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Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19150
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1950-2022
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos interviews series 2) Jimmy Chow family photographs series 3) Property master photographs series 4) Property master records series
History
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow and his mother, Gim Gee Chow (1913-1991) fled China to escape the Communist Revolution and to be reunited with his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow (1906-1990) who’d immigrated to Canada many years earlier. Jimmy’s elder sister Shao-Lin Chow stayed behind in China. Jimmy’s father, Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Canada in 1921 at 14 years of age and was forced to pay the Chinese head tax of $500. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother first fled to Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada and arriving in Vancouver. Jimmy Chow’s birth name is Hipman Chow but when he arrived in Canada, his father indicated that he needed an English name and he was given the name “Jimmy” but retained his birth name “Hipman Chow”. Over the years, Jimmy has also used the name “James H. Chow” and is often credited by this name in the film industry. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec where his father had work in hotels and restaurants. While living in Asquith, Saskatchewan Jimmy attended school and began to learn English. In 1954, Jimmy and his parents returned to Vancouver, first living in the area of Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant where they purchased a house located on 15th Avenue east of Main Street. While living in Mount Pleasant, Jimmy attended both elementary and high school. While attending high school, Jimmy began working at the local grocery store where he worked for many years living at home and saving his money. In 1970 while attending Vancouver City College, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos. Two years later, they moved in together, married in 1981 and started a family. Jimmy and Donna first lived in North Burnaby before purchasing a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they raised their three children. Growing up in a traditional Chinese Canadian family, Jimmy was always one who went against the grain. Although his father wanted him to get a business degree, Jimmy had aspirations for a different career path. Through the referral of a friend, he entered the film industry in 1973 working for CBC Vancouver. While working at the CBC, Jimmy gained valuable experience working on the set of the television series The Beachcombers, which launched his career in the film industry. Over a 45 year career, Jimmy worked on over 50 blockbuster movies, historical period films, science fiction films and fantasy films, where he honed in on his expertise as a set decorator, art director and property master. He built an international reputation through working with production companies, prop makers and antique sellers across the globe. As a property master in the film industry, Jimmy Chow has been responsible for designing, managing, and sourcing props for films such as: The BFG, Warcraft: The Beginning, X-Men 2, Fantastic Four, Watchman, Tron: Legacy, Little Women, Seven Years in Tibet, Shanghai Noon, The Shipping News, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Changeling, Man of Steel (Superman), Snow Falling on Cedars, Legends of the Fall, And the Sea Will Tell, Once a Thief and many more. With Jimmy's many years of professional experience in the film industry, he has been a union member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians...) from July 1979, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science from 2018 and has worked as a guest lecturer in film production at Capilano University and Langara University. He was also a key contributor to the Burnaby Village Museum’s 2014 temporary exhibition Burnaby Makes Movies. Donna Polos was born in Vancouver in 1949 to parents Mayme "May" Helen Tillikana Polos (1931-1977) and Donald James Polos (1926-2017). Donna’s maternal grandparents, Elvi Tienhara and Toiva Tillikana immigrated to Canada from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother, Pauline Chimiki Polos emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James "Jimmy" Kostopolus emigrated as an orphan from Sparta Greece at the age of 12 years. In 1908, he first immigrated to the United States where he was denied entry so immigrated to Canada, entering through Halifax at Pier 17. When immigrating, James changed his last name to "Polos". Jimmy Polos arrived in Halifax with only five dollars in his pocket. He lived in Halifax for many years before making his way to Vancouver where he established three restaurants and raised his family. James was the proprietor of three restaurants in Burnaby including; the Home Apple Pie Café (1941-1944) located on East Hastings near Princess Avenue; Jimmy’s Café (1945-1955) located on East Hastings near Hawks Avenue and another restaurant located near 10th Avenue and Alma Street. Donna grew up with her family in Vancouver, first living in the downtown eastside before moving to a home near Joyce Station. Donna attended elementary school and high school while growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. Donna moved out of her family home at 21 years of age and lived with roommates before moving in with Jimmy Chow in 1972. Donna attended Vancouver City College and the University of British Columbia where she obtained her teaching degree in 1974. Donna first taught at Gilmore Elementary School before being hired to teach at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. While raising their three children, Donna worked part time teaching in schools in Burnaby. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. This experience led her to experimenting with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. In 2008, Donna retired from teaching but continued her art career often working as an Artist in Residence at various schools and exhibiting her work. While living in Burnaby Donna has been politically active with a particular passion for heritage, housing and preserving the natural environment. Donna was instrumental in advocating and petitioning for the establishment of a tree bylaw in Burnaby which was eventually adopted by the City.
Creator
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Polos, Donna
Accession Code
BV022.21
BV023.11
Date
1950-2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Photograph
Textual Record
Graphic Material
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
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Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4637
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
July 8 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (0:08:49 min)
Scope and Content
Track 3: This portion of the recording pertains to entertainment, food, school, and music. Jean discusses the importance of music as entertainment, which everyone participated in. She notes that her family always had visitors, for meals or to stay. Jean describes how her mother maintained a kitchen…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (0:08:49 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Teresa Ballentine Interviewee: Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright (later Jean McCallum and later Jean Hogg) Total Number of Tracks: 6 Total Length of all Tracks: 1:09:29
Scope and Content
Track 3: This portion of the recording pertains to entertainment, food, school, and music. Jean discusses the importance of music as entertainment, which everyone participated in. She notes that her family always had visitors, for meals or to stay. Jean describes how her mother maintained a kitchen garden and domestic livestock, and what her mother did with the surplus. She talks about attending Gilmore Avenue School, relating how classes were held in various off-site locations when enrollment exceeded capacity. She also mentions attending the high school on Rosser Avenue. Jean talks of joining the school band in high school, playing the cornet. She describes becoming a member of the National Juvenile Band, playing concerts in many places, including the British Columbia Penitentiary.
