"Hughie" MacKenzie was born in 1895 in Rear Christmas Island, Cape Breton. The "seanachaidh" of the Gaelic Society of Cape Breton, he taught classes in the Gaelic language and had a weekly Gaelic radio program at the time of his death in Sydney in 1971. In addition to his fluency in Gaelic, he played the bagpipes and violin, as well as composing many Gaelic songs. He was the son of the bard Archie Sheumais MacKenzie and brother to Archie Alex MacKenzie.
Published
Final
BI
Fonds consists of papers that include:
b. Two copies of the history of the first settlers in Iona including MacKenzie's version of the story of their first encounter with the Mi'Kmaq ; a story in English and set in Christmas Island. Many cultural practices are discussed ; a speech addressed to The Nova Scotia and Canadian Associations of Social workers ; two songs in English.
File list is available: MG 6.23 [http://beaton.cbu.ca/atom/MGs/6/MG6.23.pdf]
Published
File contains correspondence between MacKenzie and Sr. Margaret Beaton regarding song collection and song composition. Also included is a number of words and phrases Hugh does not believe to be in use in Scotland.
In the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie
More information on Hugh Francis MacKenzie's songs can be found in "Mar a b'Àbhaist Bhith 's a'Ghleann: As it was in the Glen" Compiled by Kim Ells. Ed. Catriona Parsons. Siol, Antigonish,2012.
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.
"Hughie" MacKenzie was born in 1895 in Rear Christmas Island, Cape Breton. The "seanachaidh" of the Gaelic Society of Cape Breton, he taught classes in the Gaelic language and had a weekly Gaelic radio program at the time of his death in Sydney in 1971. In addition to his fluency in Gaelic, he played the bagpipes and violin, as well as composing many Gaelic songs. He was the son of the bard Archie Sheumais MacKenzie and brother to Archie Alex MacKenzie.
Published
Materials include:
Duan na Callaig (a New Year's Rhyme recited to gain admittance to a house)
Another New Year's Rhyme, "Dh'Fhalbh Iain Mór Spàgach"
A speech in Gaelic to be delivered upon the 100th birthday of Catherine MacLean (née Gillis) a native of Boularderie, at the time living in Boisdale.
A speech for the Nova Scotia and Canadian Board of Social Services honoring Sr. Jane MacKenzie of Christmas Island (Hugh Francis' aunt) and the Sisters of St. Martha, Antigonish.
Hugh Francis' original compositions:
“Gearrain a’Mhairt” (The Cow’s Complaint)
“Oran a’Bhata” (Cane Song).
“An Té a Chaill a Ghàidhlig” (The Woman Who Lost Her Gaelic) by The Bard MacDermaid.
“Oran Pheadair Chaimbeul” (Peter Campbell’s Son)
“Uan Beag Màiri” (Mary’s Little Lamb). Multiple copies.
“Eilean mo Ghaol” (Island of my Love).
“Oran a’Chùil” (Song of the Rear). Also known as “Bu Deònach Leam Tilleadh”.
“Oran Togail a’Bhuntata” (Song of the Potato Picking).
“Màiri Lurach” (Lovely Mary).
“Oran an Graf Zepplin” with photocopy.
“Oran na Mohawks”. Attributed to John “Iagain Iain Òig”. Typed by Joseph J. MacInnis from a version that appeared in the “Steel-Worker”.
“Oran Bal Chatriona” by Archie Sheumais MacKenzie. About a hay cutting frolic held at the author’s brother Hector’s farm.
“Oran Teagasg nan Sgoil” by Archie Sheumais MacKenzie. About teaching school on Eskasoni mountain.
Copies of other Gaelic Songs:
“Sine Chaluim Bhain”
“Caidil gu Lo”
“Annie Laurie” translated into Gaelic.
“Eilean Fraoich”
“Crooning Melody” also known as “Dean Cadalan Samhach” by John MacRae, an immigrant to North Carolina. Musical notation is included.
