CROSSING BORDERS

Immigration and Migration

2010 Conference

Saskatchewan Genealogical Society and

Manitoba Genealogical Society

St. Gerard’s Parish Complex

125 3^rd Ave

Yorkton, Saskatchewan

September 17-19, 2010

If you are planning on coming and have not registered … deadline for the Early Bird Registration is September 1, 2010 Brochure and information available on our website http://www.saskgenealogy.ca

Yorkton Area Tour Friday, September 17 from 1:00 -  5:00 pm The following sites have been arranged:

• Orkney School and Church – Orkney District
• Western Development Museum
• St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church

Our family treasure featured today is a set of old phones from my Grandparents Bill and Isabel Irvine’s farm near Young, Saskatchewan.  The wire for these old phones ran on the barb wire fences between farms.

Old Phone c. 1940s

If you do, Saskatchewan Archives would like to hear from you.

An unidentified Armoury… Presumably Saskatchewan but where?

Do you know any of the young men in this photo of Rosthern’s Home Guard 1915?  How about the little boy by the drum?

There are several other photos to be identified and the SAB would like your help….

Go here to view the Saskatchewan Archives Board Photo Blog.

In May of 2003 a small group of family members and myself decided to spend a day in Moose Jaw seeing the sights and playing the tourist.  That meant I took photos of some of the treasures not knowing at the time that within months they would no longer exist.

We visited the former Joyner’s General Store (30 Main Street North, Moose Jaw) to see the “world’s largest operational Lamson Cash Carrier System installed in 1915.”  It had over 1000 feet of track installed on three levels.  (Joyner’s had closed in 1994 and became an antiques store.)

What a wonderful system!  Stretching throughout the old department store it wound its way along the sides and ceiling of the rooms. In its prime it moved cash from 15 clerk stations throughout the store.

Cash Cable Story Sign Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. Photo (c) Joan Miller

A sign prominently posted near the front of the store read:

The Cash Cable Story

Installed in 1915 by Walter Joyner, this Lamson Cash Carrier System Made in England is the world’s largest operational Cash Carrier System.  The system is only one of two still remaining in the world today and the only one still in operation in North America.

This system is over a 1000 feet in length and still operates throughout all three levels as well as all three sides of the building, the cash cars travel at 22 miles per hour on the system.  With 15 clerk stations, this was the quickest and most economical means of handling cash in the early years of the Joyner’s Department Store.

In 1992, the Joyner family was offered a substantial dollar for this system by Walt Disney World for their Euro-Disney, however Mr. Joyner decided to honour his late father’s wishes that requested the cable system always remain in Moose Jaw.  The cable system remains in the building on lease from the Joyner family and is used now soley as Moose Jaw’s Newest Tourist Attraction.

If you would like to see the Cash Cable in operation please ask for a demonstration from the cleark in the Candy Department up front.

NOTE: This is a Free attraction and as well as any demonstrations, Donations are gratefully accepted at the front in the Large Jar for the continued upkeep and maintenance of this rare piece from our past.  Thank-You.

Lamson Cash Cable System Moose Jaw. All photos copyright Joan Miller

Cash Cable System Former Joyner's Department Store Moose Jaw, Sask. Photo (c) Joan Miller

Lamson Cash Cable System Moose Jaw Sask. Photos (c) Joan Miller

Lamson Cash Cable System Moose Jaw Sask. Photo (c) Joan Miller

Lamson Cash Cable System Moose Jaw Sask. Photo (c) Joan Miller

Sadly the building burned to the ground on January 1, 2004.  (Story of the fire appeared in the Leader-Post (Regina) 5 Jan. 2004.)

After the fire I felt others would be looking for photos and memories of the old store and its unique and original Lamson Cash Carrier System.  I posted the photos on the web and had many people from all over the world stop by to comment.

Whether it was a walk down memory lane or reliving their childhood,  I had many folks comment on their time growing up in Moose Jaw.  Many had visited the store in their youth.  Joyner family members stopped by expressing their gratitude for posting the photos.  We also had Cash Cable System aficionados visit.

