NOTE: This article is not about any of the "normal" topics of this newsletter: genealogy, history, current affairs, DNA, and related topics. However, it is about a method of insuring your online privacy.

You say you don't mind if Google, Facebook, tour internet service provider (ISP), and dozens of other online services spy on everything you do online? If so, you might skip this article.

However, I will suggest that anyone who is concerned about online spying should read this article.

From an article by icon Thomas Claburn published in TheRegister web site:

The Tor Browser, which strives to provide anonymity online rather than the limited data sharing internet companies call "privacy," has reached version 12.5, a milestone that brings usability and accessibility improvements alongside attention to legacy issues.

The name Tor stands for "The Onion Router" and refers to a method of network communication developed back in 2002 that uses encryption and multiple relay nodes in an effort to keep the user anonymous.

"The aim of Tor is to improve your privacy by sending your traffic through a series of proxies," the Tor Project explains on its website. "Your communication is encrypted in multiple layers and routed via multiple hops through the Tor network to the final receiver."

The Tor Browser, based on the Extended Support Release of Mozilla's Firefox, provides a way to connect to the Tor network. It makes an effort to provide – but does not guarantee – anonymity. It does so by: making the user's internet traffic appear to come from a different IP address, thus obscuring the user's location; preventing someone watching your local traffic (e.g. your ISP) from seeing or limiting your website visits; and routing connections through multiple relays.

The Tor Browser and associated onion services are often used by journalists, human rights advocates, and others in adversarial environments where the threat model goes beyond marketers. Criminals may do so too, but as the Tor Project argues, they have better options.

Other browsers also support connection through the Tor network, such as Orbot, Onion Browser and Brave.

You can read more at: https://www.theregister.com/2023/06/25/tor_browser_update_improves_interface/.

The Tor Project (and browser) is available at: https://www.torproject.org/.

The following announcement was written by the H’ART Museum:

Amsterdam’s Hermitage Museum, once the largest satellite of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, will change its name into H’ART Museum. Last Monday, the museum announced that its new identity will come into effect on September 1.

The Centre Pompidou in Paris, London’s British Museum, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. will become H’ART Museum’s new partners and plans for major exhibitions in collaboration with these museums over the coming three years are already underway. Upcoming programs with the new partner institutions may involve art loans as well as various kinds of collaborations with curators and artists.

Logo of the new H’ART Museum

The rebranding and repositioning came more than a year after the Amsterdam museum cut ties with its parent museum in March 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Founded in 2009, the Hermitage Amsterdam was originally established as an independent non-profit but it had “unlimited rights” to borrow works from the Russian collection.

Upcoming highlights include an exhibition in collaboration with the Leiden Collection, in which all seventeen Rembrandts from the privately held collection will be displayed together publicly for the first time. That show will take place in 2025, to celebrate the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam. An exhibition on Kandinsky (organized with Centre Pompidou) is scheduled for 2024 and The British Museum’s exhibition Feminine Powerwill travel to H’ART in 2026.

The following announcement was written by Findmypast:

This week sees an exciting batch of 10,406,256 new records from Britain, North America, and beyond.

Canada Census 1931

Findmypast is delighted to announce the addition of the 1931 Canadian Census this week, with 234,606 images now available to browse. This joins our wide selection of existing census records from across Britain, Ireland, and the Commonwealth, which already includes the 1921 Census of England and Wales, the 1880 US Census and so much more.

This valuable collection is a highly detailed account of the population which was taken on 1 June 1931. At this time, Canada's population stood at 10.3 million. It is the seventh comprehensive census taken in Canada since confederation in 1867 and was recorded in both English and French.

Those with Canadian relatives can expect to learn key information about their households from this census. Each return includes the names of each family member, their address, a description of their home (whether it was owned or rented, the number of rooms, and even whether or not it contained a radio), birth dates and places, nationality and racial origins, languages spoken, education and work information, and religious denomination. 

