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Reminiscences of Beaver Cove
CA BI T-22 · Item · 1965
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of a conversation with Roddie F. Nicholson and John Nicholson.

Song concerning the building of the house

I can write a letter, I can read a letter, and I can send a letter anywhere!

What subjects were taught in school

Did they write well in the back woods?

Mental figuring

What about the cats whiskers?

Tell us all you know about local history

Diseases and cures of the times

Were people brought into build houses?

No one was lazy in those days. No very rich, no very poor.

Could they make a living off the land now as they did in your times?

Diseases such as appendicitus were certain death in those times?

Was there any heavy drinking in those times?

Story of the Jack O Lantern

Nicholson, John
CA BI T-141 · Item · 1969
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item consists of an audio recording of Hugh F. Mackenzie discussing Gaelic words that are not known in Scotland, or are known with a different meaning. Words old, and perhaps not so old, used in Cape Breton County.
This tape was sent to Dr. Kenneth MacDonald, Glasgow, December 8, 1969

Beaton, Sister Margaret
CA BI T-316 · Item · 1971
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

MacDonald, Mr. Eugene:

  • They say the women used to carry their own spinning wheels; could you tell us more about the spinning Frolics?
  • Returning to the story of the threshing mills, and didn't you mention the word "winnowing" and feeding the fanners?
  • The milling frolics were wonderful events - did they always sing Gaelic songs?
  • Whom Shall I take on the Irish Ship?
  • Song for rolling the cloth
  • Was the purpose of the milling to thicken the cloth
  • How about a good joke
  • Father Rankin questioned about early soap making by the Cape Breton Island (N.S.) women
  • Funeral customs
  • 9 Gallons of rum
  • Ghost stories in Gaelic

    Father John Angus Rankin:

  • Ghost stories in English
  • Ghost story continued from Side 1
  • Another ghost story
  • A second sight story

    Bessie Maceachern:

  • Am falbh thu leam a ribhinn og
  • Mairi ni 'n Domhnuill
  • Am Fleasgach Donn

    Billy MacPhee: Violin Selections

Rankin, Fr. John Angus
CA BI T-326 · Item · 1972
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording at Boisdale N.S. Joseph Lawrence Macdonald, Sarah Cameron, Miss Janet Cameron, Angus Beaton, Finlay Cameron tell discuss lore, history and sing songs.

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Frolics in the home, different types

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Shearing of sheep, processing of wool, milling frolics

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Duties of women

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Grist mill at MacAdam`s Lake, operated by Mr. MacLean

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Best carpenters of the times, MacEacherns, MacDonalds and others

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Three steamships operated out of East Bay, groceries had to be brought in from Halifax, hardwood shipped to England

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Scottish Catholic Society of Canada organized by Father M.A. MacAdam

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Cape Breton Island Co-op. Society was organized at East Bay, 1932

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Mineral spring at East Bay

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Excerpts from Mary L. Frasers book,Folklore of Nova Scotia`.

MacDonald, Joseph L. - East Bay Pirates - Capt. Alex and Dan MacLean. MacLeans sailed the Pacific Ocean (1880-1914) on the sea wolf.

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Primary concern of settlers was the making of a home. Coal mines and steel plant took men from farms to cities and towns.

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Early settlers of Christmas Island (N.S.)

MacDonald, Joseph L. - What were living conditions like

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Tell about the August Gale

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Story of Peter MacNeil

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Story of Malcolm MacPhee

Cameron, Sarah - Biographical sketch

Cameron, Miss Janet - Biographical sketch

Beaton, Angus - Song: O hi ri ill o robha

Cameron, Finlay - Song: Air faill irinn ill irinn oich irinn iu

Beaton, Alexander - Song: O sud an taobh a'gabhainn

Cameron, Sarah - Song: An Te Ruadh

Cameron, Finlay - Song: Tha mi'n diugh gu tinn

Beaton, Angus D. - Song, a lament

MacDonald, Joseph Lawrence
CA BI T-368 · Item · 1972
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of Margaret MacLean performing a number of Gaelic songs. Includes:

"Hu O Ro Hu O"
"Dh' Fhalbh Mo Rùn, 's Dh' Fhàg e'n Cala"
"Òran a Leòdhasaich" (Composed by MacLean for Scottish visitor, Angus Smith)
"Òran an Teine" (Composed by Lachlan Currie)
"Turus an Ànraidh" (Composed by Lachlan Currie)
"Gaol a Thug Mi Og". Sailing song, not the popular love song. See Associated Materials for link to an online transcription.
"Mo Mhàli Bheag Og". Differs greatly from published versions.
"Deoch-Slàinte Ghàidheil Ghasda". War song

Stolarsky, Mildred
CA BI T-409 · Item · 1972
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of stories and songs performed by Dan MacKenzie, Joe Allan MacLean and Mrs. Annie MacLean. Featuring:

MacKenzie, Dan - Song sung from the perspective of an old pit mare purchased to help with the November plowing. Horses were plentiful and cheap, so when they ceased to be of use people took them to the marsh and killed them.

MacKenzie, Dan - Òran do Nighean Òg Bréagha. Song Composed by Iagain Steaphainn Ruaidh. Uses the chorus to "Bu Chaomh Leam Bhith Mire".

MacKenzie, Dan - Naidheachd: "A'Chailleach a'Bheat an Deamhan".

MacKenzie, Dan - Fairy Story "Di-Luain, Di-Mairt, DiCiadain"

MacKenzie, Dan - Naidheachd: "Cònar a'Seòladh is an Grog Làidir"

MacLean, Joe Allan - Sgeulachd: Sgeulachd - Fletcher and the Ghost. A man sets out to seek his fortune in England. He ends up in the employ of a nobleman trying to determine who is haunting his house. It is his dead daughter who desires to have her wrongly-convicted love freed from prison. See T-195

MacLean, Joe Allan - Sgeulachd: A man leaves home to hunt on "Beinn Dhunnchaidh" to earn his fortune. On the way there he encounters several characters and obstacles. He eventually is dissuaded from going to the mountain an returns home. He discovers gold and goes to England with it, where he open's the country's largest shoe factory.

