Series consists of nine albums (binders) holding 554 photographs of Cortes Island and nearby islands, including Twin Islands and Hernando Island, with accompanying descriptions and with additional textual information such as pre-emption records, reminiscences and newspaper clippings. Most of the photographs date from the early decades of the 20th century, depicting homes and buildings, pioneer families, community activities, schools, wharves, boats, logging and marine activity. The majority of the photographs are copies, as indicated by the numbers assigned to them by the Campbell River Museum & Archives. There are 72 original photographs in the albums.
Nine photograph albums (binders) holding 554 photographs with accompanying descriptions.
Custodial History
May Ellingsen put this collection together in the mid 1980s. She collected hundreds of old photographs from 30 donor families which were then copied and catalogued by the Campbell River Museum in 1985, with funding from the Canada Council and Canada Works. (see "Musings", a publication of the CR Museum & Archives Society, Vol. IV #1, March 1985) The Campbell River Museum made negatives and two copies of the photographs; the originals were then returned to the donor families. One copy of each photo was given to May, who arranged them in albums and added her commentary. She continued to add to the albums through the 1990s, adding 72 original photographs and more descriptions. She kept the albums in the library in the Manson's Hall and then in the Cortes Museum when it opened in 1999. The albums were officially donated to CIMAS in 2004.
Scope and Content
Series consists of nine albums (binders) holding 554 photographs of Cortes Island and nearby islands, including Twin Islands and Hernando Island, with accompanying descriptions and with additional textual information such as pre-emption records, reminiscences and newspaper clippings. Most of the photographs date from the early decades of the 20th century, depicting homes and buildings, pioneer families, community activities, schools, wharves, boats, logging and marine activity. The majority of the photographs are copies, as indicated by the numbers assigned to them by the Campbell River Museum & Archives. There are 72 original photographs in the albums.
Item level finding aid is available for the 72 original photographs.
Copyright
The Campbell River Archives has negatives for the copied photographs in the Collection and makes prints on request for a charge according to their policy and according to the wishes of the donors. Donor/source cards were filled out by each family donating photographs and include restrictions on use in some cases. They are on file at the Campbell River Archives.
CIMAS holds the copyright on the 72 original photographs in these albums.
This collection consists of ten photograph albums (binders) compiled and annotated by May Ellingsen. The albums contain both original and reproduced photographs of Cortes Island and nearby islands, including Twin Islands and Hernando Island. They are accompanied by captions and additional textual information such as pre-emption records, reminiscences and newspaper clippings. Most of the photographs date from the early decades of the 20th century, depicting homes and buildings, pioneer families, community activities, schools, wharves, boats, logging and marine activity. Fonds consists of two series: Series 1 (The May Ellingsen Historic Photograph Collection, Vol. 1-9, Accession 2004.003) and Series 2 (The Manson Family Album, Accession 2004.002).
Ten photograph albums (binders) containing 152 original photographs and 482 reproductions.
History / Biographical
May Ellingsen was born on March 13, 1914 to George and Robina Freeman. Her maternal grandfather, Michael Manson, was the first person to pre-empt land on Cortes Island, claiming a quarter section on Gunflint Lake in 1886. May spent her childhood on Hernando Island, where her family homesteaded and logged, and on Cortes Island, where she attended the log school at Manson's Landing.
In 1936 May married Elmer Ellingsen. They spent the next ten years in the Loughborough Inlet/Phillips Arm area while Elmer worked for his father's logging operations. During those years their children, Shirley, Bruce and Andy, were born. In 1946 the family moved to Von Donop Creek, where Elmer was logging. In 1950 they moved their float house, built at the time of their marriage, to Manson's Landing Lagoon and two years later, to its present permanent location on Hague Lake.
May and Elmer devoted much time and energy to building their community. Amongst her many community activities, May ran the library at Manson's Hall. She had a strong interest in local history, researching the history of land pre-emptions on the island, collecting and annotating photographs from pioneer families and recording interviews with old timers. She was a founder of the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society; the archives reading room is named in her honor. Historical materials and artifacts gathered by May formed the kernel of the museum's collections and archives.
