Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1978

Fonds

Pioneer Researchers Association Oral History Project

Creator

Pioneer Researchers Association

Physical Description

1 cassette tape; digital copy

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Pioneer Researchers

Scope and Content

Side A - Biographical information: His father, George Frank Russell came west in 1882 with a survey party from Ottawa. He was a tool&ye machinist by trade. He operated a blacksmith shop in Fort Macleod until moving to Lethbridge in 1885. He was married to Isabel Ann Bell in Ottawa in March 1886. In 1887 he sold his Lethbridge property to William Oliver and bought a ranch on Pot Hole coulee. Relates stories about Isabel's encounters with the natives. George and Isabel had 6 sons and one daughter. Information about the children. - Discusses the homestead location and general information about it. - Fred and Mrs Russell have one son, Frank. - There were no schools in the area, so the Russells hired teachers to instruct their children at the ranch. - Names neighbors and provides a little information about each one: Dave Akers, Tom Purcell, Scotty Ross who sold out to George Russell, George Houk. - reads a short biographical about George Russell written by Ernest Russell. - Mrs. Russell was born in her parents home at 824 7th Street S. Her father was a printer employed by the Lethbridge News and later Herald. After graduation she attended Normal School and got her teaching certificate. Taught one year at Farmhill School where she met Fred. They were married in 1930. - Son Frank went to McMaster University and graduated with a Geology Degree. Worked in that field in Ontario for a few years before returning to take over the farm. - River Junction School District information. - Mrs Russell's experiences as a country school teacher. Tape 1 Side B - Mrs. Russells family biography: Father was Alfred Thompson, mother was Elizabeth Kinniburgh. They were married in 1909. - Members of the First Baptist Church. General comments about Lethbridge. - Fred's experiences in WW1 and general comments about army life. - General discussion about St. Mary's/Fort Whoop-up river bottom. - 1930s Depression: land was selling for $5.00 and $10.00 acre. - Expanded the farm. Describes clearing the land of rocks. - General farming and ranching operations. - Fleetwood School: principal and teachers.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19921008021

Collection

Archive

Less detail