There are still a couple of days to take advantage of the half price offer on a MyHeritage subscription, for those not yet subscribed.
Find information on both at www.ogs.on.ca/
31 March 2017
Last Call: OGS Conference Early Bird Prices
There are still a couple of days to take advantage of the half price offer on a MyHeritage subscription, for those not yet subscribed.
Find information on both at www.ogs.on.ca/
British Newspaper Archives additions for March
The British Newspaper Archive now has pages 18,909,558 (18,501,553 pages last month) from 750 (742) titles online.
Major additions are highlighted.
| TITLE | DATE RANGE |
|---|---|
| Aldershot Military Gazette | 1883-1887, 1889-1890 |
| Banffshire Journal and General Advertiser | 1876-1910 |
| Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle | 1871-1886 |
| Bolton Evening News | 1878 |
| Boston Guardian | 1863-1865, 1868-1869, 1874, 1876-1881, 1883 |
| Carlisle Express and Examiner | 1886, 1892 |
| Dublin Evening Mail | 1876-1881, 1883-1896 |
| Durham Chronicle | 1903 |
| East Anglian Daily Times | 1879 |
| Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette | 1884-1896, 1898-1899, 1901-1902 |
| Freeman's Journal | 1901-1910 |
| Hampshire Chronicle | 1895-1909 |
| Hereford Times | 1901 |
| Illustrated Police News | 1901-1902, 1904-1938 |
| Irish News and Belfast Morning News | 1894-1895, 1897-1910 |
| Irish Society (Dublin) | 1889-1894, 1920-1924 |
| Isle of Man Daily Times | 1933 |
| Jarrow Express | 1874-1876, 1880, 1882-1884, 1889-1905, 1907-1909, 1911-1913 |
| John o' Groat Journal | 1873-1886, 1889-1910 |
| Leinster Independent | 1872 |
| Liverpool Echo | 1939-1945 |
| Middlesex Chronicle | 1939-1945 |
| Montgomeryshire Express | 1880, 1906-1907 |
| Nottingham Journal | 1864-1867, 1881 |
| Oxford Times | 1873-1876, 1878, 1880-1886, 1891, 1893, 1895-1896, 1898, 1900-1910 |
| Pall Mall Gazette | 1901-1902, 1905-1907, 1912-1921 |
| Poor Man's Guardian | 1831 |
| Rutland Echo and Leicestershire Advertiser | 1877-1887 |
| Sheffield Daily Telegraph | 1909, 1912, 1914 |
| Sheffield Weekly Telegraph | 1893, 1950 |
| Shipping and Mercantile Gazette | 1838-1869, 1871-1872 |
| Sligo Journal | 1828-1861 |
| Sligo Observer | 1828-1831 |
| Sporting Life | 1871-1879 |
| Weekly Irish Times | 1879, 1897-1910 |
| West London Observer | 1884-1893 |
30 March 2017
AncestryDNA Genetic Communities
Several bloggers who focus on DNA and genealogy have posted their views of the new Genetic Communities component to the AncestryDNA service. As is often the case opinions differ depending on the individual case and expectations.
Lacking US ancestry my expectations were not high. I did hope to get some insight into the largest component of my ethnic ancestry according to Ancestry, 30% Irish. It's a component I have only a hint about how it arrived in my family tree, nothing passed down in family oral history. Yet 30% is substantial. In my recent studies of LivingDNA results everyone who had 30% of more from one of the UK areas could confirm it from their known ancestry. Alas Ireland was not one of the two communities Ancestry found, both were communities well established in my paper-based family tree.
Ancestry provides the information that "You and 10 of your DNA matches, along with 21,791 other AncestryDNA members, are all genetically linked to form the Genetic Community English in the East Midlands." Ancestry considers it likely, 60% certain I'm in that community.
The area encompassed is where I have documented ancestry in East Staffordshire, Birmingham and the Black Country on my maternal side. Also listed in the community are two ancestors on my paternal side who never lived in the area and, as far as I know, had no ancestry from it!
Not identified in my list of matches in the region was a person with whom I share 5 times great grandparents found through an AncestryDNA surname search.
Ancestry describes the connection as "You and 9 of your DNA matches, along with 20,725 other AncestryDNA members, are all genetically linked to form the Genetic Community Jews in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg." Ancestry describe it as "possible you’re a member of this Genetic Community. Our confidence that you belong is 20%."
The area includes Amsterdam where my paper trail leads to a great grandfather born in 1864.
The results proved to be an attractive presentation of what I already knew. It's good as far as it goes, and it could go further. At present if Genetic Communities encourages those at an earlier stage of their family history journey that would be a benefit. What is needed is more family trees from those who have none, or don't post them. Could Ancestry be more proactive in encouraging people developing and sharing ancestral trees? Could there be a way to gamify that? Could Ancestry find an automated way to develop straw man family trees for a client if they agreed to have it posted? While they might not all be accurate experienced genealogists know to treat compiled trees as clues rather than fact.
Why Are Your DNA Ethnicity Results Unexpected: Misattributed Parentage
Misattributed parentage, paternity and/or maternity, is an even more PC term for NPE (non-paternal event), an umbrella term for undocumented name change and adoption, illegitimacy, bastardy, etc.
NPEs are one factor to be taken into account in examining ethnic ancestry results of a DNA test. It's highly unlikely your genetic and genealogical family trees are the same, even for those occupying high office.
What ever you call it studies suggest the rate of NPEs is in the range 1-2% per meiosis (meaning for each child).
Back 10 generations, the timeframe now given by Living DNA as appropriate for the results of their sub-regional results, we all descend from a total of 1+2+4+8+16+32+64+128+256+512, or 1,023 meiosis.
At a rate of 1% meiosis that's an average 10.23 NPE events in your family tree; at 2% 20.46 NPE events.
On average half of them will be in the most distant generation. If the misattributed partner is from the same group of founders the ethnic ancestry will be unaffected.
In case you think that doesn't apply to you, at 1% the probability of no NPEs in 10 generations is
0.99^(512+256+128+64+32+16+8+4+2+1) = 0.99^1023 = 0.000034.
That's only 34 out of 1 million people without any NPEs in the 10 generations. At 2% it's one in a billion. To be clear, that's the probability for all ancestors not for a single line such as the father's father's father's ... At 1% (2%) NPE rate there's a 90% (82%) probability the paternal line is correct for 10 generations and the genetics follows the surname.
NPEs are not the only reason you may have unexpected results from any DNA ethnic ancestry test. Stay tuned.
29 March 2017
Family History Daily
Absolutely Free Genealogy Research Sites for Every Single U.S. State is beyond the normal geographic scope of this blog. The Family History Daily site, broader than US, may be of continuing interest.
