John Manson (1868-1959) was born in the Shetland Islands and migrated to British Columbia in 1887, where he joined his brother Michael Manson on Cortes Island. He married Margaret Ellen Smith in 1894 and they had four children: Jack (born 1896), Anna (1898), Rose (1900) and Nicol (1906). The family lived at Sunny Brae Farm, on the south-east side of Cortes, across from Twin Islands.
Custodial History
Most of the files in this series were in an old wooden box when transferred to the archives, suggesting that they were collected from John Manson's house as a unit.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records created by John Manson of Sunny Brae farm, including legal documents, financial records, correspondence and ephemera.
Photograph of a white house with rock-walled terraces to its right. This was Amy and Scotty McKenzie's float house, moved from Von Donop Inlet in 1951. Amy was daughter of Ruth and Henry Byers, who lived in the “Grey House” west of the ferry landing. (The "Grey House" was later moved to Squirrel Cove next to the Store.) The McKenzie house was between the Grey House and the ferry landing; it was torn down ca. 1974. The terraces may still be seen in the small park next to the ferry landing.
Photograph of a white house with rock-walled terraces to its right. This was Amy and Scotty McKenzie's float house, moved from Von Donop Inlet in 1951. Amy was daughter of Ruth and Henry Byers, who lived in the “Grey House” west of the ferry landing. (The "Grey House" was later moved to Squirrel Cove next to the Store.) The McKenzie house was between the Grey House and the ferry landing; it was torn down ca. 1974. The terraces may still be seen in the small park next to the ferry landing.
Left to right: Mrs. Frank Petznick, daughter Bernadette, Mrs. John (Margaret) Manson and Miss Katherine Lettice (seated) by a picket fence at Sunny Brae farm with Twin Islands in the background. (This picture is a duplicate of photograph 2004.002.073)
Left to right: Mrs. Frank Petznick, daughter Bernadette, Mrs. John (Margaret) Manson and Miss Katherine Lettice (seated) by a picket fence at Sunny Brae farm with Twin Islands in the background. (This picture is a duplicate of photograph 2004.002.073)
Left to right: Mrs. Frank Petznick, daughter Bernadette, Mrs. John (Margaret) Manson and Miss Katherine Lettice (seated) by a picket fence at Sunny Brae farm with Twin Islands in the background. (This picture is a duplicate of photograph #2004.002.016)
Left to right: Mrs. Frank Petznick, daughter Bernadette, Mrs. John (Margaret) Manson and Miss Katherine Lettice (seated) by a picket fence at Sunny Brae farm with Twin Islands in the background. (This picture is a duplicate of photograph #2004.002.016)
Rose Manson (left), Mrs. James A. Nixon, Mrs. John (Margaret) Manson, Anna Manson (seated in front) on the steps of the new Nixon home on Twin Islands.
This picture was taken at the same time as photograph #2002.002.055. Rose Manson has replaced Mr. James Nixon who is now taking the picture.
Rose Manson (left), Mrs. James A. Nixon, Mrs. John (Margaret) Manson, Anna Manson (seated in front) on the steps of the new Nixon home on Twin Islands.
This picture was taken at the same time as photograph #2002.002.055. Rose Manson has replaced Mr. James Nixon who is now taking the picture.