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Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Material Type
textual records
graphic material
cartographic material
ephemera
Accession Number
1999.001
Date Range
1904-1993 (predominant 1948-1993)
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the personal records of Gilean Douglas which were produced and received during her personal and literary activities. There is some material dating from Douglas's early life, but the bulk of it dates from 1948 to 1993 and directly concerns her life on Cortes Island. Because of Douglas's involvement in the public life of the island, and her interest in local history, her papers contain a great deal of information about the political, community and social life of Cortes Island, particularly the Whaletown area. Fonds is composed of eighteen series: Manuscripts; Correspondence; Literary Records; Regional Director for Area I (Cortes Island); Women's Institute; Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church; School District #72; Whaletown Community Club; Channel Rock; Research; "The Log" of the Columbia Coast Mission; Journals and Notebooks; Illustrations and Sketches; Ephemera; Clippings; Maps; Albums; Photographs.
Other Title Info
Title based on contents of the fonds.
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Creator
Douglas, Gilean
Fonds Number
1999.001
Accession Number
1999.001
Material Type
textual records
graphic material
cartographic material
ephemera
Date Range
1904-1993 (predominant 1948-1993)
Physical Description
1.9 m of textual records; ca. 2,352 photographic records (1147 prints : b&w and col. - ca. 560 negatives : b&w and col. negatives ; 35 mm and 14 x 11 cm or smaller - 645 slides : col. slides ; 35 mm); 1 cm of graphic material; 8 maps.
Extent
1.9
History / Biographical
Gilean Douglas was born in Toronto, Ont. In 1900. Orphaned at the age of 16, she began to work as a free-lance writer and photographer. Over her lifetime her work appeared in more than 200 publications, often published under pseudonyms (Grant Madison, Armoral Kent and Jill MacLean). Douglas published eight books of poetry and three books of non-fiction, and, from 1961 to 1992, wrote a regular column, “Nature Rambles”, for the Victoria Times-Colonist. In 1939, following the collapse of her third marriage, Douglas moved from Ontario to an isolated cabin in the mountains near Hope, B.C. Her first two books of nature writing (one published under the name Grant Madison) document her life there. Her cabin was destroyed by fire in 1947 and two years later she moved to a 138-acre waterfront homestead on Cortes Island with her fourth husband, Philip Douglas, (née Major). Her marriage ended in 1953, but she remained there until her death in 1993. Her home at Channel Rock was isolated, with no road access and no electricity. Douglas had a large garden, and supplemented her writing income by selling produce and plants. She was a volunteer Weather Observer for Environment Canada for 33 years, receiving several awards for her service. Starting in the 1960s, her writing centered increasingly on her life at Channel Rock. Her "Nature Rambles" columns and book "The Protected Place" reflect her life on the island. During her years on Cortes Island, Douglas took a leading role in community affairs and local politics. She held office in several community organizations and acted as a school trustee. As a member of the Women's Institute, she held local, district, provincial and national office, edited a book on its history, and was awarded a Life Membership in 1989. Douglas was a member of the first Cortes Island Advisory Planning Commission and represented Cortes on the Regional Board of Comox-Strathcona as Alternate Director from 1968 to 1973 and as Director from 1973 until 1977. List of Book Publications: 1952 Now the Green Word (Wings Press, Mill Valley, Ca.) 1953 Poetic Plush (The Story Book Press, Dallas, Texas) 1953 River For My Sidewalk (by “Grant Madison”; J. M. Dent & Sons, Toronto, Ont.) 1954 The Pattern Set (Quality Press, Montreal, Quebec) 1959 Modern Pioneers (a history of the Women's Institute, ed. by Douglas; Evergreen Press) 1967 Seascape With Figures (Prairie Press, Iowa City, Iowa) 1973 Now In This Night (Harlo Press, Detroit, Mi.) 1978 Silence Is My Homeland (Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa.) 1979 The Protected Place (Gray’s Publishing, Sidney, B.C.) 1982 Prodigal (Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, B.C.) 1984 River For My Sidewalk (by Gilean Douglas; Sono Nis Press) 1985 Kodachromes at Midday (Sono Nis Press) 1992 Seascape With Figures - Poems Selected and New (Sono Nis Press)
Custodial History
Upon Douglas’ death in 1993 her papers were gathered from her house by her literary executor, Gillian Milton. Douglas’ will directed that her papers and photographs be turned over to the University of British Columbia (Douglas’ primary beneficiary), after being examined and used for literary purposes including publication or biography. Accordingly, Milton inventoried the records, and with Andrea Lebowitz made use of them for a biography and anthology of the writings of Douglas, "Gilean Douglas: Writing Nature, Finding Home" (Lebowitz and Milton, Sono Nis Press, 1999). The textual records were turned over to University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections in December 1999; the photographic records in 2002. By agreement with UBC, the records and photographs which have to do primarily with Cortes Island were turned over to the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society (Manson's Landing, B.C.) in 1999.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the personal records of Gilean Douglas which were produced and received during her personal and literary activities. There is some material dating from Douglas's early life, but the bulk of it dates from 1948 to 1993 and directly concerns her life on Cortes Island. Because of Douglas's involvement in the public life of the island, and her interest in local history, her papers contain a great deal of information about the political, community and social life of Cortes Island, particularly the Whaletown area. Fonds is composed of eighteen series: Manuscripts; Correspondence; Literary Records; Regional Director for Area I (Cortes Island); Women's Institute; Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church; School District #72; Whaletown Community Club; Channel Rock; Research; "The Log" of the Columbia Coast Mission; Journals and Notebooks; Illustrations and Sketches; Ephemera; Clippings; Maps; Albums; Photographs.
Name Access
Douglas, Gilean
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Columbia Coast Mission
Community Associations
Geographic Access
Cortes Island
Related Material
Gilean Douglas fonds at the University of British Columbia Library (Special Collections) Cortes Island Ratepayers Association fonds Gorge Harbour Community Hall fonds Whaletown Community Club fonds Whaletown Women's Institute fonds Regional Director of Electoral Area I (Cortes Island) fonds
Copyright
Copyright for Douglas's published writings is held by the University of British Columbia. Permission to use Douglas's manuscripts for publication purposes must be obtained from the University of British Columbia or from Gillian Milton, literary executor for the estate of Gilean Douglas.
Arrangement
Wherever possible, Douglas’ system of arrangement has been retained, and original groupings of material have been maintained. Other material has been arranged according to type.
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Gilean Douglas with other members of the Women's Institute executive

