FREE WEBINAR!

Using Poor Relief Records for Scottish Genealogy

Poor relief in Scotland required a process of application and given that specific criteria needed to be met, not everyone who applied actually received poor relief. However, the applications are an absolute treasure trove of genealogical information and can give a fantastic "peek" into the lives of your ancestors.

Please register for Using Poor Relief Records for Scottish Genealogy on Dec 05, 2016 7:00 PM EST
To register:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3010036603561583874

Registering does not guarantee a space, so make sure you log on early on the 5th. 

See you online!

JUST ONE SPACE LEFT FOR SEPTEMBER 2017 TOUR!.

There is just ONE space left for the Genealogy Tours of Scotland research tour Sept 18-27, 2017!

This tour allows you to research at:

• ScotlandsPeople Centre (three full days of research)
• National Library of Scotland
• National Library Maps building

The tour allows time for you to visit the area of Scotland where your ancestors lived and provides a day to research locally. 

This tour will connect you to your ancestral homeland in a way you never dreamed possible.

Don't miss out! Book before someone else takes the last spot:

https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/

HIGHLAND RESEARCH AND HISTORY TOUR SOLD OUT!

This unique, one time only tour has sold out! Tour participants will get the opportunity to walk through some of the history that led to Highland Scots to leave their homeland and head to shores across the seas. The tour includes research time in the local archives, a visit to Culloden, Skye and the Sutherland Clearances. 

While the Highland and Glasgow tours have sold out, there is still space for the Edinburgh tour for Sept 2017: http://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/

I Remember the Brave Men

A song that my kids learned in elementary school resurfaces in my mind at this time every year:

I remember the brave men who fought for our country

I remember the brave men who died far away

I remember the brave men who truly loved Canada
And because I remember, I stand and I pray

Today I remember the brave men in the Woodcock Family who fought for our country, who died far away and who truly loved Canada. The Woodcock's served their adopted country of Canada for generations. 

First was Bertram Woodcock. Bertram's parents were the brave couple that left the destitution and over crowding of Birmingham for a new life in Canada. Bertram served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He signed up on December 10th, 1915 and died two years later on 21 January, 1917 in Calais. Bertram is buried in the Hersin Communal Cemetery

Bertram's headstone in Calais

but is also memorialized on his mother's headstone here in Brantford. Bertram is listed on the wall of honour at the cenotaph in Brantford

Bertram is listed on the wall of honour

Bertram's brothers Edgar and George also served. They were fortunate enough to survive the war. 

George Henry

George Henry's son, my father-in-law, Harry was a gunner in WWII. Harry served with the 54th Battery of the 56th Field Artillery Regiment. Harry was a gunner and flew in the Lancaster and saw active duty in England and Europe. Harry was part of the liberation of Holland and was honoured to return to Holland for the 50th anniversary celebrations. 

young Harry

Harry in Holland for the 50th anniversary celebration

Today I had the honour of attending the Remembrance Day Services at the Cenotaph. I could feel the spirits of the lost soldiers blowing in the wind that rustled the leaves as we stood for TAPS and as the memorial wreaths were laid. After the ceremony, my son and I pinned our poppies to the wreath that was laid to honour the brave men who fought alongside Dad. 

Rest peacefully Harry. And thank you. Thank you for serving your country and for helping us to live in a free world. 

ONE LAST SPACE AVAILABLE FOR HIGHLAND RESEARCH AND HISTORY TOUR

There is just ONE last space left for the Highland Genealogy Research and History Tour. If you have Highland ancestors, consider joining this once-in-a-lifetime tour. It will NOT be repeated again. 

Your tour fees include: 

• ·       Commemorative Service at Culloden Battlefield to mark the 271st anniversary of the battle. Tour of the Battlefield, Visitor Centre and then visit to Clava Cairns (Pre-historic chambered cairns)
• ·         Easter Sunday Service in historic Dornoch Cathedral followed by a bus tour of the Highland Clearances in Sutherland. Easter Dinner together as a group
• ·         Travel by coach to Armadale Castle in Skye for a guided tour and research opportunities. Return via Eilean Donan Castle
• ·         Two full days of research at the Highland Archives Centre in Inverness. After finishing research on Wednesday, we will travel down the Great Glen to Fort William
• ·         Full day of research at the Lochaber Archives in Fort William
• ·         Travel to Glenfinnan Monument, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard, then on to Glasgow, stopping at Loch Lomond
• ·         Travel to Fife for the annual conference of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies
• ·         Check out or optional day with Glasgow Tour Group to enjoy guided tour of the Glasgow Necropolis

This unique tour will give you a definite sense of the reasons why Scots Highlanders left their homeland to travel to a new country. You will gain a better understanding of the Jacobite cause as well as the later Highland Clearances.

BOOK NOW: http://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/highland-research----history-tour.html