Anglo-Celtic Connections

Canada’s broken Access to Information system is at the heart of the recognition of LAC with a dishonourable mention for the huge delays it has sought for completing requests made under the Access to Information Act.

The 65 year delay, originally 80 years, when one researcher sought old RCMP records is a prominent case. Almost everyone who has made an application to LAC has experienced delays, often months and more.

The dishonourable mention is in a news release from The Code of Silence Awards presented annually by The Canadian Association of Journalists, the Centre for Free Expression at Ryerson University (CFE), and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE).

The release also mentions that LAC has made cuts that have left its archival reading room open just three days per week.

We all recognize the huge potential of handwriting recognition using artificial intelligence. The major part of most archives comprises handwritten documents. We all recognize the huge challenges. Major initiatives like Transkribus are encouraging.  While it was tested at TNA — TNA tests handwriting recognition in PROB 11 will collection  I didn’t find any conclusion from that pilot project. Perhaps it wasn’t ready for prime time in 2018.

What’s new in 2022?

A 28 January 2022 news release from FamilySearch, “What to Expect from FamilySearch in 2022” included the following.

FamilySearch Handwriting Recognition Artificial Intelligence

FamilySearch works with archives all over the world to help digitally preserve and expand online access to their genealogical records. In 2022, FamilySearch will be unveiling some exciting developments utilizing handwriting recognition artificial intelligence and records access technology to make impressive additions to the number of searchable ancestor names found in genealogical records at FamilySearch.org.

These emerging technologies will enable FamilySearch to make ancestral information hidden in its billions of digital images of historical records more discoverable—in a fraction of the time currently required.

“We’ve been implementing our new records access technologies in Spanish-speaking countries for the past year. We are very pleased with the results. We’ve been able to produce in one year what would have otherwise taken us a hundred years to do with previous technology.  We are excited to unveil it at RootsTech 2022 along with our expansion plans,” said John Alexander, a FamilySearch product manager for the emerging technology.

Alexander said the new handwriting recognition technology, coupled with the new online volunteer experiences and integration with a patron’s FamilySearch Family Tree, will dramatically increase personal discoveries and access to the world’s records.

On 27 January Ancestry posted Ancestry® to Apply Handwriting Recognition Artificial Intelligence to Create a Searchable Index of the 1950 U.S. Census

Using new, proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI) handwriting recognition technology, Ancestry® today announced it will deliver a searchable index of the 1950 U.S. Census to customers faster than ever before.

The 1950 U.S. Census is set to be released to the public in early April. With handwriting recognition technology, what previously took years to index, now will only take weeks. Ancestry anticipates the indexing of the 1950 Census to be completed and available on Ancestry.com this summer, with states released in real time upon completion.

(paragraph omitted)

Cutting-Edge Technology to Power Discoveries

Ancestry developed machine learning algorithms to power our proprietary AI handwriting recognition technology. Ancestry created AI software that reads handwriting from historical documents and transcribes the data, enabling our community to easily and quickly search historical records. The technology uses a unique and iterative blend of machine and human evaluation which is based on an Ancestry-developed confidence score framework.
Given the unique nature of the 1950 U.S. Census and the unavailability of images in advance, Ancestry used a novel approach to simulate sample document images to ensure it is representative of anticipated variation in aged, inconsistent or damaged historical documents that may be encountered in order to train the AI. Employees recreated full-size census forms in a variety of handwriting styles before intentionally damaging some of these forms by ripping, burning, and pouring liquid on the forms in order to simulate the wear and tear that historical documents go through over time. Ancestry then re-scanned these forms, using them in our sample set to ensure our unique algorithms are prepared to support the anticipated condition of these 70-year-old historical documents.

Calling All Family History Buffs
Ancestry and FamilySearch volunteers are partnering to evaluate the handwriting recognition extraction and ensure a complete and accurate index. Those interested in volunteering to help should visit familysearch.org/1950Census to learn more.