Custodial History
May Ellingsen created the albums in the 1980s, and kept adding to them throughout the 1990s. She kept them at the Manson's Landing library and then at the museum from 1999. She officially donated them to CIMAS in 2004.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of ten photograph albums (binders) compiled and annotated by May Ellingsen. The albums contain both original and reproduced photographs of Cortes Island and nearby islands, including Twin Islands and Hernando Island. They are accompanied by captions and additional textual information such as pre-emption records, reminiscences and newspaper clippings. Most of the photographs date from the early decades of the 20th century, depicting homes and buildings, pioneer families, community activities, schools, wharves, boats, logging and marine activity. Fonds consists of two series: Series 1 (The May Ellingsen Historic Photograph Collection, Vol. 1-9, Accession 2004.003) and Series 2 (The Manson Family Album, Accession 2004.002).
Series contains information on historic Crown Grants and subsequent title changes compiled by Doreen Thompson during her research for the CIMAS Windows on Whaletown exhibit in 1999. The area covered includes the northern part of Cortes Island, from just south of Gorge Harbour. Material includes maps, photocopies of original Crown Grants and other title documents, lists of subdivisions, and notes on changes of title.
Records were organized by Section or Plan number in large envelopes with a cover map and notes about the properties researched on the envelope back. They trace the ownership of parcels of land from the first grant or purchase from the Crown to 1999. Original order has been maintained.
Series contains information on historic Crown Grants and subsequent title changes compiled by Doreen Thompson during her research for the CIMAS Windows on Whaletown exhibit in 1999. The area covered includes the northern part of Cortes Island, from just south of Gorge Harbour. Material includes maps, photocopies of original Crown Grants and other title documents, lists of subdivisions, and notes on changes of title.
Records were organized by Section or Plan number in large envelopes with a cover map and notes about the properties researched on the envelope back. They trace the ownership of parcels of land from the first grant or purchase from the Crown to 1999. Original order has been maintained.
File contains a photocopied part of a map showing the locations of researched property in the Whaletown Lagoon and Whaletown Harbour area. The map is glued to an envelope which has a list of Crown grants and other conveyances on the back.
It contains photocopies of original land grants and other conveyances for the following:
Moses Ireland: 1893, Crown Grant for the W 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Sec 35 and W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 34
Joseph Youart: 1900, Crown Grant for Fractional NE 1/4 of Sec 35 (sold to Alice Robertson in 1908; "Burnside" is still in the Robertson family).
Nicholas Thompson: 1920, Crown Grant for the Fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 35
Charles Strange: 1914, Crown Grant for the NW 1/4 of Sec 35
File contains a photocopied part of a map showing the locations of researched property in the Whaletown Lagoon and Whaletown Harbour area. The map is glued to an envelope which has a list of Crown grants and other conveyances on the back.
It contains photocopies of original land grants and other conveyances for the following:
Moses Ireland: 1893, Crown Grant for the W 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Sec 35 and W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 34
Joseph Youart: 1900, Crown Grant for Fractional NE 1/4 of Sec 35 (sold to Alice Robertson in 1908; "Burnside" is still in the Robertson family).
Nicholas Thompson: 1920, Crown Grant for the Fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 35
Charles Strange: 1914, Crown Grant for the NW 1/4 of Sec 35
File contains a map key to the areas of Sections 17, 18, 19, 22 and 34 (south of Gorge Harbour) which were researched (Information in Files 3-7).
It contains photocopies of original land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
Reginald James Smith: 1946, Crown Grant 165414I for fractional SE 1/4 of Sec 23, 1946 (the Thunder Road subdivision at the eastern end of Gorge Harbour).
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a map key to the areas of Sections 17, 18, 19, 22 and 34 (south of Gorge Harbour) which were researched (Information in Files 3-7).
