Harper Government ENDS Inter-library Loans!!

And yet again the Harper government continues to neglect it's citizens history!!


This past spring, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) announced plans to cancel their interlibrary loan (ILL) program due to budget cuts.

The ILL service will be coming to an end in December 2012. Note the following key dates:

- November 16, 2012: End of renewals on materials currently out. All items loaned after this date will be non-renewable.

- December 11, 2012: End of loan requests, location searches, and ILL-related photocopying services.

Since this will affect primarily Prairie History Room patrons [genealogists], requesting any materials, mainly other provincial newspapers, from LAC, library patrons will need to get their requests in before December 11. Materials they currently have out, will not be renewed after Nov. 16.


The above has been confirmed by me this morning. I cannot tell you how distressing this will be for those of us who have used this highly successful program over the years. LAC is one of the few institutions who can actively collect newspapers from other provinces. Shame on you Prime Minister Harper!! Shame on you public libraries for not fighting this ridiculous decision! I often wonder if our library board members ever use the library?

1911 Census England & Wales FREE

Until 18 Nov. 2012 you can view the 1911 England & Wales census free of charge at https://www.findmypast.co.uk/?_zga_s=1

Just copy and paste the above URL and search away! This is a very important census as it is right before WW1 and so includes thousands who never returned. Enjoy!!

Happy Weekend and Happy Searching,
Pat

Library Vertical Files: an overlooked resource

Vertical files are folders containing material grouped by subject. If you're looking for information of significance for the local community, and sometimes beyond, a quick check of the local library's holdings of vertical files may be productive. They are rarely comprehensive, usually made up of clippings from newspapers and magazines, but you may find other material including, as I did with Wiggins, a several page unpublished manuscript.

Unfortunately, budget constraints mean that fewer libraries now compile vertical files but most still maintain their legacy collection. They are little publicized.

Even if your ancestor was not sufficiently prominent to merit a vertical file for him or herself they may have played a part in a company or event documented in such a file. The reference librarian in the community where an ancestor lived can be your best friend in searching out these resources.

Thanks to John D. Reid for this reminder. You can visit John's blog at http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.ca/

Film Rescue International

Film Rescue International based in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, is the only Canadian company and one of only a handful worldwide that specializes in developing antique, expired and obsolete film. These old unprocessed still and movie films are lost and found time capsules and through the work of skilled technicians at Film Rescue International these precious images are brought back to life. Film Rescue International also uses latest technologies to digitally scan and then computer enhance the film, providing the best possible images that may have otherwise been lost forever. Their clients are from all over North America and beyond and have included major police departments, coroners' offices, museums, historical societies and thousands of families. Clients can receive prints of the still images along with digital copies on compact disc or via the internet. Product and services include old still film developing, disc film scan and print, old movie film developing, home move transfer.

Contact Robyn Jensen
mail@filmrescue.com

Current Products and Services

Old still film developing, disc film scan and print, old movie film developing, home movie transfer.

This is a truly amazing company!! And it's not only just Canadian, it's in small town Saskatchewan and yet it's reputation is world wide! See their website for additional information at www.filmrescue.com
Phone 800-329-8988
Fax 306-695-2999
Email mail@filmrescue.com

You can also follow them on Facebook at > https://www.facebook.com/filmrescueinternational
>
And see what they do here > http://vimeo.com/filmrescueinternational

On YouTube search examples of their work "Film Rescue International".

19th Century Handwriting Guide

I just discovered a good handwriting guide at FREEBMD website. Have a look at http://www.freebmd.org.uk/handwriting.html
and learn some great tips about interpreting what the old writing really says.

Happy Searching,
Pat

England & Wales FREE 1911 Census

Until 02 Nov. 2012 you can have free access to the 1911 Census of England, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Registration is required for access by providing a name and email address. WHAT a great opportunity! Copy and paste the following URL and get searching!!

http://www.ancestry.co.uk/1911Census?o_iid=52631&o_lid=52631&o_sch=Inbound


Happy Searching!
Pat

Choosing Password(s)

Here is a very informative article about choosing your password(s) and all that makes for a good one! Just copy and paste the following URL
http://lifehacker.com/5949165/the-four-tiers-of-password-security-what-works-what-doesnt-and-whats-best-for-you?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Hope everyone is having an awesome Thanksgiving weekend. I also hope you've managed to find a few minutes to really think about what/who you are thankful for ... and then tell that person ... before it's too late.

Pat