Showing 340 results

Authority record
MacKenzie, Dan
Person · 1910-198?

Dan MacKenzie was born in Christmas island to parish native John J. MacKenzie and Katie Cameron of Inverness.

MacKenzie, Archie Alex
Person · 1907-1995

Archie Alex was known as a tradition-bearer, bard and genealogist. Born in Rear Christmas Island to Archibald James (Eairdsidh Sheumais) and Catherine Campbell, he worked as a farmer until he moved to Halifax where he worked in construction and sold insurance. A great enthusiast of Gaelic song and music, he composed many songs, some of which appear in MG 6.6 and The MacKenzie's History of Christmas Island Parish. He traveled to Scotland many times and made lasting friendships that were strengthened over the years through correspondence. Archie Alex was also very successful at Mods and performed extensively. In 1985, he released a revised version of his father's genealogical study of the parish of Christmas Island.
Archie Alex often went by "Mac Eairdsidh Sheumais (litteraly, "Son of Archie James"), in a display of pride in his father's accomplishments. Archie Sheumais, a school-teacher, was a well-known bard and author of the first edition of The MacKenzie's History of Christmas Island Parish. Archie Alex's brother, Hugh Francis, was also a bard and fiddler.

MacKenzie, Archibald J.
Person · 1861-1939

Archibald J. MacKenzie was born in Rear Christmas Island to parents James and Catherine MacDougall. His father left the Isle of Barra at the age of twelve. He taught school in the area for over 30 years. In that time he composed many songs and wrote short stories in Gaelic. He wrote the first edition of The History of Christmas Island Parish, published in 1925. Archibald J.'s son Archie Alex was also a well-respected and prolific bard.

MacKay, Ross
Person · 1957 - 2018

Albert Ross MacKay was born in Sydney, Cape Breton to George William MacKay and Frances Kemp MacKay (neé MacKay) in 1957. He was raised in Grand River, Nova Scotia and moved to Bedford, Nova Scotia in 1981. He married Jemma Arab in 1980 and in 1999 they welcomed a son, Kemp MacKay.

MacKay was an avid genealogist and began researching his family’s Scottish ancestry in 1976, focusing on Scottish immigrants in Grand River and the surrounding areas in Cape Breton. In 1983 he began researching the Arab family’s Lebanese history, as Jemma, his wife, was first generation Canadian. Nova Scotia’s oldest Lebanese communities originate from Hadet el Joubbeh, Lebanon and Diman, Lebanon and much of his research focused on these regions. Ross had many connections in Nova Scotia’s genealogical community and corresponded with people about their research, sharing information and resources. His work on the RCMP Graves Recovery Project earned him an honorary membership in recognition of his extensive research and technology assistance in locating obituaries of RCMP members.

Ross died on June 4, 2018.

MacKay, Daniel J.
Person · ?-1921

Daniel J. MacKay was the son of John and Jane (MacDonald) MacKay of Port Hood, Nova Scotia. He married and had (at least) six children: Josephine, J. Campbell, Elizabeth, Alphonsus, Mary Campbell and Colin. He served as Inverness County Court Clerk and Postmaster from 1901 until his death in 1921.

MacIntyre, Archie
Person

Archie MacIntyre was born 23 May 1903, the son of Archie and Elizabeth (Wilson) MacIntyre. He married Catherine MacDonald in 1933 and they had at least one child, Joan. MacIntyre was a coal miner and in his retirement did a considerable amount of work educating children about early coal mining conditions.

MacInnis, Joseph J.
Person · 1887-1944

Joseph J. MacInnis was born on Morley Road, East Bay in 1887. MacInnis' mother died when he was 12 years old and being the oldest, he was sent to live with his maternal uncle who operated a farm near Blackett's Lake. This uncle was a native of Irish Cove and somewhat of a Gaelic scholar. It was from this uncle, who owned a large collection of Gaelic books, that MacInnis would develop a love of Gaelic literature.
MacInnis married Margaret MacNeil of Piper's cove and moved to Sydney where he worked as a conductor on the C.N.R. and S&L Railway until illness caused his early retirement and death in 1944. He is best remembered as a fiddler, champion of educational reform and for his encouragement and promotion of Scottish Gaelic culture and music.

MacInnis, Donald
Person · 1989-1995

Donald MacInnis was the last mayor of the Town of Glace Bay, serving in office from 1989 until amalgamation in 1995.