It contains photocopies of original land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
Reginald James Smith: 1946, Crown Grant 165414I for fractional SE 1/4 of Sec 23, 1946 (the Thunder Road subdivision at the eastern end of Gorge Harbour).
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains title information and photocopies of land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
John Williams: 1914, Crown Grant for the fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 22 and fractional NW 1/4 of Sec 22 (east of Gorge Harbour entrance)
John Williams: 1914, Crown Grant for the fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 22 and frac. NW 1/4 of Sec 18 (west of the Gorge Harbour entrance)
File contains three oversize maps which are stored in the map cabinet: Map of Section 22, Plan VIP52378, Lots A,B,C (blueprint map; 85 cm x 54 cm, 1985); map of Plan 27966 (blueprint map; 55 cm x 43 cm, 1974); photocopy of map of fractional NW 1/4 Sec 17 (55 cm x 43 cm, 1973)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains title information and photocopies of land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
John Williams: 1914, Crown Grant for the fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 22 and fractional NW 1/4 of Sec 22 (east of Gorge Harbour entrance)
John Williams: 1914, Crown Grant for the fractional SW 1/4 of Sec 22 and frac. NW 1/4 of Sec 18 (west of the Gorge Harbour entrance)
File contains three oversize maps which are stored in the map cabinet: Map of Section 22, Plan VIP52378, Lots A,B,C (blueprint map; 85 cm x 54 cm, 1985); map of Plan 27966 (blueprint map; 55 cm x 43 cm, 1974); photocopy of map of fractional NW 1/4 Sec 17 (55 cm x 43 cm, 1973)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a photocopy of Crown Grant and documentation of subsequent changes in title for:
William Barrett Lennard: 1928, Crown Grant for the SE and SW 1/4s of Section 23 (on the SE shore of Gorge Harbour)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a photocopy of Crown Grant and documentation of subsequent changes in title for:
William Barrett Lennard: 1928, Crown Grant for the SE and SW 1/4s of Section 23 (on the SE shore of Gorge Harbour)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a photocopy of Crown Grant and documentation of subsequent changes in title for:
Eliza Breeze: 1920, Crown Grant for Fractional NW 1/4 of Section 18 (east of the entrance to Gorge Harbour)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a photocopy of Crown Grant and documentation of subsequent changes in title for:
Eliza Breeze: 1920, Crown Grant for Fractional NW 1/4 of Section 18 (east of the entrance to Gorge Harbour)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a coloured map with researched properties coloured in, and title information and photocopies of land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
Edward James Breeze: 1931, Crown Grant for District Lot 1373 (parts of Section 23 and Section 17, at the southeast end of Gorge Harbour by Anvil Lake)
Frank Harper: 1913, Crown Grant for the NE 96 acres of Section 23 (at the northeast end of Gorge Harbour)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a coloured map with researched properties coloured in, and title information and photocopies of land grants and subsequent conveyances for the following:
Edward James Breeze: 1931, Crown Grant for District Lot 1373 (parts of Section 23 and Section 17, at the southeast end of Gorge Harbour by Anvil Lake)
Frank Harper: 1913, Crown Grant for the NE 96 acres of Section 23 (at the northeast end of Gorge Harbour)
(Files 3 through 7 are from the same envelope.)
File contains information on subdivision and title changes, and a photocopy of the original Crown grant, in the Whaletown Lagoon area, to:
Samuel Thompson: 1894, Crown Grant for SW 1/4 of Section 35 and NW 1/4 of Section 34, 160 acres
File also contains four maps (stored in the Map Cabinet):
1) Subdivision map of part of NE 1/4 of Sec. 34 and part of NE 1/4 of Sec. 34, 1995
2) Subdivision Plan of NW 1/4 of Sec. 34 and NE 1/4 of Sec. 34 and part of E 1/2 of SE 1/2 of Sec. 34, 1995
3) Subdivision Plan of Lot A, NW 1/4 of Sec. 34, 1976
4) Subdivision Plan of part of NW 1/4 of Section 34, 1994
(Files 9 and 10 are from the same envelope.)