MacLean, Joe Allan - Sgeulachd: "An Dròbhair Cruinn"

MacLean, Joe Allan - "Òran Bàs Eachainn MhicDhùghaill" composed by Archie MacDougall of Benacadie. Hector (Eachann "Larry") left Baddeck in a boat in 1896 but never returned home. He was presumed drowned. Archie's aunt, Mary (MacDougall) MacLeod also composed songs.

MacLean, Mrs. Annie - Biographical sketch

MacLean, Mrs. Annie - "Bha Mi'n Raoir gu Sunndach Sunndach" composed by Catrìona Iain Ruaidh (Catherine MacNeil)

MacLean, Mrs. Annie - "Tha Mise fo Mhulad air Tulaich gun Uaill" composed by Catrìona Iain Ruaidh (Catherine MacNeil). Song concerns a difficult winter and trying to preserve hay.

MacDonald, Joseph L. - History of Iona Credit Union

MacDonald, Joseph Lawrence
CA BI T-733 · Item · 1970
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of Stephen J. MacKinnon (Antigonish, N.S) being interviewed by Fred MacAuley (Scotland) for BBC Scotland. Recording includes :

Tells of his ancestors arrival from Scotland

Pioneer life, hardships, social life, etc.

Pioneer industries sawmills, grist mills, lumber

Emigration of young people to U.S. And western Canada

MacLellan, Ann Terry
Archie Alex MacKenzie
CA BI T-1204 · Item · 1976
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of Archie Alex Mackenzie singing Gaelic songs.

Song composed for the Gaelic Society of Cape Breton

Song "Tilleadh an Eilthirich" (Composed for a ceilidh in Barra)

"Òran Taigh Chaluim is Màiri" (Composed for a ceilidh in Glasgow before returning to Cape Breton)

MacDonald, Mary Catherine "Kay"
CA BI T-353 · Item · 1972
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of the Glendale N.S Gaelic Players singing and performing a Gaelic play. Gaelic play entitled "Katie is Coming Home", written by Rev. S.P. MacDonald. Recording includes a conversation with Joseph L. MacDonald.

A Cape Breton Gaelic play
Tha mi an diugh gu tinn
Ho ro gur thu mo run
Gaelic play - Act II
Illean ill o, illean i
Square set
My own Glen
Early days in Sydney (N.S.)
The Townsends, Muggahs, Crawleys
A boom in Sydney (N.S.) - 1872
A Gaelic tid-bit
Father Edwards last Mass in Boisdale

MacDonald, Joseph Lawrence
The Blacks of Whitney Pier
CA BI T-2083 · File · 1983

File consists of two audio reels that feature sound recordings of Vernon Tull being interviewed by Elizabeth Beaton about the Black population in Whitney Pier.

Track listing is as follows:
Side A:

  • Genealogical sketch
  • Early African Orthodox Church in Cape Breton
  • Religions practised by West Indians before the African Orthodox Church
  • Building Church
  • Archdeacon Phillips
  • Succession of priests and wardens
  • Keeping the records of the church
  • Discussion of architectural changes
  • Discussion of the different features of the Church
  • Financial Support Systems for the Church
  • Musical bands in the community

Side B:

  • War experiences
  • Early people who contributed to community
    i-30- The African Orthodox Church and young people
  • Connection to United Mission
  • Menelik Hall, Dr. Calder
  • Traditional Barbaian music
  • Cricket teams at Whitney Pier pre 1941
  • Traditional foodways
  • William Fitzgerald; owned much property at the Pier
The Future of Sydney Steel
CA BI T-2258 · Item · ca. 1985

Item is an audio reel that features a sound recording of a CBC Radio program entitled "The Future of Sydney Steel."

Track listing is as follows:

  • The History of the Sydney Steel Plant, DOSCO threatening to close it on Black Friday 1967
  • History from 1901 to present
  • The working of the plant; Various furnaces
  • The importance of the Plant during World War II investments poured into the plant
  • Hard times before the Union came
  • Establishment of Local 1064
  • 1967 march in Sydney to keep the Steel Plant alive
  • Problems during the 1980s with SYSCO; Many of the mills closed and moved to Upper Canada
Simon Cremo
CA BI T-1516 · Item · 1960

File consists of an audio recording of violin selections; includes jigs, reels & polkas performed by Simon Cremo, Eskasoni.

CMH 86-46-86-46 LEB/SAY-Ac-40 · Item · 05 Aug. 1986
Part of Inverness County Dance Project

Interview with Lee Cremo - 2nd part (continuation from tape LEB/SAY-Ac-39) - talk about wedding dance, speaks about developing music in children, chanting or singing during wedding dance, special wedding song, birthdays, praying, singing for dancing, he sings the song for the dance, celebration dance, Nescaouette dance, learning to dance, dances in home, respect for elders, his wife explains about dancing and dance at Chapel Island, dance died out on Chapel Island, Mi'kmaq life, learning dancing, understanding Mi'kmaw dance movement, step for dances, respect in dancing.

