 

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS FEBRUARY 15, 2016 

To submit proposals or ask questions, please contact the Conference 2017 Program Committee at: program.conference2017@ogs.on.ca. For more information about OGS or Ottawa Branch respectively, please visit: www.ogs.on.ca or www.ogsottawa.on.ca

Great Canadian Genealogy Summit 

The summit will be held in Brampton, Ontario from October 21 to the 23, 2016 at the 
Courtyard Marriott. 

On January 30, 2016, the Great Canadian Genealogy Summit will be holding a draw of all registrations and one lucky winner will have their registration fees reimbursed. 

In order to qualify you MUST have paid for your registration before January 29th, 2016 - at midnight http://ogsottawa.on.ca/Gene-O-Rama/ 


Newspaper Articles 

Nova Scotia 

Acadia Lifelong Learning class finds pieces of local history in Starr's Point 


Participants in an Acadia Lifelong Learning (ALL) class got to explore local history through a hands-on archaeological excavation in Starr’s Point. 

Prince Edward Island 

Historic Charlottetown showcased in outdoor heritage exhibit 


The exhibit will be unveiled on Heritage Day and run until Feb. 29 in some storefront windows.  

Ontario 

Early Guelph neighbourhood gets heritage designation 


Guelph now has its first heritage conservation district. 

Nearly a decade after it was first suggested, the Brooklyn and College Hill area has been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, city staff announced Thursday.

Canada salutes Black History Month with WWI batallion issue 


The latest stamp in Canada Post’s Black History Month series, which began in 2009, salutes the No. 2 Construction Battalion, formed 100 years ago in 1916.  

Turner & Townsend to restore Canada’s historic concert hall 


UK consultant Turner & Townsend has been chosen to project manage the multi-million dollar restoration of Canada’s historic concert venue, Toronto’s Massey Hall, over the next seven years.  

Behind the scenes: What you’ll find in the archives at the Peterborough Museum & Archives 

http://www.mykawartha.com/shopping-story/6237452-behind-the-scenes-what-you-ll-find-in-the-archives-at-the-peterborough-museum-archives/

The museum stores and exhibits important collections that include the key stories, images and artifacts of both the land and the people of Peterborough, 

Continued Neglect of Gore Heritage Buildings an Embarrassment

https://raisethehammer.org/article/2828/continued_neglect_of_gore_heritage_buildings_an_embarrassment

The danger at 18-28 King Street East was that the proposed demolition would merely make long-term property speculation easier by levelling the site and removing any heritage "complications". The fact that the owners did not present clear plans of what they would do with the site of the Gore buildings made it obvious that we would be looking at a huge vacant lot facing Gore Park for years to come.

Royal Canadian Mint plans circulating dollar for suffrage centennial

http://www.coinworld.com/news/world-coins/2016/01/rcm-plans-circulating-dollar-for-suffrage-centennial.html 

Canada is planning to celebrate the 100 anniversary of suffrage with a circulating commemorative dollar coin in 2016. 

During World War I, some women in Canada were finally allowed to vote, and in 1919 all women over the age of 21 gained the right to vote in a federal election. 

Alberta 

A brief history of Calgary newspapers: A front page history of our city's papers 


Calgary has a long newspaper history, with the earliest printing press arriving in our city by rail, addressed to "The end of the line."


One of the great myths of Saskatchewan history is that the two-century-old fur trade ended when Canada acquired the region from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1870. 

British Columbia 

Vancouver prompted WWII sell-off of Japanese-Canadian-owned property 


The city of Vancouver played a far more significant role in the federal government’s decision to sell Japanese-Canadian-owned property during the Second World War than previously thought, says a Victoria professor 

Haggis a treat for new director of Centre for Scottish Studies

Professor Katie McCullough, the new director of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Scottish Studies, admits to a secret liking for Scotland’s national dish, haggis. 