History
Recording is an interview with Jean Hogg conducted by her daughter Teresa Ballentine. Jean talks about her life as a resident of Burnaby from her childhood in the 1910s to widowhood in the 1960s. Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright was born in Burnaby in August 1915, two years after her family moved to 3871 East Pender Street. She was one of five children of Joseph Wright and Wilhelmina Williams. Her first husband was Walter Angus McCallum, who she was married to from 1940-1965; they raised two daughters: June and Teresa. Her second husband's last name was Hogg.
Creator
Ballentine, Teresa
Names
Wright Family
Hogg, Jean Wright McCallum
Accession Code
BV018.17.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
July 8 1992
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on content of sound recording
Label on audio cassette case reads: "Jean & Terry / Re / Jeans Memories & / Her Life History"
Label on Side A of audio cassette reads: "Jean Hogg - Memories / 1"
Label on Side B of audio cassette reads: "Jean Hogg Memories / 2"
Audio Tracks

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 3, July 8 1992

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 3, July 8 1992

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2018_0017_0001_003.mp3
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Interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19603
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (93 min., 7 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (92 min., 57 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, founders of Vancouver Sath conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview is taking place at the Burnaby Village Museum's exhibit "Truths not Often Told: Being South Asian in…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (93 min., 7 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (92 min., 57 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:1:33:07 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together into one track and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, founders of Vancouver Sath conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview is taking place at the Burnaby Village Museum's exhibit "Truths not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby". The interview focuses on the history of "Vancouver Sath" as well as literary works created by Hundal and Binning and the Punjabi literary magazine "Watno Dur" and "Watan". 00:00 - 13:30 Interview opens with brief introductions and information on Sadhu Binning, Sukhwant Hundal and Vancouver Sath provided by the interviewer, James Binks. Interviewees Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal describe how they met and what they were focused on prior to the formation of the organization Vancouver Sath. Binning briefly describes how he became involved as a writer in the literary world and recalls how he published his first poem in an Indian literary magazine in 1972. Hundal describes how he immigrated to Canada from Punjab in 1975, the various industries that he worked in as a new immigrant and his interest in literature with a focus on social issues. Hundel describes how he developed a relationship with Sadhu Binning after his short story was published in "Watno Dur" literary magazine which in turn lead to his involvement with the Punjabi Literary Association and becoming co-editor of "Watnu Dur". 13:31 – 27:44 Hundal provides more background on his life as a South Asian immigrant, working in sawmills and completing a diploma in Power and Process Engineering and how he first became interested in literature while living in India. Binning and Hundal both share their insights into the formation of Vancouver Sath and provide details on their involvement with the Punjabi literary publication “Watnu Dur”. Binning describes how the inspiration for the formation of the Vancouver Sath organization came from India and that Binning, Hundal and some other members of the Punjabi Literary Association decided to form their own group where they could have more informal discussions around social, political and literary issues. 27:45 – 43:31 Binning describes how the political issues that were happening in Punjab between 1978 and 1983 influenced discussions in the South Asian community whereas prior to 1978 there was more focus on local issues that new immigrants were facing. Binning conveys how their work with Vancouver Sath endeavored to focus more on local issues and Hundal conveys how they made the decision to begin producing theatrical works rather than just written works to reach a wider audience. Hundal and Binning share names of the people that were involved with Vancouver Sath and describe some of the early plays that they performed. Binning describes the foundations of the organization where they worked together as a collective making decisions in producing and performing the works with Binning and Hundal taking on the responsibility for the written work. They talk about their first paid experience being invited to perform a few of their plays at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. 43:32 – 55:17 Hundal and Binning describe how they continued to support themselves financially since they weren’t making money from Vancouver Sath. Binning and Hundal provide further details on how their collective worked with the process of writing the plays and presenting and discussing details with the Vancouver Sath community before performing to an audience. Hundal talks about the transition that the magazine “Watno Dur” took in 1986 which lead to renaming it “Watan”. Hundal and Binning discuss how in 1992 and 1993 they decided to try to get more young people involved and began publishing a magazine in English called “Ankur”. They describe the content and list some of the authors who contributed to the magazine. 55:18 – 1:20:12 Hundal and Binning provide background details on the author of “Maluka”, Sadhu Singh Dhami and describe the details that lead them to translating the book into Punjabi, touring with the author and adapting the novel into a play which Vancouver Sath performed. Binning and Hundal describe and discuss other plays that Vancouver Sath performed including some plays that were recorded and broadcast over local radio stations. 1:20:13 – 1:32:57 Binning and Hundal reflect on what lead Vancouver Sath to discontinue theatrical performances in the mid 1990’s. Binning and Hundal state how they are both still very involved in publishing literary works but no longer perform theatrical works. Binning and Hundal describe some of their literary works and projects that they’ve been involved in and also reflect on and describe the current theatre scene in the South Asian community. Hundal conveys that even though they no longer call themselves “Vancouver Sath” they continue to enjoy working as a collective discussing literary works and ideas.
