Index to Doukhobor Local Histories

by Jonathan J. Kalmakoff

Local histories often include valuable information for Doukhobor family research. While they vary considerably in form and substance, most local histories describe the settlement and development of the community in question, the founding of institutions, schools, businesses, organizations and recreation facilities. Many contain maps, documents, photographs and engravings. Often they contain biographical accounts of families and individuals. Local histories reveal the everyday lives of people in the locality. They may also reveal new sources of information. The following index contains local histories for areas of Doukhobor settlement in Canada.

Index – Manitoba  – Saskatchewan  – Alberta –   British Columbia

Manitoba

Benito

  • Lasting Impressions: Historical Sketches of the Swan River Valley, by Ed Dobbyn and Gwen Palmer (Swan River: Swan Valley Historical Society, 1984). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement. 
  • 100 Years in Swan River Valley – Pioneer Centennial – 100 Years Since first settlers arrived in the Valley (Swan River: Swan River Valley History Book Committee, 1998). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.

Saskatchewan

Arran

  • History Coming Alive: R.M. of St. Philips, Pelly and District, (2 vols.). (Pelly: St. Philips-Pelly History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN 0-010781-62-4. Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Farming Frontiers North of Pelly: A History of Millroad, Maybridge, Belleau Brook, Maloneck and Districts, (Pelly: North of Pelly History Book Committee, 1983). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.

Blaine Lake

  • Bridging the Years: Era of Blaine Lake and District 1790-1980, by the Blaine Lake & District History Book Committee (Blaine Lake: Town of Blaine Lake and Rural Municipality of Blaine Lake #434, 1984). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Historical Saga of the Carlton Region, 1797-1920, by Sam G. Stupnikoff (Blaine Lake: 1985). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • History of Marcelin and District (Marcelin: Marcelin Historical Society, 1980). Detailed family biographies. 
  • A Walk Down Memory Lane, Hafford and District (Hafford: Hafford History Book Committee, 1983). General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.

Buchanan

  • The Hands of Time: Village of Buchanan 1907-1987, R.M. of Buchanan 1913-1988 and District. (Buchanan: Buchanan History Book Committee, 1988) ISBN 0-919781-60-8. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Dydland Echo, 1912-1962 by Lorna Brodziak (Preeceville: Dydland History Committee: 1980). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Parkland Trails: Histories of the R.M. of Invermay and Villages of Invermay and Rama (Invermay: Invermay, Rama History Book Committee, 1986).Detailed family biographies.

Canora

  • A History of Canora and District, by J.F. Paul Barschel. (Canora: Canora Golden Jubilee Committee, 1960). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • History of Canora, 1900 – 1990 (Canora: Canora’s History Book Editorial Board, 1990). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Regional History of Canora School Unit and Area, by Stan W. Gorchynski. (Saskatoon: 1976). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • RM of Sliding Hills #273, 1913-1988. (RM of Sliding Hills #273 75th Anniversary Committee, 1988). General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • The History of R.M. of Sliding Hills No. 273, Mikado, Sask. and their Centennial Park, by Theodore T. Onufrijchuk (Yorkton, 1967). General description of Doukhobor settlement.

Ebeneezer

  • Ebenezer Book of Memories, Centennial 1905-2005 Centennial (Ebenezer, Saskatchewan: Ebenezer Centennial Committee, 2005). General description of Doukhobor development.
  • Reunion ’80, A Time to Remember Ebenezer, Saskatchewan, (Ebenezer, Saskatchewan: Celebrate Saskatchewan Committee, 1980). General description of Doukhobor development.

Hyas

  • From Many People’s Strength, A Book of Memoirs, Hyas and Danbury District (Hyas, Saskatchewan: Hyas and Danbury Book Committee, 2007). Includes Index. General description of Doukhobor development.

Kamsack

  • Spinning Stories: A Woven History, Kamsack, Togo, Veregin, Runnymede, Cote. (Kamsack: Kamsack History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN 0-010781-56-X. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.

Langham

  • Langham & District History, 1907-2007, (Langham: Langham & District History Book Committee, 2007).  Includes Index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Historical Saga of the Carlton Region, 1797-1920, by Sam G. Stupnikoff (Blaine Lake: 1985). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Reflections : a history of Arelee and the districts of Balmae, Dreyer, Golden Valley, Light, Petroffsk, Raspberry Creek, Sunnyridge and Swastika, (Arelee: Arelee and District Historical Association, 1982). Detailed family biographies.
  • Our Treasured Heritage: Borden & District, (Borden: Borden History Book Committee, 1980) ISBN 0-88925-161-4. General description of Doukhobor settlement.

Pelly

  • History Coming Alive: R.M. of St. Philips, Pelly and District, (2 vols.). (Pelly: St. Philips-Pelly History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN 0-010781-62-4. Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Farming Frontiers North of Pelly: A History of Millroad, Maybridge, Belleau Brook, Maloneck and Districtys, (Pelly: North of Pelly History Book Committee, 1983). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Pioneers Settled, We Continue… (Swan Plain: Swan Plain History Book Committee, 1983). Detailed family biographies.

