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Pictou Island Heritage Society · Virtual Museum
Named family collections and photographs of Island community life.
Photograph collections
Browse photographs from the Rankin-Sibley, Matheson, Ray Hayman and Chris Stafford collections, along with PIHS events and other images of island life.
Chris Stafford: explore the Jack “Happy” MacDonald family album →
Captions identify what is known about the people, places, dates and events. Visitors can use “Tell us about this photo” to contribute names, relationships, places, dates, donor information, and corrections.
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Search photographs from family and community collections, PIHS events and the Society's Facebook archive. Select any photograph to enlarge and zoom it, then contribute names, places, dates, donor information, and corrections.
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Two women pose on a railing. Their names are not known. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P09-01
The handwriting at the side includes Laura and possibly Chester. The names are partly unclear, and it is uncertain which person each name refers to. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P09-02
A note identifies Victor MacCallum as Lena’s brother. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P10-01
A typed note gives the names from left to right. The writing beneath the photograph is less clear. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P10-02
A typed note gives both full names. Dolina and Laura are written beneath the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P11-01
Fraser MacLean is written beneath the photograph. The other person has not been identified, and the caption does not say which person is Fraser. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P12-01
A note reads “Pictou Island Church; Movie View 1975.” The people and occasion are not identified. 1975, from the archive’s typed note; the occasion is unconfirmed. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P12-02
A typed note names Ruth, gives the year 1931 and adds “Tiny.” It does not give a surname or make clear who “Tiny” was. 1931, from the archive’s typed back-side note. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P13-01
An undated photograph with no name recorded. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P13-02
Typed list names Florence MacKeil (Rankin), the child; Jessie Fraser; Aileen Beers (Fraser); Laura MacDonald (Rankin); Dolina Keenan (Rankin); Annie Mae Hilbert Rankin. Adult positions are not explicitly established. Undated childhood family photograph. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P14-01
Jean is handwritten beneath the photograph. No surname or date is added here. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P15-01
A place name is written along the left edge. Jimmie is named beneath the group, and another note may say Russel or Russell. The other people and the date are unknown. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P15-02
The handwriting names Peter, Clara, Mae R. and possibly Vinny. Arrows appear on the photograph, but the names cannot all be matched confidently to the people. The boat and date are unknown. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P16-01
A typed note names Elva MacDonald, Lauchie’s wife, and John. It gives no surname for John or date for the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P16-02
The names come from a typed note on the back. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P17-01
This photograph has faded considerably. No readable name or date is attached. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P17-02
Typed note lists Wife Bertha; Lachie (Jack's brother) and wife (the former Elva Cairns); Adeline; Happy Angus. The note does not explicitly map every visible person to a position. Undated; before 18 March 1938 if the album’s Happy Angus identification is correct. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P18-01
Typed list: Jessie Fraser; Duncan Rankin; Dolina Keenan (Rankin); Jimmy Happy (MacDonald); Laura MacDonald (Rankin). Adult positions are not independently verified. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P18-02
Handwritten caption beneath the photograph. No date is given. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P19-01
A note names Jimmy and Jean; the child is not named. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P19-02
The vessel’s name, the port and the date are unknown. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P20-01
The vessel, people, location and date are unknown. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P20-02
“Cape Tormentine N.B.” is written along the edge, and Jimmie is named beneath the group. The other people have not been identified. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P21-01
Jean is handwritten beneath the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P21-02
Handwritten caption reads Sonny & Bee, with spelling also indexed as Sonney in the compilation. No surnames or date are supplied. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P22-01
Typed back-side list: Mae MacDonald (Tug); Happy Angus; Maggie Bell; Heck & Betty (in arms). Exact positions and the meaning of Tug are not established. Undated; before 18 March 1938 if the album’s Happy Angus identification is correct. Location unrecorded. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P22-02
Typed note explicitly lists these from left to right. Margaret's sister is unnamed; the fourth entry is ??? in the compilation. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P23-01
Bottom caption lists Betty, Margt R., Heck, Adeline, M. Stewart, Dolina and Duncan MacDonald. Side writing also names Heck, apparently Melda Stewart, and Happy Angus. Preserve these source labels; their positional relationship and any corrections are unresolved. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P23-02
Jimmie is written beneath the photograph. The location and date are unknown. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P24-01
A typed note names Willis MacLean; the album index calls him Willie. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P24-02
A typed note and handwriting name Oma and Cassie. The baby is not named, and the captions do not say which adult is which. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P25-01
