Margaret Menzies was born on July 30th, 1920, at a family farm located in Oakburn, Manitoba. She grew up on the family farm and attended school in both Oakburn and Shoal Lake. She married Donald Menzies on June 4th, 1941. Together they had four children. In 1959, the family moved to Brandon, Manitoba, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Margaret Menzies was a longtime and active member of the International Toastmistress Club (ITC), and was also involved in the Consumers Association of Canada, Seniors for Seniors, as well as being a member of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Central United Church. Menzies did not graduate from high school in her early years, but managed to continue her education and receive a bachelor of arts degree from Brandon University at the age of 70.
Margaret Menzies passed away on June 9th, 2012.
Custodial History
Records in the collection were brought to the S.J McKee Archives on July 13, 2012, by Gerald Brown, on behalf of the family of Margaret Menzies.
Scope and Content
Collection contains of two scrapbooks created by Margaret Menzies. The scrapbooks contain various cards, itinerary's, and other documents associated with Menzies' membership in the International Toastmistress Club. The items in the scrapbooks date from the mid 1980's to the late 1990's.
Also included in the collection are four local history books. The first is a 100 year history of the town of Oakburn, Manitoba, from 1870 to 1970, published during celebrations of Manitoba's centenniary in 1970. Next is a book about the history of the town of Shoal Lake, Manitoba, which was published in 1959 on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the town of Shoal Lake in 1909. The last two books are the first and second volumes of Ripples on the Lake, which cover the history of the Shoal Lake municipality from 1884. The first volume covers the first 100 years of the history of the Shoal Lake region, being published in 1984. The second volume was published in 2007, covering the history of Shoal Lake since 1984, as well as including new information that was not published in the 1984 version of the book.
Finally, the collection contains one photograph of Margaret Menzies receiving her bachelor of arts degree from Peter Hordern, dean of arts of Brandon University.
Notes
Biographical information provided by obituary entry in the Brandon Sun, June 16, 2012. Description by Tyler Warren (October 2012).
See RG 6 Brandon University fonds, Series 7 Faculties and Schools, Sub-series 7.1 Faculty of Arts, Sub sub series 7.1.1 Dean of Arts for biographical information for Michael Blanar.
Custodial History
Collection was in the possession of Dr. Michael Blanar until he donated the records to the S.J. McKee Archives in May 2002.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of textual records and five microfilm reels related to Dr. Blanar’s post-graduate research. It is assumed that the records were collected during the course of Blanar’s research for his dissertation entitled “Early British Travellers in French Canada (1960).”
Textual records include three Dominion of Canada notebooks containing handwritten Saulteaux verbs, and animate nouns. Included is a dark red booklet titled “Ojibwe.” The book contains Ojibwa translations of English words. The book comes from St. Peter Clavers Industrial School in Spanish, Ontario, and may have acted as an instructional book as it also contains French and English. Collection also contains a transcript of an Ojibwa dictionary and three file folders titled “Manuscripts,’ “John Long Research,” and “Maps” which contain additional research material. Contents of “Manuscript” folder are original typed manuscripts. “John Long” and “Maps” file folders contain copies of materials held at Library and Archives Canada, as well as hand drawn documents and hand written documents detailing contents of folders.
In addition to the textual records there are five microfilm reels. Three microfilm cases are labeled “The British Reference Division,” one case labeled “Public Archives Canada, central microfilm operations,” and the last case is from an unidentified source labeled “Longs voyages and travels”. Four of the five microfilm cases are also numbered. The British Reference Division microfilm case numbered “1346 i 43” contains a copy of a book titled “The Cacique of Ontario.” British Reference Division microfilm case numbered “104706640” contains a copy of a book titled “The Four Kings of Canada.” British Reference Division microfilm case numbered “9073279” contains a copy of a book titled “The Indians.” The Public Archives Canada microfilm case numbered “c-3006” contains copies of original documents in French and English. Documents include letters, diary pages, maps, and business ledgers. Microfilm case labeled “Longs voyages and travels” contains a copy of a book written by John Long titled “Voyages and Travels of Indian Interpreter and Trader.”
