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Volume 42 No. 1 Publication of the Edmonton Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society February 2020

From the President

Hello, Tansi, Bonjour

February 27th is the end of my term as president. I have enjoyed my three-years working with so many dedicated volunteers and Branch members. I thank each one of you for your support.

This is my third issue as guest editor. I enjoy writing and hope you are enjoying the issues. If you have stories to share please submit your articles. You have lots of time the next issue will be end of May and the deadline is May 1st send to admin@edmontongenealogy.ca.

Much appreciation to the Special Interest Group leaders, I have tried to attend as many sessions as possible. Even though, I may have not had ancestors in a particular area, I enjoyed the speakers. I have included an overview of the Special Interest Groups in this issue.

Edmonton Branch is always looking for volunteers and I encourage you to offer your services. The rewards are endless.

Did you know volunteering increases your confidence while giving you the opportunity to try something new? You meet the most interesting people researching in different parts of the world. You challenge yourself by trying something different, practising your genealogical skills and you may even discover you have hidden talents. The volunteers have a good time and have fun.

IN THIS ISSUE

Page

From the President 1

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) 3-4

Ancestor’s Surnames:

Naming Patterns 5-9

An Early Edmontonian

Laurent Garneau 10-15

Around Edmonton 16

Library News 17

From the Stacks 18-19

Tracing Your Family Tree 20-21

What’s New 22

“Why waste your money

looking up your family

tree? Just go into politics

and your opponents will do

it for you”

Mark Twain

ISSN 02226-2436

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Edmonton Branch website: http://edmontongenealogy.ca/

Edmonton Branch email.: admin@edmontongenealogy.ca

Clandigger email: admin@edmontongenealogy.ca

Edmonton Branch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

Alberta Genealogical Society Website: http://www.abgenealogy.ca/

Edmonton Branch Board of Directors

President: Sheila D. Genaille

Vice President: Nestor Martinez

Past President: Donna Shanks

Treasurer: Ken Fearnley

Secretary: Claudine Nelson

Library: Committee

Membership Director: Louise Perkins

Archivist/Historian:

Clandigger: Sheila Genaille, guest editor

TYFT and Outreach:

Genealogical Research: Norma Wolowyk

Program Chair:

Publicity: Sharon Dyer

Corresponding Secretary: Bev Wardell

Electronic Resources:

Webmaster: Donna Parker

#162, 14315 – 118 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5L 4S6

Phone: (780) 424-4429 Fax: (780) 423-8980

E-mail: admin@edmontongenealogy.ca

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Edmonton Branch - Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Have you attended one of the Edmonton Branch Special Interest Groups? If not, you are missing out on finding new genealogical tools and meeting old or making new friends. Each Special Interest Group leader organizes special presentations and speakers. Members learn about what’s new in their particular area of research. Attending a Special Interest Group may help you tap into the experience of others and collaborate on research techniques.

Special Interest Groups provide the opportunity to exchange ideas and keep members informed about new genealogical records and developments. Besides discussing various topics of interest, the leaders organize meetings, invite guest speakers and help each other with their genealogical brick walls.

Whether you are new and just getting started or are more advanced, you will receive help or learn how to find information. Attending a session will provide you with the opportunity to ask experienced researchers specific questions about your elusive ancestors. The SIGs focus on specific geographic locations and specific topics. SIG leaders keep up-to-date on various databases and collections and may point you in the right direction. They may also suggest underused databases or sources you may have overlooked.

All Special Interest Groups meet in the Edmonton Branch/AGS Library at #162, 14315 – 118 Avenue, Edmonton. Plan to attend a SIG, you will be pleasantly surprised!

**** New members and visitors are welcome! ****

Check the website www.edmontongenealogy.ca click activities, then calendar.

Computers in Genealogy: Through focused presentations and discussions on topics of interest, members can become comfortable and proficient in the use of their computers and software. This SIG meets on the 3rd Thursday in January, March, May, September and November. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

DNA: The group examines and discusses the use of DNA as it relates to genealogy. Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday in January, March, May and October at 7:30 p.m.

England/Wales: Members share their expertise, experience and knowledge for those researching their English/Welsh ancestors. Meetings are held on the 1st Thursday in February, March, April, May, June, and October through December. Meetings start at 7:00 p.m.

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French: Presentations on researching French ancestors in North America and France. Assistance is provided in translating documents. Members share their experience and successes. Meetings are held in the months of April, May, June, September, October and November.

German: Members take turns chairing the meeting, present topics of interest and enjoy a social time to discuss genealogy and catch up on the latest news. Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday in February, April, June, August, October and December at 7:00 p.m. “My German Roots” newsletter and can be accessed on the website www.edmontongenealogy.ca.

Ireland: Members share their expertise, experience and knowledge for those researching their Irish ancestors. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday in January, March, May, September and November. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

Postscripts (Writing Family History): A group interested in writing family history, genealogy books and articles. Discussions, presentations, and activities provide assistance to those wishing to build their skills. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday in January, March, May, September and November. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

Reunion for Mac Computers: Members share their expertise, experience and knowledge for those using Reunion for MAC computer software for their genealogy trees. Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday in January, March, May, September, and November at 7:30 p.m.