Thanks to Ann Burns, getting ready to return from a stay in Ireland, for the tip.
MyHeritage Delay
If you've transferred DNA results to MyHeritage, as I did a couple of weeks ago, you might have wondered why the results don't show anything for ethnic origins. I transferred my results when I saw an example posted by Daniel Horowitz.
I mentioned this to a sales rep and was advised to call technical service. After spending an hour on hold with the company I was told those results for DNA transfers would only become available in five weeks, although the company has the results internally. Be aware.
Historical Society of Ottawa: March meeting
The HSO meeting this Friday 31 March 2017 at 1 pm sees George Shirreff speaking on Crawley Films of Ottawa.
"Long before the term “Hollywood North” came to reflect the growing importance of an emerging film industry in Canada, Ottawa was home to a movie institution of great importance. Often overlooked, first by the National Film Board of Canada then later by the bright lights of the Toronto International Film Festival (T.I.F.F) and large scale television series production of Vancouver, this organization claimed many firsts in the motion picture industry. Crawley Films of Ottawa and its colourful and often controversial owner, producer, director, writer and camera aficionado Frank Redford Crawley blazed a trail for Canadian cinema unlike any other in their time. This is their story."Meeting place is Routhier Community Centre, 172 Guigues Street
28 March 2017
London Picture Archive
Search for buildings, cemeteries, occupations, schools, streets, transport . . . use your imagination. I found a video from 1929.
Start at https://collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk/
27 March 2017
Visitation for Elizabeth Lapointe
All welcome to attend. A memorial celebration of life is planned for the coming months.
Thanks to Mario Lapointe for the notice,
FreeBMD March Update
The FreeBMD Database was updated on Sunday 19 March 2017 to contain 260,466,571 distinct records (260,010,700 at the previous update).
Years with major updates (more than 5,000 entries) are for births: 1963, 1976-79; for marriages: 1966, 1969, 1977, 1979-81; for deaths 1976-80.
TheGenealogist Launches Various London Educational Records
News from TheGenealogist on a batch of London school and university records just added.
"This release covers the names of those who graduated from the University of London
between 1836 and 1926 - while for King’s College London, it also provides a list of Fellows
from 1847 to 1920, registered students for 1920-1921 and those awarded degrees in 1920
and 1921 as well as the prizes given at King’s.
With a number of school records, joining this London release, researchers can also find old
boys who served in World War I. For example it is possible to track down men serving with
the colours in the Great War in the case of the Old Wilsonians, as listed in The Wilsonian
Magazine. For those Old Alleynians and Old Haberdashers, who perished in the war, their
names and often a photograph are recorded in the First World War Roll of Honours for both
Dulwich College and the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hampstead School.
Records included in this release are:
● University of London Historical Record 1836-1926A tip of the hat to Nick Thorne who regularly sends me updates on developments at The Genealogist, even though I'm selective on the ones I blog.
● The Skylark Magazine from Haberdashers' Aske's Hampstead School 1918
● The Wilsonian Magazine April 1914-April 1919
● University College School, London Register 1831-1891
● Royal College Of Chemistry, Royal School Of Mines And Royal College Of Science
Register Of Associates
● Record of Old Westminsters Vols 1 and 2 earliest times -1927
● King's College, London Calendar 1921-1922
● Dulwich College War Record 1914-1919"
Irish (and others) in the American Civil War
Jane E. MacNamara wrote to draw to my attention the website Irish in the American Civil War. In particular she pointed to a post that goes beyond the Irish, Mapping Mainland Europe’s American Civil War Widows & Dependent Parents: An Online Resource.
That post is part of a project based on those listed in the 1883 List of Pensioners on the Roll.
While I don't normally cover US or mainland Europe resources there is a bit of information of Canadian and Scottish, as well as much of US/ Irish interest on the site.
The easiest way to find it is using the search facility labelled SEARCH OVER 480 ARTICLES ON THE IRISH IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR on the right-hand-side of the main website.
Additional posts covering other areas, perhaps including the UK, Ireland and Canada, are promised.
Thanks to Jane for the tip. Jane will be speaking at the OGS conference in June -- a reminder that you have only until the end of the month to get in on early bird conference registration pricing.
Book Review: Genealogy, Psychology and Identity.
Paula Nicolson, emeritus professor in the Department of Social Work at Royal Holloway College, University of London, is both knowledgeable and articulate. Her book uses branches of her and her husband's family trees to tease out how various people have been impacted by their past and their ancestor's pasts.
The book is in two parts.
Part I: Developing Contexts starts with a chapter establishing the theoretical background -- the relationship between genealogy and the construction of self-identities, developing ideas from theories of psychology and social development. There is also a short chapter dealing with genealogical research methodology.
Part II: Psychological and historical process applies the theory to the experiences of people in the family trees. We see the approach to understanding the impact of the death of a parent, sibling or relative, family discord, immigration to a different culture, change in family circumstances and more. It's fascinating material.
But, as a physical scientist I'm uncomfortable with the qualitative approach based on case studies, albeit rooted as academic discipline and in psychiatric practice. There are so many factors at play, and people react to stresses so differently, that I question how confidently one can ascribe an individual's behaviour, likely deceased and not someone you can talk to, to his or her deceased ancestor's experience. Perhaps a psychologist could tell me the deeper reason for my discomfort!
The book is certainly thought provoking. I wondered, for instance, about the influence of physical geography on behaviour. What if any is the influence of living by the ocean, in a mountainous or prairie landscape, or a cold or highly variable climate? We've all experienced the depression of a string of cloudy dreary days, and felt invigorated by bright sunshine. Do sunny ways prevail for those raised in sunny climes?
The paperback has 132 pages which includes a 7 page index, 9 pages of references and 12 blank pages. I borrowed the book from the Ottawa Public Library where, as I write, there are 13 holds on 2 copies.
Amazon.ca listing
Publisher: Routledge (December 1, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1138998672
ISBN-13: 978-1138998674
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.4 x 9.1 inches
Kindle Edition
CDN$ 57.95
26 March 2017
The Ontario Genealogist and Family Historian
The volumes contain compiled genealogies and occurrences (marriages and deaths), mainly for those in the upper ranks of Ontario society.
While it would not likely be productive to read each issue, because they are scanned as part of the Early Canadiana Online collection those with access, including Ottawa and Toronto Public Library cardholders, can search the whole collection at one time free of charge. A limited number of pages can be viewed without subscription.
A Google search for Edward Marion Chadwick gives his dates as 1840-1921. Several other genealogical publications of his are free online.