Canadian Stories this Week 

Mocavo and Findmypast are coming together 

Did you read this notice last week? I was particularly upbeat by this because I do have subscriptions to both companies, and now they are together. 

This means that Findmypast will inherit Mocavo's digistied newspaper collection, which I find is very good, especially since I found the marriage of my great-great-aunt in New York, which I had been researching for many years. All information had pointed toward Yarmouth, Nova Scotia as the place of marriage, but while she was in New York visiting her brother in Brooklyn, she met a fellow from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and they got married in Queens. He took her on an American cross-county trip to San Francisco where his family had migrated, and it was there that she settled, and lived the rest of her very long life.


The Voyageur Database 

Have you heard of this before - The Voyageur Database - which is made from the microfilms of the Protonotaire Montréal Greffes de notaires fonds of the Bibliothèque et Archives nationale du Québec?

It is a project headed by Nicole St-Onge at the University of Ottawa that has digitized over 35,000 fur-trade contracts of indentured servants who were hired in Montreal between the 1730s and 1830s. It is the largest collection of its kind for the fur trade. 

The Saint-Boniface Historical Society migrated the core data to an online platform on its website so that researchers, genealogists, and other interested parties could use this resource. 


And that was the week in Canadian news!

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Monday, January 18, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 18 January 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

In 1876, the Supreme Court of Canada sat for the first time; however, it was not until 1949 that it was considered as the last court of appeal in Canada. Up until that time, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, England still heard cases.

For more information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Canada


In 1974, Pauline Mills McGibbon became lieutenant-governor of Ontario, the first woman ever appointed to a vice-regal post in the Commonwealth.

She held the office until 1980.

For more information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Mills_McGibbon

Social Media 

Conference Keeper Blog

http://conferencekeeper.org/blog/

 A new blog by the WikiChicks curating genealogy conference dates



Mikequack.com blog

http://mikequack.com/

A new blog which highlights the conferences that Mike Quackenbush attends.

Upcoming Canadian Events 

Conferences 

NEW! 32nd Gene-O-Rama of the Ottawa Genealogical Society

The conference will be held from April 1-2, 2016 at the Confederation Education Centre, 1645 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, which is at the corner of Hunt Club & Woodroffe Streets.

The program is at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/GOR16Brochure.pdf

Registration is at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/GOR-2016-Fee-Calculator.pdf

If you need further information, go to http://ogsottawa.on.ca/Gene-O-Rama/

UNLOCKING THE PAST 2016

International Genealogy Conference UNLOCKING THE PAST 2016 will be held on
Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the The Beach Club Resort, Parksville, British Columbia of the Qualicum Beach Family History Society in British Columbia.

The featured speakers will be Colleen Fitzpatrick and Chris Paton, and registration is now open at http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-genealogy-conference-unlocking-the-past-2016-tickets-18765135024. It includes an early bird price.

The website is located at http://www.qbfhs.ca/

Genealogy on the Cutting Edge 2016 

The Ontario Genealogical Society will be holding its annual conference from June 3rd to 5th at the Toronto’s International Plaza Hotel, Toronto.

Speakers and agenda has been announced this past week. Registration will open in January. Registration is now open at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/registration/, Keep up-to-date with the latest news by following their website at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/, or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/171812826485725/

Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation 2017 

The Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will host the 2017 annual conference, and they have a call out for presentations.

The conference will be held in Ottawa on June 16-18, 2017 at Algonquin College. The theme of the conference is Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation.

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS FEBRUARY 15, 2016 

To submit proposals or ask questions, please contact the Conference 2017 Program Committee at: program.conference2017@ogs.on.ca. For more information about OGS or Ottawa Branch respectively, please visit: www.ogs.on.ca or www.ogsottawa.on.ca

Great Canadian Summit 

The summit will be held in Brampton, Ontario from October 21 to the 23, 2016 at the
Courtyard Marriott.

