File consists of one trip diary kept by Florence Bray. The diary details trips to Europe (1926), California (1938 & 1939), New York and Atlantic City (1932), Virginia (1950), Florida (1930 & 1938), Scotland (1892), Gaspe (1946), Muskoka (1946). Also included in the diary are addresses of people met while on trips, a list of hotels stayed in and a fold out map of the United States and Mexico. The 1926 trip to Europe is of particular interest, with descriptions of major European cities and First World War battlefields.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1929. Notable entries include the birth of his son Bill (William George), his being called to the bar, the death of his mother-in-law and events in the community including the wedding of Shannon Bowlby. The diary is a daily journal ledger style diary. Inscription in the front reads "G.M. Bray 145 Union Blvd. Kitchener Ontario."
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1931 and 1932. The pages are divided in half, the upper half being entries for 1931 and the lower for 1932. Notable entries include: local weddings, deaths and births, the opening of the Westmount Country Club, a trip to Atlantic City and Murray contracting Scarlet Fever. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance and Investments. Inscription at beginning reads "GM Bray."
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1930. Notable entries include the christening of his son Bill (William George), numerous local weddings including those of his friends Harry Guy and Phyllis, as well as births and deaths in the community. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance and Investments. Inscription at beginning reads "GM Bray 145 Union Boulevard Kitchener Ontario."
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1933. Notable entries include: local weddings, deaths and births, and the birth of Murray's daughter Judith. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance and Investments. Inscription at beginning reads "GM Bray 25-11-32."
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1934. Notable entries include: local weddings, deaths and births, the Christening of his daughter Judith, the Ontario Provincial elections and the marriage of Walter Bean. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance and Investments. Inscription at beginning reads "GM Bray."
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1936. Notable entries include: local weddings, deaths and births, playing Monopoly, the death and national day of mourning for George V, and illnesses of his children. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of Mac Lester. Inscription at beginning reads "GM Bray."
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1935. Notable entries include: local weddings, deaths and births, milestones and illnesses in his children, the purchase of a new car, the silver jubilee of George V, and the federal election. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of Mac Lester. Inscription at beginning reads "GM Bray."
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1937. The diary contains very few entries, but mentions the family moving to a new house and the death of Murray's father. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1938. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages as well as purchasing a new car, the inaugural meeting of the Waterloo Township Council, selling their house at 145 Union Blvd. a trip to Bermuda and getting a dog, Terry. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1939. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages, the royal visit of Queen Elizabeth and King George VI, as well as the start of the Second World War. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1940. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages, and the death of the family dog Terry. Diary is a page a day book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1941. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages, as well as Bill's appendectomy. Diary is a two page a day spiral bound book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1942. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages, the mobilization of his regiment and watching the Stanley Cup final game in Toronto. Diary is a two page a day spiral bound book courtesy of H.L. Staebler Co. Ltd. Insurance. Note that blank pages have been removed before donation.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1943. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages, and the worst snowfall since 1915. The back of the diary has a bird watching chart. Diary pages have been removed from their binding and blank pages have been removed before donation.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1944. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages, and Murray breaking an ankle. Diary pages have been removed from their binding and blank pages have been removed before donation.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1947. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages, and updates on the children, such as Bill now working at the law firm. Diary pages have been removed from their binding and blank pages have been removed before donation.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1948. Notable entries include: local births, deaths and marriages, and updates on the children, such as Judith attending Havergal and Bill talking to Ridley. Diary pages have been removed from their binding and blank pages have been removed before donation.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1949. The diary has very few pages and entries are commonplace. Diary pages have been removed from their binding and blank pages have been removed before donation.
File consists of one diary for Murray Bray for the year 1950. The diary has very few pages and entries are commonplace. Diary pages have been removed from their binding and blank pages have been removed before donation.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray sent January 8, 1843 from Rathmines Mill, near Dublin, Ireland. The letter discusses family news and health, finances, the First Opium War, facts about Canada quoted from Mr. Lazenby including a mention of "Large Forests inhabited by Tribes of Indians," and Abraham's life in Canada.
One letter from Sarah Bray to Abraham Bray sent May 7, 1843 from Leeds, Yorkshire. The letter discusses Sarah moving to Yorkshire, family news and health, and life in Leeds.
One letter from John Lazenby to Abraham Bray dated July 5, 1843 from Holbech. The letter is written on behalf of Abraham's grandmother, who is unwell, and discusses sending Abraham 20 pounds, the health of the family, and news that friends are on their way to settle in Toronto.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated July 9, 1843 from Rathmines Mill, near Dublin. The letter discusses the price of land in Canada and if Abraham can clear it, money sent to Abraham, and news and health of the family, including the marriage of Jemima Bray to John Schofield on March 4th.
One letter from John Lazenby to Abraham Bray dated July 15, 1843 from Holbeck. The letter is sent on behalf of Abraham's grandmother and discusses a bank draft sent to Abraham, friends who are moving to Upper Canada, and the health and news of the family.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated December 31, 1843 Rathmines Mill near Dublin. The letter discusses the health of the family and how they desire to hear from Abraham as they are not sure where he is living. Abraham's sister Hannah also sends a few lines at the end of the letter.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated March 31, 1844 from Rathmines Mill near Dublin. The letter discusses Abraham's land and how much he has cleared and the money he owes on it, as well as the health and news of the family.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated September 2, 1844 from Rathmines Mill near Dublin. The letter expresses concern for Abraham's well being as the family has not heard from him and offers to send money to help pay the mortgage on his land.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated October 1, 1844 from Rathmines Mill near Dublin. The letter discusses sending money to Abraham and how it should be used to pay his mortgage, as well as news on the family, including a mention of Jacob getting over the measles.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated February 2, 1845 from Rathmines Mill near Dublin. The letter expresses concern for Abraham that his money situation has been resolved and gives updates on the family. Abraham's sisters Hannah and Rachel include short notes at the end of the letter.
