Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The fight to save Canada's Archives

On May 28th librarians & archivists made their way to Ottawa to participate in the Archivists’ On to Ottawa Trek to protest funding cuts to Canada's libraries & archives.

On May 31st attendees of the Canadian Library Association Conference are being asked to show their support by wearing a white shirt and/or black ribbon.

But it doesn't stop there. YOUR help is needed. Why?

If you are a genealogist, regardless of where in the world you live, these funding cuts will affect your ability to search for Canadian relations.
 
How?

- Digitization has been cut by 50%. The past few decades LAC has brought us thousands of digital records all freely accessible from their website. With digitization cut in half we'll see a significant drop in the records being brought online. Many genealogists are anticipating the release of the 1921 census next year, with these cuts will it be made available?

- Staff cuts. When you write to a library or archive who answers your inquiry? When you visit who helps you locate the records you seek? With 450 LAC staff on notice (215 whose jobs will be eliminated) who will be able to help you?

- Preservation. 30% of the staff charged with preserving non-governmental records have been eliminated. Many records will be destroyed because there is no funding to preserve or store them. Is the elusive piece to your genealogy puzzle among them?

- Inter-library loan. Starting in 2013 it will no longer be possible to request microfilm, books or other materials from other libraries. If your local library or archive doesn't have what you need, you're out of luck!

- Library closures. With lack of stuff, funding and programming support many libraries will either have to cut services significantly or close. Among those affected are Transport Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Citizenship & Immigration Canada... and many many more.

These cuts are not isolated to the services provided by Library & Archives Canada. They are not isolated to the staff losing their jobs. These cuts affect everyone who uses or benefits from our archive & library services.

How you can help
  •    Visit the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) website Save Library & Archives Canada and get involved. (Even if you live outside Canada!)
  •   Sign a Petition
  •    If you live in Canada write to your local member of parliament

  • Need more info?
  •    Save Library & Archives Canada
  •    Canadian Association of University Teachers
  •    Open letter to James Moore about NADP and CCA
  • Thursday, May 03, 2012

    Help save Library & Archives Canada!

    Library & Archives Canada, the instituation charged with preserving Canada's history, is facing massive budget cuts.

    This will have a huge impact not just on today's genealogists, historians and researchers, but long lasting effects on preserving our present for the future.

    Many collections will be destroyed as there is no place to store the documents. LAC is also cutting many services that are vital to researchers including Inter-Library Loan.

    This is a devastating blow to genealogists and it's up to us to fight this ruling and help preserve the collections and services offered by Library & Archives Canada.

    Not that long ago we won the fight to retain access to Canada's post 1901 census records, by coming together in support of Library & Archives Canada we can make a difference!

    What you can do:
    Suggestions?
    Do you know of other ways we can help preserve Canada's history and access to it?  Please leave a comment.
    __________________________________

    Related links:
  •  Federal libraries, archives shutting down Researchers, academics, genealogists losing important research tools for their work [CBC, 2 May 2012]
  •  Cuts at Library and Archives Canada devastating for preservation of Canada's history [Yahoo, 2 May 2012]
  •  Canadian Council of Archives Call to Action [Canadian Council of Archives]
  •  National museums, Canada Council spared cuts Library and Archives, NAC, NFB, Telefilm see reductions over 3 years [CBC, 29 Mar 2012]
  • Tuesday, May 01, 2012

    Canadian Genealogy Events in May 2012

    Visit the CanadaGenWeb Calendar for more information about these events!
    Event to add? Add it to our CanadaGenWeb Calendar

    ALBERTA
  • May 15, 2012: Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie Branch AGS, Meeting

  • May 15, 2012: Wetaskiwin, Wetaskiwin Branch AGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 16, 2012: Drayton Valley, Drayton Valley Branch AGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 16, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton Branch UELAC, Meeting

  • May 16, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton AGS Canadian SIG, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 16, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton AGS Postscripts SIG, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 17, 2012: Lethbridge, Lethbridge & District Branch AGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 23, 2012: Red Deer, Red Deer Branch AGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 24, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton AGS Computer SIG, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 24, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton Branch AGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 3, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton AGS England/Wales SIG, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 7, 2012: Calgary, Alberta Family Histories Society , Meeting, 7p

