Material Type

Manuscript

Physical Description

Manuscript and color photographs

Physical Condition

Good

History Biographical

The Melody Queens Orchestra played in Lethbridge and surrounding small district towns in the 1920s and 1930s. They were a small orchestra with Muriel and Phyllis Clarke. Muriel played piano and Phyllis the violin. They augmented their instruments with other family members when the need arose.

Acquisition Source

Maureen Moorby #102 5470 Inlet Ave. Sechelt, B.C. VON 3A2

Scope and Content

001 – Handwritten Introductory letter; Biography of the Buchanan Family – Maternal grandmother Gertrude, great- great grandparents; Gertrude’s siblings; Alexander Buchanan’s work history with Hudson’s Bay; Biography of the Clarke Family Gertrude and Edward Clarke and children Audray, Cecil, Muriel and Phyllis; four generation news article; Wedding Anniversary clipping; Brief biography of the Melody Queens Orchestra; Typed agreement for February 1935 in which the orchestra agreed to play for the Disabled Ex-servicemen’s Association; correspondence booking the orchestra for specific dates 1934-1935; 2 news clippings announcing forthcoming dances & recap of orchestra playing for dances; Poster for dance at Carmagay Opera House no date 002 - Photographs Lethbridge scenes 001 – Military Parade 1918 5 images 002 – Galt Gardens 1918 3 images 003 Post Office Family 004 Pincher Creek Farm/Ranch 1925-1931 6 images view of machinery and combining. Explanation 005 Granny and Grampa Buchanan 60th Wedding 006 Gertrude Buchanan was a beautiful seamstress and made the dress. She also made daughters Muriel and Phyllis’s dresses. 007 Gertrude Buchanan as a child Photo done by W. H.ame Photographer Picton, Ontario and grave stone 008 Edward and Gertrude Clarke with son Aubrey 009 Gertrude’s funeral. Children left to right - Muriel, Edward, Cecil, Phyllis and Aubrey 1946 Air Tour 010 Canadian Army Plane 1931Air Tour 7 images 011 Cecil Clarke in uniform 2 images Muriel 012 Muriel’s grade school class when she was about 14-15 years. She had missed over a year of school due to poor health so she was older than the others. She is in the second row from the right, 4th seat from the front 013 Portrait of Muriel with card. She assisted with music for the physical training program and the string of pearls was a thank you gift. 014 Muriel posing on a log 015 Wedding Anniversary of Edward and Gertrude Clarke celebrating their 60 Anniversary Orchestra photos 016 Candid shots of Orchestra members with instruments. Muriel and Phyllis. The two men aren’t unidentified 3 images Oversized photographs 017 Melody Queens Orchestra. Phyllis and Muriel in black velvet dresses. Cecil on banjo, saxophone undietified and drummer unidentified. 018 Melody Queens Orchestra Phyllis and Muriel in skirts and jackets Men in slacks and jackets. The bass drum has a mountain scene panted on it. 019 Dance Band Poster for Carmangay Opera House ca.1930s

Notes

Note with photographs from Ruth Elzinga states she wants these photographs kept for historical purposes. Photograph file has been placed in photograph drawer due to lack of space in box.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20171059

Collection

Archive

Less detail