During the Great Depression, Fred McGuinness launched his career with the Brandon Sun as a paper career beginning in 1933. His route had him delivering papers in Brandon’s downtown core, to many of the city’s, now, historic or demolished buildings. Four years later he was employed in the city working for CPR telegraphs as a messenger and then as an operator. These early Brandon experiences weaved their way into McGuinness’ newspaper columns, his broadcasts, and his books. In turn, McGuinness’ readers shared with him their own memories about Brandon and its local history.
McGuinness was passionate about the social history of regional communities and the province as a whole. In the 1970s, McGuinness was instrumental in helping to establish the Rural Resource Centre, the predecessor to Brandon University’s SJ McKee Archives. He co-authored several monographs about Manitoba’s social history with Brandon University Professor Ken Coates and published a pictorial history about Brandon. He was also a community booster and was consulted to serve on, promote and write about local, provincial and rural development initiatives. In his obituary, the last piece he would publish in the Brandon Sun, McGuinness wrote that he had a “deep and continuing interest in anniversaries.”
In its editorial piece on the passing of Fred McGuinness, the Brandon Sun commented that McGuinness had a “genuine interest in the stories and memories that are part of every Canadian’s experience…He loved driving through small Westman towns and communities, stopping at the local coffee shop to strike up conversations with the locals.” He continued writing his Diary column for the Brandon Sun and mentoring aspiring writers in his memoir writing workshops until his death in 2011.
Custodial History
Accession 1-2015 contains records created and collected over the course of McGuinness’ career as a newspaper journalist and freelance writer. The Estate of Fred McGuinness donated the materials to the SJ McKee Archives circa 2011. The Archives accessioned the records in 2015.
Scope and Content
The subseries consists of records created and collected by Fred McGuinness during his time as a journalist, editor, and freelance writer. As part of his research and writing process, McGuinness kept numerous files on various subjects and continued to add to them throughout his career. He accumulated his local history materials by personally collecting newspapers and clippings, books, and magazine articles; by readers’ forwarding materials for his interest; and from workshop participants submitting memoirs and personal narratives for his interest, review and feedback.
Local history materials consist of newspaper clippings, correspondence, biographical documents and memoirs, obituaries, and manuscript drafts on Brandon (Manitoba) topics including:
the City of Brandon’s origins, anniversaries (75th, centennial), reunions (Victoria 1969, Toronto 1977)
historic buildings and streets (Brandon’s Central Heating System, Brandon’s Fire Department, Brandon Gun ClubBrandon water power plant)
businesses (Assiniboine River ice harvest; Brandon woolen mills, skating arenas; Snellie brothers (Russell, MB); Meighen, Haddad, & Co., Prince Edward Hotel)
citizens and early pioneer/families (Armitage family, Beaubier family, Thomas Black, J.A. Brock, Henry Carroll, Q.C., Chalmer-Harden families, Clement family, Flora Cowan, Eliza Durston, William A. Elliott, Dr. Fleming, Hall family, Eleanor Kidd, Jack Lane, William Langdon, Lindenberg family, A.E. McKenzie, Margaret Muir, William Muir, W.S. Orchard, Mrs. Osmond (Griswold), General Thomas Lafayette Rosser, Harry Spafford, Allena Strath, George Treherne, Wallace family)
institutions (ACC, Brandon Research Station)
military units (181st Battalion)
museums (Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum)
local newspapers
politicians (R.O. Lissaman, Sir Clifford Sifton)
railways (1916 Brandon trainwreck)
religious organizations (Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus, Beresford Church)
McGuinness also maintain files on the local history of surrounding communities, including: Birtle, Beresford, Camp Hughes, Hartney, Kemnay, Russell, and Souris.
Notes
Information in the history/biography was taken from “We’re Going to Miss You, Fred,” Brandon Sun, March 24, 2011, A8
Items dating to the 1880s are photocopies and transcripts of original materials
In the file level inventories, square brackets at end of file names reference the original location of the file in the unprocessed Fred McGuinness collection. The original location is also noted on the front of each file folder
Accruals
Closed
Finding Aid
A file level inventory is available
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Related Material
John Everitt collection
Clarence Hopkin collection
Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba fonds
Lawrence Stuckey collection
Jack Stothard collection
William Wallace papers
Fred McGuinness would write/publish about a topic in a number of forums. Therefore, it is possible work and correspondence pertaining to his research materials may be found in the Fred McGuinness collection Monograph series (McG 5) and subseries: Correspondence (McG 1.2), Brandon Sun (McG 2.2), Neighborly News (McG 2.3), Miscellaneous freelance (McG 3.2), Talks and workshops (McG 6.3). McGuinness also “filed” many clippings between the pages of his books in his personal library (see McG 8 Library series)
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives. Subseries has been re-arranged according to publication period
File consists of mintues and related documents for (Manitoba) Intercultural Committee of Cabinet and Manitoba Intercultural Council (MIC) Executive Committee meetings. Topics include: ESL; affirmative action; access to health and social services by new immigrants/refugees; heritage languages/multicultural education; media and communications and multiculturalism; immigration levels/settlement.
