Pivert, Maurice

Person

Pivert, Maurice

1892-1957

Maurice Pivert was born in 1892 Paris, France. He served in the French army in World War I until an injury ended his wartime service. He returned to his home in Franconville, France and married Suzanne Seiller. After the war was over, the young couple emigrated to Big Valley, Alberta where Maurice's uncle Jules and two of his brothers, Joseph and Andre, were farming. During the six years Maurice and Suzanne lived in Big Valley, Maurice took many photographs that showed life on the farmstead. In 1926, Joseph and Maurice loaded their stock, farm equipment, and household effects into box cars and made a move to Grande Prairie, where they rented the Scott farm five miles east of town. In 1927, they purchased the Frank Lukey farm (SE 32-71-6-W6) west of Grande Prairie, near the tiny airfield. Here they remained for more than 20 years, with Maurice documenting on camera the steady improvements on their farm, the good friends that visited, the events going on in the community, and the Grande Prairie Airport developing right on their doorstep. In February 1948, Suzanne became ill with cancer, and many trips were made by plane from Grande Prairie to Edmonton. She died January 23, 1949. Maurice continued to live on the farm with his brother Joseph until he died October 23, 1957.

Paris, France
Big Valley, Alberta
Grande Prairie, Alberta

Soldier
Farmer
Photographer

Hrychiw, Paulette (1943-present)

Pivert, Paul (1943-2014)

Pivert, Roland (1929-2005)

Pivert, Andre & Jeanne (unknown)

SPRA-0527

South Peace Regional Archives

Final

Full

Created May 25, 2013

• English