On January 30, 2016, the Great Canadian Genealogy Summit will be holding a draw of all registrations and one lucky winner will have their registration fees reimbursed.

In order to qualify you MUST have paid for your registration before January 29th, 2016 - at midnight

Go to http://mikequack.com/great-canadian-genealogy-summit-contest/

Registration has opened at http://www.cangensummit.ca/product/full-weekend-registration/

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland

IceCaps pay tribute to Regiment on 100th anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel

http://www.thetelegram.com/Sports/2016-01-14/article-4404244/IceCaps-pay-tribute-to-Regiment-on-100th-anniversary-of-Beaumont-Hamel/1

The St. John’s IceCaps unveiled their Royal Newfoundland Regiment tribute jersey Thursday at The Rooms to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme at Beaumont-Hamel.

Crowdfunding campaign to save historic Trinity church 

http://www.catholicregister.org/item/21598-crowdfunding-campaign-to-save-historic-trinity-church

Most Holy Trinity, a mission church in the town of Trinity, was built in 1833 when Roman Catholics were granted the right to practice their religion. It has never had lights or plumbing, but it remains active during summer months — and in dire need of repairs after 182 years of faithful service.

Nova Scotia 

Hants History: Jan. 14, 2015 edition 

http://www.hantsjournal.ca/Opinion/Columnists/2016-01-14/article-4400766/Hants-History%3A-Jan.-14,-2015-edition/1

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

Ontario

Queen Elizabeth exhibit at Timmins Museum 

http://www.timminspress.com/2016/01/11/queen-elizabeth-exhibit-at-timmins-museum

Royalty has come to visit northern Ontario as the Timmins Museum opened its most recent travelling exhibition, A Queen and her Country, on Saturday.

Blanket exercise teaches history from an indigenous perspective 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/blanket-exercise-teaches-history-from-an-indigenous-perspective-1.3400940

Known as the "blanket exercise," participants stand on blankets that represent the lands inhabited by indigenous people that eventually became Canada.

History museum staff silenced after raising ethical objections to buying Empress of Ireland
objects 

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/museum-staff-silenced-after-raising-ethical-objections-to-buying-empress-of-ireland-artifacts

Three months before the Canadian Museum of History acquired a prized collection of artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Empress of Ireland, six of its curators and archeologists told museum management they had serious ethical objections to the purchase.

Heritage chill sweeping through rural Ottawa 

http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/01/15/heritage-chill-sweeping-through-rural-ottawa

Heritage protection is going too far when council is asked to come to the rescue of old barns, council's rural chairman says.

Play and music part of celebration that will recognize Black History Month

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2016/01/16/play-and-music-part-of-celebration-that-will-recognize-black-history-month

February's Black History Month is both a celebration and a time of remembering the historical struggle of many African-Canadians' lives.

In his 18th year hosting concerts and plays, Ebenezer Inkumsah has helped teach thousands of Simcoe County children the historical relevance of events that have shaped the lives of Canada's black communities.

The Amateur Genealogist: Land Records – From Crown to Owner – Part 1 

http://www.mykawartha.com/opinion-story/6230765-the-amateur-genealogist-land-records-from-crown-to-owner-part-1/

All Ontario land originally belonged to the First Nation peoples. The Crown acquired land from the native peoples by treaty (that step alone is the subject of several books) and only the Crown could so acquire land.

British Columbia 

Exhibit open at Trail library showcases Italian Canadians interned during WWll

http://www.traildailytimes.ca/ourtown/365029461.html

It was a quiet Monday afternoon in 1940 when government authorities swept the home of Christine Demarco’s grandfather and hauled him off to an internment camp.

Canadian Stories this Week 

1921 census for Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia

Dwayne Meisner tell us that the 1921 census for Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia is now fully transcribed.

