Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 09 May 2016



I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

This Week in Canadian History 

Saint John, New Brunswick 

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

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

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

Montreal's First School  

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

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

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


Social Media 

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


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

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

Newspaper Articles 

Nova Scotia 

In-class Gaelic program to be offered 


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

Halifax to consider scrubbing city of Edward Cornwallis 


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

Demolition of Young Avenue mansion halted over safety concerns 


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

Ontario 

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


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

Tecumseh statue to mark important War of 1812 battle 


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

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

Hundreds Gather at First Canadian Black History Summit 


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

Families of the Kawarthas: The Batten Family 


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

Manitoba 

Winnipeg walkabout

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

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

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

Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame and Museum moving archives online 

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

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

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

Alberta

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

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

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

British Columbia 

Further recollections of the historical society 

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

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

Canadian Stories this Week 

Have you completed your census yet? 

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

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

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

You have until May 10th to send it in.

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

Canadian blogger attends NGS 2016

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

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

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

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

And that was the week in Canadian news!

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012!

Be sure to tell your friends about us.

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

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe

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

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 02 May 2016




I have come across the following Canadian genealogy, history and heritage websites, social media, and newspaper articles this past week that were of interest to me, and I thought you might be interested in them, too.

This Week in Canadian History 

Women in Nova Scotia were granted the right to vote 

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

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




Roman Catholic Jesuits arrived in Canada at Quebec from France

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

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



Social Media 

(Photos) HANTS HISTORY: April 28, 2016 edition 


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


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

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

Newspaper Articles 

Newfoundland-Labrador

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


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

Nova Scotia

Huge granite harvest table assembled in Grand Pré 


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

Halifax group wants heritage designation for Young Avenue building 


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

Shand House to remain ‘mostly closed’ by province 


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

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

Prince Edward Island

Lights, camera, action: seniors share stories on video 


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

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

Ontario 

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

To be completed 2019. 

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


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

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

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


The short list in alphabetical order: 

Pitseolak Ashoona (c. 1904-1983) 

Emily Carr (1871-1945) 

Thérèse Casgrain (1896-1981) 

Viola Desmond (1914-1965) 

Lotta Hitschmanova (1909-1990) 

E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913) 

Elizabeth (Elsie) MacGill (1905-1980) 

Nellie McClung (1873-1951) 

Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) 

Fanny (Bobbie) Rosenfeld (1905-1969) 

Gabrielle Roy (1909-1983) 

Idola Saint-Jean (1880-1945) 

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


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

Manitoba 

Celebrating Ukrainian migration to Canada

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

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

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

Alberta

Southminster church gets Historic Designation 


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

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

British Columbia 

Maple Ridge cemetery helps local history live on 


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

Antique tractor rebuilt by Canadian history lover 

George Hoffman brought a 1911 Rumely back to life 


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

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

The North

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


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

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

Canadian Stories this Week 

FamilySearch Wiki 

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

They have modified the following -

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kitchener Public Library Genealogy Fair

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

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

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

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

The website is http://kpl.org/ 

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

Ad that was the week in Canadian news!

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

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

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

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

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

(c) 2016 All rights reserved.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 25 April 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 

The North West Company

April 24, 1779 – The North West Company is formed in Montreal to compete with the Hudson’s Bay Company in the fur trade. It was founded by Simon McTavish, who had emigrated to Canada from Scotland at the age of 13 in 1763. 




Social Media 

(Photos) Tourism businesses putting Twillingate on the map

http://www.lportepilot.ca/News/Local/2016-04-19/article-4502651/Tourism-businesses-putting-Twillingate-on-the-map/1

Janet Denstedt and her husband, Richard Wharton, visited Twillingate 13 years ago. And they have bought and fully restored eight salt box houses - to rent them to others who want to stay in houses when they visit instead of hotels. Interesting idea!

(Photos) Craig Smith promotes Atlantic Canadian black heroes 


RCMP Sgt. Craig Smith asked students for the names of five famous black Americans. Then he wanted to know who were the Atlantic Canadian black heroes. The Grade 11 students at the Northeast Kings Education Centre could only name three people. I think there is a lot of work here to do!

[Blog] Ottawa’s Uppertown: A lost neighbourhood uncovered 


On February 27, 1912, following what appears to have been at least a few years of behind-the-scenes deliberations, the federal government expropriated all properties located in Uppertown, an area bounded by Bank, Wellington, and Bay Streets, and the cliff along the Ottawa River. 

