Elmer A. Travis was born February 7, 1900 in the Rolla District of North Dakota. His family farmed sixteen miles east of Rolla, North Dakota. In May 1905, his family, which included his parents and seven children, and some friends, decided to move up to Canada as there was no wood source within 25 miles of their homestead. They also desired more range for their cattle. The group settled eighteen miles north of Roblin in the San Clara District, with a single quarter section of land, eventually expanding to five quarter sections of land. Due to their location the family often did their shopping in Togo, Saskatchewan, and shipped their grain from Mycroft, Manitoba. During his youth, he met a local girl named Mary Louise Lafournaise (1900-1993)
Travis married Mary Louise Lafournaise on May 3, 1921 in the San Clara District. After their marriage they settled on their own farm in the district. Elmer served as a blacksmith for the local area while farming, working as a mechanic, selling Rawleigh’s goods, and hauling cream (1939-1940). In 1957, due to Mary’s poor health, they moved to British Columbia for a year, before moving back to Elphinstone, Manitoba. They then moved to Souris in 1963, where they continued to live, except for another year in Creston, British Columbia from 1967-68. Elmer Travis died in 1995 and is buried in Souris-Glenwood.
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 Elmer Travis about homesteading and rural community life. Contents include settlement at Roblin, Manitoba, schooling, farming practices, housing, social life in the area, Mr. Travis’ musical talents, and his marriage to Mary Louise Lafournaise. In addition, there is content on the community working together on building, how to make lime from burning limestone, moving to BC and return to Manitoba, descriptions of the various jobs held by Mr. Travis, the installations of home telephones and hydro in his home district, Roblin hospital in the 1930’s, and his hobbies at the time of the interview in 1981. Interviewer is John E. Forsyth.
Notes
Included on the cassette are several musical recordings done by Mr. Travis. Transcript by Jaclyn Matchullis (2014). Description by Joel Springer (2011) and Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Elmer Howard Peeler was born on March 12, 1907 in Neepawa, MB. Following his mother's death in 1911, he and his sister were taken to family in Ontario. Elmer returned to Manitoba four years later. He attended school at Ospery and Birtle. Aside from a few years in Hamilton, ON (1929-1934), Elmer lived most of his adult life in the Birtle area. Elmer married Daisy Dorothy Hunt (1914-2000) on October 30, 1936 and together they had four children: George, James, Marjorie and Linda. Elmer and Daisy retired from farming in 1970 and in 1982, moved to Souris. Elmer was a member of the United Church and active in farm affairs, the Manitoba Pool and Birtle Co-op. Elmer Peeler died on January 13, 1984 in Souris, MB. He is buried at Birtle 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 Elmer Peeler about his life as a farmer in the early days of Manitoba. Interviewer is Marge Deschambault.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Birtle local history "Passing It On" and Peeler's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Dorothy Jean Armstrong (nee Breakey) was born on May 6, 1923 in Pierson, MB. She lived in Pierson until 1934, when her family moved to Vista. She attended school at Culross and Vista. Dorothy married Hugh Armstrong (1922-2004) on November 11, 1944, after working in Winnipeg Municipal Hospital for two years. The couple had three children: Katherine, Foster and Grant. Dorothy and Hugh lived and farmed on 4-19-21 until October 1991, when Hugh's health necessitated a move to Shoal Lake. When she was not occupied with her family or the farm, Dorothy was active in volunteer work through her church, with the Women's Institute and being a Cub leader. She and Hugh also worked to help organize Vista's Homecoming Day in 1984. In her retirement she wrote and published "The History of The Breakey Family," and spent many hours at the Morley House Personal Care Home supporting friends and family members. Dorothy Armstrong died on November 22, 2014 in Shoal Lake, MB. She is buried at Rossburn Municipal 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 Dorothy Armstrong about migrating from Pierson to Vista, MB in 1934 during the Depression. The interviewer is Cliff Findlay.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Armstrong's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Hugh Armstrong was born on March 16, 1922 at Vista, MB. He attended Perth School before farming at home with his father. He later farmed his grandfather, John D. McKinnon's, land SW 4-19-24. In 1981, the farm received a Century Family Farm Award. Hugh married Dorothy Breakey (1923-2014) in 1944, and together they had three children: Katherine, Foster and Grant. Hugh Armstrong died on April 26, 2004. He is buried at Rossburn Municipal 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 Hugh Armstrong about the history of the Armstrong family. Interviewer is Cliff Findlay.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, as well as Rossburn and district local histories "On the Sunny Slopes of the Riding Mountains" (volumes 1 and 2). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Susan Kent (nee Harvey) was born in 1853 in Strathroy, ON and on March 10, 1881, she married Arthur William Kent (1858-1926). The newlyweds quickly set out for Rapid City, MB, where they lived for a year, before moving to the Kenton district to homestead in 1882. Arthur Kent was considered the founder of the village of Kenton (1901). The couple had no children, but they did adopt a nephew, Arthur Alexander Wallace. Susan Kent died in 1934 and is buried at Greenwood 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 a reading of Mrs. A.W. Kent's diary by Shirley S. Hunt. The entry was written in 1926, and documents Mrs. Kent's early life in Manitoba, 1881-1926.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Kenton local history book "Cradle to combine vol. 2" and Arthur Kent's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Agnes McQuarrie (nee Scott) was born on November 17,1889 at Maple Hill Farm at Oak Lake, MB. She grew up on the farm, receiving her early education at Sandhurt School, later attending Portage Collegiate for one year of Arts, before attending Portage Normal School (1908-1911). Agnes taught at Pleasant Plain School, Routledge and at Oakwood School. In 1917, she married John Beaton "Jack" McQuarrie (1888-1967). After their marriage, Agnes stayed home and took care of the couple's six children: Neil, Murray, Danny, Gwen, Margaret and Jean. Agnes McQuarrie died on May 30, 1990 in Virden, MB. She is buried at Oak Lake 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 Agnes McQuarrie about her life as a pioneer in the Oak Lake district of Manitoba. Interviewer is Wilma Hatch.