Showing 340 results

Authority record
Cameron, Hugh
Person · 1836-1918

Hugh Cameron was born at Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 1836. He practiced medicine in Mabou for many years and represented Inverness County in the House of Commons from 1869-1872 and 1882-1896, and in the Nova Scotia Legislature from 1879-1882.

MacKinnon, Alexander Hugh
Person · 1905-1973

Alexander Hugh MacKinnon was born at Inverness, N.S. in 1905. He was admitted to the bar in 1929. In 1940 he was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature and held his seat until 1953. During that time he held the positions of Minister of Health, Mines and Labour. Throughout his career he had a particular interest in labour law and produced a significant report on labour in the early 1960s. In 1968 he was appointed Chief Justice of Nova Scotia and held the position until his death in 1973.

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.

Gillis, Clarence
Person · 1895-1960

Clarence Gillis (best known as 'Clarie') was born at Londonderry, N.S. in 1895. He and his family moved to Glace Bay and he attended local schools before going to work in the mines at a young age. Gillis was a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) Party and represented Cape Breton South in the House of Commons from 1940-1957. Throughout his career he worked to improve the working conditions of Cape Bretoners, and miners in particular.

Cash, Colin
Person · 1849-1934

Colin Cash was born on 23 November 1849, the son of Thomas Cash. He married and had twelve children: Joseph, Mary M., Roderick, Sarah, Margaret, Lizzie, Annie, Catherine, Peter, Thomas, Ambrose, and Mary M. Cash and his family resided at Irish Cove, N.S. where he was a carriage maker, blacksmith, and a miller. Cash died on 3 January 1934.

Coronelli, Vincenzo
Person · 1650-1718

Coronelli was a 17th century cartographer and globe maker based in Venice. In 1678 Coronelli was commissioned to make his first major globes. He also published maps and atlases including the "Atlante Veneto". Coronelli was also based in Paris between 1681 and 1683 as official map maker to King Louis XIV. Coronelli founded the world’s first geographical society, the Academia Cosmografica degli Argonauti and was awarded the official title Cosmographer of the Republic of Venice.

Smith, James Mariner
Person · 1859-1934

James Mariner Smith was born in 1859, the son of William and Susanne Smith. He married Isabel Jane Ross, the daughter of John M. and Armenia Ross, of North East Margaree. Smith founded a small business at Port Hood and later, presumably following his marriage, at North East Margaree, where he established a general store and perhaps a hotel, and acted as agent for the Glendyer Mills factory (est. 1848), which produced cloth. Smith and Isabel had seven children and he died in 1934.

MacNeil, Malcolm F.
Person · 1896-1971

Malcolm F. MacNeil was born ca. 1896 at Grand Narrows, Nova Scotia. He was orphaned at an early age and in his teens he moved to Boston, Mass. He married Margaret Andrews and had three children: Helen, Mary Lou, and Norman. He became a businessman and eventually was named chairman of Ark-Les Switch Corp. He became a trustee of Lawrence Academy in Groton, CT and was named to the board of governors of St. Francis Xavier University. Throughout his life he was involved in numerous philanthropic projects. He received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from St. F. X. University and was knighted in 1956 as a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher for his fundraising and charitable works. MacNeil died 1 December 1971.

Almon, Albert
Person · 1872-1960

Albert Almon was born at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia in 1872. He married and had five children: Patrick, Joseph, Cleophas, Mary and Annie. Almon was a self-taught plumber and owned his own business in Glace Bay. An amateur historian, he earned him an honorary Masters of Arts degree from St. Francis Xavier University and recognition from Pope Pius XII. He died in 1960.

MacKinnon, John A.
Person

John A. MacKinnon was a resident of Sydney, Nova Scotia. On 23 November 1920 he married Christine MacDonald. MacKinnon had a personal interest in mining, especially in the Maple Brook area of Inverness County, where he owned land. He also held a permit allowing him to excavate for coal on his property. MacKinnon was a member of the St. Patrick's Branch League of the Cross and the Sydney Terminal Safety Committee.