MacInnis, Chipman
Person · 1887-05-17 to 1964-11-26

Full-time farmer of Sky Glen East, Inverness County.

MacFarlane, Walter Scott
Person · 1896-1979

Walter Scott MacFarlane was born at Upper Margaree, Inverness County in 1896. He was a veteran of the First World War (1914-1919) and also World War II (1942-1946). He was well known as a poet and songwriter and published poetry. His work appeared in Important American Poems, 1935, the anthology American Voices, 1939, as well as newspapers of the day. He died in 1979.

MacFarlane, Donald Dougal
Person · 1861-1950

D.D. MacFarlane was a graduate of St. FX. University and a merchant in Southwest Margaree. He was also a school teacher and Gaelic Bard, having many published poems, notably "Smeorach nan Cnoc 'S nan Gleann" [1939].

MacEachern, Elizabeth
Person · 1911-1996

Elizabeth "Bessie" MacEachern was born October 4, 1911 at Craigmore, Cape Breton. Her parents were Angus D. MacEachern of Craigmore and Katie Anne MacNeil of Iona, Nova Scotia. She married Alex Angus MacEachern of Creignish on July 24, 1934. They had two sons, Lawrence and Joseph. Bessie sang at concerts and ceilidhs in Creignish, Judique, Port Hawkesbury, Southwest Margaree, Broad Cove, the Highland Village, Glendale, Lake Ainslie, and Antigonish, including the Highland Games. She was a participant in annual St. Andrew's Day and Robbie Burns's Day events. Bessie sang at the official opening of the Canso Causeway in Port Hastings on 13 August 1955 and also at the 25th Anniversary in 1980. She often sang with other Gaelic singers, including Fr. Donald Angus Rankin.

Bessie and Alex Angus taught Gaelic classes in Creignish between 1971 and 1973; she taught Gaelic songs while he taught Gaelic conversation and translations.

On July 29, 1972, Bessie participated in the Caidreabh project, singing at the "World's Biggest Ceilidh" at the Centennial Arena in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She was also a founding member of Coisir an Eilean, the Gaelic singing group, who performed at the Nova Scotia Tattoo (Halifax, 1983) and at Festival Antigonish's An Evening With the Cape Breton Gaelic Choirs (1988). She was a member of the group employed under a LIP grant to collect archival material for the Beaton Institute, then Cape Bretoniana, in 1972.

In August 1989, Bessie attended and sang at the re-dedication of the Cille Choirill church in Glen Spean, Brae Lochaber, Scotland and at various places during a cultural trip of Cape Bretoners to Scotland, arranged by Mary Campbell and John S. MacIsaac.

Bessie died on September 10, 1996 and is buried in Creignish at the Stella Maris parish cemetery.

MacEachen, Allan Joseph
Person · 1921-

Allan Joseph "Allan J." MacEachen was born at Inverness, Nova Scotia in 1921. He became a professor of economics at St. Francis Xavier University from 1946 to 1953. In 1953 he was elected to the House of Commons as member for Inverness-Richmond. During his federal career, he held the positions of Minister of Labour, Minister of National Health and Welfare, and Minister of Manpower and Immigration. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1980 to 1984, Minister of Finance 1980-1982 and Secretary of State for External Affairs from 1982 to 1984. MacEachen was called to the Senate in 1984 and was Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 1984 to 1991.

MacDougall, Kate
Person

Kate MacDougall from Ben Eoin was the daughter of Alexander MacDougall and granddaughter of Allan Og and Marie (MacAdam) MacDougall, all of Ben Eoin. Kate had one daughter, Mary Ann MacDougall who was married to Donald MacMillan, and they lived in Kate's house in Ben Eoin. Her first language was Gaelic and she was well known in the Big Pond/Ben Eoin area for her songs and stories. Joe Neil MacNeil described her as an "able girl, a strong girl, who would think nothing of going to the woods to cut her own firewood." Kate MacDougall had no formal education, and very little in the way of possessions. She maintained a treasury of local stories, songs and lore and was well respected by all in her community. More information, and a photo of Kate, can be found in Jack MacNeil's 'From the Cove to the Glen'.

