FamilySeach adds 1851 census of Scotland

Nipping at the heels of the FamilySearch's addition of 1841 census for Scotland come 2,914,894 records for the 1851 census. As before this is through their partnership with findmypast.co.uk. A search provides first and last names, year and county of birth, and place of residence. There is a link to commercial site FMP which has additional detail transcribed, but you need to search the pay per view site scotlandpeople.gov.uk to see the actual image.

How to attract more members to your society

I've written before about the paradox in our societies; demographics are with us, more and more people are arriving at the age where they typically become interested in their family history. But I continue to hear of genealogy and family history societies reporting declining membership, and some are closing. Board members, from the few members that volunteer to serve, sit around the table scratching their heads over this anomaly. What can be done? Is it, as some suspect, that people think they can get everything online these days and are just not joiners as was the way with the previous generation?
Perhaps we set up too big a barrier to joining? Did you consider taking an idea from those selling services on the Internet? It's called FREE TRIAL. People are more likely to try a service if they can do so for free, even if the trial does not provide full capabilities. Ancestry will give you a free two week trial. Legacy Family Tree provides free basic genealogy software. Try them and if you like them you'll probably purchase. And if you don't like it – does any company really want to have dissatisfied customers.
What would it cost your society to offer a free one-year basic membership to those newly joining the society? Basic membership could exclude the more costly items such as those printed and mailed to members, the same information would be provided online.
What do you think? Could it work? If your society has tried this, or you have other suggestions, please share your experience in the comments.

Women's dress in Ontario

Two articles from the 1960s published by the Royal Ontario Museum have just become available through the Internet Archive. They may be helpful if you're trying to date an old photograph from a woman's attire.

Women's costume in the early Ontario by Katherine B Brett describes and illustrates what women were wearing from approximately 1784 to Confederation in 1867.
The same author produced a longer work on the succeeding period Women's costume in Ontario, (1867-1907).

Don't forget that while dress may be quite a good guide in dating a photograph of a younger woman, they usually wanted to look fashionable, a more mature lady may have been happy to continue wearing styles from earlier years.

Daniel Caron on CBC Ottawa Morning

From the Canadian Council on Archives comes information that The Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Dr. Daniel Caron, will be interviewed on CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning tomorrow (Wednesday June 13).
Ottawa Morning airs from 5:30 am to 8:37 am Eastern.  For more information about the program and to listen live go to: http://www.cbc.ca/ottawamorning/

UPDATE: The interview occurred around 7:15 am and should become available at the address above later.

LAC concern survey

Daniel Caron letter in Canada's History Magazine

Here, as published in Canada's History magazine (formerly The Beaver), is a letter from Library and Archives Canada Head, Daniel Caron, explaining changes occurring at the institution. Reproduced without comment, for the record.

As the Librarian and Archivist of Canada, I would like to provide some insight into Library and Archives Canada (LAC)'s direction. LAC is today expanding services to meet the evolving expectations of Canadians, offering enhanced, modern access to its materials from coast to coast to coast. New digital service delivery mechanisms allow Canadians to discover, engage with, and share LAC's content when, where, and how they want it.
Though in-person services are still being maintained, changes are necessary in light of how most people use information these days, and to responsibly allocate resources based on observable decreases and increases in demand.
Researchers now have the opportunity to register, order material, and make preparations with LAC in advance. Digitization of finding aids means records can be located without having to be on-site. LAC is also introducing reference by appointment and video conferencing tools like Skype. Clients can now book appointments with experts on-site in Ottawa, or interact via Skype or telephone. In short, LAC is now offering a more personalized service that is accessible to all Canadians.
With respect to archival "decentralization," LAC has always been and will continue to be part of a large cross-Canada network of public and private archives, collectively responsible for our documentary heritage.
The idea of a "comprehensive" or "total" Canadian library and archives in a single location is a myth, as the country is far too diverse for one institution to play this role. The difference now is that LAC and its partners are working together in greater synergy than ever before.
While it is entirely true that LAC has two core programs (Legal Deposit and Government of Canada records) under the Library and Archives Canada Act, it is also mandated to acquire and preserve what is valuable to Canadian society. As a result, LAC continues to acquire material from private donors. Just this year, LAC acquired close to eighty new fonds from private donors representing hundreds of items (such as Lynn Johnston's famous comic strip For Better or For Worse). For fiscal 2011-12, donor tax receipts issued by LAC will total approximately $4 million.
That said, the manner in which we carry out our mandate is changing, given the evolution of technology, documentary production, and writing and reading habits. Our future work will be increasingly technology-driven and done in cooperation with the LAC partners that are Canada's memory institutions (some two thousand libraries and eight hundred archives).
With the recent creation of a formal, LAC-hosted Pan-Canadian Documentary Heritage Network, one can safely say that given the current digital environment, the country's historical record has perhaps never been in better hands than it is today.
Daniel J. Caron, Ph.D. Deputy Head and Librarian and Archivist of Canada 

Reproduced with the permission of Canada's History magazine.

