Wordless Wednesday - Oral History Display

 Janet Iles at Ontario Genealogical Society - Ontario Library Association -- Genealogy and Libraries -- Oral History Display --  May 13, 2010

© 2010 Janet Iles

Happy Birthday, CFOS

Seventy years ago today, our local AM radio station came on the air. It was during the Second World War and now local people would be able to receive the local, national and international news on their radios. A brief history of the station is currently on their site On March 14, an exhibit will be launched at Grey Roots

 They have had interviews recently of past radio personalities during Georgian Bay today. I have enjoyed those that I have heard.

CFOS is the station that I listen to most. In the morning, it is the sound of CFOS that wakes me up. I enjoy the chit-chat of the morning crew as I get ready to start my day. Generally, I am a morning listener to the radio but I do tune in from time to time for Open Line and Georgian Bay today. It is the station on my car radio. I look forward to the Christmas Fund Broadcast on the first Sunday in December. When I was little we also listened faithfully to the Christmas broadcasts with Santa Claus each Christmas season. There was also a talent programme with Smitty.

I have been interviewed several times on CFOS. When I was a puppeteer at the Owen Sound Fair at the library's area under the bandstand, I was interviewed on location. Several years ago, I was interviewed prior to the concert with Dame Gillian Weir to talk about the restoration work on the Knox church organ.

Many talented people had their start at CFOS and went on in broadcasting in radio and television. Happy birthday CFOS.
© 2010 Janet Iles

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Challenge #1

 Week 1: Go to your local public library branch. Make a note of the genealogy books in the collection that may help you gain research knowledge. Don’t forget to check the shelves in both the non-fiction section and the reference section. If you do not already have a library card, take the time to get one. If you have a genealogy blog, write about what you find in your library’s genealogy collection.

Amy Coffin of the fabulous We Tree blog, has done it again. Last year, Amy developed a series of 52 Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompts which kept folks very busy and forced them to look at many different aspects of their genealogy.

Now this one is an easy one for me as I worked at the local public library for 30 years as full time staff and since my retirement in 2005 on contract work generally filling in as needed from time to time, at the reference desk. I am therefore biased in  my comments. For at least fifteen years, I cataloged the materials in the local history section of the library and answered some of the questions pertaining to local history and genealogy.

The Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library serves a population of about 40,000, although Owen Sound itself has about 21,000 residents.

There is a separate area in a room that was once the Chief Librarian's office for many of the local history and genealogy books. These books are for in library use only. There is a bench in the room (with my name on it.) but researchers work at the study tables in the adjoining room The microfilm cabinets, microform machines, and vertical file cabinets are in the "Carnegie wing" of the library. In addition, there are many excellent resources that are in storage in the basement that have to be retrieved by staff. The newsletters are housed there.The Bruce and Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society library is on deposit here.

In the circulation collection are mainly how to genealogy books. The library has available on its public computers the Library Edition of Ancestry. There are some genealogy related books in the reference department on the main floor.

The library is open 71 hours a week. Reference assistance is available for most of these hours (not Friday evening or Sunday afternoons).
Now that I have talked about the collection itself, I am to mention some books that help me gain research knowledge. From home, I can check the catalog.

In acquainting myself with some of the useful resources for genealogical research in Grey and Bruce counties Betty Warrilow's book, Tracing Your Ancestors in Bruce & Grey is very helpful.

Althea Douglas' book Genealogy, geography and maps : using atlases and gazetteers to find your family is a guide I would like to review. It may give me some more ideas on using these resources.

One suggestion I often make to researchers is to look at the various family histories in the collection as you never know when your family may turn up. The library has a good collection of family histories that have a connection to Grey or Bruce counties.  

I go regularly to the library to use this great collection.  

© 2010 Janet Iles

Where were you when the lights went out? - 2003

Where were you when the lights went out on August 14, 2003?

On August 14, 2003 about 55 million people in Northeastern United States and most of Ontario lost electrical power, some for more than twenty-four hours. It was about 4:40 Eastern. I had finished my supper as I was working 1 to 9 and was heading back into the library to cover the reference desk for the evening. I didn't know that it was wide-spread until I reached the library and discovered they were closing up. The custodian had heard on the radio that the power outage appeared to be widespread and it might be awhile before it was restored.

