BIFHSGO Blog http://bifhsgo.ca/blog British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:45:53 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Conference forecast: sunny and cool http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/13/conference-forecast-sunny-and-cool/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/13/conference-forecast-sunny-and-cool/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:01:07 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=274 Friday   Sunny. Low plus 4. High 14.

Saturday   Sunny. Low plus 5. High 18.

Sunday   Sunny. Low 6. High 20.

Forget the umbrella and raincoat; maybe a light jacket for the morning.

]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/13/conference-forecast-sunny-and-cool/feed/ 0 Traffic disruption on Sunday http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/12/traffic-disruption-on-sunday/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/12/traffic-disruption-on-sunday/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:59:45 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=271 Continue reading →]]> If you’re coming to the conference on Sunday be aware of disruptions for the Army run. See the official word at http://www.armyrun.ca/race-info/road-closures-parking-2/

Kent and Bay will remain unimpeded. No use of the parking facility adjacent to LAC by the run is mentioned but crossing Wellington could be a problem after 8:30am. Watch for announcements at the conference on Friday and Saturday.

]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/12/traffic-disruption-on-sunday/feed/ 0 Conversation with Phil Jenkins http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/12/conversation-with-phil-jenkins/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/12/conversation-with-phil-jenkins/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:03:22 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=245 Continue reading →]]> When he spoke to the Society monthly meeting in February Phil Jenkins attracted a record BIFHSGO audience.

His talk this time, the Don Whiteside Memorial Lecture, is very different expressing his ideas on ancestral memory. Is it a coincidence that attributes tend to run in families, or that twins separated at birth who meet in later life find they have so much in common?

Here’s my conversation with Phil Jenkins

]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/12/conversation-with-phil-jenkins/feed/ 0 National Institute for Genealogical Studies celebrates new graduates http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/11/national-institute-for-genealogical-studies-celebrates-new-graduates/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/11/national-institute-for-genealogical-studies-celebrates-new-graduates/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:52:36 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=260 Continue reading →]]> Louise St Denis, Managing Director of the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, invites all to witness a graduation ceremony for those who have earned the Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS ) designation, offered in affiliation with the Continuing Education, University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto.

The ceremony will be held in Room 156 at Library and Archives Canada on Friday, 16 September, 2011 at 4pm.

The Institute, and Heritage Publications with a wide selection of their specialist publications and resources, are again participating in the BIFHSGO conference marketplace

]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/11/national-institute-for-genealogical-studies-celebrates-new-graduates/feed/ 0 Returning to the conference marketplace http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/08/returning-to-the-conference-marketplace/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/08/returning-to-the-conference-marketplace/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:53:55 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=252 Continue reading →]]> The champion in returning to the conference marketplace, having participated in every conference, is Globalgenealogy.com

Those with multiple consecutive returns are:
Ancestry.ca
Archive CD Books Canada
Arnprior & McNab/ Braeside Archives
Friends of the City of Ottawa Archives
CHIN Radio 97.9 FM Gaelic Hour
Gatineau Valley Historical Society
George Laidlaw, Author
Gloucester Historical Society
Kyla Ubbink, Book and Paper Conservator
Lanark County Genealogical Society
Moorshead Magazines Ltd. (Family Chronicle and Internet Genealogy)
Ontario Genealogical Society, Ottawa Branch and Region 8
Osgoode Township Historical Society and Museum
Ottawa Stake Family History Center
Patricia J. McGregor Books
Quebec Family History Society
The Bookfinder

 

 

 

]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/08/returning-to-the-conference-marketplace/feed/ 0 Margaret Gervais: getting the word out http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/08/margaret-gervais-getting-the-word-out/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/08/margaret-gervais-getting-the-word-out/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:36:34 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=206 Continue reading →]]>

BIFHSGO’s Director of Publicity, Margaret Gervais, was missing in the photo of the conference committee previously posted. Margaret deserves recognition for her work supporting the conference by ensuring the word gets out locally and further afield.

