Diary, 1903-1904, of trips with A. F. Camsell, Merritt Cary, and Alfred Emerson Preble to the Athabaska-Mackenzie region

Abstract

The diary, documents of Edward Preble's trips with A. F. Camsell, Merritt Cary, and Alfred Emerson Preble to the Athabaska-Mackenzie region of Canada in May 1903 to May 1904 while working for The United States Bureau of Biological Survey. Entries are dated, sometimes locations are listed at the beginning of entries. Journal entries discuss travel by canoe; campsites; observations on flora (including commonly seen types of trees; fauna, mostly birds (with common and sometimes scientific name); physical surroundings; challenges of travel; conversations with local inhabitants, including reminiscences of Robert Kennicott and descriptions of life at the forts; and preparation of specimens. Includes lists of specimens collected, and meteorological records for Fort Stimpson (January -June) in the back of the notebook. Locations include the vicinity of Mackenzie River, Fort Simpson, Fort Chipewyan, Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, Marian Lake, and Petitot River.

Date Range

1903-1904

Start Date

May 11, 1903

End Date

May 30, 1904

Access Information

Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.

Topic

• Animals
• Birds
• Ornithology

Place

• Canada
• Fort Chipewyan
• Fort Smith
• Mackenzie
• Fort Simpson
• Fort Resolution
• Marian Lake
• Petitot

Form/Genre

• Fieldbook record
• Field notes
• Diary

Accession #

SIA RU007252

Collection name

Edward Alexander Preble Papers, 1887-1957 and undated

Physical Description

1 field book

Physical Location

Smithsonian Institution Archives

Sublocation

Box 11 Folder 5