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.
Notes on Byers Logging, 1863-1935; facsimile of a letter written by Mike Manson to his brother John in 1923, typed up by Etta Byers in 1978; Read Island History: Byers Family, by Mrs. Etta Byers, nee McKay, 1975; clipping of coastal logging/family camps, Etta Byers, 1977; Etta Byers, interviewed by Marcia Wolter, April 20, 1993; clipping of Clarence and Etta Byers 60th wedding anniversary, 2008; clipping of Clarence Byers obituary, 2009; letter from Etta Byers regarding visit to the museum and her local history, undated. Blue folder labelled Etta Byers: Read Island History, 1975; Hand written notes from Etta Byers, undated; printed photograph of Mary Jane (chapman) Aldrich and Herbert Cyrus Aldrich
Notes on Byers Logging, 1863-1935; facsimile of a letter written by Mike Manson to his brother John in 1923, typed up by Etta Byers in 1978; Read Island History: Byers Family, by Mrs. Etta Byers, nee McKay, 1975; clipping of coastal logging/family camps, Etta Byers, 1977; Etta Byers, interviewed by Marcia Wolter, April 20, 1993; clipping of Clarence and Etta Byers 60th wedding anniversary, 2008; clipping of Clarence Byers obituary, 2009; letter from Etta Byers regarding visit to the museum and her local history, undated. Blue folder labelled Etta Byers: Read Island History, 1975; Hand written notes from Etta Byers, undated; printed photograph of Mary Jane (chapman) Aldrich and Herbert Cyrus Aldrich
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.
Verso: "Truck logging at Seaford, Cortez Isld. Scotty McKenzie with pike pole. Clarence Byers truck driver. Hayes Anderson truck.
Moved to Von Donop Oct 1st, 1939.
Five families:
1. Henry and Ruth Byers
2. Ervin and Florence McKay
3. Clarence and Etta Byers
4. Scotty and Amy McKenzie
5. Ken and Hazel Hansen
Ervin and Florence were parents of Etta and Hazel.
Henry and Ruth were parents of Amy and Clarence.
Verso: "Truck logging at Seaford, Cortez Isld. Scotty McKenzie with pike pole. Clarence Byers truck driver. Hayes Anderson truck.
Moved to Von Donop Oct 1st, 1939.
Five families:
1. Henry and Ruth Byers
2. Ervin and Florence McKay
3. Clarence and Etta Byers
4. Scotty and Amy McKenzie
5. Ken and Hazel Hansen
Ervin and Florence were parents of Etta and Hazel.
Henry and Ruth were parents of Amy and Clarence.
Item is an interview of Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. Etta Byers was a granddaughter of Mike Manson, and she talks about her family history, Cortes people and incidents, and memories of growing up on the island. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Item is an interview of Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. Etta Byers was a granddaughter of Mike Manson, and she talks about her family history, Cortes people and incidents, and memories of growing up on the island. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Photo depicts a group of people who lived at the Von Donop creek logging camp (buildings not shown).
Back: Scotty McKenzie, Clarence Byers, Henry Byers, Ken Hansen
Seated: Ervin McKay, Florence McKay, Ruth Byers
End at right: Hazel Hansen, Amy McKenzie
Babies: Irene and Lorraine Byers
Photo depicts a group of people who lived at the Von Donop creek logging camp (buildings not shown).
Back: Scotty McKenzie, Clarence Byers, Henry Byers, Ken Hansen
Seated: Ervin McKay, Florence McKay, Ruth Byers
End at right: Hazel Hansen, Amy McKenzie
Babies: Irene and Lorraine Byers
Fonds consists of documents created and accrued by CES between 1988 and 2006, including financial statements, correspondence, meeting minutes, notes, maps, reports, legal documents, and publications. It includes 62 files arranged in thirteen series following the original order of the material.
.6 m of textual records (2 boxes)
29 photographs : col.
Extent
0.6
History / Biographical
The Cortes Ecoforestry Society (CES) was incorporated in March 1999, under the following mission statement:
"To work in partnership with the Klahoose First Nation, to gain community stewardship of the working forest lands on Cortes to create perpetual ecological and economic benefits for the entire community, and to serve as a model for sustainable ecoforestry."
Preceding names for the organization include Cortes Island Forestry Committee (ca. 1988-1990), Cortes Island Forest Resource Committee (c. 1990) and Cortes Island Forest Committee (ca. 1991-1999). A draft document from October 1991 states that,
"[T]he Cortes Island Forest Committee (CIFC) was formed in 1988. The purposes of the CIFC are to develop ecologically responsible and balanced forest use of Cortes Island forests, to develop a sustainable forest-based economy, to educate ourselves and the public regarding appropriate use of Cortes Island forests, and to work towards a broad based public consensus for the use of these forests."
