Fonds 138 Griff James fonds

Griff James fonds. — 1910-1965. — 5 photographs. — 60 negatives. — 8 video recordings.


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Biographical Sketch

Griffith James was born April 27, 1914, in Fort George BC, the son of G.A. James, Grande Prairie’s first elected mayor and a pioneer druggist after the family moved to Grande Prairie in 1918. His father sold the pharmacy in 1928 in order to take up farming southwest of town but in 1940, Griff, a University of Alberta Pharmacy graduate, returned to Grande Prairie to set up a pharmacy in the Spencer Block, in the former Ireland’s Barber Shop location. Griff’s other siblings were Jack, John and Robert. Griff and wife Cora had a family of five children. Griff was an active outdoorsman and recorded his memories on film. He moved to Qualicum Beach in 1988 and died there at age 82 in 1996.

Custodial History

The records were transferred to the South Peace Regional Archives from the Grande Prairie Museum.

Scope and Content

The fonds consists of 8 16 mm films, 5 photographs, 60 negatives of Grande Prairie, Lake Saskatoon, Dunvegan, and other Peace Country locations, and a Canada Steamship Lines shipment notice.

Notes

Title based on contents of fonds.

 
Notification of Delivery and Shipment, 1929
postcard
Creator: postcard
Notification of delivery and shipment to G.A. James, Grande Prairie, 1929, from Canada Steamship Lines Limited, Northern Navigation Division.
Location: 1974.74.25
 
