Monthly Archives: April 2014

Fact du jour — Today in history

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Gail Dever

On April 30, 1658, Marguerite Bourgeoys opened Ville-Marie’s first school for French and Indian children in a stone stable measuring 12 metres by 6 metres, borrowed from the Company of Montreal. (In 1705, Montreal became the official name of the city, replacing … Continue reading →

Posted in Fact du jour | Tagged | 1 Comment

New LAC head speaks about challenges, budget cuts, and digitization

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Gail Dever

In an interview with the Montreal Gazette, Guy Berthiaume, the new head of Library and Archives Canada, shared his vision for LAC and reflected on what his five years as chairman and director at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada | Tagged | 1 Comment

Savoir faire — Puget Sound GS offers a comprehensive check list

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Gail Dever

The next time you plan to conduct a “reasonably exhaustive search” to confirm a fact about an ancestor, first take a look at the comprehensive Genealogical Source List the Puget Sound Genealogical Society in Washington has put together. I intend to check … Continue reading →

Posted in Savoir faire, Societies | Tagged , | 4 Comments

5 reasons why the new free Skype group calling is great news for genealogy societies

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Gail Dever

We can now Skype with up to ten people for free. That means, from our computer, we can call, hold a conversation or meeting with up to nine other people, and see everyone. Okay, the last part may not be as … Continue reading →

Posted in Savoir faire, Societies | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Free online OGS conference panel discussion on social media

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Gail Dever

Don’t call me Saturday morning because I’ll be watching some of my favourite genealogists talk about social media at the Ontario Genealogical Society conference — for free on YouTube or Google hangout. No registration needed. The Ontario Genealogical Society Conference 2014 hosted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Toronto branch OGS meeting tonight

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Gail Dever

The Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is holding its April meeting this evening, Monday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m., in the Burgundy Room, North York Memorial Hall, conveniently accessible from the North York subway station. Canada’s “Word Lady,” Katherine Barber, will … Continue reading →

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John Grenham lists major online Irish record sources

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Gail Dever

Irish genealogist and author John Grenham has assembled a list of major Irish record sources that are online and where they are available. Once you look at this list, any thought you may have had about spending a quiet day with your (living) family … Continue reading →

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OGS conference pre-registration ends Tuesday

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Gail Dever

Pre-registration for the Ontario Genealogical Society’s conference, Genealogy Without Borders, ends Tuesday, April 28. The conference will be held May 1 – 4, 2014 at Brock Unviersity in St. Catharines. More than 30 speakers and panelists will cover topics from migration … Continue reading →

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This week’s crème de la crème

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Gail Dever

These are some of the bijoux I discovered. Blogs The story of T.H. Johnson and the great fire of Toronto by Chris Bateman on Blog TO. Our (Ottawa) Heroes in the Great World War by John D. Reid on Canada’s Anglo-Celtic … Continue reading →

Posted in Crème de la crème | 3 Comments

Understanding old French measures

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Gail Dever

Who knew an English foot is ever so slightly smaller than a French pied? Library and Archives Canada helps us understand old French measures, such as an arpent, a toise, and a perche. This can be useful information when reading old Quebec … Continue reading →

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