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Digney Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85415
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936-19[61]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Dign…
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Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936-19[61]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Digney in 2012. The 16mm film is divided into the following segments: the Oak Theatre in 1936 (construction and opening); the Royal Visit (from the King and Queen) in 1939; Burnaby Sports and May Day events (ca. 1937); and the Labour parade (ca. 1935). The 18 film segments contain footage of the Digney family at their home in Brandon, Manitoba, and Burnaby; views of the Oak Theatre and Digney Speedway in operation; and their travels throughout British Columbia and abroad. The 18 film segments are described at the item level and titled: Andy's first film; Brandon, Manitoba; Burnaby and Digney recreational events; Trip to Kamloops; Burnaby; Burnaby, Vancouver and the north shore; Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary; Travels to Ontario, Quebec and England; Travels to England #2; Travels to England #3; Parades; Digney family in Burnaby; Paul Digney and family; Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens; Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings; Building and opening the Digney Speedway; Digney family travel the praries; and San Francisco Trip.
History
Andy Digney was born in London, England, on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles. In 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore, Saskatchewan, and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty, Saskatchewan, where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry, Manitoba, where Andy worked selling lightning rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time, he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns, showing movies. Eventually, Digney purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba, where he purchased a restaurant, which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba, when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community, becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945, he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association [original name retained for historical accuracy], who were looking for a good location to race the smaller racing cars popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948, with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of this kind of racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951, Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over 40 cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s, the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Dig worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce, returned to Burnaby in 1953, moving into a 550-square-foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954, Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19, 1955, and Andy, Alice, Dig, and Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956, Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son Dig, which he paid for over time. Dig and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. Alice died on June 3, 1982, and Dig died on November 27, 2009.
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo/MI catalogue 562
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Joseph H.C. Corsbie fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20275
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1941-1988]
Collection/Fonds
Joseph H.C. Corsbie fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
35 photographs + 1.5 cm textual records + 1 map + 1 book
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs and documents relating to Joseph (Joe) Hardcastle Cumberland Corsbie during his service with the RCAF during World War II (1942-1945) along with photographs and docments relating to his personal and professional life (. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Joseph H.C. Co…
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Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Joseph H.C. Corsbie fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
35 photographs + 1.5 cm textual records + 1 map + 1 book
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs and documents relating to Joseph (Joe) Hardcastle Cumberland Corsbie during his service with the RCAF during World War II (1942-1945) along with photographs and docments relating to his personal and professional life (. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Joseph H.C. Corsbie RCAF records series 2) Joseph H.C. Corsbie personal and professional records series
History
Joseph “Joe” Hardcastle Cumberland Corsbie was born in 1913 in Peace River (Doe River) to parents Joseph Hardcastle Cumberland Corsbie and Winnifred Ann Mapleton Corsbie. As an adult Joe trained and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a navigator between 1942 and 1945. In 1945, while serving with the RCAF during World War II, Joe was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After World War II, Joe returned to Peace River where he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly serving as a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation MLA for one term between 1945 and 1948. In April 1948, Joe Corsbie married Margaret Carr in the Metropolitan United Church in Victoria followed by a reception held at the B.C. Legislature buildings. On their wedding day, the couple were honoured with a hand painted congratulatory certificate signed by members of the B.C. Legislature. In late, 1948, Joe lost the election and moved with his wife Margaret to Black Creek, B.C. to manage a co-op store. In 1949, the couple welcome their first child who they named Margaret after her mother. In 1950, Joe, Margaret and their daughter moved to a home on Charles Street in Burnaby and Joe began working as the General Manager of the Gulf and Fraser Fishermen’s Credit Union. In 1951, Joe and Margaret welcomed their second child, named Josesph after his father and in 1952, Joe, Margaret and family moved to 84 Springer Avenue, Burnaby where they lived until 1989. Between 1959 and 1976, Joe worked as a General Manager for the CU & C Health Services Society (later became Pacific Blue Cross). While working there, he focused on organizing both extended healthcare benefits and dental coverage for employee groups. In 1964, Joe Corsbie was elected to Burnaby Municipal Council and served one term between 1964 and 1968. Joe also served on the Burnaby Parks Commission (after 1968); served on the Board of Directors for Heritage Village, worked for a short period as a temporary curator for Heritage Village, represented the United Church in organizing and building St. Michael’s Care Centre and served on the Board of Director's. Joe Corsbie died in 1992 and his wife Margaret Corsbie died in 2004.
Creator
Corsbie, Joseph Hardcastle-Cumberland "Joe"
Accession Code
BV020.31
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1941-1988]
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Cartographic Material
Arrangement
Arrangement of fonds is based on the original arrangement by donor.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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