The IGRS is launching a new database created from a card index compiled several decades ago by the now late Patrick Smythe-Wood. It notes biographical information from Irish, and a small number of Canadian, newspapers.
Find out more at https://www.irishancestors.ie/smythe-wood-newspaper-database
Join us on Sunday at noon at the new cafe at Westboro Beach.
After several weeks when the forecast was not promising, for next Sunday it’s better — “A mix of sun and cloud with 40 percent chance of showers. High 25.” That’s a couple of degrees cooler than the July average high temperature.
If you’ve not been to the cafe since it reopened earlier in the year, it’s more or less where it was previously, just shifted a bit more toward the river.
There’s no parking or vehicle access from the Parkway. Use parking on the south side of the Parkway on Kirchoffer Ave and adjacent streets. It can get crowded.
Find the menu here.
Look for updates as the day nears.
| Collection Name | Date Range | Number of Records |
| Marriages and Banns | 1754-1950 | 1,091,738 |
| Births and Baptisms | 1813-1924 | 1,544,406 |
| Deaths and Burials | 1813-1997 | 413,911 |
| Baptisms, Marriages and Burials | 1538-1812 | 2,731,359 |
Another nice collection from Ancestry provided in association with Cambridgeshire Libraries and Archives and the Huntingdonshire Family History Society. Each has a linked image of the original and the ability to browse each parish individually.
Findmypast also has an extensive collection of parish records for the counties,
Have you ever been walking through a cemetery and had a grave marker catch your attention? You wonder about the person it commemorates.
I’ve stumbled upon a series of YouTube Shorts, 2 minutes in length, that follow a common pattern, investigating the person beneath the gravestone. Included are videos or images of places around King’s Lynn, Norfolk, that were important in the person’s life.
The latest is about George Robert Mann, who emigrated to Canada, joined the CEF, was sent to England, married, and died on 3 February 1919. View it here.
On his CEF attestation paper, Mann provided his Canadian address as Bethany, Ontario, a community situated on Highway 7 between Peterborough and Port Perry. His occupation was listed as a labourer. It’s a reminder of the thousands upon thousands of immigrants to Canada from the UK who signed up with the CEF and the many who didn’t survive to return after the war.
Global wasn’t kidding in their last announcement when they mentioned their immediate priority would be Eastern Ontario books. Here they are:
A Collection of Lanark County, Ontario Marriage Records 1817-1967
Narrative of a Voyage to Quebec and the Journey from Thence to New Lanark in Upper Canada (1821)
The Lanark Society Settlers: Ships’ Passenger Lists – Glasgow Emigration Society 1821
Perth-On-The-Tay, A Tale Of The Transplanted Highlanders
The Picturesque St. Lawrence River, Kingston and Cape Vincent to Morristown and Brockville (1895)
Pioneer Sketches of The District of Bathurst [Upper Canada]
Vol 1 – The Lanark Era – Births, Marriages and Deaths 1895 to 1911
Vol 2 – The Lanark Era – Births, Marriages and Deaths 1912 to 1936 [Also accounts of returning WWI soldiers and many who did not return]
Vol 3 – The Lanark Era – The Missing Issues, to 1930, (1903, 1916, 1920-29, 1930)
Vol 4 – The Lanark Era – Births, Marriages and Deaths 1936 to 1939
Pakenham, Ottawa Valley Village 1823-1860
Pakenham, Ottawa Valley Village 1860-1900
The Bathurst Courier, Extracts From The Bathurst Courier 1834-1857
Vol 1 – Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier and Bathurst Courier Newspapers 1834-1867
Vol 2 – Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier 1870-1889
Vol 3 – Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier 1890-1899
Vol 4 – Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier 1900-1909
Vol 5 – Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier 1910-1914
Vol 6 – Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier 1915-1919
Vol 7 – Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier 1920-1924
Vol 8 – Genealogical Extracts from the Perth Courier 1925-1929
Wow!
Next, the focus shifts to Ireland & Scotland resources, plus 27 volumes of County Surrogate Court Indexes (for wills) of Ontario, and more Lanark County, Ontario, cemeteries.