MacDougall, John A.
Person · 1861-1944

John Archibald MacDougall was born in Christmas Island to successful merchant Malcolm MacDougall and Mary MacNeil of Washabuck. He attended St. Francis Xavier University and studied law. After moving to Glace Bay, MacDougall worked as officer with the Dominion Coal Company. He was an ardent Conservative and very active with the Knights of Columbus and the Scottish Catholic Society of Canada, teaching adult Gaelic classes in Glace Bay. Through his involvement in the Scottish Catholic Society of Canada, he was also involved in the early planning and development ofthe St. F.X. Extension Department, a feature of the Antignonish Movement.
MacDougall married Mary MacNeil of Iona. He was the brother of Hector Francis MacDougall, the Christmas Island MP who campaigned successfully to get the railway to Sydney through Central Cape Breton.

MacDonald, Winnie
Person · 1934-2020

Winnie MacDonald was born on November 17, 1934 to Archibald MacDonald and Ethel MacDonald (Ethal Bartlett) in Sydney, Nova Scotia. In 1956 she married Lloyd MacDonald, with whom she raised 12 children. MacDonald was an accomplished pianist and a member of her family's band, Scumalash. She also sang, played the organ, and served as choir director in two parishes for over 45 years. She worked in education, teaching children and later adults with intellectual disabilities at the adult training centre in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. She died on January 11, 2020.

Macdonald, Tommy (Peggy)
Person

Thomas (Tommy Peggy) MacDonald was a resident of the North Shore, Cape Breton (N.S). He was a well known Gaelic singer and tradition bearer and a member of The North Shore Gaelic Singers. He is the father of popular Cape Breton musician Buddy MacDonald.

MacDonald, Ross
Person · 1908-1988

Ross MacDonald was born in Enon, near Loch Lomond to parents Norman J. and Isabella MacDonald (née MacDonald). He was a fluent Gaelic speaker who has a vast repertoire of songs. His fore-bearers were from North Uist in Scotland.

MacDonald, Michael Malcolm
Person · 1906-

Rev. Michael Malcolm MacDonald (also known as Mickey Malcolm) was born in 1906 at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, the son of Dan E. and Effie Ann MacDonald. As a young man, he worked in the coal mines for two years to finance his studies. In 1928 he graduated from St. Francis Xavier University and in 1928 entered Holy Heart seminary in Halifax. He was ordained in 1932 and was appointed assistant priest to Reverend James M. Kiely, Holy Redeemer Parish, and Whitney Pier. While there he became an outspoken supporter of the right of labour to organize in order to combat Communism. In November 1940 he was sent to St. Peter's Parish, South Ingonish as parish priest and remained until December 1948. He was appointed as the first pastor of the newly formed Holy Cross Parish at Caledonia, Glace Bay in 1948 where he remained until his retirement on 1 July 1970. Rev. MacDonald died in 1981.

Person · 1921-2014

Mary Catherine was born an raised in a Gaelic-speaking home in Margaree. She was the daughter of Hugh MacFarlane and Mary Ellen (Molly) Moran. She moved to Boston as a teen, and later served as a WAAC in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, she married Albert Basler with whom she had 7 children; they grew up surrounded by Cape Breton music, with mom playing the piano and her brother, Alec D MacFarlane, playing the fiddle. In Boston, Kay was actively involved in the Gaelic Club, and performed Gaelic songs with them at folk music festivals in Newport, RI and Washington DC. After Albert’s death, she worked as a secretary at Blood Research Institute in Boston.
Kay later married Mick MacDonald of New Waterford, N.S., returning to Cape Breton. She worked at the Beaton Institute at Cape Breton University, recording native Gaelic speakers from Canada, the US and Scotland, and translating Gaelic publications. She hosted the CBC Cape Breton radio program “Island Echoes”, served as president of both the New Waterford Gaelic Society and the Gaelic Society of Cape Breton. She was a longtime member of the Cape Breton Gaelic Choir. After her retirement, Kay continued her involvement with Gaelic, teaching evening Gaelic classes for over 25 years and singing with and coaching the Gaelic choir. She served as a consultant on Gaelic to several Cape Breton musicians and frequently fielded calls from Canada and the US for help with a needed Gaelic phrase or translation. In 2009, Kay was awarded an honorary doctorate by Cape Breton University for her contributions to promoting, preserving and teaching the Gaelic language.
Kay was a long time member of St. Leonard Parish New Waterford. Her strong faith provided the bedrock upon which she lived her life. She was a dedicated member of the Mount Carmel Parish CWL, and also sang in the choir.
Obituary taken from INMEMORIAM.ca

MacDonald, Malcolm
Person

Malcolm MacDonald was born near Brickyard Road area, Mira, in 1851.