Elsie Maud Kuffe, 1910 c.
1 postcard; b & w; 3 x 5
Elsie Maud Kuffe at three weeks of age, in her long white christening gown.
Location: 1974.74.03a
Dr. O’Brien’s Birthday, 1940 c.
3 photographs; b & w; 5 x 7
Guests at Dr. O’Brien’s birthday include Archie Matheson, Wiley Sawyer, Bill Grant, Ian MacIntosh, Johnny Littleton, J.O. Patterson, John Bickell, Frank Crummy, Charles Stredulinsky, The photo numbered 4b has Joseph Howell (far left), Harry Watcher (6th from left), Hugh Allen (8th from left), Jack Soars and Roy Wright (10th and 11th from left).
Location: 1974.74.04a-c
Portrait of an Elderly Man, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 3.25 x 5.5 in.
A portrait of an elderly man in front of a vine-covered building.
Location: 1974.74.24.01
Men With Fish, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
Two men posed with a large catch of fish hanging on the side of a building.
Location: 1974.74.24.02
A Young Family, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A man with three young children standing beside a fence.
Location: 1974.74.24.03
Three Boys, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
Three young boys in hats and coats sitting on the steps of a house.
Location: 1974.74.24.04
Man on Horseback, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 4.25 x 2.5 in.
A man on horseback in winter.
Location: 1974.74.24.05
Grande Prairie Municipal Hospital, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
The Grande Prairie Municipal Hospital viewed from the front. A number of cars are parked outside. The hospital was opened in 1929.
Location: 1974.74.24.06
Biplane, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A biplane in an open field.
Location: 1974.74.24.07
Boat on the River, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A view from a boat on a river, possibly the Peace River. The image also shows part of the boat.
Location: 1974.74.24.08
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks, trees, and gravel bars.
Location: 1974.74.24.09
Lake Saskatoon, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A lake-side settlement, possibly Lake Saskatoon.
Location: 1974.74.24.10
Roadside Scenery, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A panoramic view from beside a road. There is a settlement, possibly Grande Prairie, visible in the distance on the left.
Location: 1974.74.24.11
Peace River, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5 x 3 in.
A panoramic view of the Peace River from above the Town of Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.12
Stooks in Field, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A panoramic view showing stooks in a field in the foreground and a group of buildings in the background on a lakeshore.
Location: 1974.74.24.13
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
5 negatives; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks, trees, and islands.
Location: 1974.74.24.14-.18
Baseball Game, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A baseball game with a large number of spectators. The game may be part of sports day celebrations and appears to be held at Grande Prairie.
Location: 1974.74.24.19
Peace River, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A bird’s-eye view of number of houses close to a river. The loacation has tentatively been identified as the town of Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.20
Picnic Group, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
An unidentified group of men, women, and children posed for an outdoor photograph.
Location: 1974.74.24.21
Farms, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
Views of several farms including broken fields, houses, barns, and outbuildings.
Location: 1974.74.24.22
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks, trees, and buildings. The river is likely the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.23
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks and trees. The river is likely the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.24
Dunvegan Post Office, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A family outside a post office building. The location has tentatively been identified as the former HBC Factor’s House at Dunvegan.
Location: 1974.74.24.25
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 4.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks and trees. The river is likely the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.26
Portrait of an Older Man, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A portrait of an older man in front of a vine-covered building.
Location: 1974.74.24.27
Playing Golf, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5 x 3 in.
Three men playing golf on a rustic course.
Location: 1974.74.24.28
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
2 negatives; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks, trees, and rapids. The river is likely the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.29-.30
Stooks in Field, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A panoramic view showing stooks and a small building in a field.
Location: 1974.74.24.31
Stooks in Field, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A panoramic view showing stooks in a field in the foreground and a house, barn, and outbuildings in the background.
Location: 1974.74.24.32
Outside the O. H. M. Seville Store, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
Three men in front of the O. H. M. Seville store.
Location: 1974.74.24.33
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks, trees, and rapids. The river is likely the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.34
Grande Prairie, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A bird’s-eye view of Grande Prairie looking south west. The Anglican and United Churches are visible.
Location: 1974.74.24.35
Dunvegan Ferry, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
The ferry crossing the Peace River at Dunvegan.
Location: 1974.74.24.36
Dunvegan, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
The St. Charles Roman Catholic Mission house and church and the ferry tower on the north side of the Peace River at Dunvegan.
Location: 1974.74.24.37
Stooks in Field, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A panoramic view showing stooks in a field. A large building is visible in the distance and a dog is prowling around one of the stooks closest to the camera.
Location: 1974.74.24.38
Dunvegan, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A view Dunvegan on the north side of the Peace River, taken from the south side. The Hudson’s Bay Company post buildings are on the left and the St. Charles Roman Catholic Mission buildings on the right.
Location: 1974.74.24.39
Stooks in Field, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A panoramic view showing stooks in a field. Several barns and houses are visible in the background along what appears to be a lakeshore.
Location: 1974.74.24.40
Farm by a Lake, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A panoramic view looking from a road, over a field, to several farm buildings by a lake.
Location: 1974.74.24.41
Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A panoramic view looking over trees, open areas, and a creek.
Location: 1974.74.24.42
Log Cabin, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
Two men, two, dogs, and a horse outside of a small log cabin.
Location: 1974.74.24.43
Dunvegan, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A view Dunvegan on the north side of the Peace River, taken from the south side. The Hudson’s Bay Company post buildings are on the right.
Location: 1974.74.24.44
Grande Prairie Provincial Court House, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25
The Grande Prairie Provincial Court House viewed from the front, in its position on the northwest corner of 101 Avenue and 99 Street.
Location: 1974.74.24.45
Young Boy, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5 x 3 in.
A young boy standing on the top step of a house. A woman is visible behind the screen door.
Location: 1974.74.24.46
Playing Golf, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 4 x 3 in.
Three men playing golf on a rustic course.
Location: 1974.74.24.47
Dunvegan, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
The Peace River at Dunvegan. The St. Charles Roman Catholic Mission house and church and the ferry tower on the north side of the River are visible on the left.
Location: 1974.74.24.48
Biplane, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A biplane in the air.
Location: 1974.74.24.49
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including high banks and trees. The location is likely the Peace River at Dunvegan.
Location: 1974.74.24.50
Teepees at Dunvegan, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A group of teepees camped at Dunvegan on the north side of the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.51
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
3 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks, trees, and rapids. The river is likely the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.52-.54
Lake Saskatoon, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
The village of Lake Saskatoon on the shores of Lake Saskatoon.
Location: 1974.74.24.55
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks, trees, and rapids. The river is likely the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.56
Baseball Game, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A baseball game with a large number of spectators. The game may be part of sports day celebrations.
Location: 1974.74.24.57
Lake Saskatoon, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
View over a field to lake-side settlement, possibly Lake Saskatoon.
Location: 1974.74.24.58
Geese on a Stream, [ca. 1925]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
A gaggle of geese swimming on a stream.
Location: 1974.74.24.59
River Scenery, [ca. 1930]
1 negative; b & w; 5.5 x 3.25 in.
River scenery including banks and trees. The river is likely the Peace River.
Location: 1974.74.24.60
Grande Prairie Court House, 1925 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 5
The first Court House at Grande Prairie was built in 1925, across the street from Montrose School on the northwest corner of 101 Ave. and 99 St.
Location: 1974.74.28
 
