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Jane MacNamara

@wherethestory.bsky.social
174 followers 223 following 94 posts

Family and local history researcher, teacher, author, Toronto. Trying hard to make planet-friendly decisions. wherethestorytakesme.ca

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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Four, count 'em, spaces remaining in this three part course.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Liquid streetcars.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Many of these records are now every-word-searchable. The traditional court-created indexes are still your first stop, but now you can also search for family beneficiaries, neighbours, witnesses and places. Register for the course, and I'll tell you all about it.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I'll be there, with fellow registrants from all across Canada and at least 10 US states. Join us for the live lecture on Zoom if you can, or catch the recording for about a week afterwards.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
The 2026 Toronto History Lecture is Aug 4. The virtual crowd is growing. We're expecting guests from coast-to coast in Canada and 7 US states. You should come, too, to hear Dr. Melanie Knight present: A Grocery Store, a Library, and the Struggle for Space. torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
2026 Toronto History Lecturer, Dr. Melanie Knight, smiling at the camera.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Just a couple of weeks to go before the 2026 Toronto History Lecture. Aug 4, 7:30pm, FREE. Register for your Zoom link: torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront.... Dr. Melanie Knight will tell us about the Home Service Association, a Black community organization in Toronto with roots back to 1918.
Twenty-year-old Oscar Peterson plays an upright piano surrounded by admirers at the Home Service Community Centre, 556 Bathurst Street, March 6, 1946. (Photo by John Boyd. City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail Fonds 1266, Item 102548)
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Wonderful photos--particularly the top left.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Groundhog with a view.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
New DCB biography: Dr. Groves was an innovator and is still a legend in Fergus, Ontario. (And I didn't know about his pet alligator!)
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
No other word has done more damage to the craft of writing in recent years than “content”. Even if you’re using the word “content” ironically, or as a cute little joke, don’t. When someone calls writing “content” they’re pissing on someone’s hard work & passion. “Content” is Technosatan’s henchword.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Still time to register for this unique event tomorrow afternoon in Toronto. A dozen presentations on how including DNA testing in your toolbox can help your research. FREE. And with door prizes!
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
We're on the hunt for someone with a Toronto story to tell. The 2026 Toronto History Lecture will be held via Zoom on August 4—our 15th annual THL. We're open to proposals on any aspect or era of Toronto history. For previous topics and submission details: torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Who knew that skating was such a big deal in 1860s Toronto? Well-padded with winter wool clothing, skates gave you freedom and speed, and a great excuse to help your sweetheart stay upright. Read Bob's post!
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Tonight, March 23, join us via Zoom at 7:30 for our monthly meeting. FREE. Opening act: Toronto's First Post Office Museum's archival and artifact collection with Rebecca Rizzo. Main event: Marian Press on Finding digitized books and documents. torontofamilyhistory.org/march-2026-m...
Head and shoulders photo of speaker
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Archives @torontoarchives.cityof.toronto.ca · 23/03/2026
It's Building Permit Week! #DYK that the fancy design on the edge of old building permit stubs is a security feature called a guilloché? If there were doubts about a permit's authenticity, its torn serrated edge could be compared with the stub in the City's records.
Building permit stub number 3189 from March 23, 1906, giving permission to Mr. J. Hickman to erect an addition to a store at 374 College Street. A red arrow points to the guilloché on the right border of the stub. Series 1186, Subseries 1, File 52.Detail of the first photo, showing the serrated edge of the building permit stub where the building permit was torn away. It has a curlicued pattern that has been torn in half. Series 1186, Subseries 1, File 52.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
NiCHE Canada @nichecanada.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
"The city’s form and function emerged from both the internal dynamics and feedback loops of its population, businesses, and industries, and their reliance on resource hinterlands..." - Andrew Watson niche-canada.org/2026/01/29/f... #envhist #cdnhist #urbanhistory #toronto
niche-canada.org
Feeding, Fuelling, and Building the Foundations of Toronto: Sources for Exploring Historic Urban Metabolism
Using harbour ledgers, the "Assembling a City" project reconstructs Toronto’s nineteenth-century urban metabolism, tracing fruit, coal, and stone flows linking city and hinterlands.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Library and Archives Canada @library-archives.canada.ca · 06/03/2026
Ahead of #IWD2026 on March 8, enjoy this special unboxing as archivist Rebecca Sykes lifts the lid on the Elsie Gregory MacGill fonds, revealing treasures from the personal life and groundbreaking career of this remarkable woman. #NEM2026 www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgYQ...
youtube.com
Unboxing With An Archivist – The Elsie MacGill Fonds
YouTube video by Library and Archives Canada
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Adam Bunch @adambunch.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
A weird walking tour for Friday The Thirteenth! Filled with strange and twisted true tales from the history of Toronto. Pay what you like — just meet outside Old City Hall at 7pm on March 13!
