Dear Diary: New Secrets and Untold Stories
Journaling is a great way to decompress, remember a great day, or spill some gossip. While you might hide your diary under your bed, these three journals are a part of the Galt Museum Archives. Take a glimpse into the lives of others as they log their year, trips, and even workplace drama.
Diary of Elizabeth Fairfield
Diary of Elizabeth Fairfield – 1931, P19901046001
Wednesday October 21 where Elizabeth wrote: “I played Badminton. Karl took me + called for me after. We came out for the mail and then for a drive. Midnight again.” Rest of the entry is cut out.
Elizabeth Fairfield, daughter of the famous Dr. William Fairfield, wrote this diary in 1931. The journal has beautiful handwriting, documenting what she did each day and the places visited, including the Marquis. What struck me with this diary were the sections that had been redacted. An entry would begin and then the end would be cut out. This happened often when a Karl was mentioned.
Was this an instance of self-censorship? Did she write something that she looked back on later and didn’t agree with? Did the person donating it censor the writings on behalf of Elizabeth?
Entries from Monday, January 19 and Tuesday, January 20. Last sentences possibly written in Gregg Shorthand.
The Good Companion
Cover of red duo-tang with the title “THE GOOD COMPANIONS” P19861102029
This travel diary illustrates the journey of three friends, Betty Hewer, Margaret Broadberry, and Cora Hastings, as they took a road trip from San Diego, California to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1970. The diary documents each day travelled, written as if they are the main characters of the story. They also included drawings of noticeable sites, where they stayed, and how much it cost (roughly $12-25 a night).
First page. Titled “KING OF THE ROAD – DESSERT ROAD RUNNER” with hand drawn images on top and bottom right corner.
“Appendix II” includes prices of each hotel The Good Companions stayed at along with date and location.
Passbook used as a diary P20021013004
It’s unknown whose passbook this is, but as this is the only entry it can be assumed that the author was so frustrated at work one day that they had to write out the chain of events to show they were NOT in the wrong. This passbook is dated 1969.
3/69 - Maureen checked lists. I wasn’t even told there were lists. Cheque of Sterling Shoes $3016 included on list of M.P. Strong in error. Mr. Hustad thought it was my fault but I said No! Sept 3 - E jumped me - so much stuff in basket already. He no problem handling my desk when I away but delayed posting cheques not done since Aug 8. No REA payments but two - just
Sept 5/69 - Proof Teller out. Everything checked. Then had to do a cross check. I was working at Delayed Posting etc left for me - at 8pm just finished cross check and then discovered that Teller #3 - Maureen is one out net proof teller. A recount of her cash - which she had balanced showed her over $10. All night checking and then find that. Sept 2 - Proof teller out several different items turned up. About to do cross check when I noticed a certified Debit for $25 not listed so saved a cross check. I should have checked the certified items balance when I did it I caught H….. for that.
Then Sept 5 Ernie said sarcastically to me, “did you check certified terms”?
May this be a reminder to always date your journals for some archivist to fifty years in the future. For more information on diaries and journals, please visit galtmuseum.com/research.