Accession 2023.04 - Jack Itsuo Hemmy accession

Identity area

Reference code

CA EAL F005-2023.04

Title

Jack Itsuo Hemmy accession

Date(s)

  • [190-]-1999 (Creation)

Level of description

Accession

Extent and medium

5 linear meters, comprised of:
152 folders of textual records
3696 b&w photographs
3331 colour photographs
2 hand coloured photographs
12 b&w mounted photographs
10 b&w negatives, 35mm
580 colour negatives, 35mm
126 b&w negatives
3 colour negatives
42 b&w contact sheets
4 colour contact sheets
11 colour 35mm slides
1 book
2 scrapbooks

Context area

Name of creator

(1923-2000)

Archival history

Records were created or collected by Jack Hemmy, until his passing. His son Doug Hemmy inherited the material and arranged the material into family groups and times.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Donated by Doug Hemmy.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The records are comprised primarily of photographs taken and collected by Jack Hemmy and his family. Textual records are also included.

Personal family records from both the Henmi’s and the Okazaki’s follow the first members to settle in Canada, their forced uprooting during WWII, and eventually settling in Toronto. Textual records tell how Jack Hemmy was uprooted as a young man and sent East, away from the rest of his family. Many family photo albums have been kept, spanning from the turn of the century and continuing up until the 70s and 80s, spanning four generations.

Records are also collected from the many community events held by the Japanese Canadian community in Toronto. Jack attended many diverse events related to the community and was often the photographer for them. These photographs span from the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, the Japanese Consulate, heritage events held at Ontario Place, and sports events. These records span primarily from the 1950s onwards, as the majority of them are from Jack’s time in Toronto.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

No future accruals are expected.

System of arrangement

Records were kept with similar records, but no strong original order from the creator was discernable. Due to the variety of mediums, like materials were housed together for most efficient use of space and concerns over long term preservation. Digitization of albums for preservation and access is planned and will affect the future arrangement of many photographs.

Titles were taken from the envelops or file folders that stored the documents. Titles in square brackets have been created by the Archivist.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

No restrictions on access, except when handling material where there are preservation concerns.

Conditions governing reproduction

Most photographs from the 1940s onward were taken by Jack Hemmy, and should be noted in any citations.

Language of material

  • English
  • Japanese

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Uploaded finding aid

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Note

The creation of this finding aid was made possible with generous funding from the Frank H. Hori Charitable Foundation, as well as other grants and donations.

Alternative identifier(s)

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Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Dates of creation revision deletion

Updated description June 15, 2023 by E Carroll.

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area

Related subjects

Related people and organizations

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