Canadian Museum of History
CMH 86-46-86-46 LEB/SAY-Ac-26 · Item · 15 Jul. 1986
Part of Inverness County Dance Project

Interview with Minnie and Natalie MacMaster about their life, step-dancing, number of steps, frequency of dances, number of figures, concerts, picnics, stages at weddings, Scotch Four, Nathalie and the fiddle, playing for dances, winter playing, names of tunes, sheets of dance repertoire which Mary Janet MacDonald compiled, young people's interest in this music and dance, Glencoe Mills. July 15, 1986. Interview with Arsène LeBlanc calls figure he remembers, August 10, 1986, the music is a tape of Buddy MacMaster and Dougie MacPhee from Glencoe Mills, three figures (reels), where he learned them.

Canadian Museum of History
CMH 86-46-86-46 LEB/SAY-Ac-9 · Item · 1986
Part of Inverness County Dance Project

Item is a sound recording of an interview with Malcolm MacDonald about his life, dances when he was growing up, dances at homes and schools, frolics, waltz, music for the Scotch Four, seasons for dancing, collecting of the fiddles, making a living, fishing, weddings in Mabou, church picnics, dancing stages, electricity, stories about dances, changes in dancing, qualities of a good dancer, wedding reel, Gaelic song-dances, dancing on bridges, origin of the dance, mines in Cobalt (Ontario), floor surface for dancing, dress at a house party, food at house parties, transportation, distances traveled to attend a dance, differences in the sets, occasions for dances, Boston.

Canadian Museum of History
Glace Bay mine explosion #26
CA BI FT-233 · Item · 1979

Item is a film with footage of the 1979 No. 26 explosion and memorial service.

Tarbot Music Festival fonds
CA BI MG 21.18 · Fonds · 1977 - 1979

Fonds consists of materials related to the Tarbot Music Festival held in Tarbot, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, including audio reels of 1977 festival performances, a cassette with a Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) radio segment about the festival, photographs, a festival poster, a patch, and a ‘Tarbot’ stamp.

Tarbot, Cape Breton's Music Festival Inc.
CA BI MG 21.18-A-1-3 · Item · August 28, 1977
Part of Tarbot Music Festival fonds

Item is a recording of fiddler Lee Cremo’s performance at the Tarbot Music Festival along with his guests, The Heron Family, a band from New York, USA. At 28 minutes into the recording, Winnie Chafe and Friends begin their set, which continues on Tape 4 (MG 21.18-A-1-1-4).

Lee Cremo:
• 00:00:00 – 00:01:38 – fiddle tune
• 00:01:39 – 00:02:12 - Lee Cremo introducing Allie Bennett and Evy Dubinsky
• 00:02:13 – 00:05:07 – “Timothy Ryan’s Reel”
• 00:05:08 – 00:09:48 – Jigs
• 00:09:49 – 00:11:05 - Lee Cremo talking to the crowd
• 00:11:06 – 00:13:28 – “Teetotaller’s Reel”
• 00:13:29 – 00:14:45 – introducing The Heron Family, a band from New York
• 00:14:46 – 00:17:57 - song on harp dating from the 11th century
• 00:17:58 – 00:18:50 - Heron Family band member speaking to the crowd about the next song “Roisin dubh”
• 00:18:51 – 00:21:27 – “Roisin Dubh”
• 00:21:28 – 00:25:20 - “Staten Island Reel”
• 00:25:21 – 00:26:26 – The Heron Family thanks the audience
• 00:26:27 – 00:28:27 – “Green Fields of Rossbeigh” Reel

Winnie Chafe and Friends:
• 00:28:28 – 00:30:37 - MC (a DJ from CJFX/CJCB Radio) thanking Steve Grose and volunteers for their work, asking if anyone has seen Andrea Burton, a lost six-year-old, and announcing Winnie Chafe and Friends
• 00:30:38 – 00:34:50 - Winnie Chafe playing a fiddle tune with Doug MacPhee on piano
• 00:34:51 – 00:36:06 - Winnie Chafe introducing the musicians performing with her, including Buddy MacMaster on fiddle, Doug MacPhee on piano, and Allie Bennett on bass and guitar.
• 00:36:07 – 00:40:20 - 2/4 marches and reels
• 00:40:21 – 00:45:15 – song on bagpipes

CA BI MG 21.18-A-1-4 · Item · August 28, 1977
Part of Tarbot Music Festival fonds

Item is a recording of the end of Winnie Chafe and Friends’ set at the Tarbot Music Festival, the first half can be heard on Tape 3 (MG 21.18-A-1-1-3). At the 25 minute mark, the Men of the Deeps begin their performance at the festival, which is continued on Tape 5 (MG 21.18-A-1-1-5).

Winnie Chafe and Friends cont’d:
• 00:00:00 – 00:02:35 - Allie Bennett playing guitar
• 00:02:36 – 00:10:20 – Buddy MacMaster playing fiddle tunes
• 00:10:21 – 00:10:46 – Winnie Chafe introducing Doug MacPhee (Dougie MacPhee) on piano
• 00:10:47 – 00:16:08 - Doug MacPhee (Dougie MacPhee) playing a piano tune
• 00:16:09 – 00:17:14 - Winnie Chafe talking to the crowd about the type of music she plays and introducing the next three waltzes
• 00:17:15 – 00:20:55 - Winnie Chafe and Friends performing three Gaelic waltzes
• 00:20:56 – 00:22:45 - MC (DJ from CJFX/CJCB radio) thanking Winnie Chafe and Friends for their performance and introducing their finale
• 00:22:46 – 00:25:50 - Winnie Chafe, Allie Bennett, Buddy MacMaster, Doug MacPhee and a piper playing a tune together

Men of the Deeps:
• 00:25:24 – 00:27:18 – MC (DJ from CJFX/CJCB radio) introducing Men of the Deeps
• 00:27:19 – 00:29:39 - First Song
• 00:29:40 – 00:31:00 - “The Cape Breton Coal Miners”
• 00:31:01 – 00:31:56 – [Jack O’Donnell] talking about the Men of the Deeps and the first coal mine at Port Morien.
• 00:31:57 – 00:34:40 - “The Coal By the Sea”
• 00:34:41 – 00:38:53 - “Dark as a Dungeon”
• 00:38:54 – 00:39:45 - [Jack O’Donnell] speaking about Kelly’s Cove Mine
• 00:39:46 – 00:42:00 – “Kelly’s Cove”
• 00:42:01 – 00:44:15 – “Drill Ye Tarriers, Drill”

Xmass Daddies 02-98
SD-202 · Item · 1998
Part of Sarah Denny Cultural Collection

This record depicts the Daddies Christmas event of 1998 that takes place in Eskasoni to raise donations for people who need money during the holidays. There is a mix of traditional and non-traditional music including karaoke performances. Lee Cremo, Tom Sylliboy, Stephen Christmas, John Poulette, Bernie Francis, Kenny Lafford, Arlene Stevens, Katalin Denny, Elias Sylliboy, and others perform.

CA BI MG 21.18-A-1-11 · Item · August 28, 1977
Part of Tarbot Music Festival fonds

Item is a recording of Buddy and the Boys performing at the Tarbot Music Festival in Tarbot, Cape Breton. Their performance continues on Tape 12 (MG 21.18-A-1-1-12).

• 00:00:00 – 00:00:37 - man announcing Berkley Lamey on bass, Ralph Dillon on guitar, Leon Dubinsky on piano, Bobby Woods (from the Minglewood Band) on drums, and Max MacDonald on vocals
• 00:00:38 – 00:03:33 - “Workin’ at the Woolco (Manager Trainee Blues)”
• 00:03:34 – 00:05:09 – on stage sounds
• 00:05:10 – 00:07:59 - “Josephine”
• 00:08:00 – 00:08:53 – on stage sounds
• 00:08:54 – 00:13:38 - “Don’t Fool Yourself (The Sysco Kid)”
• 00:13:39 – 00:14:08 - introducing Ronnie MacEachern, who is going to sing “Gypsy Man” with the band
• 00:14:09 – 00:20:55 - “Gypsy Man”
• 00:20:56 – 00:21:41 - Max MacDonald speaking to the crowd
• 00:21:42 – 00:26:37 - “Last Holiday Weekend”

CBC Radio "Souvenirs"
CA BI T-754 · Item · 1977
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is a audio recording of the CBC Radio show "Souvenirs" from 1977. In the recording, Oliver Squires discusses his experiences operating telegraphy in North Sydney, including during World War 1.

CA BI T-356 · Item · 1972
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of a number of old time Cape Breton fiddle tunes. Recording also contains a conversation Malcolm J. Maclean, Boisdale, on his 95th birthday.

Violin selections by:

MacMaster, Buddy
MacKenzie, Karl
Cameron, John Allan
MacLellan, Theresa
Cameron, John Allan
MacMaster, Buddy
Beaton, Donald Angus
MacKenzie, Karl

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Brief biographical sketch

MacLean, Malcolm J. - Interview with MacLean on 95th birthday

MacLean, Catherine - Recitation of prayers in Gaelic

MacDonald, Joseph L. - Gaelic address

MacLean, Malcolm J. - Story of mother's life in Boisdale

MacKenzie, Hugh - Reading of Gaelic address to MacLean

MacLean, Malcolm J. - School teachers at Boisdale

MacDonald, Joseph Lawrence
CA BI T-1168 · Item · 1979
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of Frank Macarthur discussing Gaelic language in the Codroy Valley, Newfoundland. Includes Gaelic songs and sgeulachdan.

Gaelic was his first language - did not speak English until he went to school
There were once many Gaelic speakers in the Codroy valley
Discusses Gaelic work songs, spinning songs his grandmother used to sing
Fragment of Gaelic song: "Illean bithibh sunndach..."
"Oran na Mocaisean"
"Chailean dhuinn a dh'fhag thu mi..."
Fragments of two sgeulachdan
His grandfather came from Scotland...
His grandmother talked about the heather in Scotland...
"Will you marry me my damsel..."

Macdonald, Norman
CA BI T-2051 · Item · 1982
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

His people came from North Uist Angus "Mor" MacDonald & his friends prepared for a year to emigrate

The people who "drove" them out

People who came: MacLeods, Morrisons, MacKinnons, Beatons

His grandfather's family - 10 children, 2 born here

His grandmother told him stories of Scotland

They sailed from Loch Maddy on "The Commerce", weeks & 6 days on the journey

Half the group went to West Bay, the rest stayed at Irish Cove - finally all moved to Loch Lomond area

How they acquired stock - oxen, horses, cattle

Many brands - songs were never published

His experiences going west on the "Harvest" trains

Wages & working conditions

Describes different types of work in the lumber camps

The pioneers' religion

Log churches - snow blew in between the logs

Church services, precenting

Social life - ceilidhs, milling frolics,

Milling songs - the best singers were in Loch Lomond

Weddings - the "drive" after the marriage, as many as 100 wagons

One of the songs they sang during the drive - "Cha bhi mi buan 's tu bhi buan"

Sings a chorus of the song

Macdonald, Norman
CA BI T-76 · Item · 1969

Item is an audio reel that features a sound recording of Sister Margaret Beaton and Mrs. A.C. Day interviewing Mrs. Emily Chapman about her experience in Sydney. Mrs. Chapman speaks about the cause that the Jubilee Singers supported.

Track listing is as follows:

  • Introduction of Mrs. Emily (Kendall) Chapman
  • Where did the Kendalls come from?
  • Where did Dr. Kendall practice medicine?
  • Where did Dr. Kendall study medicine?
  • Did you have an allowance when you were young?
  • Have you any interesting stories about your father's career?
  • What part did you father play in the Bill for Workman's Compensation Act in 1898?
  • Mrs. Chapman gives very interesting stories of her father. She told of many strange incidents.
  • Sick calls made by Dr. Kendall. The hardships of travel to these homes and the poverty of the people when he arrived.
  • Is it true that your father did an amputation on a kitchen table out in the country?
  • Mrs. Day asks about the story of the $5.
  • Your mother must have been a marvellous and charitable woman.
  • She could never have tea because she would have nothing to serve.
  • "A funny story about my father..."
  • Who was your mother?
  • I ave the loveliest memories of my whole life at Crawley's Creek.
  • Tell us about your social life as a young girl.
  • What do you remember of the theatre in Sydney?
  • Who were the Jubilee Singers? They tried to make money to help the Negroes.
  • What was the story of Sir Wilfred Laurier and you?
  • What about local talent?
  • Duke of Kent, interesting story about him.
  • Mrs. Day asks, "Did Dr. Kendall get even a small pension from the city?"
  • "You asked me about the old Orange Hall.."
Blacks at Whitney Pier
CA BI T-2104 · File · 1984

File consists of two audio reels that feature sound recordings of Neville Gibson, Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford being interviewed by Elizabeth Beaton about the Black population of Whitney Pier.

Track listing is as follows:
Side A:

  • Biographical information (Neville Gibson)
  • Rev. Phillips founder; White people creating problems for them (Neville Gibson)
  • Problem - St. Cyprians on Henry Street (Neville Gibson)
  • Re-iteration of involvement; Split in Black community (Neville Gibson)
  • The "Brethern" Bible study meetings (Neville Gibson)
  • Land bought by church; Bishop Trotman; History of African Orthodox Church (Neville Gibson)
  • Marcus Garvey; Black Star Line; U.N.I.A. (Neville Gibson)
  • Father lost house; Went to night school (informant); Picnics at Mira; Tennis courts; Menelik Hall (Neville Gibson)
  • Dr. Calder (Neville Gibson)
  • Connection between U.N.I.A. and A.O.C. (Neville Gibson)
  • Cricket Club (Neville Gibson)
  • Marcus Garvey; United Mission; Home and School (Neville Gibson)
  • Discrimination; Black scholarship program; Influence on Stanfield (Neville Gibson)
  • Black Methodist Church (Neville Gibson)
  • Reid Family (Neville Gibson)

Side B:

  • Biographical information; Born 1912; Arthur Stanley Trotman was father (Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford)
  • Robertson from States; One named Jones (Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford)
  • A.O.C. history; Robertson worked out of church on Henry Street (Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford)
  • Robertson gone by 1924; Trotman had church on Victoria Road; Never a Methodist Church (Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford)
  • Chronology of Priest (Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford)
  • St. Alban's problems (Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford)
  • Trotman, third bishop of A.O.C. (Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford)
  • Marcus Garvey (Ralph Trotman, Vernal Till and Mae Crawford)
Blacks and West Indians
CA BI T-2199 · Item

Item is an audio reel that features a sound recording of Kay (Morrison) Borden being interviewed by Pam Newton about the Blacks and West Indians of Whitney Pier.

West Indian Blacks
CA BI T-2203 · Item

Item is an audio reel that features a sound recording of Pam Newton interviewing Annabelle Kirton about the West Indian population of Sydney.

CA BI T-6 · Item · 1963

File consists of an audio recording of an oral history of early Scottish settlers in the Big Pond area; mentions Mi'kmaq in the East Bay area.

What were the Bras D'or Mission?
Early history of the MacIntytres of Big Pond (N.S.)
The Church of East Bay
Who was Malcolm MacLellan?
What do you know about the MacLeods who were among MacLellan's students?
Why was the East Bay school Started? East Bay school started in 1825...
What men were prepared for the Seminary?
What about the Industries of early Cape Breton?
The schools in Big Pond (N.S.) were attended by sixty pupils in 1862.
From Big Pond (N.S.) they came to Sydney (N.S.) Academy for grade ten.
Was East Bay the first parish
Briefly discuss Parish activities?
Tell us about the Protestant settlers...
How did the four Seminarians travel to Rome?
Was there much traffic on the Bras D'or Lakes in those days?
Would you care to speak about the Mi'kmaq?
Where did the early people get the animals - horses, cows, sheep, etc.
What about food - ammunition?
Ceilidh in those days was most enjoyable...
What do you believe of the Bocain
Do you remember any of the remedies early settlers used

Discover Nova Scotia
FT-267 · Item · 1972

Item is a collection of scenes depicting various locations and activities prevalent in Nova Scotia. Optical Soundtrack.

Nova Scotia Information Travel Bureau, Information Services
CA BI MG 21.18-A-1-13 · Item · August 28, 1977
Part of Tarbot Music Festival fonds

Item is a continuation of The Minglewood Band performing at the Tarbot Music Festival in Tarbot, Cape Breton (the first half of their performance can be heard on Tape 12 (MG 21.18-A-1-1-12)). The Minglewood Band was the last act of the 1977 festival and they close out the show by thanking the crowd and festival staff and volunteers.

The Minglewood Band, cont’d:
• 00:00:00 – 00:04:26 – [unidentified song]
• 00:04:27 – 00:05:45 - asking to keep all the mics on and asking for a doctor/St. John’s Ambulance to go to the house
• 00:05:46 – 00:11:00 - “Caledonia”
• 00:11:01 – 00:13:01 - asking for a doctor/nurse to go to the house on the property for an injury and calling Marcel Doucet to the stage
• 00:13:02 – 00:15:16 - Marcel Doucet on fiddle with the Minglewood Band
• 00:15:17 – 00:15:53 – on stage/crowd sounds
• 00:15:54 – 00:19:08 – “Crossing to Ireland” Marcel Doucet on fiddle
• 00:19:09 – 00:26:50 – band members each playing an instrumental
• 00:26:51 – 00:29:09 - Matt Minglewood thanking the crowd, thanking Steve Grose for organizing the festival, and festival staff and volunteers

CA BI MG 21.18-A-2 · Item · January 1978
Part of Tarbot Music Festival fonds

Item is one cassette featuring a taped segment of the CBC radio program ‘Touch the Earth’ hosted by Doug Lennox and Sylvia Tyson, which focused on the Tarbot Music Festival as reported by Bruce Steel in August 1977.

