George Thomas was born on December 24, 1888 in Birmingham, England. George married Beatrice Maud Taylor (1890-1970) on May 12, 1913 in Birmingham, England. The left for Canada a week later and settled in Neepawa where George's sister Alice already lived. In 1917, George started with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) as a Locomotive Foremans Clerk. George retired from the CNR in 1954, and promptly began a successful greenhouse. In his early days in Neepawa, George was Captain of the Neepawa Soccer Team, President of the CNR Recreation Association and also played cricket. He won numerous awards for his flowers in Neepawa, Brandon and Minnedosa, and was a life member of the Neepawa Horticultural Society, which he joined in 1916. He served on the Neepawa Parks Board for eighteen years and was made an Honorary Citizen of the Town of Neepawa in 1973. George and Beatrice had five children: Beatrice, Stanley, Jack, Mary and Roy. George Thomas died in 1985 in Neepawa, MB. He is buried at Neepawa 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 George Thomas about his life, especially his work with the railroad and in horticulture. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Neepawa local history "Heritage," Ancestry.ca and the Billion Graves website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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Tom Mitchell (Thomas Sidney) was born April 23, 1949 in Brandon, MB. He attended Brandon University, graduating with a B.A. in 1970. While an undergraduate Tom played for the Brandon University Bobcat hockey team. Tom obtained an M.A. (history) from the University of Manitoba in 1973, and from 1972-1973, he completed the Education Certification program at the Faculty of Education, Brandon University. During the 1970s, he taught high school in Brandon and at Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI) and Neelin Composite High School. Following one year at Fleming School (grade five), in 1981, Tom became a Study Skills Specialist in Student Services at Brandon University. He served as Dean of Student Services from 1983-1989 and in 1991, he was appointed Registrar. Tom served in this position until 1996. From 1996 - 2011, Tom was University Archivist and taught courses in Canadian history under the auspices of the History Department at BU. Throughout his tenure at Brandon University Tom was engaged in research and publication of historical work dealing with the history of education, labour and the state. In retirement, Tom wrote and produced a series of historical documentaries with funding provided by MTS Stories From Home and continued to be pursue various academic writing projects small and large. He was named University Archivist Emeritus in 2012, and received a lifetime achievement award from Brandon University Senate in 2019. Tom married Bonnie Burns in 1973, and together they had two children, Jennifer and Drew.
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 Tom Mitchell about education in Brandon in the 1880s. Interviewer is Gordon Sefton.
Notes
History/bio information provided by Tom Mitchell. Description by Christy Henry.
Related Material
Tom Mitchell's films (IRBU)
Audio Tracks
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Thomas Henry Seens was born on September 18, 1895 in the RM of Daly. He attended Tarbolton School. Thomas married Annie Mae Wood (1897-1997) on February 26, 1916 and together they had three children: George, Leslie, and Helen. In addition to farming, Thomas served as a councillor of the Rural Municipality of Daly for sixteen years, and its Reeve from 1940-1950. He was elected as a Progressive Conservative to the Manitoba Legislature at the1949 general election but was defeated in 1953. Thomas was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 115. Thomas Seens died on November 26, 1989 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Tarbolton 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 Thomas Seens about family history and his political career. Interviewer is K. Cochrane.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Thomas William Jeffrey was born on October 9, 1919 on 22-10-27 W in the RM of Wallace. He received his education at Boss Hill School. In 1938, he attended the Chicago Vocational Training Corp, graduating as a Diesel Automotive and Aero Engineer. Tom farmed until joining the Army in 1941, but returned to the farm following a medical discharge in 1942. He continued farming with with his father, then his mother, until selling and moving to Virden in 1966. Initially, Tom ran the town grader, but then purchased a gravel truck. In 1975, he purchased Virden Machine Shop, which he operated until the time of his death. He never married. Tom enjoyed going to museums, looking at old machinery and cars, and attending thresermen's reunions. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and for many years looked after the town clock in Virden. Thomas Jeffrey died on October 23, 1996 in Winnipeg, MB. He is buried at Virden 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 Thomas W. Jeffrey about electric power in Virden, Mr. Insul, drought, flood, churches and businesses in Virden, the Grieve family, Charlie Hyde, Johnny Cairns and Ed Newby. Interviewers are Marion Martin and Gladys Bray.