In the News

Treasured Ontario Rural Histories to be Formatted for Online Access

Guelph ON: November 19, 2009

Joy Trimble, President of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario and Don Hinchley, President of the Ontario Genealogical Society, today signed an agreement to digitize and place on line the rural histories known as the Tweedsmuir Histories.

Since 1920 the Ontario Branches of the Women’s Institute have been gathering local history and preserving it in book form. Because the WI is largely a rural organization, these are histories of small communities. There are about a thousand of them, comprising an estimated half million pages of local Ontario history. They are one-of-a-kind and only a few have been photocopied or digitized. Many are in delicate condition and so are at-risk documents. The project will take at least three years. As they are prepared, the digitized Histories will be placed in the OGS e-Library where anyone can borrow and read them. There will be a small borrowing fee; the money will go to the maintenance of the original Histories and to the operation of the lending system. The project will identify, conserve, preserve, and digitize all available Ontario Tweedsmuir Histories.

Tweedsmuir Histories

The Women's Institute has been interested in local history since 1920. In the late 1940s, Lady Tweedsmuir (wife of a former Governor-General of Canada and an active participant in the WI) encouraged the creation of local histories by each WI Branch. Of the then 1 500 WI Branches, 989 are known to have created a local history of their area. The books include a history of the local settlers in the area, the agricultural practices and industries that formed the basis of the local economy, the social institutions such as churches, schools and community centres, and local personalities. For many tiny communities, the Tweedsmuir History is the only history created. Copyright to the Tweedsmuir Histories is owned by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario.

Women’s Institute

The first Women's Institute was established in Stoney Creek, Ontario in 1897 and has grown to be an international organization. The provincial body for the WI Branches is the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO), a not-for-profit charitable organization with affiliations around the world, working with and for women in rural and small-town Ontario. Through the network of Branches, they offer educational programming and community support; advocate for social, environmental and economic change; and work towards the personal growth of all women, for home and country. Originally set up to provide training and education to women and to address concerns in rural communities, the WI now offers women a mutual support structure as well as an opportunity to advocate on important issues close to its members' hearts. The WI has become a fundamental part of many women's lives throughout the world. It is committed to developing women's talents and today has links with over 8 million women in some 60 countries. The FWIO has about 6 000 Members in Ontario.

Ontario Genealogical Society

The Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) is a registered charity, founded in 1961 with the mandate “To encourage, assist and bring together all those interested in the pursuit of family history”. It has slightly less than 5 000 Members, most living in Ontario although a significant number live elsewhere. The OGS has 30 Branches in all parts of Ontario and two Special Interest Groups.

The OGS operates a scanning project named “Keeping and Valuing Ontario’s Heritage” which enables it, in partnership with Ontario's heritage organizations such as archives, museums and libraries, to digitize and place on the OGS website considerable quantities of material of genealogical value. The project has been underway for six months and is still in the datagathering stage. The Tweedsmuir Histories will be a significant component of this project. The project has received core funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund of the Ontario Ministry of Culture, and the Jackman Foundation.

Additional funding is being sought for the conservation and preservation of the Tweedsmuir Histories and to fund the salaries of interns to help train future professionals in the conservation, preservation, and digitization of paper documents.

Student Paper Competitions

September 16, 2009
The Ontario Genealogical Society has established two essay competitions for students. Both require a paper to be written on a topic within family history. Both carry a prize of $500 and publication in Families.

The Dr Don Brearley Genealogical Essay Prize is open to secondary school students in grades 11 and 12. For this, the first year, it is open to Toronto District School Board students only. In future years it will be available to students in other Ontario school boards.

The Mike Brede Genealogical Essay Prize is open to any full-time student in a university or community college who is either a resident of Ontario or attending an Ontario university or community college.

See the Essay Competetions webpage for more information.

Ontario Genealogical Society Conference 2012 Logo Design Competition

July 24, 2009
The 2012 Annual Conference of the Ontario Genealogical Society, hosted by the three branches within Region 8, will be held in Kingston, Ontario. The title of the Conference is "Borders and Bridges: 1812 to 2012".

Entries are invited to a competition to design a logo that can be used for all Conference 2012 publications. It should be clear and easy to read, and capable of being rendered in both coloured and black-and-white versions as well as smaller and larger scales.

The competition is open to all current members of OGS. Entries should be sent to conference2012@ogs.on.ca no later than December 31, 2009. Please include your full name and address, telephone number, and OGS membership number.

The designer of the selected logo will receive one free registration to Conference 2012.

The following background information may guide your design considerations for "Borders and Bridges: 1812 to 2012". The War of 1812 was a border dispute between England and the United States. Issues such as borders; land settlement and pension records (on both sides of the border) of participants in the war of 1812 and other wars; immigration and migration; and genealogical resources in areas bordering eastern Ontario as well as in Ontario will be among the topics covered by speakers at the Conference. Also, genealogy is about making connections and bridges between people and families.

