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Ancient Alberta edited manuscript

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions56009
Part Of
Ben Gadd fonds
Scope & Content
File consists of one manuscript of a publication titled "In Search of Ancient Alberta" by Barbara Huck and Doug Whiteway, with edits and corrections by Ben and Cia Gadd. File also includes a letter sent to the Gadds from Barbara Huck, thanking them for their help.
Date Range
1997-1998
Reference Code
M590 / III / D / 35
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Textual record
Published record
Part Of
Ben Gadd fonds
Description Level
5 / File
Fonds Number
M590
V810
S61
Series
M590 / III : Professional records
Sous-Fonds
M590
Sub-Series
M590 / III / D : Other contracts and projects
Accession Number
2021.20
Reference Code
M590 / III / D / 35
GMD
Textual record
Published record
Date Range
1997-1998
Physical Description
1.5 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of one manuscript of a publication titled "In Search of Ancient Alberta" by Barbara Huck and Doug Whiteway, with edits and corrections by Ben and Cia Gadd. File also includes a letter sent to the Gadds from Barbara Huck, thanking them for their help.
Name Access
Gadd, Ben
Gadd, Cia
Subject Access
Natural history
Research
Environment
Publication
Geographic Access
Canada
Alberta
Jasper National Park
Reproduction Restrictions
Restrictions may apply
Language
English
Category
Environment
Government
Title Source
Original title used
Processing Status
Processed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