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions8625
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1960]
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gilean Douglas (second from right) and members of the Women's Institute executive.
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0055
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1960]
Physical Description
1 photograph print: b&w; 24.5 x 19.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gilean Douglas (second from right) and members of the Women's Institute executive.
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Images
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Gilean Douglas with members of the Women's Institute

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions8626
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1950-1960]
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gilean Douglas with members of the Women's Institute (Needs ID)
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0056
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1950-1960]
Physical Description
1 photograph print: b&w; 24.5 x 19.5
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gilean Douglas with members of the Women's Institute (Needs ID)
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Images
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Group of women in front of the house at Channel Rock

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions8807
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1953
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of women, possibly a Women's Institute group, in front of the house at Channel Rock. Front, L to R: Louisa Tooker, Meg Shaw, Mrs. Ella (John) McLean Back, L to R: (Needs ID), Nesta (Ackerman) Slater, Edith Huck, (Needs ID)
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0236
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1953
Physical Description
1 photograph print: colour; 11.5 x 8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of women, possibly a Women's Institute group, in front of the house at Channel Rock. Front, L to R: Louisa Tooker, Meg Shaw, Mrs. Ella (John) McLean Back, L to R: (Needs ID), Nesta (Ackerman) Slater, Edith Huck, (Needs ID)
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Images
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Small booklet with 3 photographs of women in extravagantly decorated hats

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions9315
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1956
Scope and Content
Small booklet with 3 photographs of women in extravagantly decorated hats; in the first print Gilean Douglas is front right. (Possibly a Women's Institute function?)
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0704
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1956
Physical Description
1 photograph booklet with 3 prints: b&w; 9 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Small booklet with 3 photographs of women in extravagantly decorated hats; in the first print Gilean Douglas is front right. (Possibly a Women's Institute function?)
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Images
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Louisa Tooker (R), receiving her Life Membership in the Women's Institutes