OGS Receives Grant

April 3, 2009
The Ontario Ministry of Culture has given OGS a $40 000 Cultural Strategic Investment Fund (CSIF) grant in support of the OGS scanning project Keeping and Valuing Ontario's Heritage. The grant will enable OGS to hire a Library Technician to assist in placing databases online. The Library Technician will also be able to provide advice on the management of OGS libraries and other data interests.

The project Keeping and Valuing Ontario's Heritage has also received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Jackman Foundation.  OGS President Don Hinchley declared "This grant will assist OGS to move further into the age of technology by making more genealogical resources available to our membership online"  OGS Executive Director Dr Fraser Dunford pointed out that "this grant is further proof that OGS is moving in the right direction.  Clearly we are doing something that granting agencies respect and support."

Bill 149 - An Act to Protect Ontario's Inactive Cemeteries, 2009

March 13, 2009
Bill 149 bill has passed 2nd Reading in the Legislature. It will now go to committee hearings and then, hopefully, come back for a 3rd Reading before the summer recess. The Bill was introduced by Mr. Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry jbrownell.mpp@liberal.ola.org.

We must now let our MPPs and Mr. Brownell know that we support the passage of this bill. There are 2 things that we can do to accomplish this.

1. Download copies of the Bill 149 Petition. Get people to sign the petition and mail the original completed petition to
   OGS Provincial Office,
   #102-40 Orchard View Blvd.,
   Toronto, ON M4R 1B9
   
   Photocopies or faxes of the signed petition cannot be used. We must have the form with the original signatures. We will arrange to have these petitions delivered to Mr. Brownell's office so he can present them in the Legislature. This will provide a record of the support of the bill.
   
2. We all need to contact our MPP and let them know of our support of Bill 149 and encourage them to support the bill while in committee and vote for the bill when it comes up for 3rd Reading. You can contact them via regular mail, email, telephone or in person.

The Ontario Genealogical Society Appoints a New Honourary Patron

February 4, 2009
About two years ago our current Patron, Senator Lorna Milne, announced she was approaching the end of her Senate term and suggested the OGS seek another Patron. A search team consisting of Bob Crawford (Past President), Dave Mackenzie (a Past President) and Senator Milne was formed to search for a new Patron. The search committee held a number of discussions and reviewed the qualifications of several potential candidates. The committee made a recommendation which was approved by the Executive and the OGS Board.

It is my pleasure to announce Senator Vivienne Poy has graciously accepted the position as our new Honourary Patron effective at Conference 2009. Senator Poy will be attending the Opening Ceremonies of Conference Friday May 29th.

Senator Poy is an entrepreneur, fashion designer, community activist and Chancellor Emeritus. She graduated from the Fashion Arts course at Seneca College and ran a flourishing fashion business for fourteen years. In 2003 Senator Poy completed her Ph.D. in History at the University of Toronto.

Her interests in history lead the Senator to begin researching her family's history. In 1995, "A River Named Lee" was published, in which she traced her family history in China. Three years later she published "Building Bridges: The Life and Times of Richard Charles Lee, Hong Kong, 1905-1983." Her third book was published in 2002.

On the personal side the Senator loves to read, write and design – from clothing to jewelry, light fixtures, and furniture. She is an avid gardener and when she has time likes to bake and cook for her family. Her family includes her husband, children and grandchildren.

As OGS President I extend my welcome on behalf of the Society to our new Honourary Patron, Senator Vivienne Poy.

On behalf of the OGS I would like to extend the Society's thanks to Senator Lorna Milne, Dave Mackenzie and Bob Crawford for their efforts in securing our new Patron.

Don Hinchley, President
Ontario Genealogical Society

New Imprint to Publish Canadian Genealogy Books

December 12, 2008
Dundurn Press and the Ontario Genealogical Society announce the creation of a joint imprint to publish books on Canadian genealogy. The imprint, to be called OGS Dundurn, will be governed by representatives from both organizations. OGS will be responsible for finding authors, receiving manuscripts, and initial screening. Dundurn will be responsible for editing, design, and production. Both organizations will be responsible for marketing: OGS within the genealogical community, Dundurn to bookstores.

Kirk Howard, President and Publisher, Dundurn Press, said "As a long-time member of the OGS, I have admired the many ways in which the OGS connects with the genealogical community. In working together to publish books of genealogical significance we will build on this success and be able to reach a wider readership."

"Our partnership with Dundurn Press will provide those in the genealogical community with new resource material," said Don Hinchley, President of OGS. "We hope to encourage new authors through this partnership."

Dundurn Press has for over 35 years published books of Canadian interest. Based in Toronto, it markets books worldwide.

The Ontario Genealogical Society is Canada 's largest with over 4 500 members and 31 branches across Ontario. It is Canada 's largest genealogical publisher with over 5 000 titles.

