Myra Pearce
This interview project, conducted by the University of Guelph's HIST*3450 course, will focus on the lives and stories of Guelph community members collected through oral history interviews and recording formats at Norfolk Manor in Guelph, Ontario.
This particular interview, between myself, Nolan McGillivray, and Guelph community member, Myra Pearce, took place on March 13th, 2019.
Editor's Note: Throughout this page, you will find snippets of Nolan and Myra's interview, which are linked within the text. Click the following link to jump to the full interview. ■ Jump to the full interview
| Growing up in Kilkeel, Ireland, a small fishing village on the northern coast of the island, Myra Pearce (see Figure 1) has had the unique opportunity of living her life in two culturally and socially different continents. The time period of which most of this oral history concerns, is one of peak interest as throughout Myra’s lifetime, both Canada and the United Kingdom have undergone serious political, social and cultural development. Myra’s story, starting in Kilkeel, her life during the Second World War, and her migration and settlement in Canada, offer a unique perspective on the 20th century as her life is connected to both the European and North American cultures. The events and topics discussed in the oral history interview, such as the Irish fishing industry, the Second World War, and the immigrant experience showcase both the complexity of Myra’s life story and also the essence of the time periods being discussed. |
|
Our interview began with Myra sharing memories of her life in Kilkeel, Ireland, a small fishing village on the northern coast. Myra chose to first elaborate on her families' connections to the fishing industry there. A large economic contributor to the area both historically and presently, this profession can be understood as not only representative of an economic dependence on natural resources, but also an identity to which many in the area connected with. Describing her family first as “fishing people” in the area, it became clear that Myra’s family connection to the industry was both long lasting and personal. This personal connection is seen once more in the interview as Myra chose to share a story about her siblings and the fact that only one of them actually was able to carry on in the family tradition. A strong connection between fishing and family can be observed in this interview as the identity of fishing people, and its importance was highlighted through her expressions as she told the story of her brother’s entry into the fishing industry.
Elaborating more on her family, Myra commented on the overall economic climate faced by those within the profession at the time. Her family, as described in the interview, was somewhat poor. Myra herself saying that she felt “like a lot of the other children had more than we did”, explained the hard times faced by fishing people during the lead up to the Second World War. Challenges surrounding the economic sustainability of the fishing profession were not unknown to Myra as she expressed her awareness to her family’s financial state quite early on in the interview. The problems faced in the fishing industry leading up to the Second World War were faced as a result of overfishing and the widespread popularity of imported fish at that time. The economic relationship between the fishing families and their profession is most adequately understood here as Myra describes first hand, Her own family’s financial situation. A dependence on good fishing, one held by many fishermen in the area, is not uncommon as dependence on quality resource harvests is present in the other professions Myra described in her local area, specifically agriculture. Myra’s family, as described in this part of the interview, rarely fought or argued as far as she could remember. Describing in great detail, her brother's ambitions in the police force, and her mother’s involvement as a school monitor, she made sure to highlight their individual characteristics.
Myra’s experiences during the Second World War proved wildly interesting as such experiences highlighted both the social and economic changes faced during the war. One event mentioned in the interview, being that of the first bombing of Belfast is expressed by Myra as a mere occurrence at that point in her life. This event was one that shook the nation as it was one of the first direct actions of foreign violence in the country during the Second World War. Referred to by many historians as the Belfast Blitz, this event damaged much of Belfast. Myra, in this interview, informed me that her employer at the time, who worked in the city, became increasingly concerned. This can be understood as fear within the general Irish population at the time. Described by Myra as taking place during a period of her life where she was looking after a young boy as part of her employment, this event changed the perception of the war in Ireland at the time, described by Myra as absolutely terrifying, this event shifted the overall course of her life as it caused her to relocate for a short period of time thereafter. This time in Myra’s lifetime can be observed as a highly significant point in her overall story as her independence is exemplified. Describing first her travels to Belfast to visit her family, then her experience measuring shells in an ammunition factory during the war, Myra went into great detail about this point in her life.
Myra’s story, up to this point in the interview sheds some light on the experience of living in the early 20th century in Ireland. Her experiences during the Second World War as both a child caregiver and a munitions factory worker highlights not only the social changes undergone during wartime, but also Myra’s strength as an individual. Putting this story, and its large timeframe into context may at first present itself as a challenge. Yet, when examined individually, the segments of the long, half-hour interview can become more easily understood. The research conducted for this interview, dealing with the Irish sea fishing industry, the Second World War and the first bombing of Belfast in 1941, and the overall Irish immigrant experience, prove Myra’s story to be significant. The time period mainly concerning pre and postwar North America and Ireland, highlight both the key similarities and differences in both culture and way of life. Myra’s overall expression in the interview, being one of positivity is best understood through her assertion of never doubting or having any regrets regarding her migration to Canada. Her personality as represented in the interview was quite genuine. When her story is considered within the context of technological, social and political developments after the Second World War, an appreciation for the massive amount of change she has seen in her lifetime can be developed.
|
As our conversation developed, Myra began to share more and more about this specific time in her life. Understanding the importance of trust highlighted in some of the reading for this course, I feel as though an element of such trust had begun to develop at that point.[1] Myra then shared more information with me concerning her migration to Canada. Her memory of a song being played on the ship which transported her and her family to Canada was one which stood out as significant (see right). Though the version played on the ship was not specified by Myra, this song speaks to the time period itself as it highlights not only the popular music at the time but also hints at the atmosphere that must have been felt onboard the vessel. |
| Coming to Canada shortly after the Second World War, Myra and her husband, who was a navy serviceman, settled in Rockwood, Ontario (see Figure 2). Just outside of Guelph, this small town was the home of one of their friends who had migrated to Canada before them. Myra herself writing to many of her relatives in Canada chose Rockwood as this individual was the first reply she had received. Staying with their friends only until they found a place of their own, Myra, her husband and their children began a new life in Canada. |
When interviewed, Myra expressed a sentiment that was completely lacking regret:
“I never once thought that we’ve made a mistake.
|
Editor's Note: Saunders Bakery officially closed its doors in 2020. |
With the intention of permanent settlement in Canada, Myra began looking for a place to stay in Rockwood, Ontario. One event which seemed particularly interesting during this point in the interview was the mention of an encounter she had had in the local Rockwood bake shop shortly after arriving there. Describing in the interview how she had inquired about an apartment to the local bake shop owner, Mrs. Saunders, I realized that Saunders Bakery, was one which I had frequented since my early childhood. This bake shop (see Figure 3) is still visitable today on the main street of Rockwood. Myra then went on to explain that her inquiry on that day ultimately led to her first apartment in Canada. Myra's story is one that represents her personality, character and of course, the history of her lifetime. With historical context, one can come to understand the life story of Myra Pearce as a representaion of one person's perspective within the time period of post-Second World War Ireland and Canada. |
You can listen to the full interview here.
Click here for the interviewer, Nolan McGillivray's page and full reflection on this interview.
Endnotes
[1] Portelli. Alessandro. “Living Voices: The Oral History Interview as Dialogue and Experience.” The Oral History Review 45, no. 2 (2018). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ohr/ohy030.