So back home I went. It was a beautiful evening so I went outside on the deck and read as long as I could see. In Toronto and other localities, people had impromptu gatherings and visited with neighbours.

Earlier that day, the window installer had just finished the work on my new bow window. I was happy that work had been completed.

I was a fortunate one and I had power restored before I went to sleep. Others were not so lucky.

Power was back on in most of Owen Sound, so it was back to work the next morning. We were advised by the city management to use as little electricity as possible as the power situation was still precarious. We turned on only those lights and computers that were necessary for people to work efficiently and safely. The computers at the reference desks and the circulation desk were needed but we were prepared to hand check out materials if we lost power.

We provided no public access to the computers. I remember one woman in particular who was very angry about this, but most were very understanding. We directed those who needed Internet access to go to a local "Internet Cafe" in a downtown business. We were on limited service for the rest of the week.

Every time, we have a major electrical power outage that lasts more than an hour, I get to thinking of my ancestors who had no electrical power at all to do their daily tasks. How did they manage? What did they do?

Today, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. is the Count me in Energy Challenge. I am going to try my best to limit my energy usage as best I can.

© 2009 Janet Iles

Wordless Wednesday - Fall colours in all their glory

Behind the public library October 2008 photo by Janet

Tweedsmuir Histories - a goldmine of information

Tweedsmuir Histories are a goldmine of information for genealogical and local history information for many localities in Ontario, Canada. What are Tweedsmuir Histories? Briefly, they are "village history books" in the form of scrapbooks produced by Women's Institutes in Ontario. On Saturday, Grey Roots launched the virtual exhibit of Tweedsmuir histories from Grey County. To date, 32 volumes have been digitized and are available for searching and reading by anyone with Internet access. Congratulations on completing this phase of the project. The Grey County Historical Society was one of the supporters of this project.

Tweedsmuir Histories are one source of information that has helped me in my own personal research, research for a client and as part of my research for Churches of Grey Presbytery of the United Church of Canada: Historical Highlights.

When I was beginning my early research into my ancestors in Markham Township, Ontario, I visited the Unionville Public Library and viewed the actual Tweedsmuir histories for the Unionville Institute. These have been digitized and are now available in the Markham Public Libraries as part of Lunauweb. They were very helpful in giving me an introduction to the family.

Several years ago, I had a client send me a photograph of a family grouping taken in Port Elgin, Ontario. He only knew the names of some of the people in the photograph. Would you believe that the same photograph was in the West Arran Women’s Institute. Tweedsmuir History. volume 1. It had the names that the client was missing. There is a photocopy of this Tweedsmuir History at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library.

The Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library has some of the area Tweedsmuir histories on microfilm and the original copy of the Salem (Derby Township) Women's Institute.

When I was researching the church history book, I used the Federated Women's Institute of Ontario. St. Vincent. Tweedsmuir History; microfilm that included church history from St. Vincent Township. Of particular interest was the letter from Arthur G. Reynolds, archivist of the United Church of Canada to Jeanette Short concerning Bethesda Church, November 12, 1964. At Grey Roots, I used the Priceville Tweedsmuir History as a source when researching the Priceville churches.

At the Archives of Ontario, I found the Tweedsmuir histories that have been microfilmed for Manitoulin Island. Big Lake Institute (MS 8 Reel 13) to be very helpful in my research of that area. Almost every page had information that related to my families. The photographs unfortunately did not print out well. I would love to see the originals and to get copies of the family related photographs. One of the photos was of taken of the people who attended the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. James [Ernest] Johnston [Zella Beatrice Johnston]. Note: The Tweedsmuir History microfilms are not available for interlibrary loan from the Archives of Ontario. You may find them at libraries.

For information on the Women's Institutes check the Federation of Women's Institutes of Ontario web site. Wellington Ontario Tweedsmuir histories are available for searching and viewing. Elgin County Tweedsmuir Histories are available for browsing. King Township Tweedsmuir histories are available for browsing but a table of contents aids in the search. This is not an exhaustive list of those that have been digitized. Some are searchable while others can only be browsed.

