As a genealogist, I’ve carried many notebooks in various forms with me while I gathered information about my ancestors. That included the old floppy Campfire Notebook popular in the 70s and 80s. When notebooks were filled or I didn’t have access to one, I scribbled notes on loose paper. My goal was to save my…
Shortly before Christmas, I received a copy of North America’s Maritime Funnel: The Ships that Brought the Irish 1749 – 1852 by Terrence M. Punch from Genealogical Publishing Company. Most genealogists in Nova Scotia, perhaps many in Canada, are familiar with the late Terry Punch and his long history in digging up ancestors. I already…
Historians Melanie Ballard and John N. Grant are set to release a wonderful piece of Nova Scotia history involving one student’s experience at the Normal School located in Truro, Nova Scotia. Over the past several years, they’ve been compiling material for the book, which includes the diary of Mary Kaulbach, a brief history of Mary’s…
Earlier this week, while searching through the books at our local second-hand store, I came upon Green Family Cookbook – Food, Family & Friends published July 2010. A handwritten note inside read, “For Bryan. Put together by Auntie Irene Green. Ross. Formatted by Cheryl Green. Frank.” The book contains a collection of recipes by family…
John N. Grant released Schooling in Guysborough County 1735-2016 – A Case Study of Public Education in Rural Nova Scotia in the fall of 2019. The cover and interior were formatted and designed by Quarter Castle Publishing. The book was published by Guysborough Historical Society. Description The history of schooling reflects the impact of economic, political, military and other social…
A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon the YouTube channel The Woodland Escape. It features Peter Kelly, a reenactor for pioneer life in the 1800s, his wife Catherine Wolfe behind the camera, and their son Shane Kelly as producer and editor. Most of the shows I’ve seen like this are usually located in the United…
Centuries ago, folks in Scotland bought land in New Scotland and gained a title during the Baronet Order era. This month, this woman (a descendant of Alexander McDonald) in New Scotland bought a plot of land in Scotland and became a Lady. How did I do it? Why did I do it? I posted the…
During this time of uncertainty, newspapers are struggling and some are halting publishing temporarily. As such, Roots to the Past has been put on hold. Whether it will be resurrected after the pandemic is over is uncertain. Take care. Be safe. We will see this through.
In 2008, I visited Rose Blanche, Newfoundland, and its historical lighthouse. I created a YouTube video to share the pictures I took and history I learned along the trail. The video is called Rose Blanche Lighthouse, Newfoundland. The stone lighthouse has been keeping mariners safe since 1873. The lighting apparatus was designed by D &…
In early July, I visited the Milford Cemetery in Hants County, Nova Scotia, Canada, twice to capture footage of the grounds and the headstones. I created a video tour of those visits and posted it to YouTube. The first part of the video is a musical tour and then I read a few headstones and…
Life is always changing, faster now it seems since technology is setting the pace. At one time, Roots to the Past appeared in 13 newspapers across Atlantic Canada. In its hay days, it appeared in – to name a few – The Western Star (Corner Brook, NL), Journal-Pioneer (Summerside, PEI), The Daily News (Halifax, NS)…
The following column appeared in newspapers in November 2016. Catholic Irish and Protestant Irish in Canada Diana Tibert I haven’t studied any religion in depth. I’m more of a browser, reading bits and pieces of various religions and cults that have been created over the centuries to try to understand why people lived the way…
This column appeared in newspapers in early February 2018. I have since received an update on RootsWeb, and I wanted to share it here. Disruptions at RootsWeb Continues Diane Lynn Tibert IN LATE DECEMBER, I searched for information on one of the many websites hosted by RootsWeb that has collected genealogy data over the decades.…
This notice just came across my desk. How to Use Census Data (1 Day) Conducted every five years, the Census of Population is the most comprehensive source of data on the demographic, social and economic characteristics of Canadians. The Census workshop is designed for those new to working with Census data or those who want…
If you are descended from Thomas Corbin and his wife, Sarah H. Sweetland, who married in 1846 and lived in Carbonear, Newfoundland, Peter Corbin in Salisbury, England would like to hear from you. Thomas and Sarah had six children together, three of whom (Cora Elizabeth, George John and Frederick Ambrose) were baptised in Port de…
I received word earlier this week from the editor of The Times & Transcript that they are revamping the newspaper. To improve readers’ experience, they have had to cut a few columns. Roots to the Past was one of them. The last column will appear this Saturday January 20th. The Times & Transcript has been a…
First update of 2018.
A few days ago, one of the Facebook genealogy groups I follow had a notice regarding Afterlife, a site that posts obituaries. The site claims to be “Canada’s largest database of deceased people.” Visitors can light a candle in someone’s memory or purchase flowers. The problem is, they are not a funeral home. They’re just a…
Between today and Wednesday, my genealogy column, Roots to the Past, is available in the following Atlantic Canada newspapers: Saturday: The Citizen (Amherst) Saturday: Times & Transcript (Moncton) Wednesday: The Lunenburg County Progress Bulletin (Lunenburg County) Title: The Down Survey of Ireland Ireland has seen drastic changes over the centuries, and its people have suffered great hardships. The many who arrived in Canada…
This Roots to the Past column appeared in newspapers on December 16th and 20th, 2017 Unmasking the Man in Red Diane Lynn Tibert McGyver Have you ever believed something your entire life until one day you hear information that cracks that belief? It’s like believing in Santa Clause until you’re eight and then your best…
Originally posted on Library and Archives Canada Blog:
By Valerie Casbourn On the morning of December 6, 1917, two ships, the Imo and the Mont-Blanc, collided in the Narrows of Halifax Harbour. The Mont-Blanc was a munitions ship on its way to join a convoy sailing to war-torn Europe. The cargo of the Mont-Blanc caught fire,…
The following Roots to the Past column appeared in print in November 2016. What was the Imperial War Service Gratuity? Diane Lynn Tibert An ancestor’s experience is often lost to history. The release of new records by Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and other organisations help researchers uncover this experience. When the Soldiers of the…
Originally posted on Library and Archives Canada Blog:
By Leah Rae In May this year, a big change came for the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Halifax team when we moved into the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in beautiful downtown Halifax. The time has flown since then, and we have already passed…
Between today and Wednesday, my genealogy column, Roots to the Past, is available in the following Atlantic Canada newspapers: Saturday: The Citizen (Amherst) Saturday: Times & Transcript (Moncton) Wednesday: The Lunenburg County Progress Bulletin (Lunenburg County) Column: The Possible Origin of Halloween The only thing I knew about Halloween as a child in the 70s was I could dress up and gather…
Roots to the Past 