November, 2005 News

(This news feature is now divided into topics of Genealogy, Heritage, and History)

New Feature - Website Pick of the Month!
2005 is the Year of the Veteran

Celebrate. Honour. Thank. Remember. Teach.

"Genealogy News"

Automated Genealogy
    This website is starting to put transcribed parts of the 1911 census online at <http://automatedgenealogy.com>.
     A new feature has been added to the 1901 Census Index: once you have found the name you are researching in the index, you can now add your name and you can register your e-mail address as being interested in that person.
    Once you have registered as a research contact, that line will be flagged and your name and address will be listed at the bottom of the page.

Quebec Family History Society
    " Tracing Your Scottish Ancestors", an introduction to genealogical research in Scotland, will be the topic in a November 5th meeting of the society.
    This seminar will cover the basics of Scottish family history research, as well as practical tips if you are planning a genealogical trip to Scotland.
    A second meeting will be held November 19th. Titled "Ancestry.com: How to Use it Properly",  it will examine this website and how the records that it holds can be used effectively.
    Visit the website at <http://www.cam.org/~qfhs> formore information.

Prince Edward Island Baptismal Index
    There are approximately 120,000 records housed in the PEI Baptismal Record, and they are being put online. Currently, 55,000 records have been entered.
    The church records include such denominations as Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presybertain, Free Church of Scotland, United Church, and Methodist. The majority of records are from 1830 onward.
    Records contained in the PEI Baptismal Record include such information as the child's name, date of birth and baptism, place of birth, father's and mother's names, and reference to the church record from which the information was abstracted.
    Records of births from 1886 to 1905, as well as marriages and deaths from 1906 to date are held by the following office: Vital Statistics Services, Department of Health and Social Services, P.O. Box 3000, Montague, PE C0A 1R0
    The website is <http://www.gov.pe.ca/cca/baptismal>.

Meetings - The British Columbia Genealogical Society
    05 November - "Beginning Your Irish Research", 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eunice Robinson will speak at the Cloverdale Library. 
    19 November - "Introduction to Scottish Research", 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lorraine Irving will speak. It is being held at the Cloverdale Library.
    26 November -"Historical Photograph Analysis", 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Diane Rogers is the host.
    All classes are $10.00 each, and one must pre-register at (604) 576-1384 (local 303 or 304), the Cloverdale Library,  5642-176A Street, Surrey, BC. The URL is <http://www.spl.surrey.bc.ca>.

Ottawa Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, Holds Monthly Meeting
    On November 15th, the chapter will welcome Dave Mullington, author of Chain Of Office: Biographical Sketches of the Early Mayors of Ottawa (1847-1948). He will speak on the research methods he used in preparing this book and how his methods may be used in helping others in preparing these books.
    He had worked at the Ottawa Citizen since 1981, both as a reporter and a copy editor. This is his first book.
    The monthly branch meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. of every month, except July and August,  at the Library and Archives Canada, Room 156.
    The society can be contacted for further information ay <http://ogsottawa.on.ca>.

"Heritage News"

Canadian War Museum
    The Canadian War Museum has begun an extensive conservation treatment of Frederick Challener's World War One painting, Canada's Grand Armada, 1914.
    It was part of the official war art program called "The Canadian War Memorials". These painting became part of the National Gallery collection in 1921, and were transferred to the Canadian War Museum in 1971.
    The work will be done in Commissionaire's Way, in full view of the public, who will be able to see what conservation entails, and interact with the conservators.
    Along with the regular hours, work has been scheduled to permit visitors to see the conservators in action on the following Thursdays--November 3rd and 10th-- in which the museum is free after 4 p.m., and open until 9 p.m.
    In addition, conservators are scheduled to work on the weekend of November 6th and 7th.
    From October 11 to April 30, the museum is openTuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Thursdays, they are open until 9 p.m.. For Remembrance Day, November 11, the museum will stay open until 6:00 p.m..
    Additional information is available at <http://www.warmuseum.ca> or by calling (819) 776-8600 or 1-800-555-5621.

Brant County, Ontario Holds Meeting
    The Brant County branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will hold a meeting November 27th at 2 p.m., and it's free!
     It will be at the Tourism Information Centre, 399 Wayne Gretzky Parkway, Brantford. Surveyors Toni Roberts and Des Rasch will speak on surveyors Augustus Jones and Louis Burwell.
    For information, go to <http://comdir.bfree.on.ca/brantogs/events.html>.