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions9365
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1956]
Scope and Content
Photograph of Louisa Tooker (R), receiving her Life Membership in the Women's Institute from another woman.
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0754
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1956]
Physical Description
1 photograph print: b&w; 16 x 10.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Louisa Tooker (R), receiving her Life Membership in the Women's Institute from another woman.
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Images
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Whaletown women: Peggy Newsham, Barbara Hunt, Rita Ogren, Mrs. Saunders

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions9373
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1950s]
Scope and Content
Photograph of (L to R) Peggy Newsham, Barbara Hunt, Rita Ogren and Mrs. Saunders. They are seated inside, with cakes on a coffee table in front of them. (Possibly a Women's Institute meeting?)
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0762
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1950s]
Physical Description
1 photograph print: b&w; 9 x 6.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of (L to R) Peggy Newsham, Barbara Hunt, Rita Ogren and Mrs. Saunders. They are seated inside, with cakes on a coffee table in front of them. (Possibly a Women's Institute meeting?)
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Whaletown
Images
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Whaletown Women's Institute and school children at the Whaletown school for the presentation of a library to the school

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions9420
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1950-1954]
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Whaletown Women's Institute and school children at the Whaletown school on the occasion of the presentation of a library to the school. (ID) Seated women from right: Milly Hill, Barbara Hunt, ? In truck: Lynn and Ann Robertson Men: Mr. Philip Douglas, School Rep, Mr. A. Ferguson, teacher, facing the camera Seated children: Doreen Huck, Andy Robertson behind her Standing women: Muriel Whiting, third from right; Mrs. Ferguson behind her
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0809
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1950-1954]
Physical Description
2 photograph prints: b&w; 11 x 8.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Whaletown Women's Institute and school children at the Whaletown school on the occasion of the presentation of a library to the school. (ID) Seated women from right: Milly Hill, Barbara Hunt, ? In truck: Lynn and Ann Robertson Men: Mr. Philip Douglas, School Rep, Mr. A. Ferguson, teacher, facing the camera Seated children: Doreen Huck, Andy Robertson behind her Standing women: Muriel Whiting, third from right; Mrs. Ferguson behind her
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Whaletown
Images
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Members of the Cortes Island Women's Institute with Gilean Douglas

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions9524
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1989
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gilean Douglas (L), MaryAnn McCoy (R) and Leona Mueller (behind) at the meeting of the Cortes Island Women's Institute at Channel Rock, where Gilean Douglas was presented with a Life Membership in the Women's Institute.
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Creator
McCoy, Maryann
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0913
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1989
Physical Description
1 photograph print: colour; 13 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gilean Douglas (L), MaryAnn McCoy (R) and Leona Mueller (behind) at the meeting of the Cortes Island Women's Institute at Channel Rock, where Gilean Douglas was presented with a Life Membership in the Women's Institute.
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Images
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Lorena Teames presenting a Life Membership in the Women's Institute pin to Gilean Douglas

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions9525
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1989
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lorena Teames (L) presenting Gilean Douglas with her pin at the meeting of the Cortes Island Women's Institute at Channel Rock, where Gilean Douglas was presented with a Life Membership in the Women's Institute.
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Creator
McCoy, Maryann
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.0914
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1989
Physical Description
1 photograph print: colour; 9 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lorena Teames (L) presenting Gilean Douglas with her pin at the meeting of the Cortes Island Women's Institute at Channel Rock, where Gilean Douglas was presented with a Life Membership in the Women's Institute.
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Images
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Group of women standing in front of the cabin at Channel Rock

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions11086
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[195-]
Scope and Content
Left to Right: Mrs Louisa Kendrick, Mrs Ruth Byers, Mrs Jessie Thornton, ?(ID), Mrs Gilean Douglas; seated, Mrs Meg Shaw
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.2022
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[195-]
Physical Description
1 colour slide, 5 x 5 cm
Scope and Content
Left to Right: Mrs Louisa Kendrick, Mrs Ruth Byers, Mrs Jessie Thornton, ?(ID), Mrs Gilean Douglas; seated, Mrs Meg Shaw
Storage Location
Slide box 1
Name Access
Channel Rock
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Cortes Island
Images
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Eddie Huck, Andy Robertson and Dennis Newsham