Scotland: Members share their expertise, experience and knowledge for those researching their Scottish ancestors. Meetings are held on 1st Monday in October, and the 2nd Monday of February, April, June and December. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

Ukraine: Members interests include the geographic areas of East Galicia (Ukraine), West Galicia (Poland), Bukovina (Ukraine and Romania), Poland, Prussia and Volhynia. Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday in January, March, May, September and November. Meetings start at 7:00 p.m.

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Ancestor’s Surnames: Naming Patterns - Sheila D. Genaille

The naming practises of surnames were usually placed into one of the following groups:

➢ patronymics - John Donaldson indicates that the father's name was Donald, and surname Johnson indicates son of John

➢ geographical – Barton is derived from Dumbarton, York, Lincoln and Derby

➢ topographical names –referred to forests, streams, and marshes; and also referred to structures - Castle, Church, Wood, Forest, Underwood, Milne, and Shaw

➢ occupational names – Shepherd, Mason, Baker, Fletcher, Weaver

➢ nicknames – Little, White, Grey, Longfellow, Turnbull

Before surnames became the norm, some people may have been known by more than one name to distinguish them from others in their group. As societies became more complex, distinctive names became fixed and were passed on to the next generation. Some early societies often differentiated individuals by an event, a characteristic or a religious connotation. In more established societies surnames originated from occupations, social status, or place of residence. While in less developed societies, surnames often came from the father's name.

When early colonists arrived on the North American shores, they brought their surnames with them. These surnames, with the exception of the Indigenous names can be traced back to medieval Europe. Europeans in the middle ages seldom travelled to distant places. People rarely met others from distant villages and in their own area they knew everyone and there was no need for surnames. However, as populations increased and as people travelled more to trade, it became necessary to distinguish people with the same name. Surnames became essential to identify one John from another John.

In England, the Normans introduced surnames after 1066. At first, names were frequently changed or dropped, but eventually the names were passed down in the family, by the aristocracy to start with and eventually by the rest of the population. European countries have similar social structures and histories and surnames in the 12th century began to be used in most of central and Western Europe

In 2016, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) unveiled the United Kingdom and Ireland’s largest collection of family names published by the Oxford University Press. Professor Patrick Hanks (editor) stated, “It’s only with computer technology for sorting and comparing hundreds of millions of digitised records that enough electronic data is available and organizable so as to enable researchers to draw conclusions with confidence about the origin and history of each surname taking account of factors such as its geographical distribution and local dialect.”

Traditionally, Indigenous peoples had neither a Christian name nor a surname; they had hereditary names, spirit names, family names, clan names, animal names and or nicknames to name but a few. Naming traditions vary depending on each particular tribe. Some of the Indigenous names can be found in early church registers and of chiefs who signed Treaties in 19th century Canada.

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Scottish Surnames

Occupational

Baird - bard or poet Baxter – baker Blair - blar means battle in Gaelic

Brewster – brewer Clark - clerk Caird - craftsman

Gow - a smith Laird - lord or landowner Smith –blacksmith

Steward -steward Taylor – from tailor Webster - Weaver

Stewart – from Gaelic word Stig-weard meaning sty-warden or animal steward

Descriptive

Brown (from colour)

Cameron – from Gaelic cam and sròn (camshròin: crooked nose)

Campbell (from Gaelic cam beul meaning crooked mouth)

Reid – from Gaelic word reid meaning red Young – being young or youthful

Geographical

Craig - from the Gaelic creag, which means crag or rocks

Murray – region of Moray Ross – from region of Ross

Patronymic

Anderson – Son of Andrew Mitchell – son of Michael Morrison – son of Morris

Paterson – son of Patrick Robertson – son of Robert Scott – meaning a Scotsman

Thomson – son of Thomas Watson – son of Walter Wilson – Son of William

Peterson – Peter’s son called John then John's surname becomes Peterson (Peterson's son)

Shepherd

Crofters

Coalminer’s homes – Rankinston

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English Surnames

Occupations

Archer Baker Brewer Butcher Carpenter

Carter Clark Cooper Cook Dyer

Farmer Faulkner Fisher Fuller Gardener

Glover Head Hunt Hunter, Judge

Mason Page Parker Potter Sawyer

Slater Smith Taylor Thatcher Turner

Weaver Woodman Wright (or variations such as Cartwright and Wainwright

Descriptive

Black Little Long Green Short

Stern Strong Swift White

Geographical

Bedfort Bridge Brooks Bush Burton

Camp Fields Forest Greenwood Grove

Hamilton Hampshire Hill Knolles Lake

Moore Perry Wood Woodruff Sutton

Patronymic

Benson Davis Dawson Evans Harris

Harrison Jackson Jones (Welsh for John) Nicholson

Richardson Robinson Rogers Simpson Stephenson

Thompson Watson Wilson

The Baker (c. 1681)

Job Adriaensz Berckheyde

Blacksmith

Handloom weaving in 1747

William Hogarth

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French Surnames

Occupations

Aubergiste – Innkeeper Blanchisseuse/Lavandière – Laundress

Boucher – Butcher Boulanger (Baker) Bourreau - Executioner

Bourrelier/Bourretier (Saddler) Brasseur – Brewer Brodeur – embroiderer

Cardeur/Cardeuse – Carder Carrossier - Coach builder Chapelier/Chapelière – Hatter

