Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- Microfilmed 1965 (originally created 1893-1900) (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 microfilm reel
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Agnes Shakespeare "Nesta" Higginson, 1865-1955, was born in Cushendun, County Antrim, Ireland. In 1895 she married Walter Claremont Skrine, 1860-1930, who was born in County Somerset, Ireland. In 1880 Walter went to Ceylon as a tea planter, then in 1883 came to Alberta where he established the Bar S Ranch on Mosquito Creek, near High River and Nanton.
Agnes was a writer and poet who used the pen name Moira O'Neill. Her work was published by Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine and the London Spectator. Her major work of prose, "A Lady's Life on a Ranche", was published by Blackwood's in 1898. Her poems, "Songs of the Glens of Antrim", were published to instant acclaim in 1902. The Skrines returned to County Wexford, Ireland in 1902. They had three sons and two daughters children, including Charles John, 1902-1966, Susan, 1900-?, Mary Nesta, 1904-1996 [also known as Molly Keane], Godfrey Higginson, 1909-1995, and Walter Henry.
For further information see T.B. Higginson's article "Moira O'Neill in Alberta", in Alberta Historical Review. -- vol. 5, no. 2 (Spring 1957), p. 22-25.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The fonds consists of her correspondence with Blackwood's, including her impressions of the Skrine ranch and southern Alberta.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No restrictions on access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
The material is in English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
No finding aid.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
The originals are part of the Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine archives, held by the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of records.
Note
T.B. Higginson was the cousin of Agnes Skrine.
Note
Microfilm-Skrine
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- O'Neill, Moira (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Thursday, January 17, 2019