Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1977

Fonds

Pioneer Researchers Association Oral History Project

Creator

Pioneer Researchers Association

Physical Description

2 cassette tapes; digital copy

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Pioneer Researchers

Scope and Content

Tape 1 Side A - Biographical information: Father, William Niven; mother, Laura Davies. The Davies came to Lethbridge from Lindsey, Ont. They ran a boarding house which later became the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Laura taught school in Wetaskiwin, then Lethbridge. William worked for the AR & I Co. in Lethbridge, then the CP Rail (?) in Calgary. They were married Feb 1902 in St. Augustine's Church, Lethbridge. Viva was born Dec 1902 in Calgary, and baptized in Lethbridge. She grew up in Calgary, but because her grandparents and other family members lived in Lethbridge, Viva spent much time here. Discussion about Davies and Niven family members. SideB - Roy family: French Canadians from eastern Canada. They had 5 daughters: Kate and Laura who never married and taught in the Lethbridge Catholic schools, Babe, Corinne who married Donald McKillop, and Eloise. - Relates a story about George McKillop and her son Bill re military reserve training. - Describes WWI Armistice Day in Calgary. - Dry Farming Congress, Lethbridge 1912. - Viva's biographical information: born in Calgary, baptized in Lethbridge. Grew up in Calgary, moved to Lethbridge in 1933. After high school she went to business school. Describes her first jobs. Her husband Cam was in the insurance business in Calgary, but business was bad during the depression so the family moved to Lethbridge and opened "Nifty Nook", a tea room/ confectionery on 5th Street South. Tape 2 Side A - continue with business in Lethbridge. Later opened another store, "Cam's Tuck Shop", on 6th Ave and 10th Street South. Son Bill was born in Calgary and daughter Bonnie in Lethbridge. - Calgary Stampede, 1912. - WWI: Uncle Bruce Davies trained in Calgary and stayed at their house. He brought many of his fellow servicemen to the house. Mentions entertainment in Calgary circa 1914-1918. - Flu epidemic. - War news was received from the newspaper. - Uncle Bruce was wounded and discharged with a full pension until death. He was a jeweller by trade, but because of his injuries could no longer do the intricate work. - Home remedies: daily teaspoon of molasses and sulfur; brandy and sugar in hot water for the common cold. - Lethbridge Chinese community. - General family information SideB - First few minutes is blank. General reminiscing and family information: Scottish New Year's Eve was the family's most celebrated event. Describes Gramma Niven's first reaction to silent movies. - Automobiles: first car in the family was owned by Jim Wallwork. Describes the family's first auto trip from Calgary to Lethbridge (11 flat tires). There were no road rffaps. - Clubs and organizations: Church was the social gathering place for the young and old. She was a member of the Calgary Good Cheer Club headed by Nellie McClung. - Her husband Cam was raised in Winnipeg.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19921008015

Collection

Archive

Less detail