MacDonald, Joseph Lawrence
Person · 1910-1997

Joe Lawrence was the youngest child of John J. MacDonald and Margaret Gillis of Rear Beaver Cove. His father was a blacksmith who moved the family into Ironville and open a new forge. Joseph's father as well as his mother's uncle, Archie Larry Gillis both composed songs. It is said that Joe Lawrence's uncle Donald John Lachlan was one of the last people to leave Rear Beaver Cove when he went to live with the family in Ironville. Joe Lawrence credits this uncle rather than his own parents with passing on a love and knowledge of Gaelic. His parents did not speak the language to their children, whereas his uncle (although able to speak English) chose to speak only Gaelic. Joe Lawrence taught himself to read and write Gaelic.
Apart from farming and a stint working at local quarries, Joe Lawrence learned the trade of blacksmithing and continued to operate the forge following his father's death. He married Mary Bell (Isabel) MacKenzie of Christmas Island and the couple went on to have 5 children.
Joe Lawrence collected extensively for Sr. Margaret Beaton and much of his material is held at the Beaton Institute. He worked tirelessly to preserve and celebrate Gaelic language and culture in Cape Breton. A founder of the Senior Citizen's Organization of Boisdale (a club that served as a gathering point for native Gaelic speakers), he also co-founded the Gaelic Society of Cape Breton.

Macdonald, Johnny Allan
Person · 1890 -

Johnny Allan MacDonald was born in Enon, Cape Breton, N.S, in 1890. He was a well known Gaelic singer, fiddler and tradition bearer in the Loch Lomond/Richmond County area. Johnny Allan was raised in a Gaelic speaking home with his father Ian mac Ghilleasbuig MacDonald, and his monolingual Gaelic grandmother.

MacDonald, John Archy
Person

John Archy MacDonald was born at Washabuckt, N.S., the son of Allan and Sarah (MacNeil) MacDonald. He married Mary Agnes MacKinnon and the couple had eleven children: Leonard, Mary, Joseph Allan, Sylvester, Mildred, Hector, Cecilia, Collette, Martin, Leo and Christina. MacDonald operated a general store at Iona, Nova Scotia. During World War I, he served as a Lieutenant in the Canadian Army and prior to the war he served in the local militia. He represented the district of Iona on the Municipal Council of the County of Victoria for many years. In 1929 he removed to Dartmouth and in 1934 to Halifax. MacDonald was a member of the Canadian Martyr's Parish and of the Holy Name Society. He was also Chairman of the Mother's Allowance Commission until his death.

Macdonald, John A.
Person · 1815-1891

The Right Honourable Sir John A. Macdonald was born in Scotland and was raised and educated in Kingston, Upper Canada. He was a lawyer, but during most of his life political duties left him little time for his law practice. He married twice and was survived by his second wife and two children.

He entered provincial politics as a Conservative in 1844, becoming a member of the Executive Council in 1847. Macdonald played a major role in creating the Coalition of 1854 which he moulded into the Liberal-Conservative Party which dominated much of the succeeding half century. He was the central figure in the creation of the Canadian Confederation of 1867. Becoming Canada's first Prime Minister in 1867, he retained that post until 1873. He was Prime Minister again from 1878 until his death on 6 June 1891. Besides being Prime Minister, Macdonald held numerous important cabinet posts. Macdonald was central to many Canadian political developments such as the Northwest Rebellions, the Pacific Scandal, the Canadian Pacific Railway and the National Policy.

MacDonald, J.D.N.
Person · 1898-1988

Rev. John D. Nelson MacDonald, D.D. was born in 1898 in St. Esprit, Richmond County, N.S. He was educated at Normal College, Truro; Dalhousie University, and Pine Hill Divinity Hall, Halifax. He was ordained in 1926 to the United Church of Canada and served in pastorates in many areas of the Province, retiring in 1966. He received a honourary Doctor of Law degree from St. Francis Xavier in 1958. He was one of the founding members, along with Dr. M. M. Coady and Rev. Jimmy Tompkins, of the Credit Union and Co-operative Movement in Canada. He was responsible for forming sixty Credit Unions both nationally and internationally. Rev. MacDonald was a Gaelic scholar and preached and taught it to many students at Pine Hill Divinity Hall and Mount Allison University. He was married to Marion Elliot and they had done son, Fraser. Rev. MacDonald died at his home in Dartmouth in 1988. He was 90 years old.