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

His site is at http://www.dwaynemeisner.com/census

 The census is at http://www.dwaynemeisner.com/census/novascotia/capebreton1921/index.php


LAC may partner with the Ottawa Public Library

And the last news item this week concern the possible cooperation between the Ottawa Public Library and the Library and Archives Canada in deciding a new location in Ottawa location of the new “super library”.

For years, the Ottawa Public Library has been looking for a partner, and now there is new that there has been a letter of intent from the LAC for this partnership idea. Wow! That's news!

So, how do you feel about this? I don't know. Does it lower the value for the LAC to be aligned with a city library? Or increase it's value?

Read the full story at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-public-library-library-and-archives-canada-working-together-on-new-central-branch-1.3400935 and
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/5-things-ideas-for-a-merged-ottawa-public-library-and-library-and-archives-canada.

And speaking of the LAC, they just issued the latest update in their scanning of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and they have just finished scanning box 3962 and the surname Halliwell.

If you need to look up someone, go to http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/canadian-expeditionary-force.aspx

And that was the week in Canadian news!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 11 January 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

Sir John A. Macdonald birthday today

It is our first prime minister's birthday today (11 January), and there are many events which are taking place in Canada to celebrate the event.

For more information, go to http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1363182861019/1363182934447 

Last year, when the 200th birthday was celebrated, the article was published called 6 Sir John A. Macdonald facts to mark his 200th birthday at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/6-sir-john-a-macdonald-facts-to-mark-his-200th-birthday-1.2895312



Muggins, the Red Cross Dog 

A small white dog called Muggins raised money for the Red Cross in Victoria, British Columbia, during the First World War. The dog collected a remarkable $21,000 in donations during the war.

For more information, go to http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/cseh-twih/index_e.asp

 Social Media 

(Photos) Manitoba photographer captures province's remaining grain elevators 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-photographer-captures-province-s-remaining-grain-elevators-1.3392241

McManus, a retired Winnipeg nurse, set out with her camera in June 2014 to take one nice photo of an old grain elevator for a photo contest she wanted to enter.

Upcoming Canadian Events 

Conferences 

NEW! 32nd Gene-O-Rama of the Ottawa Genealogical Society 

The conference will be held from April 1 – 2, 2016 at the Confederation Education Centre, 1645 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario which is at the corner of Hunt Club & Woodroffe Streets.

The program is at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/GOR16Brochure.pdf

Registration is at http://ogsottawa.on.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/GOR-2016-Fee-Calculator.pdf

If you need further information, go to http://ogsottawa.on.ca/Gene-O-Rama/

UNLOCKING THE PAST 2016 

International Genealogy Conference UNLOCKING THE PAST 2016 will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the The Beach Club Resort, Parksville, British Columbia of the Qualicum Beach Family History Society in British Columbia.

The featured speakers will be Colleen Fitzpatrick and Chris Paton, and registration is now open at http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-genealogy-conference-unlocking-the-past-2016-tickets-18765135024. It includes an early bird price.

The website is located at http://www.qbfhs.ca/

Genealogy on the Cutting Edge 2016 

The Ontario Genealogical Society will be holding its annual conference from June 3rd to 5th at the Toronto’s International Plaza Hotel, Toronto.

Speakers and agenda has been announced this past week. Registration will open in January. Keep up-to-date with the latest news by following their website at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/, or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/171812826485725/

Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation 2017 

The Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will host the 2017 annual conference, and they have a call out for presentations.

The conference will be held in Ottawa on June 16-18, 2017 at Algonquin College. The theme of the conference is Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation.

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS FEBRUARY 15, 2016

To submit proposals or ask questions, please contact the Conference 2017 Program Committee at: program.conference2017@ogs.on.ca. For more information about OGS or Ottawa Branch respectively, please visit: www.ogs.on.ca or www.ogsottawa.on.ca.

Great Canadian Summit 

The summit will be held in Brampton, Ontario from October 21 to the 23, 2016 at the Courtyard Marriott.

