Sunday, July 27, 2014

Reminder: Canadian Week in Review



Check the Canadian Week in Review tomorrow morning for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. 
It has the most up-to-date news items covered in New/Updated Websites, History, Social Media, and Newspaper Articles. 
It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country!
It has been a regular post every Monday morning since April 23, 2012.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

350th anniversary of the Notre-Dame de Québec parish

The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec
Photo credit: Gilbert Bochenek

The year 2014 marks the 350th anniversary of the Notre-Dame de Québec parish, the oldest Catholic parish in North America, north of Mexico.

Monsignor François de Laval, who arrived in Québec City in 1659 as the vicar apostolic, signed the decree for the establishment of the parish on September 15, 1664, in honour of the “Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

The church, located on the Cap-aux-Diamants promontory, was opened for worship in 1650. Over the years, it has undergone many alterations, including renovations, expansions and reconstructions.

The 350th anniversary is being celebrated in a special way with the opening of a Holy Door, a symbol of humility and a rare privilege granted by the Holy See. The Holy Door is the seventh in the world and the first in North America. It will remain open until December 28, 2014.

The history of the Holy Door is http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/documents/ns_lit_doc_14121999_porta-santa_en.html

The Holy Door is open from 8:45 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Monday to Sunday, until September 1. From September 2 to December 27, the Holy Door is open from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and to 16:45 on Saturdays and Sundays. On December 28, during a celebration, the Holy Door will be closed and sealed until the next Holy Year of the Roman Catholic Church, around 2025.

To read about the history of the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica, go to https://notredamedequebec.org/en/feasts-of-the-350th.

There is not a charge to enter; however, all offerings would be greatly appreciated.

Library and Archives Canada says in its blog that it has “historical records on the Notre-Dame de Québec parish, including many iconographic representations of the church in different eras. The Notre-Dame Catholic parish fonds (Québec City) contains baptismal, marriage and burial records, as well as various parish censuses conducted in 1744 and between 1792 and 1815”.

A description of the fonds is available at http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=98024

A news article appeared in the July 21, 2014 edition of the Canadian Week in Review (CWR) in a Maine newspaper which said that a pilgrimage is being planned to Québec City in October of this year. 

Friday, July 25, 2014

Gae­no­vium: A new kind of conference


They say in their press release that “Gae­no­vium is the genea­logy tech­no­logy con­fe­rence, by genea­logy tech­no­logists for genealogy technologists. Gaenovium is exclusively for academics, developers and visionaries at the forefront of genealogy technology. 

Leaders in genealogy technology come together to learn from each other, discuss current issues, explore the bleeding edge, share their wisdom and insight, passionately argue their viewpoints, and just have an all-around good time”. 

A lecture will be given by Louis Kessler from Winnipeg, and some of the other speakers are Timo Kracke, Tony Proctor, and Michel Brinckman. 

Gae­no­vium 2014 takes place on 7 October 2014 in Leiden, Netherlands. It will be a small and intimate event, and includes an all-attendees dinner.

MyHeritage.com and RootsTech are the official sponsors. 


They just started a Facebook page yesterday at https://www.facebook.com/Gaenovium 

They also have started a blog at http://blog.gaenovium.com/ 

Postscript: I have just sent an email them to ask that the panel discussion - Current & Future Genealogical Exchange Standards be an HOA broadcast. If you feel the same way, you can write to them on their Facebook page or you can email them. Let’s see if we can convince them to present the panelists in an Hangout on Air.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

60th annual Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion & Stampede


This year, an unique show will be held at the 60th annual Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion & Stampede from today until the 27th of July at Austin, Manitoba.

They will be commemorating the First and Second World Wars in displays, exhibits, and musical performances in the “Manitoba’s Military Heritage”. It will commemorate the impact of the 100th Anniversary of the First World War and the 75th Anniversary of the Second World War on Manitoba farms, families and communities.

The feature attraction will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that includes many unique features such as

•Manitoba’s largest assembly of operating vintage military vehicles, including 1 of 2 operating First World War era Sherman tanks in Canada and a motorized First World War field ambulance

• Live daily presentations of Life in the Trenches for a First World War soldier at 11 am and 3:30 pm

• Displays of the current and heritage capabilities of Canada’s Armed Forces from 1 RCHA and 2 PPCLI from CFB Shilo.

