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Schools--British Columbia
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Victoria School Board minutes and other material

  • GR-1465
  • Series
  • 1869-1887

This series contains a bound volume of minutes of meetings of the Victoria School Board, along with receipts of payments made by the Board. The series includes minutes of meetings of school board electors (showing votes cast by individual electors for particular candidates) and contains copies of provincial government circulars relating to education and copies of schools-related bills, by-laws, rules and regulations.

Victoria School District. Board of School Trustees

Public Works correspondence, plans and specifications

  • GR-0080
  • Series
  • 1872-1896

The series consists of records created by the Dept. of Lands and Works between 1872 and 1896 regarding public works. The records contains contracts, specifications, correspondence, and some plans connected with the construction and repair of schools, government buildings, and smaller works.

A limited number of files contained plans and a few files contained plans only. These files are indicated in the finding aid by * and ** respectively. All plans have been removed from the files and accessioned in the Map Collection as M856047. Appendix 1 of the finding aid lists the plans.

The file list provides the file number assigned by Public Works, the original contract number in square brackets, the name of the building or work, and the date of the contract.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Works

St. Ann’s Convent and School, Duncan

Series consists of records related to the Sisters of St. Ann’s work at the Tzouhalem Road property in Duncan, BC.

The Sisters purchased, by Crown grant, 400 acres in Cowichan between 1864 and 1870. The first convent and school was built on that land in 1864 under the direction of Father Pierre Rondeau, who had established a mission in Quamichan in 1861. Two Sisters arrived in October of 1864 with the mission of establishing a school for Indigenous girls.

When the school opened, 21 girls aged 4-18 were registered, from six local Fist Nations: Quamichan (Kwa’mutsun), Qw’umiyiqun (Comiaken), Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah), S’amuna’ (Somena), Lhumlhumuluts’ (Clemclemluts), Xinupsum (Khenipsen) and Tl'lulpalus (Cowichan Bay). In 1876 a decision was made that Indigenous girls in Cowichan would be taught as day students only, which allowed for the Duncan school lodgings to be renovated and enlarged to accommodate orphans sent from the overcrowded St Ann’s school in Victoria, as well as from other regions where the Sisters taught, including Alaska. After the E&N Railway was completed, more children from middle-class settler families began to attend the Duncan St. Ann’s school.

The Sisters began teaching boys at the Duncan school in 1904, after the closure of St. Aloysius Protectorate in Victoria. Increase in student boarders led to a need for a bigger school building, and one was constructed in 1921. This building was designed by Sister Mary Osithe as architect.

The school closed in 1964, with Sisters transferring to the nearby Queen of Angels School to teach. The building was briefly used as a novitiate in 1968, and the land was leased out in 1969. In 1979, Providence Farm was established on the site, an organization which is under the direction of The Vancouver Island Providence Community Association. This is an active organization as of 2023.

During the years the Sisters oversaw the school, it was known by a number of different names internally and externally, including: St. Ann’s Boy’s School, Duncan; St. Ann’s, Quamichan; St. Ann’s, Cowichan; The Farm; St. Ann’s Indian School for Girls; and St. Ann’s Orphanage for Girls.

This series consists of three subseries: A) Convent subseries; B) St. Ann’s School, Duncan subseries; C) Farm subseries.

Records in subseries A include chronicles of the school and convent, financial records, Local House minutes, Official Visitation reports, a monograph and history of the school, as well as a scrapbook of Sisters’ art and photographs.

Subseries B consists of records related to the administration of the school, and includes school registers, student accounts, application forms, grades, tests, monthly attendance reports, and photographs. Only a small amount of ephemera relating to the school has survived, and includes two year books (1940 and 1957), a school newsletter (1964), a visitor’s book, and programs and invitations.

Subseries C consists of records relating to the farm on the Duncan property that sustained the school, and includes accounts, receipts and expenses.

Records with regard to teacher training and certification

  • GR-1471
  • Series
  • 1884-1949

The series consists of records pertaining to teacher training and certification. It includes minute books of the Board of Examiners (1884-1949), teachers certificate registers (1892-1947), student registers at provincial Normal schools (1901-1938), high school examination results (1924-1927), and minutes of the Dept. of Education Appointments Board (1937-1945).

Prior to 1901, teachers in British Columbia were drawn either from outside the province or (after 1876) from graduates of provincial high schools. All teachers required teaching certificates, which were awarded by the Superintendent of Education. Teachers from outside the province were required to sit an examination set by the Provincial Board of Examiners. Candidates were awarded different grades or classes of certificates, depending on the results of their exam. High school graduates qualified for certificates in a similar manner, depending on their scores on terminal examinations. Standards of certification changed frequently over the years, as did the questions which appeared on the "Public School Teachers' Examinations." Basically, though, several classes of certificates were available: Academic and First Class (awarded to university graduates and/or to candidates scoring over 70% on the exam); Second class (awarded to candidates scoring over 50% on examinations); and Third class (awarded to candidates scoring 30% and above on a series of exam questions). First class certificates were permanent, 2nd class were valid for 3 years, while 3rd class certificates were generally good for one year, with the possibility of renewal. "Temporary certificates," valid until the annual examinations were held in July, were also issued under certain circumstances.

