James David McKeand was born on April 11, 1925 on section 22-11-17 in the Douglas district of Manitoba. His early education was at Elton School. His grandfather was Robert McKeand (1848-1910) and his grandmother was Marion Johnstone (1860-1920). His father was David McKeand (1893-1979) and his mother was Mary Ethel Muirhead (1891-1963). David McKeand was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1982.
Jim married Eva Meryl Gillespie (b. 1927) on May 7, 1947 and together they had two dauthers: Elaine and Janet. The couple lived five miles north of Douglas and Jim attended an agricultural course at the Ag Centre in Brandon, graduating with a certificate. A pedigreed seed grower, Jim achieved his 25 year Long Service Certificate from the Canadian Seed Growers' Association. He also grew seed plots for foundation production. Outside of his farm, Jim served on the local school board, was a Manitoba Pool Elevators delegate, served as a director of the Manitoba Agricultural Museum, the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Brandon Consumers Co-operative. He was also active in politics and his church. James McKeand died on January 31, 1987 in Winnipeg, MB. He is buried at Madford 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 James McKeand about the lives of his parents and grandparents. Interviewer is Blair Loree.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and McKeand's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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James Miller Young was born on February 4, 1901 at Eden, MB. Jim married Verna Mary Osborne (1907-1997) on October 27, 1930. Together they had three children: Gerald, Patricia and Marjorie. Jim served as a school trustee for the Eden Consolidated School District and Beautiful Plains School Division for more than 30 years, including 15 years at Board Chairman. Jim retired in 1967, and the couple's retirement years were spent in Neepawa, where they were very active in their community. Jim's service was commemorated by JM Young School in 1970. James Young died in May 1986. He is buried at Neepawa 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 James Young about education in rural Manitoba. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Verna Young's obituatary and the Manitoba Historical Society website entry on James Miller Young. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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James "Jim" Guild was born on December 2, 1905 in Dundee, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada when his father was hired as a farm laborer in 1907. Jim farmed in the RM of Elton, where he ran a hog and cattle operation. He was an avid curler and interested in sports. A member of the Brandon Curling Club and the Forrest Curling Club, he was also a member and president of the Justice Pool Elevator, the Forrest Church Board, and the Elton Seniors Club. Jim was active in the early years of the Forrest 4-H Club, a director of the Brandon Consumers Board and Credit Union Board, the Brandon Consumers Cooperative and the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Bernice Rae Klusedorf was born on February 19, 1909 in Welcome, Minnesota. She moved to Manitoba at the age of 8, when her parents established a farm in the Sinclair district. A graduate of the Brandon General Hosptial (BGH) in 1931, Bernice worked as a nurse until her marriage to Jim on September 21, 1934. The couple had five children: Janice, Elaine, Alan, Murray and Betty. After her marriage, Bernice was dedicated to the farm and her family, while also making her nursing skills available to families in the community. She was active in the nurses' alumni of BGH and represented the Justice chapter of the Women's Institute at meetings throughout southern Manitoba. A member of the Justice and Forrest United Churches, Bernice also enjoyed travelling.
The Guilds retired from farming in the late 1970s. Jim Guild died on May 26, 1982. Three years later, Bernice moved into Brandon where she continued her practice of visiting hospital patients and residents of senior citizens homes. Bernice Guild died on March 18, 1995. They are both 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 James and Bernice Guild about their lives and experiences. The interviewer is Blair Loree.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Jim Guild's and Bernice Guild's obituaries. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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Isabelle Burton Allan was born on May 11, 1902 on section 7-11-18 in the RM of Elton, north of Brandon, MB. Initially a public school teacher who taught in Kemnay, Oak Lake, Starbuck and in Brandon at David Livingstone School, Isabelle stayed home after her marriage to Frederick John Kingsley "Fred" Heeney (1900-2003) on October 21, 1931. The couple had two children: Dennis and Margaret. Following Fred's retirement, the couple moved to Brandon. Isabelle was active in both community and curch organizations, taking a special interest in the 4-H Club and the Daly House Museum. Isabelle Heeney died on June 2, 1996 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Isabelle Heeney about education, 1908-1931. Interviewer is Hazel Patmore.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Heeney's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Frederick John Kingsley "Fred" Heeney was born on August 15, 1900 in Danford Lake, Quebec. The family left Quebec in 1906, and moved to Girvin, SK, then relocated to section 23-11-19 in the RM of Elton. Fred farmed section 29-11-19 at Forrest, MB until retiring in 1965.
Isabelle Burton Allan was born on May 11, 1902 on section 7-11-18 in the RM of Elton, north of Brandon, MB. Initially a public school teacher who taught in Kemnay, Oak Lake, Starbuck and in Brandon at David Livingstone School, Isabelle stayed home after her marriage to Fred Heeney on October 21, 1931. The couple had two children: Dennis and Margaret.
