Tweet
For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
MyHeritage. If you have French roots, you will almost certainly find some family members in this collection. This addition comes alongside the 8 million other historical records we added from France and Norway since the beginning of 2022.
Also they will be running a special offer for uploading DNA kits to MyHeritage. From tomorrow, March 1–8, 2022, people who have taken a DNA test with other services will be able to upload their DNA to MyHeritage and enjoy all our advanced DNA features for free — including Ethnicity Estimates, Chromosome Browser, Theory of Family Relativity, and more. If you tested with another DNA service and haven’t uploaded your DNA to MyHeritage yet, there’s never been a better time! Visit Myheritage.com/dna/upload to get started.
--------
To be transparent about my relationship with MyHeritage whenever you open a free account with them through our MyHeritage search engine on the site Electric Scotland makes $30.00.
-------
Seems Russia is suffering quite a bit through sanctions and people around the world refusing to deal with Russian companies. In the UK port workers are refusing to off load Russian ships. Russia is now banned from the ParaOlympics, the world cup, and other sporting events such as Formula 1 motor racing. I really can't see Putin surviving this war.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Why we've got the Vikings wrong
Politics aside, the basis of Western culture's understanding of the Vikings is predicated on a male-dominated focus on the Viking's Western expansion, and less of a glance East.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/...-vikings-wrong
Scotland's capercaillie could vanish in 30 years
Numbers of the large grouse have declined markedly since the 1970s and there may now be fewer than 1,100 of the birds left.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...lands-60522715
The Calamitous Errors of Germany's Russia Policy
Germany's political approach to Russia lies in ruins and its military is in miserable shape. The Russian invasion of Ukraine promises to change things, but how quickly can Berlin move?
Read more at:
https://www.spiegel.de/international...5-39e5790b29b2
Ukrainians using British weapons to cut Russians off from supplies
THE BRAVE resistance of Ukrainian troops and civilians to the Russian invaders has put paid to Moscow's hope of avoiding a protracted conflict.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...all-putin-plan
Scotland's NHS is not financially sustainable
Audit Scotland says there is uncertainty about the longer-term financial position of the health service.
Read more at:
https://news.stv.tv/scotland/scotlan...nding-watchdog
Shetland spaceport gains planning approval
Construction of a spaceport in the far north of the UK could finally get under way next month after planning permission was granted. Shetland Islands Council says work to prepare the Saxavord Spaceport can proceed provided Scottish ministers don't call the project in for review. Three rocket pads would be built at the Lamba Ness peninsula in Unst. The hope is the first launch of what's likely to be a meteorological satellite could occur before the year's end.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60561379
Russia bombs Kharkiv's Freedom Square and opera house
Russian missiles and rockets have hit the cultural heart of Ukraine's second largest city in what officials said was a deadly and cruel attack
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60567162
Scotland's NI Contributions and the State Pension
Some Scottish nationalists correctly recognise that an independent Scotland would have to fund its own State Pension ... but then incorrectly claim that Scotland's National Insurance contributions are greater than the spending they fund. The truth is that Scotland accounts for 8.0% of payments into the UK's National Insurance system but receives 8.6% of the spending that system distributes. That translates into a c.£750 million annual benefit to Scotland from pooling and sharing National Insurance contributions with the rest of the UK - a benefit which would be lost were Scotland to separate.
Read more at:
https://chokkablog.blogspot.com/2022...and-state.html
Statement from Governor General Mary Simon in support of Ukraine
Like all Canadians, I have watched the events in Ukraine unfold, wondering exactly how to respond not only to the heartbreaking loss of life, but also to the courage and resilience of those affected by this conflict. Our country has a large Ukrainian-Canadian community of more than a million people, many of them with friends and family fighting in Ukraine to preserve their country’s freedom, democracy and independence. Canadians are worried for their future, for the future of Ukraine.
Read more at:
https://www.gg.ca/en/media/news/2022...upport-ukraine
A paradox and now a pariah but Putin may just have made his greatest mistake
Vladimir Putin has a massive blind spot. He has never understood why he is hated.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/post-a...atest-mistake/
Media
By Hamish MacKay in the Scottish Review
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/HamishMackay606a.html
Dundee's a city of almost perpetual change
By Josh Moir in the Scottish Review
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/JoshMoir606a.html
Global Britain is here - are we ready?
