Absolutely Literate

Anatomy of an Agreement from More than a List of Crew Project
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Investigate two of the most common types of Crew Agreements by means of in-text annotations. They are a Foreign-Going Agreement for a voyage in 1870/1 made by the sailing ship Juno, and a Home-Trade six-month Agreement for the Brio, a steamer in service in 1908.
https://mha.mun.ca/mha/mlc/toolkit/agreements/foreign-going/

Seafaring Ancestors
May 25, 2026 @ 7:30 pm EST
Online webinar
Free. Visitors welcome. Register Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Do you have captains, crew, ship-owners, insurers, bread-makers or pirates in your family tree? You might have an ancestor involved in the shipping industry and not realize it. Learn where to look to discover your seafaring ancestors. This talk provides a basic overview of where to look for seafaring ancestors (not those who were in the navy) tailored for British and Canadian research. https://torontofamilyhistory.org/event/seafaring-ancestors/?instance_id=1652

Where were your family on VE Day?

Is your family history society or organization looking for virtual or in-person presentations for 2026?

The census questions reflect the concerns of the times through the demographics, whether it is to determine housing needs, infrastructure needs, and social change.

The early census only asked names, ages, occupations, and location. some years they asked detailed questions about crops and livestock. Some years they asked about education and health. Every census is a little different and provide an interesting window into the past.

1666 - New France census - the first census in what would become known as Canada
1842 - Questions regarding religion
1901 - Questions regarding year of immigration
1901 - People could record they were divorced
1921 - Amount of insurance held
1931 - Questions around employment (in response to the Depression)

I offer three presentations on the Canadian census to help family historians find their ancestors in these records. Contact me to learn more. https://www.absolutelyliterate.com/presentations.html

My Upcoming Online Presentations in May
I’m looking forward to four upcoming presentations in May

May 3rd
Nova Scotia Genealogy Virtual Conference
A Wolfe in Dewolfe Clothing

May 6th
Maple Ridge Family History Group
Opening Research Avenues

May 9th
Pacific Dogwood Chapter NSDAR
AI: Deciphering the Hype

May 25th
Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Seafaring Ancestors

https://www.absolutelyliterate.com/events.html

14 virtual presentations on Nova Scotia Genealogy via Zoom

45 minute presentations + 10 minute Q&As. Some presentations this year will be 90 minutes.

Sessions recorded and available to registrants for 60 days

Saturday and Sunday, 9:00AM-5:30PM (Atlantic Time)

Presentations from the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia (GANS) and the Genealogical Institute of the Maritimes (GIM)

Brick Wall Buster Session with worked-through examples

The records of the 1926 Census were released on 18 April 2026, exactly one hundred years after the first census of the Irish Free State was conducted.

The records of the 1926 Census were released on 18 April 2026, exactly one hundred years after the first census of the Irish Free State was conducted. This landmark collection is now freely searchable on the National Archives Ireland website: https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-census

Explore the National Library of Ireland's new guide to unlocking your past, and discover what the 1926 Census can reveal for family history research: https://www.nli.ie/news-stories/stories/exploring-family-history-after-1926-census-release

[Image: Family group photograph commissioned by Mr J. Brennan, Broad Street, Waterford, 1926. https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000594021]

AI: Deciphering the Hype
Daily, we are bombarded with marketing about Artificial Intelligence (AI) but what is it and how does it work? How is it different from doing a web search? Is it useful for genealogy or is it just the new toy? What should we be concerned about? How do we use it ethically?

The British Columbia Historical Federation stands with historical societies facing funding cuts.

"As a member of the Canada History Collective, the BCHF is deeply concerned about the challenges being faced by our partners in several provinces. In Alberta, funding reductions are threatening the work of the Historical Society of Alberta and its local chapters—organizations that have preserved archives and community stories for generations. In Nova Scotia, twelve provincial museum sites have been permanently closed, a devastating loss to the communities and volunteers who sustained them."

"These examples reflect a broader national pattern. Across the country, many provinces and territories are scaling back support for museums, archives, and local history projects. Combined with reductions to national programs, these cuts place enormous strain on the volunteers, researchers, and local societies who safeguard Canada’s historical record."

"At a time when resources are shrinking, cooperation and advocacy are more critical than ever. The BCHF continues to stand with our partners across the country, supporting the preservation and sharing of Canada’s diverse histories—work that strengthens communities and connects us all."

Read the BCHF's companion piece on recent national funding cuts and how people can take action.

British Columbia Historical Federation - For the first time, Canada’s historical organizations are speaking with one voice Website of the British Columbia Historical Federation. Join the Federation or renew your membership online in our self-serve portal. Purchase issues of British Columbia History, or buy a subscription.

My friend Annette Fulford is one of the speakers at the Ontario Ancestors - The Ontario Genealogical Society Conference 2026: From Steamships to Microchips. To check it out follow the link: https://ogs.on.ca/virtual-conference-2026-meet-the-speakers/
Early Bird Registration opens on Wednesday!!

SESSION: War Brides: Family Stories of Migration and Belonging