Following Fred's retirement, the couple moved to Brandon. Isabelle was active in both community and curch organizations, taking a special interest in the 4-H Club and the Daly House Museum. Isabelle Heeney died on June 2, 1996 in Brandon, MB. Fred Heeney died on January 19, 2003 in Brandon, MB. They are both 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 Fred and Isabelle Heeney about their lives, before and after their marriage, as well as early agriculture and the North End of Brandon. The interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and their obituaries. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Lillian Velma Mummery was born on November 7, 1901 at Toronto Junction, ON. Her family moved to Brandon shortly after she was born. Attending schools in Brandon, Lillian graduated as a teacher in 1922, and after several years teaching in western Manitoba, she started with the Brandon School Division in 1926. Before her retirement in 1966, Lillian taught at most of the elementary and junior high schools in the city. After her retirement she continued to tutor in Latin and English for many years. Lillian spent time oversears as a member of the Navy Wrens and for a year in England on a teaching exchange. An active member with First Church United, later Central United Church, she also spent considerable time working with St. John Ambulance and travelling. Lillian never married. Lillian Mummery died on August 5, 1994 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Isabelle Burton Heeney (nee Allan) was born on May 11, 1902 on section 7-11-18 in the RM of Elton, north of Brandon, MB. Initially a public school teacher who taught in Kemnay, Oak Lake, Starbuck and in Brandon at David Livingstone School, Isabelle stayed home after her marriage to Fred Heeney on October 21, 1931. The couple had two children: Dennis and Margaret. Following Fred's retirement, the couple moved to Brandon. Isabelle was active in both community and curch organizations, taking a special interest in the 4-H Club and the Daly House Museum. Isabelle Heeney died on June 2, 1996 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
William Gordon Frazer was born on February 14, 1913 in Winnipeg, MB and raised at Beulah, MB. He received degress from the University of Manitoba (BSc 1934, BEd 1935), then taught at Maple Leaf Collegiate from 1935-1939. In 1939, he married Dorothy Jean Gregory (1912-1990) and together they had two children: Donna and Harold. The family moved to Brandon in 1942, where Gordon taught at Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI), serving as Vice-Principal (1959-1960) and Principal (1960-1966). He retired from teaching in 1973 from Harrison High School. Gordon was a Mason, a past president and life member of the Brandon Teachers' Association, and a director of the Westman Retired Educators. He was also an adjutant of the 82nd Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets for twelve years, as well as an active member of Knox United Church, serving as secretary to the Committee of Stewards and as a member of the group responsible for the construction of the new building. For fifteen years Gordon and his wife spent part of their winters in Hawaii. Gordon Frazer died on March 19, 1998 in Brandon, MB. He 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 Lillian Mummery, Isabelle Heeney and Gordon Fraser about the history of Brandon Collegiate Institute, 1908-1974. The interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for the interviewees. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Ermina Olive Shier was born on March 24, 1903 in Crandall, MB. She attended school at Carlingville and then Crandall High School, before obtaining her teacher's training at Brandon Normal School. Ermina spent most of her life in Manitoba classrooms. She taught in Oak River, Roblin, Pipestone, and Belmont before going to Brandon in 1928. In 1943, she joined the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service and was stationed in Halifax and Newfoundland during the remainder of the war. Ermina returned to teaching in Brandon in 1946, and then in 1957, accepted a position on Brooke School Staff, Department of National Defence, at Rivers. She retired from there in 1964, and then spent a year travelling abroad. Upon her return, she settled in Brandon and during the summer enjoyed her cabin at Minnedosa Beach. Ermina belonged to St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Red Cross, was a founding member of the Brandon Business and Professional Club, and also held memberships in the Canadian Club, the Westman Retired Educators' Group and Knox United Church. In retirement, Ermina continued to travel and enjoyed bridge, needlepoint and knitting. She never married. Ermina Shier died on September 19, 1990 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Crandall 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 Ermina Shier about education in rural Manitoba and at Earl Haig School in Brandon, MB. Interviewer is Lillian Mummery.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Crandall local history "The Chronicles of Crandall" and Shier's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Mary Estelle McGregor (nee Spence) was born on December 11, 1900 on the family farm near Waskada, MB. She attended Princess School before attending Winnipeg Normal School. Upon graduation, Stella taught at Bidford, Princess and Mimosa schools, as well as in Waskada. Stella married Norman George McGregor (1898-1991) on December 6, 1927. Together the had four sons, three who lived to adulthood: Leslie, Robert and George. The family farmed in the Waskada area. Estelle McGregor died on September 27, 2003 in Deloraine, MB. She is buried at Waskada 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 Estelle McGregor about her life and history in the Waskada area, 1881-1983. Interviewer is Roberta Poole.