If Brexit was about making Britain less welcoming to people from abroad, the rest of the world didn't get the message. We are seeing unprecedented spikes in non-EU visa applications and we may be moving to an even higher migration economy, with more diversity and more control over skills.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/global-britain-is-al...-ready-for-it/
Scottish firms urged to end all links with Russia
The first minister has sought legal advice on ending public subsidies or seizing assets of anyone in Scotland with close links to the Russian regime. A number of Russian oligarchs own estates in Scotland. Ministers have also urged businesses to stop all trading with Russia.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-60606455
Is Russia’s attack on Ukraine failing?
EIGHT days into the Russian onslaught into the Ukraine and things look like they’re not quite going to Vladimir Putin’s plan.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2022/03/is...raine-failing/
Electric Canadian
My Canadian Experience
October 2021 to February 2022. I did a wee update which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canadandx.htm
Earliest Route of Travel between Canada and Acadia.
Olden-time Celebrities Who Used it. By W. O. Raymond, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S.C. (1921) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...adiatravel.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 27th day of February 2022 - Pre-Lent
By Rev. Nola Crewe
You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...-2022-pre-lent
A List of the Members of the House of Assembly for Upper Canada
From 1792, to the Union in 1841, By Wilfred Campbell, LL.D. (pdf)
You can view this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...tofmembers.pdf
Governor Musgrave and Confederation
By His Honour Judge F. W. Howay (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...r_musgrave.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Hi Everyone. Here, we've had a few days of lovely "California" weather. That's weather that is cool enough for a light jacket and gloriously sunny. Tom says he would love to be on a motorcycle in the mountains. I always say I would love to be in the woods on a horse. Of course, I say that in any weather at all and no matter what I am doing.
I remember once, Jackie and I were riding out in the country near Ocala/Belleview, when one of those instant Florida thunderstorms came upon us. We couldn't decide whether to get off our horses or not. We decided it would kill us anyway to be there if our horses got hit by lightning, so we stayed put. We didn't get under a big tree, and we all survived. Us and my Sweet Thing and Jackie's Pint, were literally all wet, but ok. By the way, Jackie is the only person I have ever known who never, ever had a fall from a horse!
The Wildcat Haven people are frantic as Finlay, the Scottish Wildcat they have been so carefully raising wild, was taken away by the police. The complete story is on the front page of this section. If there is anyone who can help them, please contact them. Anyone who has been following Finlay since almost a year ago will be very upset as am I.
We also learned that Diana Gabaldon has been honored with the 2022 Great Scot award from the National Trust from Scotland! Tom ordered the latest book, Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone, for me as part of Valentine's Day. I am delighted to tell you that although it's been a few years since I read the last of the Outlander books, it has been very much like a family reunion to read about all of the wonderful characters and learn what they are doing now. Congratulations, Diana!
I hope there are many other articles and other information that you will enjoy in this section. As always, it was great fun for me to do.
Tom goes the first of March back to Braselton for the final part of his kidney stone marathon. They will remove the stent and also the Foley catheter very early next Tuesday morning. It's also lovely to report that his pressure ulcer is getting well! We figure in another month or so, he will be released from bed and can resume his normal life. Hurrah is not nearly celebratory enough but will have to do I reckon.
Don't forget to let me know if your email address changes or about your Flowers of the Forest. Please also send me your genealogical queries. FREE.
Oh, Harry (our cat - or, maybe the cat who owns us) wrote the Letter from the Editor this time. Great fun.
Aye,
Beth
You can read this issue: March 2022 Section 1 at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Beth's Video Talks
I missed last weeks talk so have 2 for you this week...
February 23rd 2022 - Potpourri of things that are fun to know or just fun
https://youtu.be/4osfDbtBbIw
March 2nd 2022 - The Erie Canal can lead to your family history
https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Scottish Banner
Got in their March 2022 issue which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...nner/index.htm
Memoir of Rev. Samuel B. McPheeters, D. D.
