Ontario Ancestors and three of its branches will host virtual presentations this week that are free and open to the public.
The Toronto Branch has also brought back its popular three-part workshop on Ontario land records. That’s the good news. The bad news is the workshop is already fully booked.
The following times are in Eastern time.
Tuesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m. — Durham Region Branch
Bomb Girls: Life at the DIL plant in Ajax by Elaine Lievaart
This is Durham Branch’s 40th anniversary speaker and presentation.
Prior to the spring of 1940, Ajax did not exist. This all changed when two government surveyors arrived in Pickering Township, looking for land upon which to build the largest munitions plant in the British Commonwealth. We’ll take a tour of this plant, learn about what life was like on and off the production lines and how it eventually morphed into the Town of Ajax. This is a hybrid meeting, meaning you can also attend in person. Registration is required for the online presentation.
Wednesday, November 2, 7:30 p.m. — Huron Branch and Bruce County Genealogical Society
From Dungannon to Dungannon: A Scots/Irish Journey by John Palmer
The presentation tells the story of the Malloch clan from Scotland, emigrating to the North of Ireland along with other “Planters” in the late 1600s or early 1700s and settling around Dungannon in South Tyrone. There the family worked hard as tenant farmers and cattle drovers for more than a century before emigrating to the New World. They settled in Huron County, establishing the village of Dungannon. By then, their name had evolved to Mallough. They continued to work hard, pulling themselves up by their bootstraps, procreating enthusiastically, and became prominent citizens in the County before spreading to Bruce County and across the continent. John Palmer is a descendant of William Mallough, (a native of Dungannon, Co. Tyrone) who founded Dungannon, Ontario. Registration is required.
Thursday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. — Ontario Ancestors
Neither Rain Nor Sleet by Linda Corupe
The Post Office has been a part of the country’s history for hundreds of years and has left behind a myriad of records – a resource rich with personal names that have the potential for genealogical reward. The presentation includes databases of postmasters, Upper Canada Sundries and the Provincial Secretary’s Numbered Correspondence, Divisional Inspectors’ reports, and the Appendices to the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada and the Sessional Papers containing individual complaints from customers whose mail had been lost, fines levied on negligent letter carriers, and the names of tradesmen who supplied items such as mail bags, candles, pigeon holes, etc. *Please have a sheet of paper handy at the webinar. Registration is required.
Thursday, November 3, 7:30 p.m. — Toronto Branch
Understanding Ontario Land Registry Records by Jane MacNamara
Sold out! Back by popular demand, this three-session online course takes place November 3, 10 and 17. The fee is $30 for Ontario Ancestors members and $35 for non-members.
Saturday, November 5, 10:00 a.m. — London & Middlesex Branch
Neptune’s Escort: The Royal Canadian Navy’s 31st MSF at D-Day by Stephen Young
Ten Allied minesweeping flotillas cleared ten channels through the German minefields laid off the coast of France to the five Invasion beaches of Normandy on the night of Monday, June 5th, 1944, with the Royal Canadian Navy’s 31st Minesweeping Flotilla responsible for one of the two approaches to Omaha Beach. By request of the Admiralty in early February of that year, sixteen RCN Bangor class minesweepers were pulled from escort duty in home waters and sent to England to assist in the Invasion. But first these fine little ships required minesweeping equipment reinstalled on their quarterdecks – gear removed earlier in the war for the placement of the additional depth charge ordnance necessary for their anti-submarine and convoy escort responsibilities. Additionally, upon arrival at Plymouth the Admiralty was stunned to realize that virtually none of the officers and crews on these minesweepers was versed in the vocation of minesweeping. With the assistance of veteran Royal Navy officers, the next four months were spent in continuous sweeping exercises along the south coasts of England, putting the crews through their paces in tight formation drills and night sweeps until, by the end of May, the Admiralty admitted the Canadians had learned their jobs well, and earned their place in Operation Neptune, the naval component of Operation Overlord.
The weeks and months after Invasion required continuous sweeping, and additional escort duties, off the coasts of France and England in support of the armies pushing into Germany. Based on Stephen’s research in primary documentation at Library and Archives Canada, this presentation tells the story of his father’s service with the 31st MSF at D-Day: the birth of the minesweeper fleet in Canada, the drudging escort duty from which they were called, the intensive and intricate four months of training that would award them the confidence of the Admiralty, and of course, their experience leading the Invasion armada safely across the English Channel where these seamen would witness the bloodiest battle of all at Omaha Beach on the morning of June 6th. Registration is required.
