The collection is comprised of field recordings of oral history interviews conducted by BIS student researchers in 1982 and 1983 with elderly Irish residents of PEI.
Project Background
These recordings were digitized and provided with metadata records at the UPEI Robertson Library during the Spring and Summer of 2018, with further editing and enhancement of metadata in 2020. Financial support for this project, facilitated by the Benevolent Irish Society, was generously provided through the Government of Ireland's Emigrant Support Programme. Special acknowledgment is also due to the late Mr. George O'Connor, Past-President of the Benevolent Irish Society, whose patient-but-persistent advocacy helped bring this project to fruition. Go raibh maith agat!
Benevolent Irish Society - Oral History Interviews Collection
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Stordy, Paul
- Contributor:Trainor, Joseph
- Abstract:Paul Stordy interviews Joseph "Joe" Trainor on the Early Days in Kinkora. He speaks about his Irish roots, the house he lived in while growing up in Kinkora and the community as a whole (structure). Joseph also talks about the introduction of the first potato, his family's tradition, early farming and the machinery used as well as his More
- Date Recorded:1982-05-20
- Duration:00:28:11
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Contributor:Stewart, William "Bill"
- Abstract:Geoff LePage interviews William "Bill" Stewart at Provincial Home for the Aged. They discuss carpentry jobs, experiences and wages, Scottish-Irish relationships and Bill's young life. Bill tells stories about Sunday suppers, working for foremen, visiting Boston, and his job experiences along the way.
- Date Recorded:1983-06-28
- Duration:00:24:36
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Pellitier, Zantae
- Contributor:Steele, Maude
- Abstract:020: Hughes came from Wexford, Ireland in beginning of 19th century
025: Battle of Invenhill
034: Peter Sinnott
035: T. Murphy
036: J. Hughes
038: C. McCarthy
040: A.McVarnish
042: Martin SInnott
043: Patrick Hughes
054: St. Lawrence Church was built
067: Patrick Hughes and Matthew Hughes
075: 1830's- More
- Date Recorded:1983-06-08
- Duration:00:08:38
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:MacAdam, Ann
- Contributor:Quinn, Mary
- Abstract:Mary Quinn is interviewed by Anne MacAdam; she tells MacAdam about a story involving a sailor who became sick at sea and had shortly died. She also mentions in another story (ghost) how many people claimed to have seen the dead the sailor. Quinn also talks about her time as a school teacher, common Irish names and entertainment in the More
- Date Recorded:1983-06-06
- Duration:00:09:20
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Contributor:O'Halloran, Peter
- Abstract:Geoff LePage interviewing Peter O'Halloran at Maplewood Manor, discussing the royal visit, his family leaving Ireland and experiencing hardships, blacksmithing and fishing. Mr. O'Halloran tells stories about superstitions and a whale, and the farming industry during his lifetime.
- Date Recorded:1983-08-01
- Duration:00:28:53
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Doyle, Karen
- Contributor:Mckenzie, David
- Contributor:O'Conner, Louis
- Abstract:David Mckenzie and Karen Doyle interview Louis O'Connor. Mr. O'Connor talks to them about industries and trades on the island during the early days which included Shipbuilding, Agriculture, Carpentry and Blacksmithing. He mentions that the Irish were superstitious and poor, but had unique personalities with a strong faith. He then More
- Date Recorded:1983-07-25
- Duration:01:21:53
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Contributor:O'Brien, Walter
- Abstract:Geoff LePage interviews Walter O'Brien at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in PEI. In this interview, Walter discusses his family and his early life, fishing, farming, real estate work, and sales with the Guardian. Walter talks about Scottish-Irish relations, social gatherings, blacksmithing, school teachers, doctors, and life on the farm More
- Date Recorded:1983-07-07
- Duration:00:31:18
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:MacKenzie, David
- Contributor:O'Brien, Emma
- Abstract:David Mackenzie interviews Emma O'Brien at Sacred Heart Home. In this interview, Emma discusses her great grandparents life, settling in North America, comparing Ireland to PEI, land agents, Fort Augustus and horses.
- Date Recorded:1983-07-04
- Duration:00:24:05 (OD says 00:50:00)
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:MacAdam, Ann
- Contributor:Murphy, Tina
- Abstract:Ann MacAdam interviews Tina Murphy in Morell, where Tina talks about her early education and childhood, as well as her journey to Boston and becoming a registered nurse. The interview includes discussion about Church Road, family farming, entertainment and tradition, parties and dancing.