A Scots-Irish descendant By Rev. John S. Grasty with an Introduction by Rev. Stuart Robinson, D. D. (1871) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...acpheeters.pdf
Life and Letters of John Cairns, D.D., LL.D.
By Alexander R. MacEwen, D.D. (Fourth Edition) (1898) (pdf)
I really enjoyed this book and the description of his early days in the Scottish Borders are wonderful. It really gives an insight into what life was like back in the old days. From 10 of them having to live in a 2 room house and how he continued to study even while doing the work of a shepherd and how they managed to acquire books to read and study. In fact I'd go as far as saying that this is the best book I've read on the social life in Scotland.
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclan...ohn-Cairns.pdf
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Got in their February 2022 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
James Macfarlane
By J. P. Lesley (1885)
The Society has suffered, by the recent death of its member, Mr. James Macfarlane, of Towanda, in Bradford county, Pa., the loss of a man of distinguished abilities and sterling virtue, universally loved, respected and confided in, a practical business man of the first rank, a lawyer of great reputation, especially for his conduct of railway litigation, a judicious geologist especially devoted to the subject of coal, the author of valuable books in extensive circulation, and a citizen of the Commonwealth entrusted at various times with the conduct of public affairs.
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...macfarlane.htm
Story
W. H. Fraser
By reason of the recent death of Professor W. H. Fraser of the University of Toronto, Spanish studies have lost a staunch friend. Professor Fraser was born at Bond Head, Simcoe Co., Ont., in 1853. He prepared for the university at Bradford High School, and then, after several years of teaching in country schools, entered the University of Toronto. He was graduated in 1880 and soon after became master of French and German at Upper Canada College, Toronto. After a year of study passed abroad in 1886, Professor Fraser was appointed head of the department of Italian and Spanish in the University of Toronto. He had nearly completed 30 years of faithful and brilliant service in his alma mater when death called him, December 28, 1916.
Professor Fraser is best known in the United States as one of the authors of several very successful French and German grammars. It will therefore surprise many to learn that he had taught neither of these languages for over 30 years previous to his death. While his name was familiar to all Romance scholars, few in this country knew him intimately. He seldom attended the meetings of the Modern Language Association, and never contributed to technical journals. His interests were broad rather than specialized.
Teachers of Spanish should never forget that Professor Fraser was the first departmental head on this continent to organize a four year course in Spanish. This is the more remarkable because to this day no other Canadian university includes Spanish in its curriculum; the same is true, I believe, of all Canadian high schools. As an administrator his career was one long struggle, characterized by many disappointments, but rewarded with many conspicuous successes. His first task was to engage in newspaper propaganda to gain for his university adequate financial support from unwilling legislatures. Next he embarked in a campaign to secure for the modern languages their rightful place of equality with the traditional classic subjects. To the end of his life he was forced to contend to ensure a dignified status for the two “minor” languages which he professed. Education in Canada is bureaucratic, state-controlled. Admirable as this system is in many respects, it makes very difficult the task of the educational reformer. Entrenched conservatism is buttressed with acts of parliament. Only a popular demand can readily effect a change. Happily there are many signs of such a demand in Canada at present. Canada is experiencing a reflex of the vast interest in things Spanish now felt south of the line. Newspapers and politicians are beginning to clamor for more instruction in Spanish. Teachers’ meetings frequently discuss the question. Everything now indicates that Spanish has a bright future in Canada. It will soon be taught in many secondary schools and then universities can no longer ignore it. The growing importance of Spanish in the mother country, too, works to the same end. (Leeds and the University of London have recently founded chairs of Spanish.) And when this result is brought to pass, no small part of it will be. due to the life work of Professor Fraser. Professor Fraser has many claims to gratitude on the part of modern language teachers. Teachers of Spanish will remember him as the pioneer of the Spanish movement in Canada.
University of Chicago
G. T. Northup
Spanish presence on the land we now call Canada dates back several centuries to the voyages of Basque fishermen to the Atlantic coast, and to Spanish exploration of the Pacific coast (see also Spanish Exploration). Archaeologists have uncovered traces of a 16th century Basque whaling station at Red Bay, Labrador. However, significant Spanish settlement did not occur in Canada until the 20th century. The 2016 census reported 396,460 people of Spanish origin in Canada (70,325 single and 326,130 multiple responses).