Do Canadian genealogists care?

Ontario genealogist and blogger Christine Woodcock expresses her frustration with the situation at LAC in a post The Death of Library and Archives Canada and the Complacency of Canadian Genealogists


According to the post the OGS, the largest provincial genealogy society, is "sort of concerned and are letting you know that there is an issue. They aren’t terribly concerned, but they understand that YOU might be, so they have offered to let you sign an online petition. The petition belongs to another organization – not OGS."

I couldn't find a copy on the BIFHSGO website but at the recent AGM president Glenn Wright informed members of the concerns and that he has written to Minister of Canadian Heritage James Moore on behalf of the Society emphasizing the important of archives, not only LAC, and the need to collect and preserve our documentary heritage for all Canadians.

BIFHSGO recognizes excellence

Every year at its AGM the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa recognizes members who have made substantial contributions in various fields. Those recognized this year were:

1.    Best Talk by a Member:

Myra Conway, “The Tooley Street Fire – a 9/11 Moment for Victorian Londoners” (January 2012)

2.    Best Article in Anglo-Celtic Roots by a Member:

Patricia McGregor, “A Mother for Albert Weir” (Spring 2011)

Citations of Excellence
Carol-Anne Blore

Carol-Anne joined BIFHSGO in 2003 and immediately volunteered to assist the Anglo-Celtic Roots team as layout editor, a position she retained until this year in spite of the fact that she re-located to Victoria, BC five years ago. Her talent with text is also evident in our books on British Home Children and the Ottawa Sharpshooters. Carol-Anne and her instinctive ability to make our publications look good will be missed.

2.    Betty Burrows

Betty served our Society as Communications Director from 2006 to 2010 during which time she co-ordinated the production and distribution of ACR, she was responsible for our award-winning website and our newsletter; she has been active in the planning of our fall conferences, participating in the production of our conference program. Betty, our Society is better for your involvement and contributions over many years.

3.    Ken Wood

Our official photographer from 2007 to 2011 he photographed speakers at our monthly meetings and our annual conference, ACR authors, Hall of Fame inductees and in his spare time, proof-reader for ACR. Ken has always been willing to lend a hand, his photography provides us with a permanent record of those who have made a difference … Ken has, too.

Hall of Fame

Chris Macphail 

Chris Macphail served as Communications Director from 2004 to 2006 and left the Board to be editor of Anglo-Celtic Roots, a position he held from 2006 to 2011 during which time the ACR won first place in the National Genealogical Society Newsletter Competition in 2009 and 2010.

He co-chaired the 2009 annual conference, he has been a regular contributor to ACR and took an active role in the planning and production of our best-selling book, British Home Children: Their Stories.

Chris epitomizes volunteerism … always giving, contributing in a variety of ways to make our Society better … he not only gave us time and talent, he gave us class and lots of it.

The Irish GRO

Sometimes, when writing about institutions I encounter, I feel as if I might justly be accused of being the very model of a Whinging Pom. Not that whinging may not be without cause.

While the Irish may no longer be entitled to the epithet of pom the latest Irish Times column by John Grenham The very model of a modern Registrar-General makes me feel temporarily in good company.

Responsible use of Flip-Pal scanners

At least two vendors had Flip-Pal scanners for sale at the OGS conference in Kingston last weekend. These portable fine resolution machines are increasingly popular with the genealogical community, I've seen them selling at conferences in Canada, the UK and US. 

Just because you have a capability isn't a licence to do something. An Ontario archivist encountered someone leaning up against a framed 1860 map of the County, with the device pressed up against the plexiglass covering trying to capture the area where her ancestors name was located.  

The archivist comments that "not only did she not ask if she could use the device (scanners are not allowed in the archives), but her complete disregard for the care and handling of a 152 year old document/artifact was more than a little surprising."

Policing users to ensure our documentary heritage is conserved is a necessary if not enjoyable part of the archivist's duties -- did anyone think "a policeman's lot is not an 'appy one."

Respecting the protocols of institutions you visit, they do vary, is a simple courtesy to observe.

How to write for genealogy magazines

At the Ontario Genealogical Society annual conference I had the opportunity to record an interview with Edward Zapletal, the co-owner and publisher of Moorshead
Magazines Ltd., and editor of  Internet Genealogy,  Family Chronicle and  History Magazine. Ed will be giving a presentation Writing for Publication: Pitching Your Family History Story to Editors at September's BIFHSGO conference.

