Correspondence, 1857-1867, of John and Margaret Anderson, Scottish emigrants in Hamilton and Stratford, Ontario, Canada, to Jean Lindsay at Coupsteps, Powmill, largely concerning their life in Canada. The collection also includes transcriptions of the letters, family history notes, a letter written by a young emigrant Scot, 1881, and miscellaneous papers relating to the Lindsay and Cameron families.

John and Margaret Anderson emigrated to Ontario, Canada, around 1856. John was employed by the Great Western Railway, Freight Department, in Hamilton, and from the content of some letters he appears to have been engaged in farming activities. The correspondence describes their work and life in Hamilton and Stratford, Ontario, weather conditions, price of goods and agricultural produce, transport infrastructure, living conditions, news from other emigrant Scots who lived nearby. Some letters describe John and Margaret’s disappointment at not receiving any condolences from family and friends following the death of their young daughter Margaret in February 1858. Their description of Niagara Falls and other travel experiences in Canada and the USA are equally interesting.