Title proper
Bell and Kenny families genealogy
General material designation
- Textual record
- Graphic material
- Cartographic material
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- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the collection.
Level of description
Collection
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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
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Physical description
50 cm of textual records
photographs
maps
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Name of creator
Biographical history
This collection was compiled by Edwin Wallace Bell and Dudley Johnson Bell, sons of James A. Bell and Deborah Kenny. The research material it contains forms the content of the book, "Israel Kenny His Children and Their Families" by Edwin Wallace Bell, which appeared in 1944. Well-known New Brunswick historian Lilian M. B. Maxwell supplied the introduction.
Born on 23 October 1739 at Worcester, Massachusetts, Israel Kenny was a pre-Loyalist or Planter who came to what is now New Brunswick in 1767. He settled first at Maugerville, Sunbury County and then at Oromocto. He and his wife Susannah Hood had 14 children, three of whom remained in the Oromocto area, while the others relocated to Carleton County, N.B. around 1800. Israel Kenny drowned in 1791, attempting to cross the St. John River on the ice.
By the mid-20th century, the descendants of Israel Kenny in North America totalled over 2,000. The appearance of "Israel Kenny His Children and Their Families" sparked a revival in the publication of works on genealogy in New Brunswick not seen since the late 19th century.
Custodial history
Information about the custody of these records prior to acquisition is incomplete.
Scope and content
This collection consists primarily of materials collected by Edwin Wallace Bell during the course of his research for "Israel Kenny His Children and Their Families" as well as copies of his incoming and outgoing correspondence with the descendants of both Israel Kenny and his ancestors.
Along with the correspondence, the collection includes genealogical notes, pedigree charts, newspaper clippings, biographical sketches, and transcriptions or copies of late 18th, early 19th century, and 20th century documents. There are also maps of land grants and photographs of members of the Kenny, Kinney, Kennie, Kenney family. Some of the photographs have been moved to the Photographic Section. See P147 for some Bell family photos.
In addition, the collection contains copies of articles on Carleton County history by Clark A. McBride, Cyrus Snow, and Gladys P. Kinney extracted from newspapers; an article by Francis R. Plourde on log drives; a history of Bristol, N.B.; and correspondence and notes received by E. W. Bell on the publication of the "History of 104th Regiment" and "Israel Kenny His Children and Their Families".
The material is arranged in the original order established by E. W. Bell, which is by the names of individuals with whom he exchanged correspondence.
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Donated to the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick by Miss Florence Bell, of Vancouver, B.C., in 3 accessions: M1973.24, M1980.121, M1980.169.
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
No restrictions
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Detailed inventory of correspondents and a surname index of families mentioned in the collection are available.
Associated materials
See P147 for some Bell family photos.
The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick has a copy of "Israel Kenny His Children and Their Families".