We spoke about the magazines, the type of material he looks for and publishes, and briefly on the submission process.

Listen to the interview at: http://www.bifhsgo.ca/upload/files/Conference%202012/Ed%20Zapletal%20Conf%202012.mp3

Congratulations to BIFHGSO

At Saturday's Annual General Meeting the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa reported the final membership figures for 2011. There were 547 memberships, comprising 629 people when family memberships are taken into account. That's record membership reversing a slight decline from 530 in 2007 to 516 in 2010.

AGMs rarely attract a large crowd and the attendance on Saturday was down from the 150-215 range typical for recent monthly meetings.

All four directors whose terms expired decided to run again, as did president GlennWright. They were all returned by acclamation. The Society is fortunate to have the winning team continue in place.

Heritage Ottawa walking tour: June 10

Old Ottawa South, Sunday June 10, 2:00 pm – MEET:  Southminster United Church, Bank at Alymer

In 1907, Nepean Township villages such as Ottawa South were annexed to the City of Ottawa. Improved city services soon followed, such as a new high-level Bank Street Bridge over the canal. It allowed the privately-owned Ottawa Electric Railway to extend streetcar services, stimulating housing and development of one of Ottawa’s first streetcar suburbs.

GUIDE: Leo Doyle, Development and Planning Committee, Old Ottawa South
Info: 613-230-8841 or www.heritageottawa.org

Archivists react to changes at LAC

The annual meeting of the Association of Canadian Archivists taking place in Whitehorse, Yukon, heard from Cecilia Muir, COO at Library and Archives Canada in place of Daniel Caron. A rather poor quality audio of her address, and the following Q/A session is available at http://www.mediafire.com/?897x4x1h7evewxl

Here is a selection tweets from the session, latest first.

From the reaction at an archives conf this am, archivists may soon be added to Harper enemy list see 4 hours ago#aca2012

Muir talk - Liked what (think it was M Gourlie) commented - "I thought I was part of a network, and not being guided by LAC." #ACA2012 

Way more engery from #olita and #aca2012 tweetstreams than from #CLAOTT2012's 

Agonizing address opened the day. LAC rep's talk promoted solidarity by inducing rage in nearly everyone. Even outsiders like me! #ACA2012 

Actually, correct that. I'm angrier that LAC agrees with aligning digitization choices w/ Gov of Can priorities (ie: war, nat'lism) #aca2012 

What made me angriest at #aca2012 plenary was assumption that archivists aren't open to change and we only want status quo #aca2012 

Muir: LAC choices on cuts were made "on priorities & core mandate" & w/ "reasoned & informed decisions to address fiscal reality" #aca2012 

Sounds like there's a hardcore smack down going on in Whitehorse at the #aca2012 conference. Clearly LAC abdicated their national leadership 

If PCDHN fails, it's because it was never anything but a rubber stamp on (bad) behind-closed-doors LAC schemes. 

If the PCDHN fails, could be due to the archival community not participating (Muir). Urges ACA to reconsider decision to pull out #aca2012 

Cecilia Muir: crowd-sourcing replaces archival description; TDR becomes people-focussed = LAC advocating return to oral culture 

#ACA2012 speaking truth to power 

Still reeling after today's plenary Q&A. Incredible. #aca2012 

Feeling enervated after the plenary today. Want to storm a fortress or a government building. Probably won't. #aca2012 

However, this just confirms my feeling that we need to figure out next step after #trek2012. #nadp #aca2012 #lac 

Wow. MT @mandahill: Muir - it's LAC's job to serve the govt, not provide leadership to the prof. community (or to stand up for it) #ACA2012 

Thanks for the support! RT @Hollingergirl: At #aca2012 archivists in black arm bands and sporting blue triangles in protest if #NADP cuts. 

LAC has lost its soul & its way. It's now an Orwellian cliché which somehow manages to be both irrelevant & incredibly dangerous. 

Feeling my rational perspective... slipping away! Oh no! I've transformed into an activist! How will I do my job effectively?! #aca2012 

You know archivists R angry (perhaps transforming into irrational activists?) when they start pounding the tables in response 2 Qs. #ACA2012 

#aca2012 plenary session. Much anger at Library and Archives Canada today. 

I was also fond of Muir's comment that LAC is taking a "simplified approach to description" Really? What does that mean? #aca2012 

@LibraryArchives If yr content doesn't fit the gov'ts commemorative agenda are U ineligible 4 funding + not welcome collaborators? #aca2012 

 I <3 Cdn archives. Atrocious that #LAC has abdicated all leadership in favour of pleasing the gov't of the day. #aca2012... 

