Title

William Standen fonds. -- 1879-1895. -- 5 cm of textual records.

William John Standen, n.d. Photo credit: [Andrew Ronald Jr. Studio, Minesing, Ontario]	The Standen family, n.d. (from left to right, back row): John, Andrew, Mary Elizabeth (May Beth), William John, Annie (on William's knee); Mary Ronald (left, seated); Ruth (holding doll); Frances (seated in front) Photo credit: unknown

Biography / History

William John Standen was born in 1843 and emigrated to Quebec with his parents aboard the John Howell on April 26, 1856. Eventually he settled on land in Minesing near Barrie, Canada West. In Midhurst, Ontario in January, 1869 he married Mary White Ronald (1841-1907) and they had seven children. (Taken from: "A Standen Family History" 1956). Throughout his life he kept diaries relating to life in Ontario and on his farm and it is these diaries which make up this fonds. A complete family history is available in the fonds.

Custodial History

This fonds was created by the Standen family and in the custody of Dale Standen until it was donated to the Trent University Archives.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of diaries written by W.J. Standen concerning life on his farm near Barrie, Ontario. The fonds also contains a photocopy of the Standen family history.

Notes

Title based on the creator of the fonds.

The diary for 1879-1880 has ink stains on a number of pages blotting out some of the writing. The diaries are in good condition however due to their age gloves should be worn.

This fonds was donated by Professor Dale Standen.

Related fonds: Standen-McQueen family fonds (14-014)

Restrictions: N

Finding aids: Y

Further information about William Standen and his family is available in the book Standens and McQueens: A Canadian Story of Migrant Families by S. Dale Standen, 2014, located in Special Collections ((TC) CS 90 .S6995 2014).

Finding Aid

Box 1

Folder:

1 Diary: January 1879 - November 1881 (transcript)

2 Diary: November 1881 - January 1885 (transcript)

3 Diary: May 1888 - August 1890 - and sundry notes (transcript)

4 Diary: August 1890 - October 1891, and invoices (transcript)

5 Diary: April 1893 - November 1894 (transcript)

6 Diary: February 1895 - December 1895 (transcript)

7 A Standen Family History, 1956 written by John Ronald Standen, containing, among other things, more information about the arrival of W J Standen and his father and brother in Canada and at Minesing in 1862.

handwritten notes, 2 pages, about the diaries

Additional material received from Professor Dale Standen February 2012:

Two black and white 5x7 photographic prints:
William John Standen;
William John Standen and his wife Mary White Ronald with their children