This fonds comprises records of four Cortes Island women's service organizations, including minutes, financial records, administrative records, correspondence, photographs, ephemera and artifacts. It is arranged in four sous-fonds according to the creator of the records: Whaletown Women's Institute (2009.001.1); Whaletown Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church (2009.001.2); Cortes Island Women's Institute (2009.001.3); and Island Women's Club (2009.001.3). Related material in CIMAS archives may be found in the Whaletown Women's Institute fonds (1999.002), the Gilean Douglas fonds (1999.001), and the May and Elmer Ellingsen fonds (2007.001).
The Island Women's Club was formed in 2000, when the members of the Cortes Island Women's Institute withdrew from the British Columbia Women's Institute in order to focus their efforts locally. It was the successor to previous women's service organizations on Cortes, local branches of the Women's Institute and the Anglican Church Women's Auxiliary. Activities included awarding bursaries to graduating high school students, contributing to school projects such as printing yearbooks, sponsoring sports teams and building playground equipment, supporting the community halls and organizing memorial teas on behalf of bereaved families. They disbanded in 2016.
Custodial History
After they disbanded, records of the Whaletown Women's Institute and the Whaletown Women's Auxiliary passed into the hands of the Cortes Island Women's Institute and its successor, Island Women's Club, who donated them to CIMAS in 2009. The organizational records created by the Island Women's Club were donated to CIMAS in 2018.
Scope and Content
This fonds comprises records of four Cortes Island women's service organizations, including minutes, financial records, administrative records, correspondence, photographs, ephemera and artifacts. It is arranged in four sous-fonds according to the creator of the records: Whaletown Women's Institute (2009.001.1); Whaletown Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church (2009.001.2); Cortes Island Women's Institute (2009.001.3); and Island Women's Club (2009.001.3). Related material in CIMAS archives may be found in the Whaletown Women's Institute fonds (1999.002), the Gilean Douglas fonds (1999.001), and the May and Elmer Ellingsen fonds (2007.001).
Fonds consists of 49 original photographs from the Michael Manson family, mostly from the early 20th century (1898-1928). The photographs depict the Manson family, logging and farming on Hernando and Cortes Islands, Michael and Jane Manson's Golden Wedding anniversary, and Florence McKay's 90th birthday celebration. The photographs were originally in an album with handwritten captions along with newspaper articles about Michael Manson, Jane Manson and Florence McKay.
Florence Manson McKay was born Jan. 21, 1900 to Michael and Jane Manson. Michael Manson was the first person to pre-empt land on Cortes Island, a quarter section on Gunflint Lake (present-day Linnaea Farm). Florence married Ervin McKay in 1918. They moved to Hernando Island in 1921 and Ervin worked with extended family members logging there and on Cortes Island. Florence and Ervin had two children: Etta (b. 1918) and Hazel (b. 1920). In 1929 the McKays took over Michael Manson's original pre-emption on Gunflint Lake, where they farmed until retiring in 1950. They moved to Courtenay, turning the farm over to daughter Hazel and her husband Ken Hansen. Florence was widowed in 1978 and returned to Cortes to live with Ken and Hazel, who had sold the farm but kept 16 acres to live on. Florence passed away in 1995.
Custodial History
Florence McKay gathered the photographs and her daughter, Hazel Hansen, compiled the album and wrote the captions. The album was donated to CIMAS by Hazel's son, Albert Hansen, in 2004.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of 49 original photographs from the Michael Manson family, mostly from the early 20th century (1898-1928). The photographs depict the Manson family, logging and farming on Hernando and Cortes Islands, Michael and Jane Manson's Golden Wedding anniversary, and Florence McKay's 90th birthday celebration. The photographs were originally in an album with handwritten captions along with newspaper articles about Michael Manson, Jane Manson and Florence McKay.
Donkey logging at Haywire Point, Hernando Island.
Wilfred Manson, with cousins Nicol Manson and Jack Manson and brother-in-law Ervin McKay, standing in front of a steam donkey. Photograph has a diagonal crease. Other copies of this photograph are 2007.001.123; Campbell River Museum #13642, and and on p.32 of May Ellingsen Historic Photograph Collection, Album 5, p. 32 (fonds 2004.002).
Donkey logging at Haywire Point, Hernando Island.
Wilfred Manson, with cousins Nicol Manson and Jack Manson and brother-in-law Ervin McKay, standing in front of a steam donkey. Photograph has a diagonal crease. Other copies of this photograph are 2007.001.123; Campbell River Museum #13642, and and on p.32 of May Ellingsen Historic Photograph Collection, Album 5, p. 32 (fonds 2004.002).
Donkey logging at Haywire Point, Hernando Island.
Standing on the logs are (L to R): Ervie McKay; Hazel McKay standing beside her mother Florence McKay; Wilfred Freeman beside his mother Robina Freeman.
Buildings on the beach in the background are three individual family cabins and the cookhouse. The steam donkey is on the extreme right of the photo.
Donkey logging at Haywire Point, Hernando Island.
Standing on the logs are (L to R): Ervie McKay; Hazel McKay standing beside her mother Florence McKay; Wilfred Freeman beside his mother Robina Freeman.
Buildings on the beach in the background are three individual family cabins and the cookhouse. The steam donkey is on the extreme right of the photo.
File contains a summary of expenses and income printed out by Callie Waddell, the last treasurer of Island Women. The records of income from fund-raising activities and donations to various island causes provides a snapshot of the activities of the organization.
Donated to CIMAS by Callie Waddel on Apr. 15, 2019
Scope and Content
File contains a summary of expenses and income printed out by Callie Waddell, the last treasurer of Island Women. The records of income from fund-raising activities and donations to various island causes provides a snapshot of the activities of the organization.
Series consists of minute books and hand-written notes and notebooks containing notes taken at meetings to be used in preparing the minutes. Files also contain some reports and correspondence.
Series consists of minute books and hand-written notes and notebooks containing notes taken at meetings to be used in preparing the minutes. Files also contain some reports and correspondence.
Series consists of year-end reports prepared to be sent to the regional Women's Institute organization, and reports, notes and some correspondence about activities and projects of the local chapter.
Series consists of year-end reports prepared to be sent to the regional Women's Institute organization, and reports, notes and some correspondence about activities and projects of the local chapter.
Series consists of publications collected by the Cortes Island Women's Institute, mostly relating to the history of the local and provincial Women's Institutes.
Series consists of publications collected by the Cortes Island Women's Institute, mostly relating to the history of the local and provincial Women's Institutes.
