James McNay was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on January 31, 1907. Between 1951 and 1953, he worked in the payroll department for Alcan. He had to leave his wife Effie and his two young daughters, Margaret and Diane, aged 6 and 5 in 1951, at home in Surrey, B.C., during his 3-4 month stints in Kitimat. To fill some of his free time and show his family where he was and what Kitimat was like, he spent many hours walking in the area with a 35mm Kodak camera. He photographed the scenic beauty of the area and parts of the construction of both the smelters and the town. He died in Surrey on August 7, 1983.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret McNay. Images were taken by her father and sent to their family in Surrey in the 1950s.
Scope and Content
Slide showing a crane working on a cleared area of land, likely at smeltersite area.
Photo showing two men fatally crushed when shovel overturns along railway grade, between Big Wedeene River and Bannock Creek Bridge, about 15 miles from Kitimat
Photo showing two men fatally crushed when shovel overturns along railway grade, between Big Wedeene River and Bannock Creek Bridge, about 15 miles from Kitimat
Photo showing Smeltersite-bound car smashes into Kitimat River bridge. Driver, Felix Rampre, fined $75, charged with driving without due care and attention
Photo showing Smeltersite-bound car smashes into Kitimat River bridge. Driver, Felix Rampre, fined $75, charged with driving without due care and attention
Photo showing 4 people escaped with only minor injuries, 1957 Ford driven by Ray Little went over a bank and into a creek. Passengers: Elizabeth Cornell, Betty Yaeger, Joe Bravo
Photo showing 4 people escaped with only minor injuries, 1957 Ford driven by Ray Little went over a bank and into a creek. Passengers: Elizabeth Cornell, Betty Yaeger, Joe Bravo
Photo showing car accident. Vehicle charged through 125 feet of brush after losing control off the Alcan Road to the Smeltersite, driven by Mrs. Grace Sheridan
Photo showing car accident. Vehicle charged through 125 feet of brush after losing control off the Alcan Road to the Smeltersite, driven by Mrs. Grace Sheridan