"History News"

2005 is the Year of the Veteran - Celebrate. Honour. Thank. Remember. Teach.
    The Canadian War Museum will observe notonly November 11th--on which over 100,000 Canadians died--but, in addition, will also observe a Week of Remembrance (November 2nd  to November 12th) in order to learn more about the sacrifices our military has made--and continues to make--during peace and conflict.
    From November 2 to November 13, "Till We Meet Again", a new musical about hope, courage and heroism in the face of adversity, will be perfomred. With nearly 30 musical numbers, the play re-creates a Second World War radio variety show called "Music of the Stars".
    On November 5th, "The Memory Project Road Show", an initiative of the Dominion Institute, will have a display of their digitalization project, as well as the oral history and personal memorabilia of veterans living in Ontario. A news story on this has been posted to the GenealogyToday website.
    In Memorial Hall at 11 a.m., there will be, via large screen display, a beam of sunlight refracting through a single window onto the headstone of the unknown soldier (weather permitting).  The museum will observe two minutes of silence at this time.
    The Canadian War Museum is located at 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, at the corner of Booth Street and the Ottawa River Parkway, just west of Parliament Hill.
    The phone number is (819) 776-8600 for local calls, or toll free at 1-800-555-5621.  For the hearing impaired TTY, please call (819) 776-7003. The website is <http://www.warmuseum.ca>.
    From October to April, the hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. On Remembrance Day, it stays open until 6 p.m.. Thursday evenings, the museum is open until 9 p.m..
    There is an entrance fee, and it is best to contact the museum to confirm the price, and check for specials. However, it is half price on Sundays, and free on Thursday evenings after 4 p.m., and on Remembrance Day.
    Complimentary admission is granted to Canadian veterans and their accompanying family members (up to 3), and to members of the Canadian Forces (with ID).
    "For the past 10 months, the Year of the Veteran has attracted public attention on, and recognition of, Canada's Veterans," said the Honourable Albina Guarnieri, Minister of Veteran's Affairs. "I am confident that Veterans' Week 2005 will only increase this high level of enthusiasm Canadians are demonstrating for our Veterans' Week will offer , especially youth, the opportunity to interact with our Veterans, learn from their stories and ensure that the torch of remembrance is carried well into the future."
    Memorial services will be held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on November 11th.

"War Grooms" Needed - (News Story)
    If you know of any Allied servicemen who married Canadian girls during or shortly after World War II, and who subsequently emigrated to Canada because of the relationship, please contact Judy Kozar, 233 Rochester Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4G6, or email her at <jkozar@mts.net>.

11 November, 2005 - 7th Book of Remembrance to be Dedicated - (News Story)
     The newest book (the 7th) in the Book of Remembrance series, entitled "In the Service of Canada", will be dedicated November 11, 2005 at 9 a.m. on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Snowbirds Celebrate 35th Season
    The Canadian Forces Snowbirds celebrated their 35th anniversary in the 2005 season at 15 Wing, Moose Jaw on the weekend of October 13-16.
    "The Air Force is proud of the Snowbird's history of excellence and of their important role as ambassador for the Canadian Forces and Canada," said Lieutenant-General Steve Lucas, Chief of the Air Staff. "The 35th anniversary is a tribute to the legacy of all Snowbirds who have represented the men and women in uniform so honourably."
    The Snowbirds have performed in front of more than 116 million spectators in more than 2,000 shows across North America. To the credit of the technicians, they have never missed a show due to mechanical problems.
    The 35th anniversary season was dedicated to fellow Snowbird, Captain Miles Selby, who died December 10, 2004 during a training accident.
    For more information, visit the Snowbirds website at <http://snowbirds35.com> or contact Marg Fowler, operator support manager at (306) 694-2431.

Sod Turning for Jewish Memorial -(News Story)
  The mayor of Toronto, David Miller, and the Jewish War Veterans of Canada turned the sod for a new memorial in Toronto on Sunday, October 30th.

Aboriginal Journey Ends in Europe - (News Story)
    The Aboriginal delegation, including members of the  Métis, First Nations, Inuit Spiritual Elders—veterans and youth alike—returned from visiting Canadian War Memorials in Europe and attended ceremonies in Ottawa on November 3rd, before returning to their homes located across Canada.

Website Pick of the Month!

Newspaper - Ottawa Citizen
    This month's website is the Ottawa Citizen, the newspaper of Ottawa and the host this month of a special history project honouring the men of the First World War on their website at <http://www.ottawacitizen.com>.
    Read the history of WWI and the efforts of a Grade 10 class as they attempt to trace back their ancestors who fought in the war.
    Also, check the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) for a display entitled "Scoop! A Salute to 160 Years of the Ottawa Citizen", which runs from October 20, 2005 to April 14, 2006. It is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and is in Exhibition Room D. Admission is free!
    The media notice says that "Scoop will appeal to all who are interested in the history of print media and the National Capital Region."
    The website is <http://www.collectionscanada.ca/whats-on/index-e.html>.

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