While Margaret shuns personal publicity, preferring to stay in the background, she’s caught here playing another supporting role at the BIFHSGO stand at Col By Day. Thanks Margaret.

If you’ve been visiting another planet and missed the publicity you can still register for the conference in person at the BIFHSGO monthly meeting coming up on Saturday September 10.

]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/08/margaret-gervais-getting-the-word-out/feed/ 0 Conversation with Gary Schroder http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/05/conversation-with-gary-schroder/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/05/conversation-with-gary-schroder/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:06:54 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=239 Continue reading →]]> Long-time president of the Quebec Family History Society, Gary Schroder is a popular speaker with BIFHSGO members. We’re pleased he was able to fit a trip to Ottawa , and two Saturday talks at the conference, into his schedule.

This topics are “How to Find your Ancestors in Quebec” and “How to Find your Ancestors in the British Army, 1760-1945.”

For the second talk Gary mentioned he recommends the book “My Ancestor Was In The British Army” by Michael J Watts & Christopher T Watts. I’ve asked Global Genealogy to bring copies for sale.

Listen to my conversation with Gary Schroder

]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/05/conversation-with-gary-schroder/feed/ 0 Getting the most out of the conference http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/01/getting-the-most-out-of-the-conference/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/01/getting-the-most-out-of-the-conference/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:10:15 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=219 Continue reading →]]> Just as with a research trip getting the most out of a conference requires preparation.
Decide which presentations you want to catch. There are two in each time period except the first, on Friday evening, and the last on Sunday. Look through the program at www.bifhsgo.ca/conference and listen to the interviews posted on this blog if you’re having trouble making up your mind. Chances are one will be of interest. If neither looks directly relevant take a chance on a presentation; some experienced conference goers make a habit of choosing the offbeat.  Techniques learned from another area may be applicable to your problem.
If no presentation in the session appeals that’s also your opportunity to use the databases accessible in the computer room. Many of them are normally by subscription so take advantage. You can get a head start by visiting the sites in advance and seeing if you can find an index entry to a record for which you’d like to see the detail. There will be people in the computer room to help you get started if needed.  The time slots are 30 minutes each, book early to ensure a computer is available for you.  Also, bring along a USB drive to save your results for later review. See the list of databases below.
Another option is to take time in the marketplace while there are fewer people competing for attention. People at the stands will be able to take a bit more time with you. They are often experts not just regarding their products or organization but also in related areas and are happy to talk during quieter periods.
The marketplace also often provides a great opportunity to meetup with friends and colleagues. Some folks just hang out there.
When you arrive inside the building turn left and head for the welcome table to pick up your registration package, or register if you haven’t done so.
A good tip is to dress in layers. HVAC systems seem to have minds of their own. Be prepared for colder or warmer conditions than optimum in different parts of the building.
Things are not too far apart at Library and Archives Canada but you may still find yourself on your feet more than usual so choose comfortable shoes. No fashion police will be present.
Do you like to take notes during a session?  Handouts should be available for most if not all presentations so marking your’s up to emphasize and add additional points should be all that you need to do.
LAC has free public wifi which should be working during the conference so bring your laptop or smartphone if you prefer taking notes that way. Lesley Anderson encourages you to bring a laptop to her pre-conference session so you can try Ancestry.ca. She’ll provide free access for non-subscribers. Susan Davis also encourages laptops and smartphones in her session.
If you’re into social networking you’re welcome to post or tweet about the conference. Tweeters can use the hashtag #BIFHSGO.
And please do remember to turn off the ringer on your cell phone during presentations. You wouldn’t want the police hitting you with a $20 fine for disturbing the peace!
Do you have any other ideas that would help folks enjoy the conference more? Please leave a comment.
Here are the databases that will be available in the computer room.
Ancestry.com is the world’s largest online resource for family history, with billions of historical records, powerful search tools, and an active member community. Ancestry also connects people to the world’s largest collection of family trees, with more than 1.7 billion names from over 100 countries in 17 million member trees.
