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Norman Creighton fonds Series
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CBC Scripts

This series contains scripts for short serials, programs, and plays written by Norman Creighton for CBC Radio. These scripts are independent of The Gillans and the radio talks, although the pieces Creighton contributed to 29 episodes of CBC Radio Canada's Topical Tapes are often versions of the radio talks. Creighton wrote two short serials for CBC: "Three of a Kind" and "The Rumrunners." The former consists of 34 episodes, of which numbers 11, 14, and 16 are missing; the latter consists of 13 episodes, all of which are intact. "The Rumrunners" series also includes plotting sheets and a series brochure. Although both serials are set in the Maritimes, "Three of a Kind" is a contemporary series, while "The Rumrunners" is a work of historical fiction. Creighton also contributed plays and nonfiction programs to the following CBC Radio series: Summer Fallow, Venture, Soundings, Legacy, and CBC Sunday Night. The subjects of the programs and plays include Maritime history, rural communities, and the environment. In addition to these scripts, the series also includes 7 scripts for radio plays to which Creighton lent his talent for acting rather than writing. These scripts have been preserved because several include notes written by Creighton.

Correspondence of Norman Creighton

This series contains the majority of Norman Creighton's correspondence, all of which is arranged alphabetically by correspondent; the exception is the CBC subseries, which is arranged chronologically. Some correspondence relating to topics covered in Creighton's writing can be found in the research and subject files. The correspondence spans a period of 82 years and includes both incoming and outgoing letters, as well as postcards and greeting cards. Creighton's correspondents were wide-ranging and include family, friends, fellow writers, fans, publishers, and his long-time employer - the CBC. Creighton also corresponded with numerous government departments, libraries, archives, and historical societies to research topics for his magazine articles and radio scripts. Creighton frequently corresponded with his older brother Alan Creighton, local writer Kay Hill, CBC colleague Marjory Whitelaw, and American literary critic Thomas H. Uzzell. At the CBC he often communicated with Ralph Marven, Norval Balch, Harry J. Boyle, and Edgar Bennett. The Maclean's file in the publishers correspondence subseries contains letters from editor Pierre Berton (personal letters from Berton after he left Maclean's are filed separately under his name). In addition to Berton, Creighton corresponded with the following notable individuals: his cousin, folklorist Helen Creighton; Donald Curren, the Executive Director of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Nova Scotia Division) and member of the Order of Canada; Nova Scotia writers Hugh McClennan, Ernest Buckler, Thomas H. Raddall. These files, however, tend to contain fewer letters over a short period of time.

Family Estate Documents

Series contains copies of the Last Will and Testament of multiple ancestors of Norman Creighton, as well as correspondence between various family members with regards to the settlement of estates, division of property and funds, and other concerns. Included are personal papers (particularly correspondence) of numerous family members. There is also a significant amount of material under the William Almon Hendry subheading which includes deeds, mortgage contracts, blueprints, and other business dealings.

Fiction

This series contains eight short stories and seven scripts written by Norman Creighton. Although most of his fiction intended for print was unpublished ("The Day of the Gaspereau" was the exception), two of his plays from this series were produced by CBC ("The Domestic Adviser," "Pamela Joyce"). The short stories tend to have contemporary, rural settings. Although the settings are usually unnamed, it can be assumed that they are based on places in the Annapolis Valley, where Creighton spent the majority of his adult life. Romantic relationships are often the major themes of the short stories. The scripts, which were intended for TV and radio, are also contemporary and set in rural areas, but are thematically concerned with a number of human relationships (not just romantic). The short stories and scripts have been arranged alphabetically by title. The files include draft versions, some of which contain Creighton's editorial notes. A

Memorabilia of Norman Creighton

Series contains assorted items including news clippings (particularly making mention of family members), items previously belonging to or created by family members. It also contains Norman Creighton's information on the Creighton family history, including research material and notes, a family tree chart, and booklet.

Nonfiction

This series contains 30 articles written for print by Norman Creighton, several of which were adapted from Creighton's radio talks. Most of the articles explore aspects of Maritime life. More specifically, his articles fall into two categories: historical and contemporary articles that explore quirky and unique aspects of living on the East Coast; and speculative pieces about the future of Nova Scotia and its idyllic, rural way of life. His nonfiction appeared most notably in the periodicals The Atlantic Advocate and Maclean's. The articles have been arranged alphabetically by title. The files include copies of his published articles and draft versions, the latter of which often contain editorial notes written by Creighton or his editors. This series also contains two

Photographs and A/V Materials

Series consists of Norman Creighton's photographs and negatives. Most photographs depict Creighton's immediate family but the series also includes photographs of friends; extended family and ancestors; family homes and gardens; grave stones and monuments; and various houses and buildings. Most photographs were placed in albums dedicated to a specific family, ancestor, or subject, although the series also contains a number of loose photographs. Many albums also contain newspaper clippings, drawings, post cards, and other textual materials. Most negatives in the series were printed and placed in albums.

