CCGS sadly announces the loss of one of their founding members – Larry served in many capacities, as a Board Member and Newsletter Editor for many years. Condolences are extended to Ruby and family.

Larry Buell Bjarnason passed away quietly at his home in Little Forks on January 27, 2013. Born in Churchbridge, Sask. on January 12, 1937, he was the son of Eric and Mae (Bergren). He married Ruby (Delaney) while serving in the RCAF. He worked at various jobs from coast to coast during their life together. In BC he worked with his family’s logging business; in Ontario with Richmond Hill Hydro and Superior Propane and in Nova Scotia at Michelin and in their blueberry fields. Larry was predeceased by his parents and his brother Ric (Carolyn), Nakusp, BC. He will be missed by his sons Kerry of Little Forks and Layne (Debbie) of Edmonton, AB; four grand children, Erik, Erin, Ryan and Haley; his sister Nola (Doug) in Nakusp BC; special nieces Stephanie and Tirésa and their mom Donna as well as extended family across Canada. Those who knew him were amazed at the wealth of knowledge he retained and, “How do you know that?” was a common question. He was extremely proud to have earned his BA at St. FX at the age of 51. Many thanks to the VON and the Palliative Care staff for all the support as well as all the emergency response people who were so helpful and considerate. Cremation will take place under the direction of Campbell’s Funeral Home, Amherst. At Larry’s request there will be no visitation or funeral service. A family graveside service will be held at a later date. Donations in Larry’s memory may be made to your charity of choice. On-line inquiries and condolences may be made by visiting: www.campbellsamherst.ca

CCGS is pleased to report the 100th birthday of Bill Gilroy, to be celebrated tomorrow in Amherst with an Open House.  Bill was one of Cumberland County’s new movie stars after the filming of his “Down Memory Lane” interview in 2008.  Congratulations to Bill for a wonderful interview, so much so, that he is ranked second on the Top Seller List of CCGS DVDs.

Best wishes for a wonderful birthday celebration.

Congratulations to Jaylene Woodworth of Oxford, Nova Scotia for being the successful applicant of the CCGS 2012 Scholarship for $500.

“Routes to your Roots” will be featured on CTV’s Live at 5 program tomorrow, Thursday, March 8 between 5 and 6 (Atlantic time).  This will cover the Council of Nova Scotia Archives welcome videos project.  A video crew visited heritage sites, including our Genealogy Centre, and interviewed staff or volunteers about their site and the information available there.

Marney Gilroy, volunteer and board member spoke on our behalf.  You can see the video here, or on our Facebook site.  Feel free to leave a comment and click the “Like” button if you have not already done so.

You will also be able to find the item on the CTV News website after it is aired.

More information about the project is available at www.novascotiaroots.com.

The Cumberland County Genealogical Society, formed as a non-profit organization in 2000, is supported by the efforts of our volunteer membership.  One of the goals of the Society is to award scholarships to deserving Cumberland County high school students who will be attending a Maritime university.  This scholarship is made possible from a generous donation from the former Fort Lawrence/Beaubassin Heritage Association.

In connection with these goals, the Board has approved a $500 scholarship to be awarded to Cumberland County graduating high school students who will be full-time students in an accredited Maritime university and with an interest or intent of pursuing a Maritime or Acadian history course of study.

For more information and an application, click here to visit our Scholarship page.

Completed applications must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2012, to enable the Scholarship Committee to complete the selection process by early June.  Applications postmarked after this deadline will not be considered.

We’d like to say a special “thank you” to the Council of Nova Scotia Archives for producing this excellent video about our Genealogy Centre, as part of their Routes To Your Roots program.  More information about the program is available at www.novascotiaroots.com.

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The Cumberland County Genealogy Society (CCGS) was established to provide a forum for those interested in genealogy to share information and to assist in the identification and cataloguing of resource material so that it can be readily available to everyone for both research and education.

As a society we wish to promote many genealogical aspects of Cumberland County for ease of research and convenience for the genealogist, regardless of whether you are a novice or ardent family researcher.

Please bear with us as we progress into the future for the promotion of Cumberland County genealogy and related objectives. If you have something you wish to share, please feel free to contact the appropriate individual in our contact list. If you see something that needs correcting or you can make additional comments please feel free to contact the web coordinator.

This CCGS web site is here for your enjoyment, to help you find your Cumberland County roots, as well as to promote the Cumberland County Genealogical Society as a whole. Our logo, the “Cumberland Tree” shaped by the winds of Fundy, Tantramar and the Northumberland Strait, encircled by the waters of the Bay of Fundy, Minas Basin and Northumberland Strait, give a clear perspective as to the area in which we and our forebears lived. In a larger version of the logo it is clear that the crown of the “Cumberland Tree” is in the shape of Cumberland County, and the trunk has deep intertwined roots, representing pictorially the relationship to most of the Cumberland County families.

Any suggestions that you think may help us to serve you better in regard to making your genealogy experience more fulfilling, graciously accepted. Submit your suggestions to the web coordinator.

Please bookmark this site for further visits and come by often to see how we are progressing. If you have surnames you are interested in, please visit the Surname Registry and view the names in which you have an interest. If you have roots or links to Cumberland County then please submit your surnames to add to our registry.

Thank you for taking the time to visit with the Cumberland County Genealogical Society.