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Finding Heritage Information

Part of our C/D MHAC mandate is to identify local heritage resources so they can be preserved and made accessible to the public. The heritage resources of a community include its more visible assets, such as buildings, artifacts, plaques or commemorative sites. The intangible resources—the memories, traditions or knowledge of past generations—though less noticeable, are an equally valuable part of our heritage. These are captured in family histories and life stories, photo collections, letters, documents, music and memories of the past.

Local Sources of Information

The RM of Dufferin does not have a formal archive, however, three local sources are recommended, each of which has knowledgeable and helpful staff or members available to assist with heritage research: Dufferin Historical Museum, Boyne Regional Library, and the Carman/Dufferin Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (C/D MHAC).

Dufferin Historical Museum. The Museum is the main resource in the RM for preservation and conservation of heritage materials. It features a wide range of artifacts and displays, catalogued materials and files. For an overview, access their website. The site highlights some of the major holdings and Museum activities and provides further admission and membership information.
Location: Carman, Manitoba, Corner Hwy #1245 and Kelly Hand Drive It is located in King's Park at the corner of Kelly Hand Drive and Hwy 245. GPS coordinates: 49° 30.178 N 098° 00.621 W

Hours: Dufferin Historical Museum is open in the summer months (June, July, August)
Tues–Sat 10:00–5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00–5:00 pm

Tel.: 204-745-3597
E-mail: info@dufferinhistoricalmuseum.ca

If you have inquiries at other times, you may contact Trish Aubin: 204-745-6790       

Boyne Regional Library. The library, formerly the post office and now a designated municipal heritage site, carries an assortment of reference material of value to the heritage researcher, including the local Dufferin history, family histories, maps and other useful background material.
Photographs of designated Municipal Heritage sites are displayed. Access to inter-library loans and wifi. For more information, see the Library website: boyneregionallibrary.com

​Address: Box 788, 15-1st. Street SW, Carman, MB R0J 0J0
​E-mail: boynereg@mts.net
​Phone: 204-745-3504

Carman/Dufferin Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (C/D MHAC). C/D MHAC has a small collection of resource material, largely relating to its work as an advisory committee. This includes background information on designated heritage sites, local communities, businesses, schools, churches, post offices, cemeteries and people. They also hold a small number of pamphlets, books and brochures.

Files are housed in the basement of the Memorial Hall. These files are not open to the public, however C/D MHAC makes relevant material available by providing copies of reports, digitized newspapers and other items to both the Dufferin Historical Museum and the Boyne Regional Library.

This website, carmandufferinheritage.ca, is the primary online source for local heritage information. In the Local Heritage section of the website, you will find information about our Municipal Heritage Sites, Monuments Cairns & Signs, Schools, Churches, Cemeteries, Special Places, Homesteads & Early Farms, People and Family Stories, and Vintage Photos along with links to a wide range of other online sources. We are continually adding new content to this section. Meanwhile our News & Events section records recent history and new heritage-related findings. We view the website as a living history book.
   
To help you locate information about the various small communities in the RM of Dufferin, C/D MHAC is compiling a series of Heritage Resource Inventories.  These inventories list resources specific to each community along with sources of information. Inventories are now on this website for the following communities:


For further information on C/D MHAC, contact:

Nikki Falk                   Telephone: 204-829-3747               
Ina Bramadat             Telephone: 204-828-3466  

 

Printed Source Material

Brochures

C/D MHAC has prepared two heritage tour brochures featuring heritage sites in the Town of Carman and the RM of Dufferin.

  


The Carman Dufferin Cemeteries brochure provides a map showing locations of nine Carman/Dufferin cemeteries along with a link to the full Carman/Dufferin Cemetery Guide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free copies of the brochures are available at the Memorial Hall, Museum, and at several businesses in Carman and other nearby communities.


Books

The following list includes titles and local and/or online locations where you can access the major histories of this area.