Keep an eye out for additional details around the 1950s U.S. Census and the AI handwriting recognition technology at RootsTech 2022. To register, go to www.RootsTech.org.

Apparently, FamilySearch and Ancestry believe AI handwriting recognition technology is ready for an outing in 2022, perhaps not prime time but as a starting point for human correction. I’ll be interested to attend the RootsTech presentation and the reaction of the community to the experience with the US 1950 census. If successful perhaps LAC will be adventurous enough to consider a similar initiative with the 1931 Canadian census when released next year?

A Canadian Friends Historical Association virtual lecture series began Saturday, January 15th, and will run every second Saturday. All lectures will take place at 0900 Pacific / 1200 Eastern / 1700 UK on Zoom. Following the chapters of the volume, each short lecture will run for thirty minutes followed by a question and answer period.

The forthcoming talks are:

February 12 — Andrew Fincham, “Friendly Advice: The Making and Shaping of Quaker Discipline.”
February 26 — Emma Lapsansky-Werner, “Family, Unity, and Identity-Formation: Eighteenth-Century Quaker Community-Building.”
March 12 — Richard C. Allen, “Industrial Development and Community Responsibility: The Harford Family and South Wales, c.1768-1842.”
March 26 — Geoffrey Plank, “Quakers, Indigenous Americans, and the Landscape of Peace.”
April 9 — Jon Mitchell, “Three Methods of Quaker Worship in Eighteenth-Century Quakerism.”
April 23 — Erin Bell, “’Mrs Weaver being a Quaker, would not swear’: Representations of Quakers and Crime in the Metropolis, c.1696-1815.”
May 7 — Rosalind Johnson, “Quakers and Marriage Legislation in England in the Long Eighteenth Century.”
May 28 — Robynne Healey and Erica Canela, “’Our dear Friend has departed this life’: Testimony Writing in the Long Eighteenth Century.”

Registration is via EventBrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cfha-lecture-series-quakerism-in-the-atlantic-world-tickets-241366051357

Be sure to note the date of the presentation(s) of interest as the titles are not on the EventBrite page.

More information is available at: https://cfha.info/2022/01/upcoming-lecture-series-quakerism-in-the-atlantic-world/

Choose from free online events in the next five days. All times are ET except as noted. Those in red are Canadian, bolded if local to Ottawa or recommended

Assume registration in advance is required; check so you’re not disappointed.

Tuesday 1 Feb. 2 pm: Virtual Genealogy Drop-In, from Ottawa Branch of OGS and The Ottawa Public Library.
https://ottawa.ogs.on.ca/events/.

Tuesday 1 Feb, 2:30 pm: Downeast Ancestry: Tracing Your Family Tree in Maine, by B.J. Jamieson for Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.
https://acpl.libnet.info/event/6114697

Tuesday 1 Feb, 7:30 pm: Finding Your Ancestors in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, by Claire Wilton for Durham Region Branch OGS.
https://durham.ogs.on.ca/

Tuesday 1 Feb, 8 pm: Education in Australia, by Cathie Sherwood for Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/education-in-australia/

Wednesday 2 Feb. 7:30 pm: Maritime Disasters on Lake Huron, by Colleen Maguire for Huron County Branch OGS.
https://huron.ogs.on.ca/events/huron-branch-maritime-disasters-on-lake-huron-colleen-maguire/

Thursday 3 Feb. 6:30 pm: Using the Genealogical Proof Standard and DNA as Power Tools and Problem Solvers, by John Beatty for Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.
https://acpl.libnet.info/event/6109928

Thursday 3 Feb. 7 pm: Diaries, Journals and Calendars: Preserving and Documenting Your Ancestor’s Day-to-Day Life, by Melissa Barker for OGS/Ontario Ancestors.
https://ogs.on.ca/zoom-meetings/melissa-barker-diaries-journals-and-calendars-preserving-and-documenting-your-ancestors-day-to-day-life/

Friday 4 Feb. 2 pm: Control: the dark history and troubling present of eugenics, by Adam Rutherford for The Royal Institution.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/control-the-dark-history-and-troubling-present-of-eugenics-tickets-230860709597?_eboga=2123610036.1642611488

Saturday 5 Feb. 10 am: Why Did the Welsh Leave Wales, by Penny Walters for London and Middlesex Branch OGS. 
https://londonmiddlesex.ogs.on.ca/events/london-middlesex-branch-why-did-the-welsh-leave-wales/

Here’s the table of contents for the forthcoming issue.