In the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie
Recording of Hugh Francis telling the story can be found at: T-35_a
Published
Item is an account of a religious experience that happened repeatedly within the MacKenzie house. The story also mention many other members of the Christmas Island/Benacadie area.
In the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
May Ann MacKenzie was the wife of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
Mary Ann (or May Ann as she was known) was born in Barra Glen in 1902 to parents Roderick S. MacNeil and Sarah Campbell. She was a frequent participant in milling frolics and met her future husband at a competition in which he acted as judge. May Ann married Hugh Francis MacKenzie of Rear Christmas Island in 1939. They spent the first years of their marriage in Sydney while Hugh raised money to move back to his home parish. They built a home in Grand Narrows and had a son, Archie Sheumais. Unfortunately, their son passed away from tuberculosis at the age of six. May Ann herself died of a sudden illness in 1956.
Published
File contains 3 diaries including information regarding births, deaths and marriages in Christmas Island and Iona Parishes as well as a record of the many visits made and received.
In the custody of May MacKenzie and then Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
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.
Published
Item is a printed copy of Archibald J. MacKenzie's "Oran na h-Aoise" and a letter from Archie Alex MacKenzie congratulating Hugh Francis on his speech delivered in Gaelic in the Provincial House of Assembly.
In the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
Author, John James Bryden was born in Benacadie Glen in 1881. His grandfather was Thomas Bryden, an English soldier and aristocrat who converted to Catholicism while serving in Spain. Disinherited for converting, Thomas emigrated to Cape Breton where he settled and established a mill. Fr. John James himself operated the mill before commencing his studies.
Fr. Bryden didn't go to Montreal. Instead, he became the first seminarian from the Diocese of Antigonish to complete his studies in Halifax. He was parish priest in many places but spent the most time posted in Grand Mira and finally, Mabou where he died in 1948.
Author, John James Bryden was born in at the very end of the Highlands Road in Rear Christmas Island. His great-grandfather was Thomas Bryden, an English soldier and aristocrat who converted to Catholicism while serving in Spain. Disinherited for converting, Thomas emigrated to Cape Breton where he settled and established a mill. Fr. John James himself operated the mill before commencing his studies.
Fr. Bryden didn't go to Montreal. Instead, he became the first seminarian from the Diocese of Antigonish to complete his studies in Halifax. He was parish priest in many places but spent the most time posted in Grand Mira and finally, Mabou where he died in 1948.
Published
Item is a draft of a letter from Bryden to the bishop requesting prayers after hearing he had been called to continue his studies in Montreal.
In the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
A history of the Highland Village was presented to the Village Society by Dr. Robert Morgan in 1988 and can be found in MG 18.82 A 46.
Published
File consists of minutes to meetings of the Iona and Boisdale branch of the Board of Trade. Issues which feature prominently are the presence of Major C. I. N. MacLeod and raising fund for the creation of the Highland Village in Iona.
The presentation in support of Iona being the location for the Highland Village was authored by A.D. MacKinnon, Presbyterian minister at Little Narrows.
In the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
Bishop MacKenzie was a cousin to Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
Published
Item is the last will and testament of Bishop Eric Francis MacKenzie, an auxiliary bishop to the Archdiocese of Boston.
in the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
The story was later made into a play and performed by the St. Kentigern Branch of the Scottish Society of Canada in Sydney.
Published
Item is a reproduction of a story written by Hugh Francis MacKinnon's father, Archibald J. (Archie Sheumais) MacKenzie of Rear Christmas Island.
The play is based on a play by the same name written by Hector MacDougall of Glasgow, Scotland an published in 1912. It was popular in Cape Breton.
Published
File consists of:
The nova Scotia Highland Village first stationary with letterhead.
A pamphlet detailing the origin and mission statements of the Highland Village and calling for donations.
A program for the play "An Gaol a Bheir Buaidh" (The Love That Wins), presented by the Castle Bay Drama Association.
"Telephone Lines", a bulletin published by Maritime Telegraph and Telephone Company 1951-1959.
In the custody of Hugh Francis Mackenzie.
