The Westman Oral History collection was a project of the Westman Oral History Association and ran from 1980-84. The Westman Oral History Association was created on August 12, 1980, by a steering committee of the Assiniboine Historical Society. The Oral History Association undertook a project called "Voices of Yesteryear." The project was created in order to record and preserve the lives and experiences of early settlers to the Westman area. Work began in 1981, and included interviews conducted with approximately seventy senior citizens from over twenty communities in western Manitoba. The Association held a training session for committee members on April 11, 1981, where 125 participants learned how to conduct an effective interview and how to operate the recorders used in the interviews. The chairman of the Westman Oral History Association was Effie McPhail, the coordinator was Sally Cunningham, and the secretary was Bob Coates. Some of the interviews recorded were used in the early months of 1982 on a local radio station, CKLQ, as part of a program called "Centennial Memories." The project resulted in the creation of the Westman Oral History Collection.
Custodial History
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
The collection includes the audiotapes used to record the interviews, as well as corresponding files for each interview subject. The files contain facts about the interviewees, including date and place of birth, occupations, and marital status. The files also include a summary of the interview heard on each tape.
The interviews were done with men and women pioneers from the Westman area of Manitoba, and describe the daily lives of common people during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. The topics covered in the interviews include the following: Agriculture, Associations and Clubs, Churches and Church Life, Cultural Events, Early Politics, Education, Health Services, Immigration, Local Businesses, Native-White Relations, Pioneer Settlements, Pioneer Way of Life, Social Life, Sports, Transportation, and War Brides. This collection includes interviews with residents from the following communities: Brandon, Boissevain, Brookdale, Carberry, Deloraine, Douglas, Elkhorn, Erickson, Forrest, Glenboro, Hamiota, Hartney, Justice, Kenton, Killarney, Melita, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Ninette, Oak Lake, Rapid City, Reston, Rivers, Shoal Lake, Sioux Valley Reserve, Souris, Strathclair, Virden, and Wawanesa. The interviews also disclose the unique experiences of pioneer women in rural areas. Many of the interviewees provide brief family histories during their interviews.
Notes
Some of the files include photocopied pictures of the interviewees. Description written by Robyn Mitchell (2001).
Photograph shows a possible CPR train stopped on the tracks at the base of a mountain. Train employees and passengers are posing alongside the train.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Train #1033 "Pacific Express" in Kicking Horse Pass near Golden / Trueman & Caple Photo, Vancouver, BC / Wishing You A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Date obtained from Margery Hadley McDougall, "R.H. Trueman, Artist and Documentarian," BC Studies, No. 52, Winter 1981-82, pp.129-141.
Photograph shows a group of four men standing on a platform at the entrance of the Dominion Express Company. William Frederick McGuinness stands on the left.
Sub-series consists of teaching and related school materials that belonged to Alex MacPhail, Marion MacPhail, Iain MacPhail and John Armstrong. It includes the following sub sub series: (1) Manitoba Correspondence College; (2) Iain MacPhail; (3) Marion MacPhail; and (4) Miscellaneous publications and curriculum materials.
File consists of the English Society constitution, correspondence, applications for BUSU grants, financial information, a tentative schedule of events and a copy of "An English student's survival guide or what you may want to know about BU English courses, but didn't know whom to ask" by John Gilbert.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 14: Brandon University Students Union
14.4 BUSU clubs
Box 1
Dr. MacNeill was the central figure in the scandal involving Brandon College in the early 1920’s. The Fundamentalist Baptists accused Brandon College, and Dr. MacNeill especially, of teaching Modernist views. He was absolved of any charges at the 1924 Baptist Convention in Chicago.
For history/bio information for H.L. MacNeill, see RG 1 Brandon College fonds, BC 6: Office of the college dean.
Scope and Content
File consists of correponsdence to Howard Whidden, President of Brandon College, and various regarding Dr. MacNeill and his teachings (October 1921 - January 1922). It also contains a copy of "An Abstract of the Report of the Brandon College Commission" prepared by Rev. H.H. Bingham regarding Dr. MacNeill and his teachings.
Photograph shows the English Church in Killarney, Manitoba. The entrance to the brick structure is obscured by trees.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: English Church, Killarney, Copyright Canada 1908 by Winnipeg Photo Companty, No. 3. Writing on the back of the postcard reads: Photo Post Card by Winnipeg Photo Co., Napinka, Man. The postcard is addressed to Miss Annie Pope of 638 Pacific Avenue, Brandon. A green one cent King George stamp is postmarked Killarney Manitoba 22 July 1908.
William Joseph English was born on April 9, 1891 in Arthur, ON. He came to Manitoba with his family in 1898 and lived at McConnell for one year. He then moved to Moline where he received his schooling and began farming in 1914. Joe married Julia Isabella "May" Greer (1892-1974) on October 21, 1914. Together they had four biological children: Allen, Elvin, Richard and Ivan. Their adopted daughter Verna Margaret died as an infant. Joe and May moved to Moline in 1947, and then after retiring from farming in 1965, they moved to Rapid City. Joe continued to live in Rapid City until moving to the Minnedosa Personal Care Home in February 1984.
Joe was an avid sportsman, excelling in baseball, track and field. He also enjoyed curling and was a step dancer. He spent 18 years as a councillor for the Saskatchewan Municipality, was a life member of the Rapid City Agricultural Society, served on the Moline Co-op Board, and was Pas Master of Corinthian Masonic Lodge No. 15. He was later affiliated with Prince of Wales Masonic Lodge No. 14 of Minnedosa, receiving his 70-year Bar membership from the Masons in 1984.
Joseph English died on November 29, 1984 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Rapid City 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 W. Joseph English about his memories, including sports, particularly his years in baseball. Interviewers are Gordon Shanks and Elvin English.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and English's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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File consists of application and appointment documents, evaluation documents, retirement documents, various copies of Blanar's curriculum vitae, conduct complaints, sabbatical documents, correpondence and material relating to Blanar's time as Dean of Arts.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series VIII: Faculties and Schools
7.1.1 Dean of Arts
Box 2