Veregin

  • Spinning Stories: A Woven History, Kamsack, Togo, Veregin, Runnymede, Cote. (Kamsack: Kamsack History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN 0-010781-56-X. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • RM of Sliding Hills #273, 1913-1988 (RM of Sliding Hills #273 75th Anniversary Committee, 1988). General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • The History of R.M. of Sliding Hills No. 273, Mikado, Sask. and their Centennial Park, by Theodore T. Onufrijchuk (Yorkton, 1967). General description of Doukhobor settlement.

Wadena

  • Remembering Times: Wadena and Area Dating Back to 1882 (2 vols.). (Wadena: Wadena History Book Committee, 1992). General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Seems Like Only Yesterday, 1892-1980: The History of Kuroki and District. (Kuroki: Kuroki History Book Committee, 1980). Detailed family biographies. 
  • Hendon Highlights, Oxen Ways to Now-a-Days: The History of Hendon and District. (Hendon: Hendon and District Historical Association, 1982). Detailed family biographies.

Watson

  • Watson History Book (2 vols.). (Watson: Watson History Book Committee, 2003). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Daphne Memories, by Myrtle Bohnen. (Daphne: 1980). Detailed family biographies.
  • Spalding Roots and Branches (Spalding: Spalding and District Historical Society, 1981). Detailed family biographies.
  • With Quill in Hand: A History of Quill Lake and Surrounding Districts. (Quill Lake: Quill Lake Historical Society, 1984). ISBN 0-919745-11-3. Detailed family biographies.
  • Fifty Years of Progress: Chiefly the Story of the Pioneers of the Watson District from 1900-1910, Ben Putnam [ed. et al.] (Muenster: St. Peter’s Press, 1951). General description of Doukhobor settlement.

Yorkton

  • Yorkton: York Colony to Treasure Chest City, by Laurie Hluchaniuk & York Colony Research (Association), (Yorkton, Saskatchewan: Yorkton Centennial Committee, 1982). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Windows on Our History, by Terri Lefebvre Prince, (Yorkton, Saskatchewan: City of Yorkton, 2006). General description of Doukhobor settlement.

Alberta 

Arrowwood ~ Shouldice

  • The Community Doukhobors: A People in Transition, by John W. Friesen and Michael M. Verigin. (2nd ed.) (Ottawa: Borealis Press, 1996). ISBN 0-88887-151-1. General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • The Arrowwood (Mistsa-Katpiskoo) Story: In the Shadow of the Buffalo Hills (Arrowwood: Farm Women’s Union of Alberta: Arrowwood Local, 1964). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Furrows of Time: A History of Arrowwood, Shouldice, Mossleigh and Farrow, 1883-1982 (Arrowwood: Arrowwood-Mossleigh Historical Society, 1982). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Wheat Country, A History of Vulcan and District, (2 vols.). (Vulcan: Vulcan and District Historical Society, 1973; 1988). Includes index. Detailed family biographies.
  • Akokiniskway, By the River of Many Roses, by Kay Hymas. (Rosebud: Rosebud Historical Society, 1983). Detailed family biographies.

Cowley ~ Lundbreck

  • The Community Doukhobors: A People in Transition, by John W. Friesen and Michael M. Verigin. (2nd ed.) (Ottawa: Borealis Press, 1996). ISBN 0-88887-151-1. General description of Doukhobor settlement
  • Cowley: 60 Years a Village, 1906-1966, by Mary-Jo Burles. (Cowley: Cowley Lions Club and the Village of Cowley, 1966). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • Prairie Grass to Mountain Pass: History of the Pioneers of Pincher Creek and District (Pincher Creek: Pincher Creek Historical Society, 1974). Includes index. Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • Unfolding the Pages: Recollections of Education in the Pincher Creek Area (Pincher Creek: Gorman & Gorman Ltd. (1992). General description of Doukhobor settlement
  • Where the Rivers Meet: A History of the Upper Oldman River Basin to 1939, by Barry Potyandi (Lethbridge: Robins Southern Printing (1990) Ltd., 1992). General description of Doukhobor settlement

Mossleigh

  • Furrows of Time: A History of Arrowwood, Shouldice, Mossleigh and Farrow, 1883-1982 (Arrowwood: Arrowwood-Mossleigh Historical Society, 1982). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement and detailed family biographies.
  • Wheat Country, A History of Vulcan and District, (2 vols.). (Vulcan: Vulcan and District Historical Society, 1973; 1988). Includes index. Detailed family biographies.

British Columbia

Brilliant

  • History of the West Kootenay District in British Columbia, by Mollie E. Cottingham. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia, 1947). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Castlegar, a Confluence, by Karen W. Farrar. (Castlegar: Castlegar & District Heritage Society, 2001). General description of Doukhobor settlement.

