Material Type

Photograph

Physical Description

Manuscript

Physical Condition

Very Good

History Biographical

The Niven Family originally from Ayr Scotland came to Canada and Nova Scotia in 1867 and finally to Lethbridge in 1885. Robert Niven Senior and one son Robert Junior first came to Lethbridge in 1885. Robert Senior, master mechanic, was recruited by William Stafford to install the equipment for the Northwest coal and Navigation Company. A year later the remaining family members made the trek across Canada and took the Narrow Gauge railway from Medicine Hat to their new home in Lethbridge. All the sons found employment with the Coal Company. In 1912 Thomas, John, and Alex opened their own machine shop at 216-1St Avenue South where the downtown Arby’s Restaurant is located today. In about 1922, John left the company and moved to Kimberley, B.C., for employment with Cominco Ltd. at the Sullivan Mine there. Through the years the Machinists, Welders and Motor Rebuildings business was expanded and modernized to meet the needs of the present day.The business continued on into the 1990s with the second and third generations in charge.

Language

English

Scope and Content

2013.1018/001 - News clippings, articles and Ads for Niven Family Business; "Lethbridge women rallied to Red Cross Cause"-Mary Niven;"Monument Falls" - Herald article September 1972 regarding a house beside Niven Brothers business on 1st Avenue with its history and photograh. 2013.1018/002 - Origins of the Niven name 2013.1018/003 - 2 Niven Brothers Account Books with Bank of Montreal May 1913-1928 and June 1929-1944. Automobile endorsement sheet 1996 2013.1018/004 - Personal papers of Alexander Niven Certificate for shares in the Lethbridge Co-Operative Packers Limited 1946;Patent for Gouge Glass Protectors 1916; Photocopy of Marriage register County Ayr January 1979; Certificates – Cradle Roll September 1912; Baptism November 1912; Agreement between Thomas and Robert Niven for carrying on business of machinists July 3rd 1963; Certificate shares in the Lethbridge and District Exhibition and Rodeo 1947. 2013.1018/005 Land Transfers - 1. North West Coal & Navigation Company transfer June 1885 Joseph Purviance; 2. Between Joseph Purviance and William Bentley dated September 29th,1887; 3. Affidavit of Transfer between Thomas Niven and John Irwin December 9th 1904.4. Between Fred Stolz miner to Thomas Niven May 1909 5. Also Declaration as to existence of a co-partnership between Niven Brothers machinists and welders February 1960 2013.1018/006 - Journal Entries of Trucking Business April 1963- November 1973;- Application for building permit. 2013.1018/007 - Meetings 1963; Agreements1965-1973;Minutes; Annual Reports1963-1965 , Financial Statements 1964,1965 and 1968. 2013.1018/008 - Financial statements – Excise Newsletters 1978-1983; Excise communique January 1982 2013.1018.009 -Payroll Remittance 1983-1986; Customers records. 2013.1018/010 &011 0versized ledger sheets 1975-1987 2013.1018/012 - Niven Truck Equipment Limited Financial Statements Year Ended November 20,1992-93; 1997-2000; 2003 prepared by Young, Pakryn, McNabb & Company Chartered Accountants. 2013.1018/013 A&B-Oversized General Lethbridge Accounts Index November 1974 - December 1974- November 1987;Ledgers sheets green and white May 1986-November 1987; December 1988-January 1991 2013.1018/014 - Trucking Business correspondence; Corporate Statement of Account 1988 2013.1018/015 - EBA Engineering Consultants Limited Environmental Site Assessment for 1315- 33 Street North

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

2013.1018

Collection

Archive

Less detail