McKEAN in Lethbridge, Alberta

[TerriG]

Glad to say that I found my family on passenger lists going to Canada from Scotland - my grandad went over first, followed by the oldest child, and finally my grandmother took the other 3 kids over the following year.  I've also found my grandad and the two girls (one being my mum) returning to Scotland in 1953.

I've also found out that they resided at the Dominion Experimental Station in Lethbridge (where my grandad worked from 1948-1953).

What I'm looking for now are photos of the Experimental Station during that time, particularly staff quarters.  I have Googled it and found various aerial photos, and pictures of other buildings, but would really like to see or hear about how my mum and her family would have lived. 

It's a bit of a long shot, but if anyone reading this lived there at that time and can give me any information, or even photos of my family, I would be so grateful, as I have never seen a photo of my grandma, and have no photos of my mum as a child.

[maxcam]

Sorry for me this is a dead end! I have no further info re my late Father's cousin. This is one of those situations where I really need to get my head down!!!!!!!!!!!!

However the phrase "

[TerriG]

Forgot to say that, through Ancestry site at my local LDS, I was able to access the Lethbridge Herald archives, which had a notice about my Grandma's death, funeral details and a notice of thanks from the family, as well as many articles about my Grandad's football skills!

Maxcam, have you access to Ancestry?

[TerriG]

Hi all
Does anyone know if photographs were taken of immigrants into Canada in the 1940s and, if so, where they would be now?  I'm still on a quest to find a photo of my grandmother.  I did try the Passport Office here in England, but they couldn't help.
Thanks. 
Terri.

[gemmanoon]

Hi Terri,

not that I've found for my cousin's family. DO you know if your grandparents became naturalised citizens? If so, there's a small chance there will be a photo in your grandmother's file, however, for 1949-1951 you need to search by date rather than by name: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/citizenship-naturalization-records/naturalized-records-1915-1951/Pages/introduction.aspx

I'm not sure if you have these already:

apparently, your grandad was very proud of his potato plants in 1952 - it's under the "seen and heard about town" section, lower right: https://newspaperarchive.com/lethbridge-herald-aug-15-1952-p-1/

Your family thanked everyone for their help (mid-left under card of thanks) following your grandma's death here: https://newspaperarchive.com/lethbridge-herald-mar-30-1951-p-6/

Your uncle married in 1957 but went by the name Mulgrew - is that right? THere's a photo of him and his wife here: https://newspaperarchive.com/lethbridge-herald-jun-21-1957-p-14/

There are also newspaper reports about your grandmother's death and obituary notices at Newspaper Archive but I don't have full access. From the previews, however, it didn't look like there were any photos.

I live in Calgary, but we head down to Lethbridge/Pincher Creek/Waterton every few months for weekends away, and as an immigrant, I'm brushing up on the history of my province so I'm always looking for excuses to go digging about in things. Is there anything you want me to look for next time we're down that way? Feel free to direct message me - we're heading to the Galt Museum on our next visit as I'm yet to go there, but I'll reach out to a few friends I've got down that way who might be able to help with info on the Dominion Experimental Farm.


Anyway, the offer is there to anyone who needs a hand searching archives in Calgary/Banff/Canmore/Lethbridge/Waterton - any excuse to visit the local archives is welcomed! Maxcam, if you still need someone to do some legwork, let me know :-)

[TerriG]

Hi Gemma

Thank you for taking the time to collect all the information.  I don't believe that my grandparents obtained naturalisation and, if they did, I wouldn't know what date.

I've seen quite a few articles/letters from the Lethbridge News, but I will have another look in case I missed something.

My uncle was my grandmother's first born, so went by his father's surname.  I'm in touch with my half cousin, but he doesn't have an interest in family history sadly.

I may take you up on your offer - when I get time (bit hectic here at present) I will look at the Galt website to see if they have anything that you could look at for me.

Thanks again.

Terri

[gemmanoon]

No problems, Terri. I'm playing about with the idea of writing a few books based in early Alberta (I'm a historical romance writer as my day job!) so I'll be down there again soon regardless.

It might be worth reaching out to Glenbow Museum in Calgary as well; it's possible they'll have some archival information, and the same with U of L history department. Again I'm happy to go collect anything or go chat to anyone on your behalf. I need to explore the province more anyway :-)

Gemma