Crowdsourcing Revisited!
Diane L. Richard continues her look at this growing phenomena

Courting in Days Gone By
Sue Lisk looks at the courtship traditions of our ancestors

Jehus and Teamsters
David A. Norris looks at the drivers of stagecoaches, wagons, and horse cars

E-Book Review: Sources for Irish Family History 2021 edition
Joe Grandinetti reviews a new e-book for Irish sources!

A Recipe for Romance
Robbie Gorr looks at the origins of our ancestors relationships

Focus: Viewing Images from Multiple Angles
Sue Lisk provides some strategies to help identify relatives in family photos

John Galt and the Huron Tract
Christine Woodcock looks at the colonization of Canada in the early 19th century

Transforming Ancestral Photographs into Digital Art
Lisa A. Alzo offers suggestions for breathing new life into old family photographs

Three Brothers, Three Surnames
Melody Amsel-Arieli looks at how some immigrants changed their names after moving to America

The Ongoing Story of Charles Wood: Australian Lawn Bowling Champion
Gabrielle Morgan investigates the free NLA Newspaper site for more information on her ancestor in Australia

Unusual, but Useful Record Sets at FamilySearch
Karen L. Newman looks to FamilySearch for some unusual but useful record sets

NetNotes
Internet Genealogy looks at websites and related news that are sure to be of interest

Genealogy Begins with a Question!
Experts from the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center offer tips based on questions they receive from visitors

Back Page: What’s in a Name?
Dave Obee Says: Plenty – and Allan vs. Allen gives more reasons to be careful

This issue will be available on 9 February. Find a preview of the longer articles here.

The British Newspaper Archive now has a total of 47,533,433  pages online (46,849,782 last month).

This month 136 papers had pages added (123 in the previous month). There were 17 (16) new titles. Dates range from 1837 to 1999. There are several single-year updates for 1915.

The 13 journals with more than 10,000 pages added are:

In From the Cold (IFCP) seeks to find all casualties missing from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Roll of Honour for casualties from both world wars.

During January the following finds were verified by CWGC and are now an official war grave in their care.

The following Canadians (Newfoundlanders) served with the Merchant Navy, perished in the sinking of S.S. Caribou on 14 October 1942 and are buried at Port aux Basques (St John) Cemetery, Nfld, Canada

CARTER, Llewellyn
Age 24 years 
Husband of Alma Carter, of Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland.

TAVERNER, Harold Graham
Age 24 years
Son of Benjamin Taverner, Captain of the S.S. ‘Caribou’, and Mrs. A. Taverner; brother of Stanley Taverner who also went down on the S.S. ‘Caribou’.

GALE, Jerome
Age 18 years
Son of George and Jane Gale of Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland.

CREW, George 16.03.20
Buried in Reading Cemetery, Berks

HINDLEY, John Walter 29.11.18
Buried in Bradford (North Bierley) Cemetery, Yorks

DEAN, James 05.02.20
Buried in Bradford (Scholemoor) Cemetery, Yorks

GINGER, Albert Humphreys 09.08.14
Buried in Drayton Parslow (Holy Trinity) Churchyard, Bucks

MERENDA, Emile 30.10.20
Buried in St. Pancras Cemetery, Middx

The following have been identified by IFCP during January. Verification by CWGC is pending