Andy Russell fonds

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions336
Part Of
Andy Russell fonds
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of seven series: I. Personal and professional series, 1937-1993 (diaries, correspondence, filing systems and papers pertaining to awards, memberships, biography and other); II. Business series, 1948-1982 (pertaining to guiding, outfitting, trail riding, ranching, Andy Russell and S…
Date Range
[1867]-1993, predominant 1908-1993
Reference Code
M153 / S43 / V555
Description Level
1 / Fonds
GMD
Motion picture
Film
Photograph
Album
Negative
Photograph print
Sound recording
Textual record
Diary
Private record
Published record
Part Of
Andy Russell fonds
Description Level
1 / Fonds
Fonds Number
M 153
S 43
V 555
Sous-Fonds
M153/S43/V555
Accession Number
963, 5777, 5964, 6338, 6339, 6547, 6567
Reference Code
M153 / S43 / V555
GMD
Motion picture
Film
Photograph
Album
Negative
Photograph print
Sound recording
Textual record
Diary
Private record
Published record
Date Range
[1867]-1993, predominant 1908-1993
Physical Description
6 m of textual records and printed material. -- ca.6100 photographs : prints, negatives, transparencies. -- 1 photograph album (49 prints). -- 29 motion pictures. -- 5 sound recordings
History / Biographical
Andy Russell, 1915-2005, was a trapper, guide and outfitter, writer, photographer, cinematographer, lecturer and environmental advocate in the Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada.
Russell was born in Lethbridge, Alberta and spent his childhood on a ranch in the foothills near Pincher Creek. He became a skilled horseman, hunter, fisherman and trapper, and, in 1936, was employed by Bert Riggall, a pioneer guide and outfitter of wilderness pack trips in the southern Rockies since 1907. He became Riggall's partner in 1939 and took over the business when Riggall retired in 1946. Andy Russell and Kathleen (Kay) Riggall married in 1938 and raised five children at their ranch bordering Waterton Lakes National Park, where family businesses included guiding, saddlehorses and ranching. Children are: Richard "Dick" H. (b.1938); Andrew Charles "Charlie" (b.1941); Harold John "John" (b.1944); Hugh Gordon Riggall "Gordon" (b.1947); Lorenda Anne "Anne" (b.1952).
Russell continued as a renowned guide and outfitter with a wealthy repeat clientele until he was forced out of guiding by 1960 with the advance of the oil industry concerns upon wilderness areas in southern Alberta and British Columbia. Russell began to write nature articles in 1945 and after 1960 concentrated upon writing, photography, film making, lecturing and ranching. He wrote for numerous magazines and newspapers, produced radio broadcasts, and, using colour motion picture photography, developed programs on wildlife and wilderness habitat research for live public performances. Russell's films launched his career as an author of popular wildlife and mountain culture books, which included Grizzly Country. In later years, he was an active writer, consultant and advocate of wilderness and environmental management and received numerous awards and honours, including Member of the Order of Canada.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of seven series: I. Personal and professional series, 1937-1993 (diaries, correspondence, filing systems and papers pertaining to awards, memberships, biography and other); II. Business series, 1948-1982 (pertaining to guiding, outfitting, trail riding, ranching, Andy Russell and Sons, royalties and lecturing); III. Writing, broadcasting and public appearances series, 1908-1990 (papers and photographs pertaining to writing, book projects, columns, broadcasts, reviews, advertising, promotion and other); IV. Photography and cinematography series, 1909-1990 (details below); V. Wildlife study and conservation activities series, 1945-[198-]; VI. Other activities series, 1931-[199-] (politics, interviews, information files); VII. Russell family series, [1867]-1983.
Photography and cinematography series consists of: Riggall/Russell guiding activity photographs, 1909-1962, ca.280 items; Andy Russell and Sons Production Ltd / Andy Russell professional photographs and films, ca.1940- ca.1990, ca.4200 photographs (mainly transparencies), 28 motion pictures, accompanied by some textual and printed items; personal and family photographs, 1916-1989, ca.1550 items; collected photographs, ca.1940-197-, ca.75 items. Professional photography and cinematography primarily arose from field work by Andy, Dick and Charlie Russell and pertains mainly to flora, fauna and landscape of the Canadian Rockies in continental divide region, British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska.
Motion pictures, ca.1950-1974, include original film "Grizzly Country" by Dick, Charlie and Andy Russell, produced by Evan J. Anton, ca.1969, copy print of same; also unedited wildlife and landscape footage of Waterton area, Yukon and British Columbia.
Sound recordings are interviews with Andy Russell, [ca.1970]-1988.
Name Access
Russell, Andy
Subject Access
Arts
Environment
Exploration, discovery and travel
Family and personal life
Sports, recreation and leisure
Access Restrictions
Some restriction/s on access
Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply
Language
Language is English
Finding Aid
Finding aids and reference tools: arrangement outline
series and file description
electronic finding aid
video reference copy for "Grizzly country"
sound recording reference copy recordings
Related Material
Related to the Kay Russell family fonds (M36/V36) and the Bert Riggall fonds (M376/V26)
Creator
Russell, Andy
Category
Arts
Environment
Exploration, discovery and travel
Family and personal life
Sports, recreation and leisure
Biographical Source Notes
Russell family
Title Source
Title based on accession record
Processing Status
Processed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