It will be three days of genealogy by speakers such as CHRISTINE WOODCOCK | Director, Genealogy Tours of Scotland; RUTH BLAIR, PLCGS | Professional Genealogist; KATHRYN LAKE HOGAN, UE, PLCGS | Professional Genealogist at Looking 4 Ancestors; and MIKE QUACKENBUSH | Professional Genealogist - Research Coach, to name a few.

Registration has opened at http://www.cangensummit.ca/product/full-weekend-registration/

Newspaper Articles 

Nova Scotia 

Heritage trust trying to save BMO building 

http://www.cumberlandnewsnow.com/News/Local/2016-01-07/article-4396846/Heritage-trust-trying-to-save-BMO-building/1

Members of the heritage trust appeared before council in October asking for several months so it could raise the money and in-kind donations required to restore the building that has been left to the elements over 20 years.

The Buckley tradition: A family history in photos 

http://www.guysboroughjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80:the-buckley-tradition-a-family-history-in-photos&catid=42:front-page-stories 

It is rare these days to find a family continuing in the same line of business as their forefathers. There are the occasional merchants that pass down the family business but with the wide world calling, most families spread out and away from traditional occupations. But that is not the case for the Buckley – Corkum line with roots here in Guysborough.

'Birthplace of hockey' trademark holder reaches deal with Windsor, N.S. 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/windsor-rebrand-birthplace-of-hockey-1.3390616

A small town in Nova Scotia has come to an agreement over a dispute with the Windsor Hockey Heritage Society, which owns the copyright to the phrase "birthplace of hockey."

Quebec

Inside the vault: Quebec's hidden artifacts

http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/inside-the-vault-quebec-s-hidden-artifacts-1.2726220

One of the largest and diverse collection of artifacts in the country is stored in a warehouse in an industrial park in Quebec City.

It's home to everything from relics of Montreal's former wax museum, to old snowmobiles.

Lost in Quebec City 

http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/lost-in-quebec-city/

Narrow cobblestone streets stuffed with charming vendors, galleries, sidewalk cafes, picturesque churches, historic inns and wonderful restaurants, have helped Quebec City earn the moniker, “Paris without the jetlag.”

Ontario 

Ottawa historian seeks proper burials for Canadians killed at Vimy Ridge 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawa-historian-seeks-proper-burials-for-canadians-killed-at-vimy-ridge/article28050411/

An Ottawa historian has undertaken a mission to give proper burials to more than 40 Canadian soldiers killed at Vimy Ridge.

Norm Christie, an author and History Television host, says that on April 9, 1917, a unit of the Canadian Scottish regiment attacked across a field in northern France.

Brigid's Well pub opens in former Lowertown church basement 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/brigids-well-pub-in-old-church-basement-1.3393110

If you're looking for a drinking hole that feels like a cave, the new pub in the basement of the former Saint Brigid's church might be your kind of setting. The pub is located next to the Byward Market in Ottawa.

MLSE lets heritage sculptures crumble at Air Canada Centre, artist charges 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/mlse-acc-art-temporale-heritage-1.3395714

Louis Temporale runs his hand over a striking Art Deco scene carved into the south side of the Air Canada Centre. He's enraged as pebbles rain down.

Manitoba 

Manitoba marks 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage 

http://mytoba.ca/news/manitoba-marks-100-year-anniversary-of-women-voting/

The Manitoba government is marking the 100th anniversary of voting and political milestones for women with a series of special events and initiatives in January.

Women missing on bank notes 

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/Women-missing-on-bank-notes-364533151.html

Apparently the Royal Canadian Mint wishes to produce a one dollar coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of female suffrage in Canada and it has been recently authorized by the Governor General.

Time may get better for Times Change(d) club 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/time-may-get-better-for-times-change-d-club-1.3392812

An effort to save an iconic Winnipeg cultural space and a building some say is loaded with historical significance now has a serious financial backer.

