Standard up-to-date practical letter writer : a comprehensive and practical guide to correspondence, showing the structure, composition, formalities and uses of the various kinds of letters, notes and cards
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
Photograph has pen markings and publishing mark-up notes on front and back of matting
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the north side of the 900-block of Rosser Avenue, facing west from 9th Street. All the shops appear to be woodframed buildings; the sidewalk has yet to be installed and wooden planks have been laid down in front of the shops. Visible storefronts include: (left to right): Leask & Rose, general merchants (at the 11th Street intersect); Fortier & Bucke - Manufacturers' Agents and CPR Express Co.; The New Era - real estate office; Imperial Bank of Canada; Durand & Macdonald Law Office, T.D. McLean - jeweller; Deacon & Hooper - grocers; and J. Barker Vosburgh - Surgeon & Dentist. The building in the foreground has Rosser Avenue and 9th Street street signs affixed above the entrance to the building. A chuckwagon is parked in front of Fortier & Bucke.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Brandon.
Winifred North (nee Seaborn) was born December 13, 1920 in Burwash, Sussex, England. At the age of five, she moved to Manitoba, growing up in the Osprey and Mentmore districts, attending Osprey and Gordon schools. Winnie married Alfred James North (1917-1994) on October 16, 1948. Together they had three children: Bruce, Heather and Maureen. Alf served in the armed forces during the Second World War. Following the war he farmed in the Norman district until 1966, at which point the family moved to Brookdale. Alf then served as custodian for the Brookdale school before retiring in 1983. In Brookdale, Winnie worked at the post office, becoming postmistress. Winnie was a member of the Brookdale United Church, the Neepawa Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Brookdale Belles and Beaux square dancing group. Winifred North died on January 13, 2018 in Neepawa, MB. She is buried at Neepawa 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 Winnie North about the 100th Anniversary of the Brookdale Post Office. Interviewer is Dorothy P. Martin.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records and the Brookdale local history "Quest in Roots." Transcript by Megan Holowick (2014). Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
View is southwest from the north side of Princess Avenue. Photograph shows the north driveway entrance on campus. The original Music Building, the A.E. McKenzie Building, Clark Hall and part of the Brandon College Building are visible.
Lauder Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1928 - 1952 Certificate of Incorporation, April 28, 1928 Memorandum of Association and general bylaws, April 28, 1928 Minutes of provisional directors, May 14, 1928 First general meeting of shareholders, bylaws 1 - 7, May 14, 1928 Covering letter for above, May 30, 1928 Lease and covering letter (November 23, 1929), August 1, 1928 Memorandum of Agreement, November 12, 1929 Application for share of stock, July 24, 1931 Minutes of Directors meeting, July 24, 1931 Minutes of shareholders meeting, July 24, 1931 Bylaw no. 12, July 24, 1931 Bylaw no. 13, July 24, 1931 Agreement between Lauder CEA/MPE/MWP/HMTK, August 1, 1931 Bylaw no. 14, November 17, 1931 Letter re acceptance of application, January 14, 1932 For stock, Jauary 14, 1932 Agreement between Lauder CEA/MPE, February 1, 1933 Agreement between Lauder CEA/MPE and, October 15, 1936 And covering memo(June 19, 1944), October 15, 1936 Agreement between Lauder CEA/MPE, June 19, 1939 Bylaw no. 16 and covering memo (March 24, 1941), November 2, 1939 Bylaw authorizing cancellation of capital, October 31, 1946 And covering memo (March 24, 1941), October 31, 1946 Bylaw no. 18 and covering memo (August 6, 1941), November 5, 1941 Bylaw no. 19, November 5, 1941 Bylaw no. 20, November 5, 1941 General bylaws, November 6, 1947 Bylaw no. 21, November 6, 1947 General bylaws, October 27, 1952 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, October 17, 1931 - volume 3, March 28, 1975 