Fonds consists of ten diaries kept by James Layton, covering the years 1948-1981, and a Time Book. (Years 1967-1971 are missing.) Layton made brief daily entries in the diaries, noting the weather, activities, social interactions and, occasionally, notable external events. Typical activities included logging, fishing, working on an oyster lease, digging clams, gardening, visiting, reading and writing letters. Times of planting and harvesting the garden, sightings of wildlife, and names of people living nearby or visiting on boats are recorded.
James (Jimmy) George Layton (1897-1990) was born in Camberwell, England. He fought in World War I, was severely wounded when he flung himself on a grenade which had landed in his foxhole, and received a medal for his bravery. In 1920, Layton emigrated to Canada, where he found work in coastal logging camps. Other members of the family, including his parents and seven of his ten siblings, also moved to Canada. At the time of his father's death in 1939, Layton, his parents and three of his brothers were living on Thurlow Island. In the 1940s he moved to the head of Von Donop Inlet on Cortes Island. His float house was drawn up on the beach next to a little islet that was joined to the shore at low tide, where he cultivated a garden and orchard. Layton found work logging and caretaking for local camps active in Von Donop, and helping his brother on his oyster lease. He moved to Lund in 1972, where he passed away at the age of 92.
Custodial History
Diaries were given to Joan Bevington by her cousin Capt. Harrison Layton, the nephew of James Layton, for donation to CIMAS.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of ten diaries kept by James Layton, covering the years 1948-1981, and a Time Book. (Years 1967-1971 are missing.) Layton made brief daily entries in the diaries, noting the weather, activities, social interactions and, occasionally, notable external events. Typical activities included logging, fishing, working on an oyster lease, digging clams, gardening, visiting, reading and writing letters. Times of planting and harvesting the garden, sightings of wildlife, and names of people living nearby or visiting on boats are recorded.
File contains one cream coloured diary, 4 x 4.5 x 1 inches in size, with entries for three years, 1972-1974. The address "Squirrel Cove" is crossed out, replaced by "Bliss Landing, Lund". During these years, Layton moved away from Von Donop. The cover has broken away from the spine, and the hasp is missing.
File contains one cream coloured diary, 4 x 4.5 x 1 inches in size, with entries for three years, 1972-1974. The address "Squirrel Cove" is crossed out, replaced by "Bliss Landing, Lund". During these years, Layton moved away from Von Donop. The cover has broken away from the spine, and the hasp is missing.
File contains a tan leather-bound locking diary, 6 x 4 x 1.5 inches in size, covering the years 1978 and 1979. Layton's address is given as 6328 Poplar St., Powell River, BC V8A 4L4.
File contains a tan leather-bound locking diary, 6 x 4 x 1.5 inches in size, covering the years 1978 and 1979. Layton's address is given as 6328 Poplar St., Powell River, BC V8A 4L4.
Item is an interview of Vernon Borden by Oonagh O'Connor. Borden talks about his childhood on Cortes in a homestead near Carrington Bay, school, community events and neighbors.There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Item is an interview of Vernon Borden by Oonagh O'Connor. Borden talks about his childhood on Cortes in a homestead near Carrington Bay, school, community events and neighbors.There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
This is the continuation (Part 3) of an interview of Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. Clarence talks about his family history; moving to Cortes Island, logging on Cortes in the Von Donop/Blue Jay Lake/Carrington Bay area; road-building; and the arrival of Japanese oysters to Cortes beaches in ca. 1938. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
This is the continuation (Part 3) of an interview of Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. Clarence talks about his family history; moving to Cortes Island, logging on Cortes in the Von Donop/Blue Jay Lake/Carrington Bay area; road-building; and the arrival of Japanese oysters to Cortes beaches in ca. 1938. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Nesta Stackhouse by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include Nesta moving to Cortes to help the Boas at the Columbia Coast Mission post in Whaletown; the clinic in Whaletown; names of people living in the Carrington Bay/Coulter Bay area; involvement in local politics. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Nesta Stackhouse by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include Nesta moving to Cortes to help the Boas at the Columbia Coast Mission post in Whaletown; the clinic in Whaletown; names of people living in the Carrington Bay/Coulter Bay area; involvement in local politics. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.