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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Peter Alexander (P.A.) Alex McPhail was born on July 11, 1897 in the RM of Elton. Raised on the family farm in Forrest, MB, he was the eldest son of Archie and Mary McPhail who came to Manitoba from Ontario. Alex took over the farm in 1915, and farmed there until 1949, when he and his family moved to Brandon. During the First World War, Alex was a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He married Effie Irene Weir (1900-1999) in 1933 and together they raised four children: Ronald, Malcolm, Archie and Donna. Effie and Alex were both active members of their community. Alex was especially involved in the agricultural community and won many prizes over the years for his livestock. From 1954-1965, Alex was the General Manager for the Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba and the Manitoba Winter Fair. He also served one term as the president of the Canadian Association of Exhibitions. Additionally, Alex was on the Brandon General Hospital board, the Brandon College board, and was a member of the Kiwanis and Shriners clubs. He was also involved in local sports. Both Alex and Effie McPhail were active members of the United Church. Alex McPhail died on June 28, 1989 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Humesville 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 McPhail about his family history, agriculture, the Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba and the Manitoba Winter Fair. Interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the description for the Effie and Alex McPhail collection at the Daly House Museum. Transcript by Alana Donohoe (2017). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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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
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Ida Beatrice "Bea" Carr (nee Johnson) was born on December 23, 1912 in Brandon, MB. Bea attended school in Brandon, including Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI). She worked at Doig's in downtown Brandon for many years, retiring in 1976. Bea married Thomas George Carr (1905-1992) in 1943. They had no children. Bea was a member of Central United Church and the UCW. She was also a member of the Teck Chapter of the IODEI and loved playing golf and bridge. Beatrice Carr died on November 11, 1995 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 Bea Carr about pioneers, the Power and William Johnson families, and Rhoda Tennant. Interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Carr's obituary. Transcript by Mary Longman (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Betty Margaret Gibson was born on July 14, 1911 in Brandon, MB. She attended primary school in Alexandra and Park schools, and took her teachers education at the Brandon Normal School. She began her teaching career in 1929. Teaching first in Deloraine and Chater, in 1936, Gibson travelled to South Africa to be the headmistress at Kingsmead College, Johannesburg. She returned to Brandon ten years later to take up the post of Principal at Fleming School. During this time she completed a BA from Brandon College (1959). Attaining her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, she taught at the University of Saskatoon and Brandon College/University. At Brandon University she was heavily involved with Indigenous teacher programs, including BUNTEP, PENT and IMPACT. She was briefly the Assistant Superintendent for the Brandon School Division (1967-1968). Gibson was active in the Children's Aid Society, co-created and appeared in a television show called "Common Sense About Reading" (CBC), and was the author of a children's book called "The Story of Little Quack." Gibson received the Centennial Medal in 1967, and the J.M. Brown Award (1974), for contribution to education in Manitoba. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Liberal Laws from BU in 1975, and even in retirement continued to teach education courses at BU and help children with reading disabilities. In 2003, she was inducted into Brandon University's Hall of Fame. Betty Gibson School in the Brandon School Division is named in her honor. Gibson never married. Betty Gibson died on February 23, 2001 in Brandon, 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 Betty Gibson about her teaching career. Interviewer is JE Bateman.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the Manitoba Historical Society, The Brandon Sun and the records. Transcript by Nathan Qumsieh (2014). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy created 2021 (R. Hess)
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A tape log was created by Richard Bee for each of the interviews he conducted as part of the Music and the Brandon community project.
Custodial History
Item was in Richard Bee's possession until he donated it to the McKee Archives in 2015.
Scope and Content
Item is the tape log Richard Bee created for his interview with Bill Turner. The log provides a time breakdown for the interview, along with more details about the subjects discussed.
Repro Restriction
The SJ McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Music and the Brandon community collection and as such is providing access to this item for educational and research purposes only. To publish, copy or otherwise use this item, written permission must be obtained from the SJ McKee Archives. Any issues arising from the use of an item is the responsibility of the persons desiring to use the item, as is the securing of any necessary permissions for use.
