RSS 1.01. Archival Finding Aids
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These finding aids are meant to help researchers find information in the fonds and collections available at the Brock University Archives & Special Collections.
Recent Submissions
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Sherman Zavitz fonds, 1991-2021, n.d.Fonds contains news clippings concerning Sherman Zavitz, official historian for Niagara Falls, Ontario, from 1994 to 2019. Most of the clippings are weekly columns written by Zavitz on Niagara’s history including “A Niagara Note” and a photo feature known as “Niagara Then and Now”. There are also some articles that feature Sherman Zavitz and a few on general Niagara history.
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Ada Gladys Killins fonds7 cm. of textual material, 76 b&w photos, 45 col. slides, 1 col. postcard and 9 watercolour paintings
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Joseph Edward Masters fonds, 1823-1967, n.d.Fonds consists of records accumulated by Joseph Edward Masters during his life and career as Reeve and Town Clerk of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Fonds primarily consists of papers and correspondence, but also includes a notebook with personal entries, and ration books and meat tokens from the Wartime Prices & Trade Board. Also included are newspaper clippings and other items relating to Janet Carnochan, a prominent figure in the Niagara community, as well as papers relating to the Niagara Rifle Association.
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Joan Nicks Research Collection, 1910-2023, n.d.The collection contains material compiled by Joan Nicks while conducting research about local popular culture in Niagara Falls, Ontario. She is the author of two books, titled Lost Movie Theatres, Niagara Falls, Ontario: movie-going in a cross-border city and Disappearing Motels, Niagara Falls, Ontario: cultural decline of a post-war travel icon. Most of the material consists of video and audio cassettes of interviews, photographs, and slides. Some of the photographs show performers in blackface. Some promotional material and legal documents concerning Niagara Falls theatres is also included, as well as a map of “Little Italy” in Niagara Falls (1922).
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Lini Grol collection, 1956-2010, n.d.The collection contains material related to Lini Grol’s artwork and writing including scissorcuts, drawings, news clippings, manuscripts, and published books of fiction and non-fiction including short stories, plays, poetry, and a novel.
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Issue of The Anti-Slavery Bugle featuring an article on the Fugitive Slave Law, October 12, 1850An issue of The Anti-Slavery Bugle, Salem, Ohio, dated October 12, 1850. The front page contains a lengthy article on the Fugitive Slave Law. It begins by describing a meeting of citizens opposed to the Fugitive Slave Law in Pittsburgh where several speeches were made, followed by the reaction of colored people who were choosing to flee to Canada.
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Letter by G.H. Morton to Peter P. Dox, December 8, 1812A letter written by G.H. Morton to Peter P. Dox, Albany, dated at Geneva, December 8, 1812. Morton is writing to Dox about the events related to Capt. Alexander Smyth’s invasion of Canada from Black Rock in November 1812, and the condition of Dox’s brother Captain Myndert M. Dox who was injured during the action. The letter includes a detailed description of General Smyth’s actions and his attack from Black Rock.
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Dwight Whitney Marsh family papers, 1835-1889, n.d.Contains 25 letters and other papers pertaining to Dwight Whitney Marsh and his family. The letters are written by Henry Marsh (Dwight’s father), Dwight Whitney Marsh, and Clara (Marsh) Eager (Dwight’s sister) and are addressed to their parents, spouses, and siblings. The letters are dated 1835 to 1866. Most of the letters concern family, travel and business matters. Rev. Dwight Whitney Marsh worked as a missionary in Turkey and later at a Young Ladies’ Female Seminary in Rochester. His letters were all written while he was in the United States, mostly during the American Civil War. A letter written by Clara (Marsh) Eager from Fort Erie, Oct. 30, 1854, describes her trip to Niagara Falls, Chippawa, and Buffalo. Some of the other papers in the collection contain no date or are dated 1888-1889.
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Letter by D.A. McNair to Mr. Benjn. A. Kerly, December 4, [1838]A letter written by D.A. McNair describing the Battle of Windsor, dated Detroit opposite the Head Quarters of the Patriot Army, December 4, 12:00 p.m. The letter is addressed to Mr. Benjn. A Kerly, New York and is postmarked Detroit Dec. 7. A typewritten transcript of the letter is included. McNair writes that “it would not be wholly uninteresting to you to hear a detail of the movements, doings and so on of the patriots…our woods for 20 or 30 miles around us have been filled with men…. Last Saturday the report was extensively circulated that the patriots went that night to cross the river. About two o’clock the patriots were formed at foot of Woodward Avenue ready to do battle, but upon inspection it was found that they lacked a most necessary item Sir. A Leader. A postponement until the next was moved and carried. The next night (Sunday) came. As we were proceeding to the evening services we were greeted by the shrill note of the bugle calling the Brady Guards to arms…the pats … concluded that it was best to give up the expedition, deliver up their arms and disperse…the race of patriots was considered extinct. But far removed from this was the actual facts of the case. The fire within their hearts did glow with renewed vigor. This very night they placed securely upon the Canadian shore a large supply of arms and ammunition! The next day (Monday)…Patriots were seen strolling with the bundles upon a steak over their shoulder in all directions. By night excitement was gone, other themes than patriotism filled our minds. Thus we went to sleep. And picture to yourself our surprise as we rose the next morning (Tuesday) to witness Windsor in flames!!! McNair continues “They left the wharf to the stream saw mill about 200 in number in the “L.B. Champlain” (owned by that stiff old Royalist Julius Eldred). The action commenced at ½ past 5 o’clock this morning. After a fire of about 30 minutes a party of her majesty’s troops consisting of militia & regulars who had ensconced themselves in a large yellow building…This building was fired and was burnt to the ground together with five others which were in the hands of the government. No private property was molested except one or two houses which from their proximity to the others could not be avoided. A steam boat lying at the wharf the “Thames” was burnt…The loss of the royalist in the mornings engagement--17 killed, 40 prisoners with arms, the wounded not known…. The killed and wounded are on our side. It is said that after the pats had entirely dispersed the royalists and taken possession of Sandwich they started for the London district…. They were proceeding as far as opposite Hog Island. They were overtaken by a large lot of regulars in wagons and a lot of horsemen. The pats stood there fire but a few moments retreating to the woods…This engagement took place about noon…the royalists…returned and retook the towns of W & S. Col. John Prince is in command of the militia. This said that he was so much exasperated that he ordered six men out of his ranks to shoot down the 3 pat prisoners which was accomplished…Tuesday morning has come, nothing of importance occurred during the night. So much for patriotism…”
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Issue of “Hypermodern: a magazine of new ideas”, November 15, 1968An issue of the magazine “Hypermodern: a magazine of new ideas”, fourth, issue, dated November 15, 1968. The table of contents lists six articles: • What Population Explosion?, or, The Pill and The Hokum • The Extent to Which Psychiatry May Have Contributed to the Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy • The Enraged Sadist • A Computer for Underdeveloped Countries • On Reducing Blunders in Chess • On the Justice of Laws Denying the Right to Strike to Government Employees There is also an article on page 21 about the recession of Niagara Falls. The magazine is copyrighted by Allan B. Calhamer, 1968 and is addressed to Don L. Miller, Wheaton, Md.