Charpentier – Carpenter Charron -Wheelwright Chaudronnier – Coppersmith

Cordier – Ropemaker Cordonnier – Shoemaker Couture – Tailor

Forgeron – Blacksmith Lefebvre – craftsman Maçon – Mason

Marchand – Merchant Meunier – Miller Paquet – gather/seller of firewood

Pelletier – Fur Trader Roulier – Wagonner Sabotier – Clogmaker

Saunier - Salt Merchant Segal – Grower or seller of rye Serrurier – Locksmith

Tanneur – Tanner Tisserand – Weaver Tonnelier – Cooper

Descriptive

Legrand – big one Leblanc – blonde one

Petit –small or little

Patronymic

Bernard –from given name Martin –French saint Richard –from given name

Robert - from given name

Geographic

Beaulieu — beautiful place Beaumont — beautiful hill

Chastain — near certain chestnut trees Comtois — from Franche-Comte, France

Deschamps — from the fields Dupont — by the bridge

Desmarais — by the marsh Dupuis — by the well

Dubois – geographic near woods St. Martin — from St. Martin

Laundress

Clogmaker Cooper’s Workshop

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Indigenous Canadians

Chiefs who signed Treaty 4

Ka-ki-shi-way - Loud Voice Pis-qua - The Plain

Ka-wey-ance, - The Little Boy Ka-kee-na-wup -One that sits like an Eagle

Kii-si-caw-ah-chuck - Day-Star Ka-na-ca-toose - The Poor Man

Cau-ah-ha-cha-pew - Making ready the Bow Ka-kii-wis-ta-haw -Him that flies around

Wah-pii-moose-too-siis - The White Calf Gabriel Cote, or Mee-may - The Pigeon

Kus-kee-tew-mus-coo-mus-qua- Little Black Bear

Ka-ne-on-us-ka-tew - One that walks on four claws

Some signatories of Treaties 1 and 2 Ke-we-say-ash – Flying Round

Wa-koo-wush – Whippoorwill Mis-koo-ke-new – Red Eagle

Akiwenzin – maker of small drying rack Mistahimaskwa - Big Bear

Tekakwitha - she who bumps into things, baptised Catherine, canonized, known as Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Tekahionwake - double wampum (E.Pauline Johnson)

Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

circa 1696

Tekahionwake

Pauline Johnson

Húŋkešni - Sitting Bull Chief Mistahi-maskwa Big Bear, 1885

Indigenous Americans

Geronimo -The One Who Yawns Sacajawea - Bird-woman Húŋkešni- Sitting Bull (Slow)

Pocahontas - Playful One Tȟašúŋke Witk – Crazy Horse (His-Horse-Is-Crazy)

Squanto also known as Tisquantum) - Divine Rage

Sources:

National Archives of Canada Collection of National Media Museum Joseph Gale (1830-1906)

www.highlandtitles.com/scottish-clans-and-families/ www.visitscotland.com/see-do/research-your-ancestry/clans/

www.ethnictechnologies.com/blog/2018/10/2 en.wikipedia.org McCord Museum

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An Early Edmontonian Laurent Garneau - Sheila D. Genaille

Garneau is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Edmonton. Prior to 1912, it was part of Strathcona and was named after Laurent Garneau (ca. 1840-1921). The name Garneau was used since the area between 109th and 112th Streets, south from the North Saskatchewan River, was River Lot 7 the home of Laurent Garneau.

Laurent and Eleanor Garneau circa 1898.

Laurent Garneau was born December 1, 1840 in Bay Mills, Minnesota. His parents were Louis Garneau (1790) born north-west of Lake Superior and Say-Shaw-Ne-Nie-Se-Ranze (given the name Archange Cadotte) (1798) at Rainy Lake.

Laurent married Eleanor Thomas about 1864 at the Little Britain Parish, Red River Settlement. Eleanor was born August 13, 1851 in the Swampy Cree Indian Village, in the Kildonan Parish, Red River Settlement and the daughter of Alexander Thomas and Victoria Taylor.

Laurent Garneau became a trader at age 19, when he traveled to the Missouri River basin, where he was pursued by the Sioux and rescued by Métis buffalo hunters from Pembina. When Laurent Garneau arrived in the Red River Settlement the changes were significant. In 1868, the British Parliament passed the "Rupert's Land Act", under the provisions that the Hudson's Bay Company sold the North West to the Dominion of Canada. The Canadian government sent surveyors to mark off the land in the West to be made available for new settlers.

It was at this time along with other Métis, Laurent joined with Louis Riel in the Red River Settlement. They wanted to ensure that Métis rights were honoured and included in the negotiations. However, the government did not consult with the Metis concerning their plans to make Métis land available to new settlers. Instead they sent out the surveyors who began surveying without permission from the Métis who were then living on the land. Anger and resentment flared and matters were not helped, when some surveyors laid personal claim to some choice lots.

The Métis turned to Louis Riel for leadership. On October 11, 1969, after many discussions and trying to bring an end to the surveying, Louis Riel and his Métis followers stopped the surveying as "Ottawa had no right to make surveys on the Territory without the express permission of the people of the Settlement". The surveyors stopped their work.

Over the following months, the Métis formed the Comité National des Métis and after several months of discussions and bargaining a list of rights and freedoms was adopted. The Métis List of Rights were finished on Dec. 2, 1869 and the new government sworn into office on Dec. 10, 1869 with Louis Riel as the leader.