Naish, S. Gordon
Person · 1900-1989

S. Gordon Naish was born 21 August 1900 at Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a child he lived all over the world, including South Africa, Ireland, Alberta, and England. While living in England, he attended Durham University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science. Naish went on to attend engineering school, where he trained as a mechanical engineer. Naish worked at the Bell Telephone Company in Montreal, P.Q., and later Peacock Brothers Ltd. He was transferred to Sydney, Nova Scotia and later took a position with Joy Manufacturing. Naish had a strong interest in scuba diving and underwater cinematography. He was also an avid skier and a founding member of the Sydney Ski Club. Naish had numerous professional and social affiliations including memberships in the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Mining Society of Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton Underwater Club, and the Youth Committee of Sydney Rotary Club. Naish died in 1989.

Boyle, Dougald Robert
Person · 1847-1914

Dougald Robert Boyle was born 10 September 1847 at Glenora Falls, Nova Scotia, the son of Scottish immigrants. He took his first teaching position at Port Hood ca. 1868 and later taught at West Arichat. Boyle married Mary Anne Tyrrell in 1872 and the couple had eleven children. Following teaching, Boyle was appointed Fishery Officer and Stipendiary Magistrate for Richmond County. He held these positions until 1911. Boyle was also active in community affairs, such a pressing for the Lennox Passage Bridge, improvements at Petit de Grat and for a rail line running between MacIntyre's Lake and Arichat. Boyle died in 1914.

Brodie, Douglas Neil
Person · 1872-1960

Douglas Neil Brodie was born on 15 January 1872 at Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of Neil MacNeil and Margaret (Carroll) Brodie. He received his early education at the Halifax Academy. In 1901 he married May, the daughter of alderman D.H. Campbell. In 1900 Brodie moved to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia where he established a printing shop. Brodie later became a director of the Glace Bay Credit Union, served as a Corporal in the 63rd Rifles, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly for Cape Breton East as a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), 1941-1945. He died at Glace Bay on 14 September 1954.

Campbell, Joseph
Person

Joseph Campbell was a Big Pond farmer, Justice of the Peace, and county councillor. He died in 1973.

Campbell, Andrew D.
Person · 1890-1942

Judge Andrew D. "Hump" Campbell was born at Red Islands, Nova Scotia, in 1890. His family moved to Reserve Mines when he was young. He was a lawyer, a juvenile court judge, and a popular sports figure in Cape Breton. He died in 1942.

Campbell, Peter J. MacKenzie
Person · 1898-1985

Peter J. MacKenzie Campbell was born in Johnstown, Nova Scotia on 3 March 1898. He was the son of James P. and Mary Jessie (MacKenzie) Campbell. He attended local schools and later attended St. Francis Xavier University. He was employed for many years with the Cape Breton branch of the Co-operative Wholesale Services. He helped organize and was the first president of Johnstown Credit Union. He was president of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Union, director of the Sydney Credit Union, and director of the Co-operative Union of Canada. In 1975, Campbell was presented with a service award by St. Francis Xavier University Extension Department, and was granted an honorary Doctor of Laws, also by St. Francis Xavier. He was a third degree member of the Sydney KOC and a member of Sacred Heart Parish. He was a well known author, especially on Scottish heritage and Cape Breton history. He died on 8 December 1985.

Bown, Matilda
Person · 1827-1910

Matilda Bown was born in 1827 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Bown taught art and painting in North Sydney. She spent a considerable amount of time on Sable Island and she became very interested in its natural history. Bown died 12 October 1910 at North Sydney.

Carey, John
Person

John Carey was a teacher and the first town clerk of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. He was later manager of the Greener Mine.

Beaton, Archibald
Person

Archibald Beaton was a resident of Mabou Mines, Nova Scotia.

Day, Angus Cyprian
Person · 1893-1974

Angus Cyprian Day was born at Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, in 1893. He was married to Hilda Day. Following employment with various Cape Breton coal mines, he joined the staff of the Municipality of the County of Cape Breton where he served as clerk-treasurer until retirement in 1968. He was state treasurer of the Knights of Columbus and served with the Catholic Charities Association and the Cape Breton Mental Health Centre. Day was also an avid genealogist who researched Nova Scotian families. He was Justice of the Peace for Cape Breton County from 1936 until his death in 1974.