In 1901, the province's first Normal School for teacher training was opened in Vancouver. (A second school, in Victoria, was opened in 1915.) Thereafter, graduation from the Normal School replaced the "Public School Teachers' Examinations" for those seeking Academic, First, and Second class certificates. Only Third class certificates valid for a limited period of time were still awarded on the basis of candidates' high school examinations.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Sessional registers of students at Provincial Normal School (Victoria and Vancouver)

  • GR-1752
  • Series
  • 1927-1956

This series consists of Provincial Normal School sessional registers of students at Victoria 1927-1956 and Vancouver 1938-1956.

Records are arranged by school (i.e., Victoria or Vancouver), then academic year, and then alphabetically by student last name. Registers include only the following fields of data for each student: name; city/town of residence; age on Sept. 1st in years and months; academic standing; intelligence rating; grades for professional and special methods courses, teaching practice, personality, and attitude; standing awarded (yes or no); diploma issued (yes or no); and remarks (e.g., passed or withdrew).

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Register of schools, school trustees and teachers

  • GR-0462
  • Series
  • 1917-1946

This series consists of 33 volumes of register of Schools, school trustees and teachers. Records include registers showing the location of rural and assisted schools (1 vol.), names of trustees of rural and assisted school districts, 1917-1946 (29 vols.) and names of teachers in provincial public schools, 1918-1921 (3 vols.).

Volume 1 is a register of rural and assisted schools, ca 1918-1946. The schools are listed alphabetically and the location of each school is described. For example: "JACKSON BAY - a post office on Lewis Channel - Topaz Harbour route of Union Steamship Company from Vancouver;"

Volumes 2-30 are registers showing the names of school trustees of rural and assisted schools. The registers are arranged by year, beginning in 1917/1918 (vol. 2) through 1945/1946 (vol.30). Each register is organized alphabetically by name of school.

Volumes 31-33 are entitled "Teachers' Index Books." These registers are arranged alphabetically by name of teacher. The registers also show where each teacher was posted and the teacher's residence or postal address.

The Teachers' Indexes for 1918-1920 (vols. 31 and 32) list teachers in all categories of public schools City, Rural Municipality, Rural and Assisted. The Index volume for 1920-1921, however, only shows teachers who taught in Graded City Schools and in Rural Municipality Schools; teachers at small country schools (i.e. rural and assisted schools) are not listed in Vol. 33.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Works Branch correspondence and other records

  • GR-1484
  • Series
  • 1902-1905

This series contains correspondence and copies of memoranda concerning construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, ferries, wharves, railways, and schools. The records also include some drawings and plans.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Works. Works Branch

Memoranda, notes and transcripts of speeches regarding vocational education

  • GR-0209
  • Series
  • ca. 1956-1969

The series consists of "historical" files maintained by John S. White, Director, Technical and Vocational Education Branch. Includes an historical overview of Technical and Vocational Education in B.C. (1906-1962); memorandum on the "Functions and Activities of Adult Education Branch" (1956); and essay by White entitled "History of British Columbia Institute of Technology" (1969). Also included are notes on the development of B.C. Vocational Schools in Prince George, Nanaimo, and Victoria, and transcripts of speeches given by the Premier and the Minister of Education at the opening of the regional vocational school at Dawson Creek (1967).

British Columbia. Technical and Vocational Education Branch

Clipping book related to BC schools

  • GR-0275
  • Series
  • 1953-1958

This series consists of a clippings book of articles related to schools in BC from 1953-1958.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Mackie family papers

The series reflects the development and activities of the Vernon Preparatory School for boys and the lives of its proprietors, Augustine (1879-1965) and Hugh (1882-1971) Mackie.

The records include a list of pupils, a copy of the school register, sample pupil reports, an account book, clipping books, and miscellaneous notebooks. It also includes numerous notebooks filled with sermons and talks to the boys by Augustine Mackie. Some of the sermons were from his period as a priest in England prior to emigrating to Canada. School materials include complete runs of the Old Boys' News Letter (1951-1961) and the Chronicle of the Vernon Preparatory School (1918-1950). There is also considerable private material relating to Mackie family members, both those in Canada and in England. This includes correspondence, genealogical material, a marriage contract (1871), diaries, journals, scrapbooks and clipping books. Augustine was a devoted conservationist and fish and game enthusiast and there are copies of several articles written by him on the topic.

Mission School District registers

The series consists of registers of pupils for several public schools: Cardinell, 1926-1929; Cedar Valley, 1940-1944; Hatzic, 1911-1920 (with gaps); Silverdale, 1910-1931; Silverhill, 1928-1939 and Stave Falls, 1916-1926.

In 1945, these schools were consolidated to form School District 34 (Abbotsford-Mission) and in 1947 they became part of School District 75 (Mission).

Elementary School Agricultural Education correspondence and reports

  • GR-0173
  • Series
  • 1916-1929

The Elementary Agricultural Education Branch was established in 1915 to promote nature study and rural science in the public schools of British Columbia. The director of the branch was John Wesley Gibson (1874-1954) who, with a team of district supervisors, established one of the most successful school gardening programmes in the country. As well as developing school gardens, the branch was also involved with patriotic fund raising projects, home garden clubs and agricultural fairs.