The Government of Canada through its previous discussions with Riel's government finally adopted the Métis List of Rights and Freedoms with some changes. The Métis List of Rights became the Manitoba Act of 1870 creating the Province of Manitoba.

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Métis Dispersal

In the 1870’s, the Métis in the new Province of Manitoba became quickly outnumbered by the waves of new settlers. They were denied a role in the democratic process and were rapidly stripped of their land base; they began to leave their homeland. By 1878 when the last of the Métis members of the Legislative Assembly left office, the Métis Nation was in retreat.

Métis lands were being lost despite their attempts to find justice in a corrupt legal system. The dishonesty of the Dominion Lands Office guaranteed anyone, except the Métis, land in Western Canada. Ill-treated, dispossessed and outnumbered, the frustrated, angry and discouraged Métis dispersed moving further West.

Laurent and Eleanor were part of the Métis this exodus. They sold their plots of land in St. Andrews to other Métis, and the family traveled the plains for almost four years before settling in Edmonton in 1874. They settled on the south side of the river on river lot 7 and obtained title to the land in 1888 and Laurent built a small chapel on his property for Catholic church services and the couple planted a maple tree on their property.

Laurent’s involvement concerning social activism in Red River continued in Alberta. His commitment to social justice would eventually cause him to be shunned by his neighbours when he became involved in the Riel Resistance of 1885.

Jim Brady

Laurent’s grandson, Jim Brady, also became a Métis Rights activist. Jim Brady’s parents were Jim Brady Sr., and Philomene Archange Garneau, who was Alberta’s first registered nurse of Métis ancestry. Jim Brady’s maternal grandfather, Laurent Garneau, as well as other relatives, helped raise him after his mother’s untimely death. He would have listened to stories from his grandfather and would have seen the poverty and racism faced by the Métis. Brady followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and was a Métis rights activist all his life. He was a prolific writer and his books can be found in the Métis Museum, Gabriel Dumont Institute, Saskatchewan and the Glenbow Institute.

Known as “The Big Five” these men organized and were founding members of the Métis Association of Alberta in 1928.

Back row: Peter Tompkins, Felix Calliou

Front Row: Malcolm Norris, Joseph Dion, Jim Brady (Laurent’s grandson)

Jim Brady, wrote “During the 1885 rebellion, Canadian government troops arrived at Fort Edmonton and declared martial law. All local residents were ordered to retire within the fort. However, Laurent and another Métis, Benjamin Vandal, ignored the order to abandon their farms, as they felt that they were in no danger from the Indians.

Vandal, who lived on the White Mud Creek about eight miles from Edmonton, had also been involved in the

Métis of Manitoba’s fight for justice in 1870. Garneau and Vandal were arrested and taken before a military

court, given a summary trail, and sentenced to death for disobeying a military order under conditions of martial

law. Riel and his council had sent letters to Laurent and Vandal inquiring as to the local situation and the

degree of support that could be expected from the local Métis. Laurent had kept the letter to read to some

of the Métis sympathizers who were illiterate.

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Eleanor was in the kitchen when a sergeant and four constables of the North West Mounted Police galloped

into the yard with a warrant for Laurent’s arrest and a search warrant for his home.”

Jim Brady wrote “My grandfather was placed under arrest while his home was ransacked. One policeman went to the actual spot where the letter had been hidden. It was evident they were acting on information from an informer; however, nothing was found. My grandmother had acted with great presence of mind as she had been laundering when they came into the yard, and she reached up, placed the letter and other incriminating material in the washtub. She then calmly destroyed them by rubbing them on the washboard until they were completely disintegrated.”

Laurent was tried and given the death sentence which created a great backlash in Edmonton from the Catholic clergy, Hudson’s Bay Company people, the Honourable Frank Oliver (founder of the Edmonton Bulletin), free traders, early White settlers and even the Protestant clergy. Bishop Grandin was summoned to intervene with Colonel Ouimet, the military commander. The Bishop also appealed to the Minister of the Militia, Sir Adolphe Caron, and a personal friend, urging a stay of execution. The Minister did reverse the verdict of the court martial. However, the prisoners, Garneau and Vandal were held in custody until after the Métis Resistance and were tried in civil court and sentenced to six months imprisonment

After the 1885 Resistance, considerable animosity and attitudes of revenge appeared among the white settlers against the defeated Métis. Eleanor and her children were left destitute and forced to fend for themselves. The family would have starved but for the enduring friendship, compassion and generosity of Laurent’s old friend Papasschayo. While Laurent was in prison, he helped feed both the Garneau and Vandal families.

Later, hard times would also have an effect on Papasschayo’s band when pressure from the railway and land speculators forced them off their land. They dispersed and wandered the valleys of the foothills of the Rockies and Laurent would one day return the favour and help the old chief, his life long friend.

In 1901 the Garneau family moved to the St. Paul des Métis colony 150 miles northeast of Edmonton. His sons and sons-in-law followed him to this location and the area they inhabited became known as Garneau Village.

In 1904 Laurent heard that Papasschayo was old and living in poor circumstances. He journeyed to the foothills and brought the Chief back to St. Paul des Métis. A comfortable cabin was built for Papasschayo across a small lake near the trading post, and here Papasschayo lived out his life with his two wives.

