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 opening to the Kitimat Yacht Club basin. Sailboats and the Alcan dock in the distance.
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
Photograph of a view of the Alcan smelter. Photo is taken from up on a hill with fireweed. View is looking east. Eastuary is visible behind the smelter. Beyond that is the channel and mountains. Low mountains have sections of clearcut. Mount Elizabeth in background.
Photograph of a view of the Alcan smelter. Photo is taken from up on a hill with fireweed. View is looking east. Eastuary is visible behind the smelter. Beyond that is the channel and mountains. Low mountains have sections of clearcut. Mount Elizabeth in background.
Photo showing Mrs. Alice Backman in her new car that she won in the Elks Bingo which attracted more than 500 players. Giving her the keys is Bill Pound, leading knight of the Elks lodge and one of the Bingo organizers.
Northern Sentinel Box # 3- (A) Historical (I) Service Club (a) Benevolent Protective Order Of Elks
Scope and Content
Photo showing Mrs. Alice Backman in her new car that she won in the Elks Bingo which attracted more than 500 players. Giving her the keys is Bill Pound, leading knight of the Elks lodge and one of the Bingo organizers.
