Fonds consists of photographs of the Gorge Harbour Lodge and Lodge activities, the Corneille and Ballantyne families, and Gladys Ballantyne's house, Gypsy Hill.
Bobby (Elizabeth) Corneille Ballantyne (1914-2009) was born in Vancouver and moved to Cortes Island as a young child. She was 4 years old when her father died suddenly on Marina Island in 1919; she remembers that they had to wait 3 days for a Union Steamship to get the body. Her mother Tena (Sarah Christena) Corneille (1877-1949) bought a tourist lodge at the east end of Gorge Harbour in 1929, and ran it until 1936 with the help of her two teen-age daughters. Gorge Harbour Lodge offered accommodations in the main building or in tents, tennis and badminton courts, and excellent boating, bathing and fishing. Vacationers came up from Vancouver on the Union Steamships for a round-trip ticket price of $6.65. The annual Regatta was the main social event of the season, with people arriving by boat from Cortes and the surrounding islands. It featured boat and swimming races, and a dance in the evening.
Gladys Georgeson Ballantyne (1882-1964), first came to Cortes in about 1910. In about 1920 she bought a property in Whaletown (now 640 Whaletown Rd.) that she called "Gypsy Hill". She was one of the original members of the Whaletown Friendly Circle, later the Whaletown Women's Institute. Gladys, her son Bill, daughter Valerie and her fiance were all on Cortes building a summer cottage when the Depression suddenly hit. Their off-island jobs fell through, and they remained at "Gypsy Hill" for the duration.
Bill Ballantyne (1908-1993) was in the Merchant Marine from 1924-1929. When he was unable to find work on ships during the Depression, he took whatever jobs he could find hand-logging and fishing. Bill and Bobby Corneille were married in 1937. They and other young Whaletown residents formed the Gorge Harbour Dramatic Society to help raise funds to build a community hall, and Bill was the work boss of the building crew for the Gorge Hall. In 1941 they moved to Victoria, and after the war settled in Courtenay with their two sons Peter and Ross. In the late 1950s they returned to Whaletown on Cortes Island where they fished for many years on the gulf troller “Viking”. During that time many young “deckhands” spent time aboard during summer vacations. On retirement, Campbell River became their home.
Custodial History
Electronic records were downloaded in 2012 from an internet address provided by Peter Ballantyne. One photograph was scanned from a photograph temporarily loaned by John and De Clarke.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of the Gorge Harbour Lodge and Lodge activities, the Corneille and Ballantyne families, and Gladys Ballantyne's house, Gypsy Hill.
Recording is an oral history interview of Dolly (Jeffery) and Harold Hansen by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include the Jeffery family history; how Harold came to Cortes; logging; picking salal; and raising eight foster children. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Dolly (Jeffery) and Harold Hansen by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include the Jeffery family history; how Harold came to Cortes; logging; picking salal; and raising eight foster children. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Duncan Robertson by Oonagh O'Connor at his home in Whaletown (Part 1 of 2). Topics covered include some family history; people and customs of the early days on the island; logging; fishing; hunting; cougars; Cortes in the 1950s and 1960s. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Duncan Robertson by Oonagh O'Connor at his home in Whaletown (Part 1 of 2). Topics covered include some family history; people and customs of the early days on the island; logging; fishing; hunting; cougars; Cortes in the 1950s and 1960s. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Duncan Robertson by Oonagh O'Connor (Part 2 of 2). Topics covered include Dunc's children Ann (Dewar) and Lynn (Summers); oysters; the Whaletown store; early telephone system; mining; the Robertson family; the ferry; changes in wildlife population he has observe over the years; and logging practices. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Duncan Robertson by Oonagh O'Connor (Part 2 of 2). Topics covered include Dunc's children Ann (Dewar) and Lynn (Summers); oysters; the Whaletown store; early telephone system; mining; the Robertson family; the ferry; changes in wildlife population he has observe over the years; and logging practices. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Item consists of the continuation of an interview with Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. On Side A, Etta Byers talks about her childhood on Cortes, how she met Clarence and her married life in Seaford, Von Donop, Powell River and Courtenay. On Side B, Clarence talks about when his family moved to Cortes Island, and his experiences logging, starting at age thirteen. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Item consists of the continuation of an interview with Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. On Side A, Etta Byers talks about her childhood on Cortes, how she met Clarence and her married life in Seaford, Von Donop, Powell River and Courtenay. On Side B, Clarence talks about when his family moved to Cortes Island, and his experiences logging, starting at age thirteen. 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.