The usual caution is to be observed, such published genealogies are clues, to be accepted only after skeptical evaluation.
Christine Jackson is Rollin' on the River with Captain Dan in Pembroke
"The 400th anniversary in 2013 of Samuel de Champlain’s voyage up the Ottawa River prompted Christine Jackson’s research into a pioneering Canadian family with deep roots in England, who gave their name to the Champlain Park (Ottawa) street on which she has now lived for 30 years―Cowley Avenue."In Rollin' on the River with Captain Dan: The Ottawa Valley's Pioneering Cowley Family, Christine will trace the early Ottawa Valley history of the entrepreneurial and pioneering riverboat captain, Captain Daniel Keyworth Cowley (1817–1897)—or “Captain Dan” as he was to become known.
She will recount what she has learned about the life and experiences of Capt. Cowley and his family in the Clarendon/ Bristol, Arnprior and Nepean areas. Included will be his brush with what is now thought by some to be Champlain’s lost astrolabe and the family’s role in the history and economic development of the Ottawa Valley—plus their great contribution to our national winter game! ("Cowboy" Bill Cowley 1912–1993).
A long-time family historian and active member of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa and the Historical Society of Ottawa, Christine Jackson is a retired federal public servant (Elections Canada) and former freelance editor and writer. She has previously presented and published her research on the Ottawa Valley’s pioneering Cowley Family, as well as her own family history from deep in the English County of Sussex."
The meeting starts at 7pm at the Champlain Trail Museum and Pioneer Village, 1032 Pembroke St. East, Pembroke, ON K8A 6Z2 (Ph: 613-735-0517) - www.champlaintrailmuseum.com
If you're not able to get to that presentation it will be given again, somewhat modified, at OGS Conference 2017.
25 March 2017
Ancestry updates Ontario, Canada, Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1802-1967
Ten days ago I drafted a post regarding an update to this Ontario Catholic database. Ancestry announced an update to 1,604,863 records, up from 1,327,293 records when last mentioned here in January 2011.
However, the update broke the access to images. Good news, the images are back.
BCGS Canada 150 Seminar
There are presentations by Claire Smith-Burns, Mary Read, Xenia Stanford and Susanne Sulzberger. The keynote speaker is Dave Obee.
Find out more here.
Findmypast adds Manitoba Probate Browse
The latest addition at Findmypast is Manitoba probate records 1871-1930 browse, 289 volumes and
289 volumes and 802,000 images of original estate files, application books and indexes.
These are browse files so no name indexing, just like those available from Ancestry. The source for both companies in FamilySearch which does have a (complete?) searchable name index at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1987562?collectionNameFilter=false
Home Child Presentation in Arnprior
William Price, Arnprior town Councillor, Reeve and proprietor of the Canadian Tire Store, was a British home child. He was one of 100,000 who arrived in Canada between 1870-1940.
On Monday, 27 March Arnprior (formerly Patrick's) Family History Group is hosting Gloria Tubman presenting Researching British Home Children: An Education. Gloria will provide an overview of British Home Children, She will also provide an example on how to research a Home Child.
The meeting starts at 7 pm at Arnprior Public Library meeting room. Admission is $5.00 for non-members. For more information call 613-623-0001 or visit website www.adarchives.org/resources.
24 March 2017
MyHeritage: Twice the Value
Until 2 April MyHeritage is offering their service at half-off to new subscribers, $125.37 US. Find out about the service, and enter a new subscription if the service appeals, from the badge at https://www.ogs.on.ca/.
OPL Event: Ken McKinlay on Managing Your Genealogy Research Projec
When we first start delving into our family tree research we often do it in a haphazard way. I will discuss tips and tricks to approach your genealogy research in a methodical manner. The session will touch upon using software or websites to record information, categorizing the information found, and alternate resources to fill in blanks in our research. Using real world examples, I will walk through some of the possible challenges you may encounter and ways to overcome them.Ken is a member of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa and the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. A genealogy researcher with over 15 years experience, Ken researches his family's history in Canada, United States of America, England, Scotland and Ireland.
23 March 2017
LAC to replace AMICUS
OCLC, a US-based international nonprofit library co-operative with offices in Quebec, will provide services to support the management of acquisitions, cataloguing, serials control, public access, circulation, loans to other institutions and to assume responsibility for the management of Canada's National Union Catalogue. OCLC already partners with the national libraries of New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
According to LAC the total initial five-year contract cost for the system is $4.47 million, less costly for LAC over time than the current outdated one. In addition, users will have access to state-of-the-art services.
If you've used WorldCat, the OCLC public interface, you will know that most of the major collections included are for academic libraries. There are very few public library collections on WorldCat; they mostly use Toronto-based Bibliocommons to provide similar services. While this new arrangement for LAC will not improve that aspect of the present situation and provide a single window to search both academic and public libraries, this move away from the shop-worn AMICUS system is nevertheless a welcome move for LAC's public clients.
Satisfaction with Library and Archives Canada Services
Asked "How did you most recently interact with Library and Archives Canada? " 90% responded "through the website." Asked "What subjects are of interest to you at Library and Archives Canada?" more than 72% responded "Genealogy and Family History."
Of those using the website:
- 68.4% did so "to consult collections for personal interest use", the category that includes genealogy and family history.
- 55% answered "Yes" when asked "When I started my visit, I knew how to get the information or service I needed." Another 13% answered "they thought so but had difficulty."
- Asked "How much effort did your search require?" 56% responded "a little", 22% "a lot", and 19% "none at all."
- Regarding level of satisfaction with various aspects of the website, more than 40% were very satisfied with "the relevance of the content "(highest), "the appearance of the site" and "the clarity of the language." On the negative side less than 20% were very satisfied with the "ease of providing feedback", "ease of finding a person to contact", and "frequency of new content" (lowest).
- Asked about the importance of various factors above 70% rated "the ease of finding what you were looking for" (highest), "the ability of search mechanisms to find useful results", and "the relevance of the content" very important. Below 30% as very important were "ease of finding a person to contact", and "ease of providing feedback."
The Nanos Research conclusions were:
Overall, being able to find things easily, good search mechanisms and knowledgeable staff are key drivers of who is satisfied and who is not.
Of just over one in five who offered additional unprompted views about the LAC experience, 41% expressed overall satisfaction and/or satisfaction with the online information. Another 33% want increased access and digitization of materials. A small share of those who offered additional information said they were wanting more government support (six percent), or commented about the confusing building/poor hours/need to make the library mandate more clear/need more staff (five percent).
What do you think?
