Newsletter

January 2001
Volume 1, Number 2

---

The Real New Millennium

Welcome to the real beginning of the new millennium! And to the second issue of this newsletter. If you're a new subscriber, the first issue is available on request send me an e-mail.

Everyone these days has a vision statement. So here's mine for this newsletter: the concept of sharing knowledge is most important. Whether we are historians, genealogists or family historians, none of us should be spending time and energy re-inventing the wheel.

What follows also, therefore, is that I'll be happy to include here your ideas and suggestions. The only proviso, I guess, is that any resources should be publicly-accessible. Your great aunt in far-off Kapuskasing, Ontario probably won't talk with all of us, nor can we make the trip to Thunder Bay to spend three days looking through the files at the Museum / Archives for one item. Which is not to say you can't suggest, for example (and this is my personal example), if you're ever passing through Thunder Bay, stop and check out the main floor of the Museum which has a most interesting display related to internment during World War Two.

I'll try over the next several months to bring forward some of the useful resources that have been brought to meetings of the Delta research group, sponsored by the Delta Museum and Archives. We meet the second Saturday of each month at the Museum Annex details on my What's New page.

The National Registration File of 1940

This information surfaced out of the above-noted research group, brought in and researched by one of our participants, thereby opening up a whole new source of information, especially for those of us who are researching individuals who immigrated to Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. That includes my family and imagine my surprise to discover that among the few documents of my father's that I have is his National Registration card! It doesn't reveal anything about him, and I haven't sent for his file, but it has his signature.

Information about the National Registration, the questions asked and information solicited can be found on a private genealogist's website at National Registration File of 1940. Thanks, Iline.

Delta Obituaries Database

This database is up and running, so to speak, on my website. The list of individual surnames (over 200) to be found in the database can be accessed from the What's New page on the site. Three of the surnames are linked to their actual obituaries a sample, so to speak.

We may think of these obituaries as simply recording the deaths of individuals, identifying relatives, and perhaps relating some family history. However, they also represent a window into Delta society of the time. Attitudes towards other cultures are readily apparent in the newspaper records of the funeral practices and behaviours of First Nations and Chinese residents one of the few instances when these views are so clearly and unequivocally communicated.

Aerial Photographs

One of the most useful discoveries I have come across in the last two years has been aerial photographs. I was so enamored of these photos that I used two in my last book, "Port Guichon: Forgotten Neighbour of Ladner's Landing," one to complement the usual map in the centrefold.

There is a website for air photos from which it is possible to obtain prints. The link is National Air Photo Library. When I last checked this site, the cataloging did not as yet include British Columbia. In any event, it is a site worth checking periodically, as air photos are a spectacular source of information. These photos are not cheap ($20.00 plus a $6.00 handling charge and taxes, as at September 1999).

In the Lower Mainland, these photos are available from the Geographic Information Centre, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Telephone 822-3048. The series begins with 1932, and continues into recent times (what year I'm not sure). If you go in with a specific address or area in mind, the staff will pull up the photograph(s). Copies (laser) can be obtained, but they are expensive [$1.50 each plus GST] and must be done in the Main Library, 3rd floor. I obtained copies in the summer, when there are fewer library staff about, and would not recommend it. A visit this week yielded excellent service both in the geography department and the library.

If you are obtaining these only for personal use, copyright is not a consideration. However, for publication, permission must be obtained from the copyright holders. For the early years, I was unable to determine who held the copyright. Since the photos were stamped as originating from the Department of National Defence, I contacted them and was told that the only requirement was an indication of credit to the Department. For the 1940s and 1950s, permission is obtained from the Ministry of Forests in Victoria. The Ministry requires a credit line and a copy of the publication in the photo is used.

Mine was a fairly standard usage of this resource, but I'm sure these aerial photos are sources of a wealth of information about family farms and homes and etc. Thanks, Warren.

Website's First Birthday

The website survived its first year on-line, and, like any "offspring," is growing and changing. Response to the birthday contest was good, but the question was far too easy. The question (in case you missed it): "To which city on the Lower Mainland was Ladner and all of Delta most closely connected in the 19th century?"

There was even a hint: "This city had hoped to become the capital of British Columbia, but lost out." Too easy!!! New Westminster, of course. Next year's question will definitely have to be harder!

Thanks to all who entered. Hope you enjoy "Ladner's Landing of Yesteryear: Two Heritage Walks in the Historic Village."

Resources at the Public Archives, Ottawa

Did you know there were border entry records, which include entries for Ladner April 1915 - March 1917? Held at the Public Archives, Ottawa, and obviously connected with the First World War (fear of troublemakers crossing the border from the U.S.). Unfortunately, between the time that I discovered this page on the internet and my compiling of this newsletter, the link has "rotted". I have sent a message to the web master for information.

Heritage Databank Consulting

Has anyone used this service? If so, let us know if Heritage Databank has something to offer.

Final Word

Please contact me if you discover problems or encounter in your research travels something interesting to share with us. Also if you know of someone who would be interested in opting in to this newsletter, please direct them to the Opt-in Opportunity on my website. And if you want to cease receiving, please send me an e-mail.

Till February (Heritage Month),

Gwen Szychter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Newspaper Obituary Database Now Available

History of Delta, British Columbia On-line

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~