Info on George Eward and Emma Jane Ewart, 1921 census, medical certificate of death, George Ewart, 1946. Info on marriage registration of Frank George Barnard and Blanche Madeline Dennis, 1938 (Ewart's son). Info on medical certificate of death and cemetery query, Josephine Skerton, 1968. Emails associated with all information from 2017. Notes with photographs on Eward family research, 2017
Info on George Eward and Emma Jane Ewart, 1921 census, medical certificate of death, George Ewart, 1946. Info on marriage registration of Frank George Barnard and Blanche Madeline Dennis, 1938 (Ewart's son). Info on medical certificate of death and cemetery query, Josephine Skerton, 1968. Emails associated with all information from 2017. Notes with photographs on Eward family research, 2017
Info on: history, leadership, culture, community initiatives, sustainability, reconciliation, self-governance, treaties and land claims, archaeology, legends, events, partnerships, politics; First Nations Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP); Klahoose Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC); and more, 1983-2018. Excerpts from: Sliammon Life, Sliammon Lands, Bouchard and Kennedy, 1983; Seven-Knot Summers, B. Hill, 1994; and Indian Myths and Legends, Bouchard and Kennedy, 2002 (translated from Boas' 1895 edition). Full issues of Community Stories, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 2009; Salish Sea Sentinel, "Coast Salish Country," 2016; Canadian Geographic "Canada's Indigenous Peoples," 2018. Email exchange regarding partnership with North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society (NVIATS), 2014
Info on: history, leadership, culture, community initiatives, sustainability, reconciliation, self-governance, treaties and land claims, archaeology, legends, events, partnerships, politics; First Nations Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP); Klahoose Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC); and more, 1983-2018. Excerpts from: Sliammon Life, Sliammon Lands, Bouchard and Kennedy, 1983; Seven-Knot Summers, B. Hill, 1994; and Indian Myths and Legends, Bouchard and Kennedy, 2002 (translated from Boas' 1895 edition). Full issues of Community Stories, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 2009; Salish Sea Sentinel, "Coast Salish Country," 2016; Canadian Geographic "Canada's Indigenous Peoples," 2018. Email exchange regarding partnership with North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society (NVIATS), 2014
Info on: Chief and Council, community initiatives, cultural practices and events, reconciliation, cultural tourism, land use and treaty negotiations, economic opportunities and development, fishing, shellfish, material culture, and early history, 1792-2017. Utilization of Fishes, Beach Foods, and Marine Animals by the Th'uhus Indian People of British Columbia, manuscript from Rose Mitchell, prepared by Dorothy Kennedy, 1974. Neh'Motl newsletter, 1981. Excerpts from Sliammon Life, Sliammon Lands, Kennedy and Bouchard, 1983 , and Handbook of North American Indians, 1990. Interviews with Mary Reif (nee Pille), and Tom Hill, 1995. Klahoose and the Treaty Process brochures, 1995. "Treaty Talk" newsletter, 1996. Some printed photographs. Marilyn's Salmon brochures. Brenda Rose Bio. Keywords: Strathcona Redional District (SRD); Plutonic Power's proposed "Green Energy Cooridoor,"; Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP); the Drone Territory Initiative; Community Forest; Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); Toba Inlet; Forbes Bay; Squirrel Cove
Info on: Chief and Council, community initiatives, cultural practices and events, reconciliation, cultural tourism, land use and treaty negotiations, economic opportunities and development, fishing, shellfish, material culture, and early history, 1792-2017. Utilization of Fishes, Beach Foods, and Marine Animals by the Th'uhus Indian People of British Columbia, manuscript from Rose Mitchell, prepared by Dorothy Kennedy, 1974. Neh'Motl newsletter, 1981. Excerpts from Sliammon Life, Sliammon Lands, Kennedy and Bouchard, 1983 , and Handbook of North American Indians, 1990. Interviews with Mary Reif (nee Pille), and Tom Hill, 1995. Klahoose and the Treaty Process brochures, 1995. "Treaty Talk" newsletter, 1996. Some printed photographs. Marilyn's Salmon brochures. Brenda Rose Bio. Keywords: Strathcona Redional District (SRD); Plutonic Power's proposed "Green Energy Cooridoor,"; Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP); the Drone Territory Initiative; Community Forest; Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); Toba Inlet; Forbes Bay; Squirrel Cove
