Fonds consists of an original unpublished manuscript written by Dennis Dickens Sweeting about his life. There is reference throughout to his involvement with theatre. Also included are two letters (1999) addressed to Jean Murray Cole from Beth Clarke-Gilman (niece of Dennis Sweeting) and Dennis Sweeting. These letters concern the reading of Sweeting's manuscript.

This collection consists of a covering letter providing some historical background of the Rail Trail movement, a bibliography on the subject, two issues of the organization's periodical, a map of Southern Ontario called "Trails for Today and Tomorrow" showing proposed trails and green-ways, and a folder outlining Kawartha Rail Trails.

Fonds consists of reports, directional plans, reviews, and proceedings of the Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge District Health Council (1989-1998). Also included are some meeting minutes of the Well-Being in the Rural Community Task (1995-1996); the Ontario Health Survey Liaison Group (1991-1992); the Creating a Future that Works Healthy Community Group (1994-1995); the District Health Council/Trent Conservation Coalition GIS Meeting with Stanhope Township (1996-1997); the District Health Council/Trent Conservation Coalition/GIS Project Intensification Study Technical Committee (1995-1996); the GIS Technical Committee (1997); and the GIS Planning Task Force (1995-1996).

This fonds consists of a two-volume biography of Eliza Jane (Hughes) McAlpine, 1854-1938, written by her grandson, Wallace McAlpine, fifty years after her death. The biography contains the Hughes family history from the Napoleonic era, follows Eliza's parents to Canada in the 1840's, describes the marriages of her siblings, and gives a fine sense of life in Durham County in the early years of Canada's nationhood. Eliza's battle with spinal meningitis is recounted. The volumes trace the events, joys, and sorrows of the sizeable Hughes family, the accomplishments of Eliza's husband, Dr. John McAlpine, and the experiences with horses and subsequently automobiles. The extraordinary impact of Hardy's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" is described. The famous Sir Sam Hughes was Eliza's brother and some of his exploits are described. Eliza's tour of Europe is described as it took place just before the outbreak of World War I. Lt. A.A. MacLeod's story is told. There is an account of Lt. Col. Cyril D.H. McAlpine's fateful expedition in the Arctic; a biographical sketch of J.W.L. Foster who painted a portrait of Eliza; an account of M.P. Tom Stinson's visits with Eliza; Eliza's disgust with Vicki Baum; her pleasure in talking with Chief Paudash; and finally her death and its aftermath. The volumes provide a wide, varied sketch of the times in which the events transpire.

Attached to the pages within the volumes are approximately 30 photographs, most of which are portraits, and are both in black and white, and colour.

This item is a photocopy of a typescript of a letter from J.B. McWilliams to Dean B.E. Fernow at the University of Toronto giving a very detailed account of timber licences in the Trent Valley (first licences, abandoned or cancelled licences) and of the amount of lumber taken out in 1872-1873 as opposed to 1912. His concerns were conservation and failing that, reforestation of the area. He also describes the Trent system of forest conservation. The letter is dated December 16, 1912.

This fonds consists of research materials pertaining to the publication in 1978 of Ontario's Heritage: A Guide to Archival Sources.

This fonds consists of photocopies of the diaries of Hugh Lumsden, from 1901 to 1928. The early diaries show some evidence of surveying activity while the later ones are mainly of a personal nature. Yearly cash accounts are included.

This fonds consists of typescript copies of correspondence of G.M. Roche, October 1859 from Fenelon Falls, and Lindsay, Canada West, relating to the death of his brother John K. Roche, Provincial Land Surveyor, while surveying the Bobcaygeon Road. Also included are extracts from the diary of William Bell, chief chairman of John Roche's party from July 1859 to April 1860. The survey was completed by Mr. Brady, Provincial Land Surveyor, in 1860.

This item is a photocopy of the last will and testament of Mossom Boyd, written May 7, 1880 and probated August 27, 1883.

This fonds consists of a transcript and two audio reels containing an interview with Dennis Patrick Sears regarding history of Victoria County, logging, life styles, importance of the church, education, World War I and prohibition.