Early Exploration
Basque expeditions are recalled in names such as Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Ile aux Basques, a small island in the lower estuary of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec. Numerous Spanish explorations on the Pacific coast between 1542 and 1792 are recalled in names such as Alberni, Laredo Strait, Carmelo Strait, Mazaredo Sound, Mount Bodega, Quadra Rocks and Narvaez Bay (see also Quadra Island). At one time Vancouver Island in British Columbia was called Quadra and Vancouver's Island to commemorate the friendship between the Spanish navigator Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra and English Captain George Vancouver.
Migration and Settlement
Between 1913 and 1914 about 2000 Spaniards arrived in Canada. Between 1920 and 1945, only 408 Spaniards came to Canada. Some Spanish farmers immigrated to Canada in 1957 under an agreement between Canada and Spain. Most immigrants arrived during the 1960s and 70s (16,184 between 1961 and 1989) with approximately 1300 arriving each of the peak years 1966, 1967 and 1968. After 1977, immigration dropped off significantly.
The 2016 census reported that 396,460 people of Spanish origin live in Canada. Most reside in the provinces of Ontario (171,145), Quebec (85,360) and British Columbia (64,475).
Social and Cultural Life
Most Spanish immigrants are formally Roman Catholic, but there is also a very small group of active Protestants. Many Spanish cultural, social and recreational organizations are concentrated in Montreal and Toronto. Very often, they share their activities with other Spanish-speaking groups. Dance groups, especially of the flamenco variety, flourish in several centres.
In the 2016 census, 495,090 people reported Spanish as their mother tongue language (first language learned), representing 1.4 per cent of the total population and 6.4 per cent of immigrant languages spoken as a mother tongue in Canada.
https://youtu.be/utRvpJPsUp8
Experience Immigrating to Canada ~ From Spain
https://youtu.be/tLIyI3lRDlg
END.
That's it for this week. Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
MyHeritage. If you have French roots, you will almost certainly find some family members in this collection. This addition comes alongside the 8 million other historical records we added from France and Norway since the beginning of 2022.
Also they will be running a special offer for uploading DNA kits to MyHeritage. From tomorrow, March 1–8, 2022, people who have taken a DNA test with other services will be able to upload their DNA to MyHeritage and enjoy all our advanced DNA features for free — including Ethnicity Estimates, Chromosome Browser, Theory of Family Relativity, and more. If you tested with another DNA service and haven’t uploaded your DNA to MyHeritage yet, there’s never been a better time! Visit Myheritage.com/dna/upload to get started.
--------
To be transparent about my relationship with MyHeritage whenever you open a free account with them through our MyHeritage search engine on the site Electric Scotland makes $30.00.
-------
Seems Russia is suffering quite a bit through sanctions and people around the world refusing to deal with Russian companies. In the UK port workers are refusing to off load Russian ships. Russia is now banned from the ParaOlympics, the world cup, and other sporting events such as Formula 1 motor racing. I really can't see Putin surviving this war.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Why we've got the Vikings wrong
Politics aside, the basis of Western culture's understanding of the Vikings is predicated on a male-dominated focus on the Viking's Western expansion, and less of a glance East.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/...-vikings-wrong
Scotland's capercaillie could vanish in 30 years
Numbers of the large grouse have declined markedly since the 1970s and there may now be fewer than 1,100 of the birds left.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...lands-60522715
The Calamitous Errors of Germany's Russia Policy
Germany's political approach to Russia lies in ruins and its military is in miserable shape. The Russian invasion of Ukraine promises to change things, but how quickly can Berlin move?
Read more at:
https://www.spiegel.de/international...5-39e5790b29b2
Ukrainians using British weapons to cut Russians off from supplies
THE BRAVE resistance of Ukrainian troops and civilians to the Russian invaders has put paid to Moscow's hope of avoiding a protracted conflict.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...all-putin-plan
Scotland's NHS is not financially sustainable
Audit Scotland says there is uncertainty about the longer-term financial position of the health service.
