Saturday, September 15, 2012

The Fall Edition of Anglo-Celtic Roots


The fall issue of the Anglo-Celtic Roots (Autumn issue), is out, and it is absolutely full of interesting articles.

For instance, the first article is called “Bound for Canada” by Andrew Frownd in which he recounts the letters from his grandmother (Augusta Mary Oates) that she wrote as she travelled across Canada to Saskatoon right before the Great War broke out. In this part of the journey, you follow her across the Atlantic Ocean to Montreal.

“The Rowe Family Bible – a Link to Their Newfoundland History” by Robert P. Woodland writes about his family from Somerset, England to Trinity, Newfoundland, and the fortunate discovery of a family Bible which helped him to do the family’s genealogy.

Betty Warburton writes about ”Searching for Uncle Percy’s Naval Records” , and by reading the article you get a very good idea of what a treasure trove members of the family can be – she discovered the information she needed to know from Uncle Percy’s grandson so that she could uncover his service record at the Library and Archives Canada.

The article by Helen Garson writes about “A Mystery Solved in South Africa” tells us that by researching in South Africa, she found her Watson ancestors, and Glenn Wright writes about the War of 1812 resources in “Discover the War of 1812: Websites, Archives and Books for the Discerning Researcher”.

As the postscript to this edition of Anglo-Celtic Roots, it should be noted the Glenn Wright has been re-elected president of BIFHSGO for another two year term. Congratulations, Glenn.

Go to www.bifhsgo.ca

Friday, September 14, 2012

Family History & Genealogy Seminar

Pamela Wile, the editor of the Nova Scotia Genealogist of the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, writes to say that there are only a few seats left at the Family History & Genealogy Seminar being held by the DesBrisay Museum in Bridgewater. 

As a sponser of the event, GANS will present the following talks -

Every Gravestone Tells a Story - Deborah Trask

Historic Maps a Great Resource - Joan Dawson

Oral History - A Wealth of Information - Barb Cullen

Inter-Generational Research - Joan Parks-Hubley

Turn Your Research Into Artwork - Dawn Josey

The cost is $20.00 for the day, and includes refreshments and lunch.
DesBrisay Museum at 902.543.4033 for further information. They can accept payment by VISA or Mastercard over the phone.

The Seminar will be held from 8:45 am to 5:00 pm, and the day will wrap up with a walking tour of the Brookside Cemetery, a municipal heritage site.

The GANS website is at www.chebucto.ns.ca/recreation/GANS

Thursday, September 13, 2012

What is a ‘Reasonably Exhaustive Search? A Webinar


Michael Hait, a very renowned, and respected genealogists from Delaware, gave a Webinar Wednesday (sponsored by Legacy Family Tree) in which he gave a lecture on doing an exhaustive evidence search in using the Genealogical Proof Standard to do genealogy.

Michael discussed what a “reasonably exhaustive search” is, why it is necessary, and how to conduct a search.

He gave a case study of his own family who lived in Stanford, Connecticut, and New York. This is where he used the Genealogical Proof Standard – was his ancestor born in Connecticut or New York.

See how he used “direct evidence” and “indirect evidence” to solve the problem.

He has put three articles on his website that you may like to read http://michaelhait.wordpress.com  

•“How to conduct a ‘reasonably exhaustive search’ for relevant records”

•“Finding what you are not looking for”

•“Does a ‘reasonably exhaustive search’ include online family trees?”

This was the 83rd Webinar that they have given at Legacy Family Tree website. They have been giving them for 2 years, and they had 1,500 participants this time on Wednesday.

I encourage you to take part in these Webinars. He has some of the most important genealogists in the world who participate. They are very informative, and they are FREE!

Go to www.legacyfamilytree.com/webinars

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

New Digital Family History Books

An update to the list of digital books that FamilySearh.org is putting online has just been released.

They have added 1,200 family history books to the list reports Nathan W. Murphy in his blog, during the month of July. These books are now accessible to everyone for free at Family History Books.

In addition to 700+ family genealogies, right now they have United States and Canada Books, British Isles Books, Compiled Genealogy Books, and International Books.

I checked and there are book on Alberta, and on the Red River Settlement in the United States and Canada Books section.

Go to their website at https://familysearch.org/blog/en/digital-family-history-b

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Doors Open Ontario 2012

The Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, Trenton, ON will thrown open the doors to its library on Saturday September the 15th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. during Doors Open Ontario 2012.

Their library is housed in the Quinte West Public Library, and it contains traditional printed material and microfilm records, cemetery transcriptions, census data, birth/marriage/death records and searchable databases.”

For more information about Doors Open Ontario 2012 visit www.doorsopenontario.on.ca

Monday, September 10, 2012

New Canadian Websites

I came across these website over the past week, and I thought you might like to know about them too -


Victoria’s Victoria www.victoriasvictoria.ca This website focuses on Victoria, Canada, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Includes an index to Victoria, British Columbia newspapers from 1858 to 1921, including birth, marriages and deaths.

Reaching the Heartwood http://reachingtheheartwood.blogspot.com Linda, from Connecticut, has started a blog (using a leaf background of vibrant colours), in which she follows her New England and Québec ancestors

Some items that made the newspapers this past week in Canada were

The Compass www.cbncompass.ca/Columnists/Ed-Roberts/2012-09-05/article-3067985/The-Butlers---Newfoundlands-Oldest-Family/1 Read about the article that the family name of Butler could be added to the list of first settlers at Cupids in Newfoundland and Labrador.

A historian's obsession with the Medal of Honor www.oakbaynews.com/news/168017036.html
Read about Bart Armstrong, and his quest to find Canadians who had received the Medal of Honor in the American Civil War.

Cold Creek Stewardship unveils historical signs www.kingsentinel.com/news/2012-08-29/Community/Cold_Creek_Stewardship_unveils_historical_signs.html Read about how the ”The Cold Creek Stewardship Program, and it has completed the second of a series of educational signs for Cold Creek in the commemoration of the Cairns Family who first settled one of the four properties that comprise Cold Creek Conservation Area.”

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Ireland Canada Monument

I have been following the news as the people behind The Ireland Canada Monument as they have put their plans before the Vancouver city Council for approval during the past couple of years.

Lately, they seem to be making good process, and the other day Brendan Flynn, the Executive Director of The Ireland Canada Monument sent out a progress report.

She reports, along other things, that all 120 names (100 on the Monument website) and 20 (Honourary Mention category) will be include on the Monument; that The Brian Ború Harp (The Harp of Ireland), the Celtic Cross and the Map of Ireland will feature on the Central Column of the Monument (how the Map of Ireland is to be included on the central Column requires review); and the drawing of Irish Music and Irish Dancing will feature on the Monument.

Once these issues are addressed in the very near future, The Monument Society will proceed with estimating the outstanding items to finalize the overall budget.

She says that fundraising to raise the required funds to build the Monument will begin as soon as possible. If you can help in anyway please do not hesitate to contact me.

To read more about this monument, go to their website at http://irelandmonumentvancouver.com