Printed Materials

File contains assorted materials such as newsletters and magazines that Norman contributed to; as well as sheet music, clippings including a short story by Laleah Creighton.

Radio talks

Series consists mainly of Norman Creighton's CBC radio talks, airing from the 1950s through 1980s, but also includes newspaper clippings and notes, a CBC brochure, and a chronological list of radio talks and their subjects. Radio talks are usually brief essays or editorials on subjects ranging from environmental issues; social issues; Maritime historical figures and events; Maritime communities and events; and lifestyle, among others. They aired on several CBC shows, including: A. M. Chronicle, Maritime Magazine, and Personally Speaking. There are approximately 700 talks, most of which are between five and seven typed pages. Creighton often re-used sections from radio talks or re-aired largely unchanged radio talks at later dates. Re-aired radio talks may also have been re-titled. Instances where material is known to have been recycled are noted. The series consists of two subseries based on type of material: 1. Radio talks 2. Title lists

Records

Series consists of recordings of Gillan auditions, as well as transcriptions of The Rum Runner broadcasts and a collection of Norman Creighton's radio talks entitled A Hantsport Haggis: A Collection of Short Essays by Norman Creighton. Most records have locking grooves between tracks, are in good condition, and have good sound quality. The series consists of two subseries: 1. Gillan Auditions, and 2. The Rum Runners and A Hantsport Haggis.

Research Files

This series contains Norman Creighton's original research, which was primarily intended for his non-fiction articles and radio programs. The files consist of notes from Creighton's observations on trips, transcripts of interviews, correspondence, and printed materials (such as government reports, brochures, pamphlets). The first-hand research was conducted in the Maritimes, and includes the following subjects: noteworthy individuals; local towns with rich traditions; historical events; and current issues and events. The research files also contain assignments Creighton completed for a correspondence course on fiction writing in 1941, and information on H. G. Wells. Creighton was a fan of the author and avidly collected books written by and about Wells for decades. Creighton's research was related to building his collection and consists of correspondence with rare book stores, H. G. Wells societies, and professors. The series also

Subject Files

This series contains background information for Norman Creighton's CBC radio talks; as such, many of the file titles correspond with titles for the talks. These files consist of notes, newspaper and magazine clippings, printed material (pamphlets, brochures, government documents), and correspondence. The research is primarily secondary, although Creighton occasionally obtained information first-hand via correspondence, phone interviews, or trips to local communities. Creighton added to many of his subject files for several years, and his interests range from environmental issues; social issues; Maritime historical figures and events; Maritime communities and events; health; and lifestyle, among others. Most files are small and contain only a few pages. The subject files also include notes on his fiction writing. These notes - which contain ideas for characters, conversations, situations - provide a first-hand look into Creighton's writing process. Many sheets of paper and newspaper clippings are becoming brittle with age or tearing around the edges and should be handled with care.

The Gillans

Series consists of materials related to Norman Creighton's CBC radio program "The Gillans" which aired from 1942 to 1949, including original and revised scripts; subject and episode indexes to scripts; plotting, drama, and character notes; as well as a promotional image of cast members. Indexes are only available for scripts dating from 1942 to 1946. The original scripts are carbon copies and require careful handling, many of the early ones are also spotted and appear to have some water damage. Most scripts are numbered in sequence and arranged in this order. Emergency scripts were often used when one or more characters were unable to perform. Although filed in sequence, the use of emergency scripts often resulted in misnumbering of episodes. Series includes the following subseries: 1. Scripts 2. Indexes 3. Plotting sheets and notes.

Titus Smith

Series contains files relating to Titus Smith Jr., the Nova Scotian naturalist known as the "Dutch Village Philosopher" and ancestor of Norman Creighton. Includes genealogical work, newspaper clippings, letters to Smith from his contemporaries and family and letters about Smith by his ancestors, and items commemorating his contributions to naturalism in Nova Scotia… also contains some mention of Titus Smith Sn.