File contains information on subdivision and title changes, and a photocopy of the original Crown grant, in the Whaletown Lagoon area, to:
Samuel Thompson: 1894, Crown Grant for SW 1/4 of Section 35 and NW 1/4 of Section 34, 160 acres
File also contains four maps (stored in the Map Cabinet):
1) Subdivision map of part of NE 1/4 of Sec. 34 and part of NE 1/4 of Sec. 34, 1995
2) Subdivision Plan of NW 1/4 of Sec. 34 and NE 1/4 of Sec. 34 and part of E 1/2 of SE 1/2 of Sec. 34, 1995
3) Subdivision Plan of Lot A, NW 1/4 of Sec. 34, 1976
4) Subdivision Plan of part of NW 1/4 of Section 34, 1994
(Files 9 and 10 are from the same envelope.)
File contains title information to 1991 and a photocopy of the original Crown Grant to:
Nicholas Thompson: 1920, Crown Grant of Fractional SW 1/4 of Section 35; 54 acres on the southwest of Whaletown Bay
File contains a small explanatory map if a 5.5 acre portion of fractional SW 1/4 of Sec. 35, 1949, and a Subdivision Plan map of part of fractional SW 1/4 of Sec. 35, 1957 (stored in the Map Cabinet).
(Files 9 and 10 are from the same envelope.)
File contains title information to 1991 and a photocopy of the original Crown Grant to:
Nicholas Thompson: 1920, Crown Grant of Fractional SW 1/4 of Section 35; 54 acres on the southwest of Whaletown Bay
File contains a small explanatory map if a 5.5 acre portion of fractional SW 1/4 of Sec. 35, 1949, and a Subdivision Plan map of part of fractional SW 1/4 of Sec. 35, 1957 (stored in the Map Cabinet).
(Files 9 and 10 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a section map showing properties southeast of Gorge Harbour and title information on the property, later owned by Gilean Douglas, and known as Channel Rock.
To John Pool: 1930, Crown Grant of the W 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of Sec. 21 and fractional SW 1/4 of Sec. 21 and Crown Grant fo the fractional E 1/2 of fractional SE 1/4 of Sec. 21
File contains a section map showing properties southeast of Gorge Harbour and title information on the property, later owned by Gilean Douglas, and known as Channel Rock.
To John Pool: 1930, Crown Grant of the W 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of Sec. 21 and fractional SW 1/4 of Sec. 21 and Crown Grant fo the fractional E 1/2 of fractional SE 1/4 of Sec. 21
File contains photocopies of the original Crown Grants and subsequent title changes with plan maps.
To Moses Ireland: 1893, Crown Grant for the W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 35 and the fractional SE 1/4 of Section 35 (161 acres around Whaletown Bay
To George Alderson: 1961, Crown Grant for Lot 3 of Section 34
File contains photocopies of the original Crown Grants and subsequent title changes with plan maps.