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions11177
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1959
Scope and Content
Photograph of Eddie Huck, Andy Robertson and Dennis Newsham, probably at Channel Rock while working on the Whaletown Women's Institute telephone line (see Gilean Douglas' Christmas letter for 1959).
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.2112
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1959
Physical Description
1 colour slide, 5 x 5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Eddie Huck, Andy Robertson and Dennis Newsham, probably at Channel Rock while working on the Whaletown Women's Institute telephone line (see Gilean Douglas' Christmas letter for 1959).
Storage Location
Slide box 1
Subject Access
Channel Rock
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Cortes Island
Images
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Gilean Douglas (2nd from left) with a group of people in front of the G R Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions11510
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[196-]
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gilean Douglas from one of her trips for the BC Women's Institute.
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
18
Item Number
1999.001.2445
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[196-]
Physical Description
1 colour slide, 5 x 5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gilean Douglas from one of her trips for the BC Women's Institute.
Storage Location
Slide box 1
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Cortes Island
Images
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Letter to Whaletown Women's Institute members

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions13902
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
File
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1952
Scope and Content
File consists of a 3 page letter written by Gilean Douglas to the members of the Whaletown Women's Institute about procedures and goals.
Part Of
Gilean Douglas fonds
Description Level
File
Fonds Number
1999.001
Series Number
5
File Number
12
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
1952
Custodial History
Donated by Dianne (Reedel) Hansen in 2014.
Scope and Content
File consists of a 3 page letter written by Gilean Douglas to the members of the Whaletown Women's Institute about procedures and goals.
Storage Location
6-26
Storage Range
6-26
Name Access
Whaletown Women's Institute
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Cortes Island
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Part Of
Whaletown Women's Institute fonds
Description Level
File
Material Type
textual records
graphic material
Accession Number
1999.002
Date Range
1924-1925
Scope and Content
File consists of thirty-nine pages of correspondence addressed to Mrs. Robertson of the Whaletown Women's Institute, and three envelopes, one containing a photograph of Doris McLean (nee. Lancaster).
Part Of
Whaletown Women's Institute fonds
Description Level
File
Creator
Whaletown Women's Institute
Fonds Number
1999.002
Series Number
6
File Number
1
Accession Number
1999.002
Material Type
textual records
graphic material
Date Range
1924-1925
Physical Description
39 pages of textual records 3 envelopes 1 photograph
Scope and Content
File consists of thirty-nine pages of correspondence addressed to Mrs. Robertson of the Whaletown Women's Institute, and three envelopes, one containing a photograph of Doris McLean (nee. Lancaster).
Storage Location
1-32
Storage Range
1-32
Name Access
Whaletown Women's Institute
Subject Access
Women's Institute
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Display of crafts inside the Garden Gallery

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions10263
Part Of
Mary and Otto Weiler fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1970]
Scope and Content
Slide of handicrafts displayed inside the Garden Gallery. Note the telephone on the wall, part of the Whaletown Women's Institute local phone network.
Part Of
Mary and Otto Weiler fonds
Description Level
Item
Creator
Weiler, Mary
Fonds Number
2003.002
Series Number
1
Item Number
2003.002.078
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1970]
Physical Description
1 colour slide, 5 x 5 cm
Scope and Content
Slide of handicrafts displayed inside the Garden Gallery. Note the telephone on the wall, part of the Whaletown Women's Institute local phone network.
Storage Location
Slide box 2
Name Access
Mary Weiler
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Cortes Island
Whaletown
Images
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Handicrafts display at the Garden Gallery