Garneau Tree

Upon settling on his land, Laurent and Eleanor had planted a maple tree in front of his cabin in 1874. In 2017, the historic tree sadly reached the end of its lifespan, far beyond the tree’s typical fifty plus years. On September 15th a ceremony was held to celebrate Laurent and Eleanor Garneau’s legacy and the history of the neighbourhood named in his honour. Speakers from the Métis Nation of Alberta, the University of Alberta, the local community, and Garneau’s own descendants gathered to share stories and memories, interspersed by traditional fiddling tunes.

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Children of Laurent and Eleanor

1. Victoria born October 22, 1870 near Lower Fort Garry and died December 18, 1899.

The 1900 scrip application, Scrip was denied.

My Translation: The 24th of December 1875 the undersigned priest has baptized Victoria Garneau born the 22nd of October 1870 of the legitimate marriage of Laurent Garneau and Eleanor Thomas. Godfather R. René Blanchet who signed

2. Louis was baptized in 1872 near Lower Fort Garry

3. Edward “Ned”, born April 03, 1872 in Little Britain, Manitoba and died 1959 at Elk Point, Alberta

4. Henri Joseph, born November 12, 1874 in the North West Territories

5. Philomene Archange

1900 scrip

My Translation: The 24 of September 1876 the undersigned priest has baptized Archange Garneau born the 2nd of the current month of the legitimate marriage of Laurent Garneau and Eleanor Thomas. Godfather

Louis Larocque who did not know how to sign

6. Lawrence

1900 scrip.

My Translation: The 28 of April 1878, the undersigned priest has solemnly baptized Laurent, born the 4th of this month of the legitimate marriage of Laurent

Garneau and Eleanor Thomas. Godfather Henri Leblanc, godmother Catherine ? who did not sign

7. Alexandre

1900 scrip.

My Translation: The 14th of March 1880, the undersigned priest has solemnly baptized Alexandre born the 22nd of February of the legitimate marriage of Laurent Garneau and Eléanore Thomas.

The godfather was Pierre Martin and the godmother Marie Isabelle Garneau (Gibbon’s wife)

8. Charlotte

The 1900 scrip.

My Translation: The 29th of January, 1882, the undersigned has solemnly baptized Charlotte Garneau, born the 19th of this month of the legitimate marriage of Laurent Garneau and Eleanor Thomas. Godfather Luc Kelly,

godmother Mariane Ashum who did not sign

9. Margaret “Madeleine”, born circa January 1883 in the North West Territories

10. Agathe

1900 Scrip.

My Translation: The 18th of November, 1883 the undersigned has solemnly baptized Agathe born the 12th of this month of the legitimate marriage of Laurent Garneau and Eleanore Thomas. Godfather Norman Vandale Godmother Julie Monroe

11. John Michel, born December 30, 1885 in Edmonton District

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12. Jean Marie

1900 Scrip.

My Translation: The 10th of January 1886 the undersigned priest has solemnly baptized Jean Marie aged 12 days, son of the legitimate marriage of Laurent Garneau and Eleanor

Thomas. Godfather A. Degagne, godmother M. Kelly who both signed

13. Millicent "Millie", born July 04, 1888 in Edmonton District

The 1900 scrip applications for the children included baptismal certificates from the Archdiocese of St. Albert.

Métis Scrip (Half-Breed Scrip)

Throughout the late 19th century, western settlement was part of John A. Macdonald’s larger plan for building the country through his National Policy scheme, and clearing the title of the region’s Indigenous peoples was integral to this process. As a means of extinguishing the Aboriginal title of the Métis, the scrip policy was implemented in the North-West.

Métis scrip was a coupon or an entitlement to land. In the late 1800s, the Canadian government began to implement the scrip system, setting up tents for Métis people to make their land claim.

Timeline of Métis scrip Commissions in Western Canada.

1870: Section 31 of the Manitoba Act set aside 1,400, 000 acres for Métis land grants “towards the extinguishment of the aboriginal title.” Grants were to be made to the children of half-breed heads of families”.

1872: The Privy Council Office determines the basis of selecting the Métis lands and orders that a sufficient number of townships be set aside. In November the government announces that the division of the Métis land reserve into individual allotments will be made in early 1873. Extensive speculation in Métis lands breaks out immediately.

1873: The first allotment of 140 acres each to Métis children and heads of family begins and the Manitoba Legislature passes “The Half-breed Land Grant Protection Act.” to inhibit speculation. In April the Cabinet declares that only children of Métis heads of family are eligible to share in the 1.4 million acre land grant, according to a strict reading of the Manitoba Act.

1873 In June Plans for re-allotment, excluding Métis heads of family are underway. In November the second distribution of the Métis land grant begins and the size of the individual grants is increased to 190 acres as a result of the reduced number of eligible claimants.

1874: Amendment to Manitoba Act allowing half-breed heads of families to 160 acre land grants

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1885: Commissioners Street, Goulet and Forget are appointed to issue scrip they visited places such as Fort Qu’Appelle, Touchwood Hills, Regina, Maple Creek, Calgary, Fort MacLeod, Pincher Creek, Edmonton, St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan, Victoria, Fort Pitt, Battleford, Prince Albert, Batoche, Duck Lake, Fort à Ia Corne, Cumberland House, Moose Jaw, Willow Bunch, Grand Rapids and Winnipeg and Griswold Manitoba.

