The experiences of Scots who emigrated to Canada in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to take up jobs in the Canadian fur trade is the focus of a new research project at the 黑料网.
Over the next two years, researchers in the Department of Anthropology will be looking at the historical experiences of Scots who worked in the fur trade in the Canadian north-west and are appealing to the descendants of fur traders for information about their ancestors鈥� lives and adventures.
The team is especially interested in hearing from people who have any objects, photographs or letters from ancestors who worked for the Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company in Canada and who would be willing to talk to the team about their importance to their family today.
Project researcher Dr Alison Brown, said: 鈥淪cots and Orcadians have been involved with the Canadian fur trade since the 18th century, and many families here have an ancestor who worked for the Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company.
鈥淢any of these men sent home gifts to their families, such as beadwork bags or moccasins, or brought personal possessions like painted coats and snowshoes when they returned home to Scotland after their retirement.鈥�
Some of these artefacts are now in museum collections, but others may be tucked away in attics or displayed in people鈥檚 homes.
Dr Brown added: 鈥淭hese sorts of objects are tremendously important for helping historians understand what life was like for people who were involved in the fur trade.
鈥淭he project aims to use them to learn more about the relationships between Scots and Orcadians who travelled so far from home, and the First Nations people who made them.鈥�
The project, entitled Material Histories: Social Relationships between Scots and Aboriginal People in the Canadian Fur Trade, c1870-1930, is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Its long-term goals are to bring together First Nations artists and historians with museum staff in Scotland in order to share knowledge and information about the collections and how they can be used in educational projects.
As project director, Professor Tim Ingold, said: 鈥淭his is a great way to explore the hidden histories of people and the things that mattered to them most鈥�.
Team member Dr Nancy Wachowich, added: 鈥淲e hope the project will celebrate early connections between Scots and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada and show how they have contributed to both these countries鈥� histories鈥�.
If you or one of your ancestors worked for the Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company in Canada, or if your family has any mementoes or stories about their experiences, please contact Dr Alison Brown, at alison.brown@abdn.ac.uk, or (01224) 274355.