OGS Ottawa Branch March Meeting
David Walker and his wife Suzan will talk about their genealogy quilt entitled “They Came on Ships”, which features migration routes of twenty-five of their ancestors beginning in the early 1600s. The quilt, which took several hundred hours to complete, is an inventive way to showcase the migration of David’s ancestors. The quilt was displayed at the annual conference of the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada in 2016.That meeting starts at 1 pm with a 30 minute social period.
At 10:30 an the Genealogy: Back to Basics session is on "Church Records"
Following the main meeting the Computer Special Interest Group will meet at 3 pm.
It all happens at the City of Ottawa Archives, 100 Tallwood Drive (Room 115).
Find out more about the branch and its mission to encourage, assist and bring together all those interested in the pursuit of family history, with a focus on the counties of Carleton, Lanark, Renfrew, Prescott, and Russell.
22 March 2017
OGS Conference: Wall of Ancestors
Now up on the conference website a database termed the Wall of Ancestors. It's an opportunity for registrants to display some of the families that they are researching in the hope of making contact with others looking for the same family. It would be even better if they could meet up at the conference.
There are just a smattering of names there at the moment.
It's easy to add a name, although I notice one person who knows better switched first and last name, I added a great uncle in just a couple of minutes.
YouTube: Secrets to Successful Irish Family Research
Fiona Fitzsimons, who scored highly among Irish genealogists in the last Rockstar genealogists poll, gave a 35 minute webinar presentation for FindMyPast last week on some of the secrets of Irish research. While the webinar special offer and opportunity to ask a question are no longer available you can still go to YouTube to view this clear presentation with, naturally, an emphasis on the records available on FindMyPast.
New Book: The War of 1812 in British North America, Searching for your Ancestor's Elusive War Records
The War of 1812 in British North America, Searching for your Ancestor's Elusive War Records provides researchers with an up-to-date guide to help you locate military service and other useful records from the War of 1812.
While the War of 1812 is well documented, the stories of our ancestors are often left to speculation. However, there are ways to discover some of their involvement in the conflict. Muster rolls, pay lists, medal rolls, pension requests, land grant applications, war loss claims, and various other records can help in the search.
Read more about it at http://globalgenealogy.com/countries/canada/military/resources/301405.htm
I hope to have a chance to review it in the near future.
21 March 2017
Alberta Civil Registration Indexes online
Shannon's Research Services has very welcome news for Alberta researchers. The Provincial Archives of Alberta has digitized vital statistics indexes and or registers.
Don't expect to be able to enter a name in a search box, click and find all hits. These are basically images of the original indexes divided by year, or name, or whatever system the government choose. It will take a little time to understand and more to browse for your entry of interest. Maybe some organization will use the information to provide a searchable index.
The indexes are now available online for births (1870-1897), marriages (1870-1942), and deaths (1870-1967).
Ancestry's Genetic Communities
On Friday, St Patrick's Day, I received an email from AncestryDNA
From 28 March, your AncestryDNA results will be updated with Genetic Communities. The new feature will map where your family may have lived across 19 different Irish areas, from Derry to Cork. But you're probably not 100% Irish - so we'll also identify the communities that you belong to around Britain and the rest of the world.I'm looking forward to seeing my results and finding out where specifically they think the 30% Irish DNA their test shows to be in my genes comes from.
For those wanting to dig deeper Ancestry have made available a white paper which goes into some detail on the technique used. Find it at www.ancestry.com/cs/dna-help/communities/whitepaper
The technique uses not only the DNA results but combines them with surname, birthplace, ancestor's birthplaces and general information on community migration patterns using powerful statistical approaches. I'd be interested to know just how much value there is in that additional information beyond that from DNA, and how much could be estimated without the DNA results.
If the technique proves credible how will the champions of the genealogical proof standard react when faced with an additional example of statistically-based evidence?
YouTube: Manuscript Collections of the Genealogical Office of Ireland
Ancestry from the Irish nobility? This will be of especial interest.
A 30 minute talk by Ciara Kerrigan, Assistant Keeper, Genealogy and Heraldry, National Library of Ireland to the Genealogical Society of Ireland.
20 March 2017
Ancestry Updates Wigan and West Yorkshire BMD Collections
Here are the latest English record updates from Ancestry
Wigan, England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1926, 261,782 records
Wigan, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1911, 658,125 records
Wigan, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1580-1812, 269,180 records
Wigan, England, Church of England Burials, 1813-1979, 133,28 5 records
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Confirmations, 1859-1875, 1901-1915, 503 records
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1985, 1,331,307 records
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1813-1935, 4,130,806 records
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910, 6,264,569 records
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1512-1812, 4,965,100 records
Library and Archives Canada: Departmental Plan 2017–18
"Steady as she goes" is the message of the plan set out in this new document, part of the annual parliamentary budget process. When Guy Berthiaume stepped in to the role of Librarian and Archivist of Canada he set a direction which, 30 months later, is well underway.
As a client and genealogist I'll focus here on the Access to Documentary Heritage component of the plan. That's not to downplay the vital "behind the curtains" parts of the mandate that are essential if there is to be something to access now and for the future.
Access is the focus of the Minister's opening message:
"LAC will continue its digitization activities and will unite all of its partners around the National Heritage Digitization Strategy to increase the online presence of our documentary heritage. In addition, because nothing can replace the emotion of being in the presence of original documents, LAC will showcase the treasures from its collection by displaying them in its own facilities as well as those of other institutions across the country."Key activities planned for 2017–18 are:
- Contribute to celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation through thematic exhibitions and online content
- Enhance the visibility of the collection by offering dynamic public programming and by loaning items to other organizations for display
- Establish partnerships to provide access to original documents to a broader public
- Increase the amount of content accessible online by continuing digitization initiatives
- Digitize the Canadian Expeditionary Force service files
- Respond to Access to Information requests
- Contribute to Canada's Action Plan on Open Government by making federal government documents available
- Continue to disseminate content on social networks, to reach as many clients as possible and to make the collection more visible
- Continue the Supporting the Documentary Heritage Communities Program, intended to enable private documentary heritage organizations to preserve and showcase their collections
Comment
- While there is one mention of genealogy (genealogists) there is no mention of newspapers or newspaper digitization. Why the neglect?
- Projected funding for access to documentary heritage increases marginally, 0.45%, over the period to 2019–20. There are six mentions of the National Heritage Digital Strategy but no significant additional funding.
- One of the performance benchmarks is Amount of digital material downloaded by clients on LAC's website. In 2015-16 it was 11 million files, for 2017-18 it is 10 million files. A decrease!
