Robert Birnie
Robert Birnie was the son of James Birnie, of the NWC and HBC. He was born in “Oregon [Country] in the year 1824, 7th February, place now called Astoria, it…
Read moreLeather Pass
As a fur trade descendant, I have always called the northern pass through the mountains “Leather Pass.” Today this is officially known as the Yellowhead, which comes from its original…
Read moreDonald Manson’s Retirement
Donald Manson was born in 1800, in Scotland, and worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company until 1857, when he retired. This is what Bruce Watson says of him in his…
Read moreAngus McDonald
When Chief Trader Alexander Caulfield Anderson was transferred to the charge of Fort Colvile in summer 1848, his clerk was a young Scotsman named Angus McDonald. Angus was born in…
Read more“Eatables”
As George Traill Allan made his way down the Jasper Valley at the head of the outgoing York Factory Express party, he wrote these words in his journal: About 8…
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