About the Project:
This project was initiated with the goal of creating an interactive archive containing over 45 years of documentation of the Fort St. John area. Central to this archive are the daily journals of Hudson's Bay Company factor Frank W. Beaton. Life at the trading post has been detailed by over 45 years of fort journals, which appear to be predominantly written by Frank W. Beaton. In addition to documenting weather and transport conditions, the journals provide details on daily activities, community events, interpersonal relationships, increasing settlement, the local political climate and changes in technology.
Each journal entry has been transcribed from its original form so that it is readable and more easily navigated. In addition to geo-locating places using a collaborative mapping function, names referenced within the journal are linked throughout. Supplementary historic documentation is found throughout the site including photographs, land surveys, correspondence, vital statistic records and interview transcriptions. This project was initiated with the intent of facilitating an interactive and collaborative environment where historical information could be easily accessed and contributed by all members of the community. If you have any additional documents, information or corrections to contribute to the archive, please e-mail us at gabrielle.legault@ubc.ca.
Who Are We?
This interactive archive was developed at the University of British Columbia in the Centre for Social, Spatial and Economic Justice with collaboration from Métis Nation British Columbia and the UBC Okanagan Office of the Provost. This project was developed under the direction of Dr. Mike Evans, with assistance from graduate student Gabrielle Legault. Beaton's journals were transcribed by UBC undergraduate students Robyn Bunn, Jenna Foster and Kate Kinsman. Site designed and developed by Stephanie Krause, Geoff Appleby and Joanne Gervais.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the North Peace Cemetery Seekers Committee (Barbara Godberson, Judy Hawthorne, Darlene Heal, Tamara Secrist), North Peace Credit Union, and the Fort St. John North Peace Museum for their assistance with this project.