Notes
Description by Aaron McKay (October 2013). The Ojibwa language dictionary and notebook make references to Fredric Baraga (1797-1868), a missionary priest from Slovenia who recorded the Lake Superior Ojibwa language dialect. Baraga’s findings were published into an Ojibwa language dictionary.
A biography of Olive Agnes Cross Wilkins can be found under the RG 1 Brandon College fonds, BC 9 Clark Hall women’s residence.
Custodial History
Records were accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records collected by Olive Wilkins during her tenure at Brandon College. The ephemra in the collection includes: play programmes; recital programmes; two photo postcards; invitations; dance cards; place cards; and a necklace. Collection also contains the Treasurer’s Book for the Patriotic Committee (Clark Hall Literary Society 1917-1918) and departmental reports for Clark Hall, the Resident Master, the Music, Business, Academic, and Commercial departments.
These items were received from Ms. Cooper’s father C.G. "Kelly" Stone , Class of 1921 and her mother Tena Turnbull, Class of 1921 and her aunts Jane Turnbull, Class of 1916 who later taught at the College and Bessie Turnbull , Class of 1918.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of 5 photographs; an article Campus News 1967 on "In memorium Dr. Jane"; and a photocopy of a letter from the Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir (John Buchan) regarding Jane Turnbull’s book "Essential Traits of French Canadian Literature". A note and xerox copy of a photograph of Ernestine Whiteside March 1914 to Jennie Turnbull.
The photographs include:
1. one b/w photo 8 cm x 6 cm Initiation Brandon College 1916
2. one b/w photo 8 cm x 13.5 cm class of 1921
3. one b/w photo 5 cm x 8 cm Class of ’21
4. one b/w photo 17 cm x 26 cm the College Band 1915-1916
5. one sepia photo 15 cm x 23 cm Class of 1919
Notes
Descpription available on CAIN under Charles G. Stone fonds.
Lawrence Alexander Skeoch was born in 1910. After two years of teaching, he joined the Class of 1932 at Brandon College in 1929. While at Brandon College, Skeoch performed in "Disraeli" and was elected Senior Stick.
Skeoch taught Economics at Queen's University.
Lawrence Skeoch died on April 22, 2001.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of the Brandon College Annual Commencement program 1931, the Brandon College Annual Graduating Banquet program 1931, the Brandon College Annual Graduating Banquet program 1932, the Brandon College Annual Commencement program 1932, Skeoch's placecards from the 1931 and 1932 Graduating Banquets, an invitation to a tea put on by Mrs. Hurd and Mrs. Westcott, Class of 1932 past history booklet (produced by the Brandon University Alumni Association in 1992), The Quill Vol. XXII, Nos. 1-8 and a drawing by Laurie Smith of Lawrence Skeoch in the role of "Disraeli."
Notes
Some editions of the Quill have been moved to RG 6, 14.5.3.1 (BUSU, Publications, The Quill, Editions). Description by Christy Henry.
Storage Location
MG 2 Brandon College Students
2.19 Lawrence Skeoch
Accessioned in 2007 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history unknown.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of the Brandon College Annual Graduating Banquet programs for 1926 and 1927. The 1926 program contains the autographs of the graduating class members. The 1927 program contains a letter to Freeman from Gertrude Godley (Class of 1927).
The collection also includes a Souvenir Class of 1926 book made by Freeman. It contains the College yell; a drawing of the Class of 1926 badge; the Class of 1926 colours, motto and yell; the Class song; Brandon College student and faculty autographs (including Annie Wright, Harris MacNeill and J.R.C. Evans); the Class lit programme; and a list of winter parties. The sourvenir book also contains five black and white photographs: one of Clark Hall and the Original Building, and four of what is probably various Class of 1926 members (one is labelled "Roland Christian"). Finally the book contains Donald Freeman's examination marks in Part 2 Matriculation for Arts from the University of Manitoba (1921).