Newspaper Articles 

Nova Scotia 

Archeologists look for star-shaped fort near Lunenburg Academy 


A mystery that is more than 250 years old and buried near the historic Lunenburg Academy may soon be solved. 

A star-shaped fort built by the British in 1753 had almost melted away into history until Saint Mary's University researchers found evidence of it through a geophysical survey. 

Barney’s River Station museum curator has been preserving history for nearly 20 years 


Nova Bannerman, a local hisorian at Barney's River, Nova Scotia, has written three booklets about life in the village. She has been the driving force driving force between the planning, opening and operation of the Barney's River Station School Museum. 

‘Wash Cornwallis away’ and back to Narrow River? 


Last December, Premier Stephen McNeil, asked that a Department of Transportation sign for Cornwallis River be taken down after a request from Mi'kmaq elder Dan Paul. He asked that the English name of the Cornwallis River be replaced by the name  Mi'kmaq- Jijuktu'kwejk River (pronounced Gigi-wh`tuk) meaning the Narrow River. 

Tupper inducted into medical hall of fame 


The only physician to be prime minister was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Sir Charles Tupper was from Nova Scotia. 

Wrecking crew awaits Amherst’s historic BMO building 


Amherst’s landmark Bank of Montreal Building is slated for demolition om April 23rd. 

Whitney Pier's Melting Pot monument to be replaced 


A monument to European immigrants of multiple nationalities who came to work at the steel plant in Sydney at the turn of the last century may have to be removed and replaced. 

New Brunswick 

Rockwood Park's history told through century-old photos, documents 


The New Brunswick Museum Archives will tell the story of how Saint John's ever-changing Rockwood Park evolved from an idea to what it is today. 

The archives are getting ready for a public event that will discuss the history of the massive urban park. 

'Racist' road name in Kings County changed 


For years, the name of a road east of Sussex in Kings County has been an ugly reminder to New Brunswick's past. Many looked at "Negro Brook Road" as a leftover of a racist heritage. But now the read has been renamed. 

It's now called the Harriet O'Ree Road, a name with special significance to the area. 

Quebec 

Quebec Place at Fairmount newest addition in historic cemetery renovation project 


Fairmount Cemetery announced the opening of its new event center, named Quebec Place at Fairmount. The opening of the event center reflects a national trend among cemeteries to provide spaces for gatherings and celebrations that aren’t funeral related, and is the newest addition to the historic cemetery’s $8 million renovation project. 

Ontario 

History comes home with return of original Town documents to Whitby archives 


A significant piece of Whitby’s past is now back in local hands with the return of a collection of historical documents to the community, including some dating back more than 150 years. 

Port Hope had a history of rum-running 


Port Hope became a place in which boats would be laded with rum for cities like New York. Where illegal Canadian whisky, French champagne, and English gin to major cities like New York City, where resale prices ran high. 

This Public Art Installation Packs Canada’s History into Stamps 


Return to Centre is an external exhibit on the outside of the first post office in Toronto. The artists are Joanne Tod and Jon Reed, who were enlisted to pay homage to the 1834 first post office, a historic fixture in Toronto’s St. Lawrence neighbourhood. 

Alberta

Heritage Park is marking the 100th anniversary of some Alberta women getting the vote with a new interactive exhibit. 

Caucasian women in the four western provinces were the first to get the vote in 1916, and by 1919, all Caucasian Canadian women had secured that right, though it would be decades before it became universal. 

British Columbia 

Top Places to visit in Canada - part 1 


Our travels will begin with the West Coast and work towards the East. Our journey begins with British Columbia.  

Canadian Stories this Week 

Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree

This week, I finished a six-week Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree FutureLearn course online, given by Tahitia McCabe, University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland and Course Leader for the MSc in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies. 

And the course is free! 

I found this course helpful, and I was intrigued by their approach to genealogy, employing the the use of Google, two DNA lectures, and real life research by a woman of her family – very interesting. 

So if you would like to take the course, go to https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/genealogy and register. 

MyHeritage 

MyHeritage has a new MyHeritage Community, a Question & Answer hub on the MyHeritage website where users can receive help from others to solve family history mysteries, as well as help others in their genealogical quests. 

A blog post about MyHeritage Community is on the MyHeritage blog, with some great examples of how users are helping one another.  