To Moses Ireland: 1893, Crown Grant for the W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 35 and the fractional SE 1/4 of Section 35 (161 acres around Whaletown Bay
To George Alderson: 1961, Crown Grant for Lot 3 of Section 34
File contains a key map which was pasted on the front of the envelope indicating the areas researched for Files 12-16; notes on the titles; photocopies of Crown Grants and subsequent title information for:
BC Buildings Corp: 1982, Crown Grant for Block A of SW 1/4 of Sec. 25 (Highways Maintenance Yard)
District Lot 871 (40 acres between Carrington and Coulter Bays): to James Frederick McManus, 1919
To Ernest Henry Vaughn: 1922, Crown Grant for NE 1/4 and NW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec. 24; SE 1/4 of SW 1/4 and SW 1/4 of SE 1/4 of Sec 31
Herbert Proctor: 1928 for fractional SW 1/4 of Sec. 41, bordering Tork Reserve; 159 acres for $159.00 (orig. Crown Grant to Herbert Proctor in 1922)
To William Cowan: 1937, E 1/2 of SE 1/4 of Sec. 26, 89 acres
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a key map which was pasted on the front of the envelope indicating the areas researched for Files 12-16; notes on the titles; photocopies of Crown Grants and subsequent title information for:
BC Buildings Corp: 1982, Crown Grant for Block A of SW 1/4 of Sec. 25 (Highways Maintenance Yard)
District Lot 871 (40 acres between Carrington and Coulter Bays): to James Frederick McManus, 1919
To Ernest Henry Vaughn: 1922, Crown Grant for NE 1/4 and NW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec. 24; SE 1/4 of SW 1/4 and SW 1/4 of SE 1/4 of Sec 31
Herbert Proctor: 1928 for fractional SW 1/4 of Sec. 41, bordering Tork Reserve; 159 acres for $159.00 (orig. Crown Grant to Herbert Proctor in 1922)
To William Cowan: 1937, E 1/2 of SE 1/4 of Sec. 26, 89 acres
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains photocopies of original Crown Grants, subsequent title changes and maps for:
To Joseph Gregson: 1926, Crown Grant for fractional W 1/2 of Lot 899 and Lot 901 (between Coulter and Carrington Bays), with a water easement for Wailes
To John Nugent McIllree: 1957, Crown Grant of mineral rights to lots at Coulter Bay surveyed as the "Arrow" and "Bullseye" mineral claims
To Hilda Peterson: 1919, Crown Grant for Lot 878, Carrington Bay, 55 acres
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains photocopies of original Crown Grants, subsequent title changes and maps for:
To Joseph Gregson: 1926, Crown Grant for fractional W 1/2 of Lot 899 and Lot 901 (between Coulter and Carrington Bays), with a water easement for Wailes
To John Nugent McIllree: 1957, Crown Grant of mineral rights to lots at Coulter Bay surveyed as the "Arrow" and "Bullseye" mineral claims
To Hilda Peterson: 1919, Crown Grant for Lot 878, Carrington Bay, 55 acres
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains notes, photocopies of Crown Grants and subsequent title changes for:
William John Sheepwash: 1916, Crown Grant for fractional NE 1/4 of Sec. 45; 153 acres for $153
For Block A of District Lot 744:
-to Gwynn Henry Meredith: 1918, Crown Grant for 59 acres for $1
-to Alfred Edward Layton: 1970, Crown Grant for 59 acres for $460
William Carr Smith: 19??, Crown Grant for District Lot 1170 at Von Donop Creek Lagoon; 155 acres for $1.00
Royal Wells Borden: 1937, Crown Grant for NW 1/4 of Sec 38
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains notes, photocopies of Crown Grants and subsequent title changes for:
William John Sheepwash: 1916, Crown Grant for fractional NE 1/4 of Sec. 45; 153 acres for $153
For Block A of District Lot 744:
-to Gwynn Henry Meredith: 1918, Crown Grant for 59 acres for $1
-to Alfred Edward Layton: 1970, Crown Grant for 59 acres for $460
William Carr Smith: 19??, Crown Grant for District Lot 1170 at Von Donop Creek Lagoon; 155 acres for $1.00
Royal Wells Borden: 1937, Crown Grant for NW 1/4 of Sec 38
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a page of notes, and photocopies of a tax sale notice (1938) and list of properties forfeited for non-payment of taxes, Crown Grants and other title information for the following:
William Walter James: 1926, Crown Grant for NW 1/4 of Sec. 38; 156 acres for $1.00; forfeited to Crown in 1939
Tom Albinson: 1919, Crown Grant for Lot 867; forfeited in 1927
Sadie McMurray: 1917, NE 1/4 of Sec. 39; 160 acres for $160
Peter Police: 1925, fractional NW 1/4 of Sec. 39; 103 acres for $1.00
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a page of notes, and photocopies of a tax sale notice (1938) and list of properties forfeited for non-payment of taxes, Crown Grants and other title information for the following:
William Walter James: 1926, Crown Grant for NW 1/4 of Sec. 38; 156 acres for $1.00; forfeited to Crown in 1939
Tom Albinson: 1919, Crown Grant for Lot 867; forfeited in 1927
Sadie McMurray: 1917, NE 1/4 of Sec. 39; 160 acres for $160
Peter Police: 1925, fractional NW 1/4 of Sec. 39; 103 acres for $1.00
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains information for Crown Grants and subsequent title changes for:
William John Sheepwash: 1916, Certificate of Title for District Lot 905 (on Von Donop Creek), 9.6 acres
William Black, Walter Black, William Reid Black and Marjory Black: 1930, Crown Grant for District Lot 1168, ca. 68 acres
William John Sheepwash: 1916, Crown Grant for fractional NE 1/4 of Sec. 45; 153 acres for $153.00
John Bruce Manson: 1942, Crown Grant for District Lot 903; 126 acres for $315.00
File also contains a photocopied map of Lot 903 and the NE 1/4 of Sec. 45, and a Subdivision Plan of Lot 1168 and part of blocks A & B, Lot 747 (1982; in the Map folder).