Emails and letters from CIMAS with/regarding Klahoose and local FN history, 2007-2017. Information and typed notes with info for CIMAS permanent exhibit on local FN history. Keyword: Aboriginal Training Program in Museum Practices
Emails and letters from CIMAS with/regarding Klahoose and local FN history, 2007-2017. Information and typed notes with info for CIMAS permanent exhibit on local FN history. Keyword: Aboriginal Training Program in Museum Practices
Info from "Indigenous Perspectives on Repatriation: Moving Forward Together" symposium, including conference itinerary, 2017. First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) information/resource booklets: Artist Grant Proposal Writing Handbook; 2015/16 Year In Review; BC's Master-Apprentice Language Program Handbook; Culture Camps for Language Learning, an Immersion Handbook; and Language Nest Handbook. Additional information booklets: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), 2011; and What's inSight: Repatriation in the Spirit of Reconciliation, Royal BC Museum. Additional info on: First Voices language resources; Canada's Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program; Cultural Resource Management diploma, UVic; The Witness Blanket Project; FPCC Aboriginal Arts Development Awards, 2016-2017; Kelowna Art Gallery exhibits; and National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)
Info from "Indigenous Perspectives on Repatriation: Moving Forward Together" symposium, including conference itinerary, 2017. First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) information/resource booklets: Artist Grant Proposal Writing Handbook; 2015/16 Year In Review; BC's Master-Apprentice Language Program Handbook; Culture Camps for Language Learning, an Immersion Handbook; and Language Nest Handbook. Additional information booklets: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), 2011; and What's inSight: Repatriation in the Spirit of Reconciliation, Royal BC Museum. Additional info on: First Voices language resources; Canada's Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program; Cultural Resource Management diploma, UVic; The Witness Blanket Project; FPCC Aboriginal Arts Development Awards, 2016-2017; Kelowna Art Gallery exhibits; and National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)
Information gathered by Rose Hansen. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples info, 2011. First Voices and First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) language resources. Artist Grant Proposal Writing Handbook, FPCC. First Peoples' News, issue #1, 2015. "Keeping the Circle Strong" 2017-2017 calendar, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. First Nations research resources at the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), including info on anthropology collection resources at the RBCM and First Nations genealogical research at the BC Archives. Report on the status of BC First Nations Languages, 2014. Printed info on archival catalogues: one linguistics tape from Liz Harry Hagege (born in Squirrel Cove), 1977 (CAL0000066); and approx seven ethnology tapes "Recorded Coast Salish General" (Catalogue item #s COAG-T-001 to COAG-T-005)
Information gathered by Rose Hansen. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples info, 2011. First Voices and First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) language resources. Artist Grant Proposal Writing Handbook, FPCC. First Peoples' News, issue #1, 2015. "Keeping the Circle Strong" 2017-2017 calendar, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. First Nations research resources at the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), including info on anthropology collection resources at the RBCM and First Nations genealogical research at the BC Archives. Report on the status of BC First Nations Languages, 2014. Printed info on archival catalogues: one linguistics tape from Liz Harry Hagege (born in Squirrel Cove), 1977 (CAL0000066); and approx seven ethnology tapes "Recorded Coast Salish General" (Catalogue item #s COAG-T-001 to COAG-T-005)