Wapiti Ski Hill, ca. 1965
Film–16 mm
This film features scenes likely filmed at Wapiti Ski Hill including construction, skiing, the t-bar, and the chalet.
Location: 1974.74.22C
View a digitized copy of this item here.
Porcupine, Smoky & Peace Rivers, ca. 1960
Film–16 mm
The film features various scenes from boat trips on the Porcupine, Smoky, and Peace Rivers with the Stojans. These scenes include boating, river scenery and rapids, children playing in the river, a forest fire, aerial images, and images of fishing, camping, hunting.
Location: 1974.74.22E
View a digitized copy of this item here.
Stampede and Fair, ca. 1957
Film–16 mm
This film features scenes from a stampede (perhaps Rio Grande) include a flag parade and bucking broncos, water activities, horseback riding, and a parade in downtown Grande Prairie.
Location: 1974.74.22H
View a digitized copy of this item here.
Air Show & Rotary Convention, ca. 1960
Film–16 mm
This film features footage taken at a Rotary-sponsored airshow (1964?), likely in Grande Prairie, and at a Rotary Convention. The airshow scenes show planes in the air and on the ground, trick flying, and parachuting. The Rotary Convention scenes show speakers (including Jimmy James), gift presentations, and a hat fashion show.
Location: 1974.74.22I
View a digitized copy of this item here.
Murray, Wapiti, and Porcupine Rivers, Two Lakes, ca. 1960-1963
Film–16 mm
This film features scenes primarily from various boating trips on the Murray, Wapiti, and Porcupine Rivers, and Two Lakes. The scenes include unloading a car at a cabin, camping, fishing, children with horses, boating, and waterskiing.
Location: 1974.74.22K
Murray River, 1955
Film–16 mm
This film features various outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, ice fishing, off-roading with a jeep, children playing in the water, boating, various river scenery, aerial views, and an air show, including planes taking off and in the air. According to the film’s label, at least some of this film was taken at Murrary River.
Location: 1974.74.22L
View a digitized copy of this item here.
Boat Construction and River Trips, ca. 1963
Film–16 mm
This film features the building of the motor riverboat the “Wapiti Queen”, launching the boat and its maiden voyage, shooting rapids on a river (possibly Wolf Rapids), loading the boat, boats on trailers, fishing, a riverside picnic, family and friends, and river scenery and wildlife from several river trips in different seasons and locations.
Location: 1974.74.22M
View a digitized copy of this item here.
Miscellaneous Activities, ca. 1965
Film–16 mm
This film features scenes with puppies, building a cabin, heavy equipment, ski races at Wapiti Ski Hill, mountain scenery, fishing, and boating, including scenes inside a boat’s cabin, river scenery, and loading a boat.
Location: 1974.74.22N
View a digitized copy of this item here.
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