Storage Location
MG 3 Brandon University Teaching and Administration
MG 3 1.19 May Yoh
MPE Holland Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1927 - 1967 Petition, 1927 Certificate of incorporation, 1927 Memorandum of Association, 1927 Minutes of the Provisional Directors' meeting, 26 May 1927 Minutes of the Permanent Directors' meeting, 26 May 1927 Minutes of the Shareholders' meeting, 26 May 1927 First elevator lease, 1 August 1927 Letter, 30 January 1930 By-law authorizing new lease, 30 January 1930 Lease for new elevator, 30 January 1930 Letter, 14 July 1931 Application for share, 24 July 1931 Shareholder's meeting, 24 July 1931 Draft Director's minutes, 24 July 1931 By-law nos. 12 and 13, 24 July 1931 Agenda - shareholder's meeting, 24 July 1931 Agreement between Government, Manitoba Wheat Pool, MPE and CEA, 24 July 1931 Memorandum re: elevator membership and agreement, 24 July 1931 Memorandum re: Platform shippers questions and answers at conference, 24 July 1931 Department of Education and Publicity, Memorandum re: terminals credential forms, 24 July 1931 Agreement between Holland CEA and MPE, 1 August 1931 By-law no. 14, 4 November 1931 One share, 1 December 1931 Confirmation of share allotment, 14 January 1932 Supplementary agreement between Holland CEA and MPE and covering letter, 1 February 1933 Amending supplementary agreement and covering letter, 15 October 1936 By-law no. 16, 31 October 1939 By-law cancelling share capital, 29 October 1940 By-law nos. 18, 19, 20 and General By-laws, 29 October 1941 Letter re: General By-laws and By-laws 18, 19 and 20, 6 August 1942 1945-46 Officers and Directors, November 1945 Agreement between Holland CEA and MPE, 1 August 1951 Directors' Resolution, 18 October 1961 Agreement between Holland CEA and MPE, 15 December 1966 By-law no. 26, 3 April 1967 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 4 June 1927 - volume 8, 24 November 1969 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1929 - 1969 (22 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1938 - 1944 (6 reports) Final statements, 1930 - 1952 (20 reports) Auditors' reports, 1928 - 1968 (25 reports) Correspondence, 1927 - 1980 Membership list, 1927 - 1969 Miscellaneous Directors' attendance lists, no date (2 reports) Blueprint for elevator and area, no date. Group Meetings of Local elevator Associations, Boards and Agents notebook March 29, no year. Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Victoria.
Elphinstone Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1927 - 1978 Memorandum of Association and General By-laws, 11 August 1927 Certificate of incorporation, 17 August 1927 Minutes of first general meeting of shareholders, 18 January 1928 Minutes of first permanent Directors' meeting, 18 January 1928 Memorandum of Agreement, By-laws 8, 9, 10 and 11, 12 November 1929 Minutes of the Shareholders' meeting, 25 July 1931 Directors meeting minutes, 25 July 1931 ECEAL By-law no. 12 \& 13, 25 July 1931 Agreement between Elphinstone CEAL and MPEL, 1 August 1931 Letter re Supplementary Agreement, 16 November 1933 Agreement between Elphinstone CEAL and MPEL, 2 February 1933 Letter, 28 June 1944 Agreement between Elphinstone CEAL and MPEL, 1 August 1937 Ageement between Elphinstone CEAL and MPEL, 1 November 1937 ECEAL By-law no. 16, 4 November 1939 Letter re By-law no. 16, 24 March 1941 ECEAL By-law to authorize cancellation of share capital, 2 November 1940 Letter, 24 March 1941 ECEAL By-laws 18, 19, 20 and General By-laws, 15 July 1941 MPE General By-laws, 23 October 1941 ECEAL By-law no. 21, 7 November 1947 Letter re By-law no.21, 27 August 1948 Letter re amendment to General By-laws, 6 May 1949 ECEAL By-law no. 22, 20 June 1949 MPEL By-law amending the general By-laws of the Co., 7 March 1950 Agreement between ECEAL and MPEL, 1 August 1951 ECEAL By-law no. 23, 21 November 1921 MPEL By-law no. 1961-148, 12 October 1961 Directors' resolution, 18 October 1961 Agreement between MPEL and ECEAL, 15 December 1966 ECEAL By-law no. 26, 4 April 1967 Letter re Pioneer Grain Co., 23 February 1978 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 4 February 1928 - volume 7, 13 November 1980 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1929 - 1968 (37 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1937 - 1955 (18 reports) Final statements, 1931 - 1952 (24 reports) Auditors' reports, 1929 - 1967 (26 reports) Analysis of operating results, 1951 - 1963 (11 reports) Detail of grain earnings, 1963 - 1967 (4 reports) Capital loan summary, 31 July 1951 Correspondence, 1929 - 1969 Membership list, 1929 - 1930, 1978 Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Strathclair