The latest issue of Family Tree Magazine combines a timely commemoration with cutting-edge research techniques.
Commemorating History
August marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, and Graham Bandy takes readers on a journey back to August 15, 1945. The commemoration extends into Jayne Shrimpton’s Photo Corner, where she examines wartime fashions and the resourceful “Make Do & Mend” culture that defined lives during those years.
Expert Research Strategies
Dave Annal provides guidance on using campaign medals as genealogical catalysts, while Dr Sophie Kay explores the crucial role of methodology in family history research. For those venturing into ancient lineages, Richard Tolson reveals the record collections and techniques needed to trace family places back up to 1,000 years through census substitutes and medieval local records—if you’re lucky!
Technology and Tools
Modern genealogy gets coverage with Claire Bradley’s tour of RootsMagic software. Karen Evans shares her strategies for using DNA testing to locate “missing” ancestors, providing step-by-step guidance.
Personal Stories and Connections
For the human element, there’s Mavis Tilbury’s account of discovering Rita Malyon’s legacy while searching for her maternal grandfather, demonstrating how family history research can forge unexpected connections across generations. Meanwhile, Gill Shaw’s “Twiglets” column captures the excitement of genealogical discovery, and Paul Chiddicks entertains with amusing stories from GRO and beyond – would you believe children named ‘10
Minutes to 6 Jeremiah’ and ‘6 o’clock Annie’!
Other regular features include news items, the expert Q&A section, which tackles reader puzzles; Ancestry Tree Tips, exploring Pro Tools; reader letters; diary dates for August’s genealogy events; and Diane Lindsay’s thoughtful reflections on moving beyond mere facts to reveal the true humanity of our ancestors.
Choose from these selected free online events; it’s yet another week of thin pickings. All times are Eastern Time, unless otherwise noted. Registration may be required in advance—please check the links to avoid disappointment. For many more events, mainly in the U.S., visit conferencekeeper.
Tuesday, 15 July
2:30 pm: Finding the Records for Impossible Genealogy, by Linda Yip for the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.
acpl.libnet.info/event/13836071
8 pm: Civil War Records: What is a Reasonably Exhaustive Search? with Craig R. Scott for Legacy Family Tree Webinars
familytreewebinars.com/webinar/civil-war-records-what-is-a-reasonably-exhaustive-search/
Wednesday, 16 July
2 pm: Tracing Scots Ancestors Before 1855 by Alison Spring for Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
familytreewebinars.com/webinar/tracing-scots-ancestors-before-1855/
Thursday, 17 July
6:30 pm: Discovering Pennsylvania Dutch Ancestors, by Jeanie Glaser for the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.
acpl.libnet.info/event/14008274
Friday, 18 July
2 pm: Strategies for Sorting Out and Documenting Mexican Names and Families, by Colleen Robledo Greene for Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
familytreewebinars.com/webinar/strategies-for-sorting-out-and-documenting-mexican-names-and-families/
Saturday, 19 July
Ancestry is now offering a premium membership. As they’ve named it, Club 1890, it hints at helping find workarounds for those struggling with the missing 1890 US census. To be clear, that’s not explicitly mentioned.
The annual cost is $5,000 US.
What’s included? Is it worth it? Ancestry already offers various layers of service, including a Canadian-records-only layer, and the relatively new PRO Tools. US genealogist Amy Johnson Crow has investigated, explains what’s being offered with this premium service, and shares her concerns.
I agree with Amy that Ancestry has every right to market its services in whatever way it sees fit. However, her concerns about the company’s direction are worth more than a thought.
Have you searched for and located a previously unknown immediate or closely related genetic relative using DNA?
If so, you may be able to help Prof Barbara A. Mitchell of Simon Fraser University with her study funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) for 2023–2027. The project “Aging Amateur Family Genealogists: Linking Lives and Long-Lost Relatives” focuses on the psycho-social impacts of discovering previously unknown family members, drawing upon historical and archival records, family stories/memories, and home-based DNA kits.
Genealogists aged 55 and older are being sought to complete a web-based survey consisting of three questions, which should take less than half an hour to complete.