Huntington family
Person · 1833-1972

The Huntington family of Mira River, Nova Scotia were of Planter descent. Caleb Adolphus Huntington was the son of John and Ruth (Martell) Huntington and born at Mira River, 6 May 1833. He married on 15 January 1862 Emily Francis Gesner, who was the daughter of Gibbs Henry and Elizabeth (Hill) Gesner, born 1 May 1837. The couple had six children: Henrietta Evelina (b. 6 February 1870), Henry Gesner, Hubert, Hortense, Marian, and Francis. The family were members of the Baptist church and resided at Huntington where they operated a farm and Caleb served as a Justice of the Peace for more than forty years. Henrietta married Phillip Ingouville Gibbons 4 Oct. 1903 and the couple had ten children: Emily Gesner, Allen (died at birth), Richard Napoleon, Henry Hubert, Mary Martin, Portia Ingouville, Ruth Eveline, Gertrude, Caleb Phillip and Jetta Marion (b. 2 Sept. 1914). Henrietta died in 1943. Her daughter Jetta married John MacDonald and the couple resided at Marion Bridge.

Kelly, Michael
Person · 1887-

Michael Kelly was born in 1887 and worked in various mines in Cape Breton between 1900 and 1952.

Elman, Gordon
Person · 1902-1972

Gordon Elman was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia in 1902. He operated a successful automobile business in Sydney for many years and was the majority stockholder in the Community Hotel Company which operated the Isle Royale Hotel. Elman's community involvement covered a wide range - he was President of Temple Sons of Israel, Past District Governor, President of the Board of Trade, President of the Sydney Rotary Club, President of the Innkeepers Guild of Nova Scotia and President of the Maritime Automobile Dealers Association. Mr. Elman was a Third-Degree Mason, a Shriner and served on the Board of Directors of Canada Permanent Trust Company, the Canadian Jewish Congress, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and served as Sydney alderman. He died in 1972.

Dwyer, Michael
Person · 1877-1953

Michael Dwyer was born on 4 February 1877 at Parks Town, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, the son of Patrick and Bridget (Doyle) Dwyer. The family immigrated to Nova Scotia in 1884 and he received his early education in New Glasgow and later trained as a mechanical engineer. He married Beatrice Sutherland Campbell. Dwyer was employed as Works Superintendent at the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company until 1922 when he was named President and General Manager, a position he retained until 1938. He also served as president of Indian Cove Coal Company from 1922 to 1932. Dwyer was elected mayor of Sydney Mines from 1926-1932. In 1933 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly, where he represented Cape Breton Centre until 1938. During this period Dwyer also acted as Minister of Mines and Public Works and of Labour. In 1939 he became president and general manager of the Nova Scotia Steel Company, receiving an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1946. From 1949-1950 he served as mayor of New Glasgow. In his free time, Dwyer researched the history of coal, steel, railroads, shipping and other matters of historical interest. Dwyer died on 28 December 1953 at New Glasgow.

Fraser, William G.
Person

William G. Fraser was a former inspector in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He retired to Baddeck, Nova Scotia.

Hart, John Smith
Person · 1874-1964

John Smith Hart was born in 1874 at Port Hood, Nova Scotia. He married and had three sons: Lew, Lee and Lorne. For many years he operated a general store, which was founded by his father, at Port Hood. He left Port Hood for several years to seek gold in the Klondike. When he returned to Port Hood, Hart began raising silver foxes and patented a number of inventions. Some of his inventions included a device for preserving fishermen's bait, diving suits, automatic railroad crossing signals, a windmill for sawing wood, and a plane that would eject the passenger if it was hit by a bomb. Hart died in 1964.

Morrison, Duncan S.
Person · 1878-1944

Duncan S. Morrison was born at Catalone, Nova Scotia in 1878. He married Kate MacKinnon of Mira Ferry ca. 1903. Following her death in 1937, he married Charlotte Emeline Brehaut in 1938. He served in the South African War and retained his interest in military affairs after World War 1. He was an Officer Commanding 9th Coy F. C., Corps of Canadian Engineers (Militia) from 1929 to 1936. Morrison was a professional engineer, employed by Dominion Steel and Coal Company, Towns of New Waterford and Glace Bay and the City of Sydney. He was active in civil affairs and promoted credit unions and cooperatives as well as a junior college for Sydney. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and the Scottish Society in Cape Breton. He was a member of the United Church and served in various official capacities. Morrison died in 1944.