Named in the typed album caption. Prior research identifies a likely Angus Hector MacDonald/Adelina MacFarlane match (Angus death: Nova Scotia record 283242). If that identification is correct, the sitting predates Angus's death on 18 March 1938. That is a conditional limit, not a date written on the photograph. Undated; before 18 March 1938 on the album’s identification of Happy Angus. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P25-02
Names are written along the edge. A preceding name or word is crossed out. No date or further family link is inferred. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P26-01
Handwriting reads Cora, Willie, Jimmie, Alice, followed by a less certain name and Hughie. The exact reading and person positions remain open; no additional surnames are assigned. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P26-02
Handwriting names Jean and Jimmie. Prior original-record comparison supports a probable match to Olive Jean MacLean and James Duncan MacDonald, married 24 September 1936 (Nova Scotia marriage record 226263, book 84, page 317). The date is inferred from that match, not written on this scan. Probably 24 September 1936; the wedding identification and date are inferred. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P27-01
Handwriting names Annie Mae, Jean, Jim and Charlie; a final initial is uncertain. Prior comparison supports the same probable 24 September 1936 wedding, with witnesses Annie Mae Rankin and Charles W. Munroe (Nova Scotia marriage record 226263, book 84, page 317). Do not assign unnamed rear figures or turn the probable match into a certain date. Probably 24 September 1936; the wedding identification and date are inferred. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P27-02
Names are written beneath the photograph, though the last abbreviated name is partly unclear. No date is given. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P27-03
No readable identification or date is attached. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P27-04
Names are handwritten beneath the photograph; Margt. is retained as the source abbreviation for Margaret. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P28-01
No readable identification or date is attached. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P28-02
Boats, a shoreline building and a steep rocky hill are visible. The place and vessels are not identified. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P28-03
Handwritten caption beneath the photograph. No date is supplied. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P29-01
Adeline is written at the side, along with a second name that is unclear. Her companion has not been identified. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P29-02
Adeline is handwritten beneath the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P30-01
Handwritten caption beneath the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P30-02
Jimmy is handwritten beneath the photograph. Site and date are unknown. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P30-03
Jimmie is written beneath the photograph, followed by a mark that is incomplete or unclear. The other person is unidentified. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P30-04
Names are handwritten beneath the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P31-01
Handwritten caption beneath the photograph. Names are accepted as album attribution, without an additional identity merge. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P31-02
The annotation names Jimmie and Elva; the word following Elva is uncertain. No surname or family relationship is inferred. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P31-03
No readable name or date is attached to this photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P31-04
Jean is handwritten beneath the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P32-01
Jimmy is handwritten beneath the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P32-02
Side handwriting includes Dolina, Adeline and Margt. Ross, with an intervening name crossed out and other writing uncertain. The fourth person and exact positions are not established. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P32-03
No individual names or date are recorded for this photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P33-01
Jean is handwritten beneath the photograph. Location and date remain unknown. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P33-02
Handwritten caption beneath the photograph. Undated; see the source and caption notes. Credit: Contributed by Chris Stafford.
View photograph, caption and connections →Catalogue reference: P33-03
A view of Pictou Island’s East End from Darrell Rankin’s slides. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-EAST-END-1983
Logan MacDonald and Vernie Rankin at the East End. Photograph from a Darrell Rankin slide; Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-EAST-END-FISHERMEN
Historic view of the island wharf, preserved from Hazel MacDonald’s collection. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PICTOU-ISLAND-WHARF-HAZEL-MACDONALD
Jack Rankin bought a farm with a log house and built this house with Mary before their 1910 marriage, using wood brought from Wood Islands. The small building at right was used as a store. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-JACK-RANKIN-FARM
Jack and Mary Rankin. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-JACK-MARY-RANKIN
An island Sunday school picnic at Jack and Mary Rankin’s property. Participant identifications were supplied with the Andrea Rankin Sibley collection. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-SUNDAY-SCHOOL-PICNIC
Brothers Vernie and Duncan Rankin. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-VERNIE-DUNCAN-RANKIN
Vernie and Isabel Rankin with hockey sticks on Pictou Island. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-VERNIE-ISABEL-RANKIN-HOCKEY
Angus Hector “Happy Angus” MacDonald and Adeline “Dollie” MacFarlane. They farmed and kept horses on the property later associated with the Stafford family. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-ANGUS-DOLLIE-MACDONALD
Henry “Bush” MacDonald and Vernie Rankin. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-BUSH-MACDONALD-VERNIE-RANKIN