In July 1999 Klahoose First Nation and CES signed an unprecedented Memorandum of Understanding, stating that the two parties would work together to create a community forest that used eco-system forestry. In 1999 and 2000 the Cortes Ecoforestry Society began planning and preparing a community forest proposal. In 2003, volume was made available for small community tenures, including Woodlot Licences and Community Forest Agreements (CFAs). Klahoose supported the efforts to revitalize the community forest proposal and a small, voluntary advisory group was formed (Bruce Ellingsen, Chief Kathy Francis, Liz Richardson and Ron Wolda). To ensure the proposal was seen to be inclusive of all islanders, the proponent name was changed to the Cortes Island Community Forest advisory group. The community forest proposal stalled, and CES, which at one point had a membership of 400 residents supporting their goals, became less active.
In May of 2011, the Cortes Community Forest Advisory Group was invited to apply for a Community Forest Agreement (CFA) by the Minister of Forests, and in September 2013 the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations issued a Community Forest Agreement to the Cortes Forestry General Partnership, which was established on June 2012.
The Cortes Forestry General Partnership is managed and governed equally by two partners, the Klahoose Forestry No. 2 Limited Partnership (KF2LP) and the Cortes Community Forest Co-operative. The tenure agreement lasts for 25 years and encompasses 3,869 hectares of crown land, about 35% of the island. The Klahoose Nation holds ancestral tenure over Cortes Island. They are currently at stage 4 in the process of negotiating a treaty agreement with the province of British Columbia and Canadian government.
Custodial History
Donated to CIMAS on Dec. 16, 2017 by David Shipway.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of documents created and accrued by CES between 1988 and 2006, including financial statements, correspondence, meeting minutes, notes, maps, reports, legal documents, and publications. It includes 62 files arranged in thirteen series following the original order of the material.
L to R: Art Hayes, Nerine Hayes, Frank Hayes, Florence McKay, Gwen Campbell, Fraser Campbell.
Front: Bobby Hayes, Irene Hayes, Clarence Byers and Queenie the dog.
L to R: Art Hayes, Nerine Hayes, Frank Hayes, Florence McKay, Gwen Campbell, Fraser Campbell.
Front: Bobby Hayes, Irene Hayes, Clarence Byers and Queenie the dog.
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.
Envelope from Heather Thomson containing scanned photographs of Thomson family in Whaletown, 1930s-1940s, and an article about Captain James Findlay, friend of the Thomsons, 1950. Email exchanges with Heather Thomson regarding Thomson family research, 2008. Keywords: Universal Timber, logging
Envelope from Heather Thomson containing scanned photographs of Thomson family in Whaletown, 1930s-1940s, and an article about Captain James Findlay, friend of the Thomsons, 1950. Email exchanges with Heather Thomson regarding Thomson family research, 2008. Keywords: Universal Timber, logging
Clipping Mr and Mrs A. E. Weaver's wedding anniversary, 1966. Email exchanges regarding Weaver family history, 2013. Obituary post for Jane Weaver, undated
Clipping Mr and Mrs A. E. Weaver's wedding anniversary, 1966. Email exchanges regarding Weaver family history, 2013. Obituary post for Jane Weaver, undated
Clippings with info on artists Mary and Brigid Weiler, 1969-2009. Obituary posts for Otto Weiler, 1973. Printed copies of some of Brigid Weiler's art, 2015-2016. Obituary post in Tideline for Alexandra "Johnny" Weiler, 2020
Clippings with info on artists Mary and Brigid Weiler, 1969-2009. Obituary posts for Otto Weiler, 1973. Printed copies of some of Brigid Weiler's art, 2015-2016. Obituary post in Tideline for Alexandra "Johnny" Weiler, 2020
Copies of documents re: Wood family and homestead between Carrington Bay and Von Donop. Maps with GPS coordinates of Wood house. Marriage certificate for Harold Marshall Wood and Mary Holt, 1911. Land Registry papers, 1915-1921. Death certificates, H. M. Wood, 1966 and M. H. Wood, 1972.
Copies of documents re: Wood family and homestead between Carrington Bay and Von Donop. Maps with GPS coordinates of Wood house. Marriage certificate for Harold Marshall Wood and Mary Holt, 1911. Land Registry papers, 1915-1921. Death certificates, H. M. Wood, 1966 and M. H. Wood, 1972.
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