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 depicts Grade 3 to 8 students gathered inside the Smeltersite Recreation Hall for "The Christmas Story" pageant. Santa is handing a present to a girl. The young woman in the white blouse standing behind another girl is teacher Marguerite Cavill. 985.65.98
Photo depicts Grade 3 to 8 students gathered inside the Smeltersite Recreation Hall for "The Christmas Story" pageant. Santa is handing a present to a girl. The young woman in the white blouse standing behind another girl is teacher Marguerite Cavill. 985.65.98
Notes
Title based on content of photograph. Hal Whiting Collection
Photo showing play The Night Before Christmas as presented by the pupils of Grade 1 and 2 of Kitimat School at the Kitimat School Concert in December in Kitimat Recreation Hall. Children sitting in chairs before the stage, lady taking a picture of a group of children on a raised platform and children on stage.
Photo showing play The Night Before Christmas as presented by the pupils of Grade 1 and 2 of Kitimat School at the Kitimat School Concert in December in Kitimat Recreation Hall. Children sitting in chairs before the stage, lady taking a picture of a group of children on a raised platform and children on stage.
Photograph of French Canadians whose past experience has been an asset to Kitimat's aluminum production. The six men from left to right are; Pievie Renon, Adueu Mauguis, Chailes B. Leblani, Jean Mantineau, Meuand Fillioa, and Jenon Ray.
Photograph of French Canadians whose past experience has been an asset to Kitimat's aluminum production. The six men from left to right are; Pievie Renon, Adueu Mauguis, Chailes B. Leblani, Jean Mantineau, Meuand Fillioa, and Jenon Ray.
Showing steel framework of Kitimat's first curling club building being erected just East of the Kitimat River Bridge, Rod and Gun Association clubhouse is in the background.
Showing steel framework of Kitimat's first curling club building being erected just East of the Kitimat River Bridge, Rod and Gun Association clubhouse is in the background.
Photograph showing Kitimat Works Manager, A.C. Turney and Aluminum Company's Superintendent of the Kitimat Electrical Department, G.S. Kinnear with Sir Vincent Ferranti at a reception at the Rod and Gun Club,
Photograph showing Kitimat Works Manager, A.C. Turney and Aluminum Company's Superintendent of the Kitimat Electrical Department, G.S. Kinnear with Sir Vincent Ferranti at a reception at the Rod and Gun Club,