Read more at:
https://news.stv.tv/scotland/scotlan...nding-watchdog
Shetland spaceport gains planning approval
Construction of a spaceport in the far north of the UK could finally get under way next month after planning permission was granted. Shetland Islands Council says work to prepare the Saxavord Spaceport can proceed provided Scottish ministers don't call the project in for review. Three rocket pads would be built at the Lamba Ness peninsula in Unst. The hope is the first launch of what's likely to be a meteorological satellite could occur before the year's end.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60561379
Russia bombs Kharkiv's Freedom Square and opera house
Russian missiles and rockets have hit the cultural heart of Ukraine's second largest city in what officials said was a deadly and cruel attack
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60567162
Scotland's NI Contributions and the State Pension
Some Scottish nationalists correctly recognise that an independent Scotland would have to fund its own State Pension ... but then incorrectly claim that Scotland's National Insurance contributions are greater than the spending they fund. The truth is that Scotland accounts for 8.0% of payments into the UK's National Insurance system but receives 8.6% of the spending that system distributes. That translates into a c.£750 million annual benefit to Scotland from pooling and sharing National Insurance contributions with the rest of the UK - a benefit which would be lost were Scotland to separate.
Read more at:
https://chokkablog.blogspot.com/2022...and-state.html
Statement from Governor General Mary Simon in support of Ukraine
Like all Canadians, I have watched the events in Ukraine unfold, wondering exactly how to respond not only to the heartbreaking loss of life, but also to the courage and resilience of those affected by this conflict. Our country has a large Ukrainian-Canadian community of more than a million people, many of them with friends and family fighting in Ukraine to preserve their country’s freedom, democracy and independence. Canadians are worried for their future, for the future of Ukraine.
Read more at:
https://www.gg.ca/en/media/news/2022...upport-ukraine
A paradox and now a pariah but Putin may just have made his greatest mistake
Vladimir Putin has a massive blind spot. He has never understood why he is hated.
Read more at:
https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/post-a...atest-mistake/
Media
By Hamish MacKay in the Scottish Review
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/HamishMackay606a.html
Dundee's a city of almost perpetual change
By Josh Moir in the Scottish Review
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/JoshMoir606a.html
Global Britain is here - are we ready?
If Brexit was about making Britain less welcoming to people from abroad, the rest of the world didn't get the message. We are seeing unprecedented spikes in non-EU visa applications and we may be moving to an even higher migration economy, with more diversity and more control over skills.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/global-britain-is-al...-ready-for-it/
Scottish firms urged to end all links with Russia
The first minister has sought legal advice on ending public subsidies or seizing assets of anyone in Scotland with close links to the Russian regime. A number of Russian oligarchs own estates in Scotland. Ministers have also urged businesses to stop all trading with Russia.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-60606455
Is Russia’s attack on Ukraine failing?
EIGHT days into the Russian onslaught into the Ukraine and things look like they’re not quite going to Vladimir Putin’s plan.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2022/03/is...raine-failing/
Electric Canadian
My Canadian Experience
October 2021 to February 2022. I did a wee update which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canadandx.htm
Earliest Route of Travel between Canada and Acadia.
Olden-time Celebrities Who Used it. By W. O. Raymond, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S.C. (1921) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...adiatravel.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 27th day of February 2022 - Pre-Lent
By Rev. Nola Crewe
You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...-2022-pre-lent
A List of the Members of the House of Assembly for Upper Canada
From 1792, to the Union in 1841, By Wilfred Campbell, LL.D. (pdf)
You can view this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...tofmembers.pdf
Governor Musgrave and Confederation
By His Honour Judge F. W. Howay (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...r_musgrave.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Hi Everyone. Here, we've had a few days of lovely "California" weather. That's weather that is cool enough for a light jacket and gloriously sunny. Tom says he would love to be on a motorcycle in the mountains. I always say I would love to be in the woods on a horse. Of course, I say that in any weather at all and no matter what I am doing.