Alberta

Local sign shop restoring piece of Alberta history

http://www.drumhellermail.com/news/27912-local-sign-shop-restoring-piece-of-alberta-history

Fred Makowecki has been handed a piece of Alberta history, to mold, restore and be a part of.

Handed might not be the best description, as the sign on the Fairmont Palliser in downtown Calgary measures more than seven feet and weighs hundreds of pounds.

Preserving history in Stony Plain

http://www.stonyplainreporter.com/2016/01/08/preserving-history-in-stony-plain

The Heritage Agricultural Society in Stony Plain has received a grant that will play a big part in getting restoration work started on the Multicultural Heritage Centre.

British Columbia

Cranbook clock tower parts in good hands with history society

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cranbrook-clock-tower-parts-1.3394691

The Cranbrook History Centre is thrilled about the latest addition to their collection: the gears from the clock in downtown Cranbrook.

According to volunteer Dave Humphrey, the clock parts have quite a bit of history behind them.

Canadian Stories this Week 

Whose family history is it anyway?

If you don't read anythimg else in the newspaper, you have to read this article in the Globe and Mail - Kate Taylor: In copyright law, who owns a family’s history? 

In the article, she gives the short history of copyright infrigment in Canada, and its narrow interpution be the surpreme court in other cases, and it will remains to be seen if it will apply in this case.

The story behind the story is that the book, My Mother’s Secret, encroached on the story told in the documentary by American-Israeli journalist Judy Maltz, in which it documentated a family’s escape from the Nazis in the Second World War, called No. 4 Street of Our Lady.

So is the the book, written by Canadian author, Jenny Witterick, and her publisher - Penguin Random House Canada – which Maltz says have some parts of its plot and its central characters from the documentary a copyright infringement?

It is interestimg to note that Witterick self-published the book first as a fiction novel, and then Penguin Random House Canada published it as a non-fiction book under another title.

So the court case asks that question – is this a new and original book that has been “inspired by a story that is a matter of historical record”?

So what do you think? Is what happened to your family a matter of historical fact, or private events that just happened in their lives? What if you publish it? Does it become “historical fact?”

To read the whole article, go to http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/kate-taylor-when-it-comes-to-copyright-law-who-owns-a-familys-history/article28080773/

Ramp-up Family History

And we are starting to ramp up Family history in view that 2017 will be the 150th birthday of Canada.

And we see that other people are starting to get into the swing of things this year, like the Yorkton branch of the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society will be holding their next meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the Yorkton Public Library.

In a program called Fast Forward to the Past - Discover the joy of geneology this year, the yorktown branch is willing and able to help you start your genealogy, and make 2016 the year of discovery for your family!

If you want more information as to how to start your own genealogy, go to https://sgsyorktonchapter.wordpress.com/

And that was the week in Canadian news!

Monday, January 4, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 04 January 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

St. Lawrence Steamboat Company

In 1763, brewer-banker-steamship builder-politician John Molson was born in Spalding, England. He died in 1836.

John Molson, & Sons, was the first company to start the St. Lawrence Steamboat Co. , and provided many of the emigrants passage from Quebec City down to Montreal. 

For more information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Molson  



Yonge Street, Toronto 

In 1795, plans for building Toronto's Yonge Street were first proposed. The 48-kilometre road, from York (now Toronto) north to Lake Simcoe, was one of the earliest highways in Canada and is still one of the most important roads in Ontario. It was named for Sir George Yonge, then secretary of state for war in the British government. The road was completed in April, 1796. 

For more information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonge_Street

Calixte Paquet dit Lavallée

In 1842, Calixte Paquet dit Lavallée, the composer of our national antham, O Canada, was born in Vercheres, Lower Canada (now Quebec). The song, with words by Judge A.B. Routhier, was composed for a national convention of French Canadians held in Quebec City in June, 1880. 

He died in Boston in 1891. 