Find out more at https://www.sfu.ca/gerontology/research/agegen2.html
Miscellaneous items I found of interest during the week.
Technological Unemployment
Dan Gardner on Kurt Vonnegut and the long history of a jobless future
Cooking for all Seasons
Community cookbooks are a thing.” Favourite” recipes are collected and published with the person suggesting them given. One compiled from suggestions by employees and friends of Environment Canada (Downsview) was published in October 1994, Cooking for All Seasons, and has recently come online. It jogged my memory of several former colleagues. If an ancestor’s organization, church, or similar community group compiled such a book, it should not be overlooked as a source for adding a personal touch to a family history.
Has a genealogy or family history society produced such a publication?
Teeth record the hidden history of your childhood climate and diet
Global Genealogy Website News
Rick and Sandra Roberts continue to work on completing the transfer to a new website at GlobalGenealogy.ca/. The original website, launched in 1995-96, has been permanently replaced by a new, modern website that offers advanced functionality, precise search, intuitive browsing, easy checkout, immediate automated downloads of PDF books, discounted shipping, and immediate tracking of physical items. Many of the most popular titles have been added to the new site, with approximately 1,000 more titles to be uploaded. The immediate focus is on adding dozens more Eastern Ontario titles.
International Bomber Command Center: Losses Database
TheGenealogist has incorporated this record set documenting individuals who lost their lives while serving with Bomber Command. The records are linked to the IBCC database, which is compiled from over 6.2 million pieces of data, providing information for each individual, often including a photo.
● 67,140 Records
● Covers 1936 to 1968
● Gives over 100,000 names of Parents, Spouses, Siblings and Children
Ancestry Updates
UK, British Army World War II Medal Cards, 1939-1945 was updated on 9 July with 834,078 records.
Ireland, Railway Employment Records, 1870-1940 was also updated on the same day with 306,881 records.
The Contronym Conundrum
By Claude
I dusted off my dusty shelf today,
Which left me quite perplexed—
Did I add dust or sweep it all away?
English leaves me vexed!
I clipped a coupon, then I clipped my hedge,
One saved, one cut apart—
The same word walks a contradiction’s edge,
Language is quite an art!
“I’m finished!” cried the student with his test,
But was he done or through?
Or did his teacher finish him instead?
Words can mean one thing—or two!
So when I weather storms or weather fades,
And fast means quick or stuck,
I marvel at these verbal masquerades—
Contronyms! What luck!
Thanks to the following for comments and tips: Anonymous, Brenda Turner, Bryan Cook, Gail, Sheila Faure, Sunday Thompson, Teresa, Unknown
Did you notice? Over the next few days, southern Ontario will experience hot and humid conditions. The temperatures and humidex will meet or be extremely close to heat warning criteria. A shift in the weather pattern is anticipated on Thursday. The UK and other parts of Europe have also been experiencing sweltering conditions.
Summer can get to be too much of a good thing, and it’s only going to get more so as climate change takes hold.
In a new Storylines video, How to Maintain Your Writing Motivation Through the Summer Months, Lynn Palermo at The Family History Writing Studio recommends specific actions to change the pace while maintaining writing momentum. However, if you retreat into an air-conditioned room or space, you may find yourself becoming more, not less, productive.
This week’s update features over 6,600 new photographic records, additions to monumental inscriptions for Middlesex and Yorkshire, and more than 200,000 newspaper pages.
Passenger Ship Photographs: 5,528 photographs, prints, paintings and photos of models covering the years 1870-1960. Ships in this set include Maurentania, Aquitania, Titanic, Athenia, Olympic, and Britannic. Many are not the large trans-Atlantic liners. There are many photos of the same ship.
Findmypast Photo Collection: 1,465 photos of England, Wales, and Scotland have been added for the period 1880-1900. There are now 14,112 photos in the collection
Yorkshire Monumental Inscriptions: 2,702 new inscriptions from 1635-2009. The total of transcriptions is now 341,589
Middlesex Monumental Inscriptions: 1,541 new inscriptions from 1653-2007. The total for the collection is now 87,469, many with linked images.
Newspaper Archive Expansion: 202,203 additional pages.
New titles are:
