Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Helen Ellis fonds |
| Reference code: | 0119 |
| Date: | 1943-1987 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 0.5 cm textual records
12 photographs |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Added to new database June 2024 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Helen Ellis was born in 1922 to Ewart and Marjorie Ellis, who were early pioneers in the Grande Prairie area. Helen’s mother, Marjorie Clark Ellis, came to Grande Prairie in 1914. She was the first stenographer in Grande Prairie, working for the Post Office and later the Land Office. Helen’s father, Ewart Alphonse Ellis, came to the Clairmont area over the Long Trail in 1911. He was an excellent violinist, a farmer and the operator of a Feed, Livery and Sales Stables in Grande Prairie, but best known for his pacers and their success in harness racing.
Miss Ellis’s interests evolved around sports, with the same love of horses as her father. When the Second World War broke out, Helen joined the R.C.A.F. Women’s Division 1941-1943 as a L.A.W.
After her return to civilian life, Helen proved she had an exceptional flair for curling. She was often on the winning rink, be it ladies or mixed, and attended provincial bonspiels. In 1967, Helen played third on Gerry Fisher’s Peace River Rink to represent Alberta at the Canadian Playdowns in Quebec City. There they placed fourth in the competition.
Custodial history
The records were donated to Grande Prairie Museum by Helen Ellis in 1994. In 2000, they were transferred to the Grande Prairie Regional Archives.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of photographs of Helen Ellis in the Air Force and as a member of various winning Curling Rinks, biographical notes on the Clark and Ellis families, and news clippings of Ewart Ellis and his race horses. There is also a Pioneer Award for Marjorie Ellis.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Sports, recreation and leisure* (subject)
- Military (subject)
Series descriptions
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 1990.14.05 | Item – Winning Curling Team The Calgary Herald |
1967 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 8.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
A mixed team of men and women pose with their bonspiel trophy. Helen Ellis stands behind Shirley Fisher. |
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| 1990.14.32 | Item – “Rocks Away!” | ca. 1966 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
Curling team including (L to R): Simonne Flynn, Helen Henne, Gale Lee and Helen Ellis. |
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| 1990.14.41 | Item – Helen Ellis, Canadian Air Force | 1943 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
Helen Ellis was a member of the Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. |
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| 1990.14.51 | Item – Curling Team | 1957 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
1957 curling team including (L to R): Gwen Turner, Helene Stretch, Myrtle Cook and Helen Ellis. |
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| 1994.55.04 | Item – Race Horse Safanad | 1947 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Composite photograph showing the Ellis family race horse Safanad in Edmonton. |
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| 1994.55.05 | Item – Race Horse Nellie C | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
Race horse Nellie C was owned by Ewart Ellis of Grande Prairie. |
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| 1994.55.06 | Item – Race Horse Dolly S | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
Race horse Dolly S was owned by Ewart Ellis of Grande Prairie. |
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| 1994.55.07 | Item – Race Horse Safanad | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Composite photograph showing the race horse Safanad. The top photograph shows Safanad being ridden in a race. The bottom photograph shows jockey W. Stevens on Safanad, with trainer A. DeMeeter. There is a crowd in the background, and an unidentified man in the foreground. |
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| 1994.55.08 | Item – Race Horse Just Speed | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Ewart Ellis holding the reins of race horse Just Speed in front of his “horse trailer,” a farm truck with “E.A. Ellis Grande Prairie” on it. |
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| 1994.55.09 | Item – Race Horse Just Speed
|
n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Composite photograph showing the race horse Just Speed. The top photograph shows Just Speed being ridden in a race. The bottom photograph shows jockey J. Mason on Just Speed, with three unidentified individuals standing in front of Just Speed. |
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| 1994.55.10 | Item – Race Horse Safanad | 1947 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 12 in. |
| Scope and content:
Composite photograph with two images showing Safanad’s first win under ownership of Ewart Ellis at Edmonton, August 23, 1947. He is shown here with Ewart (on right hand side of Safanad) and Helen Ellis (on the far left). |
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| 1994.55.11 | Item – Race Horse Just Speed | 1954 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 12 in. |
| Scope and content:
Ewart Ellis with his race horse Just Speed after his first win. |
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| 1994.55.14 C | Item – Marjorie Ellis Pioneer Award | n.d. | 1 p. : 35 x 25.5 cm |
| Scope and content:
A Pioneer Award certificate presented to Marjorie Ellis by the Grande Prairie District Old Timers Association. |
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| 1994.55.14 E | Item – Marjorie Ellis Certificate | 1955 | 1 certificate |
| Scope and content:
A Golden Jubilee Senior Citizen Award for Marjorie Isabel Ellis. |
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| 1994.63.01 | Item – Marjorie Clark Ellis | 1987 | 1 photograph : colour ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
Photograph of Marjorie Clark Ellis (1897-1991) taken on her 90th birthday. |
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