Anther performance benchmark is Percentage of Documentary Heritage Communities Program recipients that have met their objectives. There is no current measure of this performance; for 2017-18 the target is 85%. However, there is no indication of the criteria that will be used to make the assessment. Will the claims made in final reports will be audited?
- It is not apparent how a commitment to Move forward with the renewal of the AMICUS database, a catalogue that contains the information resources of hundreds of libraries across Canada squares with negotiations that were supposed to be concluded by the end of 2016-17 with OCLC/WorldCat.
- Has LAC abandoned any attempt at comprehensive Canadian website archiving, or even just for the federal government? There is a commitment that Federal government websites will be archived so that Canadians have sustainable access to information on the commemoration of Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation.
- Two access initiatives are highlighted:
Implementing a digitization lab at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa to enable visitors to make their own digital copies of collection content that interests them;
I hope to have the opportunity to trial this in the near future. Watch for a blog post.
Developing a web platform for citizen participation so the public can help to transcribe and describe LAC's collection.
A trial last fall was considered very successful as it was completed well ahead of schedule. Many other organizations harness citizen participation. Why has LAC has dithered?
- LAC has an agreement with the City of Ottawa regarding a shared facility at a new city central library. It is contingent on federal funding which is not secured so does not appear in this plan.
19 March 2017
OPL Event: Forensic Genealogy and Adoption
In Forensic Genealogy and Adoption: Tracking Down Your Living Limbs you will learn the specialized research techniques, both traditional and DNA-based, including social media searches, newspapers, courthouse sources, and genealogy programs.
Carlingwood Library, Monday March 20, 2017 at 6:30pm
More information at https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/event/forensic-genealogy-and-adoption-tracking-down-your-living-limbs
Wikipedia: William Pittman Lett
It's a welcome step in Bryan's campaign to wrestle Lett's contributions to the development of Ottawa out of relative obscurity. A recent Ottawa Citizen article helped.
What next? An entry in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography?
Breakfast with Family History Webinars from TNA
The (UK) National Archives in London (TNA) is running a week of free of charge introductory family history webinars. They will run from 1pm to 2pm (UK time), that's 8 am EDT if both countries have made the switch to summer time, on the dates listed below. Pre booked via the eventbrite website. The programme is as follows:
Using census records, 3 April
Discover how to use the census and overcome the challenge of difficult to find ancestors, exploring the census and what it can offer the family historian, bridging the gap between birth, marriage and death records.
Using the Discovery catalogue, 4 April
Learn how to use TNA's Discovery catalogue, using both simple and advanced searches to find material both at TNA and in 2,500 other archive repositories around the UK.
Tracing criminal ancestors, 5 April
How to use 19th and 20th century criminal records, including records of trials, incarcerations and executions. Passenger lists, passports and assisted passages are also included.
Emigration records, 6 April
Find out how to trace ancestors who emigrated overseas.
First World War ancestors, 7 April
Finding out more about ancestors who served in the Great War, including how to trace wartime ancestors using online resources.
18 March 2017
Ancestry adds Swansea area records
Three interesting new databases for Swansea and the surrounding areas of Wales sourced from the West Glamorgan Archive Service are now on Ancestry.
Electoral Registers, 1839-1966 has 5,779,593 records
These annual electoral registers for 10 sub-areas within Swansea typically provide a name and place of abode. Older registers may include a description of property and qualifications to vote. Registers were compiled at a local level, with names appearing alphabetically within wards/districts. Many of the registers in this database have been indexed electronically from the printed registers, which allows you to search them by name. The street address can be searched in the Location field.
Poor Law Union Records, 1836-1916 has 148,073 records
The types of records found in this collection include
Creed registersThese records are for the Gower, Neath, Portardawe and Swansea Poor Law Unions and can be browsed and searched.
Admission and discharge registers
Registers of births
Registers of deaths
List of paupers and abstract of accounts
Master's report and journal
Registers of young persons
School attendance books
Workhouse punishment book
Lunatic registers
Gaol Records, 1877-1922 has 102,110 records
Each record image has typically eight cases per page and will include the following information:
Prisoner's name (and aliases used)The collection also includes Nominal Gaol Registers for the years 1877-1922 for Swansea, Brecon and Carmarthen prisons, as well as a handful of photo albums of prisoners.
Age
Trade
Offence
Date that the sentence commenced or the date that the prisoner was received into custody
Verdict
Sentence
Names of the Officials involved
National Heritage Digitization Strategy Update
The following is especially for the attention of directors of genealogical/family history societies across Canada.
On 16 March an update was posted by Sandra Singh, Chair, on behalf of the NHDS Steering Committee.
The strategy was launched at a foundation assembly last October. The steering committee has produced a draft action plan now open for comment.
The update includes "we appreciate the patience demonstrated by our colleagues across the country" which suggests stakeholders are anxious for something beyond organizational process.
A reminder, from the strategy document, that the following goals could be achievable over the next ten years.
90% of all published heritage before 1917 and 50% of all monographs published before 1940;
Focusing on published heritage leverages the roles of generations of editors and cataloguers. It allows for efficient collection management practices such as last copy approaches. Most works published over a century ago are in the public domain; this allows their dissemination through union catalogues or simple web portals. A broad and collective approach to works published prior to 1953 would also help secure the social objectives of legal deposit before it was created in Canada. These objectives also build on past investments made by the library community through Canadiana and its parent institutions.
All scientific journals published by and theses accepted by Canadian universities before 2000;
Preservation and access to collections of scientific publications and scholarly journals is broadly distributed in Canada. This objective would consolidate them and respond to growing demand as the knowledge-based economy expands.
All microfilm from memory institutions;
Microfilm and microfiche digitization maximizes digital output and minimizes costs by leveraging access and preservation investments made over the past 60 years. This will also free up dedicated reading room space, shift printing costs, and reduce consultation equipment.
Selected audio and audio-visual recordings;
A significant portion of our audio and audio-visual recordings are on obsolete analog carriers. Digitizing the most significant ones will reduce the amount of material at risk.
Aboriginal oral histories recorded on analog audio carriers are particularly at risk of disappearing.
Selected archival fonds and finding aids;
Digitization of high-interest archival fonds that are split between various institutions, as well as finding aids, will help plan and/or reduce travel expenses for researchers.
All historical maps;
Historical maps are among the most fragile, precious and significant holdings. Digitizing them is as much a preservation measure as an access one.
All archival material of genealogical interest.
Genealogical resources are the most popular holdings and, therefore, the most likely to interest a private partner.
Directors of genealogical societies, as well as individuals, can help ensure materials of genealogical interest are given appropriate priority by providing comment on the draft action plan as requested by the Steering Committee.