Gridley, Richard
Person · 1710-1796

Richard Gridley was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a soldier and military engineer who served for the British Army during the French and Indian Wars. He was involved in the 1745 and 1758 sieges of Louisbourg.

van Keulen, Johannes
Person · 1654-1715

He was a 17th-century Dutch cartographer. He published the influential nautical atlas the Zee-Atlas and the pilot guide Zee-Fakkel

MacNeil, Roderick J.
Person

Roderick J. MacNeil was a carriage maker from Big Pond, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia who founded his business ca. 1890.

Howie, John William
Person

John William Howie was born in Cape Breton, the son of Alexander and Catherine (Blackett) Howie. His first wife was Rebecca Archibald. He was remarried after her death to Harriet Amelia Addy of Aylesford, Kings County on 23 September 1875. The couple had four children: Susan Kate, Emily Jane, Lavinia Ella and Fredrick. Howie was ordained as a Methodist preacher on 1 July 1861. He served as the first minister of the Gabarus, Gull Cove, Fourchu and later on Louisbourg circuit of the Methodist Church. Howie died ca. 1910.

Huntjens, Dr. Rev. Jan
Person

Dr. Rev. Jan Huntjens was associate professor of theology at the College of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia from 1968 to 1978.

Jefferys, Thomas
Person · 1695-1771

Thomas Jefferys was an accomplished cartographer and engraver. Jefferys apprenticed to Emmanuel Bowen and engraved many maps found in the popular "Gentleman's Magazine". He contributed well known maps to "The American Atlas", and many of these maps continued to be published and republished by the Sayer and Bennet firm after his death.

Dawson, George Mercer
Person · 1849-1901

George Mercer Dawson was born in Pictou and lived in Nova Scotia. In 1868–69 Dawson attended McGill College. He next attended the Royal School of Mines in London, England. The school was organized and staffed by the Geological Survey of Great Britain to promote along scientific lines the development of the mineral wealth of Britain and its colonies. Dawson gained intensive training there in, natural history, palaeontology, chemistry, mining and metallurgy, and applied mechanics, from some of the best authorities in these fields. In the summer of 1872 he contracted with several businessmen to assay coal and iron ores in Nova Scotia and taught chemistry at Morrin College, Quebec. When a position became available on the Geological Survey of Canada that year Dawson served as naturalist and geologist on the international boundary survey from Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains, becoming assistant director in 1883. In geology and geography Dawson offered an outstanding contribution to the primary task of mapping and naming surface features in complex terrain. He included systematic ethnological inventories in his geological surveys, intending his reports on native peoples to advise government in the formulation of policy. His Sketches of the past and present condition of the Indians of Canada (1879) surveyed the distribution and declining numbers of aboriginal peoples in the light of the apparent inevitability of political dominion in the west by European Canadians.

Zatta, Antonio
Person · 1775-1797

Antonio Zatta was a prominent Italian map publisher of the late 18th and early 19th century. His firm, based in Venice, produced maps that mark an important transition from 18th to 19th century cartographic styles. He updates and redefines the traditional title cartouche by replacing the mythic elements common to the 17th and 18th century with more representative images. His most important work is the four volume Atlante novissim.

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.

Maddin, James William
Person · 1874-1961

James William Maddin was born at Westville, Nova Scotia in 1874. Maddin attended Pictou Academy. He apprenticed and worked as a journeyman machinist for the Intercolonial Coal and Mining Company. He later earned a law degree from Dalhousie University and established a law practice at Sydney, Nova Scotia, specializing in criminal law. Maddin married Maude MacDonald and the couple had five children: Warrena, Agnes, Olive, Jean and William-Langile. During World War I he served with the 185th Battalion, earning the rank of major. He served as a Member of Parliament, representing Cape Breton South and later appointed Stipendary Magistrate. Maddin died in 1961.

Hay, Alexander Lauder
Person · ca. 1887-1939

Alexander Lauder Hay was born in Scotland, circa 1887. He emigrated to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia in 1900. For several years Hay worked in local coal mines, before enrolling in a Pittsburg institute where he earned a degree in mining engineering. Hay returned to Nova Scotia and worked as a mining engineer for the British Empire Steel Corporation and Dominion Steel and Coal Company. He also wrote several books on mining. Hay died in 1939.

