Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Finding Your Canadian Ancestors

This is an interesting article in the Edmonton Journal the other day at

It shows how doing research in Canada can be interesting when you combine doing the research on the computer, and belonging to a local genealogical society.

The two go hand-in-hand, and can lead to great results, especially when the society has a "Members Only" website, as many Canadian societies have now. They are storehouses of information!

Good luck in finding your Canadian ancestors!
 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

SCOTCH ROAD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

This a press release that was sent along the other day - 
“St Mungo's United Church will hold a Scottish Memorial Day in honour of the 
Scottish pioneers of the North Shore of the Ottawa River, on August 19, 2012. 
The activities will start with a church service at 3:00 p.m. and continue with a 
barbecue afterwards. Taking part in the festivities will be the Black Watch 
Association Pipes & Drums of Montreal under the command of Pipe Major Brian 
MacKenzie, and Gaelic singers, Fiona McDonald, Director of the Gaelic Choir of 
Ottawa and Catherine-Ann MacPhee of Barra who is universally regarded as one of 
the most gifted and engaging Gaelic singers of her generation.
The impressive stone church, built in 1836 by the Scottish stonemasons who 
worked on the Ottawa River canals, has undergone extensive restoration of the 
exterior in recent years. This event will launch St Mungo's fundraising for the 
restoration of the interior. Official tax receipts for all donations over $20.
WHEN: August 19, 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: St Mungo's United Church, 661 Route des Outaouais (Highway 344) in 
Cushing on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River.
For more information, call 514-937-2131 or e-mail avoca@allstream.net

Friday, July 13, 2012

Want to go to Salt Lake City?

Bruce & Grey Branch of the OGS is planning a research trip to Salt Lake City from August 12-18, 2012.

The hotel is the The Carleton Hotel (about 2 blocks from Family History Library) at 140 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT. 84111.

To get all the information that you need, plus prices, go to http://bruceandgreygenealogy/com

To ask any questions, email Kathleen at labuszkl@bmts.com

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Database Back Online

A person posted on the NS Mailing List that the Colchester Archives’s databases are back online at www.colchesterhistoreum.ca.

The database has been offline for quite a while now, and I agree that it is very useful when researching Colchester County families in the Truro area.

Just click on Search Historical Colchester Records Online.

Friday, June 29, 2012

A FREE Concert in Ottawa on Canada Day!

The Central Band of the Canadian Forces will perform a free outdoor Canada Day concert, July
1st, 11am - noon, on the National Arts Centre Terrace, corner of Elgin and Queen. 
 
In case of inclement weather, the concert will move to the main lobby of the NAC.
 
The National Arts Centre is honoured to be displaying the seventh Book of Remembrance in Le Salon at the NAC from 10am - 5pm.
 
Visitors will be able to view this unique work of art, containing the names of all Canadians who have
died in service since the end of the Second World War. 

Toronto History Branch Fall Meetings

Gwyneth Pearce has sent information about the Toronto History Branch meetings, and workshops to be held this fall.  
DATE: 22 September 2012: Saturday (9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.)
LOCATION: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto
TITLE OF COURSE: "Ancestry Day"
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: Lesley Anderson
BRIEF INFO: This course will provide detailed information about the most effective strategies for searching Ancestry’s growing number of databases with special emphasis on some of the newer features. Participants will also learn how to create and share their online tree.
DATE: 3 October – 21 November 2012: Wednesdays (2:00- 4:00 p.m.)
LOCATION: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto
TITLE OF COURSE: "Basic Genealogy and Family History"
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: Jane E. MacNamara
BRIEF INFO: Designed for those just beginning to research or looking to upgrade basic research skills, this course will cover terminology, types of sources, the use of on-line resources, libraries and archives, and record-keeping – to help you “think like a genealogist”.
DATE: 17 November 2012: Saturday (9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.)
LOCATION: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto
TITLE OF WORKSHOP: "Irish Family History Workshop"
NAME OF INSTRUCTORS: TBA
BRIEF INFO: This full-day workshop will cover a comprehensive range of topics of interest to family historians with Irish research interests. Detailed information about the program, speakers and registration to come.
For a full schedule, go to www.torontofamilyhistory.org

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Ancestr.ca is FREE!

To celebrate Canada Day on July 1st, Ancestry.ca is offering FREE access to more than 40 million historical records that is available now to July the 2nd.
Free access includes -
 Canadian Passenger Lists and Ocean Arrivals - outlining the masses of people who arrived by ship -- the only form of international travel available to people at the time -- at port cities across Canada
The 1871 Census of Canada - the first Census Canada conducted as a nation, which gives a snapshot of the life of the people living at the time, including who they lived with, their ages, their jobs, the birthplaces of their parents, their neighbours and more
Vital records (i.e. birth, marriage and death records) from British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia - outlining the significant moments in the people’s lives like children born, marriages and deaths.
Visit http://www.ancestry.ca/ to search all of the records being made available for free this weekend.