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 the Kitimat River. Machine visible on shore on far right.
Photograph of the Kitimat River. Lots of snow on the banks around river. In the foregroud, tracks are coming through the snow from the forest to the riverbank.
Donated by Lesley Morrison on July 11, 2022. Passed on to them after Doris (?) died in 2002.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Kitimat River. Lots of snow on the banks around river. In the foregroud, tracks are coming through the snow from the forest to the riverbank.
Photograph of the view of the sandhill and Kitimat River from the Kitimat River bridge. There is snow around. Mountains in background. Sky is partially cloudy.
From the years 1953-1958, Mike Kinnear took photos during his school years, until graduation, while working for Fred Ryan Ltd. after school and holidays. Photos for him was a hobby, and he took many photos of the smelter and townsite as it grew around him. Mike also took a number of photos for the Kitimat Northern Sentinel, during the Ken Brumley and Pixie Meldrum years as editors. Mike and his family left Kitimat in 1958, but he spent the best part of 40 years in the photographic field, mainly in the retail/wholesale part of the photo industry.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret and Mike Kinnear.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the view of the sandhill and Kitimat River from the Kitimat River bridge. There is snow around. Mountains in background. Sky is partially cloudy.
Photograph of the Kitimat River and the sandhill. River is in the foreground, and the sandhill is further back. On the right is a sandy shore with some dried woody debris and leafy trees. There are two people standing near the trees. More trees further back on opposite left shore. Mountain behind sandhill has some snow on top. Image has a pink tint.
From the years 1953-1958, Mike Kinnear took photos during his school years, until graduation, while working for Fred Ryan Ltd. after school and holidays. Photos for him was a hobby, and he took many photos of the smelter and townsite as it grew around him. Mike also took a number of photos for the Kitimat Northern Sentinel, during the Ken Brumley and Pixie Meldrum years as editors. Mike and his family left Kitimat in 1958, but he spent the best part of 40 years in the photographic field, mainly in the retail/wholesale part of the photo industry.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret and Mike Kinnear.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Kitimat River and the sandhill. River is in the foreground, and the sandhill is further back. On the right is a sandy shore with some dried woody debris and leafy trees. There are two people standing near the trees. More trees further back on opposite left shore. Mountain behind sandhill has some snow on top. Image has a pink tint.
Photograph of the Kitimat River frozen in winter. Kitimat River Bridge visible at back centre. Forest and mountain in background. Partially cloudy sky.
From the years 1953-1958, Mike Kinnear took photos during his school years, until graduation, while working for Fred Ryan Ltd. after school and holidays. Photos for him was a hobby, and he took many photos of the smelter and townsite as it grew around him. Mike also took a number of photos for the Kitimat Northern Sentinel, during the Ken Brumley and Pixie Meldrum years as editors. Mike and his family left Kitimat in 1958, but he spent the best part of 40 years in the photographic field, mainly in the retail/wholesale part of the photo industry.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret and Mike Kinnear.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Kitimat River frozen in winter. Kitimat River Bridge visible at back centre. Forest and mountain in background. Partially cloudy sky.
Photograph of the Kitimat River. Pile of woody debris on the right side, as well as small tress. Opposite shorelines with more woody debris and forest on left. Behind is the Kitimat sandhill.
From the years 1953-1958, Mike Kinnear took photos during his school years, until graduation, while working for Fred Ryan Ltd. after school and holidays. Photos for him was a hobby, and he took many photos of the smelter and townsite as it grew around him. Mike also took a number of photos for the Kitimat Northern Sentinel, during the Ken Brumley and Pixie Meldrum years as editors. Mike and his family left Kitimat in 1958, but he spent the best part of 40 years in the photographic field, mainly in the retail/wholesale part of the photo industry.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret and Mike Kinnear.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Kitimat River. Pile of woody debris on the right side, as well as small tress. Opposite shorelines with more woody debris and forest on left. Behind is the Kitimat sandhill.
Photograph of the Kitimat River frozen over in winter. Surrounding shore and river are all covered in snow. On the far right further back is a building on the raised shore. Forest and mountains in background. Partially cloudy day.
From the years 1953-1958, Mike Kinnear took photos during his school years, until graduation, while working for Fred Ryan Ltd. after school and holidays. Photos for him was a hobby, and he took many photos of the smelter and townsite as it grew around him. Mike also took a number of photos for the Kitimat Northern Sentinel, during the Ken Brumley and Pixie Meldrum years as editors. Mike and his family left Kitimat in 1958, but he spent the best part of 40 years in the photographic field, mainly in the retail/wholesale part of the photo industry.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret and Mike Kinnear.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Kitimat River frozen over in winter. Surrounding shore and river are all covered in snow. On the far right further back is a building on the raised shore. Forest and mountains in background. Partially cloudy day.
From the years 1953-1958, Mike Kinnear took photos during his school years, until graduation, while working for Fred Ryan Ltd. after school and holidays. Photos for him was a hobby, and he took many photos of the smelter and townsite as it grew around him. Mike also took a number of photos for the Kitimat Northern Sentinel, during the Ken Brumley and Pixie Meldrum years as editors. Mike and his family left Kitimat in 1958, but he spent the best part of 40 years in the photographic field, mainly in the retail/wholesale part of the photo industry.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret and Mike Kinnear.
Scope and Content
Photograph of an aerial of the Kitimat River close to the estuary. Edge of plane visible on right.
Photo showing view looking west at bridge showing Kitimat River at Elevation 45, Centre Pier of pernament bridge at right with framework ready for final concrete pour.
Photo showing view looking west at bridge showing Kitimat River at Elevation 45, Centre Pier of pernament bridge at right with framework ready for final concrete pour.
