Thursday, March 27, 2014

Toronto Public Library Local History and Genealogy Blog

Toronto Public Library has a great blog on local history and genealogical resources. I appreciate the depth and detail their staff includes in the posts. By the end of the entry, you know not only where to turn, but in the case of subscription databases like Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail, you'll also be given tips on how to use the Advanced Search features, how to save and print.

Information is not limited to subscription resources, but you're also given details on how to do research on passenger lists and Home Children, how to get started with French Canadian & Acadian Genealogy, or learn more about historical Toronto and area landmarks. Be sure to have a look!

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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Ask Granny: Create a Genealogical Gift For Your Family Free on April 2 at the Oakville Public Library

On Wednesday, April 2, the Oakville Public Library will be hosting a FREE program for anyone interested in preserving their family legacy by creating a simple family tree to gift to your family.

This class will take you through the process of recording information about your family members, a gift that can be passed down to children and grandchildren who will never regret not “Asking Granny” about their ancestors.  Participants will leave the class with a folder containing a family worksheet.  This is a pencil and paper class: no computer skills necessary! This class welcomes present and future Grannies and Grandpas, and is limited to 12 participants, so don't delay!

When: Wednesday, April 2, 2:00pm-3:00pm

Where: Woodside Branch, 1274 Rebecca St., Oakville

To register for this FREE session, please visit http://www.opl.on.ca/blog/type/genealogy/ for more details or contact Elise, Local Collections Librarian, at ecole@oakville.ca or call 905-815-2042 ext. 5037.


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Friday, March 21, 2014

Maple Stars and Stripes:Your French-Canadian Genealogy Podcast

Sandra Goodwin is a family historian who is based in the US, and has recently created a site called Maple Stars and Stripes where she shares her podcasts containing tips and ideas on how to research your French-Canadian ancestry both within the US and into Quebec. She has already posted eight podcasts, starting with Beginning French-Canadian Research and, most recently, Jetté’s Dictionnaire. More information is available on the site where Sandra comments on or includes feedback from listeners, including other resources that may be of use. If you have French-Canadian ancestry, the site is worth a look. Or at least a listen!

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Sunday, March 16, 2014

Huguenots of New France

Huguenots were Protestants of France who were forced to flee France in the 1500s and 1600s. According to the Huguenot Society of Great Britain and Ireland, they mainly moved to areas of the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and the United States, while a small number moved to South Africa. In his database, Michel Barbeau indexes the 321 Huguenots who fled to Canada, specifically New France (now Quebec.)

NB: While the introductory pages of the website are in both French and English, the individual entries for each person are in French only.

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Monday, March 10, 2014

French-Canadian Genealogical Research in Houghton County, Michigan

Yes, you read that right. According to research conducted by John P. DuLong, Ph.D., Michigan not only is home to a large number of French-Canadians and their descendants in the area, but Houghton is only second to Detroit in the number of French-Canadians who settled there by the turn of the century.

Be sure to check out his website which is an updated version of DuLong's original five-part article for more details about French-Canadian migration, communities, records available for research and more!

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Sunday, March 02, 2014

Quarriers Homes of Scotland

The Quarriers are a Scottish charitable organization who are dedicated to helping children and their families who are facing adversity. Their history goes back to the 1870s with their founder, William Quarrier, caring for orphaned children. If you have an ancestor or family member from an Orphan's home in Scotland, then this website will be of interest to you:
Approximately 30,000 children spent at least some of their childhood in the Orphan Homes of Scotland, a name changed in 1958 to Quarriers Homes. Each child’s entry to and departure from the Homes was recorded as was basic information about the family’s circumstances.  
Records have been kept since Quarrier opened his first Children's shelter in Glasgow, so be sure to contact their Genealogy and Records Service if you would like to learn more about the information they hold.

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