Paul Armstrong
President
paul.armstrong@mircs.ca
paul.armstrong@mircs.ca
Trained as an historical sociologist, Paul has held posts in economic development in municipalities in both Nova Scotia and Ontario. He was one of the organizers of the Irish Halifax SSHRC project and did research there on the early Mechanics' Library in Halifax (1831-1864). He is leading the A. F. Church Mapping Project, a large project to connect the late nineteenth century household geography of the maps with the 1881 census and the genealogical records of the local historical societies of the province.
He did his doctorate at Dalhousie University with work on the intellectual genealogy of the Antigonish Movement. His research is focussed now on the theory of civil society. He has considerable experience with non-profits at both the Board and staff level, and currently serves on the Boards of the Genealogical Association of N.S. and KITH Observatory, Inc.
Joe Ballard (B.Com), is an historical preservation specialist and architectural historian. He is the proud owner of one of the oldest commercial properties in Truro, NS. and is a senior preservation consultant with the cultural resource firm, Vineberg & Fulton Ltd. He is an ardent supporter of Nova Scotia business and culture. He has initiated half a dozen entrepreneurial ventures including B’Y YOKEL: East Coast Mercantile. He has experience in architectural history, museum management, and historical interpretation.
Active in organizations seeking to preserve and publicize the region's history, Peter is currently Editor of CCHA Historical Studies. His work on religion, migration, sport, and intellectual history has been published in journals such as Acadiensis, The Journal of Irish and Scottish Studies, Sport History Review, and CCHA Historical Studies.
Allen is a Genealogist and Historian. He did his M.A. in History at Acadia, and received his Doctorate in History from Queen's University, Kingston under George Rawlyk. Allen has done extensive work on the nineteenth century merchants of Halifax, and in church history of Nova Scotia. He has published extensively, with many articles and several books to his credit.
Pam is retired from a career with Financial Services at Dalhousie University. She has had a lifelong interest in genealogy, and is one of the province's specialists in that area. She currently holds the position of Vice-President & Secretary of the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia (GANS), and is leading their digital transition.
Anna Leonowens is known in Nova Scotia as one of the organizers of the Victoria School of Art (now NSCAD University) in 1887. She subsequently became involved in organizing the Women's Suffrage Association, where she became the first President. Although Anna was not to live to see it, the political coalition behind women's suffrage was eventually successful with the passing of the Nova Scotia Franchise Act of 26 April, 1918.