Annie Staple fonds

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions399
Part Of
Annie Staple fonds
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of personal and business papers regarding automobile traffic, visitation and tourism in Banff National Park, east gate; clippings and ephemera regarding history and personalities of the Bow Valley; prints and copy negatives pertaining mainly to Exshaw, Rocky Mountains Park entrance, …
Date Range
[ca.1900]-1948
Reference Code
M23 / V138
Description Level
1 / Fonds
GMD
Photograph
Negative
Photograph print
Postcard
Textual record
Private record
Published record
Part Of
Annie Staple fonds
Description Level
1 / Fonds
Fonds Number
M 23
V 138
Sous-Fonds
M23/V138
Accession Number
144, 1360, 1702, 1705, 1967, 2154, 2655, 2687, 3670, 7393
Reference Code
M23 / V138
GMD
Photograph
Negative
Photograph print
Postcard
Textual record
Private record
Published record
Date Range
[ca.1900]-1948
Physical Description
4 cm textual records: originals and photocopies. -- ca.45 photographs: prints, postcards, copy negatives
History / Biographical
Annie Staple, 1883-1973, was born in Shrawley, Worcestershire, England. While working as a caregiver in a hospital in Derbyshire, she met Tom Staple. Annie and Tom were married in 1907 and immigrated to Canada. Tom became a warden for Rocky Mountains Park in 1913. Tom's assigned area was Kananaskis and a house (Gateway Lodge) was built for Tom and Annie between Kananaskis and Exshaw in 1916. In addition to area patrols, Tom's warden duties included issuing permits to visitors entering the park by automobile. The permit process included sealing guns, collecting park fees and distributing metal plates (the precursor to the park pass system). During Tom's absences, Annie issued the permits to automobile visitors. In 1916 Annie became the gatekeeper of the east-gate, which at that time was a table set up at the side of the road. Tom Staple died in 1919 while Annie was pregnant with their fourth child. Annie continued to work as the keeper of the east gate until 1948, when she retired.
In 1930 the park boundary was moved west of Canmore and while the entrance was under construction, Parks authorities relocated Annie to the west entrance of Yoho Park. Annie worked the winter of 1930-1931 at the Upper Hot Springs in Banff and returned to her position as keeper of the east gate in the spring of 1931. Construction of the new gate and a residence for Annie and her family lasted six years and during this period, the park boundary was moved again.
Following her retirement in 1948, Annie Staple moved to Seebe to live with her daughter's family and in 1953, she moved to Calgary to live with her sister, Nellie Whitburn. Following Nellie's death, Annie returned to live with her daughter's family in Canmore.
Annie and Tom Staple had four children, Joyce (1909-2001), Tom (1912-1941), Geoffrey (1913-1973), and Albert b.1920.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of personal and business papers regarding automobile traffic, visitation and tourism in Banff National Park, east gate; clippings and ephemera regarding history and personalities of the Bow Valley; prints and copy negatives pertaining mainly to Exshaw, Rocky Mountains Park entrance, Spray River warden cabin, Lake Minnewanka and Banff; postcards views of Banff and Rocky Mountains by Byron Harmon and Wm. J. Gibbons.
Name Access
Staple, Annie
Subject Access
Environment
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access
Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply
Language
Language is English
Finding Aid
Finding aids and reference tools: basic description
Creator
Staple, Annie
Category
Environment
Biographical Source Notes
"We Live in a Postcard: Banff Family Histories" (Banff: Banff History Book Committee,2005)
Title Source
Title based on accession records and contents of fonds
Processing Status
Processed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

Annotated copy of Alpine Flora of the Canadian Rockies

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions57633
Part Of
Archives General File Collection
Scope & Content
File consists of one copy of the book "Alpine Flora of the Canadian Rockies" (1907) with a note written on the first page from the illustrator Mary Schaffer to Molly (Wright) Adams in December 1907.
Date Range
1907
Reference Code
M8 / accn. 2023.63
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Published record
Part Of
Archives General File Collection
Description Level
5 / File
Fonds Number
M8
V8
S8
Sous-Fonds
M8
Accession Number
2023.63
Reference Code
M8 / accn. 2023.63
GMD
Published record
Date Range
1907
Physical Description
1 volume
Scope & Content
File consists of one copy of the book "Alpine Flora of the Canadian Rockies" (1907) with a note written on the first page from the illustrator Mary Schaffer to Molly (Wright) Adams in December 1907.
Name Access
Warren, Mary Schaffer
Schaffer, Mary
Wright, Mary
Adams, Molly
Subject Access
Artist
Art
Flowers
Plants
Mountains
Publication
Environment
Geographic Access
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Language
English
Category
Environment
Title Source
Title based on contents of file
Processing Status
Processed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