A historic view of Torquil MacLean’s farm. The people shown are not yet identified in the available record. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-TORQUIL-MACLEAN-FARM
Torquil and Isabella MacLean. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-TORQUIL-ISABELLA-MACLEAN
Hector MacLean, believed to be Torquil MacLean’s brother. The collection notes that he played bagpipes on the mainland boat journey for Vernie and Isabel’s 1944 wedding. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-HECTOR-MACLEAN
Dollie, Janie, Mamie, Bella (Isabella), Annie, and Ena—daughters of Charles and Annabel MacLean. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-MACLEAN-SISTERS
Annabel “Bella” McCallum (1853–1922), Isabella MacLean’s mother. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-BELLA-MCCALLUM
Isabel Hooper Rankin. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-ISABEL-HOOPER-RANKIN
Teddy Hooper and Vernie Rankin. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-TEDDY-HOOPER-VERNIE-RANKIN
Sidney, John Ralph, and Theodore “Teddy” Hooper, all of whom served during the Second World War. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-SIDNEY-RALPH-THEODORE-HOOPER
A large family group from the Hooper and MacLean families. Identifications supplied with the Andrea Rankin Sibley collection accompany this family photograph. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-HOOPER-FAMILY
Island residents skating outdoors. The people and date are not confirmed in the available catalogue information. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-SKATING
Vernie Rankin aboard a fishing boat at the East End, preserved from a Darrell Rankin slide. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-VERNIE-RANKIN-EAST-END-FISHERMAN
Cattle on the beach near the East End harbour, photographed in the 1970s or early 1980s and preserved from Darrell Rankin’s slides. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-EAST-END-SHORELINE
A portrait identified in the supplied collection record as Annabelle MacLean Hooper. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-ANNABELLE-MACLEAN-HOOPER
A second portrait of Torquil and Isabella MacLean, shown seated together. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-TORQUIL-ISABELLA-MACLEAN-SEATED
A MacLean family group gathered beside a car and farmhouse. Family identifications were supplied with the Andrea Rankin Sibley collection. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-MACLEAN-FAMILY-GROUP-CAR
Annabel “Bella” McCallum at a spinning wheel, identified in the Andrea Rankin Sibley collection. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-MCCALLUM-SPINNING-WHEEL
A colour view of boats and fishing activity at the Pictou Island Wharf. The supplied record identifies Anderson MacLean, Teddy Hooper, Henry “Bush” MacDonald, Isabel and Vernie Rankin, and Logan MacDonald among those present. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PICTOU-ISLAND-WHARF-COLOUR
A wide view across the fields toward Jack and Mary Rankin’s farm. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-JACK-MARY-RANKIN-FARM-WIDE
An elevated colour view of Jack and Mary Rankin’s house, outbuildings, fields, and shoreline. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-JACK-MARY-RANKIN-FARM-AERIAL
Jack Rankin photographed outdoors in work clothes. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-JACK-RANKIN-WORKING
Jack Rankin seated at home in 1956. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-JACK-RANKIN-1956
Jack Rankin standing among tall garden flowers. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-JACK-RANKIN-GARDEN
A historic exterior photograph of the house Jack and Mary Rankin built before their 1910 marriage. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-JACK-RANKIN-HOUSE
Animals gathered beside the barn at Torquil MacLean’s farm. The person shown has not been confirmed in the available record. Andrea Rankin Sibley collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-TORQUIL-MACLEAN-FARMYARD
An early aircraft photograph supplied by Lorne Matheson, who identified the aircraft as Pictou Island’s “first mail plane.” This identification is preserved as Lorne’s family-history attribution, rather than as independent verification of the aircraft, a first flight or the beginning of postal air service. The date, location, aircraft model, pilot and service history remain unconfirmed. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-00
Historic family photograph awaiting identification of the people, place, and date. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-01
Historic island photograph awaiting identification and context. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-02
Historic island photograph awaiting identification and context. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-03
Historic family photograph awaiting identification of the people, place, and date. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-04
Historic island photograph awaiting identification and context. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-07
Historic island photograph awaiting identification and context. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-08
Historic island photograph awaiting identification and context. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-09
Historic family photograph awaiting identification of the people, place, and date. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-12
Historic island photograph awaiting identification and context. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-14
Historic island photograph awaiting identification and context. Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-PHOTO-15
Family photograph preserved in the Lorne Matheson collection. The people and date are not yet confirmed.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-MOMS-03
Nina Vennita Matheson stands with another woman beside an aircraft. The photograph may date from after the Second World War, and the aircraft may be associated with a later mail-plane service; neither the date nor the aircraft’s role has been confirmed. The second woman and the location remain unidentified. Photograph from the Lorne Matheson collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-MOMS-06
Family photograph preserved in the Lorne Matheson collection. The people and date are not yet confirmed.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-MOMS-07