History
Interviewees' biographies: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur" (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Suhkwant Hundal is a founding member in the group known as Vancouver Sath and has spent a lot of time in Burnaby rehearsing and writing plays. Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal co-wrote the Vancouver Sath's first play, "Picket-Line" and many others. This play was staged in November 1984. He's authored and edited pieces for the various newsletters and magazines including "Watno Dur" and "Watan". Through the 1980's and early 1990's Hundal has been active in South Asian advocacy in Burnaby and the Lower Mainland. In his retirement years, Hundal has been a lecturer on Punjabi language at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Asian Studies. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Occupations - Writers
Organizations
Organizations - Unions
Migration
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Performances - Dramatic Performances
Social Issues
Social Issues - Discrimination
Social Issues - Racism
Names
Vancouver Sath
Binning, Dr. Sadhu
Hundal, Sukhwant
Dhami, Sadhu Singh
Pritam, Amrita
Rampuri, Gurcharan
Tut, Mukhan
Thobani, Sunera
Hoss Mushroom Farm
Deol, Jeevan
Dulai, Phinder
Dhillon, Sital
Bhangoo, Bhavna
Rai, Gurmail
Punjabi Lekhak Manch
Di Awaz, Samay
Johal, Balinder
Sara, Amanpal
United Farm Workers Union
Canadian Farmworkers Union
Responsibility
Binks, James
Accession Code
BV023.16.7
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on request
Audio Tracks

Interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, 1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, 1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0007_003.mp3
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Interview with Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19611
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1946- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 20 Jan. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (90 min., 21 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (90 min., 4 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shushma Datt and her son, Sudhir Datta conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik. 00:00 – 12:47 Interview opens with introductions. Shushma Datt shares information about; where she’s lived in Burnaby sin…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (90 min., 21 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (90 min., 4 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewers: Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik Interviewees: Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta Location of Interview: Spice Radio, Norland Avenue, Burnaby Interview Date: January 20, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:30:21 Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shushma Datt and her son, Sudhir Datta conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik. 00:00 – 12:47 Interview opens with introductions. Shushma Datt shares information about; where she’s lived in Burnaby since immigrating in 1972 and her arranged marriage which lead her to immigrate to Canada. Datt provides detailed information about her family background in Kenya and her parent’s decision to move their family from Kenya to India in the 1960s and then to England in the 1965. Datt describes her family’s experiences living in Kenya and India in the 1960s and provides some context on the political unrest that happened in Kenya which lead her family to leave. 12:48 - 28:07 Datt talks about her time living in England and shares information on her family life and her employment experiences. Datt conveys an experience from her childhood that inspired her to become a broadcaster and shares her experiences working for the BBC oversees service in England (1965-1972). Datt describes some of the articles that she's written for various publications and the people that she's interviewed. Datt highlights a particular experience about writing a critical review about the controversial design on Jimi Hendrix’s album “Axis: Bold as Love” that depicted Hindu religious iconography. 28:09 – 34:47 Datt and Datta provide further details about Datt's arranged marriage which lead her to immigrate to Canada in 1972 and to work as a broadcaster in Canada. Datt recalls her experiences working as a radio station operator for CHQM, a radio broadcaster for CJVB and starting her own South Asian radio station Rim Jhim in 1987. 34:48 – 40:01 Datt and Datta share information on where they’ve lived in Vancouver and Burnaby. Datt and Datta recall pivotal family life events that impacted their lives in 1974. 40:02 – 45:53 Datt recalls the travel trunks and contents that she and her family brought with them when they left Nairobi. Datt describes the letters that her parents wrote. Datt and Datta describe photos of their family and convey the impacts to their family after two of Datt’s brothers died at 24 years of age. 45:54 – 50:56 Interview continues chronologically from 1974, after Datt’s son, Sudhir Datta was born. Datt describes how she had to work hard to help pay her bills and support her family. Datta describes his childhood growing up as a South Asian child living and attending school in Burnaby (1979-1992). Datt and Datta recall Datt’s graduation ceremony and Datta’s Order of British Columbia awards ceremony. 50:57 – 58:03 Datt and Datta talk about food and cooking and where they’ve shopped for traditional food supplies. Datta explains her family lineage as Hindus who eat meat and how she’s been a vegetarian for over 30 years. Datt and Datta share stories about Datt’s mother Leela Datta. 58:04 – 1:05:38 Both Datt and Datta reflect on what’s it’s been like living as South Asians in Burnaby. Datt conveys the message that she got from her mom, Leela Datta "not to assimilate but to integrate". They both reflect on how the ethnic and cultural diversity of neighbourhoods has changed over time and Datt describes his experiences as a student in Burnaby. 1:05:39 – 1:16:51 Datt and Datta talk about the role of religion in their lives, describe the purpose of Radio Rim Jhim and reflect on how the South Asian community has grown in Metro Vancouver and the disparities created within. They both recall how their lives were threatened and impacted in 1984 following an interview that Datt did with Indira Ghandhi. Datt talks about the origins of her and her son’s surnames. 1:16:52 – 1:26:11 Datt and Datta talk about and reflect on their own experiences of racism and discrimination. Datt talks about Spice Radio’s annual campaign “Raise your hands against Racism”. Datt and Datta provide background on the radio stations Rim Jhim and Spice Radio including; how they got started, their unbiased approach to broadcast content and their experiences in the complex realm of broadcasting a multi-cultural radio station. 1:26:12 – 1:30:04 In closing, Datt and Datta convey what they think that younger generations of South Asian Canadians should understand about the South Asian Community in British Columbia.