I remember once, Jackie and I were riding out in the country near Ocala/Belleview, when one of those instant Florida thunderstorms came upon us. We couldn't decide whether to get off our horses or not. We decided it would kill us anyway to be there if our horses got hit by lightning, so we stayed put. We didn't get under a big tree, and we all survived. Us and my Sweet Thing and Jackie's Pint, were literally all wet, but ok. By the way, Jackie is the only person I have ever known who never, ever had a fall from a horse!
The Wildcat Haven people are frantic as Finlay, the Scottish Wildcat they have been so carefully raising wild, was taken away by the police. The complete story is on the front page of this section. If there is anyone who can help them, please contact them. Anyone who has been following Finlay since almost a year ago will be very upset as am I.
We also learned that Diana Gabaldon has been honored with the 2022 Great Scot award from the National Trust from Scotland! Tom ordered the latest book, Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone, for me as part of Valentine's Day. I am delighted to tell you that although it's been a few years since I read the last of the Outlander books, it has been very much like a family reunion to read about all of the wonderful characters and learn what they are doing now. Congratulations, Diana!
I hope there are many other articles and other information that you will enjoy in this section. As always, it was great fun for me to do.
Tom goes the first of March back to Braselton for the final part of his kidney stone marathon. They will remove the stent and also the Foley catheter very early next Tuesday morning. It's also lovely to report that his pressure ulcer is getting well! We figure in another month or so, he will be released from bed and can resume his normal life. Hurrah is not nearly celebratory enough but will have to do I reckon.
Don't forget to let me know if your email address changes or about your Flowers of the Forest. Please also send me your genealogical queries. FREE.
Oh, Harry (our cat - or, maybe the cat who owns us) wrote the Letter from the Editor this time. Great fun.
Aye,
Beth
You can read this issue: March 2022 Section 1 at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Beth's Video Talks
I missed last weeks talk so have 2 for you this week...
February 23rd 2022 - Potpourri of things that are fun to know or just fun
https://youtu.be/4osfDbtBbIw
March 2nd 2022 - The Erie Canal can lead to your family history
https://electricscotland.com/bnft
Scottish Banner
Got in their March 2022 issue which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...nner/index.htm
Memoir of Rev. Samuel B. McPheeters, D. D.
A Scots-Irish descendant By Rev. John S. Grasty with an Introduction by Rev. Stuart Robinson, D. D. (1871) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...acpheeters.pdf
Life and Letters of John Cairns, D.D., LL.D.
By Alexander R. MacEwen, D.D. (Fourth Edition) (1898) (pdf)
I really enjoyed this book and the description of his early days in the Scottish Borders are wonderful. It really gives an insight into what life was like back in the old days. From 10 of them having to live in a 2 room house and how he continued to study even while doing the work of a shepherd and how they managed to acquire books to read and study. In fact I'd go as far as saying that this is the best book I've read on the social life in Scotland.
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclan...ohn-Cairns.pdf
Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Got in their February 2022 newsletter which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...olis/index.htm
James Macfarlane
By J. P. Lesley (1885)
The Society has suffered, by the recent death of its member, Mr. James Macfarlane, of Towanda, in Bradford county, Pa., the loss of a man of distinguished abilities and sterling virtue, universally loved, respected and confided in, a practical business man of the first rank, a lawyer of great reputation, especially for his conduct of railway litigation, a judicious geologist especially devoted to the subject of coal, the author of valuable books in extensive circulation, and a citizen of the Commonwealth entrusted at various times with the conduct of public affairs.
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...macfarlane.htm
Story
W. H. Fraser
By reason of the recent death of Professor W. H. Fraser of the University of Toronto, Spanish studies have lost a staunch friend. Professor Fraser was born at Bond Head, Simcoe Co., Ont., in 1853. He prepared for the university at Bradford High School, and then, after several years of teaching in country schools, entered the University of Toronto. He was graduated in 1880 and soon after became master of French and German at Upper Canada College, Toronto. After a year of study passed abroad in 1886, Professor Fraser was appointed head of the department of Italian and Spanish in the University of Toronto. He had nearly completed 30 years of faithful and brilliant service in his alma mater when death called him, December 28, 1916.
