Millarville, Alberta
Several people have posted favourable comments about images posted on WellWaterBlog recently. I wish I could take credit for them.
I am fortunate to have access to a vast collection of ancestral family photos and general historical images, compiled by various family members. They regularly find their way into blog posts.
Gordon Shepherd (Bear’s first cousin 1x removed) ca. 1938
On a snowy March afternoon, browsing the photo collection is an entertaining distraction from the bleary outside world. Please join me…. you may have seen some of these images, others have not been previously posted.
My father was an avid photo collector and archivist. Adrian Paton gathered family photos that date back to the advent of personal, portable cameras. He did an outstanding job of labelling and categorizing the collection.
Family and Friends gathered at Eason’s Grove near Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan – 1953
Dad also amassed a library of general historical images over his lifetime. The photos were gathered from various sources in southern Saskatchewan. The photo archive spans a century, beginning in the 1880s.
Some of the historical photos were captured by professional photographer D.M. Buchanan, who was active in Arcola at the turn of the 20th century. Buchanan took both in-studio and on-site photos. He travelled to nearby White Bear Reservation regularly to capture images of First Nations people as their lives transitioned from traditional to colonial living circumstances.
Chief Bigstone – White Bear Reserve near Carlyle, Saskatchewan – D.M. Buchanan, circa 1910
Bear’s family are also keen family photo archivists. I have access to an interesting collection of images dating from the homestead era in the Cypress Hills district of southwestern Saskatchewan.
Battle Creek Ranch Shepherd Homestead, and Community Pasture Round-up (below) – dates unknown
Images from the Buchanan collection have powerful cultural significance. The early 20th century images capture First nations people as they had lived for eons before.
I won’t post a specific story today. The images below tell tales without words, captions, or references…
These images and others will undoubtedly end up in future blogs. If you wish to receive notices of new posts, please add your e-mail address in the box at the bottom of this page. I don’t share the mailing list, and you will not receive any solicitations or advertising….
…Just Fun
Keith MacDonald
It’s so wonderful and amazing that Bear’s and your ancestors amassed old family and other photographs. The photographs and text from your Dad’s book An Honest, Genial and Kindly People are fantastic, Russ. Thank you for sending it to me.
Russ Paton
Yes, we are fortunate. Many of the photos have images in the background that are as fascinating as the intended subjects. Never a bad day when we browse through them…