Details may also include the head of household's annual earnings, whether or not they immigrated to Canada, and when they were naturalised. If a person was unemployed, the return will include information like the length of time out of work and the reason for unemployment.

When exploring these browse-only records, narrow your results down by province, registration district, and sub-district, and you can even input optional keywords.

Challenges and Duels

The new Challenges and Duels set recounts 1,855 honour-based challenges that have been waged and fought throughout history.

This unique collection is taken from the research of Lorenzo Sabine, in particular his book Notes on Duels and Duelling (1855) which recorded almost 2,000 duels and challenges that took place in England, Ireland, the United States, as well some in Scotland and France.

Each entry is fully searchable, by name, place, and year. The details included in these records vary. While some entries include just a name (or two names, of both parties involved), place and date, others are rich in historical context and feature a description of the challenge or duel and its outcome.

New York, St Lukes Evangelical Lutheran Church records

In addition to all-new Canada records, Findmypast also bolstered their US collection this week, adding a total of 45,861 new records, covering 75 years of history within four new sets from St Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manhattan, New York.

This church was founded as a Dutch reformed parish in 1850, before reorganising as Lutheran in 1853. Many of its congregation were European immigrants to the US, and interestingly, lots of these records prior to 1920 were originally recorded in German. 

Baptisms

First up is this new collection of baptisms from St Luke's Church. There are 20,488 records to explore from the period 1850 to 1925, with images and unique transcriptions for each record.

From these records, expect to learn a name, baptism date, and birth date, as well as both parents' names and where they were born. As always, we recommend looking closely at the original records, in case there's any additional information missed in the transcription. 

Confirmations

Findmypast also added 1,065 confirmation records from St Luke's, which document when members of the church professed their faith in a kind of 'affirmation of baptism' ceremony. This new set spans the years 1850 to 1925. From these records, expect to learn a person's name and the date of their confirmation.

Marriages

A brand-new set of marriages from St Luke's, with 16,406 records covering from 1850 to 1925. These records are consistent, meaning you can expect to learn the wife and groom's names and dates of birth and their marriage date with relative certainty.

Deaths and Burials

Lastly, the fourth new set from St Luke's is this collection of death and burial records. There are images and unique transcriptions to explore for 6,947 records, from the period 1853 to 1925.

Taken from the church's death and burial registers, these records will typically tell you the name of the deceased and their death date. Earlier records list the name of the cemetery where they are buried, while later ones contain a cause of death, birth date, and birth location.

Some of the later records also include a note on the last known residence of the deceased, but this can only be spotted by scouring the original image. Review the record itself in each instance, to make sure that you obtain the full value from these records.

Over 50,000 new Irish newspaper pages

Continuing on from last week's theme, Findmypast has added five brand-new Irish titles to our newspaper collection. From Dublin to Wexford, there are so many stories to discover within these 52,710 new pages. 

The first new addition is the Constabulary Gazette, which was the organ of the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C) - Ireland's police force from 1822 to 1922. This newspaper, which was published each Saturday at the price of two pence, first appeared in April 1897. It catered to the 13,000 men that made up Ireland's police force. Each issue consisted of three main sections: 'Our Album', which featured portraits of those in the R.I.C, the 'Editor's Letter Box', which featured letters from the R.I.C's members and a teaching column, intended to educate readers with lessons on grammar, geography, arithmetic, and handwriting. Interestingly, it also contained a 'literary portion', designed to encourage men in the Constabulary to read and engage with literary questions. 

Findmypast also added three new titles from County Wexford this week. Founded by Irish nationalist politicians William Sears and Sir Thomas Esmonde, the Enniscorthy Echo and South Leinster Advertiser reported on local and international news as well as all manner of town proceedings, like the meetings of the Wexford Petty Sessions and the Enniscorthy Town Tenants' Association.