1900: Scrip issued in the Alberta and Athabasca regions communities such as Willow Bunch, Fort Qu’Appelle, Touch wood Hills, Swift Current, Maple Creek and Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, MacLeod, Pincher Creek, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria, Saddle Lake, St. Paul des Metis, Lac La Biche, Athabasca Landing, St. Albert, Lac St. Anne, Fort Saskatchewan, Wetaskiwin, Duhamel, Lacombe.

1901: issued scrip in the Northwest region. Birtle, Manitoba, Fort Pelly, Winipegosis, Kinosota, Oak Point, Fort Alexander, Killarney, Oak Lake, Moosomin, Fort Qu’Appelle, Prince Albert, Duck Lake, Battleford, Moosejaw, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, MacLead, Calgary, Edmonton, Wetaskiwin, Lacombe, Winnipeg.

1904: Metis scrip issued to claimants living on Indian reservations in the United States.

Photo courtesy of the City of Edmonton Archives EA-58-4.

Garneau family, circa 1910.

Back row: Lawrence, Louis, Victoria, Alexandre, Charolotte, Archange

Front row: Edward (Ned), Eleanor (Mother), Millie, John, Laurent (Father)

Men like Laurent Garneau whose courage, conviction, social activism, and Métis pride inspired may leaders that followed him. In the 20th century both female and male leaders continued his social

activism and with each decade these leaders have made strides to rectify injustices.

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples stated and I quote “The twentieth century began with the people of the Métis Nation uprooted, fragmented and dispirited. They are determined that before it closes, they will have regained their rightful place as a self-governing, self-sufficient, culturally vibrant Aboriginal people inside a more equality-conscious Canadian society”.

Sources:

The Brady Papers, Glenbow Institute City of Edmonton Archives

National Archives of Canada Global News – Edmonton

Public Archives of Canada RG 15 University of Alberta, Native Studies

Gabriel Dumont Institute – Jim Brady Collection Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, The Metis, page 22

Métis Nation of Alberta

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Around Edmonton - Current Events and Exhibits - Denise Daubert

Event: 7th Annual Celebration of Women of Aviation

At: Alberta Aviation Museum; 11410 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton

Date: March 7th from 10 am to 3 pm

Profiling the aviation accomplishments of Alberta’s women and featuring a variety of speakers, special exhibits and activities. www.albertaaviationmuseum.com

Event: Edmonton Public Library Local History Series

At: Bonnie Doon Branch, 8310 – 88 Avenue

Date: March 15 at 2 pm

House history in Edmonton (Speaker Barb Neil).

www.epl.ca/locations/EPLIDY

Event: Edmonton & District Historical Society Speaker Series

At: Old Timer’s Cabin; 9430 – 99 Street

Date: March 24 at 7:30 pm

A Mystery from Norway (guest speaker is Christine Prokop on how she tracked down answers for a query sent to EDHS from Norway on a grandmother having come to Canada as a young woman as family lore claimed). www.historicedmonton.ca

Event: History Tea

At: Bonnie Doon Community League, 9240 – 93 Street

Date: Sunday, March 22; 2 to 4 pm

An afternoon tea celebrating the rich history of the Bonnie Doon area and an opportunity to visit with community residents. www.bonniedoon.ca

Event: WAR Flowers – A Touring Art Exhibition

At: Borealis Gallery in the Legislature Assembly Visitors

Centre (downtown Edmonton)

Dates: through February and ending May 3.

Showcasing century-old pressed flowers and letters

mailed home to Canada by Canadian WW I soldier

Lieutenant-Colonel George Stephen Cantilie. A video (in

French) explains the exhibit; see warflowers.ca.

www.assemtly.ab.ca or 780-427-7362

Event: BRReathtaking Images of a Winter City

At: Provincial Archives of Alberta (foyer); 8555 Roper Road, Edmonton

Dates: Through the month of March

Display of photographs documenting historic details in Edmonton; by photographer Nick Ochotta.

www.provincialarchivesalberta.ca

Event: Gather ‘Round

At: Strathcona County Museum; 913 Ash Street, Sherwood Park

Dates: Through February & March, ends April 25

Explore how Strathcona County residents were entertained by music in days gone by.

www.strathconacountymuseum.ca

Event: Keeping the Peace – Early Policing in North Central Alberta

At: Musée Heritage; 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert

Dates: Months of April, May and ending April 26

Unique artifacts and photos from the museum plus the Edmonton Police Service. www.museeheritage.ca

Event: I Am From Here

At: Royal Alberta Museum, downtown Edmonton

Dates: Through February ends September 7

Remarkable stories and remembrances of the descendants of Alberta’s early Black pioneers.

www.royalalbertamuseum.ca

Event: Remembering the First World War

At: Royal Alberta Museum, downtown Edmonton

Dates: Through February and ending October 17.

Highlighting artifacts from RAM’s Military and Political History collection.

www.royalalbertamuseum.ca

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L I B R A R Y N E W S By Arlene Borgestede

Over the past six months or so, our library “staff” has changed somewhat. We had to say goodbye to Pamela Farmer, a volunteer of well over thirty years, due to health problems and we wish her well in her ‘retirement’. Darlene Davidson has also left us. We have been very fortunate to be able to fill our vacancies quickly. Let me introduce to two of our latest volunteers.