• Exhibits on important Manitoba military sites, people and units stationed in Manitoba

• Daily fashion show of military uniforms and civilian dress from the war years at 4 pm

• Musical performances from the RCAF Air Command Band (Friday and Saturday) and the PPCLI Regimental Drum Line (Saturday only)

Go to their website at http://ag-museum.com/

You can go to the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mbagmuseum

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Ancestry Update: South African War Land Grants, 1908-1910

Ancestry.ca has added a new historical record -

“During the South African War (or Boer War) of 1899–1902, for the first time, Canada sent troops to fight in a war overseas. About 7,300 Canadian troops and 12 nurses served in South Africa. Veterans of the war were became eligible for 320 acres of Dominion Land (or a payment of $160 in scrip) under the 1908 Volunteer Bounty Act.

This database contains applications for these bounty land grants. Applications typically include the following details:

· name

· gender

· service start date, location

· residence

· death date

· place of death

· age at death

· birth date

· birth place

· regiment

The applications are two pages long, so be sure to page forward to see the entire record.” 

One thing I did notice is that in some applicant’s forms, there are notes that you may finding helpful, and the date range of service is there also. 


The records are in the Library and Archives Canada, under the citation of Department of Veterans Affairs. Soldiers of the South African War, Land Grant Applications. Record Group 38 (vols. 117-136). Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Did you index yesterday?


The FamilySearch Indexing project yesterday had over 66,000 individuals who indexed at least one batch, and many did more than one batch of documents. Over 3 million records were indexed, and over 500,000 were arbitrated! That is a fantastic number.

And did you watch some or all of DearMYRTLE’s GeneaSleepOver Hangouts On Air on Google+ and archived at YouTube?

If you didn't watch, you can view the 24-hour session (divided into segments) at https://www.youtube.com/user/DearMYRTLE

So congratulation to everyone who indexed. It is not too late to start indexing today. Go to https://familysearch.org/indexing/.

There are plenty of Canadian records waiting to be indexed.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Canadian Week in Review 21 July 2014


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

History Week in Canada


In 1792, a royal proclamation divided Upper Canada into counties.

Go to the website of the Archives of Ontario at http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/maps/ontario-districts.aspx

Also, Brenda Dougall Merriman, in her 30th anniversary edition of Genealogy in Ontario: Searching the Records, has maps on pages 7-10 which shows the different political divisions in Ontario
===================================================
In 1880, Dr. Emily Howard Stowe became the first woman licensed to practise medicine in Canada. She graduated from the New York Medical College, because at the time, no Canadian medical college would accept a female student.

To read more about Dr. Stowe, go to http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/physicians/030002-2500-e.html
===================================================
In 1836, the first Canadian railway opened. The track of the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railway, which ran 24 kilometres between the St. Lawrence and Richelieu Rivers, was built of a wooden base and wooden rails covered with a protective metal strip.

===================================================
In 1874, the first Mennonites arrived in Quebec. They eventually settled in Manitoba.


Social Media 


OGS Conference Community
To keep abreast of the developments of the OGS conference at Barrie in 2015, become a “friend” and keep informed.

The History Blog
An archaeological team excavating the Newfoundland colony of Avalon has found a small copper crucifix from the early dates of the settlement in the 1600s.

There are photos of the Empress of Ireland – a very impressive story.

New tour focuses on city's haunted history
There is a news story as well as a video on the city’s “haunted history”.

Newfoundland and Labrador

A dog indelibly part of our history
Read the history of the Newfoundland dog in the province’s development.

Nova Scotia

Fire upgrades part of work at site symbolizing Acadian deportation
The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. There has been preservation work going on since 2009 to the site. The chapel was built in 1930 to commemorate the deportation of the Acadians in 1755.

An exhibit has opened at the McCulloch House Museum and Heritage Centre. Here is interpretive panels in Gaelic and English which tells the story of the arrival of the Scottish Gaels in Nova Scotia, their language and culture.

COUNTERPOINT: Western Nova Scotia up to scratch
A response has been written to the Halifax-Boston ferry that others have raised.