Social Media 

(Video) Rebuilding Montreal's cobblestone history, brick by brick 


On St-Gabriel St. in Old Montreal, Françis Lemaire and his team of mortar-stained men are slowly rebuilding the street as it was done 200 years ago, one granite stone at a time. 

(Video) Former Sydney Steel mill park launches YouTube history lessons


Visitors at the former Sydney Steel site will be able to explore the plant's memories using smartphones.

The site turned into a commercial and recreational park with walking trails and playground after the plant closed 15 years ago.

Upcoming Canadian Events 

Conferences

UNLOCKING THE PAST 2016 

International Genealogy Conference UNLOCKING THE PAST 2016 will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the The Beach Club Resort, Parksville, British Columbia of the Qualicum Beach Family History Society in British Columbia.

Registration will be open very soon, but I am writing you now to let you know that we have just issued a supplementary call for presentations on late-breaking cutting-edge developments. 

The Supplementary Call can be found online at www.ogs.on.ca/conference/new-call/, and the full text of the Call is also set out below for your convenience. 

The featured speakers will be Colleen Fitzpatrick and Chris Paton, and registration is now open at http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-genealogy-conference-unlocking-the-past-2016-tickets-18765135024. It includes an early bird price. 

The website is located at http://www.qbfhs.ca/

Genealogy on the Cutting Edge 2016

The Ontario Genealogical Society will be holding its annual conference from June 3rd to 5th at the Toronto’s International Plaza Hotel, Toronto. 

Speakers and agenda has been announced this past week. Registration will open in January. Keep up-to-date with the latest news by following their website at http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/, or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/171812826485725/ 

Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation 2017

The Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will host the 2017 annual conference, and they have a call out for presentations. 

The conference will be held in Ottawa on June 16-18, 2017 at Algonquin College. The theme of the conference is Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation. 

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS FEBRUARY 15, 2016 

To submit proposals or ask questions, please contact the Conference 2017 Program Committee at: program.conference2017@ogs.on.ca. For more information about OGS or Ottawa Branch respectively, please visit: www.ogs.on.ca or www.ogsottawa.on.ca.

Great Canadian Summit

The summit will be held in Brampton, Ontario from October 21 to the 23, 2016 at the 
Courtyard Marriott. 

It will be three days of genealogy by speakers such as HRISTINE WOODCOCK | Director, Genealogy Tours of Scotland, RUTH BLAIR, PLCGS | Professional Genealogist, KATHRYN LAKE HOGAN, UE, PLCGS | Professional Genealogist at Looking 4 Ancestors, and MIKE QUACKENBUSH | Professional Genealogist - Research Coach, to name a few. 


Newspaper Articles 

Nova Scotia

Southwestern NS pushing for legacy funding


With Canada's 150th birthday a little over a year away, regional municipalities are stepping up efforts to promote the heritage of southwestern Nova Scotia. 

History on parade


Hants County’s 84th Regiment of Foot granted freedom of the town. 

Windsor - With an official proclamation in hand, the 84th Regiment of Foot can now officially walk through the Town of Windsor. 

Ontario 

Remembering Canadians' sacrifices in Hong Kong 


Christmas Day 2015 marked the 74th anniversary of the fall of Hong Kong to Japanese invading forces. 

Unionville heritage experts to speak at Cookstown seminar 


Two experts who helped develop Unionville’s heritage area will speak during a one-day seminar about Cookstown’s new heritage district on 16 January 2016. 

New Year's Day levee an annual Armoury affair 


A military tradition centuries in the making continued on New Year’s Day in Thunder Bay.

Members of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment opened the doors of the O’Kelly Armoury to the public on Thursday, toasting Queen Elizabeth II while looking back on the past year and ahead to 2016. 

Manitoba

Farm journals a record of Prairie history 


If you want to know from what direction the wind was blowing in Deloraine, Man., in 1895-96, 1922 and 1924, you’re in luck. 