The fonds consists of microfilm of typescript and manuscript forms of "The Aboriginal Remains of Victoria County" by Colonel George E. Laidlaw from June, 1912.

This addition to the fonds consists of photocopies of the records of Christ Church, Bobcaygeon, giving an outline history of the beginnings of the congregation and church construction, treasurer's accounts (Building Committee), Font Account (Reverend C.W. Paterson), Bazaar Account, and Liabilities Account (Building Committee). The records photocopied range from 1869 to 1881.

Fonds consists of research materials and notes, modern correspondence, photocopies of historical documentation, and genealogical resources for the Need family as well as other people living in both England and Newcastle District. The historical documentation includes wills, gravesite information, lot and concession records, military records, correspondence. As well as the Need family, there is also biographical information on other families, including the Dunsfords, Langtons, Campbells, and Sawers.

These research materials were accumulated by Dawn Bell Logan and used to write books, articles, and biographical entries about Thomas Need, including Thomas Need : settler in the backwoods of Upper Canada (self published, 2022), and the Dictionary of Canadian Biography entry for Thomas Need (V. 12). Photographs are of some sites in Lincolnshire, U.K, Peterborough, Canada, the Trent Severn Waterway, Thomas Need’s descendants, and gravestones of Need family members.

Fonds is organized into four series: Thomas Need journals and correspondence; Research materials and manuscripts; Dawn Logan correspondence; and Files on Dawn Logan’s publications.

Thomas Need Biography

Thomas Need (1808-1895) emigrated from Nottingham, England to Upper Canada in May 1832 and settled in Verulam Township in Victoria County in 1833 around Sturgeon Lake. He had graduated from University College, London, in 1830 and rejected the idea of becoming a member of the clergy. This contributed to his decision to leave England.

While in Upper Canada, Need was a member of the government commission that oversaw the construction of what became the first lock of the Trent-Severn Waterway, founded the Village of Bobcaygeon in 1834, and served as a magistrate for the Court of Requests from 1835 to 1837.

Need anonymously published his book Six years in the bush or extracts from the journal of a settler in Upper Canada (London, 1838) on his experiences in Upper Canada. The book was based on his journal entries he made in his personal journal which he called the “Woodhouse Journal.” Need returned to Nottingham, England permanently in 1847 and died in 1895. His authorship was confirmed with the publication of John Langton’s letters in 1926 and he was subsequently recognized as a contributor to early Canadian literature.

Source: Biography – NEED, THOMAS – Volume XII (1891-1900) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography. http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/need_thomas_12E.html. Accessed 11 Jan. 2024.

This addition to the fonds consists of photocopies of the field notes, diary and report of the survey of the Bobcaygeon Road (Township of Bobcaygeon) from Somerville to Bell's Line, 1858 by land surveyor Michael Deane. Includes comments on timber and soil with diagrams and a typescript of a letter to the Commissioner of Crown Lands dated September 7, 1858.

This fonds consists of two certificates: a Horticultural Service Diploma dated 1952, awarded to Sheila Boyd by the Bobcaygeon Horticultural Society for "meritorious service to horticulture"; and, a Canadian Legion certificate dated 1955, awarded to Sheila Boyd as an expression of appreciation for her work with Bobcaygeon Branch 239.

The 15 microfilm reels from the Department of Lands and Forests holdings contain field survey notes for most townships in southern Ontario dating from 1784 to 1945. The handwritten guide to the survey notes was prepared by students in a geography course at Trent University. This guide is available in the Reading Room.

Collection consists of a photograph album containing 188 photographs and newspaper clippings of soldiers from Bobcaygeon, Ontario who served in WWII. Also included is a booklet entitled "The Royal Canadian Legion, Bobcaygeon Branch 239, 1932-1992.

This fonds consists of correspondence, reports, notes and other records relating to the provincial election of 1937, federal election of 1940, Progressive Conservative party conventions of 1938 and 1942, Port Hope conference of 1942, meetings of the Dominion Conservative party in 1944 and 1946. It also includes material regarding the murder trial of John Schell, 1923-25 (C.G. Frost most important early case) and to municipal and school board affairs, Lindsay, 1936-47.

