Research your Canadian Soldier
If you’d like to learn more about researching Canadian soldiers of the First World War and if you live in the Greater Victoria area you may be interested in two seminars I’m presenting at the Saanich Centennial Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library this November. Both seminars are presented in conjunction with the Saanich Archives.
At 2pm on Wednesday November 2nd I’ll present a 90-minute overview on how you can use a variety of online resources to gain insights into your soldier’s experience. At 10:30am on Wednesday November 23rd I’ll lead a hands-on two-hour workshop where you’ll use a variety of resources and techniques to research soldiers from the Saanich Honour Roll, as featured in the Saanich Remembers WW1 project. These are skills you can later apply to your own research. Both seminars are free however seating for the workshop is very limited and so pre-registration for the November 23rd event is required. For more information please check out the Saanich Library event calendar.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Doing Our Bit 
Steve, I am sorry I missed these. I had them in my calendar for December 7 for some reason. My interest in WW I is trying to find out if my grandfather applied to enter the Canadian army in 1916/17 — our oral history suggested that he did. Not sure if I would have learnt anything at your seminars but I was looking forward to attending nonetheless. I’m a member of the VGS and appreciated your comments at last Wednesday’s Twitter session.
Hi Denis,
I’m sorry you missed the seminars but perhaps the Archives will host another session in the New Year. They were well attended so there is a chance this could happen if the demand is there.
Have you found a Service File for your grandfather? If he enlisted with the CEF his attestation papers will be online and if his surname begins with “A” to “Ma” his service file is online. I didn’t see one for “Protti” but perhaps it is your maternal grandfather you are referring to?
I’m looking forward to the next VGS TweetChat and I also understand that I will be sharing a table with the VGS at the Vimy event taking place at the Bay Street Armouries in April.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Cheers,
Steve