A set of journals written by William C. White, held in the archives of Manitoba, contains daily entries from those years. 

Saskatchewan 

Underground history: A look at Saskatoon's streetcars


It’s a piece of local history that’s gone underground only to occasionally resurface 

Alberta 

7 names for Calgary before it became Calgary


Calgary was incorporated as a town in 1884, but it was known by many names before that.

Canadian Stories this Year 

Top 5 Stories This Year 

From my vantage point in Canada's capitol area, five top stories that have occupied our minds this year has made the list, and they are - 

1 . Remember this? In January, Canada was atwitter with the news that we would have a new National Genealogy Conference in Canada at Historic Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 17 - 19, 2015. But as time progressed, and the cost was revealed to be more than the average Canadian could afford, enthusiasm started to wane for the conference. By June, it had been cancelled. So much for that idea. 

But then, in December, another conference had been announced. This time, it came from southern Ontario, and it would be the Great Canadian Genealogy Summit. This time, it is being put on by a trio of Canadian genealogists and I think stands a better chance of making a success of it this time. The cost is reasonable, and it has stuck with some genealogy 'truesms” like, a day of pre-conference workshops. 

2. Ancestry is going to drop the production of their popular sofyware package, Family Tree Maker, effective December 31, 2016. This struck us like a ton of bricks in December! We were't even pre-warned of this coming. 

So we have exactly one year to decide what we are going to do. One thing is for sure, even if we didn't already have our tree on our device of choice before this was announced, we will have it on our computer now. 

3. The continuing drop in membership for genealogical societies and the moth-balling of a number of branches of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) is not good news. What shall we do? This has been going on for at least five years now, and is doesn't look like it is stopping. Which leads to the question – will there be the genealogical societies in Canada five years from now? If so, what will they look like? Who will be the members? Will they exist only on the Internet, like the Waterloo Branch of the OGS does now? 

4. The advent of crowdsourcing for genealogical societies and for special events. As you know, I have been covering the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society this year, and they were successful in revealing their 2015 goal. They quite plainly told people that if they did not reach their goal, they would have to close. And the Centre for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph tried crowdsourcing for their work in having a special place put aside for digitizing your family history. It is crowdsourcing with a purpose – so give it serious consideration when genealogical organizations ask for your help. 

5. Reduction of social media in 2015. Well, at least this is so in new blogs. Geneabloggers used to list at least a dozen new blogs every Saturday, now it is something if there are 2 or 3, so blogs have definitely dropped in popularity. I just checked, and today (Saturday, 2 January 2016) there is 1 new blog! Facebook is still holding its own, but is more of a 'greet and meet' exchange medium, rather than an exchange of genealogical information, and Twitter, I find the same way. So has social media really changed the genealogy scene that much? I don't think so.

And a special mention should be made of this special announcement in December, which is that the information amassed by the Aboriginal Truth and Reconciliation Commission has necessitated the opening a NEW archives at the University of Manitoba called the National Research Centre. 

The centre will hold thousands of video and audio-recorded statements that the Commission has gathered from the survivors and others affected by the schools. In addition. there will be millions of digitized archival documents and photographs it is collection.

And that was the week in Canadian news!

Canada's ONLY genealogy, heritage and history newspaper since 2012. 

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Belated Blogiversary to us!


We’ve been so buy over the holiday season with genealogy research that we missed our own blogiversary! 

Yes, it’s been 8 years, since 02 January 2008, that we set up shop as a blog. This is equal to 2298 posts, as of last count, equal to more than 287 posts a year! 

It became an extension of our website, www.GenealogyCanada.com, offering the latest in Canadian genealogy, history, and heritage news!

Thank you for being a part of our readership. We appreciate you taking the time to visit.

Wishing you and yours all the best for a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

And remember, read the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) tomorrow morning! It has been published every Monday since 2012!

Sincerely,

Mario & Elizabeth Lapointe