MacDonald, Flora
Person · June 3, 1926 – July 26, 2015

MacDonald was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, the daughter of Mary Isabel Royle and George Frederick MacDonald. She was of Scottish ancestry.[1]

Her grandfather had been a clipper ship captain who sailed around Africa and South America. Her father was in charge of North Sydney’s Western Union trans-Atlantic telegraph terminus.[2]

In her youth, Macdonald trained as a secretary at Empire Business College and found work as a bank teller at the Bank of Nova Scotia. She used her savings to travel to Britain in 1950 where she got involved with a group of Scottish nationalists who stole the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey and brought it to Scotland.[3]

After hitchhiking through Europe, she returned to Canada and became involved in politics, working on Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leader Robert Stanfield's campaign which won an upset victory in the 1956 provincial election.[3] Later the same year, she hired to work in the national office of the Progressive Conservative Party under leader John Diefenbaker, as secretary to the party's chairman, and worked on Diefenbaker's 1957 and 1958 election campaigns.[2] In 1959, she was working as a secretary in the office of Prime Minister of Canada John Diefenbaker.[4] She continued working for the party in various capacities but grew disillusioned with Diefenbaker and was fired by him when he learned of her support for party president Dalton Camp's campaign for a leadership review. Macdonald then worked for the Department of Political Studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario while continuing to support the anti-Diefenbaker camp and worked on Robert Stanfield's successful campaign during the 1967 Progressive Conservative leadership election and worked for him during the 1968 federal election. (from Wikipedia-excellent citations at bottom of entry)

MacDonald, Donald Cameron
Person · 1872-1948

Sir Donald Cameron MacDonald, KSG, was born in Mull River in 1872. A barrister by profession, MacDonald served first as treasurer of the county of Inverness until 1910 when he was appointed inspector of customs. In 1928 he was named a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope Pius X1. He was a Gaelic scholar and was active in community affairs, particularly the Knights of Columbus, Red Cross, and Victory Loan drives. MacDonald died in 1948.

MacDonald, Daniel Joseph
Person · July 23, 1918 - September 30, 1980

Daniel Joseph MacDonald was born to a family of farmers in Bothwell, Prince Edward Island on July 23, 1918. At the age of 22, MacDonald enlisted with the P.E.I. Highlanders in 1940. Later in June1943, he transferred to the Cape Breton Highlanders where by October of the same year would become a sergeant in the unit. MacDonald was first wounded in an an assault on the Gothic Line. Again, MacDonald was wounded at the Battle of Senio River on December 21, 1944 by an exploding shell. This time, his wounds were serious; MacDonald had his left arm and leg amputated over fear of infection. After being in hospital, those who were unable to walk on their own required a wheelchair. Loathing not being able to walk on his own, MacDonald requested a British cobbler to make a protector for his amputated arm so that he could use crutches to walk on his own.

Years after the end of the war, MacDonald turned to politics . He was elected to the Prince Edward Island legislature in 1962 as the member for 1st Kings where he also served as the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry under Premier Alex B. Campbell from 1966 to 1972. In 1972 MacDonald resigned from P.E.I. provincial politics to run as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Cardigan where he was elected in 1972, again in 1974, and a third time in 1980. In March 1974, MacDonald was appointed by Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau to become the Minister of Veterans Affairs. The role included many tasks including acting as the Canadian Agent for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In 1975, MacDonald also attended the ceremonies in Italy for the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Italy alongside comrades including Cape Breton Highlanders veterans Charles "Sharkey" MacDonald and Ralph Davies.

MacDonald accomplished much as Minister for Veterans affairs and was well liked by many, including Prime Minister Trudeau whom he became good friends with. During his time in parliament, MacDonald fought for greater support for veterans and their families as well as to increase the pensions for those with disabilities. MacDonald passed away on September 30, 1980 and was given a state funeral. MacDonald had a saying: "it isn't what you've lost, but what you have left."

MacDonald, Dan Alex
Person · 1885 - 1972

Dan Alex MacDonald was born in North Framboise. His father also hailed from North Framboise, whereas his mother, Annie Munroe, came from Canoe Lake, near Gabarus. Both of his parents were descendants of immigrants from North Uist. He ran a farm, operated a saw mill and raised a family of three boys, three girls and a foster son.
Dan Alex was a well respected bard and is best known for his song in prasie of Cape Breton, " 'Se Ceap Breatainn Tìr Mo Ghràidh".