Feeling angsty after reading all the #aca2012. 

Well, since I didn't get to ask my Q, @LibraryArchives could you please take all mention of "pilot project" off your site? @aca2012 

The tweets from #ACA2012 are remarkable; passion & frustration. Need to bridge this chasm. Need to engage Muir & Caron & LAC meaningfully 

So much doublespeak at #aca2012 which quote is my favorite? "There are other archival funding sources in the country". Really? #confused 

"No more questions please." But at least Muir came to answer our questions. I admire her fortitude. #aca2012 

Muir- we are putting resources to best fill our core mandate. #aca2012 

Muir- it's LAC's job to serve govt, not to provide leadership to the professional community (or stand up for it) #ACA2012 

q:why no phase-out? Why wasn't there any advance warning?Muir:we didn't know for certain until budget out 

GOOD, the archivists are a proud - and passionate - lot. We take our responsibilities v. seriously - unlike LAC. #aca2012 

Yikes, things are getting heated here. Don't appreciate Muir's attitude #ACA2012” Muir attitude: from patronising to hostile 

Muir-archival network is too dependent on LAC to operate - needed to be cut off #ACA2012 simply astounding 

#aca2012 Has anybody asked about NADP cut in light of 2010 audit finding it to be, in plain terms, totally fucking awesome on all fronts? 

LAC clearly does not value the archival system. At all. #aca2012 

Muir: "Stop asking why it isn't the way it used to be" and "we (LAC) can't be activists." #aca2012

Comment

It is clear that the LAC leadership have no claim to be acting as archivists or librarians, rather they are loyal public servants implementing the orders of their political masters. If told to eviscerate the organization they would apparently go about doing that with utmost efficiency.

Beechwood Cemetery annual historical walking tour.

A last minute reminder that the Beechwood, Canada's National Cemetery, annual historical walking tour will take place on Sunday, June 10th starting at 2pm. The tour theme this year is The Performing Arts at Beechwood which should bring out the best in the folks who animate the lives of the people remembered at the various memorials.

Scotland 1841 census index at Familysearch

FamilySearch.org have just added the 1841 census index for Scotland through their partnership with findmypast.co.uk. A search provides first and last names, year of birth, whether born in country in which residing, and place of residence. There is a link to commercial site FMP which has additional detail transcribed, but you need to search the pay per view site scotlandpeople.gov.uk to see the actual image.

FMP adds Kent records

If you have ancestors in the northwest Kent parishes of Bromley, Charlton, or Darenth between 1686 and 1869 a collection of 7,500 BMB records newly available at findmypast.co.uk may be of interest.

The Wrecking of Canada's Library and Archives

A convenient summary of the situation at Library and Archives Canada is at:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/06/07/LibraryCuts/

BIFHSGO June meeting and AGM

The final BIFHSGO meeting of the 2011-2012 year is Saturday, June 9, 2012.

9:00-9:30 am  Annual General Meeting
This should be routine. There is a full slate of candidates for director positions and Glenn Wright is running for a second term as president.

9:30-10:00 am Founders Day Celebration and Browse the Discovery Tables and Computer.

10:00-11:30 Monthly Meeting - Great Moments in Genealogy featuring four talks

The venue is, as usual, the Auditorium at Library and Archives Canada.

SCGS Jamboree sessions online

This is the weekend for the Southern California Genealogical Society 2012 Jamboree, a major event for US genealogy. A bonus for us not able to go, or whose interests in the US are not so extensive, is the availability free of several presentations streamed online. You can see the full list at http://goo.gl/PKq4n

Two that particularly caught my attention are:

Saturday, June 9 - 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT
SA-020 - Lisa Louise Cooke
Projects That Will Captivate The Non-Genealogists In Your Life
Learn creative ways to capture the imagination of your non-historian friends and relatives, while honoring your ancestors. The joy in genealogy isn’t just climbing your family tree, but building bonds with current and future generations, and this class will show you high tech and low tech ways to do just that. You are guaranteed to be inspired!

Saturday, June 9 - 2:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. EDT
SA-021 - Steve Luxenberg
Genealogy from the Inside Out: Tracing the Mysterious From a Single Clue 
When a family secret alters our understanding of the family tree, when we learn about a hidden relative (or a hidden marriage, or a hidden divorce, or a hidden cause of death), how do we pursue it? Steve reveals how he assembled the paper trail that led  through burial records, birth certificates, hospital records, immigration documents and wartime records, and assembles them into a coherent paper trail. This session is more of a “how-to-think” than a “how-to.” Beginners, intermediate and advanced researchers will come away with new ideas for unearthing what had been hidden.