17 March 2017
Findmypast celebrates St Patrick's Day
Ireland, Legal Administration contains over 1,600 records that will allow you to discover about those put on trial or who worked in Ireland's court system. Explore publications related to the law and courts including prison studies, Assizes records, lists of judges and a guide book for Civil Service clerks produced by Bram Stoker.
Ireland Memorial Inscriptions contains over 1,400 records. The collection consist of explore eight publications of indexes to memorial inscriptions found in 58 cemeteries across Dublin, Meath, Louth, and Wicklow.
Ireland Surnames & Family Histories is supplemented with over 800 records, It is described as a rich and varied collection consisting of 10 historic family and local history publications with over 7,000 pdf images of assorted documents.
Ireland, Histories & References has over 14,000 records added. Four 19th century Irish histories and reference guides; the Album of Ireland, A Little Tour of Ireland, Ireland in Pictures and The Tourist's Picturesque Guide to Ireland.
Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) births has over 302,000 new birth records from all over Ireland with date, place of birth and parents' names.
Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) marriages has 20,000 additions. Discover when, where and to whom was married as well as occupation, parents' names and who attended the ceremony.
Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) deaths adds over 24,000 dating back to 1654. Discover when they died, where they were buried and the names of those they left behind.
Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) congregational records has an additional 250,000 Irish congregational records with details of the meetings attended and the activities engaged in.
Ireland, Society of Friends (Quaker) school records has over 9,000 new records added to the collection which now contains over 53,000 records and covers six different schools.
OGS Kingston Branch March Meeting
Dynamic duo Lesley Anderson and Glenn Wright will give a talk about Creating Ontario: Immigration to Upper Canada and Canada West, 1791-1867 on 18 March, 2017.
The meeting is at the Seniors Centre, 56 Francis Street, Kingston beginning at 10:00 a.m with a one hour social period before.
16 March 2017
OGS Conference Speaker named Mover and Shaker Educator
At the OGS conference Josh will give a Friday workshop, presentations and the Saturday evening banquet talk Family History in Prime Time.
Read more about Josh and the award at http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2017/03/people/movers-shakers-2017/d-joshua-taylor-movers-shakers-2017-educators/
GRO Pilot 3: PDF copies of non-digitised records
Now underway until at 4pm on 12 April, or when 40,000 PDF's have been ordered, the (UK) General Register Office is trialling a service to provide PDF copies of non-digitised records. Records will be emailed as a PDF. They will not be immediately viewable.
England and Wales records which are available as PDF's in pilot 3 include:
Births: 1935-2006
Deaths: 1958-2006
Marriages: 1837-2010
Applications for each PDF which cost £8, must be made online and include a GRO index reference.
Note: A PDF is not a certificate and has no value for services where a certificate is required e.g. a Passport or Driving Licence application, or Notice of Marriage
Order from https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp
NYPL 708,450, OPL 0
Compare that to the number of items digitized by the Ottawa Public Library. None. Why so much of a laggard?
Ancestry Updates Surrey Records
Surrey parish records were first added to Ancestry in May 2013. An update as of 14 March is in the card catalog. Here are the details, check it out if you looked before and didn't find something you'd hoped for.
Surrey, England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1937, 1,128,310 records
Surrey, England, Church of England Burials, 1813-1987, 519,990 records
Surrey, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1912, 2,262,611 records
Surrey, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812, 1,864,596 records
An Invitation to Share Your Living DNA Results
For the Ottawa DNA group in May I'm giving a presentation on the Living DNA service to Compiling a table of results from the Family Ancestry part of the test is part of the preparation. So far I have 11 results collected from web posts and local people. The partial spreadsheet image below is an extract. I'd like to get results from 30 or more tests, people with more than half their ancestry from the British Isles.One objective is to find out if there are areas that are over or under predicted. At present results for Cornwall look suspicious, but the sample is small.
If you can help please send results, along with the expected sub-regions from which ancestry is expected, to johndreid at gmail dot com. Anonymous results welcome.
Living DNA is a major sponsor for the Ontario Genealogical Society conference in Ottawa this June.
15 March 2017
CEF Service Files Digitization: March Update
The latest digitized is from Box 7059 (6831 last month) and last name McLelland (McGee). Library and Archives Canada is digitizing the service files systematically, from box 1 to box 10686, which roughly corresponds to alphabetical order.
12,585 (16,454) files were digitized in the last month. At that rate the project would be complete by August 2018.
Ancestry adds Ireland, City and Regional Directories, 1850-1946
You can search a total of 6,171,447 records and browse Ancestry`s collection of Thom`s Directories starting with the seventh annual edition in 1850.
Up until 1922 the directory is for the United Kingdom and Ireland with a focus on Dublin. It doubled in size up to 1922, then drops to its original size with the UK omitted, growing back to the 1922 size by the end of the series.
The focus is on the great, the good, businesses and almanac type information. Nevertheless, it may be useful in lieu of census records prior to 1901 and after 1911.
Missing are the volumes for 1860-62, 1873, 1895, 1900, 1905, 1920, 1923, and 1927.
Findmypast has volumes from 1844 to 1900.
OGS Quinte Branch March Meeting
The video in the Legacy Family Tree Webinar series was presented to a live webinar audience on June 29, 2016.
Everyone welcome, bring a friend. Quinte West Public Library, 1-3 pm.
Visit www.roostweb.ancestry.com/~canqbogs
Diahan Southard is the featured speaker at the Alberta Genealogical Society conference , Ye Olde Genealogy Faire, this April.
14 March 2017
Legacy Webinar: Why are Irish records so weird?
Not all Irish records were destroyed in 1922, but the burning of the Public Record Office in that year did leave an immense gap. As a result, Irish genealogical research has to deal with idiosyncratic, fragmentary and sometimes marginally relevant records in ways that can seem very strange to those used to British, US or Australian sources. In addition, Ireland came late to digitization and has done it unsystematically. To be polite. This talk unravels the ways in which marginal records have become essential for Irish research, and the peculiarities in using them online.Register from http://familytreewebinars.com/webinar_details.php?webinar_id=528
Elizabeth Lapointe R.I.P.
A genealogy blogger, professional researcher. writer, journalist, author, editor of the Ontario Genealogical Society journal Families and proud Nova Scotian, Elizabeth had many talents and abilities.
Regrets to Elizabeth`s many friends and long-time partner Mario who informs me that plans for a memorial service are in progress for the coming weeks.