History
Interviewees biographies: Shushma Datt was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1946 and is the second eldest of six children. In the 1960s during the unrest in Kenya, her family moved to India. After about nine months of living in India, Datt's family decided to return to Kenya, leaving Datt and her brother to complete their education in India. While living in India, Datt studied at Delhi University and worked at the Indian newspaper. In 1965, Datt, her parents and five siblings decided to leave Kenya and immigrated to England. While living in England, Datt got work as a broadcaster with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) overseas service, producing her first program in 1969. During her time with the BBC, Datt has interviewed many influential artists including Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles as well as the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. In 1972, Datt immigrated to Canada and settled in Burnaby. In late 1973, Datt sponsored her mother who joined her in Burnaby. Datt joined the CJVB radio station in Vancouver working as the Punjabi and Hindi language broadcaster. Datt worked here until 1978 when she started her own radio station, Radio Rim Jhim. In 2005, Datt obtained her own AM radio band license for a multicultural radio station RJ1200 which was later rebranded "Spice Radio". In 2015, Datt launched Spice Radio's annual "Hands Against Racism" campaign which has won awards from the Government of British Columbia and the B.C. Association of Broadcasters. Datt has also been a producer for Omni TV and Shaw TV and was the first woman to obtain a broadcasting license from the Canadian Radio- Television Telecommunications Commission. In 1992, Shushma Datt was awarded the Order of British Columbia and is also the recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. Datt has been listed by the Vancouver Sun newspaper as among the 100 "most influential Indo-Canadians" and has been recognized by the Royal British Columbia Museum as one of the 150 "most influential British Columbians". Sudhir Datta is the only child of Sushma Datt and was born in Burnaby. Datta graduated with a computer science degree from Capilano University in 1995. Datta is the Vice President of Media Broadcasting (founded in 1984) creating television and radio programming for Canada's South Asian Community and has been the General Manager and Program Director of Spice Radio since 2006. Datta is also the author of many articles highlighting the South Asian community in Vancouver. Interviewers biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Jane Lemke has worked in various museums in the Lower Mainland and has been the Curator at Burnaby Village Museum since 2019. Her educational background includes a Master of Arts degree in History and a Master of Museum Studies degree. Her research focus has been on trauma and memory and its role in shaping Canadian identity. She loves sharing memories and stories of Burnaby with the public. Jane sits on the Council of the BC Museums Association and is the Chair of the BC Museums Association Professional Development and Education Committee.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Migration
Occupations - Broadcasters
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Occupations - Journalists
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Radio Stations
Religions
Religions - Hinduism
Religions - Sikhism
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Names
Datt, Shushma
Datta, Sudhir
Datta, Lila Vati "Leela"
Spice Radio
Rim Jhim
Responsibility
Malik, Anushay
Lemke, Jane
Accession Code
BV023.1.3
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1946- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 20 Jan. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcript available upon request
Audio Tracks

Interview with Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta, [1946- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 20 Jan. 2023

Interview with Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta, [1946- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 20 Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0003_003.mp3
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Interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19608
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:02:03 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph credit: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on where they were born and grew up (in Burnaby), names of their parents and provide details on their family history. They describe how their grandparents and other relatives continued to live in Punjab after their father and mother immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s, recall the reasons their parents decided to immigrate and details of their lives before and after arriving in Canada. 00:05:27 – 00:06:46 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe some of their experiences travelling through Vancouver airport and compare their experiences with their mother’s own experiences. Gurvinder and Harvinder describe the layout of the airport and how customs and immigration has changed over time. 00:06:47 – 00:09:21 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide details about their mother, Parveen Sihra. They share information regarding her education in India and how she was unable to get work related to her degree in biology after immigrating to Canada. They convey how she worked in the Burnaby City Hall cafeteria in the 1990’s and how she worked part time in order to take care of her children. They share how their parents were proud Canadians participating in events inside and outside the South Asian community and were both fluent in English but often spoke Punjabi at home. 00:09:22 – 00:16:06 Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their childhood experiences growing up in Burnaby. They talk about the sports that they were involved with including hockey and Taekwondo, family vacations spent travelling to India and their experiences attending Marlborough Elementary School and Moscrop Secondary School.They describe how they first became interested in watching wrestling and trying it out on their own in their family home. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their own experiences of discrimination while growing up and playing sports. 00:16:07 – 00:27:37 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect and recall events that lead them to their dream of becoming professional wrestlers. They talk about pivotal events including attending their first live wresting event at GM Place with their father in 1996, beginning their training in Calgary in 2004, travelling across the country to participate in minor wrestling events, wrestling in Rogers Arena in 2017 and 2020 and getting their first call to join WWE. They talk about the support that they’ve had along the way to getting them where they are today and comment on why they want to be wrestlers in the WWE. 00:27:38 – 00:29:25 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide background information on their various wrestling personas and names in the world of professional wrestling including the Singh Brothers and the Bollywood Boyz. 00:29:26 – 00:38:43 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their experiences wrestling in India and the support and expectations of family members in becoming successful. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall and reflect on the experience of being fired from the WWE when cutbacks were made during the COVID pandemic. 00:38:44 – 00:42:53 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe what a day in their lives looks like now. They talk about how they’re still very passionate and focused on their wrestling careers and describe their experiences of having support and enthusiasm from fans and their parents. They talk about travelling across the country to particpate in different wrestling events. 00:42:54 – 00:47:18 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their training regimen including exercise and diet and describe areas in Burnaby where they like to train in gyms and the outdoors. 00:47:19 – 00:49:49 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about neighbourhoods in Burnaby including Metrotown and Deer Lake and how they’ve seen them change over the years. 00:49:50 – 00:54:27 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their highest and lowest points in their wrestling careers, highlighting specific events. They talk about the physical stamina it takes for wrestling and compare their sport with the sport of Kabaddi (a contact team sport between two teams originating in India). 00:54:28 – 00:59:01 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect on what toughness means to them, and what keeps them motivated to do what they do. 00:59:02 – 01:01:31 Gurvinder and Harvinder impart their words of wisdom to younger kids in chasing their passions and dreams and talk about their favourite Bollywood films and actors.