MacDonald, D.A.
Person · 1951-1970

D.A. MacDonald was the mayor of the town of Glace Bay from 1951 to 1970.

Person · October 14, 1922 - August 29, 2010

Charles R. "Sharkey" MacDonald was born October 14, 1922 in New Waterford to parents Ronald and Teresa (MacPherson) MacDonald. Charles was known to enjoy hockey and boxing as a youth and carried that interest throughout his life. Charles' nickname "Sharkey" was derived from his resemblance to Lithuanian-American professional boxer and heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey.

Charles "Sharkey" MacDonald enlisted in 1940 at the age of 18 with the Cape Breton Highlanders and served in England, Italy, and Holland and while serving in Italy, was wounded. After the conclusion of fighting in May 1945, the Cape Breton Highlanders remained in Holland until repatriation in 1946. While stationed in Holland, MacDonald was part of a unit softball team known as "The Hayshakers" as well as participating in divisional boxing.

Following the war, MacDonald was a founding member of the Cape Breton Highlanders Association and later served multiple executive roles including multiple terms as president. The association was known for their yearly reunions that assembled former comrades. MacDonald also played a part in seeing the establishment of the Cape Breton Highlanders memorial that sits on King's Road in Sydney, N.S. In addition to his wartime service, MacDonald also worked for over 40 years as a miner for the Dominion Coal Company, a security guard for DEVCO and also as served as a councilor for New Waterford for 17 years.

MacDonald passed away at the age of 88 in 2010 and is buried at the Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in New Waterford, N.S.

MacDonald, Charles R.
Person · 1922 - 2010

Charles R. "Sharkey" MacDonald was born in 1922 to parents Ronald and Teresa (MacPherson) MacDonald in New Waterford, N.S. As a youth, boxing was one of many passions that carried with MacDonald throughout his life. He was given the nickname "Sharkey" for his resemblance to Lithuanian-American professional boxer and heavyweight world champion Jack Sharkey.

In 1940, at the age of 18, Charles "Sharkey" MacDonald enlisted with the Cape Breton Highlanders. During his service MacDonald served in England, Italy, Holland, and was wounded while in Italy. Following the end of the war in May 1945, the Cape Breton Highlanders remained in Holland. During this time MacDonald was part of a unit softball team known as "The Hayshakers" and also won a lightweight boxing championship within the 5th Canadian Armoured Division.

In the years after the war, MacDonald became a founding member of the Cape Breton Highlanders Association that would become known for keeping the camaraderie of old wartime comrades alive through annual reunions. MacDonald also served several terms as president of the association as well as other executive roles and played a key part in the establishment of a memorial for the Cape Breton Highlanders on King's Road in Sydney, N.S.

Outside of the life of the Cape Breton Highlanders and association, MacDonald worked for over forty years as a miner for the Dominion Coal Company and as a security guard for DEVCO. He also served as a councilor for New Waterford for seventeen years. Charles R. "Sharkey" MacDonald passed way in 2010 at the age of 88.

MacDonald, Bishop John R.
Person · 1891-1959

Bishop John R. MacDonald (1891-1959) was born in Port Hood, Nova Scotia in 1891. He attended high school in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, attended St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto, Ontario, and was ordained in Antigonish in 1916. He was curate of St. Ninian’s Cathedral in Antigonish until 1922, where he worked with Father Jimmy Tompkins who inspired an interest in the cooperative movement. Between 1928 and 1932, he was appointed to St. Andrews Parish in Antigonish County and he worked with Rev. Dr. Moses Coady and Fr. Michael Gillis to establish the extension department at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), a role which coincided with his time as the Secretary of the Scottish Catholic Society of Canada. During this time, he co-wrote the pamphlet “Forward Nova Scotia” on behalf of the Scottish Catholic Society. He served as Rector of St. Ninian’s from 1932 to 1942 and was Bishop of Antigonish from 1945 until his death in 1959.

MacDonald, Angus R.
Person · 1884-1973

“Angus R.” was born on the French Road in 1884. He was a carpenter “by nature,” whose handicraft is found in the churches he built. He was fond of singing in Gaelic and when new verses were needed he would write them. MacDonald lived in Boston from 1922-1931 but as he did not feel he was experiencing enough success to warrant being far from Cape Breton he returned to work as a carpenter in New Waterford.

Macdonald, Angus L.
Person · 1890-1954

Angus Lewis Macdonald was born at Dunvegan, N.S. on 10 August 1890, the son of Lewis and Veronica (Perry) Macdonald. Macdonald was Premier of Nova Scotia from 1933-1940 and 1945-1954.

MacDonald, Angus J.
Person · 1899-1984

Angus John MacDonald was born January 16, 1899 in Silver Mine, Cape Breton. He was the son of Donald “Taylor” MacDonald and Margaret (nee MacDonald from Morrison Road) from Silver Mine. His siblings were Norman, Margaret (Mrs. Norman Morrison) of Whitney Pier, Murdock A. of Glace Bay, John Alex and Malcolm of Big Glen and Dan Allan of St. Thomas, Ontario. Angus remained single all his life and was self-employed for many years. He loved the out-of-doors and during the “Dirty Thirties” constructed a log cabin and lived off the land. During this time he taught himself French and academic subjects of interest thanks to mail-order books. He was an amateur prospector in the Silver Mine area with James P. Nolan and his son, James Ignatius Nolan from California.

After World War II began, Angus was employed in the boiler shop of the Sydney Steel Plant, retiring in 1964 or 1965. After his retirement he traveled to North Uist, Scotland. He spoke and read Scottish Gaelic and, in retirement, translated children’s stories into English for some family members. He took a keen interest in the education of his nieces and nephews and introduced several of them to the Gaelic Mod, held in St. Ann’s. He lived for many years with his brother, Malcolm and his wife Margaret (nee Walker of Big Ridge) and their family in Big Glen. Angus had an interest in conservation of the local forest and he planted trees over the years for eventual harvesting. He also did a lot of gardening, was interested in bird watching and he was a lover of books.

Mr. MacDonald died March 1, 1984 in Sydney, NS. 1

Macdonald, Andrew Archibald
Person · 1829-1912

Andrew Archibald Macdonald, eldest son of Hugh Macdonald (1788-1857) and Catherine Kennedy Macdonald (ca. 1795-1872), was born 14 February 1829 at Panmure Island, Prince Edward Island. Andrew Archibald married Elizabeth Lee Owen (11 May 1835 - 12 July 1901) on 25 November 1863 in Georgetown. The couple had four children: Aeneas Adolphus MacDonald (20 November 1864 - 1920), Archibald T. G. ?Percy? MacDonald (15 April 1867 - 7 November 1948), Reginald Hugh MacDonald (2 September 1869 - 1903?), and A. Douglas MacDonald (1874 - 1921).

Andrew Archibald was educated by private tutors at home and public school in Georgetown. In 1844, at the age of fifteen, Andrew A. entered into business with his cousin, James Macdonald, at James' store in Georgetown. Following his death in 1851, Andrew A. bought the business and brought his brothers Archibald John and Augustine "Austin" Colin into the partnership under the name A. A. Macdonald and Bros. For the next twenty years, Andrew A. and his brothers carried on a general mercantile business, importing manufactured goods for sale at their stores in Georgetown and Montague Bridge and exporting grain, potatoes, and lumber to New England, Newfoundland, and Great Britain. The firm was also involved in shipbuilding and the mackerel fishery during this period.

Andrew A. held a number of prominent positions. He served as the United States Consular Agent at Three Rivers from 1849 to 1870. Andrew A. was a longtime member of the House of Assembly, serving as a representative for Georgetown from 1854 to 1870 and was a member of the Executive Council from 1867 to 1873. Andrew A. was a delegate for Prince Edward Island at both the Charlottetown Conference (September 1864) and the Quebec Conference (October 1864). His personal notes and commentary on Confederation and conference proceedings would later be published in a variety of formats. Around 1871, Andrew A. withdrew from A. A. Macdonald & Bros. and moved to Charlottetown. In 1873 Andrew A. was made Postmaster General and retained that portfolio until 1884. In that year he was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, a position he held until 1889. On 11 May 1891 he was appointed to the Canadian Senate. From this point on, Andrew A. would divide his time between Prince Edward Island and Ottawa, Ontario. He died in Ottawa 21 March 1912.

MacDonald, Alexander
Person · 1823-1904

Alexander MacDonald was the son of Allan the Ridge MacDonald who left Lochaber in 1816 and settled at Mabou Ridge, Inverness County, later moving to South River, Antigonish County, in 1847. Both Allan and his son Alexander were well-known poets and both were authorities on the songs of Silis na Ceapaich and Iain Lom.