The series consists of records created by the branch between 1916 and 1929. It includes correspondence and reports from District Supervisors of Agricultural Instruction, submitted to Superintendent of Elementary Agricultural Education, J.W. Gibson. Included with the correspondence are the supervisors' monthly reports, giving the names of schools inspected, comments on school projects and details of events pertaining to horticulture and agriculture. It also includes memoranda and letters from applicants seeking positions as instructors.

The correspondence was filed alphabetically under the names of the school district supervisors. During the period 1916 1929 the branch supervisors and districts were as follows:

During the period 1916-1929 the branch supervisors and districts were as follows:
W.J. Austin, Kelowna/Vernon
J.E. Britton, Armstrong/Kelowna
W.M. Fleming, Duncan and Cowichan
W.H. Grant, Salmon Arm
H.A. Hallwright, Victoria and Saanich
S.H. Hopkins, Courtenay-Comox
T.H. Jones, Armstrong and Enderby, Penticton
A.M. McDermott, New Westminster
J.B. Munro, Armstrong/Enderby
J.C. Ready, Chilliwack
V.B. Robinson, Vernon/Penticton/Summerland
J.M. Shales, Murrayville [Langley area]
E.L. Small, Cloverdale [Langley and Surrey]
G.V. Van Talisk, Penticton
F.J. Welland, Cloverdale

Researchers should also consult the branch reports which were published annually in the Public Schools Reports.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Elementary School Agricultural Education correspondence

  • GR-0171
  • Series
  • 1915-1929

The series consists of correspondence between the director of Elementary Agricultural Education (J.W. Gibson) and school boards throughout the province, created between 1915 and 1929. The correspondence is mainly concerned with gardens in local elementary schools and includes detailed reports on the types of gardens being cultivated at various schools. Some reports also include plans and drawings of gardens.

The files are arranged alphabetically by name of community and chronologically by year.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Circulars and brochures pertaining to patriotic activities and special events

  • GR-0176
  • Series
  • 1930-1937; 1976

The series consists of circulars and brochures pertaining to patriotic activities and special events, created by the Dept. of Education, dating mainly from the 1930s. It includes "Instructions to Teachers Regarding the Use of the Flag on School Premises" (1930), "Suggestions for celebrating Good Will Day [18 May 1932] in B.C. schools," commemorative booklet and "Suggestions for Coronation Programmes for the Schools of B.C." (1937). This unit also includes brochures re: the Overseas Education, 1976.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Elementary School Agricultural Education reports

  • GR-0172
  • Series
  • 1915-1924

The series consists of records created by the Dept. of Education between 1915 and 1924. The records include teachers' "Reports on Instruction Given in Rural Science," submitted to J.W. Gibson, director of Elementary Agricultural Instruction. The reports show name of teacher, teacher's length of service at the school, qualifications in rural science, and previous experience with school gardening. The reports also contain information re: syllabuses, textbooks, equipment, etc., as well as monthly calendars of gardening activities of various schools.

The reports are filed alphabetically by teachers' names. Researchers should consult the Public Schools Reports for these years to determine the names of teachers at particular schools.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Department of Education executive records

  • GR-0152
  • Series
  • 1960-1963

This record series is composed of the 1960-1963 files of the then Minister of Education, the Hon. Leslie Peterson. The files contain his ministerial correspondence and briefs that he received as a member of the cabinet. The filing system is not consistent over the four years.

The files contain material on almost all types of education activity in the province including home economics, correspondence schools, curriculum, community programs, private schools, technical and vocational education, text books, tests, standards and measurements, religious education, teacher recruitment, the school attendance of Doukhobor children and other subjects. They also contain correspondence with the B.C. Parent Teacher Federation, the B.C. School Trustees Association, the B.C. Teacher's Federation, the Canadian Education Association, the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, Jericho Hill School for the deaf and blind and other interest groups and educational institutions.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Education Department Central Office notebooks

  • GR-0139
  • Series
  • 1917-1945

The series consists of notebooks maintained by senior clerks in the Education Department's Central Office, showing financial grants to schools (3 v. 1917-1944). The series also includes a notebook [probably kept by S.J. Willis, Superintendent of Education] containing memoranda re: school programmes, applications for employment, membership of curriculum revision committees, school inspectors, school buildings grants and education financing, 1931-1945. As well, this notebook contains typescripts by S.J. Willis on "Accredited High School," "Teacher Training (1934)," "School Finance" and "High School Curriculum & High School Correspondence Courses".

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Assistant Superintendent of Education correspondence

  • GR-0134
  • Series
  • 1965-1968

The series consists of correspondence files created by the Assistant Superintendent of Education between 1965 and 1968.
The files deal with a broad range of topics, including teachers' conferences, data processing, school inspectorates and staff meetings.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

School inspectors' reports

  • GR-0122
  • Series
  • 1918-1957

The series consists of School Inspectors' reports created by the Dept. of Education between 1918 and 1957. The reports are arranged alphabetically, by name of school or community, for the years 1918-1938; thereafter, reports are filed alphabetically by name of teacher.