History
Interviewees' biographies: The Bollywood Boyz are a Canadian professional wrestling tag team composed of brothers Gurvinder "Gurv" Sihra (born in 1984) and Harvinder "Harv" Sihra (born in 1987). The pair are best known for their time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where Gurvinder and Harvinder performed under the ring names Sunil Singh and Samir Singh. They were both born and raised in Burnaby by their parents Harjeet and Parveen Sihra and attended Moscrop Secondary School. Gurvinder graduated from Douglas College where he studied criminology and has worked in loss prevention and has a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. Harvinder attended Douglas College with studies in history and has worked as a model and an actor. Both Gurvinder and Harvinder Sihra are Sikhs. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Migration
Pandemics - COVID-19
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Religions - Sikhism
Social Issues
Social Issues - Discrimination
Social Issues - Racism
Sports
Sports - Martial Arts
Sports - Wrestling
Sports - Ice Hockey
Travel
Names
The Bollywood Boyz
Sihra, Guvinder "Gurv"
Sihra, Harvinder "Harv"
Sihra, Harjeet
Sihra, Parveen
World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"
Moscrop Secondary School
Marlborough Elementary School
Metrotown
Responsibility
Rajdeep
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Park
Accession Code
BV023.16.12
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Photographer
World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks
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Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14764
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1920-2006, predominant 1920-1979
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
6 photographs : col. + 1 photograph : b&w + 1 photograph : sepia + 41 photographs (tiffs) + 4 photographs (jpgs) + 12 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of family photographs of the Jung, Chan and Lee families as well as business records collected and created by Cecil Lee in the nineteen seventies, while he was employed as a Produce Buyer for Kelly Douglas Limited and Western Commodities Limited and responsible for the import of Chin…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
6 photographs : col. + 1 photograph : b&w + 1 photograph : sepia + 41 photographs (tiffs) + 4 photographs (jpgs) + 12 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of family photographs of the Jung, Chan and Lee families as well as business records collected and created by Cecil Lee in the nineteen seventies, while he was employed as a Produce Buyer for Kelly Douglas Limited and Western Commodities Limited and responsible for the import of Chinese mandarin oranges. Fonds is arranged into the following series: 1) Lee family photographs series 3) Cecil Lee business records series
History
Julie Cho Chan Lee is the daughter of Suey Ying Jung (Laura) (1912-2006) and Puy Yuen Chan (1903-1978). Suey Ying "Laura" and Puy Yuen Chan were married in New Westminster in November 1942 followed by a fourteen year residency in the “minority town site” of Fraser Mills where their daughters Julie and June were born. Julie's mother Suey Ying "Laura" Jung was born in Burnaby in 1912 to Chung Chong Jung (1875-1956) and Gee Shee Jung (1879-1952). The family had six children (five of which lived to adulthood); Suey Fong "Maida" (1909-1997) (married Quinn Wong) ; Suey Kin "Annie" (1911-1962) (married George Jong); Suey Ying "Laura"; Suey Cheung "Harry" (1916-1991) and "; Suey Yook "Gordon" (1919-1998). The family owned and operated a five acre market garden and piggery at 5460 Douglas Road near Still Creek (address was changed to 5286 Douglas Road in 1958). This was conveniently located directly across the street from Douglas Road Interurban Station. The children attended Edmonds Elementary School and while the girls only completed their elementary school years, the boys continued their education at the Vancouver Technical School. Chung Chong and Gee Shee Jung sold the farm on Douglas Road around 1949 and moved to East Vancouver. Julie's mother, Suey Ying "Laura" Jung continued to live and work on the Jung family farm until she was married in 1942 when she moved to live with her husband, Puy Yuen at Fraser Mills. Suey Ying "Laura"'s sister Maida and her husband Quinn Wong also lived at Fraser Mills with their nine children. Julie's father, Puy Yuen Chan joined his father, Chin Yip Hong in Canada at the tender age of 12, worked as a shingle packer and plywood plant handler at Fraser Mills for forty years and retired without ever learning to speak English. In 1972, Julie Cho Chan married Cecil Lee and lived in Surrey where their two boys, Rodney and Darin were born. Just prior to the start of school for Rodney, the family relocated to Coquitlam where Julie had lived since 1956. Julie worked as a teacher and later as a teacher-librarian in the Coquitlam School District. Cecil Chue Kan Lee was born in Queensborough to Sui Seo Ngen and Ding Quai Lee. Cecil is the youngest of eight children; Chue Ngan "Gladys"; Chue Fay "Walter"; Chue Quon "Charlie"; Chue Jan "Pearl"; Chue Moi "Rose"; Chue Duck "Dick" and Chue Kwong "Ken". Cecil’s father, Ding Quai Lee was a jack of all trades including a labour contractor as a well as a millwright for G.W. Beach’s three mills, Keystone, Sapperton and Harrison Mills.In 1931, with the arrival of the Depression, the family made the difficult decision to return to their homeland of Guangzhou province, eventually returning to Canada in 1939. With this decision, Ding Quai wrestled with the burden of the repayment of the loans for two way steamship fares to and from China. Upon their return to Canada, the family lived a short time on Union Street in Vancouver before relocating to Queensborough (New Westminster). Cecil and his siblings were schooled at Queen Elizabeth Elementary School followed by varying stints at FW Howay and Duke of Connaught High Schools. In 1951, Cecil Lee joined