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James Wolfe Anniversary

Today is the 297th anniversary of the birth of James Wolfe in Westerham, Kent.
Remembered chiefly for his victory in 1759 over the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in Quebec, leading to the capture of Montreal in 1760 and the acquisition of Canada by Britain in 1763. He is arguably one of, if not the most significant persons in the history of Canada. 

The photo shows the vista over London from his statue at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, adjacent to the zeroth meridian.

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Alanis Morissette on Finding Your Roots

I’ll be watching the first episode of the 10th series of PBS’ Finding Your Roots on Tuesday. Alanis Morrissette’s family were neighbours when I moved into my home in Ottawa. Her mother came around to welcome us and insisted we come over to hear a tape of her daughter singing.

If interested in her family story, check your local listings. It appears to be airing at 8 pm in Ottawa,

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This Week’s Online Genealogy Events

Choose from selected free (except OGS Thursday event free only to members) online events in the next five days. All times are ET except as noted. Assume registration in advance is required; check so you’re not disappointed.  Find out about many more mainly US events when you subscribe to Conference Keeper at https://conferencekeeper.org/

Tuesday 2 January

2:30 pm: Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors, by John D. Beatty for Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.
https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9721508

7:30 pm Really and Truly the Father, by Linda Corupe for  OGS Durham Branch.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEldeihpz8jG9O6GqVf7tscaQOK5tAWNiiR

Wednesday 3 January

2 pm: Artificial Intelligence and Genealogy: New Beginnings in 2024, by Steve Little for Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/artificial-intelligence-and-genealogy-new-beginnings-in-2024/

7:30 pm: First Nation History in SW Ontario and Genealogical Records at the Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, by Jordon George for OGS Huron County Branch.
https://huron.ogs.on.ca/events/huron-branch-indigenous-people-of-the-huron-tract-jordon-george/

Thursday 4 January

6:30 pm:  DNA Ethnicity Results FAQs, by Sara Allen for Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.
https://acpl.libnet.info/event/9836751

7 pm: Setting Goals to Focus Your Genealogy, will help family historians direct their activities to achieve results! by Cynthia Patton for OGS (free to members)
https://ogs.on.ca/2024-webinar-lineup/

Friday 5 January

2 pm: Irish ancestors – Top 5 websites you need to know about, by Natalie Bodle for Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/irish-ancestors-top-5-websites-you-need-to-know-about/

Saturday 6 January

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Waiting for a file from LAC? ATIP Progress Report

HAPPY NEW YEAR

On 27 December, Libary and Archives Canada published a progress report on activity toward improving access to information and privacy (ATIP).

Most requests by family historians relate to records of former Canadian Armed Forces members. Reported together with records of former federal public servants, 6,520 requests were completed in the three months to the end of November, that’s 55% of the number outstanding at the start of the period. The average file was 24 pages.

However, LAC had 10,554 overdue ATIP requests of all types remaining in its queue on 30 November 2023. That excludes requests made outside the ATIP process.

Annually, 13,000 requests are received.  How long can you now expect to wait? According to the report, the ATIP Team can now respond to 73% of new requests within legislated timeframes, generally 30 calendar days from receiving an official request.

You may not have to wait, if perchance your request had been previously dealt with. According to the report “Soon, the public will be able to access previously released ATI requests via LAC’s website rather than having to submit a dedicated request to the ATIP Team. These measures will help make LAC’s archival records available to a wider public in a more immediate way.” When will “soon” be?

If interested in the details, read the full report at https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/corporate/transparency/reports-publications/atip-reports/atip-action-plan-progress/Pages/december-2023-update.aspx