By Jena Crable
For many U.S. genealogy wayfarers, their journey usually includes a stop in Canada. Surprisingly, this is true for persons with and without French-Canadian roots. Not surprisingly, living along the 3,000-mile border that separates the U.S. from its northern neighbor are innumerable families who share common ancestries as a result of their desire for greater economic, religious, or political freedom–in one country or the other.
For both beginners and experienced researchers alike, Angus Baxter’s third edition of, “In Search of Your Canadian Roots,” gives common-sense tips on where to begin research, how to work backward in time from the known to the unknown, how to test researcher facts and avoid common mistakes, and, ultimately, how to create a family tree. It discusses the great migrations of Scots, Irish, English, Germans, Huguenots, Ukrainians, and Jews to Canada; describes the records of the national archives in Ottawa; summarizes the holdings of the LDS Church relating to Canada; and explores the vast nationwide record sources such as census records and church registers. It also provides a province-by-province survey of genealogical sources–in effect, a step-by-step guide to the records and record repositories in each of the 10 provinces and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
October is National Family History Month! Genealogy Connect contains a number of outstanding reference works to help your community identify deep historical connections while exploring their roots.