Kelly Douglas & Company Ltd., a subsidiary of the George Weston Empire, as a produce warehouseman, followed by several years as a foreman and then in the early seventies until his 1991 retirement after forty years of service, he served as one of the KD produce buyers. In this capacity, he worked closely with local farmers along Marine Drive and in the Fraser Valley. Kelly Douglas and Company Limited was founded in 1896 as a wholesale grocery business and became one of the largest food distributors in Canada. In 1946, its headquarters moved from Vancouver to Burnaby and a manufacturing plant and warehouse were built on the site at 4700 Kingsway. In the mid-1970s, Lee along with the associates at Western Commodities, the head office for produce imports, was asked to oversee the import of Chinese mandarin oranges into western Canada. Until that time, mandarin oranges had come only from Japan and were sold in the winter, especially at Christmas. When the Japanese market could no longer keep up with the popular demand, Kelly Douglas and Company Limited looked to China. The company relied on Lee’s cultural knowledge to build this very profitable part of their business. Moreover, Cecil Lee designed, though not patented, the cardboard Chinese mandarin orange box to replace wooden containers. The iconic design required no glue or staples, making it possible for farmers to assemble and pack the boxes as they picked the oranges. In 1986, the Kelly Douglas and Company building was demolished and the produce department of Kelly Douglas was relocated to 6451 Telford Burnaby and the head office to 808 Nelson Street, Vancouver.
Creator
Lee, Julie Cho Chan
Lee, Chue Kan "Cecil"
Accession Code
BV017.24; BV019.6; BV019.33; BV020.38; BV021.19
Date
1920-2006, predominant 1920-1979
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Arrangement
Records within fonds are composed of business records and family photographs arranged by the Lee family.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
See also: Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020. -- [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020 BV020.6.2
See also artifact descriptions under accession BV019.6 including BV019.6.1 - for description of original box to ship and sell mandarin oranges; BV019.6.15 and BV019.6.16 for Chinese mandarin orange wrappers "Snow Mountain Mandarin Orange"
Many of the "Business records" are closed and subject to FIPPA, contact Burnaby Village Museum regarding access
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Montgomery family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription77525
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1927-1962
Collection/Fonds
Montgomery family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
21 photographs : b&w
Scope and Content
Fonds consists mainly of photographs taken outside the Cunningham house which depict members of both the Montgomery and Cunningham families.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1927-1962
Collection/Fonds
Montgomery family fonds
Physical Description
21 photographs : b&w
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2013-09
2013-04
Scope and Content
Fonds consists mainly of photographs taken outside the Cunningham house which depict members of both the Montgomery and Cunningham families.
History
Samuel Clifford “Monty” Montgomery was born on July 24, 1894, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He studied Mechanical Engineering at McGill University in Montreal before serving in World War I. After the war, Monty came out west to Vancouver. Marjorie Elizabeth Carpenter was born on May 5, 1900, in Montreal, Quebec. She studied to be a teacher before moving out west with her sister Mildred Carpenter, brother Harold Carpenter, and widowed mother Claire Carpenter in 1920. Marjorie trained to be a nurse from 1920 to 1923 when she moved to Hawaii with her sister and mother. While living in separate countries, Monty and Marjorie courted through correspondence. On July 16, 1927, Monty and Marjorie were married in Hawaii. The couple had two daughters, Margery Kathleen “Kathleen” Montgomery (later Green) born in 1928 and Janet Montgomery (later Fernau) born in 1934. Monty met Fred Cunningham when they were young men. Monty is believed to have helped in the design of the Fred and Edna Cunningham house built in 1923 at 3555 Douglas Road in Burnaby. From 1926 to 1930, both Fred and Monty were working in Ocean Falls, British Columbia. Monty was working at a mill and Fred was an insurance agent. Marjorie (Carpenter) Montgomery was ill with tuberculosis during this time, so their only daughter at the time, Kathleen, was sent to live with Edna Cunningham in Burnaby from the spring of 1929 to the fall of 1930. Though the Montgomery family had settled in Rossland, British Columbia, they would make frequent trips to Vancouver to visit the Cunninghams. Kathleen met Lewis Green in Vancouver and on September 16, 1950, they were married. Their wedding reception was held at the Cunningham’s house. They lived most of their married lives in Vancouver, and each month Kathleen would visit her ‘Aunty’ Edna Cunningham. Janet would visit her ‘Aunty' Edna each week; later she moved permanently to the United Kingdom. The Cunningham and Montgomery families have remained close friends over generations.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Montgomery family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo catalogue 554
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Natalia Lyshak's casket

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription77737
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 3, 1958
Collection/Fonds
Yanko family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Natalia (Harasimowicz) Lyshak's casket in Brzeg, Poland.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 3, 1958
Collection/Fonds
Yanko family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13 cm
Material Details
Secured to album page with photo corners
Description Level
Item
Record No.