Malcolm MacDougall (1813-1898) was the principal merchant in Christmas Island parish for more than sixty years. His success came from trading with Little Bras d'Or rather than Arichat, which was a much more laborious, time saving venture. He also benefited from trade with Newfoundland firms, shipping farm animals and equipment from Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia.
Published
Item is a newspaper published by Malcolm MacDougall, Merchant, Christmas Island.
Fragile
"Hughie" MacKenzie was born in 1895 in Rear Christmas Island, Cape Breton. The "seanachaidh" of the Gaelic Society of Cape Breton, he taught classes in the Gaelic language and had a weekly Gaelic radio program at the time of his death in Sydney in 1971. In addition to his fluency in Gaelic, he played the bagpipes and violin, as well as composing many Gaelic songs. He was the son of the bard Archie Sheumais MacKenzie and brother to Archie Alex MacKenzie.
Published
Material includes:
A typed manuscript of the anecdotes of pioneer Neil "Goillician" MacNeil by Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
The above, as appearing in an article in the Weekly Cape Bretoner, January 25, 1958.
An article concerning the history of Christmas Island by Hugh F. MacKenzie.
An article by MacKenzie about the history of Christmas Island Catholic church.
Two obituaries for Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
All (except the obituaries) were in the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
This tribute was read during "Oidhche Leis na Bàird", the annual concert of the Gaelic Society of Sydney.
Published
Item
Published
Item is a humorous story by Hugh Francis MacKenzi's father, Archibald (Archie Sheumais) MacKenzie.
In the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie
The story also appears in Cape Breton's Magazine, translated by Joe Neil MacNeil:
https://goo.gl/UzWqqV
and in Teachdaire nan Gaidheal Vol. 4, No. 6:
https://goo.gl/1bxQYq
The letter is dated 1962.
A note by Archie Alex states that he was acquainted with Pref. John MacInnes. The letter states that MacInnes is requestsing Gaelic folklore from Cape Breton.
Published
Item is a photocopy of a typed letter from Ian Cranford of the School of Scottish Studies providing historical and architectural information requested by Hugh Francis in order to build a replica of a thatched house at the Highland Village.
In the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie and perhaps his brother, Archie Alex.
"Hughie" MacKenzie was born in 1895 in Rear Christmas Island, Cape Breton. The "seanachaidh" of the Gaelic Society of Cape Breton, he taught classes in the Gaelic language and had a weekly Gaelic radio program at the time of his death in Sydney in 1971. In addition to his fluency in Gaelic, he played the bagpipes and violin, as well as composing many Gaelic songs. He was the son of the bard Archie Sheumais MacKenzie and brother to Archie Alex MacKenzie.
Published
Item is a is a notebook containing the Hugh Francis MacKenzie's own songs.
in the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.
Published
File contains many songs some of which are local compositions and some Scottish compositions which had been introduced in the early 20th century.
In the custody of Hugh Francis Mackenzie.
See MG 6.23 2A for the Gaelic version of the speech to the Associations of Social workers.
"Hughie" MacKenzie was born in 1895 in Rear Christmas Island, Cape Breton. The "seanachaidh" of the Gaelic Society of Cape Breton, he taught classes in the Gaelic language and had a weekly Gaelic radio program at the time of his death in Sydney in 1971. In addition to his fluency in Gaelic, he played the bagpipes and violin, as well as composing many Gaelic songs. He was the son of the bard Archie Sheumais MacKenzie and brother to Archie Alex MacKenzie.
Published
Materials include:
MacKenzie's English song compositions.
A speech for the meeting of the Nova Scotia and Canadian Associations of Social Workers in which his aunt Jane (Sr. Alexandra) was honored.
The story of the courtship of shy bachelor Donald MacNeil. It is set in late 19th century Christmas Island and references many cultural practices.
Early history of the first settlers to the Barra Strait region including a version of the story of first contact with the Mi'kmaq. Incomplete. Two copies.
in the custody of Hugh Francis MacKenzie.