These papers consist of personal letters recounting family matters and official letters regarding immigration from the British Isles to Ontario, specifically among William C. Noxon, Alf Cooper and V.B. Wadsworth regarding a proposal to settle Hebridean farmers in Northwestern Ontario in 1924.

The fonds consists of records related to the Bodwell family of Dereham Township, Oxford County. It is arranged into the following series and subseries:

Series 1: Land Records
Series 2: Correspondence
Series 3: Photographs
Series 4: Newsletters
Series 5: Military
Series 6: Family histories
Series 7: Dereham Township
Series 8: Receipts

This series contains records concerning the finances of the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in London, Ontario. This includes financial reports, logs, and budgets as well as correspondence and reports on topics related to the Sisters’ finances such as taxes, bonds and loans, retirements, property, and policies.

The Sisters were diligent in tracking their income, assets, and expenses and in planning for their financial futures. There are logs and financial summaries of Sisters’ patrimony and dowries, revenue (including bequests), expenditures, and of collections and episcopal charities for the diocese of London. There are also records of individual Sisters’ requests for funds and dispensation from dowries. The Sisters had strict regulations for borrowing money and their policies are included alongside correspondence with solicitors and barristers, certificates of incineration for bonds, and meeting minutes concerning mortgage bonds and banking resolutions. There are also contracts with London Electrical Company and Bell Telephone Company of Canada.

In addition to the mortgages mentioned above, there are more records concerning the assets of the Sisters. Some meeting minutes and correspondence are concerned with financial and property restrictions, the religious order’s tax exemption, and conservation authority restrictions in relation to their properties. There are various lists and timelines of the Sisters’ properties which include information on purchase and sale prices, deeds, and expenses. For some specific properties there is also correspondence about research at the City Registry Office and financial reports for construction projects. For Sacred Heart Convent there are lot maps and an architectural drawing. The “Group Advising on Property” conducted a study on the Sisters’ usage of, cost, and history of their lake house properties. The report and meeting minutes evaluating these properties are present. The Sisters also commissioned assessments on their assets which include site evaluation reports for Holy Rosary Convent in Windsor and two London properties, one on Queens Avenue and the other the spiritual retreat centre, Medaille House. Also in this series are correspondence, contracts, and invoices from Gemart Appraisal Associates for the appraisal of material possessions.

The Sisters of St. Joseph from the London diocese taught in several locations in Alberta from 1922 to 1996. Some records directly concern the Sisters in Alberta, such as lease agreements, correspondence about bonds and ownership of property, and a proposal for the formation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Alberta.

As noted, as part of their vows and dedication to communal living, the Sisters pooled their finances. There are internal policies, announcements, and correspondence about the distribution of finances and resources. Alongside these is an outline of the responsibilities of the congregational leadership positions. Funding to care for aging community members came from the communal finances, and there is a summary of the General Council’s research and deliberations about ensuring funds for the Sisters’ retirements and correspondence about the inclusion of religious personnel in the Canadian Pension Plan.

Also in this series are correspondence, reports, financial records, and meeting minutes related to the “Search Group.”

Collection consists of 1847 land record regarding sale of lots by John Morlety to Malcom Wilkie of property near Nobleton, Ont. known as the Wilkie farm.

This fonds consists of financial records, ships logs and Crown land patents created by and/or belonging to Captain John Spence and his sons, reflecting some of their personal and business dealings.

The Catharine Dixon fonds consists mainly of handwritten notes, newspaper clippings, reports and minutes. The documentation files cover different aspects of the history of Elliot Lake. Among the subjects are the economic activities, the demography, and the politics of Elliot Lake. The files were created by Catharine Dixon while researching for her book The Power and the Promise: the Elliot Lake story.

This series contains records concerning the involvement of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Pembroke with St. Joseph’s Hospital in Barrhead, Alberta. The records cover the establishment of the hospital, the administration and operation of the hospital, the transfer of the hospital, and the Sisters’ involvement with the Catholic Hospital Association and the Alberta Hospital Association. Materials include financial records, agreements for the purchase and sale of property, annals, memoirs, pamphlets, booklets, newsletters, lot maps, hospital floor plans, hospital bylaws, correspondence, and photographs. The major topics within the correspondence include establishing and operating the hospital, finances, the purchase and sale of property, construction and renovations, Catholic hospitals and medical ethics in Alberta, the changing role of Sisters in the hospital, and the relinquishing of ownership of the hospital. The photographs are of the hospital and Sisters at various events and locations.

Series contains Sister Norita Keenan’s single page memoir, a postulant requirement list, souvenir booklet of the Diamond Jubilee, chaplain list, meal seating plan, farewell ceremony agenda and schedule, photographs, land and property maintenance receipts, property sketch, chronology of property transfers and sales, rededication ceremony program and speech, letter from General Superior to Sisters, decorative Christmas card and envelope with list of donors of a car, newspaper clippings, student created books, and Bach sheet music owned by Cesar Borre.

