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Last Updated: Jul 19, 2011 URL: http://libguides.acadiau.ca/AliceIlsley Print Guide RSS UpdatesShareThis

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Alice Ilsley

What was it like to live on a farm in rural Nova Scotia in the early 1900s?

In a word - busy.  Farm life for a child may well have been exciting and enjoyable, but was not without its challenges.  We do not often have the opportunity to see life through a child's eyes, but this diary offers us the rare and insightful opportunity to do so.

Alice Amelia Ilsley was born in Halls Harbour, Kings County, NS, on 1 April 1893.  The daughter of Robert Harvie and Amelia Emeline (nee West) Ilsley, she lived and worked on the family farm in Halls Harbour.  When she was thirteen years old, Alice wrote in her diary information about the weather, life in school, travels within the local area, events at Church, and farm life.  The entries are often short, but fun and insightful to read.  Here are some examples,

Wednesday, 31 January 1906, entry:

fine mild. Pa & Norman went to Mr. Sweet's and to Kentville got Ma's dress. Handkerchiefs and 2 suits of clothes for Norman & 2 coats. Hens laid 7 eggs I made molasses candy. 
Saturday, 1 September 1906, entry:

awlful hail & rain storm at night. Edith I__ & Miss Best over to Harbour. Mary Randall & Phebe came in the afternoon

Saturday 13 July 1907, entry:

rained some in the afternoon I went around to the burnt land with Pa & Ross & got some strawberries Norman came home on his wheel Otis came home (on train)

 

 

 

The Archival Records

The diary, dated 1906 to 1907, was created by Alice llsley while living on her parent’s farm in Halls Harbour.  In addition to information about her life and her family, she provides details about collecting eggs, haying, collecting berries, and making molasses candy.

Check out the "Get the Records" box in the left column for a Finding Aid link to get the full story on Alice Ilsley and view the digital copies of these records. 

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