Clarence Benjamin Graham? Spurr, was born in on February 13, 1891 in Bancroft, Ontario. Spurr began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1914 as a station agent at Rocanville, SK and spent many years as an agent in various communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba before retiring in 1955. In 1923, he married Elizabeth Wallace Lindsay (1893-1979) and they raised three children, sons Ewart and Delbert and adopted niece Verna Spurr. Clarence and Elizabeth moved to Brandon, MB following his retirement. Spurr joined the Canadian military in 1915, and was initially sent to Camp Hughes. A signaler and runner, he spent 1916-1918 overseas. Clarence Spurr died on December 21, 1982 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 Clarence B.G. Spurr about his experiences during World War I. Spurr discusses and reminisces about details of the Great War and some of the major turning points within it from Vimy Ridge, Lamont, Mons, Neuville-Saint-Vaast and the Armistice that ended the war on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in November from the perspective of a Canadian soldier. Interviewer is Delbert Spurr.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Spurr's obituary. Transcript by Whitney Hodgins (2017). Description by Christy Henry.
Access Restriction
Content Warning: Some of the material discussed in the interview is sensitive in nature, dealing with the war and some of the gruesome acts that go with it. Listener discretion is advised.
Language Note
English
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Clifford McDonald Clarke was born on March 23, 1914 on section 8/12/29, near Elkhorn, MB. He married Margaret Eleanor Hayward (1918-2003) in 1937, and together they had four children: Larry, Donald, Rose Marie and Kaylynn. Cliffe was a farmer for many years (1937-1952) in the Mossgiel area. While in the Mossgiel district, Cliff served on the school board, was active in baseball and hockey, and was a member of the L.O.L. lodge. Cliff moved to Elkhorn in 1951, and in 1968 became the curator for the Elkhorn Automobile Museum. Prior to assuming the role of curator, Cliff was involved with the museum board, working with the first curator, Isaac Clarkson. While living in Elkhorn, Cliff served on the town counil and was chairman of the Elkhorn Centennial Committee in 1970. Clifford McDonald Clarke died on August 17, 1989 in Virden, MB. He is buried at Elkhorn 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 Clifford Clarke about the Elkhorn Automobile Museum and its first curator, Isaac Clarkson. Interviewer is Elmer Armstrong.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records, the Elkhorn local history "Steel and Grass Roots" and Clarke's obituary. Transcript by John Ball (2014). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Related Material
OH151 Clifford Clarke
OH169 Clifford Clarke
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In 2005 the Brandon University Field School was held at the Crepeele site in the Crepeele locale.
Denise Ens instructed the school and James Graham was teaching assistant. Field journals were kept by both instructors.
Scope and Content
Record of excavation methods, items recovered, features, local environment and weather noted by teaching assistant.
Dorothy Irene Broomhall was born on March 28, 1920 in Brandon, MB. She attended Business College and then worked for the Federal Government from 1942-1976, mostly with the Vetran's Land Act. Dorothy never married. Involved with the Girl Guide organization for over 80 years, she also volunteered at Fairview Personal Care Home for more than 30 years, and was very active in her church (St. Mary's Anglican Church and then St. Matthew's Cathedral). In addition to travelling, her hobbies included knitting for family, friends and Christmas Cheer. Dorothy Broomhall died on November 14, 2020 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 Dorothy Broomhall primarily about the history of St. Mary's Anglican Church in Brandon, MB, although some autobiographical topics are covered at the beginning of the interview. Interviewer is Isabelle Heeney.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from Broomhall's obituary. Transcript by John Ball (2014). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Edward Peter "EP" Boyle was born on January 7, 1887 in Watertown, Minnesota. After training as a creamery operator with Hutchinson Produce Company for five years, EP bought the Shellmouth Creamery near Russell, MB in 1913. He married Rose Mary McHale (1887?-1973) in 1915. The couple had six children: Jack, Irene, Winnifred, Robert, Kenneth and Forrest. In 1916, EP his second creamery, the Laurentian Milk Company in Neepawa, MB, which became known as the Neepawa Creamery & Produce Company. In 1933, EP bought another non-functioning plant, Central Creameries of Brandon, which was renovated and successfully managed by his brother Neil Boyle. EP retired in the late 1960s after incorporating his business in 1958. EP was active in the Roman Catholic church in Neepawa, served as president of the local Board of Trade and the Manitoba Diary Association. He was a charter member of both the Neepawa BPOE and the Neepawa Golf Club. Edward Boyle died on February 4, 1990 in Neepawa, MB. 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 Edward Boyle about buttermaking in Neepawa, MB. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and Boyle's obituary. Transcript by Simon Richard (2023). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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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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