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains information for Crown Grants and subsequent title changes for:
William John Sheepwash: 1916, Certificate of Title for District Lot 905 (on Von Donop Creek), 9.6 acres
William Black, Walter Black, William Reid Black and Marjory Black: 1930, Crown Grant for District Lot 1168, ca. 68 acres
William John Sheepwash: 1916, Crown Grant for fractional NE 1/4 of Sec. 45; 153 acres for $153.00
John Bruce Manson: 1942, Crown Grant for District Lot 903; 126 acres for $315.00
File also contains a photocopied map of Lot 903 and the NE 1/4 of Sec. 45, and a Subdivision Plan of Lot 1168 and part of blocks A & B, Lot 747 (1982; in the Map folder).
(Files 12 through 16 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a Key Map to the sections covered in Files 17-19; a list of the sections researched and two pages of notes.
It contains photocopies of Crown Grants and subsequent title changes for the following:
Charles Allen: 1908, Crown Grant for part of NE 1/4 of Sec. 21 lying north of Gorge Harbour (property known as Bute Ranch); 46 acres for $46.00
Bernard Robinson Allen: 1919, Crown Grant for NW 1/4 of Sec. 21; 162 acres for $247.00
Charles Allen: 1905, Crown Grant for SE 1/4 of Sec. 34
(Files 17 through 19 are from the same envelope.)
File contains a Key Map to the sections covered in Files 17-19; a list of the sections researched and two pages of notes.
It contains photocopies of Crown Grants and subsequent title changes for the following:
Charles Allen: 1908, Crown Grant for part of NE 1/4 of Sec. 21 lying north of Gorge Harbour (property known as Bute Ranch); 46 acres for $46.00
Bernard Robinson Allen: 1919, Crown Grant for NW 1/4 of Sec. 21; 162 acres for $247.00
Charles Allen: 1905, Crown Grant for SE 1/4 of Sec. 34
(Files 17 through 19 are from the same envelope.)
File contains information for the following properties:
Frederick James Smith: 1921, Crown Grant for SE 1/4 of Sec. 33; 160 acres for $1.00
Charles Allen: 1912, Crown Grant for SW 1/4 of Sec. 33; 160 acres for $160.
George Robson: 1907, Crown Grant for NW 1/4 of Sec. 21; $247.00 for 142 acres.
(Files 17 through 19 are from the same envelope.)
File contains information for the following properties:
Frederick James Smith: 1921, Crown Grant for SE 1/4 of Sec. 33; 160 acres for $1.00
Charles Allen: 1912, Crown Grant for SW 1/4 of Sec. 33; 160 acres for $160.
George Robson: 1907, Crown Grant for NW 1/4 of Sec. 21; $247.00 for 142 acres.
(Files 17 through 19 are from the same envelope.)