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions10264
Part Of
Mary and Otto Weiler fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1970]
Scope and Content
Slide of handicrafts displayed inside the Garden Gallery. Note the telephone on the wall, part of the Whaletown Women's Institute local phone network.
Part Of
Mary and Otto Weiler fonds
Description Level
Item
Creator
Weiler, Mary
Fonds Number
2003.002
Series Number
1
Item Number
2003.002.079
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1970]
Physical Description
1 colour slide, 5 x 5 cm
Scope and Content
Slide of handicrafts displayed inside the Garden Gallery. Note the telephone on the wall, part of the Whaletown Women's Institute local phone network.
Storage Location
Slide box 2
Name Access
Mary Weiler
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Cortes Island
Whaletown
Images
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Women's Institute meeting at Seaford

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions7433
Part Of
May Ellingsen fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca.1937]
Scope and Content
Group photo of a Women's Institute meeting at the Smith property at Seaford. Standing, left to right, Betty Jeffery holding Joan Jeffery, Eva Freeman, Mrs. Mary Jeffery, Florence McKay, Isla Forrest, Anna Middleton, Mrs. Cowan, May Easton, Mrs. Ada Easton (cook and partner for Walter Hansen Log), Mrs. Henry (Rose) Tiber, Jack Manson, Harry (Jr.) Middleton. Kneeling in front, left to right, Nellie Jeffery and Julia Smith.
Part Of
May Ellingsen fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
2004.002
Series Number
2
Item Number
2004.002.076
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca.1937]
Physical Description
1 photograph print: b&w; 7 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Group photo of a Women's Institute meeting at the Smith property at Seaford. Standing, left to right, Betty Jeffery holding Joan Jeffery, Eva Freeman, Mrs. Mary Jeffery, Florence McKay, Isla Forrest, Anna Middleton, Mrs. Cowan, May Easton, Mrs. Ada Easton (cook and partner for Walter Hansen Log), Mrs. Henry (Rose) Tiber, Jack Manson, Harry (Jr.) Middleton. Kneeling in front, left to right, Nellie Jeffery and Julia Smith.
Storage Location
Photograph Box 3
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Images
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May and Elmer Ellingsen fonds