545-014
Access Restriction
In Archives only
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2012-09
Scope and Content
Photograph of Natalia (Harasimowicz) Lyshak's casket in Brzeg, Poland.
Subjects
Monuments - Gravestones
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph [not in English]
Note written on album page reads: "Natalia - Grannie's sister - Roman Lyshak's mother / Brzeg Poland / 24 III '58"
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Roman's mother - Natalia (mum's sister)"
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Roy Bernard Raymer fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18930
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1921]-1959
Collection/Fonds
Roy Bernard Raymer fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photographs + 1p. of textual records + 2 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs, documents and architectural plans regarding the Oasis Tea Garden and Tourist Camp and a photograph of Burnaby Reeve Alexander K. McLean. Fonds is arranged in series: 1) Ray Raymer photograph collection series 2) Ray Raymer business records series
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Roy Bernard Raymer fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photographs + 1p. of textual records + 2 architectural drawings
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs, documents and architectural plans regarding the Oasis Tea Garden and Tourist Camp and a photograph of Burnaby Reeve Alexander K. McLean. Fonds is arranged in series: 1) Ray Raymer photograph collection series 2) Ray Raymer business records series
History
Roy Bernard Raymer (1915-1991) is the son of Harvey Connor Raymer (1885-1937) and Bernice Mildred McFarland. The family owned and operated the Oasis Tourist Cabins on Kingsway. The family moved to Minnesota temporarily and then finally settled in Burnaby in 1921. The family bought their property at 2675 Kingsway (later 6111 Kingsway) and started first a roadside stand called "Golden Rule Table Supply" that sold milk, eggs, etc that came from the family's cows, chicken, etc on the property. From the roadside stand the family progressed to a larger building, a restaurant and store complex. Added to this was a "free campground" where visitors could pitch tents and become customers for the store and resturant. The campground eventually became British Columbia's first motel when ten "tourist cabins" were built on the property. Roy and his brother Max Raymer (1917-1935) attended Edmonds East School in the 1920s. By the late 1920s, the restaurant had expanded to include a dance floor section and it became one of the Lower Mainland's favorite night spots. The new complex was renamed as "The Oasis". In the 1930s, a gasoline retailing outlet was added which became one of Greater Vancouver's largest volume outlets. After the death of his brother, Max at age 18 in 1935 and his father, Harvey in 1937, Roy and his mother Bernice ran the business. After the death of his mother, Bernice in 1951, Roy leased the property for revenue. In 1955, Roy married Ingeborg Haacke and lived on the Kingsway acre and raised a family of four children. For a time they operated the property as "the Oasis Donut Drive-In". In 1964, the property was sold and the family moved to Government Road. Roy Bernard Raymer died in 1991.
Responsibility
Raymer, Roy Bernard
Accession Code
HV977.121
Date
[1921]-1959
Media Type
Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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20th century typewriting : complete course

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5012
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Lessenberry, D. D. (David Daniel), 1896-
Crawford, T. James (Thomas James)
Edition
6th ed.
Publication Date
c1952
Call Number
652.3 LES
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV007.2.1
Call Number
652.3 LES
Edition
6th ed.
Author
Lessenberry, D. D. (David Daniel), 1896-
Crawford, T. James (Thomas James)
Place of Publication
Cincinnati
Publisher
South-Western Publishing Co.
Publication Date
c1952
Physical Description
340 p. : ill. : 20 x 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Typewriting
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Books
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Geographic Access
Canada Way
Southoaks Crescent
Street Address
4939 Canada Way
6650 Southoaks Crescent
Names
Burnaby South High School
Burnaby Central Secondary School
Object History
Was used by Burnaby resident Barbara Copan when she taught typing at Burnaby Central circa 1963-65. It may have originally belonged to Barbara's mother who also taught typing at Burnaby South High School circa 1957 to 1965. She mainly taught typing in night school.
Notes
Authors' given name and date as follows: Lessenberry, D.D. (David Daniel), 1896- Crawford, T. James (Thomas James)
Images
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Anderson family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37440
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1958 (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.2 x 3.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Anderson family in front of the Anderson family home at 3908 Norland Avenue (previously numbered 4437 Norland Avenue). Left to right: Mrs. Anderson (grandmother), Madelaine Anderson (mother), Janet Anderson (daughter), and Cliff Anderson (son).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1958 (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.2 x 3.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-028
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Anderson family in front of the Anderson family home at 3908 Norland Avenue (previously numbered 4437 Norland Avenue). Left to right: Mrs. Anderson (grandmother), Madelaine Anderson (mother), Janet Anderson (daughter), and Cliff Anderson (son).
Names
Anderson, Cliff
Anderson, Janet
Anderson, Madelaine Carroll
Anderson, Mrs.
