Fonds 282 William McLellan fonds

fonds-282

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1913 -1915. — 22 photographs.


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Biographical Sketch

William John McLellan was born Dec.6, 1894 on a farm between Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton. He was the youngest of seven children. He attended the new University of Alberta until he joined the army in 1916. During the summers of 1913 and 1915 he worked with a surveying crew in the Peace River country where he took these pictures to show the folks back home what the country and the work was like. At the time of his discharge, in 1919 he was training for the RCAF in England. He married Ada Biggs in 1923 who had an 8 year old daughter. Later they had another daughter and a son. He died at age 46.

Custodial History

The records were donated to the South Peace Regional Archives January 8, 2008, by Jean McLellan Pardo, William’s daughter.

Scope and Content

The fonds consists of 22 photographs William took in the summers of 1913 and 1915 while he was working on a survey crew in the Peace River country, and copies of 5 letters he wrote to his mother during the summer of 1915. An accrual consists of a biography of William written by daughter, Jean McLellan Pardo and a story written by Jean based on family memories.

Notes

This fonds has been identified as having Indigenous related content. Researchers may encounter language that is outdated and offensive. To learn more about Indigenous records at the South Peace Regional Archives please see our guide.

On the Peace River, 1913 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
A survey crew sitting in their boat.
Location: 0282.01
 
On the Peace River – No. 2 Gang, 1913 c..
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Five men sit in a boat near the shore. Camp kitchen with a pile of pots is seen in the bank.
Location: 0282.02
On the Peace River – No. 1 Camp, 1913 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Camp set up showing tents set up among the brush.
Location: 0282.03
 
On the Peace River, 1913 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Survey crew standing in front of a camp tent.
Location: 0282.04
 
Peace River Crossing, 1913 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Peace River Crossing – The Mayor’s residence.
Location: 0282.05
 
Shoal Lake, 1913 c.
1 photograph; b& w; 2 x 3 in.
Taken from a boat showing the shore of the lake.
Location: 0282.06
 
[George Nicol and Charlie with Indigenous Girl], 1913 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
George Nicol and Charlie standing with an Indigenous girl. The caption on the back of the photograph says “Geo. Nicol + Charlie Calling a Bluff”.
Location: 0282.07
 
Tommy Towers and Ray on the Peace River, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Tommy Towers (or Powers?) and Ray in a canoe on the Peace River.
Location: 0282.08
 
Camp at Peace River Crossing, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
An overexposed photo of the survey crew camp showing tents, supplies and men.
Location: 0282.09
 
On the Scow at Peace River Crossing, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
A group of surveyors in a scow on the Peace River.
Location: 0282.10
 
Harry Hunt and Bill Hierliky, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Harry Hunt and Bill Hierlicky in a motorboat on the river in the summer of 1915.
Location: 0282.11
 
Landing the Horses, 1915
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Leading the horses off a scow docked on the Peace River.
Location: 0282.12
 
Landing the Horses, 1915
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Leading the horses off a scow docked on the Peace River. (better quality version of 281.12)
Location: 0282.12a
 
H.P. Keith, D.L.S., 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
H.P. Keith sitting in front of his tent, reading.
Location: 0282.13
 
Cutting Mc Kenzie’s Hair, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
A man standing shows the length of McKenzie’s hair as he cuts it.
Location: 0282.14
 
Cutting a Surveyor’s Hair, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
On a nice day in camp two men stand as one cuts the other’s hair.
Location: 0282.15
 
The Bald Headed Row, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
A row of men show their newly shorn heads peeking above the back of a scow on the Peace River.
Location: 0282.16
 
[Survey Crew Enroute to Peace River Crossing], 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Image shows a survey crew posing with an Indigenous girl in the center. The caption on the back of the photograph says “Oh the way from Reno to the ‘Xing.
Location: 0282.17
 
Peace River Surveying Trip, ca. 1915
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Hunt (left) and William McLellan (right) sit in the doorway of a tipi.
Location: 0282.18
 
Inspector Anderson at Peace River Crossing, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Inspector Anderson driving a early model car down a street in Peace River.
Location: 0282.19
 
Hudson Bay Co. Boat on the Peace River, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 2 x 4 in.
Hudson Bay Company Boat docked at Peace River.
Location: 0282.20
 
Surveyors Moving a Shed, 1915 c.
1 photograph; b & w; 3 x 4 in.
Five men stand in front of a shed that is loaded and ready to move. Supply sheds are seen in the background.
Location: 0282.21
 
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