  • May 7, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton AGS Mac Reunion SIG, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 8, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton AGS Ireland SIG, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 9, 2012: Edmonton, Edmonton AGS Ukrainian SIG, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 9, 2012: Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray Branch AGS, Meeting, 7p

    BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • May 1, 2012: Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach FHS English & Wales SIG, Meeting, 1p

  • May 10, 2012: Victoria, Victoria Genealogical Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 15, 2012: Abbotsford, Abbotsford Genealogical Society, Meeting, 6:30p

  • May 15, 2012: Burnaby, Vancouver Branch UELAC, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 15, 2012: Prince George, Prince George Genealogical Society, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 15, 2012: Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach FHS Irish SIG, Meeting, 1p

  • May 21, 2012: Nanaimo, Nanaimo Family History Society, Meeting, 1:30p

  • May 23, 2012: Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach Family History Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 24, 2012: Kamloops, Kamloops Family History Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 24, 2012: Vancouver, Vancouver Historical Society, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 28, 2012: Kelowna, Kelowna & District Genealogical Society, Family History Forum, 7p

  • May 3, 2012: Campbell River, Campbell River Genealogy Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 3, 2012: Penticton, South Okanagan Genealogical Society, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 5-6, 2012: Richmond, Doors Open Richmond, Free admission to some local heritage sites!, 10a-4p

  • May 7, 2012: Kelowna, Kelowna & District Genealogical Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 8, 2012: Courtenay, Comox Valley Family History Research Group, Meeting, 7p

  • May 8, 2012: Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach FHS Legacy User Group, Meeting, 9:30a

  • May 8, 2012: Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach FHS Scottish SIG, Meeting, 1p

  • May 9, 2012: Burnaby, British Columbia Genealogical Society, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 9, 2012: Vernon, Vernon & District Family History Society, Meeting, 7:30p

    MANITOBA

  • May 14, 2012: Swan River, Swan Valley MGS, Meeting

  • May 16, 2012: Neepawa, Beautiful Plains Branch MGS, Meeting

  • May 2, 2012: Brandon, South West Branch MGS, Meeting, 7:30p

    NEW BRUNSWICK

  • May 1, 2012: Fredericton North, Capital Branch NBGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 19, 2012: Riverview, Southeastern Branch NBGS, Meeting, 2p

  • May 22, 2012: Miramichi, Miramichi Branch NBGS, Meeting, 6p

  • May 25, 2012: Woodstock, Carleton County Historical Society, Meeting

  • May 30, 2012: Saint John, Saint John Branch NBGS, Meeting, 7:30p

    NEWFOUNDLAND

  • May 22, 2012: St John's, Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, Meeting, 7:30p

    NOVA SCOTIA

  • May 1, 2012: Springhill, Springhill Heritage Group, Meeting, 1:30p

  • May 14, 2012: Winnipeg, Southeast & Winnipeg Branch MGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 15, 2012: Cumberland County, Cumberland County Genealogical Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 16, 2012: Halifax, Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, 7:30p

  • May 29, 2012: Kentville, Kings Historical Society, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 31, 2012: Halifax, Mainland South Heritage Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 8, 2012: Arichat, Isle Madame Historical Society

  • May 8, 2012: Shelburne / Barrington, Shelburne County Archives and Genealogical Society, Meeting

    ONTARIO

  • May 1, 2012: Brantford, Brant OGS British Isles SIG, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 1, 2012: Cayuga, Haldimand County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 1, 2012: London, London & Middlesex Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 1, 2012: North Bay, Nipissing District Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 1, 2012: Oshawa, Durham Region Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 10, 2012: Etobicoke, Etobicoke Genealogy Group, Meeting, 7p

  • May 10, 2012: Kitchener, Waterloo Region Branch OGS, Meeting

  • May 10, 2012: Sioux Lookout, Sioux Lookout Genealogical Society, Meeting

  • May 10, 2012: Thorold, Niagara Peninsula Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 10, 2012: Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 11, 2012: Chatham, Kent County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 12, 2012: Jordan, Jordan Historical Museum, 1812 Lecture Series, 1p