Castlegar

  • Castlegar, a Confluence, by Karen W. Farrar. (Castlegar: Castlegar & District Heritage Society, 2001). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Kootenay Pathfinders: Settlement in the Kootenay District, 1885-1920, by Edward L. Affleck. (Vancouver: Alexander Nichols Press, 1976). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • People and Places, by Harold Webber. (Castlegar: Cotinneh Books, 1973). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • Kootenay Outlet Reflections: A History of Procter, Sunshine Bay, Harrop, Longbeach, Balfour, Queen’s Bay (Procter: Procter-Harrop Historical Book Committee, 1988). Detailed family biographies.

Grand Forks

  • Grand Forks: the First 100 Years in the Shadow of Observation, by Alice and Jim Glanville. (Grand Forks: Gazette Printing Co. Ltd. 1987). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Grand Forks: Where the Kettle River Flows, by Alice and Jim Glanville. (Kelowna: Blue Moose Publications. 1987). Includes index. General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Schools of the Boundary: 1891 to 1991, by Alice Glanville. (Grand Forks: Sonotek Publishing Ltd. 1991). General description of Doukhobor settlement.

Nelson

  • History of the West Kootenay District in British Columbia, by Mollie E. Cottingham. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia, 1947). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Kootenay Pathfinders: Settlement in the Kootenay District, 1885-1920 by Edward L. Affleck. (Vancouver: Alexander Nichols Press, 1976). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • Nelson: Queen City of the Kootenays, by David Scott and Edna H. Hanic. (Vancouver: Mitchell Press, 1972). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • Nelson Historical Pictorial: a Glimpse of the Past (Nelson: Nelson Daily News Publishing Co., 1982). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • West Kootenay: The Ghost Town Country, by N.L. Barlee. (Surrey: Canada West Publications, 1984). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.

Salmo

  • West Kootenay: The Ghost Town Country by N.L. Barlee. (Surrey: Canada West Publications, 1984). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • Kootenay Mosaic by Clara Graham. (Vancouver: Evergreen Press, 1971). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.

Slocan Valley

  • The Slocan: Portrait of a Valley by Katherine Gordan. (Winlaw: Sono Nis Press, 2004). General description of Doukhobor settlement.

Trail

  • City of Trail, British Columbia: In the Heart of the Kootenays – the British Columbia Lake District (Trail: Trail Board of Trade, 1946). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • Historical Portraits of Trail, by James Forbes. (Trail: Trail City Archives, 1980). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.
  • History of the West Kootenay District in British Columbia, by Mollie E. Cottingham. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia, 1947). General description of Doukhobor settlement.
  • Trail 1901-1961: 60 Years of Progress, by Elsie G. Turnbull. (Trail: Trail Diamond Jubilee Committee, 1961). Negligible Doukhobor content but useful overview of locality.

Notes

Completeness

The focus of local histories is most often on families still in the community. The consequence may be a misleading sense of continuity over time and families no longer in the community may be overlooked. Moreover, except where they form a majority in a community, ethnic and religious minorities have until recently received scant attention. This is evident in the local histories of the Kootenay region of British Columbia, which all but completely ignore the Doukhobors, even though they were the primary settlers of the area.

Accuracy

Local histories vary greatly in depth and accuracy. Often these books were compiled by interviews or from questionnaires and the information was not edited or verified independently. Errors abound in almost all such works. One should use caution and verify the information with other sources to confirm accuracy. 

Index

Although indexes are included in many local histories, in most cases they are very incomplete. Generally, only prominent individuals are included in older indexes, and the book itself may include numerous references to individuals not included in the index. Also, at the time that many of these histories were published, indexing was a very manual process and it is possible that individuals included in the history with significant biographical data are not included in the index.

Availability

Many local histories are out of print and may be difficult to locate. The best places to find published local histories are local libraries, genealogical societies, historical societies and LDS Family History Centers (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or “Mormons”). The Library and Archives Canada also has a large collection of local histories available through interlibrary loan. A unique collection of digitized Canadian local histories is also available at Our Roots: Canadian Local Histories Online which includes many of the above titles. Search online by title, subject, author or keyword.

Bibliography

  • Hackett, Christopher, A Bibliography of Manitoba History: A Guide to Local and Regional Histories Written About Communities in Manitoba (2nd ed.), (Manitoba Historical Society, 1989) ISBN 0-921950-00-4.
  • Hale, Linda L. & Jean Barman, British Columbia Local Histories: A Bibliography (Victoria: British Columbia Heritage Trust, 1991) ISBN 0-7718-9078-8.
  • Maier, Sharon, Saskatchewan Local History Directory: A Locality Guide to Community and Church Histories in the Prairie History Room, (2 vols.), (Regina: Regina Public Library, 1999).
  • Provincial Archives of Alberta, Alberta’s Local Histories in the Historical Resources Library (8th ed.), (Edmonton: Provincial Archives of Alberta Historical Resources Library: 1989). 
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