Margaret Hawley Speers was born on February 18, 1908 in Alexander, MB. She attended Alexander School, Brandon College (Class of 1928), the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Manitoba receiving Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Educaton degrees.
Speers had a lengthy teaching career, first as Principal of schools in Saskatchewan at Ravenscrag and Scotsguard, then in Manitoba at Basswood, Newdale and Miniota. In Winnipeg, she taught at Rupertsland Girls' School, and then in Winnipeg School Distric No. 1 at Cecil Rhodes, River Heights and Kelvin High School.
Following her retirement Speers enjoyed travelling and various forms of volunteer work, including that at the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. She was also a member of St. Andrew's River Heights United Church.
Margaret Hawley Speers died September 26, 2008 at St. Boniface Hosptial.
Custodial History
Items came from the estate of Margaret Hawley Speers. They were donated to the McKee Archives by her cousin David Speers in July 2009.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of a copy of the 1927-1928 Sickle and a photograph of the Brandon College Arts Class of 1928 taken in 1925.
Notes
Description by Christy Henry. History/Bio information taken from Speers' obituary which appeared in the September 29, 2008 edition of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Storage Location
Photograph: Oversize drawer 5
BUPC 9.102
Sickle: RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 14: BUSU
14.5 BUSU publications
14.5.1 The Sickle
14.5.1.2 The Sickle - archival copies
Carole Paintin-Dence was raised in Souris, Manitoba and attended Brandon College in the early 1960s. While at Brandon College she was active in the Glee Club, I.R.C. and French Clubs. She was also Quill reporter for the Music Department.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of a small collection of Brandon College memorabilia and slides. The memorabilia includes programs from various Brandon College Student Association events, Alumni News, and a copy of "The New Brandon College School of Music" by Peggy Sharpe. The slide images include: the opening of the Music Building 1963 (3) - Sir Ernest MacMillan, Lady MacMillan and Lorne Watson; raising the class flag 1964 (2); the JRC Evans Lecture Theatre 1964 (1); Brandon College Original Building 1964 (1); Freshie Parade 1962 (1) - glee club float and 1963 (3) - "wedding of Jack & Jill"; French Immersion class Summer 1964 (4) - Mme Ragot, Neil Forsyth, Henri Francq; party for John 1963 (2) - Ken May, Morlene Sparrow, John Sushelnitsky, Norma Walmsley, Poppy Cumming, Chris Cassels, Pat Brake, Eleanor Riesberry; W.U.S. parties (4) - Joan Garnett, Norma Walmsley, Claude Paintin, Brian Foster, Rae Westcott, Clark Brownlee, Nina Kosakawiecz, Berth Paintin
Collection also includes school texts and pedagogical guides - forty-seven in total - dealing with reading, spelling, social studies and particularly music.
24 cm textual records
ca. 95 photographs
memorabilia
History / Biographical
Margaret (Peggy) Doran was born on May 27, 1919 in Brandon, Manitoba to parents Sol and Margaret (Honan) Roberts. Doran grew up in Brandon and was very active in theatre during her high school and college years. Her first theatrical success came at age 20, when she directed Brandon Little Theatre's production of "Send Her Victorious," which received top honours in the Manitoba Drama Festival.
Following her graduation from Brandon College in 1941, she trained as a nurse at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital during the Second World War and worked at Vancouver General Hospital for almost a year.
On August 25, 1945, Peg married Dennis Roberts, whom she had met in high school. Dennis, a music graduate from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, became interested in psychology after serving overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force, so the couple moved to Toronto so that he could pursue a psychology degree at the University of Toronto. After Dennis graduated in 1950, the family moved to Sudbury, where Dennis and Peg became actively involved with the education and cultural life of the city. Peg was especially involved with the Sudbury Little Theatre Guild (SLTG), which was founded in 1948.