Evaluations of a number of private schools are included, as well as assessments of manual training and domestic science programmes in various schools. These reports contain evaluations of individual teachers and assessments of education programmes in all types of schools throughout the province.

The report forms varied over the years, but in most instances they contain information on teachers' qualifications, teaching methods and classroom discipline, pupils' progress, and the availability and condition of teaching equipment. Early reports on provincial elementary schools also contain information on the size and condition of the school buildings and grounds.

As a rule, the inspectors' reports were arranged alphabetically, by name of school inspected, and filed chronologically under various categories. During the years 1918-1937, the main categories were "Elementary Schools," "High Schools and Superior Schools," and "Manual Training and Domestic Science."

There were, however, frequent exceptions and alterations to this filing system. For example, during the years 1929-1931 Vancouver schools (i.e. those administered by the Vancouver School Board) were filed separately from other municipal schools; during the years 1934-1938 the Jericho Hill School for the Deaf and the Blind was accorded a separate file. Between 1928 and 1937 files pertaining to certain "private schools" were also kept separately. "Private schools" in this instance included some independent schools such as Crofton House, Vancouver, several religious colleges, and a number of Indian residential schools.

In addition, rural elementary schools were listed separately from other provincial elementary schools during the years 1928-1937. The "Rural Schools" reports were prepared by Miss Lottie Bowron, Rural Teachers' Welfare Officer (Women's). Her reports often contain detailed accounts of the conditions faced by teachers in small, isolated communities.

The Department of Education adopted a new filing system in 1938. From that year until 1957, when this series ends, all public school inspectors' reports, irrespective of school categories, were filed alphabetically under the names of individual teachers.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education

Public Works contracts and other material

  • GR-0071
  • Series
  • 1924-1954

The series consists of contract sets for diverse public works: buildings, bridges, roads and road works, ferries and ferry facilities, etc. The contract sets, usually signed by the contractor and the minister, often include the notices to contractors as they appeared in The British Columbia Gazette, tender forms, schedules of quantities, specifications, contracts, insurance policies, correspondence, and plans.

British Columbia. Dept. of Public Works

Public Works specifications and other material

  • GR-0070
  • Series
  • 1872-1924

The series consists of specifications for Public Works buildings, including occasional plans and contract forms, created between 1872 and 1924 by the Dept. of Public Works.

British Columbia. Dept. of Public Works

Public Works contracts and other material

  • GR-0054
  • Series
  • 1893-1926

The series consists of records created by the Dept. of Public Works between 1893 and 1926. The files contain contracts, specifications, and plans of Public Works buildings such as schools, gaols, court houses and hospitals. They are arranged chronologically.

British Columbia. Dept. of Public Works

Cornelius Kelleher interview

The item is a recorded interview with Mr. Cornelius "Corny" Kelleher. Tape 1: Kelleher recalls his father, Mortimer Kelleher, Mortimer's early days in British Columbia, and his settlement in Mission City in 1868. He speaks about the mills in Mission City; the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Mission [OMI] settlement of the mission in 1862; First Nations people at the mission; construction and location of the mission buildings; the Sisters of St. Ann convent; his father's work for the mission; the Kelleher family farm; Passmore family; other settlers in the Mission area; childhood at Mission school, surveying for the CPR in 1882; clearing and construction for the CPR; first passenger trains in 1886; steamboats.

Tape 2: Mr. Kelleher discusses steamboat service; construction and maintenance of the dikes at Matsqui Prairie; Matsqui Land Company; the Maclure family; early settlers in Matsqui; the Purver family, discusses farming incidents; naming Abbotsford; CPR link to the U.S.; Huntington; Mission City; roads, railways; [period of silence on tape]; remittance men; Bellevue Hotel, Matsqui Hotel; railway bridge; shipping fish; sturgeon fishing; First Nations methods of fishing.

Tape 3: Mr. Kelleher continues with his recollections of fishing on the Fraser River; salmon fishing; Indigenous place names; other place names; Joe DeRoche; childhood adventures; First Nations stories about ;Hatzic Island; First Nations hunting methods and doctors; Sam McDonald and Frank Wade, Maclure, "Supple Jack" from the Matsqui reserve; Mount Baker; Jim Trethewey and family; ;saw and grist mills; description of the O.M.I. Mission; early settlers; subdivision of lots in Mission City; Riverside; C.B. Sword.;

Tape 4: Mr. Kelleher talks about Mr. Barnes, Mr. Sword, the Matsqui dike and other incidents.

Al and Fred Bears interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-03-14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Fred Bears describes how his father, John Henry Bears, came from California to BC for the gold rush in 1875 and settled in Hope. He also tells about platinum in Granite Creek, people who struck it rich, anecdotes about packers, prospectors, teaching people to mine, gold at Hills Bar, staking claims, the Hudson's Bay post run by 'Old Man Yates' who ran a small store, freighting cattle along the Fraser River, details about their route before the turn of the century, and Bill Bristol. TRACK 2: Fred Bears continues with his stories about Bill Bristol. Al Bears describes what Bill Bristol looked like, and that he came from England. Al goes on to discuss his life, where he went to school, the people who lived in Hope when he was young (there were only six families and they made their living off horses and packing); Luke Gibson; and the trails through Hope. Fred Bears then tells anecdotes about prospecting in the area and the clothes people wore.