MacKenzie, Harold W.
Person · 1895-

Harold W. MacKenzie (known usually as Harry) was born at Beaverton, Ontario in 1895. Between 1902 and 1913 he attended public schools at Beaverton. In 1913 he joined a survey crew in Cornwall. In 1916 MacKenzie joined the army and served with the 1st Battalion of the Canadian Royal Troops in France during World War I. Following the war he was employed working on the Welland Canal until 1925 when he removed to the Maritimes where he supervised the dredging of numerous harbours, building of the Dartmouth Ferry Docks, and other construction projects. In 1951 he was appointed Resident Engineer for the Canso Causeway project. He held this position until 1957, when the navigation lock and swing bridge portion of the project was completed.

Johnston, Roderick A.
Person · ?-1915

Roderick A. Johnston was a resident of Bridgeport, Nova Scotia. He married Mary Ann Stewart and the couple had at least one child, John Joseph. Johnston was a miner in the Bridgeport area and for a short time he worked in the Harbour Pitt, Little Glace Bay. Johnston died on 1 January 1915.

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.

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, 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.

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.

MacKenzie, Donald J.
Person · 1895-?

Donald J. MacKenzie was born at Milton, N.S. in 1895. He received his early education in Glace Bay and later at Sydney Academy. He studied medicine at Dalhousie University and graduated in 1918. From 1918 to 1920 he served with the R.C.A.M.C. In 1920 he established a general practice at Louisbourg. In 1921 he received the Rockerfeller International Scholarship and studied at John Hopkins and McGill Universities from 1921-1922. From 1922 to 1926 he taught bacteriology and pathology at Dalhousie University. He was appointed director of the Public Health Laborotory, a position he held from 1926-1962. Throughout his career in was involved in numerous professional organizations, including the Halifax Medical Society and the Royal College of Physicians. He retired to Mira Gut in 1962.

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.

Bernard, Joseph
Person · 1724-1805

Joseph Bernard, marquis de Chabert was a French naval officer, geographer and astronomer. He was commissioned in 1750 to go to North America to correct the maps of the coasts of Acadia, Isle Royale and Newfoundland. It was during this trip that Bernard visited Louisbourg and established an observatory. He documented his findings in the publication "Voyage fait par order du Roi en 1750 et 1751".

van Keulen, Gerard
Person · 1678–1726

Gerard van Keulen was the son of Johannes van Keulen, a Dutch cartographer who started a publishing and book selling business in 1681. Gerard took over control of the firm in 1714 and continued to add to the company's vast body of cartographic work.

Bayfield, Henry Wolsey
Person · 1795-1885

Captain Henry Wolsey Bayfield (1795-1885) was born in Kingston Hull, England. At age 11 he entered the Royal Navy. He moved up in rank and served in the Mediterranean, off the coasts of France, Holland, and Spain, in the West Indies, and at Quebec and Halifax before joining the British flotilla on Lake Champlain in October 1814. He became acting lieutenant in Kingston, Upper Canada, on the sloop Star, a vessel employed in the Royal Navy’s surveying service on the Canadian lakes under the command of Captain William Fitz William Owen. Bayfield assisted Owen in the summer of 1816 in the survey of Lake Ontario and the upper St Lawrence from Kingston to the Galop Rapids at Edwardsburg Upper Canada. Bayfield soon became in charge of surveying. Bayfield was promoted commander in 1826. While in England he persuaded the Admiralty that a survey was required of the St Lawrence River and Gulf, to be connected with the chain of surveys from Lake Superior eastward. The Admiralty appointed Bayfield superintendent of the St Lawrence survey in 1827. One of Bayfield’s special concerns was to obtain measurements of the distances between the meridians of Quebec, Halifax, and St John’s. By 1848 Bayfield had surveyed the entire coastline of Prince Edward Island the Northumberland Strait coast of Nova Scotia, and the northeastern extremity of the Gaspé. In the next five years, he concentrated on a survey of Cape Breton Island begun in 1847, the Strait of Canso, Isle Madame, and the Bras d’Or Lake.