This subseries consists of personal records and general correspondence, including Diefenbaker’s financial records, invitations, and requests for assistance from persons outside of Diefenbaker’s constituency.

John Diefenbaker (1895-1979) and his brother, Elmer (1897-1971), were born in Ontario. Their parents, William T. Diefenbaker (1868-1945) and Mary Florence nee Bannerman (1872-1961), brought them to Saskatchewan in 1903 to homestead in the Prince Albert region. They were followed by William’s brother, Edward (1875-1960), who took up the neighbouring homestead. John married Edna Brower (1899-1951) in 1929; following her death, he married Olive Freeman Palmer (1902-1975) in 1953. John had no children, but his step-daughter, Carolyn Weir (1934- ), has several children. As the last survivor of his immediate family, John Diefenbaker inherited their papers, providing researchers with an opportunity to study both sides of the family correspondence. Olive Diefenbaker’s correspondence exceeds 13,000 pages, making it one of the largest collections of any Canadian political wife.

This subseries contains reference material accumulated by Diefenbaker’s staff for the 1965 election campaign.

Paul Martineau, born at Bryson, Quebec, in 1921, was a lawyer and Conservative Member of Parliament for Pontiac-Temiscamingue from 1958 to 1965. He served as Diefenbaker’s Parliamentary Secretary (1959-1961), Deputy Speaker (1962), and Minister of Mines and Technical Services (1962-1963).

This subseries contains the reference material assembled by Paul Martineau while serving as Diefenbaker’s Parliamentary Secretary.

Thomas Van Dusen served as executive assistant to John Diefenbaker from 1964-1967.

This subseries contains correspondence, clippings, and memorabilia sent to Diefenbaker by the general public. The letters cover a full range of political topics of the day. There is also correspondence from Diefenbaker’s Prince Albert constituents asking for his assistance as their Member of Parliament.

This series contains office diaries, itineraries, telephone lists and similar material used by Diefenbaker’s staff.