Census.nationalarchives.ie, the National Archives of Ireland site, offers 1901 and 1911 census data for the whole of Ireland.
FamilySearch.org, run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provides access to the International Genealogical Index, British and Canadian 1881 census data, the U.K. 1911 Census Index, the U.S. Social Security Death Index, many other databases, research training resources, and much more. Collections and copies can be ordered from the local Family History Center.
FindMyPast.co.uk offers the only complete 1841–1911 census collection online, as well as BMDs from 1837 to 2006, parish records dating from 1538, the National Burial Index, and migration, military and specialist records.
Findmypast.ie has offered us access to their new site.  They hold land and estate records, Griffith’s Valuation of Ireland, directories, military and rebellion records, migration records, and wills dating back to the 13th century.
FreeBMD.org.uk contains the index data for English and Welsh civil registration records from 1837 to 1983, transcribed by volunteers. Records include births and marriages from 1837 to 1931 and deaths from 1837 to 1935; there are instructions for ordering copies of the original certificates.
Gale.cengage.co.uk is providing access to its Gale NewsVault, which offers a large range of historical newspaper collections with over 10 million digitized pages. Users can search or browse across The Times Digital Archive, the Burney Collection of 17th and 18th century newspapers, The Financial Times Historical Archive, 19th century US newspapers, and many more.
GenesReunited.co.uk contains U.K. census data from 1841 to 1911, as well as U.K. BMD records, passenger lists, overseas BMD records, WWI and WWII records, and family tree record matching for members. Note: not all records are viewable for free and it will not be possible to buy credits on site.
Pagesofthepast.ca includes each issue of the Toronto Star from 1894 to 2008 in PDF format, digitized and fully searchable.
PaperofRecord.com is the world’s largest searchable archive of historical newspapers.
Thegenealogist.co.uk  contains records from 1100 to the present day, including a large selection of censuses, land records, BMD records, wills, parish and school records, military records, directories and more.
If you know of other research sites that do not require paid subscriptions you may access them in the Research Room. Please share the URLs with your colleagues on the poster provided.
CD Collections:
We will provide the BIFHSGO Library collection of relevant CDs and possibly some from private collections as well.
]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/09/01/getting-the-most-out-of-the-conference/feed/ 0 Conversation with Sherry Irvine http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/08/29/conversation-with-sherry-irvine/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/08/29/conversation-with-sherry-irvine/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:19:07 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=192 Continue reading →]]> Sherry Irvine, who was the conference theme speaker three years ago, returns to give a closing plenary presentation “Resting Peacefully in Essex – while I became a better genealogist.”
Sherry has been involved in family history for over 25 years, and  teaching online for eight.  She has numerous publications, most recently as co-author of Finding Your Canadian Ancestors, one of a small number of BCG Certified Genealogists in Canada and past President of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Sherry Irvine

]]> http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/08/29/conversation-with-sherry-irvine/feed/ 0 In the marketplace: Archive CD Books Canada http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/08/25/in-the-marketplace-archive-cd-books-canada/ http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/2011/08/25/in-the-marketplace-archive-cd-books-canada/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:42:48 +0000 admin http://bifhsgo.ca/blog/?p=120 Continue reading →]]> We love vendors who return year after year to the BIFHSGO conference, and there’s a special place for the locally-based.

Archive CD Books Canada is based in Manotick so coming to Manotick North, otherwise known as Ottawa, is hardly a major excursion for Chris and Malcolm Moody who appreciate not having to sleep in their trailer, or in a hotel.

Malcolm informs me they will be running their “We pay the Tax” special again this year. They also promise a selection of London specials.

“London in the Olden Time – c1538″ will be featured. Malcolm writes “a great book / map, quite rare, but badly under appreciated. The map, about 4 ft. by 3ft ” is worth the price alone without all the description of the pre-Gt. fire city, including reference to all it’s cultural diversity and the habits (traditions?) of its artisan’s enclaves. Quite apart from its research value the book is just a great read – particularly it you have any familiarity with the City as it stands today.”

As usual a great deal of care has been taken to ensure a high quality product. More information here.

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