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Fonthill Women’s Christian Temperance Union minute book, 1971-1976A minute book of the Fonthill Women’s Christian Temperance Union with entries from March 1971 to November 1976. Topics discussed include an elocutionary contest for children; Vietnam kits; guest speakers; regional convention; a poster and scrapbook contest for Sunday School children; a Christian Youth of the Year contest; musical performances by members; “Youtharama” event; a teenage challenge home for girls in Fenwick; and whether to continue with meetings as a Women’s Christian Temperance Union as membership declined. Enclosed in the book is a directory of the Ontario Women’s Christian Temperance Union (1976-1977).
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Fort Erie Historical Records Collection1 reel of microfilm containing various historical documents related to the Fort Erie, Bertie Township, Ridgeway, and Niagara Falls area.
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Niagara Historical Society and Museum Scrapbooks2 positive microfilm reels created by the Archives of Ontario in 1969. An inventory of the documents can be found in Manuscripts section inventory of the Niagara Historical Society collection, prepared by R. Nickerson, p. 51-86. The reels contain the bulk of records listed in Volume 1 – Scrapbooks – Miscellaneous Historical Material detailed in the finding aid prepared by R. Nickerson.
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McIntyre and Ker day book, 1842-18621 – 16mm microfilm reel of the day book of Thomas McIntyre of St. Catharines, Ont., 1842-1858 and the coffin register of John Ker of Drummondville, 1859-1862.
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Douglas Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Records1 microfilm reel Contents include: Annual reports Correspondence Guest book Lists of officers and members Minutes of meeting Press releases Roll book Treasurer’s reports Work completed
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Charles Mittleberger letters, 1829-1839Two reels of microfilm [M-1010(d) and M-1010(e)] containing upwards of 70 pieces of correspondence to Charles Mittleberger of Montreal by his various family members. These family members include brothers William Henry, John, George and father John. The letters were written from various locations including: Smith Falls, Brockville, Prescott, St. Catharines, Quebec [City], Toronto and Cleveland. Most of the letters deal with business transactions. Some of the letters from St. Catharines deal with the purchase of Merritt’s mill, the new bank to be established in St. Catharines and other various family matters.
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Letters by Duncan Campbell describing the rebellions in Canada, 1837-1839Seven letters written by Duncan Campbell providing an account of the rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada in 1837-1838. Campbell was an ensign for the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot and fought in both the Upper and Lower Canada Rebellions. The letters are addressed to his family in Scotland. Transcriptions of the letters are included. Most of the letters are cross-written and are difficult to read.
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Norman Ball Ferranti-Packard Research Collection, 1877-1993, n.d.The collection consists of material compiled by Norman Ball while researching a book on the Ferranti-Packard Company with John Vardalas. In 1993 the book was published, titled Ferranti-Packard: Pioneers in Canadian Electrical Manufacturing (HD 9697 C334 F47 1993) . Most of the material are copies and consist of minutes, photographs, correspondence, business proposals, and newspaper and magazine articles. Meeting minutes include board of directors’ minutes, shareholders’ minutes, and Packard Sports Club minutes. A photocopied and typewritten copy of W.D. Packard’s diary is also included. The business proposals include specifications of Packard transformers intended for purchase by the Ontario Power Company of Niagara Falls.
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Maria Spelterini poster, c. 1877A poster of coloured drawings depicting tightrope walker Maria Spelterini. There is a portrait of Spelterini with her name in the middle of the poster, surrounded by 10 sketches of her performing. These sketches depict her performing various feats on a tightrope including sitting, cycling, kneeling, pushing a wheelbarrow, standing on a chair; firing a cannon; walking with a sheet covering her face; sitting at a table with a cup in her hand; and walking with buckets on her feet.
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Niagara Falls Review photographs [compact discs], 1896-1990, n.d.Two compact discs containing black and white photographs taken for the Niagara Falls Review. There are a total of 1363 photographs on the discs. Photos include bridges, tourist attractions, factories, parks, roads, schools, and the Falls.