- Date Recorded:1983-06-07
- Duration:00:57:57
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Contributor:Murphy, Oswald
- Abstract:This is Geoff LePage interviewing Oswald Murphy in Foxley River PEI. Oswald discusses his great grandparents lives and occupations, relations with other groups, letting go of customs and traditions and immigrating to PEI. Oswald shares poems, tells stories about dances, fights, landlords and rent collectors.
- Date Recorded:1983-07-11
- Duration:00:21:09
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Contributor:Murphy, Geoff
- Abstract:Geoff LePage interviews Ernestine Murphy who talks about the prominent figure in the Irish community, her family tree as well as their customs and traditions. Murphy also discusses ghost stories and superstitions that were passed down, they customs they did during Holy week and her Grandfather who owned a threshing mill. She also More
- Date Recorded:1983-07-20
- Duration:00:21:03
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Contributor:Murphy, Cletus
- Abstract:This is Geoff LePage interviewing Cletus Murphy in Charlottetown PEI. Cletus discusses his grandparents family, talks about storytelling and ghosts influence on the Irish. Cletus also tells about famine, church and politics, the Scottish, Irish, and French, and social gatherings.
- Date Recorded:1983-07-02
- Duration:00:57:52
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Contributor:Morrison, Clint
- Abstract:Clint Morrison is interview by Geoff LePage. He speaks about the Boyle family tree and the large family of lot eleven. He mentions three family names that he believes to be are the true Irish settlers and speaks about the Absentee Landlords along with the Walsh family. He also makes mention of some old early Irish homes.
- Date Recorded:1983-07-19
- Duration:00:25:26
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:MacAdam, Ann
- Contributor:McGuire, Louis
- Abstract:This is Ann MacAdam interviewing Louis McGuire in Morell, PEI. Louis shares information from a book about the Maguire Kings of Ireland, talks about family members of James McGuire, Fort Augustus, splitting up land and MacSwain and Sons.
- Date Recorded:1983-05-31
- Duration:00:11:18
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Lawless, Wilburt
- Contributor:Stordy, Paul
- Abstract:This is Paul Stordy interviewing Wilburt "Wib" Lawless in Kinkora, PEI. Wilburt talks about his family coming from Ireland, his career as a musician, working and wages when he was young. Wib also sings some songs and talks about music.
- Date Recorded:1982-06-01
- Duration:00:14:35
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Kilbride, Kevin
- Contributor:Kilbride, Margaret
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Abstract:This is Geoff LePage interviewing married couple Margaret and Kevin Kilbride in Foxley River, PEI. They talk about family heirlooms, their parents, grandparents family members, and superstitions. They also discuss businesses, customs, land ownership, community events, and share stories about various other topics.
- Date Recorded:1983-07-19
- Duration:01:11:52
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Kelly, Joseph
- Contributor:Kelly, Loretta
- Contributor:Stordy, Paul
- Abstract:This is Paul Stordy interviewing married couple Mrs. Loretta Kelly and Mr. Joseph Kelly at the Senior Citizen's Home. Mr and Mrs Kelly discuss Joseph's career as a fiddler, and Joseph plays fiddle tunes for the interview. They discuss processing flax and making things by hand, Father Duffy and his grave, the naming of Kelly's Cross More
- Date Recorded:1982-05-21
- Duration:00:40:52
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Doyle, Karen
- Contributor:Hickey, Kathy
- Abstract:Kathy Hickey is interviewed by Karen Doyle. Mrs. Hickey speaks about the Indian river parish, the early settlers who settled along the river, the Scot's the religion being Catholicism, the entertainment in the early days and her musically inclined sons along with other musically talented family members. She also talks about her time More
- Date Recorded:1982-06-29
- Duration:00:43:19
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Doyle, Karen
- Contributor:Flanagan, Doris
- Contributor:Wallace, Stella
- Abstract:This is Stella Wallace and Karen Doyle interviewing Doris Flanagan at her home in Charlottetown. Doris talks about family history records and gravestones, her family immigrating to PEI from Dublin, and blacksmithing jobs. She talks about histories of marriages, death, mistakes on official documents, and spends time sharing old More
- Date Recorded:1982-05-18
- Duration:00:33:20
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Fitzgerald, Edward
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Abstract:This is Geoff LePage interviewing Edward Fitzgerald at Summerset Manor in Summerside. Edward talks about his family's arrival to PEI, original homes in PEI, education and schoolteachers, superstitions and ghost stories, his parents and grandparents, and entertainment in his early life.
