Robert McKay Brebner was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on October 18, 1855 to Alan Ramsey Brebner and Francis Ann (McKay) Brebner. He moved to Alberta in 1882 and secured a homestead in Spruce Grove. In 1890, he visited Scotland and returned to Spruce Grove with a camera with which he would document his life.

Robert Brebner on a horse-drawn carriage with family members

In 1894 or 1895, he was joined by Emily Wynn Wrench, a friend of his family, and the two were married in Edmonton. They lived in Robert’s original log cabin on the Spruce Grove homestead. After the birth of their first son, Alan Ainslie, in 1896 a new two-story house was built on the farm. A second son, Alexander Blaikie, was born in 1897 but died after 11 days. Robert and Emily had two more children, Mary Elizabeth Bruce in 1899 and Robert Wynn in 1900.
The Brebner family returned to Scotland in 1908. Robert eventually returned to the Spruce Grove homestead alone where he died suddenly on November 9, 1909 before his family returned. Robert was buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Spruce Grove. Emily remained on the homestead, running it with hired help until Alan took over operation of the farm at the age of 17. Emily eventually moved to White Rock, British Columbia, with her daughter, Mary, and died in 1937.

Robert Brebner plowing his field on the Brebner homestead

These amazing photos from Provincial Archives of Alberta that Brebner captured his life with family in Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada in the early 1900s.

Robert Brebner with son with plow team

 

Robert Brebner, Jr. holding a cat

 

Royal Northwest Mounted Police trooper

 

Steam engine near Spruce Grove, Alberta

 

Steer carcass being dressed on the Brebner homestead

 

The first Brebner house, a log cabin, with icicles

 

Threshing crew

 

Town celebration, possibly Dominion Day

 

Turkeys on the Brebner homestead

 

Two boys in a rowboat

 

Two men with a horse-drawn sleigh

 

Unidentified Brebner child dressed warmly for winter

 

Unidentified girl (possibly member of the Brebner family) holding a hawk

 

Unidentified homesteaders and farm animals

 

Unidentified man (possibly Robert Brebner) clearing trees from the Brebner homestead

 

Unidentified man (possibly Robert Brebner) riding a horse

 

Unidentified woman with a horse

 

Wild turkey visits the Brebners

 

Work crew on a rail line near Spruce Grove, Alberta

 

Alan and Mary Brebner on a sleigh

 

Alan Brebner with a cat

 

Alan, Mary, and Robert Brebner

 

Alan, Mary, and Robert on a train

 

Brebner baby

 

Brebner boy on the homestead (Alan or Robert, Jr.)

 

Brebner child (probably Robert) in a very large coat

 

Brebner children and dog

 

Brebner children in garden

 

Brebner children in snow

 

Brebner children in the woods

 

Brebner children

 

Brebner children

 

Brebner children

 

Brebner family and their photogenic dog

 

Brebner family members and friends on the Brebner homestead with bear skin and sleigh

 

Brebner family on a horse-drawn wagon

 

Brebner family

 

Brebner family

 

Brebner house with Emily Brebner in the doorway Advertisement

 

Emily and Mary Brebner in a horse-drawn sleigh

 

Emily and Mary Brebner in front of animal fur

 

Farm buildings on the Brebner homestead

 

Farmhands on the Brebner homestead

 

Geese on the Brebner homestead

 

Group portrait of unidentified Spruce Grove homesteaders and residents

 

Horse-drawn buggy

 

Man (probably Robert Brebner) plowing field and smoking a pipe

 

Man and horses

 

Mary and Alan Brebner

 

Mary, two unknown men, and Alan Brebner with a dog in a tent

 

Men in a rowboat

 

Mill in unknown location

 

Portrait of Emily Brebner

 

Portrait of John McPerson and Alex McNabb, including riding gear

 

Mary Brebner

 

Robert Brebner, Jr.

 

Portrait of Robert Brebner

 

Possibly Cree gathering and circle dance

 

River valley, possibly North Saskatchewan River

 

Robert and Emily Brebner with children

 

Robert and Emily Brebner