In this two-part series, we will be looking at current research into Irish Canadian immigration, highlighting the period of the Famine and the records you can use to track your Irish immigrant ancestors.
Each session will consist of a presentation and an opportunity to ask questions.
Note: The lectures will be recorded, so that registrants who can’t attend the live presentations may watch at a more convenient time.
Part 1: 20 October, 7:30 pm
The Irish Come to Toronto
An exploration of pre-Famine and Famine Irish migration to Toronto in the 19th century, and a reflection on the records used to track Irish individuals and families. There will be a special emphasis placed on tracking nearly 200 Irish orphans who were placed from the Widows and Orphans Asylum in Toronto in 1847–1848.
Speaker: Mark G McGowan is a Professor of History and Celtic Studies at St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. He is Principal Emeritus of St. Mike’s (2002–11; 2020–22) and the recipient of four university teaching awards. He is the author of many award-winning books and essays on the Irish in Canada and on the history of the Catholic Church.
Part 2: 27 October, 7:30 pm
Transporting Irish Famine Emigrants in the Canadas in the Summer of 1847
Laura Smith and Charmaine Lindsay will give an overview of the Canadian government’s management of destitute emigrants from Ireland during the mid-1840s and particularly in the peak Famine year of 1847. They’ll discuss the findings and progress of the ongoing Tracing Famine Migrants in Ontario project, which is combining a little known group of records known as the Emigration Service Fund, with genealogical and historical research to trace the journeys and ultimate fates of approximately 5000 Irish emigrants who were provided with government transportation into rural townships from Toronto and Cobourg in the summer of 1847. Finally, they’ll discuss ways in which members of Toronto Branch might assist in the next phase of the project which is tracing emigrants treated at Toronto’s Emigrant hospital in the summer of 1847.
Speakers:
Laura J. Smith is a historian of the Irish in Canada. She earned her PhD in history at the University of Toronto. She is a historical consultant for the Canada Ireland Foundation and the lead historian for the Tracing Famine Migrants in Ontario project. Her research interests include Irish Catholic religion and politics in Upper Canada as well as emigrant management in the Canadas during the Irish Potato Famine.
Charmaine Lindsay is a retired librarian/archivist with over 35 years experience in research, public programming, community partnerships and administration of public institutions. She has a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Toronto and a Certificate in Archival Studies from George Brown College. Through her roles as Department Head of the former Canadiana Department of the Toronto Public Library and Supervisor of Reference and Outreach at the City of Toronto Archives, she has gained a particular expertise in Toronto and Ontario local history and genealogy. She is the volunteer co-ordinator of the Tracing Famine Migrants in Ontario project for the Canada Ireland Foundation.