Fred Foster interview

CALL NUMBER: T0645:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Fred Foster begins with some anecdotes about the Foster family near Clinton. Then he goes back to his school days in 1881 in Victoria, and discusses Judge Matthew Begbie, including descr;iptions of the man and his character; a description of Begbie's house; the school on Belcher Avenue; his impressions of Victoria in those days, including the schools; an anecdote about a drunk man who; drove an ox team; a procedure for breaking camp at night while traveling on a pack train; his recollections of the packer Jean Caux (known as Cataline); a packer named Tate near Clinton; a story abou;t how Foster's father used to buy gold from the Chinese around the Fraser River, and the process of extracting the quicksilver from the gold; and the differences in gold between various creeks in the Cariboo. TRACK 2: Mr. Foster continues with details about his time in Atlin around 1902, and an anecdote about a dead body in a cabin; more anecdotes about his time in Atlin; running a farm in Clint;on, and eventually coming to Barkerville in 1906; a description of Barkerville at that time; an anecdote about spending New Years eve at Clinton around 1900; his time working on a steamship near Prince George; his experiences in Hazelton as a prospector just before WWI; what Hazelton was like at that time, including the Boyd family; the story of how his mother came to Canada in 1881 [?]; and the l;oss of the Skeena River steamer "Mount Royal".

CALL NUMBER: T0645:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Foster continues with details on how water for use the ships came from a spring at Royal Roads; a discussion of Hatley Park; his memories of Victoria as he first knew it; and characters a;round Victoria. [TRACK 2: blank.]

Martin Starret interviews, 1963-1964

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0001
RECORDED: Hope (B.C.), 1963-03-24 & 25
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Martin Starret, born July 17, 1888, describes his family background, starting with his maternal grandfather, Captain Henry Smith. His grandmother's family name was Stevens. He describes a trip with his uncle, C.V. Smith, to Hazelton in 1909 to learn the fur trade. He discusses a shipment consisting of seventy tons of alcohol for a man called Blackjack MacDonald. He offers a description of Hazelton and his first recollections upon landing there including specific people and events. He discusses his mother and his father, born in 1850 in Brampton Ontario, who was a surveyor. His father also mined gold with a man named Metcalf, and Jack Kerkup who later became the Gold Commissioner at Rossland. His father and a man named Flood, who was from Woodstock Ontario, and a man named Corrigan went from Hope to Skagit in Washington to mine gold. He describes their adventures on the trail to Skagit. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret continues with the story. One of the men began to miss a few things out of his bag such as salt and bacon. The man accused was a Chinese miner and he was required to cut off his hair to be set free. His father returned to Silver Creek, a couple of miles below Hope. Mr. Starret describes Hope, BC, and its residents in the 1890s. Stories of Bill Bristol who had the contract of cutting cords of wood for the steamboat company for a dollar and a quarter per pile. Bristol was born in Syracuse, NY. He worked in the mines in San Francisco in 1849 and came to Hope in 1858. Mr. Starret describes the naming of Catz Landing, Bristol's Landing and a few more places. Bristol used to carry mail from Westminster to Yale in the season when the boats could not run. More stories about Bristol.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0002
RECORDED: Hope (B.C.), 1963-03-24 & 25
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret describes cattle drives and cattle trains near Hope in the 1890s. He offers anecdotes about William Yates who was a worker for Hudson's Bay Company, the man for which Yates Street in Victoria is named. He describes work at the Whitworth Ranch in the Skagit Valley in 1907, a man named Bob Hume who claimed that he was the first white man born in BC, who also worked there. Hume told Mr. Starret the story of Simon Gun-an-noot, an Indian outlaw who killed two white men in Hazelton, including Alec MacIntosh, in October 1907. Gun-an-noot eventually gave himself up because there were no witnesses. Starret tells stories of the famous packer Cataline, whose real name was Jean Caux, and discusses Cataline's drinking habits. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret tells a story about Cataline taking the horseshoes off a horse who was carrying eggs, so that the horse's feet would get sore and he would walk lightly, so as not to break any eggs. More anecdotes about Cataline. Steve Tingley was an old timer who owned a ranch and his wife was killed on a horse. Stories about other packers and old timers such as Ned Stout, Bob Steveson, and John Allway who died in September 1908. He discusses W.W. Walkem who wrote about the first Fraser River bars, and mentions a man named Pete Toye. Mr. Starret offers anecdotes about his mother's experience as a school teacher, and a hike with his father to Eureka mine near Silver Creek in 1897.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0003