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1929 - 1969 (15 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1938 - 1955 (16 reports) Final statements, 1932 - 1952 (21 reports) Auditors' reports, 1929 - 1947 (5 reports) Analysis of Operating Results, 1932 - 1962 (8 reports) Statement of Grain Account and Handle, 1929 - 1931 (4 reports) Repairs at Lauder, no date Deliveries, 1929 - 1930 Allocation of Surplus, 1945 - 1946 Allocation of Surplus, January 15, 1948 Resolutions, 1940 - 1947 (3 reports) Statement of Operating Expenses, July 31, 1932 (1 record) Analysis of Gross Earnings, July 31, 1953 (1 record) General Expenses, 1960 - 1964 (2 records) Annual Financial Statements and Reports, 1929 - 1931 (3 records) Detail of Grain Earnings, 1963 - 1964 Correspondence, 1928 - 1976 Membership list, 1929 - 1976 Miscellaneous Directors' attendance lists, 1943 - 1964, 1973 Director's report, no date Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of Cameron
Dufrost Co-operative Elevator Association Limited Organizational papers: 1928 - 1961 Certificate of Incorporation, 7 April 1928 Memorandum of Association, 7 April 1928 General By-laws, 7 April 1928 Letter re: Above By-laws, 13 April 1928 Lease, 1 August 1928 Memorandum of agreement, 22 November 1929 By-law nos. 18, 19, 20 and General By-laws, no date Directors' Resolution, 18 October 1961 Minutes of Executive Board meetings, volume 1, 9 June 1928 - volume 3, 25 April 1969 Minutes of Shareholders Annual meetings, 1941 - 1945 (5 reports) Financial records and statistics Statement of surplus, 1944 - 1952 (3 reports) Final statements, 1944 - 1952 (3 reports) Auditors report, 1946 - 1951 (2 reports) Analysis of Operating Results summary, 1951 - 1952 (1 report) Annual financial statement, no date Correspondence, 1941 - 1959 Membership list, 1943 - 1969 Miscellaneous Directors Attendance list, 1946 - 1947 (1 report) Corporate Name: Rural Municipality of De Salaberry. Sub-district Council minutes March 24 1980 - April 1 1986.
Photograph of an east side of 10th Street facing north from Princess Avenue. Visible businesses include: Thunderbird Bowl, Canadian Pacific Telegraphs, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, Strand Theatre, Trans Canada Credit Loans, Ted Heming Jewellers, Carlton Cafe, McKenzie Seeds, Clement Block, Mitrou's Cafe and Tea Room, and Brandon Musical Supply Ltd. Vehicles parked on 10th Street are facing north.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Tara's Bulba," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre and similiar vehicles captured in the photograph.
Doig's, originally located on Rosser Avenue, moved to the 10th Street location in 1921.
Scope and Content
Photograph of west side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, facing northwest. Visible businesses in the Alexander Block include Doig's, Box Brothers Hardware and Allied Hardware Stores, followed by Simpsons-Sears and Barry Neill Men's Wear in the Strathcona Block. The Johnny Smith Block is visible in the background.
Photograph of 10th Street facing north from Princess Avenue. Vehicles are parallel parked on both sides of the street. The Welcome Brandon sign can be seen at the Rosser Avenue intersection.
Visible businesses on the west side of 10th Street include: Doig's, Box Brothers Hardware and Allied Hardware Stores in the Alexandra Block; followed by Simpsons-Sears in the Strathcona Block. Barry Neill Men's Wear, Kresge's and the Cecil Hotel are also visible. The Johnny Smith Block is visible in the background.
Visible businesses on the east side of 10th Street include: Ollies Steaks and Chops, Elna Sewing Centre, Carlton Cafe, Chop Suey. At the base of the hill the Canadian Pacific train station is visible at the base of the hill.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Tenth St. Brandon, Man.
Photograph shows the Red Indian (Gasoline) Station on the north side Princess Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets, Brandon. Attached to the west side of the gas station is another shop which contains Hutchings' Drug Store. The Alexandra Block on 10th Street is visible in the background.
+north+side+Princess+Avenue+between+9th+Street+and+10th+Street%2c+Brandon%2c+Manitoba){kind=link}