Category: From The Vault Friday

From the Vault Friday: Holiday Cards

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Image: SPRA 179.03.07

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a selection of winter holiday cards. The first artifact is a Christmas card with a photo of Mary Davis with her children Vera, Ira and Evelyn circa 1942 from the Mary Belcourt Davis fonds (Fonds 179)

Image: SPRA 992.48.009b

The second is a card from the Grant Family fonds (Fonds 136).

Read more about the Mary Belcourt Davis fonds (fonds 1790 here.

Read more about the Grant Family (Fonds 136) here.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Carte de Noel

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Images: SPRA 006.04.01.p03a, 006.04.01.p03b

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a winter holiday card, from the Madeline Hanni-Lozeron sub-series of Pierre Lozeron family fonds (fonds 006).  Madeline Lozeron, born in 1878, was 32 when her younger brothers Pierre and Jean left Switzerland in 1910. The card was sent to her brothers in Nebraska circa 1910-1912.

She married Monsieur Hanni of Auvergne, had two children, Marguerite and Andre, and passed away in 1960 at the age of 82.The sub-series consist of postcards, letters and funeral records sent from the Hanni-Lozeron family to Pierre Lozeron in the United States and later Canada, from the time he left Switzerland. After Madeline’s death in 1960, later news of the family (such as funeral records) was sent by Pierre’s daughter-in-law Christianne in Switzerland.

Read more about the Lozeron family fonds (fonds 006) here.

View a selection of photos from the Pierre Lozeron family fonds on Alberta On Record.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Holly Wreath Cookie Recipe

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Images: SPRA 129.07.01

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a recipe from the Betty Welter fonds (fonds 129).

Elizabeth Smart was born in Bassano, Alberta in 1921, the daughter of Archie Smart and his English War Bride, Mable. Mr. Smart had immigrated to Canada from Bristol, England in 1901 and, after working on projects throughout Canada, the States and Central America, settled in Southern Alberta. As well as farming and market gardening, he worked with the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Patricia-Brooks irrigation project. In 1928, the family moved north to the Flying Shot Lake District in the Peace River Country.

Betty started school in Patricia, Alberta, but grades 2 through 8 were spent at the one-roomed Flying Shot Lake School. Grades 9 and 10 were completed by correspondence through the Western Canada Institute, part of it under very difficult circumstances after her mother passed away in 1938. In 1939, after a year at home, keeping house for her father and two younger siblings, Betty went on to Vermilion Agricultural College for 2 years and obtained a Home Economics Degree. She became an expert cook, seamstress and craftsperson.

Do you have any recipes that have been passed down through the generations?

The recipe is transcribed below:

Holly Wreath Cookies

2/3 c shortening

2/3 c granulated sugar

2 eggs, well beaten

1 tsp vanilla

3 ½ c bread flour

3 c cake flour

½ tsp salt

1 ½ tsp baking powder

Method

Cream shortening, add sugar gradually. Cream together, add eggs + vanilla + mix. Mix + sift the dry ingredients + add. Chill the dough + roll out to 1/8” thick on lightly floured board. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter into Xmas wreaths. Decorate with some pieces of candied cherry or citron to represent a Holly wreath. Arrange on a greased baking sheet and bake in oven 400° for 10-12 minutes. This recipe makes about 45 wreaths.

—–End of transcription—–

Read more about the Betty Welter fonds (fonds 129) here.

View a selection of photos from the Betty Welter fonds (fonds 129) on Alberta On Record.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Wedding Invitation

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Image: SPRA fonds 059

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a wedding invitation from the Phyllis Stewart fonds (fonds 059).

Phyllis Evelyn Mattoon was born in Consort, Alberta to Fred L. and Mabel Mattoon. Mrs. Mattoon was the first woman editor of a newspaper (the Consort Enterprise) in Alberta in 1913. Her daughter Phyllis completed teacher training during the war and came to the Bezanson area in May 1946 to teach at the Bezanson School.

The Stewart family had arrived in the Bezanson area in 1912, coming in over the Edson Trail. George Alexander Stewart and his wife Sophia came from Sombre, Ontario with daughters May and Florence and sons Earl and Roy, and were later joined by son Charles H. and his wife Charlotte Thomas, also from Ontario. In 1923, the senior Stewarts moved to Detroit, Michigan along with Earl and Roy, leaving Charles H. on the farm in Bezanson. There were four children born to Lottie and Charles: Clara, George (Bud), Doris and Charles Bevan.

In 1947 Phyllis married Charles Bevan Stewart. The young couple lived on his father’s farm until they built their own residence on S.E. 35-71-3-W6 in 1949. They had four children: Cherry Lynn, Marvin Lee, Shannon Kelly, Creston Zane. Phyllis spent many years teaching in the East Smoky, High Prairie and County of Grande Prairie School Divisions, then completed a Bachelor of Education in 1976.

The family also raised Montodale Sheep, which for a time was the only flock of this breed in Alberta. They traveled with their sheep to many fairs and exhibitions.

Phyllis remained in the Bezanson area, in the family farm home, for well over 50 years. She was active in the community and in the Conservative party, and in 1983 she became a Councillor for the County of Grande Prairie, a position she held until 1992.

Read more about the Phyllis Stewart fonds (fonds 059) here.

View a selection of photos on Alberta On Record.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

from the Vault Friday: Nitehawk Ski Hill Map

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Image: SPRA fonds 139

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a proposed map of the Nitehawk Ski Hill from the Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie (Fonds 139). The Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie was chartered in 1942. The object of the club was “to promote and direct fellowship among young men of good character” in order to educate and encourage them regarding ethical business practices, the welfare of their community, tolerance and acceptance of all peoples, and service work in their community.