Authors interested in publishing with the new imprint should contact OGS at provoffice@ogs.on.ca. We particularly like to see books at the concept stage.

Don Hinchley, President, OGS (left) and Kirk Howard, President and Publisher, Dundurn Press (right)
sign the agreement.

Trillium Grant allows OGS to Preserve At-Risk Heritage Documents

December 12, 2008
The Ontario Genealogical Society has received a grant of $179 400 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation as starter funds for a project to help Ontario heritage organizations digitize parts of their collections. The funds, granted over two years, will enable OGS to hire a technician, obtain equipment, and travel to the heritage organizations to scan the material.

This project will:

• provide a digitized version of one-of-a-kind records, increasing security
• allow small organizations access to digitizing they otherwise could not afford
• increase the exposure of small organizations
• increase access to records significant to Ontario's heritage
• allow an income stream to heritage organizations if they wish
• provide a Canadian not-for-profit portal as an alternative to foreign commercial portals

OGS is working in partnership with Ristech Company Inc, a Burlington , Ontario company that specializes in scanning equipment. Additionally the funds will enable OGS to make improvements to its website so that it can put some of the digitized material online. If it is genealogical material, the heritage organization can choose one of three options on the OGS website: free to everyone, free to OGS Members only, or pay-per-view, the last permitting a royalty stream back to the heritage organization. Non-genealogical material could go on the heritage organization's own website or they could get assistance from Knowledge Ontario.

OGS President, Don Hinchley said "I believe this grant will give many more genealogists throughout Ontario and the world access to materials without the necessity of traveling to the museum or local archive."

This project will help protect the culture and heritage of Ontario some of which is in delicate condition and could be lost if it is not copied.

This project makes the programs and services of many Ontario heritage organizations more accessible to the world By placing material on a website well-known for Ontario genealogical material, small heritage organizations will themselves become better known. This is particularly true for heritage organizations that are currently little known, such as those relating to specific cultures, religions, or ethnic groups, or those in more remote parts of the province. The OGS website can act as a portal leading to an organization's website. The presence of material on the OGS website makes the heritage organization more interesting to the public.

For more information about the Ontario Genealogical Society, the services available online, or to find one of the 30 local Branches near you, please visit the OGS website.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For over 25 years, the Foundation has supported the growth and vitality of communities across the province. It continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives. For more information, please visit their website.

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce the launch of an online database, Immigrants to Canada.

November 13, 2008
The database contains Canadian immigration records held at LAC, many of which relate to immigrants from the British Isles arriving in Quebec and Ontario; also included are references to settlers in other provinces. Through this new database, researchers can access references to lists of immigrants and other types of records created before 1865, such as declarations of aliens and names of some Irish orphans.

You are invited to visit the database online.

The contributions of many LAC staff were instrumental in the success of this project, and their efforts are much appreciated. For more information, please contact Sylvie Tremblay, Chief, Canadian Genealogy Centre - .

The end of an era in Norfolk County

October 7, 2008
William Yeager, long-time Curator of the Eva Brook Donly Museum has announced plans to retire, effective October 31. Bill has dedicated his career to the preservation of Norfolk 's heritage by collecting artifacts and particularly in amassing one of the foremost archival research areas in Ontario. The Norfolk Historical Society wishes Bill Yeager a fulfilling retirement where he can pursue his other interests of writing, reseach, and gardening. A public reception to honour the occasion of Mr. Yeager's retirement and to celebrate his achievements will be held at the Norfolk Heritage Centre in the near future.

Special Interest Group for Irish Palatines

September 24, 2008
The Ontario Genealogical Society has established a Special Interest Group for Irish
Palatines (SIG-IP). They will have the same status as a Branch but will not be tied to a specific Geographic region. With the inclusion of the Irish Palatines the OGS has a total of 31 Branches across Ontario.

The Palatines were Protestants who left the German Palatinate in 1709 at the invitation of
Queen Anne of England. They settled in various British colonies and 185 families settled in
Ireland. Beginning in the 1830's many of the Irish Palatines moved to Canada. Today many
Canadians have Irish Palatine ancestry, often without being aware of it since all they know is that their ancestor came from Ireland.

The SIG-IP is open to any person who sees value in exploring the common heritage of
German language, Protestant religion, migration to Ireland and many ties of marriage to other Irish Palatine families. As a Special Interest Group within the OGS, the SIG-IP will develop regular communications with its members, including a web site. It will offer opportunities for sessions at the annual OGS conference and will produce occasional publications to inform its members of Irish Palatine history and genealogy. Anyone interested in this SIG should e-mail <SIG-IP@ogs.on.ca>.

The Ontario Genealogical Society is interested in establishing other SIGs and seeks
suggestions. Since we hold the library of the now-defunct Huguenot Society of Canada, we
particularly would like to form a Huguenot SIG. For information on this or to suggest other
SIGs, e-mail <provoffice@ogs.on.ca>.