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Virden local history "Hometown Virden," the Wallace-Woodworth local history "Binding Our Districts," and Jeffrey's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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Thomas William Jeffrey was born on October 9, 1919 on 22-10-27 W in the RM of Wallace. He received his education at Boss Hill School. In 1938, he attended the Chicago Vocational Training Corp, graduating as a Diesel Automotive and Aero Engineer. Tom farmed until joining the Army in 1941, but returned to the farm following a medical discharge in 1942. He continued farming with with his father, then his mother, until selling and moving to Virden in 1966. Initially, Tom ran the town grader, but then purchased a gravel truck. In 1975, he purchased Virden Machine Shop, which he operated until the time of his death. He never married. Tom enjoyed going to museums, looking at old machinery and cars, and attending thresermen's reunions. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and for many years looked after the town clock in Virden. Thomas Jeffrey died on October 23, 1996 in Winnipeg, MB. He is buried at Virden 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 Thomas W. Jeffrey about the Jeffrey family homestead, farming 1882-1966 and the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Interviewer is Marion Martin.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Virden local history "Hometown Virden," the Wallace-Woodworth local history "Binding Our Districts," and Jeffrey's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Martin Kavanagh was born on December 16, 1895 in Wicklow, Ireland. He immigrated to Canada, to the Roblin area, in the summer of 1923. Having trained as a teacher in London, England, Martin's first teaching post in Manitoba was at Tummel. He next taught at Greenridge, then Treherne and finally in 1929, he joined the staff of Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI). In 1946, Martin published the book "The Assiniboine Basin: A Study of Discovery, Exploration and Settlement." The research for that book, led him to champion the need for a public library in Brandon. In 1967, he published "La Verendrye: His Life and Times." In subsequent years, Martin developed an audio visual version of this work. Martin was awarded the Manitoba Centennial Medal by the Manitoba Historical Society, and in 1984, he was inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt. Martin married Katherine Power (1897-1953), with whom he had two children, Mary and Kevin. He married his second wife, Mary O'Malley (1898-1986), on December 31, 1958. Martin Kavanagh died on June 2, 1987 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Assumption Roman Catholic 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 Martin Kavanagh about his life and writings, as well as the beginnings of the Brandon Public Library. The interviewer is Betty Gibson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Kavanagh's obituary and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Related Material
Martin Kavanagh fonds (10-2004)
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Thomas James (T.J.) Pentland, son of John Pentland and Jane Finnegan, was born January 4, 1858. He died January 8, 1919 in Justice, MB. T.J. married Annie Isabel McVety on July 22, 1885 in High Bluff, MB. Together they had six children: John Alfred (Fred); Henry Herbert McVety (Harry); Annie Ethel; Eliza Evelyn; Thomas Elton Wesley (Wesley); and Mary Agnes Grace Isabel (Gracie).
Annie Isabel McVety was born at Seaforth, ON in 1859 and came to High Bluff, MB with her family in 1882. She died in October of 1938 in Justice, MB.
John Alfred (Fred) Pentland was born on July 5, 1886 in Douglas, MB. He was mortally wounded during the Passchedale campaign - 3rd battle of Ypres. He died on September 13, 1917 at Camiers Hospital, France.
Henry Herbert McVety (Harry) Pentland was born on November 10, 1887 in Douglas, MB. He died on June 26, 1948 in Brandon, MB. Harry married Mary Emma Irene (Irene) Fleming, daughter of John Jr. and Martha McLaughlin Fleming on November 22, 1913 in Brandon. Together they had three children: Harry Clare (Clare); Olive Eunice Irene (Eunice); and Shirley Margaret Marie.
Eliza Evelyn (Evelyn) Pentland was bon February 7, 1892 in Justice, MB. She died on May 28, 1986 in Brandon, MB. Evelyn married Norman Wallace Thompson on July 22, 1914 in Justice, MB. Together they had six children: Norman Cecil; Muriel Isabel; Norma Evelyn Jean; James Alfred; Marguerite Beryl; and Helen Elaine.
No biographical information available for Robert and Harry McVety.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
[no file number] Mortgage papers 1890-1907
10.1 Fred Pentland insurance documents 1912-1916 (includes 1914 mortgage agreement)
10.2 Fred Pentland correspondence 1910-1916 (2 files)
10.3 Fred Pentland postcards 1916
10.4 Harry Pentland correspondence 1916-1918
10.5 Harry McVety correspondence from Wes Pentland 1912
10.6 Evelyn Pentland correspondence 1910
10.7 Robert McVity correspondence 1920 (includes 1921 will)
10.8 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1930-1936
10.9 Thomas (T.J.) Pentland insurance documents 1917
10.10 Thomas (T.J.) Pentland income tax papers 1917
10.11 Thomas (T.J.) Pentland undated correspondence
10.12 Thomas (T.J.) Pentland corresondence 1882-1911
10.13 Annie I. Pentland insurance documents 1917-1937
10.14 Annie I. Pentland undated correspondence
10.15 Annie I. Pentland-McVety estate correspondence 1917-1945
10.16 Annie I. Pentland-McVety estate documents 1922-1931
10.17 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1928-1938 (3 files)
10.18 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1918-1927
10.19 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1917 (2 files)
10.20 Annie I. Pentland correspondence 1908-1916 (2 files)
10.21 Annie I. Pentland income tax forms 1918-1921
10.22 Annie I. Pentland mathematics exam to enter Normal School August 1883
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.