One letter from Sarah Bray to Abraham Bray dated May 20, 1845. The letter was sent to Abraham via their parents and discusses Sarah's life and work and her best wishes to Abraham on the news of his wedding to a wife also named Sarah. She also gives a recipe for sealing wax.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated June 1, 1845 from Rathmines. The letter sends Abraham best wishes on his wedding, gives news on family and friends including the death of Mr. Lazenby, and also lists the names and birth dates of Abraham's siblings and aunts and uncles.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated September 2, 1845 from Rathmines Mill, near Dublin. The letter entreats Abraham to write them more often and gives updates on the family as well as the cloth industry and crop yield in Dublin.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray dated January 1, 1846 from Rathmines Mill, near Dublin. The letter starts off with a message from Sarah Bray giving details on her life and their grandmother's health as well as mentioning friends who have moved to Canada. George writes about the family in Ireland as well as commodity prices and scarcity and the Great Potato Famine.
One letter from Ann Bray to Abraham Bray dated August 12, 1847 from Leeds. This short letter gives news that Ann, as well as children Jacob, Mary, and Hannah are set to leave from Liverpool for New York on August 16th or 20th.
One letter from Hannah Hargreaves (nee Bray) to Abraham Bray dated March 1, 1869 from Cayuga. This letter is written on the second half of a letter from Sarah Rawson (nee Bray) sent to her sister Hannah who is living in Canada. Hannah sends the letter on to Abraham in the hopes that he can help Sarah migrate to Canada as she is now widowed.
One undated letter from Sarah Rawson (nee Bray) to Abraham Bray. The letter asks for information on their mother's life and death and requests that any last messages for Sarah be sent to her.
One letter from Sarah Rawson (nee Bray) to Abraham Bray, dated July 9, 1878 from Holbeck. The letter gives an update on Sarah and her children, John Henry and Ann Elizabeth, and tells of Uncle William's death.
One letter from Ann Elizabeth Rawson, dated November 12, 1876 from Holbeck. The letter gives an update on her mother Sarah and brother John Henry, and mentions Sarah falling down the cellar stairs and hurting her back.
One letter from John Henry Rawson, dated May 20, 1876 from Holbeck. John, Abraham's nephew, gives an update on himself, his mother Sarah, sister Elizabeth Ann and Uncle William. He also discusses the price of apples and the possibility of importing them to Leeds.
One letter from Ann Elizabeth Rawson, dated May 20, 1876 from Holbeck. Ann, Abraham's niece, gives an update on herself, her mother Sarah and brother John Henry, and also discusses the price of apples and the possibility of importing them to Leeds.
One letter from James Bray to Abraham Bray dated March 9, 1874 from Springfield Missouri. James Bray is a cousin to Abraham Bray who has moved to Missouri. The letter discusses James' siblings, the farming conditions in Missouri and land prices. He advises Abraham on whether he should sell his land in Canada and move to Missouri.
One letter from Hannah Hargreaves (nee Bray) to Abraham Bray dated April 22, 1869. This letter was originally written by Sarah Rawson (nee Bray) and was forwarded, with notes, to Abraham by his sister Hannah. Sarah once again asks for help in migrating to Canada and asks after the health of the family. Hannah adds that their sister Mary has moved to Ingersoll.
One letter from Jemima Schofield (nee Bray) to Abraham Bray dated June 17, 1846 from Leeds. The letter reports on updates about the family, including Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Ann, and gives the news of the death of George Bray on May 25, 1846.
One letter from Ann Bray to Abraham Bray dated January 17, 1847 from Leeds. The first part of the letter is from Ann Bray and gives an update on the family and their struggles since the passing of George Bray, and congratulates Abraham on the birth of his child. She notes that Hannah is working at Marshals Mill and that Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel are all working in service. At the end of the letter are notes from Samuel Fox and Sarah Bray regarding friends moving to Canada and inquiring about job prospects there.
One letter from Ellis Bray to Abraham Bray, dated January 21, 1877 from Cheshire, England. Ellis Bray is a cousin of Abraham Bray, son of Uncle James. Ellis gives a detailed account of his life over the last ten years traveling through the United States as a labourer, making reference to Chinese labourers and "troublesome" Native Americans. The letter also includes details of Ellis' life back in England, where he married and became a station master, of his father's death on February 12, 1874, and accounts of Bray family still living in England, including James' siblings Uncle William and Aunt Mary, and Ellis' siblings.
One letter from George Bray to Abraham Bray sent April 17, 1842 from Rathmines Mill, near Dublin, Ireland. The letter discusses family news, finances, and a proposed trip to visit Abraham.
Fonds consists of materials from many generations of the Bray family. Includes 26 items of correspondence sent to Abraham Bray, the first Bray family member to settle in Canada, as well as 19 diaries kept by later generations of the Bray family. Includes 18 diaries kept by (George) Murray Bray from the years 1929-1949 as well as one trip diary kept by his mother Florence Murray Bray detailing a variety of trips from 1892-1950.