RECORDED: Hope (B.C.), 1963-03-24 & 25
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret discusses early white settlers in the Babine Lake region. Stories about Walter Williscroft who lived outside Hazelton, and had to turn back along a trail to find his dog. A story about contractor Duncan Ross and his dealings with a Chinese blacksmith. A packing contest which a Mongolian won. A story of the "Bell Mare", an Indian woman who carried a bell and when the bell would ring the horses would think there was another horse up ahead and rush to get there. Mr. Starret offers a detailed description of packing methods. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret discusses early settlers at Hope in 1900: Yates, Alvarez and Wardel. Feed for the horses was the biggest drawback of Hope. The benefits of Hope from a geographical point of view. Hazelton got busy in 1910 because of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Men from Ontario seemed to be best adjusted to life out west. More on Hope. A story of Bill Miner, a famous train robber and a Robin Hood type figure, who was also a prospector. After one train robbery, Bill Miner rode a split-hoofed horse from the scene; the police tracked the horse and caught Miner in 1903. More stories about Miner and his generosity. Mines in the area are overviewed. A description of the survey of Allison Pass in 1906.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0004
RECORDED: Hope (B.C.), 1963-03-24 & 25
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret continues with his story about surveying Allison Pass near Princeton around 1905/1906. He describes the Whitworth Ranch in the Skagit Valley in 1907 at the time of a gold strike. He mentions several prospectors and discusses how Indians burned off the sides of the mountains to create easier passage to Gibson Pass. Whitworth lived in the Skagit Valley from 1903 to 1910. More stories about prospecting for gold around Yale and taking up land and prospecting at Stuart Lake. He describes what kind of man a prospector is: an optimist. The weather around Hope and how it affects the people working. The "Mill Run" around Hope is a ditch which runs at the foot of the mountain for irrigation. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret continues with more on Hope. He describes the school at Hope with stories about families such as the Bears, how the children dressed, and stories about what the day consisted of. Mr. Starret offers other childhood memories such as milking cows, learning to hunt, sapping trees, a particularly harsh winter, and life in the summer as a child.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0005
RECORDED: Hope (B.C.), 1963-03-24 & 25
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret continues with more stories about growing up in Hope in the 1890s, such as planting potatoes, riding horses, getting water for his mother with his brother Bill, turning hay and swimming. Then he tells a story about going up to the Nicola country to turn hay with his brother when he was twenty-one. He eventually got a job for Harry Gibbs at the Babine Salmon Hatchery in 1911. He tells a story about ordering a pipe to repair a leak and life at the hatchery that summer. Mr. Starret describes how flat boats took supplies all over the province. Mr. Starret tells the Indian (Babine Tribe, Stuart Lake Tribe) story about the legendary figure Astace and the creation of the Skeena River, as it was told to him. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret continues with his narrative about the origin of the Skeena River. Mr. Starret describes the landscape around Hazelton and the Skeena River. He discusses the differences in how white people and Indians treat their animals, such as pack dogs and horses. He talks about native people greeting Father Nicholas Coccola at Babine, and the schools, people and reserves in the area.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0006 track 1
RECORDED: Hope (B.C.), 1963-03-24 & 25
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret discusses boats: every boy knew how to row; all the fishing boats passing through Hope to get to Westminster; and native people's boats. More on mining in the area and the origins of names of places in the Hope region, with a description of the geography and people. He supposes that Hope was established before Yale and offers an explanation as to why. Soon after Yale became a more significant town. Mr. Starret tells stories of crossing lakes with Indians as guides. [end of 1963 interview]