00:00:00 – 00:00:42 - Intro – Doug Lennox and Sylvia Tyson introducing the ‘Touch the Earth’ episode.
00:00:43 – 00:01:10 – Bruce Steel’s introduction to the Tarbot Music Festival segment of the show.
00:01:11 – 00:02:08 - Men of the Deeps open the Tarbot Music Festival with “Oran Do Ceap Breatainn” and a snippet of that performance is played to introduce the radio segment.
00:02:09 – 00:03:15 - Lee Cremo performs on the fiddle.
00:03:16 – 00:04:59 J.C. Benoit and Son (Jarvis Benoit and his son, Louis Benoit) play the tune “Boil the Cabbage Down” on fiddle and mandolin.
5:00 – 7:25 - Road lead singer, Fred Lavery, talking about culture and tradition in Cape Breton “root music” and the band plays a song.
00:07:25 – 00:10:08 - Kenzie MacNeil performing “Johnstown Boogey”
00:10:09 – 00:12:49 - Sam Moon and fiddler, Marcel Doucet, playing “The Girls of Neil’s Harbour”
00:12:50 – 00:13:15 - 'Touch the Earth' segment's outro

CA BI MG 21.18-A-1-7 · Item · August 28, 1977
Part of Tarbot Music Festival fonds

Item is a recording of Noel Harrison’s performance at the Tarbot Music Festival.

• 00:00:00 – 00:00:31 – MC introducing Noel Harrison
• 00:00:32 – 00:03:36 - “San Antonio Rose”
• 00:03:37 – 00:04:39 - Noel Harrison introducing the band – [?] on lead guitar, Melody LeBlanc on backup vocals and Larry Britton on bass
• 00:04:40 – 00:10:00 - [unidentified song]
• 00:10:01 – 00:13:34 - “Lily”
• 00:13:35 – 00:18:31 - “Wabash Cannon Ball”
• 00:18:32 – 00:23:23 – “Middleton Fire Brigade”
• 00:23:24 – 00:26:00 - “Windmills of Your Mind”
• 00:26:01 – 00:29:34 - “Man that Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo”
• 00:29:35 – 00:34:48 - “Southward Bound”
• 00:34:48 – 00:38:37 - “How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm”
• 00:38:38 – 00:39:22 - MC’s outro and introducing the next MC of the day, Dave Harley

CA BI MG 21.18-A-1-9 · Item · August 28, 1977
Part of Tarbot Music Festival fonds

Item is a recording of Ronnie MacEachern, Mike MacDougall, Ralph Dillon, Joanne Rolls, Winnie Chafe, Allie Bennett, Buddy MacMaster and Dougie MacPhee performing on stage at the Tarbot Music Festival in Tarbot, Cape Breton. The first half of this set can be heard on Tape 8 (MG 21.18-A-1-1-8). At the 8 minute 56 second mark, Kenzie MacNeil begins his set.

Ronnie MacEachern, cont’d:
• 00:00:00 – 00:03:14 - “Drive’r Maciver” by Ronnie MacEachern
• 00:03:15 – 00:04:34 – Mike MacDougall talking to the crowd
• 00:04:35 – 00:08:30 - reels and strathspeys (Mike MacDougall, Buddy MacMaster, Winnie Chafe, Allie Bennett, Dougie MacPhee)
• 00:08:31 – 00:08:55 – thanking the previous performers

Kenzie MacNeil:
• 00:08:56 – 00:11:12 – “The Rocky Road to Dublin”
• 00:11:13 – 00:13:33 – “The Barbarian”
• 00:13:34 – 00:17:33 - “Johnstown Boogie [Johnstown Bogey]”
• 00:17:34 – 00:20:52 – [unidentified song]
• 00:20:53 – 00:20:54 - Kenzie MacNeil calling The Steel City Players who sang on “The Island” to come to the stage
• 00:20:55 – 00:24:00 – [unidentified song]
• 00:24:01 – 00:26:10 - “The Heavy Water Plant”
• 00:26:11 – 00:26:46 - introducing The Steel City Players
• 00:26:27 – 00:31:28 - “The Island”

Gaelic Songs and Prayer
CA BI T-384 · Item · 1972
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Cameron, Finlay - Nighean Bhàn Ghrùlainn

Sadie Beaton Cameron - An Té Ruadh 's am Bodach

MacDonald, Rev. Stanley - Tha Mo Bhreacan 's a fo'n Dìle

MacNeil, Frank - Òran do Reisimaidh Bhraid-Albann

MacDonald, Rev. Stanley - O 's e mo run a maraiche

Rankin, Peter - Each am Màbu by Sam Nicolson

Cameron, Finlay - Tha mi 'n diugh gu tinn

Rankin, Agatha - Song composed by Janet MacPherson (Creignish)
MacDonald, Hector H. - Will you Marry Me my Bonnie Lass (Gaelic)
MacDonald, Hector H. -
MacDonald, Hector H.
Rankin, Rev. Donald - Gaelic prayer, Preface of Mass

MacEachern, Elizabeth - Oran do Cheap Breatuinn

MacEachern, Elizabeth - O tiugainn a leannain

MacEachern, Elizabeth - Legends and customs

MacEachern, Elizabeth
CA BI T-730 · File · 1974
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

File consists of two audio reels that feature sound recordings of of Dr. Leo W. Bertley of the United Negro Improvement Association discussing the organization and its history in Cape Breton.