They now have 81-million registered users worldwide. 


This is where you go if you want to post your genealogy question - https://www.myheritage.com/community  

And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

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

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

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

(c)2016 All rights reserved.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 18 April 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 

April 13, 1938 Death of Grey Owl 


On this date, Grey Owl--the Englishman who thought of himself as an aboriginal, and became a best-selling author, lecturer, and a pioneer in the world’s conservation movement--died. 

As a child, he had been fascinated by tales of the Canadian wilderness that he had read about as a child, which was in sharp contrast to his own life growing up in England. He decided to leave home, and come to Canada.

He was a popular columnist and author, and it was only after his death that people came to realize that he was really Archibald Stansfeld Belaney from Hastings, England, born September 18, 1888. 

For further information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Owl 

April 15, 1945- British-Canadian Liberation of Bergen-Belson death camp 

In April 1`945, toward the end of the Second World War, the allies of Britain and Canada entered the Bergen-Belson concentration camp, to free the Jews sent to the camp by the Germans. 

After negotiations, the camp was declared a neutral zone, and the Allies forces entered on April 15. The combined British forces, augmented by Canadians, entered the camp, only to be horrified at what they found. 


Social Media 

(Audio) Fredericton rejects heritage-area subdivision restrictions 

Fredericton council has voted against more stringent rules for subdividing properties in the Saint Anne's Point heritage preservation area.

Council unanimously rejected the bylaw changes, which would have prohibited the creation of lots with less than 35 metres of frontage in the area of Saint Anne's Point. 

(Audio) Brent's Grist Mill to become future site of 'pasture for bees' 


Brent's Grist Mill, a run-down heritage site in Kelowna, British Columbia, dates back to 1871. 

The property, though, is about to get some fresh seed and become a sanctuary for wild pollinators like bees and butterflies, thanks to a partnership between the City of Kelowna and UBC-Okanagan. 

Newspaper Articles 

Nova Scotia 

Documenting clan history  


Curt Speight, an Amherst man, was recently made an honorary friend of the Clan Maclean Heritage Trust for the work that his company, Amherst-based IR Mapping, did mapping the family’s Scottish history.

Engage Nova Scotia survey on provincial identity get mixed reaction 


Nova Scotians were surveyed, and 71 per cent of those surveyed said they generally identify with their region of the province first, then the province overall.

Prince Edward Island 

P.E.I.'s Rachelle Gauthier finalist in national storytelling contest 


That's how Rachelle Gauthier describes her Acadian heritage in a moving video she recorded as part of a national contest sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). 

If you want further information on how to show how research funded by the council is "making a difference in the lives of Canadians" in a three minutes on video or in 300 words, then you can go to the SSHRC website at http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx.

Ontario 

JOY OF GENEALOGY: Family history can save lives 


April is Health Awareness Month, the perfect time to branch out and create a family medical tree from your family genealogy research. 

The Amateur Genealogist: Municipal Records – Part 1 


Municipalities provided an astonishing variety of records, all of them local (by definition!) and many just loaded with names of people living in that locality. 

Fraser Dunford, who is the Amateur Genealogist, has a new book called Ontario Land Records: a Beginner's Guide, which is available at the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) at their e-store at https://ogs.on.ca/ogsnewcart/. There will be a review of the book in the May issue of the OGS Families

ANAF: Importance of recognizing Vimy Ridge’s history 


As the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge passed on April 9, The Vimy Foundation has several events planned to commemorate this historic event in Canadian and world history. 

You can go to the ANAF website for more information at their website at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army,_Navy_and_Air_Force_Veterans_in_Canada 

Why Canada Is Going to Apologize to India’s Sikhs 


Did you know that the government of Canada will formally apologize next month for turning away hundreds of Indian immigrants from its shores more than hundred years ago?

The event in 1914 is known as the “Komagata Maru incident,” after 376 people, mostly Sikhs from Punjab in British India, were denied entry into Canada. 

The chartered ship they were traveling on was forced return to Kolkata and when it arrived in India, British soldiers killed more than a dozen passengers. 

Exhibition traces the cave carvings made by Canadian soldiers waiting to serve at Vimy Ridge 


Canadian soldiers that were holed up in caves up to 30 metres underground, in a chalk mine, in northern France as they prepared to join the attack on Vimy Ridge in April 1917, they left carvings on the wall which were discovered a number of years ago. 