Prince Edward Island

Troupe that brings Sir John A. to life seeks sponsors
The future of the Confederation Players is unclear with P.E.I. 2014 funding close to an end
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/troupe-that-brings-sir-john-a-to-life-seeks-sponsors-1.2711882
Summer students bring the 1864 Charlottetown Conference to life every summer, but now its unclear if the program will continue because of cut backs to the funding. The players conduct paid walking tours.

New Brunswick

No stories this week.

Quebec

Bishop Deeley to lead pilgrimage to Quebec City
http://www.portlanddailysun.me/index.php/newsx/news-briefs/12470-bishop-deeley-to-lead-pilgrimage-to-quebec-city
There will be a pilgrimage from Maine to Quebec City to honour the 350th anniversary of Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral from Friday October 3rd through Sunday October 5th.

Ontario

Donated artifacts tell new stories in local history
Forty-one donors have given more than 2,000 artifacts, documents, photographs and postcards to the Cornwall Community Museum in the Wood House.

A snoop through closets past with two new books that offer smart takes on history’s fashion sense
These are two books to add to the library.

Van Doos make history at Buckingham Palace
The Royal 22nd Regiment is standing guard at their posts at Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace respectively where they began six days guarding the British Royal Family, to the cheers of thousands of tourists thronging the capital.

History of Canadian Furniture
Do you know that Kitchener (then known as Berlin) was the birthplace of Canadian furniture?

Is Hotel Waverly's lurid past keeping it from heritage designation?
'A sense of nostalgia...doesn’t necessarily warrant physical protection'
The hotels does not meet the criteria for a heritage building, it was decided recently. The four storey hotel located in on Spadina Avenue close to the University of Toronto's downtown campus opened in 1900.

Remembering the Bloody Assize
http://www.chch.com/remembering-bloody-assize/
Did you know about this trail? I didn’t. It certainly tells of a time when we had a trial for high treason - 15 men were charged with espionage, and giving aid to the American enemy

Manitoba 

Showcasing the Natural and Cultural History of the East Beaches Area 
Manitoba has given financial support to the Rural Municipality of St. Clements for the renovation of the Heritage Wing in the Grand Marais Community Central.

Saskatchewan

No stories this week.

Alberta

Bringing ghosts to Innisfail Historical Village
Author Johnnie Bachusky to make presentation for Chamber event at historical village
 
His books - Ghost Towns of Alberta, Ghost Towns of the Red Coat Trail, and Ghost Towns of British Columbia capture his solitary sojourns from British Columbia to Saskatchewan in pursuit of hamlets and hovels, long since abandoned by those who once called them home.

MacEwan University uncovers part of Edmonton’s railway history
The century-old Canadian Northern Railways turntable pit has been unearthed in preparation for the building of the university’s new centre for arts and culture. And it’s still intact.

Historic Barron Building will not get legal protection from province
Calgary Heritage Initiative Society says it was notified by Alberta's culture minister of decision
The Barron Building will not be getting legal protection from the province after all so the Calgary Heritage Initiative Society has been told.

British Columbia

No stories this week.

Story of the Week


The birthplace of Winnipeg - Upper Fort Garry will open in September


Governor Gate, a new entrance to Upper Fort Garry, will open in September. Backed by the Friends of Upper Fort Garry, the gate will transform the land around Upper Fort Garry, known as the birthplace of Manitoba. The land will turn into an heritage park and interpretive centre.

The fort was first erected in 1835 under orders from George Simpson, then-governor of the Hudson Bay Company. Upper Fort Garry served as the centre for trade in the West, and was the site of significant historic events, such as the development of Manitoba.

The Friends of Upper Fort Garry have a website that you can go to and view the blog at http://www.upperfortgarry.com/blog, videos at http://www.upperfortgarry.com/videos/, and get the story behind the building of the Governor Gate.

There is a Virtual Heritage Exhibit of the Upper Fort Garry at http://www.virtual.heritagewinnipeg.com/vignettes/vignettes_128W.htm, as well as a timeline and photos at http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/upperfortgarry.shtml

And if you are interested in the history of upper Fort Garry, there is a historical summary online at  http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6939

Reminder: Check the Canadian Week in Review next Monday for the latest in Genealogy, Heritage, and History news in Canada. It’s the ONLY news blog of its kind in country!

The next post will be on July 28, 2014.