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0006 track 2
RECORDED: Silver Creek (B.C.), 1964-07-02
SUMMARY: TRACK 2: Mr. Starret tells stories about Bill Bristol, a mail carrier from New Westminster to Yale, who employed an Indian crew to work with him. Mr. Starret describes Bristol's physical appearance and the way he acted. Mr. Starret tells a story Bristol told him about Mr. Starret's father as a young prospector who discovered a lead near Hope. More stories about Bristol.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0007
RECORDED: Silver Creek (B.C.), 1964-07-02
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret describes Bill Bristol's daughter, Maisie, who was sent to a private boarding school in Hope; she later married an old sailor named Bears and had six or seven children, all boys but one. He discusses Bristol's death in early winter 1909/1910. Mr. Starret offers anecdotal material about residents of Hope in the 1890s, such as Mrs. Flood (a school teacher), and physical features of Hope, such as the characteristics of picket fences. Mr. Starret offers further description of the Babine region while he lived there from October 1909: the Hudson's Bay posts and activities such as fur trading, the gold rush on McConnell Creek in 1908, stories of old timers; stories of getting into the area along the Fraser River and Dewdney Trail; more about the geography around Babine; mail carriers and what was involved in such an enterprise, a story about an old time prospector named Jim May who worked on Tom Creek and more old timers. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret talks about trading posts on the Skeena; the Babine Indians and times they had been attacked, raids, and a story an Indian woman told his mother about catching a wolverine. Mr. Starret tells an involved story of a trip he took one spring near Hazelton to locate a homestead, and experiences with Indians, including detailed geography. Then he tells the story of a journey to Round Lake to look at some land for his uncle which was being sold, including characters he met along the way and some geography.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0008
RECORDED: Silver Creek (B.C.), 1964-07-02
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret tells a story about 'Blaze' Rogers who blazed all the roads around Hazelton, and trips around the Babine region in all kinds of weather. Stories about life with his uncle, C.V. Smith, in Hazelton in 1909, including stories his uncle had told him about the Indians at Babine. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0009
RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-08-13 & 14
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret describes the landscape and roads around Hope in 1900 by comparing it to what it is like in 1964. In his description, he offers several anecdotes including one about a Chinese man who died, Cariboo Joe Tunnel near Chapman, a dig of ninety feet below water to get to bedrock, men, Bill and Joe Lapworth and the Johnson family, who worked on the railway at Hope Station when he was a child in the 1890s, and stories involving the boat that the Johnson family used to get to school. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret continues his stories about the boat in which the family thought one of their uncles had died, but he returned. Mr. Starret describes the first roads built in the 1870s at Hope which went around the lake to Chilliwack, and the first settlements he can remember including Jones Hill, and names of local Indian reserves. Mr. Starret tells the story of how Catz Landing got its name by Captain John Irving and the story of Murderer's Bar in 1858. Stories of old timer Manuel Alvarez, who was from Chile and married an Indian woman, and his eldest son Tom Alvarez, and the first mail carriers in the area. The history of mail carrier Bill Bristol including his real first name, events in his life, land given to him as a wood yard, his route from Westminster to Yale until the railway came in 1885.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0010
RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-08-13 & 14
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: More stories about Bill Bristol and how he used to canoe to Yale before the road was built, and how he disliked paddling downstream. As a testament to Bristol's faithfulness as a mail carrier, he was given a watch with an inscription when he retired. Anecdotes about Steve Tingley who worked for the Barnard Express. Mr. Starret tells a story about the log cabin in the Otter Valley where Ed Tingley (Steve's nephew) lived. Mr. Starret learned to dance there in 1905. More on Bill Bristol and his problems taking a canoe upstream. More stories told to Mr. Starret by Bill Bristol, such as a bear shooting a man in a tree in Tete Jeune Cache during the gold rush. He describes the area where he believes Simon Fraser first landed. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret tells the story of a Hudson's Bay company worker named Greenwood, the man whom Greenwood Island is named after, and a story of Mr. Yates who was a clerk in the 1880s. Stories of reactions to the first telephone in the area, followed by a description of Mr. Yates and more stories about him. Mr. Starret describes the development of Hope and the migration route. He discusses cattle drives on the Yale road, and the need to burn timber to create land to feed the cattle in the 1860s.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0011
RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-08-13 & 14
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret continues with more on cattle drives near Hope in the 1890s including how the cowboys dressed. Mr. Starret discusses the layout of Hope from his earliest memories, his family's ranch outside of Hope, old timers, the mill at Hope, and wagons used at the time. He describes the oldest hard rock mine in BC, which is nine miles outside of Hope, mined in the 1860s and called Silver Creek, and the trails nearby. The twenty-mile belt-line from Silver Creek to the railroad was built in 1906 by a man who died on the Titanic. Mr. Starret describes sporting events in the area, such as the horse races on May 24th. He tells a story of how sixteen-year-old Luke Gibson, of the Chilliwack Gibson family, was racing a horse whose leg broke in the race. More stories about race-day and killing a bear in Hope. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret tells a story about waiting for a steamboat and he mentions several characters in Hope such as Mr. Wardel. More on Murderer's Bar and the river nearby, the Walkum family and their land on Murray Creek; a ditch that collapsed and killed some Indians; Hope Mountain and the surrounding landscape. Mr. Starret offers his first impressions of Silver Creek and stories of how ore was discovered in the 1860s; Hugh Stoker was one of the first investors. A description of the mountains, Silver Peak and Holy Cross, and how they were named. Mr. Starret describes a hike up to the Eureka Mine with his father and his neighbor Fred Bears in August 1897, including details of the supplies they brought with them, plants they encountered such as hemlock bark, the campsite, the trail they traveled, and a stump they encountered which had a mark in it (which was still there when he revisited 50 years later).