Between 1950 and 1956, Peg directed or acted in five plays. Her directorial works included: Blithe Spirit, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Glass Menagerie and Antigone. Peg was recognized for her directing of Antigone when she won the Edgar Stone Trophy for Directing in the Dominion Drama Festival in 1955. For the 1956-1957 season, Peg assumed the role of President of the SLTG. During this time, she successfully petitioned the Dominion Drama Festival to create a new region and thus in 1957, the Quebec-Ontario Theatre Association (QUONTA) was founded and Peg acted as its first regional chairperson. Peg's further accomplishments included co-founding and serving on the board of directors of the Sudbury Theatre Centre, as well as acting as drama consultant for the Sudbury Secondary School Board.
Peg was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and, shortly after, in 1998, she moved back to Toronto. She died there on April 2, 2003. Peg and Dennis had three children: Judith Marion (b. June 23, 1946), Steven John (b. September 8, 1950), and Patricia May (b. April 5, 1955).
Custodial History
After Peg's death in April 2003, materials in the collection were gathered and donated to the S.J. Mckee Archives by her children Judith, Steven and Patricia Roberts on July 19, 2003.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of textual records, photographs and other material that belonged to Margaret Doran Roberts. The textual materials include various personal letters, yearbooks, newspaper articles, journals, graduation diplomas, playbills and other miscellaneous records. The collection also includes approximately 95 photographs, mostly personal photographs of weddings and family, but also professionally taken group photos of the play casts. Other materials in the collection include various artefacts kept by Peg throughout her life.
Notes
Description and inventory by Ayn Lewandoski (2003).
Storage Location
MG 2 Brandon College students
2.22 Margaret Doran Roberts
Related Material
Additional archival material pertaining to Peg and Dennis Roberts is located in the archives at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.
Arrangement
Inventory of the collection:
Pack of matches from Mona's Dress Shop
Cigar that belonged to Sol Doran
Water colour picture, in frame, of St. Paul's Cathedral by Ev Lindsay Hunt from Brandon (1930s)
Earl Haig Graduation bracelet and Grade IX notebook belonging to Peg Doran
Nursing diploma and various other memorabilia from Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal
Unidentified pictures of war squadron, World War II
RCAF Christmas card from Sergeant William S. Day
Possible home economic project of Peg Doran filled with cake recipes
Photograph: Gordon Savage and Edith Laycock, plus Royal Winnipeg Rifles locket given by Gordon Savage to Peg Doran (with pictures of Gordon and Peg inside)
Francis Bernard Roberts' (Dennis' father) materials: correspondence with Mayo Clinic, photographs and negatives of Indian Chief etc.
Shares belonging to F.B. Roberts
Unidentified photos of children from Brandon (2)
"Willa Cather and the West," essay by Dennis Roberts
Various letters and memborabilia in letter case including:
- personal letters
- Brandon College Annual Arts Banquet programme 1941
- Brandon College Annual Commencement programme 1941
- Brandon College Alumni Dinner program 1941
- Season ticket Manitoba Drama League Provincial Finals Festival 1939
- Manitoba Medical College 4th Annual Ball dance card 1902
- Postcard to Peggy - University of Manitoba Arts Building 1939
- Various report cards from Brandon Collegiate
- Brandon Little Theatre 1936 production "Hay Fever" programme
- Shares from the Brandon Golf and Country Club 1968
- Margaret Doran's United Church of Canada Member's certificate 1933
Blue scribbler from Expression class, filled with various poems, stories, plays etc. belonging to Peg Doran
Miscellaneous newspaper clippings ranging from 1940-1979 (when dated)
Brandon Sun 75th Anniversary edition Saturday January 19, 1957
Sol Doran's daily journal - 1963 (the year of his death)
Picture of Bessie Scott, housekeeper to Sol and Margaret Doran
Wedding photographs, Peg Doran and Dennis Roberts - one in glass frame
"Through the Gateway to Yesteryear" written by Eric Wells and Gordon Tucker and Friends, with inside inscription from Una Johnston
Sheet music (11) of F.B. Roberts, father-in-law of Peg Doran
Sheet music (8) of May Roberts, mother-in-law of Peg Doran
Sheet music (4) of Peg (Doran) Roberts
Unidentified school project, possibly a rough copy of a play, maybe Peg Doran's handwriting
Photo of cast of play "Out to Sea" 1940
Tube containing various graduation diplomas of Dennis Francis Roberts
Peg Doran's graduation diploma, Brandon College 1941; letter and certificate recognizing the change from Brandon College to Brandon University; recognition certificate of attendance to 50th Reunion (1991) as well as photographs from the event attended by Peg and one of her Brandon friends, Jean Downing
Identification bracelet, probably belonging to May Roberts from hospital in London when Dennis Roberts was born
Small glass from Smith Drug Store
Two teaspoons, with initials G.E.B.- George Edward Bennest - uncle of Doh (Doran) Bennest Hammond, lawyer in Winnipeg (Doh's mother, Nell Doran, married Fred Bennest)
Sterling silver child's cup (Peggy) and baby spoon, both belonging to Peg Doran
Various photographs
Dennis Roberts RCAF memorabilia including a hat, epaulettes, brass buttons etc.