Now a laser exhibit of the carvings are on their way across Canada, and I have heard that it is in Montreal now, and it will be making it way across Canada this summer. 

Saskatchewan 

Old fire hall among Regina buildings to get heritage protection 


Members of Regina's Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee will meet when they will consider recommendations to add four buildings to the city's list of properties that merit special protection from alterations. 

The four buildings are - 

Old No. 1 Fire Hall which was built in 1920 – 1921. It is located at 1654 11th Avenue (Osler and 11th). 

Frontenac Apts. which was built in 1929 and is located at Location: 2022 Lorne Street. 

Weston Bakery which was built in 1919, and is located at 1377 Hamilton Street (Hamilton and 8th Avenue). 

Somerset Block which was built in 1919, and is located at 1806 Smith Street. 

Canadian Stories this Week  

Library and Archives Canada 

Library and Archives Canada is systematically digitizing the service files of CEF soldiers from World War One, from box 1 to box 10686, which roughly corresponds to alphabetical order. Right now, they have digitized Box 4617 and the surname Hunt. 

Please check the database regularly for new additions, and if you still have questions after checking the database, you may contact them directly at 1-866-578-7777 for more assistance.

Today, 275,299 of 640,000 files are available online via their Soldiers of the First Would War: 1914 – 1918 database at http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/search.aspx 

On a personal note, my husband, Mario, currently a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, has had the unique opportunity and distinct honour and pleasure to work with these old and fragile (yet, very informative) personnel files at the LAC's Preservation Centre in Gatineau, Quebec. He says that the experience of handling a member's records, and, at times, x-rays and personal mementos within these files, is one he won't soon forget.

Glace Bay Heritage Museum launches new website 

Glace Bay, in the Cape Breton Island, has launched a new website, and the public was invited to the Glace Bay Heritage Museum in the Old Town Hall this past week to celebrate the launch of the museum's new website. 

The two-floored museum holds such things as the Marconi Room, where first Trans Atlantic Wireless Service was established between Table Head in Glace Bay and Ireland in 1907, and The Council Chamber, just to name a few of the exhibits. 

The new website is at http://www.oldtownhallglacebay.ca/ 


A church could become a genealogy centre in Quebec City 

This sounds like a fantastic plan! 

Église St-Jean Baptiste, located on St-Jean Street in the heart of the city, could house a genealogy centre for francophones across North America.

There are approximately 14-million people who are of French-Canadian descent in the northeast United States, besides people from France and all over the world who would be interested in this genealogy oasis in the centre of the city. 

Built in 1881, the church held the last mass last May 2015 because it couldn't afford the $10 million in necessary renovations. Not only do Espace solidaire hopes to open a digital genealogy centre, but also to re-open the closed community spaces and develop a welcome centre. 

The City of Quebec has given the Espace solidaire funds to conduct a feasibility report, and once that is finished (and hopefully the city votes for the development in a positive way), work can begin on the project. 

I will keep you posted! 

And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

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

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

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

(c)2016 All rights reserved.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 11 April 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 

Saskatchewan legislature began in 1906

In 1906, the first session of the Saskatchewan legislature began with Premier Walter Scott as the premier. It met in the former territorial government building in Regina, and the city would be declared in May. The building would be finished in 1912.  






CN Tower


In 1975, Toronto's CN Tower became, at the time, the world's tallest free-standing structure when its height reached 555.33 metres. 

Its Space Deck, at 447 metres, is the world's highest public observation gallery. 

The tower opened to the public June 26, 1976 and the official opening took place Oct. 1, 1976. 


Social Media 

(Photos) Blogger attempting to document every lighthouse in N.L. 


Mark Funnell, a Newfoundland blogger, is taking his ongoing fascination with lighthouses to the next level, with the creation of a blog and Instagram feed dedicated to the province's lighthouses. There are examples of the blog onsite. 

(Photos) Dartmouth Heritage Museum supporters pushing for new municipal museum 


The Dartmouth Heritage Museum is pleased with a recent decision by the municipality to take responsibility for its collection of 45,000 historical artifacts.

(Photo) Hants History: April 7, 2016 edition 


Here's a look at what was making the news 50 years ago in the Hants Journal. The 25 years ago segment is temporarily unavailable, and will be coming back in the early spring.

