According to the 2011 National Household Survey, 14% of Canadians identify themselves as Irish. I recently found Irish in my own family history. My brick wall ancestor, my great grandfather John Wellington McDonald, identified his parents as being born in Ireland on his wedding registration. I am not the only Canadian genealogist to have foundContinue reading “Happy St. Patrick\’s Day! Canada and our Irish Roots”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Religious Records Part 1 – The Basics
St. Peter\’s and St. Paul Church, Bartibog Bridge, New BrunswickSource: http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2593 Religious records are an important part of Canadian research. Unlike today, the houses of worship played a much bigger role in our ancestors lives. It was not only where you went to have your rites of passage performed. It was also where you went toContinue reading “Religious Records Part 1 – The Basics”
Louis Hebert and Marie Rollet – Canada\’s First Settlers
This post will appeal to both genealogists and history buffs. There\’s been some excitement from the French Canadian genealogy community the past few days about Louis Hebert and Marie Rollet. The theory for many years was that they had married in Saint-Germain-l\’Auxerrois church in Paris in 1602. There was a fire at the church andContinue reading “Louis Hebert and Marie Rollet – Canada\’s First Settlers”
Cemeteries
Saint Paul\’s Anglican Church and Cemetery. Trinity, NewfoundlandSource: http://www.fotosearch.com/DSN024/1823198/ It sounds morbid to non genealogy people, but I love cemeteries. I find them very peaceful to walk through. I also find it interesting to read the headstones.You can learn so much from them, besides birth and death dates. Family members are sometimes buried in one plot,Continue reading “Cemeteries”
The Empress of Ireland: "Canada\’s Titanic"
I recently came across the author Steve Robinson. He writes a series of books that are \”genealogical murder mysteries\”. I have to tell you, I have tore through the first four of his books in less than two months. There are five total, with a new one coming out in May. His fourth book, TheContinue reading “The Empress of Ireland: "Canada\’s Titanic"”
Vital Statistics Part 6 – Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
In the first 5 parts, we\’ve traveled across the Provinces from the Maritimes to British Columbia. In the final installment of the series, we\’re going to look at the Canadian Territories. Source: http://ontheworldmap.com/canada/province/yukon/yukon-road-map.html YukonYukon was originally part of the Northwest Territories. The first non native person to reach the Yukon was Sir John Franklin in 1825.Continue reading “Vital Statistics Part 6 – Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut”
This Week in History 12-18 February 2017 – Mr. Dressup Premieres
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Dressup American kids had Mr. Rogers\’ Neighborhood. In Canada, we had Ernie Coombs aka Mr. Dressup. The show premiered 13 February 1967, and was one of the longest running children\’s shows in Canada. Every weekday morning he would lead his preschool viewers through songs, stories and games. He was aided by puppets Casey and Finnegan the dog,Continue reading “This Week in History 12-18 February 2017 – Mr. Dressup Premieres”
Vital Statistics Part 5 – Alberta and British Columbia
In the next to last installment of the series, we\’re looking at Alberta and British Columbia. Source: http://ontheworldmap.com/canada/province/alberta/alberta-road-map.html AlbertaAlberta became a province in 1905. However, there are some civil registration records that go back to 1898, when it was still considered part of the Northwest Territories. Older record are in the custody of the Provincial Archives ofContinue reading “Vital Statistics Part 5 – Alberta and British Columbia”
Vital Statistics Part 4 – Manitoba and Saskatchwan
Well, we\’ve made it through the Maritimes, Ontario, and Quebec. Now we\’re going to start across the Prairies and look at Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Source: http://ontheworldmap.com/canada/province/manitoba/manitoba-road-map.html ManitobaAlthough Manitoba became a province in 1870, civil registration did not begin until 1882. However, compliance was an issue until around 1920. Therefore the records before 1920 are sporadic. UnlikeContinue reading “Vital Statistics Part 4 – Manitoba and Saskatchwan”
Black History Month
February is Black History Month in Canada. All month long, many Provincial Archives have exhibits both on line and off line celebrating the experiences of Black Canadians. While the Underground Railroad is probably the most well known part of Black History, there are several other events and stories to tell. Did you know: The firstContinue reading “Black History Month”
Finding Your Canadian Story 