This series consists of contracts, deeds, plans, and newspaper clippings relating to Hellmuth College from 1866-1952. There is a general history and photographs of Hellmuth College. The series includes photographs of the Chapel and Motherhouse. The series contains a description of the layout of the Orphanage as well as information regarding the day-to-day routines. The series also contains notes on the process of purchasing the Mills property and written summaries of ecclesiastical events such as the Eucharistic Congress at Mount St. Joseph in July, 1923 and the visit of Cardinal Villeneuve in 1934. There are also special issues of the Western Gazette and magazine and newspaper articles, including a biography of Bishop Hellmuth, and the building of the new Motherhouse.

The records of the Sudbury Planning Board/Junction Creek fonds attest to the feasibility study for a park at Junction Creek. Although not complete, the records document the development of the project by the Sudbury Planning Board. The maps and drawings depict the site in 1964. The accompanying records give insight on the elements considered in the planning of the project.

The fonds consists of correspondence, minutes, financial reports, press conferences, news clippings, and photographs. The entire process of creating a memorial from the fundraising, choosing a sculptor and sculpture, site location, to the unveiling ceremony and maintenance of the sculpture is well documented. The community involvement with the project is also documented.

The Gerald Goltz Collection consists of postcards and photographs that depict northeastern Ontario throughout the years. The postcards are both in black and white and in colour, and were collected throughout the years by Gerald Goltz. Although most of the postcards were obtained locally, some were purchased from a post card dealer while others were purchased during travels. While some of the images are of Cobalt, Parry Sound, and Georgian Bay, the majority of the collection consists of images of Sudbury, Massey, Espanola, as well as other surrounding areas. Dating approximately from 1907 to 1975, the images depict scenic landscapes, local landmarks and buildings of these northeastern towns. Some of these postcards also consist of humoristic images. The 342 postcards were printed and distributed by over 35 different publishing companies, such as Valentine-Black Co. Ltd., Photogelatine Engraving Co., Sudbury News Service Ltd., and Heliotype Co. Ltd. Many of the postcards of Massey were made by Hugh Cummings, a local photographer.

The fonds attests to the role of the Secretary-Treasurer of the Carnarvon Agricultural Society, and on the activities of the Society. Records of Charles Ferguson’s son’s attendance at the Sunday School and information on his wife’s family also informs us on his family. It consists of a minute book, a member roll book, correspondence, and documentation. United Church Sunday School roll, and information of F. Bond’s Estate are also included.

The Robert Boudignon fonds consists of correspondence and research papers for the book on the history of French River. The documentation consists of notes, booklets, leaflets, copies of maps, photographs, drawings and articles. The different activities and topics of the early years and also recent years of the French River area, such as fur trade, timber, tourism, and ecology are well
documented.

The collection consists of correspondence, copies of articles on Shakespeare Township, booklets from telephone companies, a publication on the geology of Dunlop-Shakespeare Area, copies of school reports (originally created 1914-1963), copies of 1933-1956 reports on Shakespeare Gold mine and uranium mines, and personnel accounts of Shakespeare Township activities. Railway, mining, and timber activities, and a teacher recollection are among the handwritten accounts.

The James McNiece Austin fonds consists of records documenting the founding and subsequent history of Austin Nicholson Lumber Company and the various communities where it operated, as well as Austin’s own professional career. It also contains records of individuals that worked for the company.

Legal documents regarding land titles, contracts and correspondence with the CPR, and financial records provide insights into the company, and many photographs illustrate the facilities and equipment of the company at its different locations. A 2010 research paper on the presence of the company in Alberta sheds light on Austin’s western operations.

There are also newspaper clippings, articles, photographs and publications regarding the different communities where the Austin Nicholson Lumber Company had mills. As well, documentation on Sultan, Dalton Mill, Chapleau, the first settlers’ families, and the history of the Austin Nicholson logging company can be found in the fonds.

Some documents and articles relating to Eddy Forest products and its history are also included in the fonds, as well as personal documents and correspondence of George Natsuik, former employee.

This fonds has been divided into two series: Series I: Business Records; Series II: Personal Records.

This fonds consists of chattel mortgages and chattel mortgage renewals filed at Manitoulin District Court from 1888 to 1915. The records provide information on what moveable property was held as collateral security.

The Robert S. (Bob) Atkinson Collection consists of two Northern Ontario photo albums depicting the Clay Region between 1910 and the 1940s. One album contains 299 photographs which document the development of Kapuskasing, the construction of the hydro-electric dam, the experimental farm, and the fire that destroyed it. The photographs also illustrate daily life, as well as various outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and snowshoeing. Many of the photographs have the names of the individuals in them and even the locations, but not all are dated. There are also some photos of Iroquois Falls and Moose Factory in this album. The Moose Factory photos include the visit of Charles Lindberg and wife in August 1931. They also include photos of First Nations’ youth.

The second photo album of 262 photographs contains photographs of families and youth of Kapuskasing and other municipalities of the region, and documents their lives as well as summer and winter activities in the region. Only in a few are individuals identified and dated. In the album are also a large number of photos of the military including some of the Kapuskasing internment camp and various internees. Many of these are dated and contain the name of the individual(s) and location.