A year ago a computer server change necessitated that the photos come down and I hadn’t had time to re-post them until now, prompted by an inquiry from someone wishing to see the photos.

For more on Lamson Cash Carrier Systems.

Please leave your comments below.

[Note: All photos and content subject to copyright laws are not to be used without express written permission of the author.]

What’s in a name….lots apparently!

Punnichy, Quentin, Raymore, Semans, Tate, Viola, Undora, Watrous, Xena, Young, Zelma.

Do you see a pattern here?

I grew up near Nokomis, Saskatchewan.  Dad was into history so we heard often about the naming of the little prairie towns along the Canadian National Rail line.

We’d head for Saskatoon to visit relatives and rattle off the names as we travelled.  After Zelma the alphabet would start over with Allan, Bradwell, Clavet as we flew by the towns.

Just about every letter of the alphabet was represented across the prairies, in a line along the CNR stretching from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba west to Alberta.

There were very few breaks in the Alphabet Railway naming system.  Nokomis being one of them (there is another story there which I’ll share with you one day).

Here is a great website listing the Alphabet Railway town names along the CNR from 1922 maps.

[News] The Saskatchewan Genealogical Society has announced they will be publishing“Women Pioneers of Saskatchewan, Book 2”

Isabel Irvine, a Women Pioneer of Saskatchewan and her daughter Betty. Taken Fall of 1934 or 1935.

After the considerable success and interest in their first publication Women Pioneers of Saskatchewan (due to be released January 2010.),  the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society is planning Book 2.

Here is the notice:

Another Exciting Publication

The Saskatchewan Genealogical Society will be publishing

“Women Pioneers of Saskatchewan, Book 2”

“We believe they deserve recognition and what better way than to publish their stories in a book. We want you to help us tell their stories.

Who: Saskatchewan women
Why: To continue to produce a record of Saskatchewan women who also played a huge role in the settlement and growth of Saskatchewan
When: Women born within the timeframe of the 1800s to 1935
Where: Within the boundaries of what is now known as Saskatchewan – rural or urban

Submission Deadline:   May 31, 2010

Guidelines for Submission of Articles:

Anyone may contribute to this publication. You do not have to be a member of the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society.

Submit electronic (Word doc), typed or neatly written write-ups of about 2,000 words or less on each of the women pioneers in your family.

You are encouraged to also include a maximum of two photographs with captions for each story submitted. Please do not send your original photos; have reprints made. DO NOT SEND PHOTOCOPIES.

If you want your photographs returned, you may pick them up from our office or, if you provide us with a self-addressed stamped envelope, we will mail them back to you.

This book will be limited to the first 200 submissions received. The deadline for receiving submissions is May 31, 2010.

Thank you for your interest. I am looking forward to receiving your submissions. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Submissions may be sent in hard copy or electronic format (preferred) to:

Celeste Rider, SGS Librarian
Saskatchewan Genealogical Society
PO Box 1894, Regina, SK  S4P 3E1
Electronic submissions may be sent to:  sgslibrary [AT] sasktel [DOT] net

Want a copy of Book 1 of Women Pioneers of Saskatchewan?

The first book received 413 submissions and all are printed in the book.    SGS has presold about 500 books and will have about 250 copies still available for sale once pre-sale orders are filled.  Anyone wishing to purchase a copy should contact the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society at the following address:

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1894, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3E1
Phone: (306) 780-9207
Fax: (306) 780-3615

Find your Canadian ancestors

A list of the Canadian Genealogy Societies:

(click on the names for more information)

Alberta Family Histories Society

British Columbia Genealogical Society

Manitoba Genealogical Society

New Brunswick Genealogical Society

Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scotia Genealogical Network Association – list of several societies

Ontario Genealogical Society

Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society

Quebec Family History Society

Saskatchewan Genealogical Society

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Additions, changes?  Please add your comments and links below.