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions10187
Part Of
May and Elmer Ellingsen fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Material Type
textual records
graphic material
sound recording
cartographic material
ephemera
Date Range
1892-[ca. 2005]
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the personal, business and research records of May and Elmer Ellingsen. Textual records include personal and business correspondence; financial and legal records; information about local history; records and newsletters of various community organizations; records created by John Manson and by the St. James Ladies' Guild; maps; ephemera; and clippings about Cortes Island people and events. Fonds also includes photographs of the Manson family and other island people and places, and cassette tapes of oral history and music. Fonds is arranged in 14 series: Correspondence; Financial records; Elmer Ellingsen records (business and personal); May Ellingsen personal records; Local history subject files; John Manson records; St. James Ladies' Guild records; Community organizations and services records; Cortes Island Museum & Archives Society records; Maps; Ephemera; Clippings; Photographs and Audio tapes. Records from Accessions 2017.003 and 2019.002, which were processed after the other material had been arranged, have been interfiled.
Part Of
May and Elmer Ellingsen fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Creator
Ellingsen, May
Ellingsen, Elmer
Fonds Number
2007.001
Material Type
textual records
graphic material
sound recording
cartographic material
ephemera
Date Range
1892-[ca. 2005]
Physical Description
3 meters of textual records 726 photographs 21 audio cassette tapes
Extent
252 cm
History / Biographical
Elmer Ellingsen (1913-2002) was born in North Vancouver to Sigurd and Gladys Ellingsen. After graduating from high school, he took a short course in business at Sprott Shaw College. In the early 1930s Elmer worked in logging and became a strong supporter of the trade union movement. He also had classical piano training in school, later turning to popular music; he played for many dances and parties until well into his eighties. May Ellingsen (1914-2012) was born in Vancouver to George and Robina Freeman. Her maternal grandfather, Michael Manson, was the first person to pre-empt land on Cortes Island, in 1886. May grew up on Cortes and Hernando Islands until grade six, then moved to Vancouver with her family to finish her schooling. May and Elmer met on Cortes in 1935 and were married on August 1, 1936. They built a float house and spent the next ten years in the Loughborough Inlet/Phillips Arm area where Elmer worked in his father's logging operations. While there, their children Shirley (1939), Bruce (1940) and Andy (1941) were born. In 1946 they moved to Von Donop Creek, where Elmer formed a logging partnership with Mike Herrewig and Scotty McKenzie. In 1950, he formed a new partnership with Erne Anderson for logging in the Whaletown area, and moved the floathouse to Manson's Landing lagoon. Two years later their floathouse was moved to its present location on Hague Lake. After travelling from home to various logging operations, Elmer retired from logging. He bought a D8 Caterpillar tractor, backhoe and gravel truck and worked for the next forty years excavating, delivering gravel and moving things. He often worked with BC Hydro and BC Tel on pole installation, repair and maintenance. Both Elmer and May were very active in community life. They sponsored weekly movie nights through the 1950s and square dancing in the sixties. May's many involvements included the Ladies' Guild, Women's Institute, Ratepayers Association, Post Office, Vancouver Regional Library development and Cortes Island Days. Elmer was a leading promoter of bringing ferry and hydro service to the island; he helped renovate Manson's Hall in the late 1970s, lobbied for road paving and helped initiate the Cortes Island Firefighters Assoc. in the 1980s. Both were founding members of the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society.
Custodial History
Records were collected from the home of May and Elmer Ellingsen by Andy and Susan Ellingsen and by Bruce Ellingsen and donated to CIMAS. There are eight accessions in this fonds: 2007.001, 2007.002, 2007.003, 2007.005, 2008.002 and 2010.001, 2018.002 and 2019.002.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the personal, business and research records of May and Elmer Ellingsen. Textual records include personal and business correspondence; financial and legal records; information about local history; records and newsletters of various community organizations; records created by John Manson and by the St. James Ladies' Guild; maps; ephemera; and clippings about Cortes Island people and events. Fonds also includes photographs of the Manson family and other island people and places, and cassette tapes of oral history and music. Fonds is arranged in 14 series: Correspondence; Financial records; Elmer Ellingsen records (business and personal); May Ellingsen personal records; Local history subject files; John Manson records; St. James Ladies' Guild records; Community organizations and services records; Cortes Island Museum & Archives Society records; Maps; Ephemera; Clippings; Photographs and Audio tapes. Records from Accessions 2017.003 and 2019.002, which were processed after the other material had been arranged, have been interfiled.
Storage Range
1-1 - 1-8
Name Access
Ellingsen, Elmer
Ellingsen, May
Subject Access
Logging
Ferries
Transportation
Women's Institute
Water transport
Community Associations
Geographic Access
Cortes Island
Hernando Island
Related Material
May Ellingsen Historic Photograph Collection (2004.002)
Arrangement
Original order unknown; archivist has arranged records.
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Women's Institute meeting at the home of Rose Tiber at Tiber Bay

https://collections.cortesmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions8467
Part Of
May and Elmer Ellingsen fonds
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1938]
Scope and Content
Photograph of members of the Manson's Landing Women's Institute outside the home of Rose Tiber in Tiber Bay. Jack ??, who provided transportation, is also in the photo. L to R: Eva Freeman, Mary Jeffery, Isla (Cowan) Forrest, Flo McKay, Anna Middleton, Mary Cowan L to R kneeling: Betty Jeffery holding Joan Jeffery (daughter of Nellie Jeffery), Julia Smith, Rose Tiber
Part Of
May and Elmer Ellingsen fonds
Description Level
Item
Fonds Number
2007.001
Series Number
13
Item Number
2007.001.235
Material Type
graphic material
Date Range
[ca. 1938]
Physical Description
1 photograph print and 1 negative: b&w; 12 x 7 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of members of the Manson's Landing Women's Institute outside the home of Rose Tiber in Tiber Bay. Jack ??, who provided transportation, is also in the photo. L to R: Eva Freeman, Mary Jeffery, Isla (Cowan) Forrest, Flo McKay, Anna Middleton, Mary Cowan L to R kneeling: Betty Jeffery holding Joan Jeffery (daughter of Nellie Jeffery), Julia Smith, Rose Tiber
Storage Location
Photograph Box 4
Subject Access
Women's Institute
Geographic Access
Manson's Landing
Images
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20 records – page 1 of 1.