Professor Fraser is best known in the United States as one of the authors of several very successful French and German grammars. It will therefore surprise many to learn that he had taught neither of these languages for over 30 years previous to his death. While his name was familiar to all Romance scholars, few in this country knew him intimately. He seldom attended the meetings of the Modern Language Association, and never contributed to technical journals. His interests were broad rather than specialized.
Teachers of Spanish should never forget that Professor Fraser was the first departmental head on this continent to organize a four year course in Spanish. This is the more remarkable because to this day no other Canadian university includes Spanish in its curriculum; the same is true, I believe, of all Canadian high schools. As an administrator his career was one long struggle, characterized by many disappointments, but rewarded with many conspicuous successes. His first task was to engage in newspaper propaganda to gain for his university adequate financial support from unwilling legislatures. Next he embarked in a campaign to secure for the modern languages their rightful place of equality with the traditional classic subjects. To the end of his life he was forced to contend to ensure a dignified status for the two “minor” languages which he professed. Education in Canada is bureaucratic, state-controlled. Admirable as this system is in many respects, it makes very difficult the task of the educational reformer. Entrenched conservatism is buttressed with acts of parliament. Only a popular demand can readily effect a change. Happily there are many signs of such a demand in Canada at present. Canada is experiencing a reflex of the vast interest in things Spanish now felt south of the line. Newspapers and politicians are beginning to clamor for more instruction in Spanish. Teachers’ meetings frequently discuss the question. Everything now indicates that Spanish has a bright future in Canada. It will soon be taught in many secondary schools and then universities can no longer ignore it. The growing importance of Spanish in the mother country, too, works to the same end. (Leeds and the University of London have recently founded chairs of Spanish.) And when this result is brought to pass, no small part of it will be. due to the life work of Professor Fraser. Professor Fraser has many claims to gratitude on the part of modern language teachers. Teachers of Spanish will remember him as the pioneer of the Spanish movement in Canada.
University of Chicago
G. T. Northup
Spanish presence on the land we now call Canada dates back several centuries to the voyages of Basque fishermen to the Atlantic coast, and to Spanish exploration of the Pacific coast (see also Spanish Exploration). Archaeologists have uncovered traces of a 16th century Basque whaling station at Red Bay, Labrador. However, significant Spanish settlement did not occur in Canada until the 20th century. The 2016 census reported 396,460 people of Spanish origin in Canada (70,325 single and 326,130 multiple responses).
Early Exploration
Basque expeditions are recalled in names such as Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Ile aux Basques, a small island in the lower estuary of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec. Numerous Spanish explorations on the Pacific coast between 1542 and 1792 are recalled in names such as Alberni, Laredo Strait, Carmelo Strait, Mazaredo Sound, Mount Bodega, Quadra Rocks and Narvaez Bay (see also Quadra Island). At one time Vancouver Island in British Columbia was called Quadra and Vancouver's Island to commemorate the friendship between the Spanish navigator Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra and English Captain George Vancouver.
Migration and Settlement
Between 1913 and 1914 about 2000 Spaniards arrived in Canada. Between 1920 and 1945, only 408 Spaniards came to Canada. Some Spanish farmers immigrated to Canada in 1957 under an agreement between Canada and Spain. Most immigrants arrived during the 1960s and 70s (16,184 between 1961 and 1989) with approximately 1300 arriving each of the peak years 1966, 1967 and 1968. After 1977, immigration dropped off significantly.
The 2016 census reported that 396,460 people of Spanish origin live in Canada. Most reside in the provinces of Ontario (171,145), Quebec (85,360) and British Columbia (64,475).
Social and Cultural Life
Most Spanish immigrants are formally Roman Catholic, but there is also a very small group of active Protestants. Many Spanish cultural, social and recreational organizations are concentrated in Montreal and Toronto. Very often, they share their activities with other Spanish-speaking groups. Dance groups, especially of the flamenco variety, flourish in several centres.
In the 2016 census, 495,090 people reported Spanish as their mother tongue language (first language learned), representing 1.4 per cent of the total population and 6.4 per cent of immigrant languages spoken as a mother tongue in Canada.
https://youtu.be/utRvpJPsUp8
Experience Immigrating to Canada ~ From Spain
https://youtu.be/tLIyI3lRDlg
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That's it for this week. Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair