Showing 1765 results

Authority record
Morrison, James R.
Person · 1883-1975

James R. Morrison (Seumas Ruairidh Òig Choinnich Bhàin) was born in Framboise Intervale in 1883. His father Roderick Morrison had immigrated from Berneray, Harris in the 1840s. His mother, Jane Strachan was born in Framboise to immigrants who also hailed from Berneray. By his own admission, James was fond of travelling and he left Framboise for Boston at the age of seventeen. From there went to work in the copper mines of British Columbia. At the request of his parents, he returned to Framboise where he met and married Loch Lomond native Effie Morrison. James operated a store in Framboise for many years and continued to do odd jobs in the community following his retirement at the age of 80. He passed away in 1975 at the age of 92. On his tombstone the words “Gaelic Singer” can be read beneath his name.
James R. Morrison was the nephew of renowned bard Murdoch Morrison, author of Òrain Fuinn is Cladaich”. James R.’s compositions do not appear to have been published.

Denny, Sarah
Person · 1925-2002

Sarah Agnes Denny, the daughter of Richard and Mary Rose Johnson (Mary Rose Christmas), was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia on September 2, 1925 and was raised by her grandmother, Julie Bernard Nevin. She was originally from Potlotek (Chapel Island), but later moved to Membertou. Sarah married Noel R. Denny and together they had twelve children. Sarah and Noel established a home in Eskasoni and would remain in that community for sixty years. Sarah was an educator and the first Mi’kmaq Teacher's Aide at the Eskasoni Federal School. She completed an Early Childhood Education course at the Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto, Ontario, and in 1972, she received her certification as a classroom assistant from Seneca College in Toronto. She also completed courses at York University and worked as a teacher’s assistant. In 1973, Sarah became the first Mi’kmaq Cultural Officer from the Mi’kmaq Association for Cultural Studies and was a part of the Association for three decades. She shared her knowledge of language, culture, songs, dances, and ceremonies in the Nation and across the globe. She was Christian as well as a believer in Mi’kmaq tradition. She was a bridge between the two realities for the community and one of her major accomplishments was the production of the Mi’kmaq Hymnal kit. She loved and taught her children how to chant, sing, pray and dance in traditional ways but not only her children, she formed the Eskasoni Mi’kmaq Dancers to teach others. She also formed the Eskasoni Noel R. Denny Memorial Powwow. Sarah was present in several films, videos and radio interviews. She was honoured in 1991 by Grand Chief George Eramus/National Indian Brotherhood, presently the AFN, for her Dedication and Commitment to the Preservation of Aboriginal Languages. She passed away on September 6, 2002.

MacKenzie, Joseph F.
Person · c1910 - ?

Joseph MacKenzie was born in Rear Christmas Island to parents Alex Joseph and Maggie Catherine MacNeil. He moved to Boston as a young man where he met and married Mary MacKenzie MacLean, originally of Washabuck. Joseph served many years as president of the Cape Breton Gaelic club. He and his wife later retired to Waltham, Massachusetts.

Steele, John
Person · 1903-197-

John Steele was the son of John Steele and Flora MacNeil of Rear Boisdale. He married Jessie Campbell and they had one child, Flora Ann Steele who married Charlie MacIsaac of Boisdale.

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.

MacKenzie, Joe
Person

Joe MacKenzie was born Rear Christmas Island, the son of Alex Joseph and Maggie Catherine (MacNeil) MacKenzie. He married Margaret MacLean of Washabuck and settled in Waltham, Massachusetts. He was president of the Gaelic Society of Boston for a number of years.

MacVicar, William
Person · c. 1879 - 1961

Gaelic bard William MacVicar was born in Catalone to Archibald and Effie (MacPherson) MacVicar, both descendants of Gaels from North Uist. We was a prolific composer and mnay of his songs are published in Fergusson's Beyond the Hebrides.

MacNeil, Malcolm
Person · 1872-1912

Malcolm MacNeil (Calum ‘ic Iain ‘ic Chaluim ‘ic Iain ‘ic Eachainn ‘ic Iain Ruairidh Phìobaire) was born in Ironville in 1872. He was the son of John MacNeil of Ironville and Elizabeth MacNeil of Beaver Cove. On his father’s side he is a descendant of Iain Mac Ruairidh Phìobaire who immigrated to Nova Scotia from Barra in 1802, eventually securing land in Piper’s Cove. Iain’s grandson Calum first operated a grist mill in Shenacadie before selling it to his brother-in-law and moving to Ironville. This is why Malcolm MacNeil is sometimes referred to as Calum mac Iain ‘ic Caluim Mhóir a’Mhuileir.

Brown, Lillian Seward
Person

Lillian Seward Brown was the daughter of Richard Henry Brown and Barbara (Davison) Brown.

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.

Paul, Michael
Person · 1900-1984

Michael Paul, the son of Thomas Paul of Potlotek and Mary Susie Paul of Eskasoni, was born in 1900. He was a prayer leader and was well versed in Mi’kmaq prayers, hymns, traditional Mi’kmaq songs and dances. He was known for singing the traditional Mi’kmaq songs, I’ko and Ko’jua. Paul died on July 4, 1984.

MacKinnon, Hugh Allen
Person · TBD

Hugh Allan MacKinnon was a medic who was present at Dieppe, after the raid carried out on August 19th 1942. He was a resident of Sydney and lived on 25 Styles Lane.

MacNeil, Michael
Person · 1959 - 2021

Michael MacNeil was born on July 13, 1959 to Michael B. McNeil and Rose Hawrylak in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Michael studied Upper Air Meteorology in Ottawa, Ontario at the Transport Canada training facility. His work took him to the far north and he was employed by the High Arctic Weather Stations in Mould Bay, Nunavut and Resolute, Nunavut, before working as a restaurant manager in Toronto, Ontario and at home in Cape Breton, where he operated a take-out canteen in Shenacadie, Nova Scotia. To end his career, he worked for Marine Atlantic, retiring in 2020. He died on February 15, 2021 at the Northside General Hospital in North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Politte, Peter
Person · May 31, 1931 - February 25, 2023

Peter Politte was born on May 31, 1931 to Paul Politte and Minnie Politte in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Peter married June Babstock and had a daughter, Tara Politte. Peter spent his career at Markadonis Shoe Repair in Glace Bay and he also operated a shop in his backyard where he would fix harnesses and bridles, hockey equipment, and canvas tents. Peter was best known for his skate sharpening skills, with his reputation extending across the Maritimes. He died on February 25, 2023 at the age of 91.

McDonough, Alexa
Person · August 11, 1944 - January 15, 2022

Alexa McDonough was born Alexa Ann Shaw on August 11, 1944 in Ottawa, Ontario to Lloyd Shaw and Jean MacKinnon. She attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and Dalhousie University in Halifax, Ontario, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and psychology in 1965. After graduating she became a social worker and worked for Gerald Regan’s Liberal Party. In 1974, she joined the New Democratic Party (NDP) and on November 16, 1980, she became the leader of the Nova Scotia NDP party and the first woman to lead a major political party in Canada. In 1995, she was voted in as the new leader of the federal NDP party. She retired from politics in 2008.

Rutherford, Trevor
Person · February 25, 1988 - November 26, 2022

Trevor Rutherford was born on February 25, 1988 to Walter Rutherford and Cathy Rutherford. Trevor graduated from Cape Breton University with a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) degree. Trevor was a huge sports fan and was known around Sydney, Nova Scotia and surrounding areas for his enthusiasm for hockey and was an original season ticket holder for the Cape Breton Eagles. Trevor also served as general manager for the Sydney Academy hockey team and in 2013 he was the honorary chair of the Blue and White Tournament. He died on November 26, 2022 in Sydney.

MacSween, R.J.
Person

R.J. MacSween was from Beaver Cove, Nova Scotia. He was instrumental in establishing over 250 co-operatives in Nova Scotia throughout his career. In 1925 he was the Nova Scotia agricultural representative for Cape Breton County and in 1935 he became Canada’s first Inspector of Co-operatives. MacSween was involved in the development of the St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) Extension Department. In 1928 he was chosen to sit on a committee by the Scottish Catholic Society to meet with Bishop James Morrison regarding their plans to raise $100, 000 for an education fund and in 1929 he co-authored the pamphlet “Forward Nova Scotia” with Rev. John R. MacDonald. He retired in the late 1950s, around which time he wrote “A History of Nova Scotia Co-operatives.”

Liscombe family
Family · 1811-1971

The Liscombe family settled in Cape Breton in the middle of the nineteenth century. Edward Liscombe (1811-1901), a blacksmith, married Margaret Oliver (1816-1898) in 1838; among their family was Francis "Frank" J. (1847-1926) who married Susan Howie. Frank and Susan Liscombe had five children: Harry Oliver, Rebecca Emily, Olive Margaret, Ella Muriel and Francis Gerald. The family was musical and participated in many musical groups.

Family · 1792 -

The first member of the Basker family immigrated to Boston, United States of America (USA) before the birth of Joseph Basker in 1792. Joseph Basker’s unnamed father was a solider with the 32nd Regiment and was stationed in Windsor, Nova Scotia, so the family settled there until the father’s death. Joseph Basker returned to the USA for a time before settling in the Gut of Canso, Nova Scotia with his mother. At the age of 22 he petitioned for a 200-acre lot along the south east branch of the Mabou River in Cape Breton and the family settled in what would become Mull River, Nova Scotia. The Baskers farmed in Mull River for over 150 years.