Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Bernard Hamm Fonds |
| Reference code: | 0713 |
| Date: | 1950-1998 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 10.5 cm textual records
292 slides 53 photographs |
| Language: | English |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processing begun August 2024 – JL Processing completed October 2025 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Bernard “Barney” Hamm was born on July 23, 1900, in Rhineland, Manitoba, the eighth of twelve children. His parents, Jacob Hamm and Sara Sawatzky, were immigrants from South Russia who arrived in Canada in 1875. Barney married Aganetha “Agnes” Dick in 1933 and they moved to Saskatchewan where Barney began his career as a taxidermist and gave public lectures on wildlife. In 1941 Barney and Agnes settled on a farm near Saskatoon Mountain in the Peace Region. The couple farmed and trapped for several years before Barney was hired for a four year duck banding project for Duck Unlimited. Agnes also started working as teacher in Sexsmith.
By 1949, Barney was appointed a Migratory Bird Officer for the federal government. In the 1950s, he became known as the “Swan Guardian of the Alberta Peace River,” working tirelessly to protect the dwindling trumpeter swan population. This became a life-long project, which included tracking the swan population and monitoring nests and egg clutches as well as public advocacy to promote interest in their protection. For the success of this work in restoring the Trumpeter Swan population, Barney was awarded official status as a federal wildlife officer.
Barney passed away in 1965, survived by Agnes and their four children; Harvey, Leslie, Ruby (Penner), and Darlene (Tracie).
Custodial history
Given by Bernard Hamm to Darlene Tracie prior to his death in 1965, and donated to the South Peace Regional Archives by Darlene Tracie in 2024.
Scope and content
This fonds contains records that Bernard Hamm created and collected together, primarily related to his work as a naturalist, taxidermist, and of the preservation of Trumpeter Swans in the South Peace Region.
Included in the fonds are field notes and other writings tracking local bird populations, taxidermy records and reports to departments of the Federal and Provincial government, public speeches, and correspondences with the public and other professionals, as well as photography related to Trumpeter Swan preservation or of the South Peace more broadly.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based contents.
Restrictions on access
No restrictions on access.
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Graphic material (documentary form)
- Environment and nature (subject)
Table of contents
0713.01, Photography, 1950 – 1964
0713.02, Field Books and Reports, 1954-1964
0713.03, Taxidermy Records and Presentation Notes, 1953 – 1967
0713.04, Outreach & Correspondence, 1955-1998
Series descriptions
| Series 0713.01: Photography
Date: 1950 – 1964 (date of creation) Scope and content: This series consists of a variety of slides relating to Bernard Hamm’s work as a naturalist, as well as depicting landscapes around Sexsmith, Clairmont Lake, Hudson’s Hope, Grande Prairie, Smoky River, Wapiti River, Fort St. John, Taylor, and Dunvegan. Subject matter includes animals, swan nests and eggs, a grain elevator fire in Sexsmith, canoeing, bridges, the Dunvegan ferry, taxidermy, and natural history museum exhibits. Physical description: 292 slides 53 photographs Language of the material: English Access points: • Graphic material (documentary form) • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| Series 0713.02: Field Books and Reports
Date: 1954-1964 (date of creation) Scope and content: This series contains field books that Bernard Hamm wrote as part of his work visiting different wildlife habitats. Data collected in field books include counts of different species, records of nests and eggs, and other details and general notes. Other reports and notes about related work are also included. Physical description: 5 cm textual records Language of the material: English Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| Series 0713.03: Taxidermy Records and Presentation Notes
Date: 1953 – 1967 (date of creation) Scope and content: This series contains records kept regarding taxidermy work and a notebook with information about presentations for schools. Included are related taxidermy permits and receipts. Physical description: 2.5 cm textual records Language of the material: English Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| Series 0713.04: Outreach & Correspondence
Date: 1955-1998 (date of creation) Scope and content: This series consists of speeches and essays by Bernard Hamm, correspondence, as well as related newspaper clippings and ephemera. Physical description: 3 cm textual records Language of the material: English Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| File / item list | |||
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 0713.04.01 | File – Outreach | 1956-1961 | 1.5 cm textual records |
| Scope and content:
This file contains notes and scripts Bernard Hamm wrote for public presentation, essays, and minutes for a meeting of the Executive Committee on Historic Sites that mentioned an exhibit featuring Bernard’s taxidermy trumpeter swans. Topics include feeding young swans, bird migration, and bird banding. |
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| 0713.04.02 | File – Correspondence | 1956-1998 | 1 cm textual records |
| Scope and content:
This file contains Bernard Hamm’s correspondence, both personal and professional. There is also a printed email chain between Laurie Gogal and and Bernard’s son Harvey Hamm. |
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| 0713.04.03 | File – Newspaper Clippings | 1955-1977 | 0.5 cm textual records |
| Scope and content:
This file contains newspaper clippings with information about Bernard Hamm, conservation, taxidermy, swans, and other topics related to Bernard’s career. There is also a pamphlet about trumpeter swans produced by the County of Grande Prairie. |
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