Title:
John Giffen fonds

Date(s):
1923-1974

Physical Description:
87.5 cm of textual records

History:
John Wilson Giffen, 1906-1988, was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA. He came to Canada in 1907 when his father, also named John Wilson Giffen, 1870-1933, settled in Carseland, Alberta to farm and ranch. John (Sr.) had been a practicing physician in Pennsylvania but he did not resume his profession until 1923 when he set up a practice in Strathmore, Alberta. John (Jr.), one of five children, was educated in Strathmore, and moved to Edmonton with his mother and siblings while in his teens. He graduated from medicine at University of Alberta in 1929, and joined his father's practice which he subsequently took over when his father died. He was still practicing in 1978. In 1937 John (Jr.) married Irene Giroux, 1914-2009, from Strathmore and they had three children, Gary, Dawn and John. He was active in the United Church, and he wrote extensively on religion and socialism. He died in Mesa, Arizona.

Scope and Content:
The fonds consists of "patients seen" calendars (1924-1936); house call record book (1932-1954); patient account ledgers (1923-1969); orders for Ingram and Bell medical supplies (1943-1941); files about various medical activities (1927-1973); income tax returns (1928-1970); and personal writings about religion, socialism and medical issues (1930-1974). Includes blueprints for a proposed town swimming pool (1938-1940).

Source of Acquisition:
Gift of John W. Giffen, Irene Giffen and Gary Giffen, 1983-1985.

Language:
The material is in English.

Finding Aids:
Inventory available. Please consult before requesting material.

View finding aid / scanned documents:
http://www.glenbow.org/collections/search/findingAids/archhtm/giffen.cfm

Call Numbers:
(M=manuscript; N&P=photos; R=sound recordings; S=slides; F=films)
M-6694