If your Canadian ancestor served in the military, there are a couple of free resources you may want to explore. Plus there are three virtual presentations on Saturday that may interest you.
The Canadian Military Photos Lost and Found – Research Group on Facebook is a resource that often helps people learn more about the uniform a relative is wearing in a photo. People also post photos in this group of mystery people who served in the military.
What I find particularly interesting are the number of photos posted of regimental groups and casual gatherings, often with all the names listed of the people in a photo. The owners share these photos, hoping that a relative will recognize or know one of the men. For example, I’ve shared many photos of members of the Royal Canadian Navy taken during WWII that are in an album I received from a distant cousin who served.
I lucked out in this group a few months ago when someone posted an image he had taken of a framed photo of the 1896 Canadian Artillery that was hanging in the hallway in the 30th Field Regiment’s building in Ottawa. He later sent a high-resolution photo to me by email. One of the men in the photo is my grandmother’s Irish cousin, Robert Walter Ernest Gillis, who lived in Montreal for a few years before heading to Australia. Until I received this photo, all I had was a grainy copy from a distant relative Down Under.
A similar Facebook group that can help you with your photos is British Military Genealogy.
Regimental museums
Another good source for family historians are regimental museums, as well as other military museums, such as the Peterborough and County Military Museum in Ontario.
In the case of my father’s regiment and my father-in-law’s regiment, the museum replied to me and answered my question within 48 hours, with offers to help further.
Regarding my father-in-law, I wanted to know more about two regimental photos my husband owns. Not only did the Royal Montreal Regiment Museum explain that one photo was a “company” photo and the other was a “section” photo, they sent me an article about my father-in-law that had been published in their regimental newspaper during the Second World War.
Virtual military presentations this Saturday
There are three virtual presentations on Saturday, November 9 that will interest those of us with ancestors who served in the military.
At 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, the British Isles Family History Society of Ottawa (BIFHSGO) will host the hybrid presentation, I’m Sorry—We Don’t Have Your Grandfather’s War Records…, delivered by Seana (Shea) Jones.
“However,” says Seana, “at Garrison Petawawa Military Museums, we do have plenty of other primary source materials that provide an insight into the everyday life of your ancestors during the two world wars and during peacetime.”
There are over 70 accredited Canadian Armed Forces museums across Canada, covering the army, air force and navy. Sheana will explore the diverse array of artifacts, documents, photographs, and personal accounts that comprise the archival treasures of military museums.
From weaponry to uniforms, each artifact provides a narrative of life during conflict, both at home and abroad. The firsthand accounts that military museums also hold provide crucial context, shedding light on pivotal moments, strategies, and the human experiences behind conflicts.
Whether you’re a seasoned historian or a new, eager enthusiast, this talk promises to deepen your appreciation for the invaluable treasures housed within military museums and how these objects can help you augment your genealogy research.
Seana will bring some artifacts from the museum to display.
Attend in person at Knox Presbyterian Church (Lisgar & Elgin) in Geneva Hall or register to watch online.
At 10:00 a.m. at the same location and with the same online registration to watch the above virtual presentation, BIFHSGO will host the presentation, Rebuilding A Life After Service in the Canadian Forestry Corps, With Help from the Soldier’s Settlement Board, by Dianne Brydon.
Dianne Brydon will tell us about her grandfather Frank Brydon’s experience in the Canadian Forestry Corps in England during World War One, his injury, and his dealings with the Soldier’s Settlement Board to rebuild his life on the family farm in Manitoba upon his return.
At 1:00 p.m. Eastern time, the Ottawa Branch of Ontario Ancestors will host the virtual presentation, Military History Research Centre Canadian War Museum, delivered by Paul Durand.
Wondering what your grandparent or ancestor did during wartime? Which regiment did they join? What was their job? Where did they serve? What did they experience? This session explains the research methods, tools and resources used by the Military History Research Centre of the Canadian War Museum to help people learn more about family members via their military service. Many genealogical researchers who contact the Museum only have a sliver of information to start with. Most have only a name. Sometimes there is a bit of family lore. Others may have additional clues — such as a photograph, a uniform, badges and medals, or a piece of military equipment. Through examples from four time periods — pre-First World War, First World War, Second World War and post-Second World War — this session demonstrates how to research a family member’s military service and experiences. Attendees will be guided through the types of information they may be able to find for each time period, as well as how to read and understand official documentation and historical records. Official, informal, online and traditional documentation and research resources will all be explored and explained. Register to watch online.