Have you used the Tweedsmuir Histories? Have you made any discoveries? If you have any that you recommend please share it with the readers.

Christmas Tree Ornaments

December 2 - Christmas Tree Ornaments

Did your family have heirloom or cherished ornaments? Did you ever string popcorn and cranberries? Did your family make ornaments?

Some favourite ornaments that I can remember were glass Christmas balls. I still have some of them. I do not recall stringing popcorn and cranberries at home.

The decorations that are special to me now are those that were made by my mother and her church group (before I became a member). As I add each one to the tree, I think about my mom and the other women who made them. They used to have lots of fun making them for the church bazaars. The bell-shaped ornaments with gold and white beads shine in the Christmas tree lights.

I have two painted and decoupaged eggs that were made by a library member years ago. The library before the popularity of craft shows began had "The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick maker Craft Show" as a fundraiser. It was at this event that I purchased these eggs.

I particularly like each of my angels. Any that can stand are now added to my crèche scenes when I don’t put up a tree. Some are added to the spiral tree.

Queen's Hotel documentary

The Queen's Hotel - an old hotel that no longer stands in Owen Sound is the subject of a well-researched video documentary. Adminst controversy, the building was demolished.

Update: Queen's Hotel Blues (New) is no longer available on the Owen Sound Sun-Times blog.

I was never in the building but I found the information provided by people (many whom I know) to be very interesting. Thank you to all who contributed to the making of the video. It is well done. It shows both sides of the story.

The Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library has information on the hotel in the local history vertical file for anyone interested in reading about the hotel.

Net Library - expanding your library's resources

I had previously set up my Net Library account at the Reference Desk at OSNGUPL but I had only checked it out so that I could help people at the reference desk. I did not realize that audio e-books were available for download. I enjoy mysteries and there were many to choose from. I wanted to download a Spanish learning audio e-book but it indicated that it was already checked out. Instead I downloaded an audio German language learning e-book. It took about 5 minutes to download the radio quality book as I would be listening to it at the computer. It gives you a license to use it for 7 days. After it is downloaded you have to have the licenced verified and to permit Active X to run.

The speakers were clear. As a visual learner, I would like to see what I am hearing, although for learning languages you do have to develop your ear. It has been awhile since I have studied German or spoken the language so my ear needs to be retrained. If I had a MP3 player, I could listen to the e-book while I was walking or doing other work.

Now, I will have to remind myself that I have some German to learn. I may go back and ask to be notified when the Spanish learning audio e-book is available.

There are a number of e-books that I might consult if the book was not available in the library. I took a look at Soaring on your strengths. OSNGUPL does not have this book in its collection. I may want to read more on-line or borrow the book on interlibrary loan. This book would tie into the book I am currently reading -- The success principles : how to get from where you are to where you want to be by Jack Canfield (author of Chicken Soup for the Soul books) http://www.successprinciples.com/

SirsiDynix Institute

I thought I'd talk a little more about the SirsiDynix Institute. If you work in a library and are not familiar with this Institute, I suggest you visit their site. It provides a great "free" learning opportunity for library staff. In addition to the podcasts, you can attend the events live. To participate in the live "conferences" or web seminars you need to pre-register.

You can also go to see the archived video presentation that that gives you the visual along with the audio information. One past topic was RSS feeds. The video starts quickly and it is smooth listening & viewing.

The August 14, 2007 session was on creating a 2.0 Library. (link to the video version). What I found interesting about this session was in the first half, the speaker talked about a project in their library that was not a technology based application. They created a "Travel neighbourhood" where resources relating to travel were put in a separate section. You could still find a specific title via the catalog but it was great for browsing too. Circulation improved. The second half dealt with the library's web site.

For your information OSNGUPL is a SirsiDynix customer with our Unicorn library management software.

Technorati

I set up a technorati account. I added two genealogy blogs and one library related blog to my list and gave them tags.

When you do a keyword search for Library 2.0 in blog posts you get many posts where the term is used. When I searched the blog directory the number was much more reasonable and you could scan through.

When I checked the popular blog, searches and tags, I found the top searches were things I am not interested in as were the majority of the top blogs.

I may eventually "claim" my blog if I start writing blogs about researching methodology and some of my research.