Newspaper Articles

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Rally to save Bryn Mawr heritage home in St. John's 

The Bryn Mawr house may be torn down, according to Cory Thorne, the head of Memorial University's folklore department. 

It is one of the few examples left of the Queen Anne architecture style in St. John's, and it was built by businessman James Baird as a summer home for his family in 1907. 

A piece of Second World War history is alive on Newfoundland and Labrador’s Bell Island 


Rolf Ruggeberg, a German submariner in the Second World War, “took photos of its rugged terrain and its quaint harbours. He recorded its daily weather. He made pencil drawings and charted the course of thousands of icebergs rubbing up against its rocky shores”. 

Only one spot in North America was hit by enemy fire during the Second World War and it was Bell Island, Conception Bay where two freighters waited to load iron ore. 

Nova Scotia 

ED COLEMAN HISTORY: Some venerable old newspapers in Kings County 


Since 1859 year, a number of county newspapers were founded in Kings County, and then quickly died. This has made it a bit confusing, trying to timeline these papers and achieve a reasonable idea of how long they lasted, who published them, and where.

New Brunswick 

St. Andrews council considers heritage bylaw 


The Town of St. Andrews took steps on Monday night to get heritage protection in place for its 300 historic properties.

Many residents were surprised to learn the seaside community had no heritage bylaws in place, said Lee Sochasky, a town councillor and member of the local heritage board.  

Ontario 

An important piece of history’: Government vault reveals secret of the ‘lost’ Last Spike 


The case of the lost Last Spike has been solved. 

In 2006, a group of Chinese Canadians presented then Prime minister, Stephen Harper, with an iron spike to coincide with the federal government’s apology for the head tax. And now they want to borrow it for a commemorative event, but the same spike went missing. 

Central bank announces advisory council to select women for new bank notes  


The Bank of Canada has announced a seven-member advisory council to help draw up a short list of Canadian women who could be featured on the next series of bank notes

Until April 15, Canadians can visit the Bank of Canada's website to submit nominations for the woman they think should appear on the bill. 

You can nominate a woman of note at https://surveys.opinionsearch.com/wix/p16599881.aspx, and you can read about it at http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/banknoteable/ 

The latest word is that 18,000 submissions have been received, and more are counting. Canadians have one week left to nominate their choice, or choices, for women whose picture should adorn their money. 


Alberta 

Museum showcasing a history of phones 


Alberta will launch its fourth area code this weekend. The new province-wide 825 area code will fill the void when the 403, 587, and 780 area codes run out. 

A display at the Musée Morinville Museum looks further back in the province’s, and Morinville’s, history with telecommunications. 

The display includes many phones, ranging from an example of the first phone used in the community to brick-sized early models of cellular phones. 

British Columbia 

Historic trail grand opening May long weekend 


In the next month, the 75 kilometre Hudson's Bay Company (1849) Heritage Trail will join the ranks of B.C.'s epic, multi-day trails.

This trail once served as the primary passage of the HBC horse brigades through the Cascades during the fur trade, linking B.C.'s coast and interior region. 

You can read about the trail at http://hopemountain.org/trails/hbc-heritage-trail/ 

Canadian Stories this Week

Canadian History Hall





Last week, the Canadian History Hall of the Canadian Museum of History held a meeting for the press where they told them of what is going to be in exhibit space when they open for the public on July 1, 2017.

There will be 12 exhibits from Gallery 1 - Early Canada, to Gallery 12, which will be a place where you can test yourself on Canada's geography.


And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012!

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

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

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe 

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

(c)2016 All rights reserved. 

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Canadian Week in Review 04 April 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 

Treaty of Utrecht

In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht, the treaty between France and England which settled the War of the Spanish Succession, saw the return of Nova Scotia to Britain. France retained Cape Breton and the Island of St. John, now Prince Edward Island. 


Canada's 10th province

In 1949, Newfoundland (now Newfoundland and Labrador), the oldest dominion in the British Commonwealth, became Canada's 10th province. 

Two referendums were held after the Second World War; the first was inconclusive, and the second approved Confederation by only 52 per cent. 

Thew capital city id St. Johns, and the island is the world's 16th largest, and Canada's forth largest island. 

For further information, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_(island)  

Social Media 

(Video) Potential Viking site found in Newfoundland 


A second Viking site may have been found in southern Newfoundland by a team of international archaeologists working in the province. 

