Bessie Dawson Simmons (nee Madill) was born on June 18, 1907 in Minto, MB. Bessie taught at Lakelet School from 1926-1929. She married Ernest Simmons (1903-1976) in 1929. The couple had three sons: Bill, Jim and Don. In the early years of their marriage the family lived in Minnedosa, before the Depression prompted a move to Bethany, NW 2-16-17. Bessie was recognized for her musical talent. She played the church organ for 28 years and played the piano for many concerts and gatherings. She was active in the ACW, was a lifetime member of the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association and worked tirelessly for her community. She was also recognized a a resident historian on local history affairs for Bethany and district. Bessie Simmons died on January 31, 1995. She is buried at Boyd Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Bessie Simmons about pioneer settlement in the Murchison district. Interviewer is Mae Johnson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Bethany and District local history "Our story a legacy" and Simmons' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Maude Marie MacDonald (nee Evans) was born on May 23, 1910 in Indian River, Ontario. In 1913, her family moved to Manitoba, settling in the Brookdale area. She attended school in Brookdale and at Brandon College, graduating with a BA in 1930. After graduating from Normal School in Saskatoon, she taught at Justice, Brookdale, Brandon, Kemnay, Ochre River and Carberry, before retiring in 1971. Marie married George MacDonald (1913-1989), who she met while teaching in Ochre River, in June 1937. The couple had three children: Janet, Karen and Donald. In 1951, Marie and George bought Maxhame, a farm near Brookdale. She continued to live on the farm after George died. Marie loved gardening and reading, and in her later years, she enjoyed travelling. Marie MacDonald died on January 25, 1996 in Winnipeg, MB and is buried in Carberry Plains Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Marie MacDonald about education in Manitoba, particularly her experiences as a teacher from 1931-1972. Interviewer is Dorothy P. Martin.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and MacDonald's obituary. Transcript by Victoria Newham (2020). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Education curriculum collection room opening westward off Library Reading Room, Library and Arts Building. L. to R. Ralph Berry, Margaret Ariss and students
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files. Artifact catalogues are PDF files in spreadsheet format. Photographs are in jpeg format.
History / Biographical
During the mid 1990’s to the early 2000’s archaeological surveying and testing took place on Flintstone Hill. In 1997 testing at the site revealed a bison skull eroding from the cutbank. A field crew dug a series of overlapping trenches down the slope of the profile and produced a schematic drawing. A radiocarbon date from the lower edge of the profile gave a date of 10,400 RCY.
Test units along the cutbank recovered lithics, soil samples, fire-cracked rock, charcoal, bison remains including a very large bison skull measuring 430-440 cm and thought to be an ancient species.
Radiocarbon dates at Flintstone hill gave dates of: a hearth dating to 3250+/-70 R.C.Y. (BETA 109529); a butchered atlas bone 4090+/-70 R.C.Y. (BETA 109990); and bone fragments accompanied by Swan River Chert and Knife River Flint lithic flakes 5350+/-50 (BETA 109530). While no diagnostic tools were recovered, these dates suggest that this occupation, which is contemporary with the Atkinson site, may be a Gowen occupation.
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-sub series contains: Summary information of field methology, number and co-ordinates of excavations, personnel and their staff position; Field journals are daily records of recoveries, features and activities at the site; Site records include excavation level and unit summaries, feature sheets, profiles; sample records and maps; Artifact catalogues are lists and identifications of all artifacts recovered; Photographs are of excavation units, features, the landscape and personnel.
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files. Artifact catalogues are PDF files in spreadsheet format. Photographs are in jpeg format.
History / Biographical
In 1998, 1999 and 2000 further testing took place on Flintstone Hill. Five test units were excavated and a series of small exploratory tests took place. Recoveries included: lithics, soil samples, fire-cracked rock, charcoal, and bison bones.
Unfortunately, despite the encouraging radiocarbon dates and scattered recoveries there was no area where extensive excavations were feasible. The unstable nature of the river bank with frequent spring flooding and erosion of the dunes has impacted potential sites.
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-sub series contains: Summary information of field methology, number and co-ordinates of excavations, personnel and their staff position; Field journals are daily records of recoveries, features and activities at the site; Site records include excavation level and unit summaries, feature sheets, profiles; sample records and maps; Artifact catalogues are lists and identifications of all artifacts recovered; Photographs are of excavation units, features, the landscape and personnel.
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files. Artifact catalogues are PDF files in spreadsheet format. Photographs are in jpeg format
History / Biographical
Over a period from 1997 to 2000 over 40 test pits were surveyed and five test units put in. Crew members included: Bev Nicholson, Scott Hamilton, Matt Boyd, Tomasin Playford, Lori Mokelki, T.J Hall, Rea Postoloski, Andy Belcourt, Jace Moon, Michelle Drysdale as well as others.
Photograph given to Fred McGuinness by Helen Turner
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a man - George Porterfield - and woman - Mary Porterfield - posing with a vehicle on a farm property.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Taken in the Summer at one of the neighbour homes George & myself. Note attached to the back of the photograph reads: George & Mary got married on June 6th 1923 and lived on the farm. This is their first car.
Mary Emma McIntosh (nee Graham) was born on April 21, 1906 on 36-12-15 SW. She attended Kennedy district school, Wellwood Consolidated School and Brandon Normal School. A teacher from 1927-1931, she married George Herbert "Herb" McIntosh (1909-1993) on October 4, 1929. They farmed in the Carberry area and together they had five children: Yvonne, Gwen, Linda, Muriel and Ian. Mary and Herb were both community minded. Mary ran for political office, was involved in the Manitoba Farmers Union, serving as Women's president, and sat on the Carberry/North Cypress library board. Mary McIntosh died on March 21, 1990 on the farm in the Harte district.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Mary McIntosh about her earlier life and experiences as a rural teacher. Interviewer is Isla Kennedy.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Carberry local history "People of the Big Plains." Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Mary Milroy (nee?) was born on May 29, 1913 in Camboise, England. Her first husband died in England. Mary married George Smith Milroy (1914-2001) and in 1946, she and her daughter Betty from her first marriage, came to Elkhorn, MB, where George was from. Mary and George had four children together: Margaret, Lillian, George and Cynthia. Mary was a devoted homemaker, who spent some time working as a cook for railway gangs. She enjoyed serving in community and church organizations, including the Legion. Mary Milroy died on November 1, 1995 in Elkhorn, MB. She is buried at Elkhorn Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette recording containing an interview with Mary Milroy about her life in Elkhorn as a warbride from 1946. Interviewer is Rosalyn Sutley
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Milroy's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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