UPDATE
The following appreciation was sent to members by Patti Mordasewicz, President of The Ontario Genealogical Society
Obituary – Elizabeth Lapointe
The Ontario Genealogical Society regrets to announce the sudden passing of our Families editor, Elizabeth Lapointe. Elizabeth had just completed the spring 2017 issue, which will be available in the next week, and it will stand as her last issue. Elizabeth became Editor of Newsleaf with the November issue of 2006, and continued in that role until April of 2011. During her tenure as editor of Newsleaf, she expanded the publication to include an e-Newsleaf edition, which began in March of 2008, and was issued in months in which the longer print edition was not published.
In August of 2010 Elizabeth stepped in as the Guest Editor of Families, taking over from an ailing editor and working with volunteers and OGS staff to complete the August edition. Her first complete edition as Editor occurred with the November 2010 edition, and she has faithfully produced four issues per year since then, culminating in her 26th issue, the Spring edition about to be released.
Throughout her tenure with The Ontario Genealogical Society, Elizabeth set the bar high in terms of editorials, content and standards for publication. She was always willing to work with content, copy and layout editors to produce both publications which were respected and well-read in genealogical communities far beyond OGS.
In addition to her outstanding contributions to OGS, Elizabeth’s Genealogy Canada blog was widely read and had a large and loyal following of genealogists and those interested in Canadian family history. As a professional genealogist, Elizabeth helped others in their quest for family history knowledge.
Our sincere condolences go out to J. Mario Lapointe, Elizabeth’s husband and helpmate, on this sudden and profound loss, from the entire OGS family.
Ye Olde Genealogy Faire
With five parallel streams you'll be sure to find something of interest from the "Notable authors, historians and specialists (who) will enlighten the audience with presentations on Canadian, Quebec, British, Irish, Scottish, East European, Czech genealogy, DNA technology, FamilySearch, WDYTYA, WWI, Social Media and more.
Act now. Wednesday, 15 March is the deadline for early bird registration at www.abgenealogy.ca/2017
Library Elf
Today is the anniversary of the first post on this blog.
On 14 March 2006 I wrote about Library Elf -- a free service that reminds you when your library materials are becoming due. It's still going strong, still recommended.
13 March 2017
St. Patrick Savings 💚
You're in luck with St. Patrick Day promotions, if you love to save on items you'd buy anyway
Global Genealogy has 20% off all in-stock items until 17 March.
AncestryDNA is $20 off in Canada, that's $109 (plus shipping), down from $129 until 19 March.
Irish Newspaper Archive has a 20% discount on purchase of a monthly or annual subscription to INA's entire database. Donegal001 in the coupon code box until 18 March. (via Claire Santry's blog)
Free is the ultimate in saving.
Findmypast is making access to its Irish records free through Friday.
Canadian Newspapers Online for Genealogists
In the past few days one of the go-to sites for finding digitized Canadian newspapers has been updating content, province by province.
Since the start of the month Ontario, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia all have been updated on Kenneth R. Marks site The Ancestor Hunt.
Given the disarray in central organization for Canadian newspaper digitization, a black mark for Library and Archives Canada, The Ancestor Hunt, along with the Historical Canadian Newspapers Online from Bowling Green State University are the best resources for Canadian newspaper researchers.
While at The Ancestor Hunt check out the tutorial videos on the YouTube Channel for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario.
Sir Guy Carleton Branch, UELAC Spring Social/AGM
Saturday April 22, 2017 : 11:30am - All are welcome!
Best Western Plus Ottawa City Centre, 1274 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario
Speaker: Romaine Honey
Topic: "Ottawa Public Library: Hidden and not-so-hidden Treasures for Genealogists"
Romaine Honey is a Local History and Genealogy Librarian and Program Development at the Ottawa Public Library. She holds a Masters' Degree in Library Science from Western University and has experience in government libraries as well as in various positions at OPL for the past 15 years.
As a genealogy librarian, she enjoys both researching her own family tree and helping others in their research.
Cash Bar after 11:30 a.m.; Lunch at 12:15; Cafe 1274
Meal includes: Garden Salad with buns and butter
Entree, your choice of:
- Roast beef au jus with potatoes and vegetables
- Chicken breast with white wine sauce with potatoes and vegetables
- Poached salmon with dill sauce and rice Dessert, with coffee or tea
The price is $30 per person. Please specify your choice of entree. Send your cheque to Bob Adair, 34 Briardale Crescent, Nepean ON, K2E 1C2
Phone number is 613-274-3331.
12 March 2017
Ancestry interview with Diahan Southard
Diahan Southard, featured speaker at the Alberta Genealogical Society's Ye Olde Genealogy Faire, 22-23 April in Edmonton, answers Ancestry's questions on genetic genealogy. Asked about tools she would like to see she diplomatically avoids mentioning a chromosome browser from Ancestry!
I like her closing statement that a DNA test is now a standard part of researching your family history, just as much as looking at the census.
New Canadian Militia 1907 Database from BIFHSGO
The information has been hidden away in plain sight in a place most of us don't think to search, a Sessional Paper, since 1908.
The index contains surname and forenames or initials, rank, age, country of origin, military division, page on which the name is found, and a link to the image of the original table. You don't need to be a BIFHSGO member; it's open for all to view, search and retrieve the information at http://bifhsgo.ca/cstm_foreignBornMilitia.php/.
There's also background information at http://bifhsgo.ca/cpage.php?pt=356
11 March 2017
Findmypast weekly additions and updates
The spotlight is on Australia with the addition of one major database, over 1.3 million records in Victoria Wills & Probate.
Victoria Divorce Cause Books 1861-1938 is over 39,000 records; New South Wales, Tea Gardens cemetery inscriptions 1898-2008 over 524 records; New South Wales, Stroud Baptismal Register 1892-1925 235 records and there are 408 additions to Australian Capital Territory Marriages.
In addition to newspaper updates, mainly Irish, there are over 3,00 records of the Derbyshire, Chesterfield union workhouse death index 1838-1904 and 55 records for British Army, Plovdiv (Bulgaria) Military Cemetery Burials.
Surprises through the Canadian Federal Science Library Portal
From the 6 March press release:
The Federal Science Library is a one-stop, self-serve web portal that makes government research and resources visible to all Canadians by connecting them with the collections of seven departmental libraries. The portal allows users to view or request items from a vast collection of publications in science, technology, engineering and health and other related economic, policy and program information. Wherever possible, departmental publications, reports, data sets and other content are freely available for anyone to access or download. It also gives users the option to expand their search beyond the holdings of the seven federal science libraries to include millions of publications from around the globe.The Federal Science Library partners are:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Health Canada
- National Research Council Canada
- Natural Resources Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
Explore the new Federal Science Library.