(Photo) Hants History: March 31, 2016 edition 


News of 25 years ago (April 3, 1991 edition) is temporarily unavailable and will be coming back in the early spring, but the 50 years edition (March 30, 1966 edition) is here. 

(Photos) Dartmouth Heritage Museum supporters pushing for new municipal museum 

Officials with the Dartmouth Heritage Museum are pleased with a recent decision by the municipality to take responsibility for its collection of 45,000 historical artifacts. 


Newfoundland and Labrador  

Nunatsiavut government honoured for heritage work 


The government was awarded last week with a 2016 Manning Awards for Excellence in the Public Presentation of Historic Places, International category, for its work on the Hebron Mission restoration. 

The Hebron Mission is a project to restore the nearly 200-year old former Moravian church, as part of the Nunatsiavut government restoration program. It is taking part in the abandoned northern Labrador community of Hebron. 


Nova Scotia  

Not taking no for an answer: Municipal leaders from western Nova Scotia consider group trip to Ottawa  


The Canada Legacy Society, a group that has been formed by compiling the 12 municipal units from West Hants to Yarmouth in Nova Scotia, has applied for over two million dollars in funding from the federal Canada 150 fund – Canada's birthday next year.  

Prince Edward Island  

Stompin' Tom Connors project's fate rests with ACOA 


Back in July when plans were uncovered for $1.9 million Stompin' Tom Connors Centre, has hit a snag. The part of the funding that was to come from Heritage Canada has been denied because the centre is not considered an arts or heritage organizations by the Canadian Cultural Spaces Funding. 

Alberta 

Exhibit brings war close to home 


Okotoks Museum and Archives is going to be the host for the Provincial Archives of Alberta’s traveling exhibit called Alberta and the Great War to its facility next month. 

The exhibit shows how the First World War affected and changed the province. It will be available for viewing April 1 and will remain on site until June 30. 

If you want to go to the Town of Okotoks Museum & Archives, you can go to http://www.archivesalberta.org/walls/okotoks.htm  

North-West Territories 

History matters: Westerners had to fight for vote 


When the government came to the North-West Territories in the northern regions of Canada in the 1870s, they wanted to have a “free-hand” in deciding what kind of government would be in place, so the people had to fight for the right to vote.  

Canadian Stories this Week  

Archives Awareness Week 2016 

There is still a couple of days left as Archives Awareness Week is on till April 9th. 

This year’s focus is Customer Appreciation Week, where you will learn about the amazing collections and services, and meet the people they’ve inspired. 

You can visit the Archives Ontario site at http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/about/archives_week.aspx to see what is going on the archives this week. 

I can personally give the Archives of Ontario (AO) the seal of approval. Last time I was there was two years ago, which I spent three days there, and the staff were nothing but friendly and helpful, and I found great help, especially going through the municipal files, and land grant. I had a great time! 

the federal government are starting to hear announcements of funding 


The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, this week, announced an investment of more than $170-million to protect and preserve Parks Canada's five historic canals in Quebec. 

The five canals are -  

Lachine Canal - reconstruction work on the walls will be done 

Carillon Canal - the impressive lock of the Carillon Canal will be reconstructed 

Chambly Canal – work will be completed on the locks and bridges 

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal - service areas and footpaths will be built 

and 

Saint Ours Canal - build the Vianney-Legendre Fish Ladder 

On the press release, The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada said that "Through this significant investment, our government is protecting and preserving these treasured places, while supporting local economies, contributing to growth in the tourism sector, and enhancing the charm and attractiveness of these heritage sites. I encourage Canadians to visit and experience Parks Canada's special places and to enjoy the outdoors, while learning about our rich history and heritage."

Home Children 

And finally, this week, there is an e-petition online at http://canadianbritishhomechildren.weebly.com/apology-petition.html which concerns an apology to the Home Children – the children who were sent here from the United Kingdom in 1869 to the 1940s to work on farm and as domestics. 

Apparently, according to the people who have organized this petition, they now have enough signatures to go ahead with an initial presentation, but they will continue to collect signature for future presentations. They say that they will repeat this process as often as we feel necessary. 

And that was the week in Canadian news! 

This e-newspaper has been published since April 2012! 

Be sure to tell your friends about us. 

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

Publishers Elizabeth and Mario Lapointe  

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

(c)2016 All rights reserved. 

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