LEWIS, Francis George 21.05.19
Buried in Chepstow Cemetery, Mon

FOSTER, John Thomas 12.02.19
Buried in Hampstead Cemetery, London

CHILDS, Frank James 11.03.19
Buried in Nunhead (All Saints) Cemetery, London

WRIGHT, Edward 02.04.21
Buried in Londonderry (or Derry) City Cemetery

COPP, Alfred John 19.01.20
Buried in Londonderry (or Derry) City Cemetery

BEYNON, Thomas Campbell 10.05.16
Buried in Greenham (St. Mary) Churchyard, Berks

NOAKES, Frank 05.06.16
Buried in Hendon Cemetery, Middx

MORGAN, Clarence Edgar 11.11.18
Buried in Hendon Cemetery, Middx

I’m hearing that on the days when LAC is open to researchers most of the seats aren’t taken.

The problem comes from having to book two weeks ahead. Sometimes other things happen in the interim meaning places remain vacant, while people who could use them are denied the opportunity.

While the present limited opening hours are in operation LAC could implement a mechanism to reassign seats of people who cancel or don’t show up on a last-minute basis. That would be particularly helpful for those with material already in lockers or in open access.

The news pages on the LAC website provide a history of opening and closing of LAC on-site service at 395 Wellington. The latest is a 27 January closing — Temporary closure of services to the public at 395 Wellington, Ottawa.

This must surely be as frustrating for LAC management and staff as for clients.

What lessons has LAC learned from the past couple of years of experience which has caused many organizations to rethink business practices?

Perhaps LAC might be more open about the reasons for closure. “Due to circumstances beyond our control” for the latest closure keeps clients in the dark.

UPDATE: Several people commented that the closure is due to the so-called trucker’s protests.  While the closure is likely prudent why hide the real reason?

Perhaps LAC might recognize that digitization, with its many other benefits, is something to be enhanced and not reduced as has been the case since the end of the digitization of First World War service files. Would you like LAC to provide free and timely digitization on-demand as happened in Australia with TROVE? Does LAC management have enough initiative to try a pilot project?

Miscellaneous items I found of interest during the week.

Equations built giants like Google. Who’ll find the next billion-dollar bit of maths?

The Winter of Our Discontent
January has been awful. The good news is we’re past 19 January which is the coldest day of the year (on average) in Ottawa.  Although there’s still scope for colder weather, the coldest temperature recorded in Ottawa, at the Experimental Farm, is -38.3C on 17 February 1934, we could have a bit of a respite in the middle of the coming week.

Traditional phrases sent to the knacker’s yard – the 50 UK ‘endangered’ sayings

How to read old handwriting and Transcription Tuesday
From WDYTYA magazine

Ottawa’s Many Peoples’
In 1965 the Ottawa Journal ran a series on the various immigrant groups in Ottawa. They are:

Thanks to this week’s contributors. Anonymous, Bob Jones, Brenda Turner, Ken McLeod, Nancy Frey, Teresa, Unknown.

The People & Portraits collection from the National Portrait Gallery in London is now available through Ancestry. From the years 1547 to 2018, Ancestry has 156,645 items in this picture collection.
They are also available directly, and free, from the National Portrait Gallery website along with another 65,000 works documented in its catalogue.

There’s a collection of over 535,100 publications, including more than 414,300 digital publications available from Government of Canada Publications.
Most published prior to the 1990s are in digital form. Since 2000 most documents have been born digital.

What’s of interest? It’s a real mixed bag, and there’s a catalogue to help find what you need. You may well find things you didn’t know you wanted, especially in the older items.

Organizations, such as Statistics Canada digitized historical documents, in Statscan’s case summaries of census findings back to 1851-52.

The Statistical Yearbook of Canada 1890-1905

Sessional papers of the Dominion of Canada  1868-1925.

Directories of Marine Scientists in Canada during the 1980s

Directory of private schools in eight provinces (elementary, secondary and commercial) 1947, 1944, 1937.

Give it a try.