A Twisted Toronto History Tour (for Friday the 13th). Join author Adam Bunch on a tour filled with curses, omens, phantoms and other strange tales. Friday, March 13 at 7pm. Meet outside Old City Hall. (We'll end at Union Station.) Pay what you like.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Colleen Murray @cmgenealogy.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
My blog post about the uptick in Canadian Citizenship record requests, and the changes in the amalgamation plans for some Ontario religious archives #genealogy #familyhistory #CanadianGenealogy www.cmgenealogy.com/post/canadia...
cmgenealogy.com
Canadian Citizenship Requests & Church Archives
Demand for birth registrations and baptism records is increasing, as more people seek Canadian Citizenship. But how easy is it to obtain these records?
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Congrats to @peelarchives.bsky.social for this little book. Interesting format and lots of sources for further research.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Tonight, Feb 23 at 7:30, join us online to hear about Ken McKinlay's Top 10 Tips For Being a Better Researcher. Free. torontofamilyhistory.org/event/top-te...
torontofamilyhistory.org
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Beautiful. The large structure on the far right might be the general hospital?
Photo from a stereoscope slide (Toronto Public Library 2015-2-1-211) by William Notman c1862, showing a 4-storey brick building with three towers. Located on the north side of Gerrard St. East, near River St.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
An index, no matter how remarkable, is just that. Be sure to use the finding aids included as part of the digitized collection, to take you to the actual records at the Archives of Ontario or on FamilySearch.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Toronto Branch funded the digitization of the fiche-based Ontario Land Records Index in 2025. First published in 1979 by Archives of Ontario, now free at @archive.org. More than 28,000 pages that unlock Crown Land records. See the recordings of Jan17 launch: torontofamilyhistory.org/projects/arc...
Part of the landing page for the Ontario Land Records Index collection on archive.org.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Jeremy Hopkin @jeremyhopkin.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
On December 14, 1918, Toronto streetcars finally crossed the Prince Edward Viaduct for the first time, linking Bloor and Danforth across the Don Valley. #OnThisDay #OTD #1910s #bloorviaduct #princeedwardviaduct #streetcar #transit #ttc #donvalley #torontohistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Gillian Moorecroft @gillianrae.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Nice to see my dad and uncle listed on the Hartman Jones school memorial and the Moorecroft boys on the Leslie Street school memorial. Lots of info provided on the site about the schools in question. The Second World War memorials at many schools were illuminated by A J Casson #remembranceweek
My dad's school infoMoorecrofts at LeslievilleDedication of war memorial at Hartman Jones SchoolLeslie Street cadets
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Tonight at 7:30 pm! There's still time to register for our October branch meeting. Come hear Drew Von Hasselbach tell the story of The Dead from Down the Street, with opening act OISE Library's Special Collections. Register for your Zoom link here: torontofamilyhistory.org/event/dead-f...
Victory Bond ad from the First World War showing a solider in a field of poppies
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Fascinating article about looms produced in Scarborough, Ontario, their role WWII veteran rehabilitation, and impact on hand loom weaving in Canada.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Internet Archive Canada 🍁 @internetarchiveca.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Ontario Land Records Index is now digitized and freely available to the public: archive.org/details/onta.... Thanks to the collaboration with the Archives of Ontario, @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social, OurDigitalWorld and CRKN. internetarchivecanada.org/2025/09/24/n...
internetarchivecanada.org
Now Online! Ontario Land Records Index – Internet Archive Canada
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Excellent alt text: dopey windows. More emphasis on the faux boulders, though. A remarkable choice!
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Gil Penalosa @penalosag.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Biidaasige Park!! The new park everyone is talking about!! Fantastic team design, construction, TO's P&R, TRCA, led by amazing Waterfront Toronto. Shannon Baker Project Director does amazing 30 min presentation, from moving Don River, planting thousands of trees... Watch & share: bit.ly/4mSiIYg
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
The two Ontario land record courses this fall organized by @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social are filling fast. Both Sept and Nov series are at about 2/3 capacity. Jump in quick if you want a spot! torontofamilyhistory.org/learn-about-...