  • May 12, 2012: London, London & Western Ontario Branch UELAC, Meeting

  • May 12, 2012: Ottawa, BIFHSGO Writing Group, Meeting, 11:45a

  • May 12, 2012: Ottawa, British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa, Meeting, 10a

  • May 12, 2012: Quinte Area, Bay of Quinte Branch UELAC, Meeting

  • May 14, 2012: Brockville, Leeds & Grenville Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 14, 2012: Bruce County, Bruce County Genealogical Society, Meeting, 1p

  • May 14, 2012: Burlington, Burlington Historical Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 14, 2012: Windsor, Essex County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 14, 2012: Woodstock, Oxford Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 15, 2012: Delhi, Norfolk County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 15, 2012: Minesing, Simcoe County Historical Association

  • May 15, 2012: Peterborough, Kawartha Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 16, 2012: Glencoe, Glencoe & District Historical Society, Meeting, 2p

  • May 16, 2012: Hamilton, Jewish Genealogical Society – Hamilton & Area, Meeting

  • May 16, 2012: New Liskeard, Temiskaming Genealogy Group, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 17, 2012: Brantford, Brant OGS Family History Study Group, Meeting, 10a

  • May 17, 2012: Little Current, Manitoulin Genealogy Club, Meeting, 7p

  • May 17, 2012: Pembroke, Upper Ottawa Valley Genealogical Group, Meeting, 7p

  • May 19, 2012: Kingston, Kingston Branch OGS, Meeting, 10a

  • May 2, 2012: Drummond, Lanark County Genealogical Society, Meeting, 1:30p

  • May 2, 2012: Goderich, Huron County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 2, 2012: Ottawa, Cumberland Township Historical Society, Meeting, 7p

  • May 20, 2012: Hamilton, Hamilton Branch OGS, Meeting, 2p

  • May 21, 2012: Sudbury, Sudbury District Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 22, 2012: Guelph, Wellington County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 22, 2012: Ottawa, Ukrainian Genealogy Group, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 22, 2012: Owen Sound / Southampton, Bruce & Grey Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 24, 2012: Simcoe, Norfolk Historical Society, Lecture, 7p

  • May 26, 2012: Ottawa, BIFHSGO DNA Interest Group, Meeting, 9:30p

  • May 26, 2012: Ottawa, BIFHSGO Scottish Genealogy Group, Meeting, 10a

  • May 26-27, 2012: Toronto, Doors Open Toronto, Free admission to some local heritage sites!

  • May 27, 2012: Brantford, Brant County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 27, 2012: Brantford, Grand River Branch UELAC

  • May 27, 2012: Hamilton, Hamilton Branch UELAC, 7:30p

  • May 27, 2012: Oakville, Halton-Peel Branch OGS, Meeting, 2p

  • May 28, 2012: St Thomas, Elgin County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 28, 2012: Toronto, Toronto OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 30, 2012: Toronto, Jewish Genealogical Society of Canada (Toronto), Meeting

  • May 5, 2012: Barrie, Simcoe County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 5, 2012: Chippawa, Colonel John Butler (Niagara) Branch UELAC, Meeting, 11:45a

  • May 5-6, 2012: Hamilton, Doors Open Hamilton, Free admission to some local heritage sites!

  • May 8, 2012: Sarnia, Lambton County Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

  • May 9, 2012: Minden, Haliburton Highlands Genealogy Group, Meeting, 7p

  • May 9, 2012: Richmond Hill, York Region Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:15p

  • May 9, 2012: Sault Ste Marie, Sault Ste. Marie and District Branch OGS, Meeting, 7:30p

    QUEBEC

  • May 12, 2012: Pointe-Claire, Quebec Family History Society, Free Public Lecture, 10:30a

  • May 21, 2012: Montreal, Jewish Genealogical Society of Montreal, Meeting

  • May 27, 2012: Morin Heights, Morin Heights Historical Association

    SASKATCHEWAN

  • May 22, 2012: Moose Jaw, Moose Jaw Branch SGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 22, 2012: Regina, Regina Branch SGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 8, 2012: Yorkton, Yorkton Branch SGS, Meeting, 7p

  • May 9, 2012: Biggar, Biggar Branch SGS, Meeting, 7p

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