Historic family photograph preserved in the Lorne Matheson collection. PIHS welcomes names, relationships, locations, and an approximate date.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-OLD-FAMILY-09
Historic Factory Road scene showing a horse-drawn carriage and large industrial buildings. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-001-FACTORY-ROAD
One of four photographs of an unidentified vessel wreck on a rocky shore. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. Vessel, location and date remain to be confirmed.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-002-WRECK-01
Second view of an unidentified vessel wreck, with a person and barrels visible. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. Identification remains provisional.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-003-WRECK-02
Third view of an unidentified vessel wreck on the shore, with people visible. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. Vessel, place and date remain to be confirmed.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-004-WRECK-03
Fourth view from the same unidentified wreck sequence. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. Further identification is being sought.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-005-WRECK-04
This group portrait bears the handwritten name “John C. McDonald.” We would like to learn more about the people, place and date. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-006-PEOPLE-JOHN-C-MCDONALD
Historic photograph of two men with handwritten names that appear to read “Sam Giddings” and “Mark McKenzie.” The readings are provisional and may need correction. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-007-SAM-GIDDINGS-MARK-MCKENZIE
Two children on the rocky shore with large shoreline buildings and wharf structures in the background. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. People, date and exact location remain to be identified.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-022-CHILDREN-CANNERY-SHORE
Children playing with a small wagon near shoreline buildings. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. Names, date and location remain to be identified.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-027-CHILDREN-WAGON
Children wading at the beach. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. PIHS is seeking names and an approximate date.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-028-CHILDREN-BEACH
A group gathered at a wharf or landing, with a barrel in the foreground. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. The occasion, people and date remain to be identified.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-017-WHARF-CROWD
Historic group of men at a wharf or landing with boats and shoreline buildings visible. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. PIHS is seeking identifications and context.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-035-WHARF-GROUP
A man stands in a yard with boats and buildings behind him. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. Person, place, date and activity remain to be confirmed.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-038-MAN-BOATS-YARD
Distant view of a lighthouse and associated buildings across the water. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. The lighthouse and date remain to be confirmed.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-016-LIGHTHOUSE-DISTANT-VIEW
Adults and children in a rowboat close to shore. Ray Hayman / PIHS collection. Names and date remain to be identified.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-RH-029-ROWBOAT-GROUP
Island residents and visitors gather outdoors during PIHS's eighteenth annual LobsterFest on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Source: PIHS event photograph collection; individual photographer not recorded.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-GATHERING
Guests share the annual LobsterFest meal, a community gathering and fundraiser for the Pictou Island Heritage Society, June 6, 2026. Source: PIHS event photograph collection; individual photographer not recorded.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-COMMUNITY-MEAL
Lobster donated and prepared for PIHS's 2026 LobsterFest. Island fishers have traditionally supported the event by contributing part of their catch. Source: PIHS event photograph collection; individual photographer not recorded.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-LOBSTERS
Community members gather for the 2026 LobsterFest meal on Pictou Island. Source: PIHS event photograph collection; individual photographer not recorded.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-ARRIVAL
Children explore the grounds during the June 6, 2026 LobsterFest gathering, with a model lighthouse and the South Lighthouse visible nearby. Source: PIHS event photograph collection; individual photographer not recorded.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-CHILDREN
Volunteers help with serving and cleanup during PIHS's annual LobsterFest fundraiser in 2026. Source: PIHS event photograph collection; individual photographer not recorded.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-VOLUNTEERS
Guests enjoy the LobsterFest XVIII meal on June 6, 2026. Names and additional details can be submitted through the photograph's identification form. Source: PIHS event photograph collection; individual photographer not recorded.
Catalogue reference: PIHS-DINNER
Oral histories
Recorded conversations preserve memories of fishing, winter life, Gaelic, family and community change. This selection presents excerpts PIHS can share publicly.
David Harding and Maureen Hull discussed joining other young adults on the island in the 1970s, finding work in the fishery, learning from established residents, raising children, winter routines, and changes in community services and communications. Harding also recalled that older Islanders he knew and fished with had grown up with Gaelic, understood it, and that a few could speak some words. His recollection does not tell us how many people spoke Gaelic or how fluent they were. They described mutual dependence as ‘one thing about an island—you do all have to get along.’
“The old people that we knew and fished with had grown up with Gaelic—they understood it and a few could speak a few words of it.”
— David Harding, July 19, 2018