This week's other new County Wexford titles are the Free Press (Wexford) and the Wexford and Kilkenny Express. From the South-West of Ireland, we've also added the bi-weekly Kerry Evening Star. 

Other new titles:

I suspect that all genealogists with Canadian ancestry (that includes me!) will be interested in this offer from MyHeritage that is good for the next few days. The following is from an announcement by MyHeritage:

As Canada Day approaches, we're thrilled to share that MyHeritage is offering free access to all our Canadian records from June 29 to July 2, 2023! Our vast range of Canadian records includes 176 featuring 103,662,055 records, including immigration documents, military records, census data, and more.

This limited-time free access provides an unparalleled opportunity for those with Canadian heritage to explore their roots and learn more about their ancestors.

To take advantage of this offer, go to https://www.myheritage.com/canada-records.

The following is a press release written by Findmypast:

Findmypast and Library and Archives Canada mark new partnership with publication of the historic census records online for the first time

The Census offers an unprecedented glimpse into life during the Great Depression, with stories of over 10 million people ready to explore

Records reveal both the ordinary and extraordinary, including famous Canadians like First Nation activist James Gladstone and first female Senator Cairine Wilson

New partnership will see thousands of Canadian family records regularly published to the site, offering key connective data to build global family trees

Findmypast and Library and Archives Canada (LAC) today announce a new partnership as they bring the long-awaited 1931 Canadian Census to family history researchers around the world.

The 1931 Canadian Census, published initially by LAC on 1 June, is a remarkable snapshot in time, capturing the experiences of millions of individuals and families during one of the most challenging periods in Canadian history. With records containing details that shed light on socio-economic status, education, occupation, and religious affiliations, researchers can delve into the lives of their ancestors and gain a deeper understanding of their experiences during this transformative era.

The new online collection on Findmypast will supplement their comprehensive census data from across the Commonweath and include 234,678 digital images of census returns to browse by district and sub-district, alongside 13,000 Census reports – statistical information published by the government offering insights into the data.

Under this new partnership, Canadian family history records will be published on an ongoing and regular basis to Findmypast. Records will include migration, military, and institutional data that will open up a wealth of opportunities for family history enthusiasts on both sides of the pond. With access to Findmypast, millions of people from Canada and the UK will be able to trace their ancestors with greater ease, bridging the gaps in their family narratives and connecting with their roots.

Jen Baldwin, Research Specialist and North American Content Manager at Findmypast, says:

“We are delighted to mark the start of such an exciting new partnership by publishing this remarkable collection of 1931 Canadian Census records online. The effects of the First World War were being keenly felt during this period, and these stories of upheaval and survival are reflected in these records, just waiting to be explored. We’ve got an exciting upcoming programme of records to publish in partnership with LAC, increasing access to key connective data that will enable everyone to make incredible discoveries and uncover their family's unique stories – no matter which side of the pond they’re on.”

Johanna Smith, Director General, Outreach and Engagement Branch at Library and Archives Canada, says:

“Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to partner with Find My Past! International partnerships like this one helps LAC promote a broader understanding of our collections and expands access for new users. LAC looks forward to building on this relationship.”

Canada during the Great Depression

The 1931 Census of Canada is a detailed population census, taken on June 1, 1931. It includes a national population of 10,376,379 people, captured across 234,678 images. It is the seventh comprehensive decennial census since confederation on July 1, 1867 and was recorded in the two official languages of Canada: English and French. At this time, 4/5ths of the population at the time noted either British or French heritage.

Taken during the Great Depression, this census offers a historical narrative of a country with massive unemployment rates, a lack of goods, failing businesses, and financial desperation. As one of the most profoundly affected countries, Canada would see an unemployment rate of 30% by 1930, which gives insight as to why the government was seeking such detail on job status in 1931. 

The Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) and Western Canada (British Columbia) were hit the hardest, with 2/3 of the population in rural areas relying on relief programs. Population in these areas fell below a natural replacement level and there was higher migration from the southern prairies as a direct result of the Dust Bowl conditions later in the decade.