MacDermaid, Donald John
Person · 1913-1992

Donald John MacDermaid (Dòmhnall Sheumais Thoirmoid) was born in Stirling, Richmond County on September 30th to parents James Matthew and Catherine (Morrison) MacDermaid. He worked for a while in Maine before moving to Massachusetts. He became a US citizen in 1942 and enlisted for service in WWII. Upon returning to the United States, he married Florence B. Moody, a native of Maine. He and his wife eventually settled in Framingham, Massachusetts near MacDermaid's sister-in-law Margaret MacQueen and brother, Norman. He passed away in 1992 and is buried with his wife in her hometown of Cornville, Maine.

Donald John is remembered as a fine Gaelic singer with a great love for the Gaelic song tradition of the Framboise area. He made and shared many recordings of the region's singers in Cape Breton and Massachussets. He also took a great interest in the tradition as it existed in Berneray, Harris, Scotland. MacDermaid's ancestors, like most in the Framboise region, hailed from the Hebridean islands of North Uist, Harris and Berneray.

MacCormick, Hector
Person · 1906-1986

Hector MacCormick was A Gaelic speaker and singer from Framboise. He was well-respected for his command of the Gaelic language and was often consulted when the language had to be transcribed or translated.
Hector served in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve during WWII.

Lynch, John George Brooks
Person · 1885-1973

John George Brooks Lynch was born in 1885 at Almonte, Ont. In 1909 he married a Miss Butler and the couple had four children: John, Dennis, Betty and Maurice. He later remarried to Betty MacAskill. Lynch and his second wife had two children: Kevin and George. In 1906 Lynch graduated from McGill University medical school and was appointed to the medical staff of Dominion Iron and Steel Company in Sydney, N.S. around 1909. Lynch died in 1973.

Leacock, Stephen Butler
Person · 1869-1944

Stephen Leacock was born in England in 1869 and came to Canada at an early age. In 1903, he was appointed a lecturer in political science at McGill University and head of the department in 1908, a position he held until his retirement in 1936. He was the author of many books but it was as a humorist that he achieved his greatest reputation. He became perhaps the best known humorist in the English speaking world. He died on March 28, 1944.

Leach, MacEdward
Person · 1897 - 1967

MacEdward Leach (1897-1967) was one of North America's most widely respected folklorists. Among his many merits, he was scholar of literature, folklore and language. His work greatly influenced the development of folklore as an academic discipline, and introduced subsequent scholars and folk enthusiasts to the vast diversity of North American culture

Between 1949 and 1951 he took a series of trips to Cape Breton and mainland N.S to collect songs and stories from Gaelic tradition bearers.

Lauder, Sir Harry
Person · 1870-1950

Born in Portobello, Scotland on August 4th 1870, Sir Henry "Harry" Lauder was a coal miner before gaining popularity as an amateur music hall entertainer. As a comedian and Scottish singer, he achieved international success and was knighted in 1919.

Laffin, Michael A.
Person · 1918-

Michael A. Laffin was born in 1918 at New Waterford, N.S. During World War II he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Following the war, he attended McGill University where he studied dentistry. In 1963 he was elected to the Provincial Legislature as a representative for Cape Breton Centre, and served until 1974. He was re-elected in 1981 and served until 1987 as Minister Without Portfolio and later Minister of Housing.

Laet, Johannes de
Person · 1581-1649

Dutch geographer Johannes de Laet was born in Antwerp and worked as a merchant and trader. He devoted his spare time to compiling and publishing "The History of the New World" which includes early representations of Nova Scotia. De Laet died in December 1649 while in The Hague.

Kuna, Michael
Person · d. 2011

Michael Kuna was the son of the late Josef and Miria (Boszniak) Kuna. He lived in Glace Bay, N.S. and worked as a coal miner for forty years in No. 2, 20 and 26 collieries. Mr. Kuna was past-president of the Ukrainian Catholic Men's Club and volunteered his time with both Glace Bay Minor Hockey and Little League baseball. He died on August 15, 2011.

Kitchin, Thomas
Person · 1719-1784

Thomas Kitchin was an engraver and map-maker from Southwark, England. Kitchin was apprenticed to Emanuel Bowen in 1732 and in 1773 appointed royal hydrographer to King George III. He produced John Elphinstone's map of Scotland (1746), Geographia Scotia (1749), and The Small English Atlas (1749) with Thomas Jefferys. The Large English Atlas (with Bowen 1749–60) was an attempt to cover England at large scale. He produced 170 maps for the London Magazine (1747–83). He died in St Albans in 1784.