Dennis Roberts' Men's Handicap Singles tennis trophy 1932
L.W.G.A. trophy 1933-34, believed to be awarded to Margaret [Mrs. Sol] Doran, an avid golfer
Several pages of photographs of family holidays
- 1958 - to Cornwall, Ontario to look for Doran relatives before St. Lawrence Seaway flooded low-lying graveyards
- 1959 - when family rented a cottage in Clear Lake
Two framed photos of Peg Roberts: as a baby and as a toddler
Wedding announcement of Peg Doran and Dennis Roberts
Dauphin Musical Society photograph 1924
Playbills: Othello (1943); Wonderful Town; and The King & I
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Annual Blue & Gold Football Game program 1959
Play scripts: "Symphony in Illusion;" "Buddy Speaks a Piece;" "At the Photographer's;" and "At the Matinee"
YMCA Winnipeg song sheet
The New Era: 1937 & 1938
The Sickle: 1939, 1940 & 1941
The Quill: Vol. XXIX No. 4 (Oct. 26/38); Vol. XXIX No. 5 (Nov. 4/38); Vol. XXIX No. 6 (Nov. 9/38); Vol. XXXI Nox. 8 (Dec. 12/40)
Georgina Bernice Matiation (Hill) was born in Virden, Manitoba on February 19, 1936, daughter of Gordon and Florence Hill. She received her education at Brandon College (1954-1956). Originally a student in Arts, she graduated from the Teacher Training program in 1956. During her time at Brandon College, Matiation participated in the College Glee Club as well as college track and field meets. She also acted as Junior Ladies Athletic Representative in 1955. In addition, Matiation was was the President of her Normal School class.
Matiation began her teaching career in Hargrave and Melita, before taking a position at Prince Charles School in Portage la Prairie in 1960. She remained at that institution until her retirement in 1991. In addition to her teaching career, Matiation was a past president of the Portage Evening Ladies Curling Club, a past president of the La Prairie Lioness and a leader of CGIT. She was a lifelong member of the Lenore Presbyterian Church.
Georgina Hill married Zane Matiation in 1970. They had no children. Georgina Matiation died on October 28, 1995 in Portage la Prairie at the age of 59 years.
Custodial History
This collection was donated to the McKee Archives by Bessie Marie Hill of Winnipeg on May 1, 1998.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of items collected by Mrs. Matiation (Hill) during her years as a student at Brandon College. The collection contains a scrapbook of photos of students and activities at the College taken from 1954-1956. Fonds includes copies of speeches made by her at various school events, such as her validictorian speech at the Normal School Graduation in 1956. There is also an autograph book with messages to her from friends and classmates. Finally, the collection includes two photographs of students in the 1924-25 Brandon Normal School, and one photograph of the Westminister Presbyterian Church in Brandon.
MG 2 Brandon College Students
2.23 Georgina Matiation (Hill)
The collection is located with MG 2 2.2 Gerald Brown. It was placed there as a result of space issues.