10 March 2017
Genealogy Courses in Toronto
Registration is now open for the following courses being offered in May and June by Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.
- Using the iPad and iPhone for Genealogy: A hands-on course on three consecutive Thursday afternoons in April and May on putting mobile devices to work for family history – to capture data, pictures, records and audio; organize and enhance research findings; and share them with others. Instructor: Carol Nichols.
- Designing Genealogy Posters: A two-session workshop series on Tuesday evenings in May and June exploring new, engaging and low-cost ways to display research findings and tell family stories. Instructor: Ellen Maki.
- Creating Genealogy Videos with Adobe Spark: A two-session workshop series on Tuesday evenings in May and June on using a free graphic design program to produce videos from family history materials. Instructor: Jaclyn Gunton.
- Introduction to Genetic Genealogy: An intensive fast-paced one-day course on Saturday 25 March introducing essential records and techniques for family history research. Instructor: Linda Reid.
Thanks to Gwyneth Pearce for the tip.
Family History stored in stone: Granite Mountain
Every so often we get a glimpse of Granite Mountain, the FamilySearch record storage facility outside Salt Lake City, in WDYTYA segments and other genealogy TV programs. A new video takes a more in-depth look at this amazing facility.
A Code of Conduct for Genealogy Conferences?
A newsgroup I follow is having a spirited discussion on a code of conduct for conferences. One participant wrote they won't attend a conference that lacks a code of conduct.
I was unaware of such codes, or the need, assuming that the normal law of the land sufficed. Although I've always felt safe at conferences I acknowledge that may not be the case for everyone.
The following is an extract from the Ontario Library Association Superconference code based on the Code4Lib Creative Commons Conference Code.
PURPOSE:
We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Harassment is understood as any behaviour that
threatens another person or group, or produces an unsafe environment. It includes offensive verbal
comments or non-verbal expressions related to gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual
orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religious beliefs, sexual or
discriminatory images in public spaces (including online), deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
PROCEDURES:
Each OLA event will have a designated Code of Conduct Committee consisting of no less than two
OLA member volunteers involved in the event and an OLA staff person. The committee members will be identified in advance and at the event should a delegate need to contact them.
If at any time, a presenter, guest, delegate or visitor feels that they have been harassed or that this
code of conduct has been breached, it is important that this person report it to a member of the Code
of Conduct Committee.
Do any genealogy conferences have such a code? Are they needed?
09 March 2017
Biographical Index of British and Irish Botanists
I was lucky to be able to watch live the final episode of the current BBC series of WDYTYA featuring BBC News presenter Sophie Raworth. In the final minutes she found several relatives in a book originally published as Biographical Index of British and Irish Botanists in 1898. As explained in the episode the senior botanist/gardiner was a respected member of staff of a stately home on a par with the butler. The garden was a hallmark of status.
There's a more recent version of that book available in limited view on Google books. The original publication digitized is at https://archive.org/stream/cu31924014492015#page/n23/mode/2up and elsewhere.
Don't expect to find ordinary gardeners. Charles Darwin and Edmund Halley (Halley's Comet) are included.
BIFHSGO March Meeting
From Famine to Prosperity to the Longue Pointe Asylum: the Varied Life of John Patrick Cuddy, given by Gillian Leitch.
John Patrick Cuddy immigrated to Canada from Swinford, Ireland, during the Famine migration of 1847-1851. Once in Montreal, he was able to create for himself a very successful business and a large family. The presentation covers his life in Swinford, his migration, the network of family and friends in Montreal, his business, his wife and children, and the last months of his life which were marked with an arrest, committal, court case, and the ensuing unusual judgement.Gillian Leitch’s PhD thesis about Montreal’s British population, “The Importance of Being English?: Identity and Social Organisation in British Montreal, 1800-1850,” was completed in 2007 at the Université de Montréal. After a year as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Edinburgh, she joined CDCI Research in Ottawa as a historical researcher. In addition to her work and publishing on Canadian history, she has also published three academic books on popular culture (science fiction: time travel and Doctor Who).At 9 am
At 9:00 a.m. Ken McKinlay will present the Before BIFHSGO Education Talk — Searching Findmypast's Newspaper Archives.
Open to members and visitors. Free admission and parking. The Chamber, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa.
08 March 2017
Trolley Women
Take the paragraph below. The words may even seem like parody, but when paired with the photos (go to the blog) exquisitely express the dignity of an overlooked aspect of everyday.
"Observe the hauteur of these noble women, how they grasp the handles of their trolleys with such a firm grip, indicating the strength of their connection to the world. Like eighteenth century aristocrats painted by Gainsborough, these women claim their right to existence and take possession of the place they inhabit with unquestionable authority. Monumental in stature, sentinels wheeling their trolleys through our streets, they are the spiritual guardians of the territory."
International Women's Day: Books by Women for the Genealogist
It's International Women's Day. Let's recognize it by profiling a short list of books of genealogical interest by female authors, one published each year since 2012 and a forthcoming book.
" . . . advice and inspiration on methods and problem-solving and helps the amateur family historian understand what successful professionals do to get results, and why we should copy them."
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Robert Hale (Dec 1 2012)
ISBN-10: 0709091974
See my review at http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.ca/2012/10/book-review-genealogy-essential.html
. . . expert advice, going above and beyond in helping you through the details of finding and examining your ancestors' death records.
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Pen and Sword (April 19, 2013)
ISBN-10: 184884784X
Celia Heritage will be a plenary speaker at the BIFHSGO Conference 2017.
The 3rd Edition, helps you:
- Effectively search various websites
- Decipher census data and other online records
- Choose the best way to share data with family members
- Connect with other genealogists through social media
Publisher: Everything; 3 edition (Jan. 8 2014)
ISBN-10: 144057068X
Evernote tips and strategies, with real-life examples
Step-by-step instructions for managing different types of genealogy information.
- Tricks for using Evernote to speed up research tasks.
- Search-optimize Evernote data so your information is easy to find
- Ideas for enhancing Evernote with external apps
- Tips to protect your data and troubleshoot issues, and more.
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Family Tree Books (Nov. 16 2015)
ISBN-10: 1440343837
While I could have chosen any of Ottawa-born, English resident Lucille Campey's books on Scottish and English immigration to Canada her most recent explains why the "Irish immigration saga is not solely about what happened during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s; it began a century earlier."
Paperback: 424 pages
Publisher: Dundurn (August 2016)
ISBN 978-1-45973-023-6
The Family Tree Irish Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Ancestors in Ireland, by Claire Santry
Not yet published, but advertised as becoming available in May
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher F&W Media, Incorporated, 2017
ISBN 1440348804, 9781440348808
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