MSS SC 55

Title: Florence Nightingale Sherk fonds

Dates: 1917-1930

Extent: 4 cm of textual records

Biographical Sketch: Florence Nightingale Sherk was born in 1865. Sherk became well known as a "woman journalist" in Winnipeg often publishing under the pseudonym "Gay Page." In 1919 she published a collection of her poetry entitled The workshops and other poems. With compilation by "Gay Page." Sherk also published biographical articles of Donald Ross for the Smithsonian Institute and The Beaver magazine. In 1930 Sherk published a series of articles entitled "Real Letters from Red River" in the Manitoba Free Press. In her series Sherk excerpted letters sent to the Ross's that discussed aspects of Manitoba history. Sherk utilized the Donald Ross letters, then held by Donald Ross's granddaughter, Mrs. George A. Graham of Fort William, Ontario. Sherk died in 1930 shortly after the publication of the series.

Custodial History: The custodial history of this fonds prior to coming to the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections is unavailable. This fonds was also at one point entitled Winnipeg Free Press "Real Letters from Red River" but was renamed the Florence Nightingale Sterk fonds to reflect its creator.

Scope and Content: The fonds consists of two folders. Folder 1 contains letters to Sherk relating to her research on prominent Hudson Bay company fur traders Bernard Rogan Ross and Donald Ross, notably with a view to the publication of the letters to and from Donald Ross; included is a fragment of a holograph letter to Ross from Sir James Douglas. Folder 2 contains pages from the Manitoba Free Press (15 March - 21 June 1930) carrying 7 articles "Real letters from "Red River"", compiled by Sherk from the Ross correspondence.

Source of Supplied Title: Title based on provenance of fonds.

Restrictions: Open to all researchers.

Finding Aid: Printed finding aid is available.