The 1930s also saw dramatic technological advancements. Radio broadcasting was becoming a primary source of entertainment and information for many households. Radio sets were relatively affordable and accessible, leading to widespread adoption. This is the first census in which the question 'do you have a radio in your house?' was asked of inhabitants, revealing that there were 173,200 radio sets in Canada in 1931 – around 1 for every 60 people.

It was also revealed in people’s occupations; where Canada had been largely agrarian, the financial crash and the rise of technology saw people moving into urban centres and transition from ‘farm hand’ to ‘factory worker’. 

Also impacted by the financial crises was the question of immigration. From 1930-1931, the active government applied severe restrictions to entry into the country. New rules limited British and American subjects with money, certain classes of workers, and immediate families of the Canadian residents. A large number of unemployed immigrants were also deported. 

If you suspect your ancestor was migrating between Great Britain and Canada during this period, it is essential that you confer with records in both countries, as they could have been moving quite rapidly and even frequently. In this instance, any individual found in the 1931 Census as an immigrant to Canada within the past twenty years, from anywhere in the British Isles, should also be sought in the 1921 Census of England and Wales and the 1921 Census of Scotland, along with passenger lists, electoral rolls, and newspapers.

A connected story

Experts from Findmypast have already discovered some amazing stories of both Canada’s famous faces and ordinary people. One story that stood out was of the Hartley family.

On the 10th of June, 1927, the Doric departed Liverpool for Canada. On board were several families identified as part of the “3000 Scheme,” a joint migration plan between the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom, which ultimately facilitated the migration of over 18,000 individuals between 1924 and 1930. 

The Empire Settlement Act of 1922 required that the adult male members of each family acquire “local farm experience” by accepting employment on farms in the vicinity of where they were assigned land before they were able to claim that land. The females of the family were expected to learn “to look after cows and poultry,” to further benefit their own eventual farms. 

The final location of settlement was determined by the government of Canada, but some consideration was taken for the type of farming each family wanted to pursue and their aptitude for the same. 

The average cost to the settling family was anywhere from $4000 – $5000 Canadian dollars, equivalent to approximately £800 to £1000 at the time. If they did not have the cash readily available, loans were an option, to be repaid over a period of 25 years, with 5% interest.

One such family to take advantage of this program was Raymond and Margaret Hartley, and their children, Effie and Muriel. Traveling on the Doric, they had left their home at 105 Shelley Road in Preston, UK, headed for a new opportunity. 

Clearly, their life in England had not been easy. Just six years earlier, in the 1921 Census of England and Wales, they were living in the home of Samuel Hodson and his family, at 111 Shelley Road, as boarders. Raymond was employed as an iron dresser for J Dewhurst & Sons Moor Brook Foundry, but Margaret was an out of work winder. The home they lived in had only 4 rooms, but a total of 7 individuals living there, in two families.

By the time the 1931 Census of Canada was taken, Raymond could boast owning his own home, valued at $500. While they didn’t have a radio, they had added to their family with another daughter, Myra Agnes. They were members of the Church of England and Raymond is classified as a general farmer. They were assigned land near Marquette, Manitoba.

Ancestry has released a new database containing information from the Chinese exclusion era, which banned Chinese people from immigrating to the U.S. and Canada.

The new database: Ancestry digitized half a million records dating back to the mid-1800s, including when former President Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 to suspend Chinese immigration for 10 years and limit the rights of those already in America. 

The database reportedly includes official records, photographs and immigration case files, according to The Washington Post. Users may also find information about family relationships that could help descendants learn about their ancestors’ experiences.

Liu’s history: According to Ancestry president and CEO Deb Liu, her family was among the people who were restricted from entering the U.S. due to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

"My grandparents were not eligible to immigrate to the U.S.,” Liu said. “As an American of Chinese descent, I am grateful for everything America has meant to my family, but I also know that there was a time when we were blocked from building a life here.”