Arctic Institute of North America

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions54737
Part Of
Luxton family fonds
Scope & Content
File consists of a report and memorandum for the Arctic Institute of North America, 1974. Content pertains to organizational goals and objectives and the nomination of members for election as governors.
Date Range
1974
Reference Code
LUX / II / C1 / 31
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Textual record
Organization record
Published record
Part Of
Luxton family fonds
Description Level
5 / File
Fonds Number
LUX
Series
LUX / II / C : Personal
Sous-Fonds
LUX / II : Eleanor Luxton sous-fonds
Sub-Series
LUX / II / C1 : Volunteer activities
Accession Number
LUX
Reference Code
LUX / II / C1 / 31
GMD
Textual record
Organization record
Published record
Date Range
1974
Physical Description
0.3 cm of textual records
History / Biographical
The Arctic Institute of North America was founded in 1945 as a research and educational non-profit organization sponsored by the Canadian Federal Government. The institute was incorporated into the University of Calgary in 1976. The Arctic Institute focuses its research on the "physical, environmental and social conditions" of the Arctic regions, and makes this research accessible through an online database and publications through the organization's academic journal, "ARCTIC".
Scope & Content
File consists of a report and memorandum for the Arctic Institute of North America, 1974. Content pertains to organizational goals and objectives and the nomination of members for election as governors.
Name Access
University of Calgary
Subject Access
Administration
Environment
Education
Research
Membership
Geographic Access
Canada
Alberta
Calgary
Access Restrictions
Restrictions may apply
Reproduction Restrictions
Restrictions may apply
Language
English
Category
Education
Environment
Biographical Source Notes
https://arctic.ucalgary.ca/
Title Source
Title based on contents of file
Processing Status
Processed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.
Part Of
Ben Gadd fonds
Scope & Content
File consists of author's copies of multiple editions of Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Editions in file are annotated with notes and corrections by the author.
Date Range
1991-1992
1995
1999
2003
Reference Code
M590 / II / A / 89 to 93
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Published record
Textual record
Newspaper clipping
Part Of
Ben Gadd fonds
Description Level
5 / File
Fonds Number
M590
V810
S61
Series
M590 / II : Research and publication records
Sous-Fonds
M590
Sub-Series
M590 / II / A : Handbook of the Canadian Rockies
Accession Number
2021.20
Reference Code
M590 / II / A / 89 to 93
GMD
Published record
Textual record
Newspaper clipping
Responsibility
Produced by Ben Gadd, Corax Press
Date Range
1991-1992
1995
1999
2003
Physical Description
18 cm of textual records : 5 volumes ; 14 x 21 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of author's copies of multiple editions of Ben Gadd's book, Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Editions in file are annotated with notes and corrections by the author.
Notes
Volumes in file are arranged by date
Name Access
Gadd, Ben
Subject Access
Publication
Research
Professional and Personal Life
Travel
Environment
Geology
Natural history
Wildlife
Conservation
National parks and reserves
Tourism
Recreation
Geographic Access
Canada
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Reproduction Restrictions
Copyright restrictions apply
Language
English
Creator
Ben Gadd
Category
Environment
Exploration, discovery and travel
Sports, recreation and leisure
Tourism
Title Source
Original title used
Processing Status
Processed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

Author's copy of Geology Road Tours

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions56293
Part Of
Ben Gadd fonds
Scope & Content
File consists of one author's copy of Ben Gadd's book, Geology Road Tours, which includes corrections and other annotations by the author.
Date Range
2008
Reference Code
M590 / II / B / 59
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Textual record
Published record
Part Of
Ben Gadd fonds
Description Level
5 / File
Fonds Number
M590
V810
S61
Series
M590 / II : Research and publication records
Sous-Fonds
M590
Sub-Series
M590 / II / B : Other publications
Accession Number
2021.20
Reference Code
M590 / II / B / 59
GMD
Textual record
Published record
Responsibility
Produced by Ben Gadd, Corax Press
Date Range
2008
Physical Description
3.5 cm of textual records : 1 volume ; 15.5 x 23 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of one author's copy of Ben Gadd's book, Geology Road Tours, which includes corrections and other annotations by the author.
Name Access
Gadd, Ben
Subject Access
Publication
Commercial products
Environment
Geology
Science and technology
Geography
Natural history
Travel
Roads
Map
Geographic Access
Canada
Alberta
British Columbia
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Reproduction Restrictions
Copyright restrictions may apply
Language
English
Category
Environment
Exploration, discovery and travel
Natural resources
Science and technology
Title Source
Title based on contents of file
Processing Status
Processed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