- Date Recorded:1983-08-03
- Duration:00:28:53
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Duffy, Joe
- Contributor:Wallace, Stella
- Abstract:This is Stella Wallace interviewing Joe Duffy in Fort Augustus, PEI. Joe sings songs, plays the mouth organ, and shares stories of superstition from his childhood. Joe Duffy also discusses blacksmiths, community members: Peter Dunn, Jimmy Callaghan, Leo Garland, Jack Simpson, and tells other various stories.
- Date Recorded:1982-07-05
- Duration:00:56:19
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Doran, John
- Contributor:Doyle, Karen
- Contributor:Wallace, Stella
- Abstract:Karen Doyle and Stella Wallace interview John Doran who has a lot of knowledge about the Irish from personal research. He first mentions the History of Irish and German Surnames, the Gaelic Language used by the Irish and the History of the Celts and the celtic church. He then goes on to talk about the Doran family tree and the More
- Date Recorded:1982-06-17
- Duration:01:24:49
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Deighan, Bennett
- Contributor:Stordy, Paul
- Abstract:This is Paul Stordy interviewing Bennett Deighan in Emerald, PEI. Bennett discusses the Deighans, family history, jobs, religion and County 9 Ireland. He also talks about his family farming, entertainment, traveling on the island, customs and traditions as well as other various topics about his life and family.
- Date Recorded:1982-06-17
- Duration:01:00:20
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Cullen, Sister Ellen Mary
- Contributor:Wallace, Stella
- Abstract:This is Stella Wallace interviewing Sister Ellen Mary Cullen at Mount St. Mary's, discussing memories of Irish settlers, parishes on the island, and Father Fitzgerald. She also talks about old cemeteries and churches, Bishop Maceachern, sorts through and shares old family documents, and talks about various other memories of Irish More
- Date Recorded:1982-06-04
- Duration:00:45:20
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Cullen, Sister Ellen Mary
- Contributor:Doyle, Karen
- Contributor:Wallace, Stella
- Abstract:This is Stella Wallace and Karen Doyle interviewing Sister Ellen Mary Cullen at Mount St. Mary's, where they discuss the Sister's family's immigration, Scottish-Irish relations, family farming, education, and religion. She shares stories from her childhood, items found in a church in the 1950s, and other details of her childhood and More
- Date Recorded:1982-05-20
- Duration:00:43:54
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:LePage, Geoff
- Contributor:Norton Court, Hazel
- Abstract:This is Geoff LePage interviewing Hazel Norton Court in Charlottetown, PEI, where they discuss her young life, customs and superstitions, entertainment, and shares stories of her young life and relatives. Hazel also talks about Lady Fane and her land donations, as well as Hazel's father's jobs as an undertaker and carriage builder.
- Date Recorded:1983-08-08
- Duration:00:23:08
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Carragher, Debbie
- Contributor:Carragher, Thomas
- Abstract:This is Debbie Carragher interviewing her grandfather, Thomas Carragher at Sacred Heart Home, where they discuss Thomas' original family home, farming, typical daily routines and dress. They also talk about interiors of homes, schooling, religion, community figures, entertainment, the first world war, Thomas' marriage and children, More
- Date Recorded:1980
- Duration:00:57:29
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Callaghan, James
- Contributor:Doyle, Karen
- Contributor:Wallace, Stella
- Abstract:Stella Wallace and Karen Doyle interviews James Callahan. He talks about the best farming lands to be found on the island, how the English, Scots and French had good land will the Irish was given the not so good land. He also speaks about how the Pope was a landlord and how the many people began selling their lands. Mr. Callahan also More
- Date Recorded:1982-05-26
- Duration:00:20:04
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Berrigan, Artie
- Contributor:Doyle, Karen
- Contributor:Wallace, Stella
- Abstract:This is Stella Wallace and Karen Doyle interviewing Artie Berrigan at Sacred Heart Home in Charlottetown, where they discuss customs and Christmas dinners, religions, entertainment, relations with other groups, and celebrations.
- Date Recorded:1982-06-15
- Duration:00:26:09
- Type:Interview
- Contributor:Berrigan, Artie
- Contributor:MacKenzie, David
- Abstract:This is David MacKenzie interviewing Artie Berrigan at Sacred Heart Home in Charlottetown, where they discuss his family leaving Ireland, their occupations, Scottish-Irish relations, religion, entertainment, graves, and marriages.
- Date Recorded:1983-06-09
- Duration:00:10:07