Watercolour painting of the farm house and outbuildings of land surveyor Edward Miles, Weston Road, York. Toronto Public Library, Baldwin Collection of Canadiana, via Digital Archive Ontario. Public domain.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Tomorrow, August 14, is the final day to view the recording of the 2025 Toronto History Lecture.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
If you missed the 2025 Toronto History Lecture on Tuesday (or just want to see it again) you're in luck. @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social recorded the lecture and it is available to view until August 14: torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
Night shot of red and yellow streetcar speeding along Dundas Street.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
"Toronto's Changing Street Names" with Wayne Reeves. This Thursday 7:00 pm at TRL www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?E...
Two men fastening street signs to a pole already cluttered with traffic lights and a no-left-turn sign. The signs are for Bay St and Queen St W.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Adam Bunch @adambunch.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
I’ll be at the clubhouse in Riverdale Park until 4pm!
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Toronto has a large streetcar network but did you know other cities in North America also have streetcars? Cincinnati has the Connector, a colourful modern electric system that riders can board for free: www.cincinnati-oh.gov/streetcar/
cincinnati-oh.gov
The Connector
The Cincinnati Bell Connector is an electric mode of transportation operating in its first phase on a 4-mile loop connecting key communities in the city's urban core.
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Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Or visit San Francisco and ride on a historic streetcar on their F Line: www.sftravel.com/article/guid...
sftravel.com
Guide to San Francisco's Historic F Line Streetcar
Hop aboard San Francisco's F Line streetcar and you'll be taken to some of the city's best restaurants, hotels, and attractions.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Join us on Tuesday August 5 at 7:00 pm to learn more about Toronto's iconic streetcars. Pictured here is the classic PCC streetcar that was retired in 1995. The Toronto History Lecture is free for all but you must pre-register. torontofamilyhistory.org/event/the-to...
The classic PCC streetcar pictured on Dundas Street in 1980 in the evening.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Each summer @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social holds a very special event to remember a friend. The 2025 Toronto History Lecture is Tues Aug 5 at 7:00 on Zoom. @briandoucet.bsky.social & Michael Doucet present Toronto's Streetcars: How the past shapes the present torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
Toronto History Lecturers on the Bathurst streetcar with the metal superstructure of a bridge in the background
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Each summer @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social holds a very special event to remember a friend. The 2025 Toronto History Lecture is Tues Aug 5 at 7:00 on Zoom. @briandoucet.bsky.social & Michael Doucet present Toronto's Streetcars: How the past shapes the present torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
Toronto History Lecturers on the Bathurst streetcar with the metal superstructure of a bridge in the background
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon @nhenrydixon.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
On July 9, 1793 the Act to Limit Slavery passed, influenced by the Chloe Cooley incident. Read about it and her life here:
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Internet Archive Canada 🍁 @internetarchiveca.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
🇨🇦 Wishing everyone a Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦! gifcities.org/gram/35d4bc2... Send a Gifgram to a pal - part of the GifCities project at @archive.org 🎆
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
In the summer of 1903, Toronto had a party—a four-day blowout over the Dominion Day holiday—July 1 to 4. More than 4,000 former Torontonians were invited to the Toronto Home Comers' Festival. I wrote a thing. wherethestorytakesme.ca/home-comers-...
Front page of the special Home Comers issue of the Globe newspaper published on 4 July 1903. Images include Toronto City Hall, the Ontario Legislature, and skyline with sailboats racing on the Bay in the foreground.
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Reposted by Jane MacNamara
Toronto Branch, OGS @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Thinking of taking a genealogy research trip? Then you'll want to attend our next in-person only meeting. Join us on June 14 at 1pm at the North York Public Library for Preparing for a Genealogy Holiday. All are welcome but you'll need to register in advance: torontofamilyhistory.org/event/prepar...
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Local robins were pretty happy, too. Worms not so much.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Very interesting tour of items tucked away in the undercroft in the 1930s and where they've ended up.
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Tomorrow evening, May 6, there's an online opportunity to learn about researching your Italian ancestors with @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social and a bunch of friendly Canadians. Don't miss it. torontofamilyhistory.org/event/italia...
torontofamilyhistory.org
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Jane MacNamara @wherethestory.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
NOTE: The deadline for this call for proposals for the 2025 Toronto History Lecture has been extended until May 3. Don't delay!
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Adam Bunch @adambunch.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
I’ll be on Metro Morning at 8:20am tomorrow talking about my Scandalous Tour of Old Toronto. I’m leading it as part of Jane’s Walk (@janeswalk.bsky.social) and it’s totally free! Just meet on Saturday at 3pm at the little clock tower in the Distillery! www.janeswalkfestivalto.com/saturday-may...
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