The History of the RM of Dufferin in Manitoba 1880–1980, published by the Council of the RM, is the most comprehensive resource available on the history of the municipality.  This 816 page book covers the early history of Town of Carman and the RM of Dufferin, including its many small communities, institutions, businesses and services, as well as a wealth of local stories and family histories.  Now out-of-print but available online through the University of Manitoba's Digital Library. Hard copies are available for reference use through Boyne Regional Library or Dufferin Historical Museum.

Dufferin and Carman, written in 1923 by early resident Thomas Kernighan, was reprinted by the Dufferin Historical Museum in 2006 under the name of "The Brightest Jewel as seen through the eyes of Thomas Kernighan". Copies available for sale: Dufferin Historical Museum – cost $15.00.

School Bells and Honey Pails, published in 2012 by the Dufferin Historical Museum, documents the history of rural schools in the RM of Dufferin.  Photographs of schools. Available for sale: Dufferin Historical Museum; cost $10.00

Peeking Through the Knothole, by Alma Barkman, printed by artbookbindery in 2006, recounts stories of growing up near Roseisle.

Ribbons, Races and Rides, published by The Dufferin Agricultural Society (1979) traces the history of the Society, including accounts of local fairs.

Trails of the Pioneers (1956) by George H. Hambley, available on the University of Manitoba Digital Library website.

Carman Larger Pastoral Charge, a collection of area church histories, available on the University of Manitoba Digital Library.

Eighty Years of Life and Laughter by Lloyd Kitching (2009), a collection of entertaining tales of early life in Manitoba.

Up to Now, a story of Dufferin and Carman,published by D.W. Friesen & Sons Ltd. (1967) for the Carman Centennial Book Committee. Available for reference use: Boyne Regional Library, Carman Historical Museum and the University of Manitoba Digital Library.

All in a Row: The Klassens of Homewood by Katherine Martens, published by the Mennonite Literary Society (1988) & printed by Friesen Printers, Altona.

Memorable Stories Carman and Area - Celebrating Canada’s 150th published in 2017 by Dufferin Historical Museum, printed by Toews Printing & Office Supply, Carman, MB. A collection of 150 memories of the town. For sale at the Museum.

Roseisle - Volume 1: The Early Years – As Seen Through the Photographs of John Beatty Coleman. Pictorial history of the community between 1900–16 compiled by Ina Bramadat. Printed by Toews Printing & Office Supply, Carman MB


Reports

A Review of the Heritage Resources of Boyne Planning District, a study by Karen Nicholson, Historic Resources Branch, November 1984, provides a comprehensive overview of the district, its geography, patterns of settlement , economic development,  and potential heritage resources in the area. 

A Guide to Funerary Art in Manitoba, written by architectural historian David Butterfield, is a ‘must-read’ for visitors to local cemeteries. It provides a concise and fascinating insight into the changing styles, materials, craftsmanship and, in particular, the symbolism behind the designs found on gravemarkers found in Manitoba cemeteries.

Carman-Dufferin Cemetery Guide 2017. Our local guide applies the information and insights from the Guide to Funerary Art in Manitoba to Carman/Dufferin cemeteries. Drawing upon the knowledge of local monument makers, we have added information on changing technology and the craftsmanship that went into producing the markers. See also our Carman Dufferin Cemeteries brochure listed above.

Leary Brick Works. The Leary Brick Works is the last semi-intact remnant of some 200 brick plants that once operated in Manitoba. Based on extensive research, architectural historian David Butterfield completed a study of the Leary brick plant in 2018. The full report is here.

Newspapers

C/D MHAC financially supported a project to make the following local newspapers available online through the Pembina Manitou Archive.  (check for available issues) Copies also are available on disk through the Boyne Regional Library and Dufferin Historical Museum.

The Carman Weekly Standard (1890–1916). Now online through Pembina Manitou Archives; copies on disk also are held by the C/D MHAC, Boyne Regional Library and Dufferin Historical Museum.

The Dufferin Leader (1898–1976); renamed The Valley Leader (1976–present).Digitized copies up to 2018 are available at the Boyne Regional Library.