We’ve been asked to share the following information about the November meeting of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa.
You’re invited
Saturday, 9 November 2024
To attend the November meeting online, please register HERE.
9:00 a.m. EST – I’m Sorry–We Don’t Have Your Grandfather’s War Records…– Presenter: Seana (Shea) Jones
However, at Garrison Petawawa Military Museums, we do have plenty of other primary source material that provide an insight of everyday life of your ancestors during the two Great Wars and during peacetime. There are over 70 accredited Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) museums across Canada, covering the army, air force and navy. This talk 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 item holds a narrative of life during conflict, both at home and abroad. Through artifacts and archives, firsthand accounts provide crucial context, shedding light on pivotal moments, strategies, and the human experiences behind conflicts. Whether you’re a seasoned historian or an 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 Jones earned a BA in Political Science and History at Lakehead University, continued her studies in the Museum Management Program at Fleming College, and has found joy working in the heritage industry. She is currently the Collections Manager at Garrison Petawawa Military Museums and can be found there or in the surrounding woods with her family and dogs. Seana will be bringing some artifacts from the collection to the meeting.
10:00 a.m. EST – Rebuilding A Life After Service in the Canadian Forestry Corps, With Help from the Soldier’s Settlement Board – Presenter: 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.
Dianne Brydon used the skills learned from her Masters in Historical Geography to publish, with her father, The Stalwart Brydons: From Scotland to Galt to Portage La Prairie, her paternal family history. She previously told the story of the Brydons’ arrival in Canada in a 2017 Great Moment “Despite What You Tell Your Children, More Than One Official Record Exists to Prove What Really Happened”, and presented “Who’s Crazy? – The Sad Tale of Mary Brydon” in 2018. Dianne is currently BIFHSGO’s president.