Notes
File numbering is not congruous between sub-series arranged prior to 2009 and sub-series arranged or added to after 2009. This will be corrected in the future
Neelin Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1940 - 1969 Organizational meeting, 1 July 1940 Companies Act - membership incompanies agreement, 6 August 1940 Memorandum of Agreement, 6 August 1940 Letter re Memorandum of Agreement, 26 September 1940 Agreement for sale, 18 November 1940 Minutes of the provisional Directors' meeting, 18 November 1940 Minutes of first general meeting of members, 18 November 1940 By-law to approve and confirm purchase of elevator, 18 November 1940 By-law authorizing granting of signatory powers, 18 November 1940 By-law amending general By-laws, 18 November 1940 Letter re 3 above By-laws, 24 March 1941 By-law no. 5, 3 November 1941 Operating agreement, 13 March 1944 By-law no. 6, 15 July 1947 By-law no. 7, 13 June 1949 General By-laws and letter, 8 January 1953 By-law no. 8, 16 October 1956 Agreement between Neelin CEA and MPE schedule A, 1 August 1957 Agreement between MPE and Neelin CEA, 1 May 1958 Letter re Operating and Sale agreements, 23 April 1959 By-law no. 1961-148, 1961-149, 1961-150, 1961-151, 12 October 1961 Directors' resolution, 18 October 1961 Transfer agreement, 17 June 1969 By-law no. 74, no date Letter re closure, 26 September 1978 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 8 October 1940 - volume 5, 28 June 1978 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1943 - 1965 (11 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1940 - 1955 (15 reports) Final statements, 1941 - 1952 (11 reports) Auditors' reports, 1941 - 1968 (25 reports) Analysis of Operating results, 1951 - 1963 (11 reports) Detail of grain earnings, 1964 - 1968 (4 reports) Monthly reports to Board of Directors, 1965 - 1978 (49 reports) Analysis of Operating results summary, 1951 - 1952 Correspondence, 1940 - 1977 (originals and copies) Membership list, 1946 - 1976 Miscellaneous Directors' attendance lists, 1946 - 1978 (21 reports) Annual meetings, 1972 - 1977 (4 reports) Retention of Snowflake line, no date Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Argyle
Kenton Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1926 - 1967 Supplementary statement on elevator policy, 1926 Memo re Pool Elevator policy and agreements, 1926 Memo for information of incorporation, 1926 Questions and Answers re Policy, 1926 Certificate of incorporation, 6 June 1927 Memorandum of Association, 4 June 1927 Letter re two above, 8 June 1927 Minutes of the provisional Directors' meeting, 22 June 1927 Minutes of first permanent Directors' meeting, 22 June 1927 Minutes of first General Shareholders' meeting, 22 June 1927 Indenture between MPEL and Kenton CEAL, 1 August 1927 Memorandum re Pool Elevator Policy, 1928 Comparative statement, 31 July 1932 Agreement between Kenton CEA and MPEL, 15 October 1936 By-law no.16 and covering letter, 31 October 1939 By-law authorizing cancellation of capital, 30 October 1940 General By-laws and By-laws 18 and 20, 25 June 1941 By-law no. 22, 17 May 1949 Letter re By-law no. 22, 7 March 1950 Agreement between Kenton CEA and MPE, 1 August 1951 Agreement between MPE and Kenton Co-op, 23 March 1960 Directors' Resolution, 18 October 1961 Agreement between Kenton CEA and MPE, 15 December 1966 By-law no. 26, 22 November 1967 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 13 September 1927 - volume 4, 9 October 1969 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1929 - 1955 (17 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1954 - 1955 (1 reports) Final statements, 1930 - 1931 (2 reports) Auditors' reports, 1928 - 1956 (9 reports) Analysis of Operating Results, 1953 - 1956 (2 reports) Correspondence, 1927 - 1977 Membership list, 1927 - 1955 Miscellaneous Directors' attendance lists, 1944 - 1956 (5 reports) Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Woodworth