--Photo credit: Joan Miller, Taken at Wakaw, Sask, 2005

Finding Vital Records in Sask

Saskatchewan Vital Statistics maintains a province-wide registration of births, marriages, and deaths.  A written application to the Director of Vital Statistics is required, using a  form that can be obtained from Vital Statistics, Saskatchewan Archives Board, or the Saskatchewan Genealogy Society.

The application requires you to show your relationship to the person whose record you want to obtain. If the person in question is living, you must obtain their consent.

Marriage registrations for the area now Saskatchewan began in 1878, birth and death registrations began in 1888. Until 1920, registrations were not always reported on a regular basis.   A fee may be applied to obtain information.

To find out more contact Saskatchewan Vital Statistics (now called Information Services Corporation)

Vital Statistics (link to online search)

Locations and contact information

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Related Links:
Find Obituaries (American) Online

Photo Credit: Joan Miller, Taken at the Tate Cemetery Gates, Sask 2008.

Cemetery Records for Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Genealogical Society compiles cemetery records for the province as an ongoing project. An index to cemetery records compiled to date is available at:

http://www.saskgenealogy.ca/saskcemindexintropage.html

Records for Saskatoon’s Woodlawn Cemetery are searchable at:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/org/parks/cemetery/index.asp

Saskatchewan Cemeteries Project

Finding Obituaries published in Saskatchewan newspapers

The Saskatchewan Newspaper Index Online indexes many obituaries at:
http://library2.usask.ca/sni/

Saskatoon Public Library indexes obituaries that appear in The Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Send the name of the deceased to Ask Us! and specify that it should be in the StarPhoenix obituary index (fees for photocoping may apply).

Regina Public Library indexed obituaries in the Regina newspaper, from 1935 and 1943. Send the name of the deceased to Ask Us! and specify that it should be searched in the LeaderPost index for this time period.

Obituaries published after September 8, 2000 in the Regina Leader Post are available with full text and photos at http://www.saskobits.com/.

Searches of microfilm copies of local newspapers can be considered if the obituary cannot be found through an index. First, search for the newspaper in which the obituary likely appeared. If you do not know the newspaper name, try searching the probable city/town. Next, identify the probable death date.

The Library and Archives Canada has a listing of local Saskatchewan newspapers on microfilm at: http://www.collectionscanada.ca/8/18/r18-206-e.html

Historical runs of Saskatchewan city/town newspapers are located in the Saskatchewan Archives and may also be held by some local public libraries.  Public libraries may be able to obtain the newspaper/microfilm through interlibrary loan. Photocopying fees may be applied.

Related Links:
Find Obituaries Online

Also try Ancestry (search box below).  Note Ancestry is a paid service.

My grandfather, William (Bill) IRVINE was a Saskatchewan homesteader.  He arrived in Canada from Ireland in 1911 at age 19 to make his way in a new land.  He was only 20 when he homesteaded on 160 acres 20 miles south west of Young, Saskatchewan.  It was a hard life and the winters were long and harsh.  He married Isabelle Woodland and together they raised a family and tilled the land.

The Saskatchewan Archives houses homestead records. Original files can be found at the Saskatoon location and microfilm copies are in Regina.  You must have the name of the homesteader or land location to find the record.

Homestead records provide limited information about the homesteader such as age, date and entry and patent, the number of members of his family and often, but not always, his place of birth, former place of residence and previous occupation.

More information on homstead records and other land records is available on the Saskatchewan Archives web site.

Homesteaders who obtained a patent (official certificate enabling them to receive the title to the land at the local land title office) are indexed in the Library and Archives Canada database.

The Saskatchewan Archives may be contacted at:

Saskatchewan Archives Board
3303 Hillsdale St.
Regina, SK
Phone: 306-787-4068
Fax: 306-787-1197
Web Site: http://www.saskarchives.com

Saskatchewan Archives Boards
Room 91, Murray Building
University of Saskatchewan
3 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A4
Phone: 306-933-5832
Fax: 306-933-7305
Web Site: http://www.saskarchives.com

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