Historical info on local forestry and early logging practices from as early as the late 1800s. Signed agreement between Elmer Ellingsen and Ernest Anderson, 1948. Invoices and other business documents, including handwritten notes "bills paid to Finning Tractor," for Ernel Logging Company, 1949-1952. West Coast Ballads sheet music written by Victor Couture from poems by Robert E. Swanson (BC Truck Loggers Association), 1969. Clippings and emails with info on historical logging practices and camps, local forestry, accidents, political influence, tourism, protests and controversies, 1958-2020. Excerpt from Goosegrass and Buttercups, D.C. Kirk, undated. Additional keywords: Ripple Rock; tug towed booms from Teakerne Arm; Carrington Lagoon; Squirrel Cove; MTV; the Ellingsen Jack; Forbes Bay; Von Donop; Island Timberlands; Tony Fhunka; Truck Loggers Association; Wildstands/Wild We Stand
Historical info on local forestry and early logging practices from as early as the late 1800s. Signed agreement between Elmer Ellingsen and Ernest Anderson, 1948. Invoices and other business documents, including handwritten notes "bills paid to Finning Tractor," for Ernel Logging Company, 1949-1952. West Coast Ballads sheet music written by Victor Couture from poems by Robert E. Swanson (BC Truck Loggers Association), 1969. Clippings and emails with info on historical logging practices and camps, local forestry, accidents, political influence, tourism, protests and controversies, 1958-2020. Excerpt from Goosegrass and Buttercups, D.C. Kirk, undated. Additional keywords: Ripple Rock; tug towed booms from Teakerne Arm; Carrington Lagoon; Squirrel Cove; MTV; the Ellingsen Jack; Forbes Bay; Von Donop; Island Timberlands; Tony Fhunka; Truck Loggers Association; Wildstands/Wild We Stand
Photocopies: Fire Insurance receipt, 1908; letters from PO Inspector to David Forrest, 1915; Public Schools Act Assessment letters, 1915; notary and registry papers, Wallis Walter Lefeaux, W. Lawrence Forrest, Joseph Edward Mellor last will and testament, 1927; pharmacy receipts, undated; letters, undated
Photocopies: Fire Insurance receipt, 1908; letters from PO Inspector to David Forrest, 1915; Public Schools Act Assessment letters, 1915; notary and registry papers, Wallis Walter Lefeaux, W. Lawrence Forrest, Joseph Edward Mellor last will and testament, 1927; pharmacy receipts, undated; letters, undated
Recording is an oral history interview of May and Elmer Ellingsen by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include how Elmer came to the island and met May; logging experiences; Cortes roads and telephone system; and living at Von Donop Inlet. Several humorous stories are related. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of May and Elmer Ellingsen by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include how Elmer came to the island and met May; logging experiences; Cortes roads and telephone system; and living at Von Donop Inlet. Several humorous stories are related. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of May Ellingsen by Oonagh O'Connor. May traces her family history and then talks about her childhood on Cortes and Hernando Islands; meeting and marrying Elmer; living in a float house at logging camps in Loughborough Inlet, Phillips Arm and Von Donop Inlet; and moving the house to Hague Lake in 1952. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of May Ellingsen by Oonagh O'Connor. May traces her family history and then talks about her childhood on Cortes and Hernando Islands; meeting and marrying Elmer; living in a float house at logging camps in Loughborough Inlet, Phillips Arm and Von Donop Inlet; and moving the house to Hague Lake in 1952. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording of Norm and Lisa Gibbons talking about their experiences at Refuge Cove, recorded by Lisa Gibbons during a museum-sponsored trip to Refuge Cove on the "Misty Isles". See also the digitized photographs from Norm Gibbons' album which illustrate many of the stories in the recording. (Cortes Island Museum & Archives Society fonds, Series 5, File 2)
Recorded by Lisa Gibbons on her iPhone, July 15, 2023
Scope and Content
Recording of Norm and Lisa Gibbons talking about their experiences at Refuge Cove, recorded by Lisa Gibbons during a museum-sponsored trip to Refuge Cove on the "Misty Isles". See also the digitized photographs from Norm Gibbons' album which illustrate many of the stories in the recording. (Cortes Island Museum & Archives Society fonds, Series 5, File 2)
Clippings and emails with info on Refuge Cove and its inhabitants over the years, 1979-2018. "Hope's Refuge," Doris Hope, 1992. "Memories of Refuge Cove," June Cameron, 1997. Photographs, undated. Posting for Refuge Cove Coastal Kitchen for sale at CIMAS
Clippings and emails with info on Refuge Cove and its inhabitants over the years, 1979-2018. "Hope's Refuge," Doris Hope, 1992. "Memories of Refuge Cove," June Cameron, 1997. Photographs, undated. Posting for Refuge Cove Coastal Kitchen for sale at CIMAS