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Find A Grave website and McQuarrie's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Alexander Hector Black was born on August 31, 1901 in Oak River, MB. Alex lived in the Oak River area his entire life, farming until he retired in 1976. He married Blanche Edith Paddock (1905-1985) on October 14, 1936 and together they had four children: Frank, Margaret, Melvin and Eileen. The couple moved into Oak River in 1976, and Alex remained in the home until 1997. Alex was active in the community as a member of the church board, teasurer of the church, and Sunday School Superintendent. He was also a member of the school board and the Pool Elevator board, as well as a director of the Agricultural Society (1925-198?). Alex Black died on April 1, 1999 in Hamiota, MB. He is buried at Oak River 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 Alex Black about his life from crofter to a modern farmer. Interviewer is Stan Henry.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Black's obituary. Transcript by Rhys Fletcher (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Alice May (nee Heal) was born August 13, 1910 in Strathclair, MB to Charles and Kristina Heal. Alice worked as a secretary and bookkeeper and then as a homemaker. She married Frank May (1901-1985) on November 16, 1932 and together they had two children: Frances and Arthur. The family moved to Strathclair in 1946. Alice May died on August 10, 2006 in Shoal Lake, MB. She is buried at Strathclair Muncipal 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 Alice May about the family history of the Heals. Interviewer is William R. Patterson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and May's obituary. Transcript by Joe Haw (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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William Andrew "Andy" Graham was born on July 29, 1916 in the RM of North Cypress on section 14-10-15. He married Irene Ruth Caughill (1918-1979) on April 17, 1937, and together they had three children: Gwen, Betty and Joan. Andy and Ruth lived first in Carberry and then on NE 23-10-15W; Andy farmed, first in partnership with his father, and then later on his own when his father's health failed. After Ruth died, Andy married Florence (Reynolds) Elmhirst (1911-2000) in 1981. Andy Graham died in 1993.
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 Andy Graham about farm facts in the Linwood district. Interviewer is Charles Turner.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Carberry-North Cypress local history "People of the big plains." Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Annie McLean (nee Hubbard) was born on January 4, 1895 in Dunville, ON. She came to the Virden, MB district with her family in 1896. Annie attended school in Virden and then worked as a telephone operator. In 1913, she married Frederick Middleton McLean (1885-1962) and the couple farmed in the Hargrave district until retiring to Elkhorn in 1957. Together they raised five boys: Lem, Ray, Bud, Dale and Glen. Annie was a member of Hargrave United Church and of Unit S of St. Paul's UCW. Her later years were spent in Virden. Annie McLean died on September 24, 1984 in Virden, MB. She is buried at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
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 Annie McLean about her life story. Interviewer is Rosalyn Sutley.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and McLean's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Anthony Simbalist was born on November 25, 1912 in Czahor, West Ukraine. He immigrated to Canada with his family in June 1921, and they settled in Brandon, MB. Anthony attended Brandon schools and graduated from the Brandon Normal School. He taught school in the Glen Elmo district in Manitoba for three years, but felt his real vocation lay in the priesthood. He entered St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto and was ordained on June 15, 1941 in St. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral in Winnipeg. His first parish was Cudworth, SK (1941-1943), after which he served as Bishops Secretary in Winnipeg for four years. Following that, Fr. Anthony served parishes in Fort William, Prince Albert, Hamilton, where he built a church and school complex, Kenora, Montreal and Thunder Bay. He also served as an Army Chaplain Captain in the reserve forces in Hamilton. On May 15, 1969, he was elevated in rank as Archpriest (Monsignor). Fr. Anthony retired in 1981, and returned to Brandon. The Very Reverend Archpriest Anthony Simbalist died on December 10, 1988 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Brandon Municipal 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 Anthony Simbalist about his life story. Interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Simbalist's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Arthur Galbraith was born on May 20, 1894 in Hartney, MB. He attended school in Hartney and then Agricultural College in Winnipeg from 1915-1917. Art began faming with his father in 1910, and officially took over the farm in 1923. He continued to farm until 1958. Although not a registered veterinarian, Art learned about vet work from Dr. Rud in Hartney, and his services were wideley used in the district. Art married Verna Mabel Glover (1900-1973) on April 9, 1924. Together they raised four children: Robert, Marjorie, Anna and Lorna. On January 20, 1979, Art married Lavinia May Russell (nee Hodgson) (1912-2001). Art served as Reeve of Cameron Municipality from 1946-1975, and was also a member of the Orange Lodge, the Masonic Lodge, the Eastern Star and the United Church. Arthur Galbraith died on March 4, 1993. He is buried at Riverside 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 Arthur Galbraith about his early days in Hartney and district, as well as his experience in veterinary work. Interviewer is Mary Thomas.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Hartney local history books "A Century of Living" and "Community with Spirit, 1982-2002" and Lavinia Russell Gailbraith's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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