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0012
RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-08-13 & 14
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret continues with his story up to the Eureka Mine with details of the meals they ate, more on the forks and geography of the trail, the cabin at the mine, dynamite and how to light it, spending the night in the cabin, morning at the cabin, the trail to the Victoria mine, Fred slipping on the hard snow, finding crystallized quartz and copper ore, searching out the Eureka tunnel, going home and details about Fred Bears. Mr. Starret discusses other camping trips and other thoughts looking back on the Eureka trip. He discusses how his father spent time looking for an ore vein, and the differences in the smells from a hay field to the timbers of the mountains. Mr. Starret discusses other mountains and roads near the Mr. Starret ranch. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret discusses weather: clouds on the mountains as compared to those in the northern interior, and a story about a dance and a hard snowfall of four feet, eight inches. Mr. Starret tells a story about being afraid of animals at night and details of beds, bedding, night clothes and customs when he was a child. He offers insight into freedoms and restrictions of his life as a child, such as what would be eaten for breakfast and the tap used for water.

CALL NUMBER: T0399:0013
RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-08-13 & 14
SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Starret continues describing a typical day of what life was like in Hope as a boy in the 1890s: his father would get up and light a fire first thing in the morning and make coffee, shoes they wore as compared to shoes of the 1960s, feeding the chickens and ducks, and breakfast. Mr. Starret digresses and discusses his father's eating customs and his appearance, and Mr. Starret's impressions of his father when he was a child. Mr. Starret then discusses his mother's appearance, and her life as a teacher. Mr. Starret describes what life was like while he lived alone on the ranch with his father while his mother taught in Victoria. TRACK 2: Mr. Starret tells a story about when he and his brother Will were working on a ranch in September 1909 when his mother asked one of the boys to join her in a trip to Hazelton to stay with her brother. Mr. Starret joined his mother and explains details about the trip and what Hazelton was like in 1909, when he was twenty-one, his uncle's home, stories about what his life was like in the area, and traveling in the winter to establish a ranch.

Vesta Gething interview

CALL NUMBER: T3960:0001 RECORDED: Hudson's Hope (B.C.), 1981-03-24 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Born New Denver, B.C. Family background. Childhood in Kootenays, Vancouver, Prince George and Hudson's Hope. First house. School history (Vancouver). Cultural and sports activities. Holiday celebrations. In 1905, father took up coal leases (in Peace River Region). Travelled from Prince George to Hudson's Hope by boat -- a week on the river. Father did assessment in the area. Description of Hudson's Hope and area. Fort St. John was three-day journey away. Schools. Police. Local Indians. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T3960:0002 RECORDED: Hudson's Hope (B.C.), 1981-03-24 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Postmistress in Hudson's Hope for 20+ years, starting 1943. Mail delivery. Post office was in her house. Social gatherings. Stores: Revillon Freres and Hudson's Bay. Father had first coal mine; log buildings; used horses to haul coal. At the peak (after Alaska Highway opened), there were 15 people there. Hauled coal in winter. Other coal mines in area. Other mining and trapping. Local place names. Impact of WWI, the Depressions, WW2. Travels to sanitorium in Michigan. Alaska Highway. [TRACK 2: blank.]

Ted Levelton interview

CALL NUMBER: T0301:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ted Levelton : life in the Bella Coola Valley SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Ted Levelton describes his father Erasmus Levelton from Norway, Rev. Christian Saugstad, Mr. Clayton who was the HBC Factor in Bella Coola (1895), the Indians that were taken to Germany in 1890, Philip Jacobsen, the journey from Minnesota to Bella Coola, by-laws of the colony, the division of lots and the clearing of the land, a flood, involvement with Indians and whisky, more on the colonists, the Saugstad family, and the family's arrival in Bella Coola in 1895. TRACK 2: Ted Levelton continues with more on the arrival of the family, Captain Meyers, Philip Jacobsen and his father-in-law Capt. Thorsen, the first colonist was born at Bella Coola in 1898, farming, clearing land and wages, John Clayton and his family, Leach's Bridge, Walter Williscroft and bridges, Levelton's home as; a stopover for travelers, schools at Hagensborg, and Christmas activities.;

CALL NUMBER: T0301:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ted Levelton : life in the Bella Coola Valley SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Ted Levelton discusses the strength of Ole Saugstad, Rev. Saugstad's death, the church at Hagensborg, Hans Sogang, Karls Kristoffsen, Tolgar Olsen, and bear stories. TRACK 2: Ted Levelton discusses the Bella Coola town site, flooding dangers, an investigation by Premier T.D. Pattullo, proposed construction being interrupted by WWI, the moving of the town site in 1925, how the Indians had to move after a flood in 1936, how the town site expanded in 1937, John Clayton and the HBC post, fur traders and settlers, Anahim Indians, Charlie West, and stories of strong women.;

CALL NUMBER: T0301:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ted Levelton : life in the Bella Coola Valley - the Indians SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Ted Levelton discusses the Indians who were employed to take freight to Hagensborg, spoon canoes and their excellent maneuverability, Indian villages (including those at Hagensborg, Burnt Bridge, Noo Secule [?], and Stuie), White Water a.k.a. Talchako, more descriptions of Indian villages, Chief Klukamut's death in 1889, Rev. William Henry Pierce (the first missionary who came from Port Essington in 1882) and Indian raids, Indian houses, building a fire including techniques, more on houses, cooking, eulachon grease, and wooden axes. TRACK 2: More on eulachon grease and wooden boxes, the clothing of Indians and HBC blankets, Indian dances at longhouses, the "Hao-Hao bird", sports at the May 24th celebration, the Clemnaman boys and feats of strength, the area covered by the Indian ;Agency (Rivers Inlet to Prince Rupert), and education including the story of a school teacher.

CALL NUMBER: T0301:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ted Levelton : life in the Bella Coola Valley SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Ted Levelton offers a story of a school superintendent who was visiting a local school, an example of a "silent streak", teachers in the Bella Coola Valley, the Indian reserve at Bella Bella ;and the boundary disputes, the arrival of George Darby in 1914, nurse Ida Morgan, a story of Dr. Darby and Morgan falling asleep in church, no education available for Indians, the Ootsa Lake rush from 1906-1910, more on land disputes including those at Ootsa Lake and Anahim Lake, and the 53rd parallel. [TRACK 2: Blank.]

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