Track listing is as follows:
Side A:

  • Came to Cape Breton in 1974 to do research, C.B. U.N.I.A. people involved
  • Thesis to be controlled into book
  • U.N.I.A. not a West Indian organization, people of African descent tied together
  • Marcus Garvey, here on way to England
  • A.O.C. in Pier, Bishop MacGuire, U.N.I.A., tried to make A.O.C. established church of organization
  • Dr. Alvinus Calder, first president of organizations; W.E. Robertson was a later Bishop
  • Phillis Family
  • Sydney had three associations; West Indian and Black characteristics

Side B:

  • Various backgrounds, several different organizations; West Indians importance of education; Dr. Bertley's other interests
  • A.O.C. has only one church in Canada and it's in Whitney Pier, do not want to be called Africans
  • Marcus Garvey stressed the importance of maintaining archives
  • Bertley met Garvey's son
CA BI T-1089 · Item · 1964
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of Gaelic song selections as performed by various informants on Cape Breton's North Shore. Recording opens with fiddle selections by Donald Angus Beaton, Mabou, N.S. Side 2 opens with fiddle tunes by Donald Angus Beaton of Mabou.

Side 1:

MacLeod, Dan (North River Bridge) : Song " Hi Horo 's na bheil air m' Aire"

MacLeod, Malcolm Angus (Skir Dhu): Song "O Gur Trom Trom Mo Cheum"

MacLeod, Dan: Song "Illean Aigh"

Carmichael, Kenny (Boston): Song "Hi Ri Iu Le Ho Horo Mo Chuachag"

Shaw, John (Wreck Cove): Song "Gu Dé Nì Mi Mur Faigh Mi Thu"

MacLeod, Malcolm Angus: Song "Cha Threiginn Fhìn Mo Chruinneag Dhonn"

Carmichael, Kenny and Malcom Angus MacLeod: Song "Thuirt an Gille 's Tu Mo Laochan"

MacLeod, Dan: Song "Theirinn Horo Hug is Hoireann"

MacLeod, Malcolm A. Sgir Dubh, Victoria County "An Gille Dubh a Raill o..."

MacLeod, Malcom Angus: Song "Air Faill Ill Eileadh O Hug O". Some verses in Brìgh an Òrain p. 293. Final verses local.

MacLeod, Malcolm Angus: Song "Chunna mi 'n Làir Dhonn Aig Seumas"

MacLeod, Malcolm Angus: Song "Mo Nigheann Donn Ghuanach". Slow

Side 2:

Beaton, Donald Angus: Fiddle tunes

MacNeil, Stephen R. Iona, Victoria County "Moch an Diugh a Rinn Mi Gluasad"

Shaw, John Wreck Cove. Victoria County "Faill Ill Oro Faill Ill Oro" . To the tune of "Gur Mise tha Trom Airtneulach" but different lyrics.

MacLeod, Dan North River Bridge, Victoria County "Dh' Òlainn Deoch air Làimh mo Rùin"

MacLeod, Malcolm A.; Carmichael, Kenny Sgir Dubh, Victoria County, Boston, Mass. "Mhòrag 's na Horo Gheallaidh"

MacLeod, Malcolm A.; Carmichael, Kenny Sgir Dubh, Victoria County, Boston, Mass. "An Seann Tigh Sgoil" .

MacLeod, Malcolm A. Song "Dheanainnn Sùgradh ris an Nighean Duibh"

Shaw, John Song "O Horo 's na Bheil air m'Àire" Continued on Side 1.

Shaw, John
History of Rear Beaver Cove
CA BI T-514 · Item · 1965
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of Roddie F. Nicholson and Patrick Nicholson discussing the history of Rear Beaver Cove.

Nicholson, Patrick (Boston, Worcester)

    The beginnings of the settlement at the Backlands of Beaver Cove

The pioneers brought only two trunks - one for bedclothes, the other for tools

All was lost in a fire...

Nicholson, Rod Beaver Cove:

Settlers took large tracts of land because it was free

Beaver Cove Forty families lived in the Backlands at that time

People were very musical, good dancers

Nicholson, Patrick Boston:

Tracing genealogy

Marriages were arranged well in the early days

Food was plentiful

Mills, churns and grindstones...

The history of one particular family

Nicholson, Rod Beaver Cove:

Genealogy of some family

Genealogy of some families

Bagpipes, fiddle and loom in every house

Four children died in one night...

People had faith - walked six miles to church

Nicholson, Patrick Boston:

Parish lesson written on a shingle

The first settlers at Beaver Cove

Schools and teachers in yesteryear

Church services were all in Gaelic

Archie Gillis got the priest to cure his wife

Nicholson, Rod Beaver Cove:

Priests confiscated violins

Strange stories of second sight

Jack the Lantern - Jack the River

His grandmother's death at the age of ninety four

Nicholson, John
CA BI T-1020 · Item · 1975
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of an interview with Annabelle Mackinnon (nee Gillis) of Gillis' Lake.

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle (Prime Brook) A Story of Life in Pioneer Days Agriculture (Part 1)

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Lumbering to bsupply spars for sailing ships

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Grist Mills

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Dye Mills

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Farming - livestock & crops

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Planting potatoes in burnt woods

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Wool industries - sheep shearing

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle French women grew flax

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle How leather was tanned & its uses

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle A story of Father's MacLeod's boots

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Col. Granger & the Copper mine

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Gaelic speakers & religious education

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Clothing in the pioneer days

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Improvement of crops with coming of commercial fertilizer.