Banff National Park and Lake Louise maps

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions54945
Part Of
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies fonds
Scope & Content
File consists of two folded maps and a small clipping [possibly top or bottom portion from a different map or one of maps in file]. One map is of Banff National Park and one is of Lake Louise [1959]. Banff National Park map has black pencil tracings over trail section near the bottom of the map and…
Date Range
1959
[1960-1970]
Reference Code
M545 / V / 53
Description Level
5 / File
GMD
Textual record
Published record
Map
Part Of
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies fonds
Description Level
5 / File
Fonds Number
M545 / V635
Series
M545 / V : Administrative records
Sous-Fonds
M545
Accession Number
8235
Reference Code
M545 / V / 53
GMD
Textual record
Published record
Map
Date Range
1959
[1960-1970]
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records (2 maps ; 60.5 x 57.5 and 60 x 56.5 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of two folded maps and a small clipping [possibly top or bottom portion from a different map or one of maps in file]. One map is of Banff National Park and one is of Lake Louise [1959]. Banff National Park map has black pencil tracings over trail section near the bottom of the map and annotation in bottom right corner which reads "Natural Bridge". Lake Louise map produced by the Government of Canada.
Subject Access
Banff National Park
Environment
Geography
Map
Lake Louise
Travel
Government
National parks and reserves
Trails
Geographic Access
Canada
Alberta
Banff National Park
Lake Louise
Language
English
Conservation
Clipping stored in mylar due to significant staining and residue from tape
Items kept folded [not placed in mylar] due to mass production of content and minimal/no annotations
Category
Environment
Exploration, discovery and travel
Government
Title Source
Title based on contents of file
Processing Status
Processed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.
Part Of
Ben Gadd fonds
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, …
Date Range
1956-2018
Reference Code
M590 / V810 / S61
Description Level
1 / Fonds
GMD
Digital image
Drawing
Negative
Newspaper clipping
Photograph
Photograph print
Postcard
Published record
Textual record
Video
Transparency
Part Of
Ben Gadd fonds
Description Level
1 / Fonds
Fonds Number
M590
V810
Sous-Fonds
M590
V810
Accession Number
2021.20
2024.01
Reference Code
M590 / V810 / S61
GMD
Digital image
Drawing
Negative
Newspaper clipping
Photograph
Photograph print
Postcard
Published record
Textual record
Video
Transparency
Date Range
1956-2018
Physical Description
ca. 7.9 metres of textual records -- ca. 274 maps -- 29 VHS tapes -- ca.15 discs with digital files -- 21 cassettes -- photographs -- oversized materials -- USB stick with 15 sldeshows
History / Biographical
Ben Gadd (1946-) is a retired naturalist, guide, geologist, instructor, freelance writer and award-winning author based in the Canadian Rockies. Ben was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1946. He met his wife, Cia (Langdon) Gadd at Colorado College in 1965, and the couple married four weeks later. Ben and Cia had two sons, Will and Toby. Ben and his family relocated to Jasper in the late 1960s. Ben later attended the University of Lethbridge and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Earth Science in 1972. Between 1976 and 1980, Ben taught classes at Mount Royal College and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; he later taught additional classes at Grant MacEwan College and Lakeland College. From 1981, Ben also worked as a seasonal naturalist/guide for Parks Canada. Ben left Parks Canada in 1985 to start an independent naturalist guiding business with Cia based in Jasper and other parts of the Canadian Rockies, which the couple continued to operate for over two decades. Ben published his best-known work, "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies", through his publishing company Corax Press in 1986. The second edition of "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies" received multiple awards after its release in 1995. Ben's fiction book, "Raven's End" won the title of Best Canadian Rockies Book at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in 2001 and became a Canadian bestseller. Overall, Ben has authored or co-authored 11 books and received nearly one dozen awards for his achievements as a writer, researcher and guide. Ben continued to lead guided hikes and school programs until his retirement in 2016.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of materials pertaining to Ben Gadd's personal life and career as an environmental researcher, educator, interpretive guide, publisher, public speaker and author, ca.1956-2018. Fonds includes maps, research materials, publication notes/drafts, correspondence, contracts, photographs, video and sound recordings, and other related material. Materials donated in 2024 include one USB stick containing
Notes
Ben Gadd fonds arrangement: Series I : Personal records - Subseries A : Travel guides and maps - Subseries B : Education and early writings - Subseries C : Personal interest files - Subseries D : Other personal and collected Series II : Research and publication records - Subseries A : Handbook of the Canadian Rockies - Subseries B : Other publications Series III : Professional records - Subseries A : Parks Canada Records - Subseries B : Interpretive guiding - Subseries C : Teaching records - Subseries D : Other contracts and projects Series IV : Legal and financial records - Subseries A : Legal records - Subseries B : Financial records
Name Access
Gadd, Ben
Gadd, Cia
Subject Access
Education
Research
Publication
Environment
Geology
Tourism
Family and personal life
Personal and Professional Life
Academics
Guiding
Guides
Businesses
Finances
Conservation
Wildlife
Natural history
Sports and recreation
Geographic Access
Canada
Alberta
Jasper National Park
Banff National Park
Yoho National Park
Kootenay National Park
Lethbridge
United States of America
Colorado
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Reproduction Restrictions
Copyright restrictions apply
Language
English
French
Dutch
Category
Education
Environment
Family and personal life
Sports, recreation and leisure
Title Source
Title based on contents of fonds
Processing Status
Processed / Unprocessed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