The fonds consists mostly of Helen Marryat's (nee Helen Fowlds) personal experiences as a nurse in World War I, and her activities as a local historian. There are clippings of her articles in local newspapers, historical maps (drawn by Gerald Marryat) and other materials relating to settlement of Hastings and district such as education and nursing. Also included are the correspondence and photograph collections of her brothers, Donald and Eric (mostly from World War I), and material on Frederick Marryat (1792-1848), navy captain and novelist. In December 2001, Trent University Archives launched an online exhibit which depicts Helen Fowld's experiences in World War I. All her letters and diaries are transcribed and are found at the following site: http://digitalcollections.trentu.ca/exhibits/fowlds/ffowldswelcome.htm

This item is an order book of Lt. Col. R.H. Sylvester, officer commanding of the 45th Regiment (Victoria and Haliburton). It contains daily regimental orders while at Camp Barriefield and Sturgeon Point, Ontario.

Collection consists of three pamphlets, "Our Own Cookbook" / by the East Victoria Women's Institute, 1905, "Pioneer Gleanings from Verulam, 1867-1967" / by T.H. Martin, and "Bury's Green Branch of the Women's Institute, 1953-1993". Also included are items which were removed from a scrapbook: seven photographs, brochures, and several newspaper clippings relating to Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon, Lindsay, and Bury's Green, Ontario, 1961, 1984-1994. The photographs include Women's Institute members such as Nan McGhee, Phyllis Fell, Esther Humphries, Laura Flett, Mrs. Tiers, Clara Flett, and Grace Barker; also included are photos of Sherry L. Telford and Kim Chambers during the Olympic Torch Run, 1988. This collection also consists of a scrapbook entitled "Tweedsmuir History: Bury's Green Branch Women's Institute". Enclosed in it are approximately 70 photographs, a history of Bury's Green branch of the Women's Institute, maps, brochures, correspondence, historical accounts, and memorabilia, n.d. This collection also consists of research material for the Tweedsmuir History; Hand Books for the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario, 1949, 1971, 1983, and 1987; notebooks containing reports on the Tweedsmuir History, on Historical Research and Cultural Events, and on Education and Cultural Activities, 1953-1987; programs dated 1953-54 through 1993-94; 100th anniversary materials; and correspondence and brochures relating to an award given to a student at Fenelon Falls Secondary School, 1996.

This fonds consists of correspondence, invoices and receipts of William Chirpaw who ran a hotel and a lumber business at Victoria Road, Bexley Township in Victoria County.

Fonds consists of records documenting the Stinson family, primarily the legal and political career of T.H. Stinson. Family records include Christmas cards, wedding invitations, and family portraits, Mrs. Stinson's correspondence, and travel records (postcards, booklets, photographs) documenting the 1913 Christian North American Tour, in which Mr. and Mrs. Stinson participated. Records documenting T.H. Stinson's legal and political career include law school notebooks (1904-1910), correspondence and a scrapbook regarding the 1921 election, campaign files and notes from the 1930 and 1935 federal elections and Leslie Frost's 1934 provincial campaign, material from the Conservative Party Caucus Study club, newspaper clippings regarding the depression and the Bennett government, memoranda, correspondence regarding the riding organization (1933-1935); and House of Commons materials. There are postcards which depict scenes of Canada and the United States, from approximately 1920. Included, also, are several local maps, election posters (1927), and voter tally boards.

This fonds consists of research materials collected by Professor Ross Irwin for his book on Mariposa Township, Victoria County. Material added August 1992 includes a copy of Mariposa: The Banner Township and a series of 8 scrapbooks created by Mrs. Alex McIntyre of Oakwood, Ontario and donated via Professor Irwin. Additions of 1994 include slides of Lindsay, Ontario and other scenes in Victoria County taken in approximately the 1960s. Additions of 2002 include 2 notebooks of Robert Irwin, Cambray. Additions of 2010 include studio portraits of ancestral family members. Additions of 2012 include items related to the history of the Wakelin family and a scribbler with house-building notes.