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Story of an agricultural meeting ...

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Dairy products - wooden tubs & butter prints

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle The beginning of Co-operatives

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Farming conditions improved with the start of the Steel Plant

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Barn-raising frolics

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Mary Bevin, a nurse from Man-o-War, delivered babies in Boulardrie area

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Fishing schooners- Fox Island

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Travelling to dances by Ferry

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Fishing lobster through the ice

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Root cellars - how produce was stored

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle The making of soft soap

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Life in the Pioneer Days (cont.) / Priests in Boularderie

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle A farm purchased (200 acres) for $750

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Genealogy of Iain Mor, Boisdale

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Clearing the land - stump fences

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Grist Mill at Malloney's Creek

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Harvesting wheat - threshing and winnowing

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Barley and grinding barley meal

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle How to make cheese

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Preserving butter

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Women's role in the early days

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Shearing sheep...

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Processing wool - carding mills

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Pioneer handicrafts with wool

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Ceilidhs

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Transportation - travelled Big Pond to Boularderie by ice in winter, boats in summer

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Potato crops - the coming of blight & potato bugs

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle How leather was tanned

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Mi'kmaw crafts

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Sea weed and its uses

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle The Government & Sir John A. MacDonald- economic conditions

MacKinnon, Mrs. Annabelle Pensions in today's society

MacKinnon, Blaine
Informal Religion
CA BI T-559 · Item · 1985

File consists of two audio reels that feature sound recordings of a speech presented by Reverend Vincent Waterman at St. Philip's African Orthodox Church to the Friends of Whitney Pier that outlines the history of the Church.

Track listing is as follows:
Side A:

  • History of A.O.C. priests, problems, establishment, etc.; Pier not an "ethnic ghetto," Synod in Pier
  • Trained by American Catholic Church, Endich Theological Seminary
  • Commitment to A.O.C.
  • Majority of Blacks belong to either United or Anglican or Catholic Churches
  • More support from whites, negative defeatist attitude in Sydney
  • Need for pride in community
  • Informal religion and A.O.C.
  • Father came in 1940
  • Sunday very important day, always dress up for church

Side B:

  • Christmas preparations, food and customs
  • Sermons based on gospel
  • Holy days
  • Christmas celebrations
  • Women in church
  • Prayers
  • Superstition, preach good behaviours, no African Methodist Episcopalian Churches in Nova Scotia
  • Brought up very strict
  • Awareness of African Heritage
  • Food was very important, West Indian dishes
  • Linguistics, dialects
  • Further from Cuba, mother from Antigua
  • Many left A.O.C.; Very discouraging at times
CA BI T-124 · Item · 1969
Part of Sound and Moving Image Collection

Item is an audio recording of Annie, Mrs. Jack MacLean, her son Peter MacLean, and Joseph MacKenzie - both of Boston (Mass.) but formerly of Christmas Island, performing Gaelic songs.

Recording Summary:

  • "Mi Seo 'nam Shìneadh air an t-Sliabh" composed by Dr. MacLachlan of Rahoy.
  • "Horo Is Toigh Leam Fhìn Thu" (Annie, Mrs. J. MacLean, Peter MacLean, Joseph MacKenzie)
  • "Tha Mi Seo 'gad Chuimhneachadh" composed by Donald Alec MacDonald of Kensaleyre, Skye. (Joseph MacKenzie)
  • "An Gàidheal a'Tilleadh Dhachaidh o'n Chogadh" Part IV of Donald MacKechnie's song "An Cogadh ann an Africa-mu-Dheas" concerning the Boer War. Printed in MacTalla Vol. X No. 1. (Annie, Mrs. J. MacLean)
  • "A Chruinneag Ìleach" (Annie, Mrs. J. MacLean)
  • "Fuadach nan Gàidheal" (Peter MacLean and Joseph MacKenzie)
  • "Gleann na Maiseadh" composed by John V. MacNeil (Annie, Mrs. J. MacLean)
  • "Gaidheal air Aineoil" composed by John V. MacNeil (Annie,Mrs. J. MacLean)
  • "A' Bhanais Chridheil" composed by Malcolm H. Gillis (Annie, Mrs. J. MacLean)
  • "Tha Mo Bhreacan Dubh fo'n Dìle" (Annie, Mrs. J. MacLean. In Cape Breton Highlander, reprinted from Dec. 15, 1894 issue of Mac-Talla, courtesy of Neil Morrison, Sydney Forks)
  • "Aideachadh an Fhleasgaich Ghlic" Composed by Archie J. MacKenzie (Annie, Mrs. J. MacLean)
  • "An Tulach Bhòideach" Archie J. MacKenzie (Annie, Mrs. J. MacLean)
CMH 86-46-86-46 LEB/SAY-Ac-21 · Item · 1986
Part of Inverness County Dance Project

Interview with Maureen MacKenzie about her life, type of dancing, learning process, figures, numbering of couples, teaching figures, change in set, dancing running in families, church picnics, weddings and the stages for dancing, the wedding reel, jigging tunes, song or game dances, learning of dance in school, qualities of traditional dancing, dance context. Interview with Rodney MacDonald about his life, dancing in public, learning a square set, step-dancing, learning fiddling, occasions for dancing, qualities of a good step-dancer, floor surface for dancing, shoes, clothing for a concert and hall, past dancers.

Canadian Museum of History
CMH 86-46-86-46 LEB/SAY-Ac-3 · Item · 02 Jul. 1986
Part of Inverness County Dance Project

Item is a sound recording of an interview with Mary and Donald Roddy Rankin about their life, dance evenings, situations for dances, lumber camps, fishing industry, cooperatives, coop stores and banks, the role of the Church, song-dances, priest, Church picnic, etc., Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, July 2, 1986.

Canadian Museum of History