Bert Riggall fonds

https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions587
Part Of
Bert Riggall fonds
Scope & Content
Fonds includes seven series: I. Personal and professional, 1884-1959; II. Business and financial, ca.1910-1959; III. Professional photography, 1900-1955; IV. Writing, 1906-1957; V. Natural history, 1904-1954; VI. Other interests, 1913-1956; VII. Riggall family, ca.1865-1959. Personal and pro…
Date Range
[ca.1865]-1959, predominant [ca.1890]-1959
Reference Code
M376 / V26
Description Level
1 / Fonds
GMD
Photograph
Album
Negative
Photograph print
Transparency
Textual record
Diary
Map
Private record
Published record
Part Of
Bert Riggall fonds
Description Level
1 / Fonds
Fonds Number
M 376
V 26
Sous-Fonds
M 376
V 26
Accession Number
5777, 7200, 7201, 7772 (unproc)
Reference Code
M376 / V26
GMD
Photograph
Album
Negative
Photograph print
Transparency
Textual record
Diary
Map
Private record
Published record
Date Range
[ca.1865]-1959, predominant [ca.1890]-1959
Physical Description
ca.13,100 photographs: ca.7080 prints, ca.5310 negatives, ca.700 transparencies. -- 9 photograph albums. -- ca.2 m textual records, print material and graphic records. -- 33 cartographic records
History / Biographical
Frederick Herbert (Bert) Riggall, 1884-1959, was a mountain guide, outfitter, hunter, trapper, rancher, naturalist, photographer, writer and gunsmith/loader in southern Alberta. Born in 1884 at Gayton-le-Wold Grange, Lincolnshire, his family moved to Grimsby where his father was an auctioneer and, in 1905, served as Mayor. In England, Riggall was an athlete, avid sportsman and naturalist. He was exposed to alpine country on school holidays in Switzerland and, determined to visit Canada, left for North America in 1904.
Upon arriving in western Canada, Riggall worked for a year at Craighurst Farm near Calgary. There he met Dorothea (Dora) Williams, 1877-1951, an Irish Quaker ranch cook who had emigrated with her sister Anna in 1902. In 1905, Bert worked on the Correction Land Survey in southwestern Alberta and explored Waterton Lakes. Bert and Dora married in 1906 and until 1946 they homesteaded and ranched adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park.
Initially, Bert and partner Jack Hazzard built boats and guided fishing parties on Waterton Lakes. In 1909, with partner Cyril Watmough, the Riggalls began guiding and outfitting summer and fall hunting and fishing trips for numerous repeat clients, especially, after 1913, four Minneapolis, Minnesota families: Bovey, Crosby, Bennett and McKnight. Hunts involved Big Horn Sheep, goats, black and grizzly bears. Bert served as chief guide and Dora as camp cook. Prior to 1911, the Riggalls worked at Gloyne's oil camp and Oil City to supplement their income. In 1911, Bert and partner Cyril Watmough made a 1000 mile (1600 km) exploratory trip from Fort Steele, B.C. to the Yellowhead Pass and beyond. Following that trip, Riggall concentrated guiding activities on the continental divide as far north as the Highwood region, but primarily in the upper Oldman River Valley and Gap in the Livingstone Range. Their outfit grew to include numerous saddle and pack horses.