In 1977, the Grande Prairie Ski Club requested funds from the Kinsmen Club to finance 50% of the cost to install snow making equipment with the intent to have man-made snow on the slopes for the 1977-78 ski season. The equipment was purchased; but it is unclear who provided the funding.

Read more about the Kinsmen Club of Grande Prairie (Fonds 139) here.

Read more about the Grande Prairie Ski Club (Fonds 590) here.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: WWII Post Cards

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Image: SPRA 676.01.04.03.07a

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SPRA 676.01.04.03.02a                    SPRA 676.01.04.03.03a

SPRA 676.01.04.03.04a,                    SPRA 676.01.04.03.05a

 

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a selection of WWII post cards from the Vader-Grimm Family fonds (fonds 676), from the Jim Vader War Records Sub Series 676.01.04

Read more about the Vader-Grimm Family fonds (fonds 676) here.

View a selection of photos on Alberta On Record.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Soldier Land Grant

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Image: SPRA fonds 589

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features an Attestation for Soldier Grant Entry form from the Donald Gordon Morrison fonds (Fonds 589).

Donald “Gordon” Morrison was born in Pipestone, Manitoba on April 14, 1896 to John D. Morrison and Katherine McKenzie. Gordon and his siblings John, Jean, Alex, Catherine, Melvina and Jessie all grew up in the rural community of Pipestone. He was working there as a clerk when he enlisted in the 200th Canadian Battalion at Camp Hughes, Manitoba on July 12, 1916 as Pte. D.G. Morrison #922617. He served in the 11th Reserve Bn based at Seaforth Camp, Sussex England, then in the 43rd Can. Bn. (Cameron Highlanders) in France. On his discharge certificate, dated March 24, 1919, he is listed as 22 years of age, 5′ 6″ tall, with blue eyes and fair hair.

After the war Gordon made his way back to Pipestone and spent some time with his family. His brother Alex had settled in the Morinville area and Gordon farmed with him. Although he enquired regarding land via the Soldiers Settlement Board soon after the war, it was not until November 30, 1929 that he filed on Section 26, Township 87, Range 9, West of the 6th Meridian in the Worsely area. By then he had moved from Morinville to Grande Prairie.

Gordon also worked as a truck driver, and one of his hobbies was horse racing. He never married and passed away October 17, 1976 in Dawson Creek, B.C.

Read more about the Donald Gordon Morrison fonds (Fonds 589) here.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Postcard

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Images: SPRA fonds 164

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a postcard from the Gabriel Basly fonds (fonds 164).

Gabriel (Gaby) Rene Basly was born on March 28, 1885 in Gennevilliers (Seine-St. Denis), France, a district on the Northern edge of Paris. In 1907 he immigrated to Canada with his sister Blanch Pivert and her family. Gaby and the Pivert family took out homesteads in Big Valley, Alberta, about 67 km east of Innisfail. In August 1914, Gaby was informed by the French Consulate that he should report for mobilization with his army corps, so with several other young men from Big Valley who were also French, he made his way back to France to “save the motherland.” It was in the Battle of Verdun that Gaby earned his “Croix de Guerre,” an award for bravery. In April 1917, he was granted permission to travel back to Canada on a three-week leave.

Gaby never went back to the war. His relatives and friends from Big Valley, who had also returned to France at the outbreak of the war had all decided that they would be fools to return. They had given three years of their lives and lost many good friends and former neighbours from Big Valley.

Gaby settled back into farming, and in 1926 headed for Grande Prairie with the Pivert family to start a new life. There he acquired many horses, working the land with them in the summer and hauling coal in the winter. He also worked as a “Bull Cook” for a lumber camp at Big Mountain.

Read more about the Gabriel Basly fonds (fonds 164) here.

View a selection of photos from the Gabriel Basly fonds (fonds 164) on Alberta On Record.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Military Exemption

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Image: SPRA 006.01.01.6p05 

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a Notice of Disposition of Claim for Exemption (Dated March 24, 1916), from the Pierre Lozeron family fonds (Fonds 006), in which Pierre was applying to be exempt from military service. The form lists his reason for requesting exemption as being his occupation as a farmer. Under the Military Service Act of 1917, all able bodied men between 20 and 45 years of age, who were bachelors or widowers without children, had to sign up for service. Many applied for exemption, and as a farmer, Pierre was granted his request. However, in 1918, the government cancelled all exemptions, and Pierre had to reapply. August 12, 1918 he was again declared exempt from service until November 1, 1918, when he would have to declare how many acres of arable land, how many acres of grain, hay, and pasture land, as well as the number of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. It is unclear if he was exempted again, but it’s unlikely that he served as the armistice was signed November 11, 1918, eleven days after the exemption expired.

Read more about the Pierre Lozeron family fonds (Fonds 006) here.

Visit the Soldiers Memorial here.

Image: SPRA 006.01.01.6p06

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Happy Halloween

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Image: SPRA 992.48.008d-(a)

Image: SPRA 992.48.008d-(b)

Todays “From the Vault Friday” features a Halloween card from the Grant Family fonds (Fonds 136). The card, addressed to Jack Grant in Alberta, on the front reads:

“When doubt and fear creep o’er you

And your heart is beating fast

Look in a glass of water

If it’s clear, the die is cast

HALLOWEEN”

And on the reverse:

“Hope you have a good time on Hallow’een

                                A.J.M”

Read more about the Grant Family fonds here.

 

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.