PAT MCNAMEE joined us about five or six months ago. She has been an AGS member “off and on” for about twenty years although her interest in genealogy began back around 1978 when she became interested in her father’s arrival in Canada from England with her grandparents in 1923. Her career as a librarian kept her busy but with her recent retirement, she is spending more time in the library including every first Tuesday when she works with Sharon Enns. She takes in a number of SIG meetings: Irish, Scottish and German and ‘technical’ (computer related. As she puts it, “I just pop in.” When asked if she is enjoying her work day in the library she said it got her “out of the house and is lots of fun.” She is quite enjoying being back working with people, especially people interested in genealogy.

SARA LOUDON joined AGS last fall because of her interest in her mother’s family who lived in South England back in the 18th century. However, she was even more interested in becoming a volunteer in the library. Sara is taking courses right now, learning to become a librarian and is very pleased to be getting some ‘hands on training’. Needless to say, we are very pleased to be able to give it to her. She is working the second Tuesday of each month with Janet Nichols, a volunteer with about five years of experience. Sara enjoys the “relaxed atmosphere” of our library and has shared the excitement of seeing someone discover that very special, important piece of information that has eluded them for so long or that one event which has been ‘hushed’ up for years. Because she works nights, plus takes a couple of courses, Sara has not been able to get involved with any SIGs.

JACKIE PEARSON is one of our newest volunteers having offered to work on that first Saturday of the month. She has been an AGS member for about 10 years, and retired from her job as an accountant with the City of Edmonton on January 1st of this year, giving her more time to research her Romanian and English ancestors. She is an avid participant in the Ukrainian SIG and enjoys their meetings very much.

Jackie is still “learning the ropes” but is very much enjoying her Saturday sessions, just wishing that more people were aware that the library is open on that particular day of the month. She has had lots of experience in volunteer work having been a distributor at the Food Bank and has worked with Habitat for Humanity where her diploma in Designing and Decor helps her with the painting.

DEB SCOTT is also a new volunteer working that first Saturday of the month but I was not able to contact her. Maybe next issue. We might also feature a couple of our long-time volunteers. We have a few who have worked thirty or forty years!

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IN THE LIBRARY

F R O M T H E S T A C K S By Heather Harper

General:

Romanian Prairie Pioneers: by Les Lutic

A Tribute to Metis Women: The Metis Nation of Alberta

To War Survive: A Story of Betrayal, Ethnic Cleansings, Deportations and Repatriations by Steve Kashuba

Local Histories:

Alberta: Edmonton: The Wired City. A history of Telephones in Edmonton by Margaret Simpson

Morinville: Faith and Tenacity. By Alice Trottier

Warspite: Between River and Lake. By the Warspite Victoria Trail

Historical Society

Saskatchewan: Medstead. Trails of Promise by History Book Committee

Family History

Descendants of Valentine Bohn (1793-1854) and His Wives: Barbara Strickler (1796-1837) and Elizabeth Bastian Bostwick (1809-1851) by Lois Kleinhenn Lanier

The Hawthorns of Deloraine: by Carol Snyder

New Magazines

Internet Genealogy: Oct/Nov 2019

• Ancestry.com

• Library Records

• Translate Documents

• Lloyd’s Registers

• Newspapers from the Past

Internet Genealogy: Dec/Jan 2020

• Evaluating Genealogy Websites

• Epidemics

• Architectural Databases

• Metis Ancestry in Scottish Family History

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

19

Your Genealogy Today Nov-Dec 2019

• Saving Family History

• Holiday Traditions

• Becoming a Certified Genealogist

• Taking Your Memoir from Stuck to Finished

• Handling Errors in Research

Your Genealogy Today: Jan/Feb 2020

Louisiana Church Records

School Books & Report Cards

DNA & Criminal Investigations

Finding “Lost” Civil War Veterans & Irish Immigrants

Revealing Romance

Family Tree (US): Dec 2019

75 Best US Genealogy Websites

Swiss Ancestors

State Research Guides: New York/N. Dakota

It Takes a Village: Collateral research

How to Edit Records on FamilySearch

Family Tree (US) Jan/Feb 2020

14 Records for Finding Female Ancestors

Plan a Family Reunion

Handle Shocking DNA Results

Writing family Stories

State Research Guides: New Hampshire/Wyoming

Family Tree (UK) Dec 2019

Great Frost & Famine of 1739

How to Trace Back 300 Years

The 12 DNAs of Christmas

Family Tree (UK) Feb 2020

DNA Made Do-able

DNA Detectives

Buyer’s Guide to DNA Kits

Medical DNA Testing

The Virtual Genealogical Association

Family History Handbook 2020-in association with Ancestry & Family Tree

Who Do You Think You Are? Jan 2020

50 Best Websites for 2020

Take Your Tree Back 300 Years

Scottish Paupers

Pre-1858 Wills

Italians in Sheffield

Who Do You Think You Are? Feb 2020

Death Record Success

Local Court Records.

