Fonds consists of photographs illustrating: the daily life of the Ballantyne family and their relatives and friends such as the Barry, Brown, Harmer, Harvey, Lees, Robson and Taylor families as well as J.G. and R.B. Whyte; street scenes, landscapes and events in and around Ottawa, Ont., 1889-1916; exterior and interior views of homes and others buildings; street scenes and landscapes in and around Ottawa including Ottawa East, Rockcliffe, Hog's Back, Billings Bridge, and Chelsea; events occurring in and around Ottawa such as an election in Ottawa East in January 1902, and the construction of the Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa, between 1905 and 1912. Photographs taken by James Ballantyne.
Ballantyne, James, 1835-1925 : James Ballantyne was born 9 March 1835 in Newcastleton, Scotland, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ballantyne. In 1840, when Ballantyne was five years of age, he emigrated with his parents to Canada and settled with them on a farm near Smith Falls. He received his early education in public and private schools in the Smith Falls's area. In 1863, he came to Ottawa and established a barrel factory on Green Island, New Edinburgh, which was later destroyed in a fire. Thereafter, he moved to Ottawa East and, in partnership with his brother Thomas, he established a cooperage factory, J. and T. Ballantyne, which came to specialize in selling fuel. J. and T. Ballantyne was active until the 1960's. Mr. Ballantyne was active in civic and municipal politics, as well as county politics. He was a member of the Carleton County Council for nine years and warden for one year. In provincial and federal politics his leanings were with the Liberal Party. In religion, he was a member of the Unitarian Church. Ballantyne was also one of the original members of the Ottawa Camera Club, established in 1894. Together with his wife, Mary Ballantyne (née Foster) of Smith Falls, he had four children, Isa May, Norman, Lillie and Adam Ballantyne. James Ballantyne died 6 April 1925, in Ottawa, Ontario. Ottawa Journal. 7 April 1925, p. 14.