Her parents were able to move to the U.S. after the exclusion acts were revoked in 1943.

You can read more in an article by Michelle De Pacina published in the Yahoo News web site at: https://news.yahoo.com/ancestry-releases-database-containing-historical-201512113.html 

The following announcement was written by the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG):

Twenty-four scholars from across the country will spend three weeks in South Carolina, learning how to teach and tell a more complete picture of American history, thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“Reconstructing the Black Archive,” a summer institute run by Furman University and Clemson University, will send the scholars, most of whom teach undergraduate students, into churches, historical associations, museums and other sources to learn to recover missing, often intentionally buried, histories.

“These are vibrant sources that tell a history lost to many earlier generations. It’s exciting and thrilling to behold,” said Gregg Hecimovich, Furman professor English, who directs the institute with Furman’s Kaniqua Robinson, assistant professor of anthropology, and Clemson’s Susanna Ashton and Rhondda Robinson Thomas, both professors in the Department of English.

The scholars’ itinerary takes them to sources at Clemson University and the city itself, Columbia and Charleston where they’ll learn from a cast of expertsincluding archivists, literary critics, prize-winning authors, poets and historians, people who have forged the tools for reassembling the scattered shards of information that give a fuller picture of the past.

You can read more in an article by Tina Underwood  published in the Furman web site at: https://tinyurl.com/hbxpt2ey.

The Montana Historical Society Photograph Archives staff are wrapping up their largest digitization project to date with the well-known photographs by F. Jay Haynes.

Haynes’ work is one of the foundational collections of the MTHS Photo Archives. Since the early 1980s, more than 6,000 original glass negatives (and associated reference prints) have been available to in-person researchers in Helena. 

“Haynes extensively photographed the development of the Northern Pacific Railroad and Yellowstone National Park from the late 1870s to the 1910s, including notable photography in Montana,” said Jeff Malcomson, MTHS photo archives manager. “The dream of widening the accessibility of these nationally significant photographs has long been a goal of the MTHS’s photo archivists. A grant from the Montana Legislature in 2021 through the Cultural and Aesthetic Project Grants Program helped transform this goal into a full-fledged digitization project.”

Haynes established himself in the photography business doing contract work for the Northern Pacific in the late 1870s as the railroad built across Dakota Territory. His work with the NP took him across the northern tier of the U.S. West through Montana. Haynes’ railroad photography is vital historical evidence of the effects of a major transcontinental railroad on several regions of the country, especially Montana.

However, Haynes is best known for his work in Yellowstone National Park, which he first visited in 1881. 

You can read the full story in the Montana State Government web site at: https://news.mt.gov/Montana-Historical-Society/Digitized-Haynes-Photographs-Provide-World-Wide-Access. 

For John Chewey, the sounds of the Cherokee language are the sounds of home. Growing up in Oklahoma as a member of the United Kheetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, everyone in his household of 10 spoke the language. But Chewey knows that’s not the norm for most members of the Cherokee Nation.

With only about 2,000 native Cherokee speakers, many of whom are in their 70s or older, Cherokee, like many indigenous languages, is in danger. But members of the UKB, in collaboration with Northeastern University, are fighting to make sure their language persists for generations to come.

Housed at Northeastern, Cherokees Writing the Keetoowah Way, a potentially life-changing digital resource, aims to help ensure the Cherokee language persists. CWKW, a product of Northeastern’s Digital Archive of American Indian Languages Preservation and Perseverance, brings to life historic Cherokee documents––from prison letters to myths––by translating them into English and integrating them into Cherokee language lessons that can be used by speakers of any skill level.

You can read more about this interesting project in an article by Cody Mello-Klein published in the  Northeastern web site at: https://news.northeastern.edu/2023/06/27/cherokee-language-lessons-translations/.