Of five children, only two daughters survived infancy. Kay Riggall (Russell), 1909-1984, and Doris (Babe) Riggall (Burton), 1910-1999, were both able riders, markswomen and packtrain workers. They accompanied their parents on summer back country trips starting in 1918. Bert Riggall was renowned for his knowledge of botany, geology, zoology, wilderness life and lore as well as literature and current affairs. He was especially endeared to his clients for his skill as a raconteur and campfire storyteller. He wrote articles for magazines such as: Arms and the Man, American Rifleman, Field and Stream and the Boone and Crockett Club's book: North American Big Game. Riggall was an accomplished semi-professional photographer who specialized in wildlife studies, panoramic landscapes, Dufaycolor and later Kodachrome transparencies. His photographs appear in Department of Interior Reports and other publications.
Bert's heart problems forced the Riggalls to move to Pincher Creek in 1947. Daughter Kay and son-in-law Andy Russell continued the packtrain and guiding business until 1960. After Dora's death, Bert experienced medical problems and lived with or close to Doris.
Scope & Content
Fonds includes seven series: I. Personal and professional, 1884-1959; II. Business and financial, ca.1910-1959; III. Professional photography, 1900-1955; IV. Writing, 1906-1957; V. Natural history, 1904-1954; VI. Other interests, 1913-1956; VII. Riggall family, ca.1865-1959.
Personal and professional series consists of diaries and notes, correspondence and personal papers.
Business and financial series consists of guiding and ranching records, gunsmithing, shooting and loading records; and legal and financial records.
Professional photography series consists of standard photographs, panoramas, transparencies and textual records
Writing series contains manuscripts, published magazines, book outlines, newspaper articles and letters to the editor
Natural history series contains bird and plant records, and other natural history papers
Other interests series consist of clippings, annotated books and collected material
Riggall family series contains Bert and Dora Riggall family papers and photographs, Williams family photographs, Frederick W. and Fanny Riggall papers and photographs, and Allan Riggall papers and photographs. Negatives and transparencies pertain to Andy Russell as a young man with Bert Riggall.
Notes
Some transparencies in V110 Dick Russell are marked Andy Russell, some marked 64 dup; V110 - original transparencies have full set of duplicates (2 sets were made, 1 for Dick Russell and the other is part of this accession)
Name Access
Riggall, Bert
Subject Access
Arts
Environment
Exploration, discovery and travel
Family and personal life
Sports, recreation and leisure
Access Restrictions
Some restriction/s on access
Copyright, privacy, commercial use and other restrictions may apply
Language
Language is English
Finding Aid
basic description for processed material
Related Material
Related to the Andy Russell fonds (M153/S43/V555) and the Kay Russell family fonds (M63/V63)
Creator
Riggall, Bert
Category
Arts
Environment
Exploration, discovery and travel
Family and personal life
Sports, recreation and leisure
Title Source
Title based on accession record and contents of fonds
Processing Status
Processed / Unprocessed
Less detail
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Read more.

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