Poverty Maps of Victorian London

Ancestors at Work: Dockers

The Little Ice Age 1550-1880

20

www.edmontongenealogy.ca

EDMONTON BRANCH/AGS LIBRARY

#162, 14315 – 118 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta T5L 4S6

P: (780) 424-4429 F: (780) 423-8980

E: admin@edmontongenealogy.ca

Suggestions for Successful Scottish Research

Saturday, March 14th (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Gloria Cathcart and Joyce Willard, Instructors

This session will include: ways to locate your family in Scotland; using maps; Scottish naming patterns; Birth, Marriage and Death records, both parish and civil; Obtaining and using Census forms; Obituaries, gravestones and inscriptions; Willis and probates; Newspapers and community history books; Valuation, voters electoral registers and directories; Favorite websites; Recording and preserving your findings – top computer programs and paper files. There will be hands-on activities, exploration of computer sites and opportunity for questions. Bring your laptop computer, iPad, etc., and some of your family history notes. Come prepared to take part in activities, make notes and receive handouts

Open the Trunk: Beginning the Search for Your Ancestors in Eastern Europe: With Emphasis on Ukraine and Poland

Saturday, April 4th (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)

John Althouse, Instructor

This session will provide an introduction on researching your ancestry in Eastern Europe and will examine methods and problems encountered in this research. Participants will be shown resources available here, online, in libraries, and through various groups. Participants will also receive tips on how to handle some problem areas such as language. The session will introduce participants to Edmonton Branch Ukrainian Special Interest Group and provide information and background on how the Ukrainian Special Interest Group may be a helpful aid in developing context and possibly locating your ancestors. You are welcome to bring your laptop or iPad

Coffee, tea and goodies will be served at all sessions. Please bring your lunch

Limited number of seats - Don’t be disappointed - Book Early

All Workshops will be held at the Edmonton Branch/AGS Library

TRACING Your FAMILY TREE

What’s Your Family Story?

A series of six workshops where instructors will point out the special skills and tools needed to research your

family history. They will guide you in your research regardless of what level you are at and show you strategies

to find the records you need.

21

www.edmontongenealogy.ca

EDMONTON BRANCH/ AGS LIBRARY

#162, 14315 – 118 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta T5L 4S6

P: (780) 424-4429 F: (780) 423-8980

E: admin@edmontongenealogy.ca

DNA – It is More Than Just Spitting in a Tube

Saturday, May 9th (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Debbie Was, Ellen Thompson-Jennings, Instructors

Have you tested your DNA? What company did you test with? If you have tested or not, this session will help you understand how Genetic Genealogy can be used to prove your paper trail and further your research. The session will start with an overview of the major DNA testing companies, the types of tests they offer and the terminology. Then we'll move on to learning how to navigate through Ancestry DNA, Family Tree DNA and My Heritage while providing tips on how best to understand your results and make contact with your matches. Bring your questions and your laptop or iPad.

My Ancestors Came from

England, Wales and Ireland

Saturday, June 13th (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Lynn Fogwill, and Colleen Murray, Instructors

Are you ready to move your family roots "across the pond"? Let our experts help you be successful and avoid pitfalls as you apply your genealogy research skills to the counties in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We will discuss what records are held where - at the local, county or national levels - and which are available online. We will consider vital records (births, marriages and deaths), census records, land and tax records, wills and probate records. We will also dip into rich "meat on the bones" sources such as newspapers. This workshop is presented by members of the England/Wales and Irish SIGs and will be hands on in approach. Bring your questions and your laptops and let's explore our English, Welsh and Irish family history."

Coffee, tea and goodies will be served at all sessions. Please bring your lunch

Limited number of seats - Don’t be disappointed - Book Early

All Workshops will be held at the Edmonton Branch/AGS Library

TRACING Your FAMILY TREE

What’s Your Family Story?

A series of six workshops where instructors will point out the special skills and tools needed to research

your family history. They will guide you in your research regardless of what level you are at and show you

strategies to find the records you need.

22

The Alberta Name Index (ANI) offers a simple unified search of Alberta residents named in various sources. The index entries lead you directly to the information and where to locate the original records. The indexes are the result of many years of volunteer labour, and more will be added soon!

Indexes include:

Coroners Records 1885-1928 (source – Provincial Archives of Alberta)

Early Edmonton Funeral Home Records (source – Provincial Archives of Alberta)

Northern Land Records (source – Provincial Archives of Alberta)

Obituaries (source – Edmonton Journal and Provincial Archives of Alberta 1898-1905)

Proof of Age (source – Provincial Archives of Alberta)

Probate Files (source – Provincial Archives of Alberta 1898-1969)

Returned Soldiers (source – Provincial Archives of Alberta)

Silver Medallion (source – Provincial Archives of Alberta, 75th anniversary Silver Medallions)

History book Index Newspapers

Edmonton Branch Research Committee can assist with your Alberta family research and how to use ANI. Photocopying and postage costs will apply, and a financial contribution to Edmonton Branch for the volunteer assistance is appreciated. For further information contact research@edmontongenealogy.ca.

Historic Festival and Open Doors July 5-12, 2020

For more than 20 years, the Edmonton and District Historical Society has presented the annual Historic Festival and Doors Open Edmonton. Edmonton Branch will again be part of the festival called “Transformation”. Louise Perkins has consented to oversee this program and information will be posted as soon as it is developed. Mark your calendars, visit the Branch library check out the stacks or watch a video on genealogical research! There will be a different video each day!

May Issue of Clandigger

Accepting articles for the May issue, 4-5 pages in length. If including photos send JPEG files separate and indicate where in the article they should be placed. Submit articles by May 1 or sooner. If you have any suggestions or comments, would love to hear from you. Also, if you would like to be part of Clandigger team, or editor, we would love to hear from you. Submit May articles, suggestions, comments, or your name to become part of the Clandigger team to: admin@edmontongenealogy.ca