In search of Peter McKenzie

I am looking for information on the late prospector Peter McKenzie, specifically his private life. Most of my information was acquired from the now-defunct Chibougamau Miners Newspaper, which was written within the walls of the late Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal. Does anyone know where I can find a record of his birth date, where he was born, or where he actually lived?

Here is what I do know. He was the first man to awaken the interests of provincial inspectors to the rich deposits of gold, copper and asbestos in the Chibougamau region of northwestern Quebec, specifically Lake Chibougamau, and David and Dor Lakes. He had a trading post at Lake Aschouapmagan and named it Chibougamau McKenzie Mining Corp.

Between 1900-1904, with the help of Prof. Joseph Obalski, McKenzie found a great mineral deposit in northern Quebec. The lack of roads and necessary equipment made it impossible to investigate further, and the region was not developed until after the First World War.

After the discovery, he began his own business in Montreal and called it the McKenzie Trading Company. He worked with his two sons, Peter Gladstone and Herbert. His wife’s name was Bridget O’Malley and his brother’s name was John. After McKenzie’s death (date unknown), son Peter started his own company and carried on the mining tradition.

Peggy McKenzie

14 Walworth Place

Dollard des Ormeaux

Quebec H9G 2G4