March 16, 2013

Exploring the Library and Archives Canada on Flickr

Though Canada might not be the oldest country in the world, it has been populated for thousands upon thousands of years. Initially by First Nations peoples, later by European settlers, and in more recent years, by folks from all corners of the globe. For nearly as long as photography has existed, people across this vast nation have striven to preserve our history on film, yet one doesn't seem to encounter nearly as many vintage Canadian photographs as those from places such as the US and UK.

It was this thought, partnered with a lifelong love of Canadian history that prompted me to start a Vintage Canada Flickr group back in 2011, and a Pinterest board devoted to Vintage Canada around the start of last year.

Like many people the world over, I have a deeply rooted passion for, and interest in the history of, my nation. With a land mass second only in size to Russia, Canada is not exactly a tiny country by any stretch of the imagination, however for such a grand sized place, we have a relatively small population (we're presently sitting right around 35,000,000), which may in part explain why there are often fewer yesteryear Canadian images to be found both online and off.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's exceedingly hard to find vintage Canadian photos, it's not at all, but again, they're by no means as commonplace as those from, say, the US, which both in days gone by and now, has had a much larger population than ours. It warms the very corners of my soul (an all-important point when you consider how chilly the abundance of snow we get up here can make mind, body and soul!) to encounter vintage Canadian photographs, and so today - on this nippy February morning - I thought it high time that I shared one of my absolute favourite resources of  just such images.

Beyond merely being a favourite spot to spy nineteenth and twentieth-century Canadian photographs, illustrations and art, the Library and Archives Canada's Flick stream is a trove of valuable - and highly interesting - Canadian history, as most of the photos (and illustrations) include at least a small degree of background information for them.

The Library and Archives Canada's about page on Flickr does a terrific job of summing up what this official Government of Canada run stream is all about. "(LAC) collects and preserves Canada's documentary heritage, and makes it accessible to all Canadians. This heritage includes publications, archival records, sound and audio-visual materials, photographs, artworks, and electronic documents such as websites. As part of our mandate, we work closely with other archives and libraries to acquire and share these materials as widely as possible."

To date this is one of, if not the very best, resources for older Canadian photographs that I'm aware of anywhere on the web. It's been in place since 2008, which was when I first discovered it. In the time since then, I've actively tried to stay abreast of the LAC's uploads, thoroughly enjoying and often learning more about Canadian history from this important archive's many interesting images (which total more than 2,100 and counting).

While I could happily post every last one of the LAC's images, I'll refrain (for the moment!), and instead share with you twenty vintage photographs, spanning multiple decades, that are amongst my very favourite in this phenomenal collection.

(These wonderful images speak volumes for themselves, so I haven't captioned them, but if you'd like to know more about a specific photo, please click on it to be taken to its respective LAC Flickr page.)








































Even if you're not a Canadian, so long as you delight in seeing vintage photographs, this is a Flickr stream that truly is not be missed (much like the Glenbow Museum's stream that I posted about here in 2012), and one that I'm sure nearly everyone could find photos amongst which speak to their passion for, and interest, in history.

After all, who doesn't love a good back at look at the past, eh? :)

24 comments:

  1. I always love seeing vintage photos. This is no exception. Those costume dresses at the beginning are outrageous! The playing cards one is really interesting. Also love the seaside scene with the family in the water. Maybe it is just because I'm cold, but that looks really quite nice right now.
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  2. These are marvelous images and I'm ashamed not to know more about our neighbor, your Canada. Thank you for sharing such a great collection of photos!

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  3. This is so fantastic! Beautiful images! And I didn't know that, regarding the land mass of Canada. I guess I always forget how far north the country goes...

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  4. You always find the best images.....I enjoy reading your blog, you make history fun and interesting :)
    Laura

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  5. Hello dear Jessica,

    Canada is a beautiful country. Did I tell you we once were able to spend a week on Prince Edward Island? My husband's parents had a summer cottage there, and we stayed in a cottage down the road from them.

    We spent the following week touring Nova Scotia. I loved Cap Breton Island. We spent a memorable day at the Fortress of Louisbourg, and stayed a blessed night in a beautiful apartment overlooking the water at Point of View Suites.

    This is bringing back such great memories that I think I will just have to write a post about it and show you some of my favorite photos.

    About this post...my favorite photos are the 1940s parade and the archer woman in red. (I LOVE RED!)

    Happy Saturday!
    ♥Hope

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  6. I always enjoy looking at old pictures. I have two faves from this bunch, the close up of the young lady who's eyebrows kept my attention and the color one of what seems to be a family at the beach.

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  7. Thank you for sharing this history of Canada and the pictures help tell the story of Canada.

    Much Love
    xox

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  8. How great! I love looking at these old snapshots and how fabulous they are in Canada:)

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  9. Oh my goodness those are some SERIOUSLY amazing photos!! My grandma was French Canadian and was born, and is now buried in a little town in Ontario. I'd like to learn more about her history and also the history of the area. I think I might have to follow that Flickr stream too and see what I can find :)

    Thanks for sharing!
    xo

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    1. Dear Rochelle, that is something else that we share in common, as one of my maternal great-grandmothers was French Canadian, too. Through my extensive genealogy work over the years, I've been able to trace our family line back to the 1600s, where some of my ancestors were amongst the first French settlers in Quebec. If I can ever be of any help to you in tracing your grandma's line, please don't hesitate to ask.

      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Thanks for sharing! I love searching the internet and online archives of my region for photo's or films. It's so nice to learn more about your local history.

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  11. Lovely photos, I particularly like the munitions worker and the lumberjill as I am really interested in the social history of the Second World War and of the role of women at that time. Also, amazing eyebrow woman gets my vote as do the family on the beach, great colours.

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  12. Oh my gosh such wonderful photos, I love the one of the family playing in the sea! x

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  13. wow you really always found the most amazing vintage pictures, that makes every visit here on your blog a big pleasure!
    love and kiss,mary

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  14. Wonderful article and beautiful pictures. Very interesting, as I am in the U.S.A., to see vintage from Canada. I particularly love the strong Parisian influence. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thank you very much for your comment, friendly neighbour to the south. Outside of the province of Quebec, by and large, one doesn't encounter too much of an old world French vibe, but an undercurrent of French culture does exist throughout the country, and not merely because we have to official languages (English and French) here.

      I hope you get to see Canada in person one day (if you haven't already, or again, if you already have).

      ♥ Jessica

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  15. Beautiful photos, I especially love the Edwardian era ones! The photo of the little girl with the magic wand is amazing!

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  16. What great photos! I loved looking at them and learning more about Canada. When I was in high school our French class took a trip to Quebec, but sadly I didn't have the funds to go, that and my mother has always been one of those, "You'll get kidnapped!" kind of moms. =) So I missed out, but would still love to go someday.

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  17. Lovely post and photos :D
    I hope that you are having a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!! :)

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  18. In fact I have a few family members left in Canada. My grandma's sister and husband emigrated to Canada and had a daugther and later adopted a boy. She is living in Kelowna and speaks a writes Danish, very amazing. :) I always love watching vintage photos.

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  19. Very unique and striking images. I particularly like the women's costumes and Celia Franca's impressive eyebrows! I always wanted perfect 30's pencil thin brows. Would love to visit Canada one day as it's a country I really know very little about but always looks so beautiful and appealing.

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  20. Love these photos! I should check it for inspiration to my Vintage Monday's. Have a really nice day doll!

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  21. I love looking at old photos.Youve chosen some really interestings ones here. i love the bathing one, that green bikini is stunning. xxx

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  22. great collection of fabulous pictures from the past again. love them. thank you so much for sharing.

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