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Crandall local history "The Sequel to Waskada Memories" and McGregor's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Esther Elizabeth Short (nee Hyndman) was born on November 15,1887 at Mountain, Dundas County, ON. After teaching for two years, she came to Manitoba to visit her brothers in 1908, subsequently teaching in the McConnell and Upland areas before marrying George Short (1875-1956) in 1911. The couple had four children: Hazel, Clara, Muriel and Lawrence. Esther and George farmed in the Pettapiece district until 1946. They then spent several years in British Columbia before retiring to Rivers in 1951. Esther moved to Brandon in 1975. She was a member of the Zion WMS and Ladies Aid, secretary-treasurer of Birtle Presbytery, a member of Medina School Board, and later belonged to the Rivers WI and Rebeccas. Esther Short died on June 12, 1987 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Pettapiece 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 Esther Short about her early teaching experiences in Ontario and Manitoba, as well as life on an early Manitoba farm. Interviewer is Isabelle Heeney.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Short's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Eva Nelson (nee Harrison) was born on July 5, 1896 in Killarney, MB. Raised in Holmfield, MB where her family owned and operated a mill, Eva married Mark Nelson (1888-1946) on July 4, 1917, in Turtle Mountain. The couple farmed at Dry River, MB and raised three children: Iva, Enid and Merton. Eva Nelson died on August 9, 1989 in Pilot Mound, MB. She 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 an interview with Eva Nelson about Holmfield Village, 1895-1910. Interviewer is Amy Harrison.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Find a Grave website and Nelson's obituary. Transcript by Hayley McCaskill (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Evelina "Sinc" Adams (nee Sinclair) was born on November 22, 1898 at Shoal Lake, MB. She grew up in Rossburn, and then in 1918 moved to Neepawa to train as a registered nurse. She nursed on and off in hospital and care homes until retiring in 1968. Sinc married William R. Adams (1898-1988) on November 29, 1922 and together they raised four children - Florence, Margaret, John and William - on the family farm west of Neepawa. The couple moved into town in 1944, and ceased farming in 1970. Sinc was active in the community as a member of the United Church, a Red Cross supporter, a school trustee and a life time member of the Beautiful Plains Museum and the Porphyria Foundation. She enjoyed curling, golf and family history and was a long time member of the Anemone Rebekah Lodge #23. She was awarded the Decloration of Chivalry, the highest honor a member can receive. Evelina Adams died on December 13, 1990 in Neepawa, MB. She 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 Evelina Adams about nursing as a career. Interviewer is Dorothy P. Martin.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Adams' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Ethel Elizabeth Mary Allen (nee Baker) was born on June 30, 1915 on Springhill Farm in the RM of Rosedale. She attended Springhill School and Neepawa Collegiate. An accomplished pianist, she formed a band with her brothers and together they played many dances. Ethel married William Allen (1902-1964) in June 1938 and together they had one son, Larry. Following the marriage, the couple lived in the residence at Howden elevator where Bill was the elevator agent for the Ogilvie company. Ethel helped Bill with bookkeeping. When Bill died, Ethel moved to Neepawa, where she worked for the Osborone Senior Citizens Home for a number of years. A long time member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Naomi Chapter No. 11, Ethel enjoyed curling, sewing and travel. Ethel Allen died on May 14, 2001 in Neepawa, MB. She 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 Ethel Allen about the history of the Potter-Baker Centennial Farm. Interviewer is Isabelle Heeney.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the local history "The Beautiful Plains Story, 1983-2008." Transcript by Sarah Gerdis-Filipchuk (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Faith Ellen Flay (nee Willis) was born on September 17, 1884 in Little Burn, Devonshire, England. Faith married William Frederick Flay (1877-1965) in Tiverton, Devon on December 26, 1906 and together they had two children: Winnifred Ellen and William George. She immigrated to Canada with her children in 1916 to join her husband who had come to Canada in 1913. The family lived in many communities in southern Manitoba - Deloraine, Clearwater, Whitewater, Boissevain, Hartney and Brandon - where William farmed and worked for the railroad. Faith took her midwife training in Britain and continued to work as a midwife in Manitoba, working closely with Dr. Buchanan (Deloraine) and Dr. Corbett (Crystal City). Faith Flay died on Septebmer 22, 1985 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Faith Flay about pioneering to Canada. Interviewer is Hazel Rose.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Flay's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Faith Ellen Flay (nee Willis) was born on September 17, 1884 in Little Burn, Devonshire, England. Faith married William Frederick Flay (1877-1965) in Tiverton, Devon on December 26, 1906 and together they had two children: Winnifred Ellen and William George. She immigrated to Canada with her children in 1916 to join her husband who had come to Canada in 1913. The family lived in many communities in southern Manitoba - Deloraine, Clearwater, Whitewater, Boissevain, Hartney and Brandon - where William farmed and worked for the railroad. Faith took her midwife training in Britain and continued to work as a midwife in Manitoba, working closely with Dr. Buchanan (Deloraine) and Dr. Corbett (Crystal City). Faith Flay died on Septebmer 22, 1985 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Faith Flay about child labor in England and her career as a midwife. Interviewer is Kay Briggs.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Flay's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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