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Geographic Access
Norland Avenue
Street Address
3908 Norland Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
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Bancroft family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription63795
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900]-1979
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and other materials
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of publications, correspondence and other miscellaneous papers relating to the Bancroft family's interests and work history. Topics include gardening, raising poultry, the Liberal government and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Also included in the subseries are photographs of the…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900]-1979
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Bancroft family subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and other materials
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1986-44
BHS2004-06
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of publications, correspondence and other miscellaneous papers relating to the Bancroft family's interests and work history. Topics include gardening, raising poultry, the Liberal government and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Also included in the subseries are photographs of the Bancroft family and friends and ephemera pertaining to agricultural farming and the air force.
History
Rose Croucher was born to Ann Eliza "Annie" (b. August 1861, d. 1962) and R. Coucher in January 1895. In 1907, the Croucher family moved to British Columbia. As a student, Rose studied geometrical drawing using Blair’s Canadian Drawing Series workbooks. On on February 21, 1914, Rose married James Oakes Bancroft in Vancouver, BC. Together they had three children: James A. (b. 1916 or 1917), Rosie (date unknown), and George E. (b. August 1927). The Bancroft family were poultry farmers throughout the early 1900s, transporting their farmed eggs from Burnaby to the Hudson’s Bay Company Vancouver using the British Columbia Electric Railway system. Rose Bancroft also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Central Park Poultry Co-op Association in the 1920s until her husband's death in 1930 at the age of 42. In the late thirties and early forties, while James A. Bancroft was stationed in Calgary with the Royal Canadian Air Force, his younger siblings lived together with their mother and grandmother at 1963 21st Avenue in Burnaby. Rosie Bancroft studied French and English history in Social Studies in 1937; her brother George studied the seasons in General Science II in 1942. Rose died in 1965 at the age of 76.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Cartographic Material
Creator
Bancroft, Rose
Notes
MSS030, PC490, PC507, and MSS110
Title based on creator and contents of subseries
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Bowers and Shankies in yard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription5597
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
Aug. 1956 (date of original), copied [2016]
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (jpg)
Scope and Content
Photograph of one man and two women in back row and two children in front row. Group is pictured in a garden. Adults are Frank Bower, his wife Janet Shankie Bower, and Janet's mother Bertha Gray Shankie. With children Gordon Bower and Janice Bower Flintroy.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (jpg)
Scope and Content
Photograph of one man and two women in back row and two children in front row. Group is pictured in a garden. Adults are Frank Bower, his wife Janet Shankie Bower, and Janet's mother Bertha Gray Shankie. With children Gordon Bower and Janice Bower Flintroy.
Names
Bower, Janet Shankie
Shankie, Bertha Gray, 1891-1965
Bower, Frank
Flintroy, Janice Bower
Bower, Gordon
Accession Code
BV015.40.30
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
Aug. 1956 (date of original), copied [2016]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
300
Scan Date
09-Sep-18
Notes
Title based on annotations on digital file name
Digital image created from orginal photograph by donor
Images
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The Burnaby Courier newspaper

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64470
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
January 29, 1958
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
4 p. (newsprint)
Scope and Content
Item is "The Burnaby Courier" newspaper with short article on the front page about the Bailey family and the 1857 Upper Canada Penny left to Minnie Booth Bailey by her mother.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
January 29, 1958
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Bailey family subseries
Physical Description
4 p. (newsprint)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
MSS115-005
Accession Number
BHS1992-55
Scope and Content
Item is "The Burnaby Courier" newspaper with short article on the front page about the Bailey family and the 1857 Upper Canada Penny left to Minnie Booth Bailey by her mother.
Media Type
Textual Record
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Burnaby family gravestone

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34659
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1959
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w negative ; 12.6 x 9.9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby family's joint gravestone on the grounds of the Loughborough Emmanuel Parish Church (built 1835 to 1837). The top level of the stone reads, "Robert Burnaby / Born Nov 30 1828 : / Died Jan 10 1878." The next level reads, "Sarah Burnaby / Born October 22nd 1822 : Died March…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1959
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w negative ; 12.6 x 9.9 cm
Material Details
"Ansco Safety Film 10" printed on edge of negative
Description Level
Item
Record No.
084-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby family's joint gravestone on the grounds of the Loughborough Emmanuel Parish Church (built 1835 to 1837). The top level of the stone reads, "Robert Burnaby / Born Nov 30 1828 : / Died Jan 10 1878." The next level reads, "Sarah Burnaby / Born October 22nd 1822 : Died March 2[?]th 1873 / Rev. VII 14." The bottom level reads, "Sarah, Widow of the Rev. Thomas Burnaby, / And Mother of the Above, / Died Oct. 31, 1878, Aged 89 Years." The side of the stone reads, "The Lord is My Shepherd."
Subjects
Monuments - Gravestones
Names
Burnaby, Robert
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w photograph accompanying
Images
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Burnaby North High School Clarion

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7630
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1950
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1950
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV023.2.2
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1950
Place of Publication
Vancouver, B.C.
Publisher
Students of Burnaby North High School
Publication Date
1950
Physical Description
84 p. : ill. ; 25.5 cm
Inscription
There are various signatures throughout but specifically on page 83
Library Subject (LOC)
Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
School yearbooks
Subjects
Education
Names
Burnaby North High School
Object History
Mother of donor attended Burnaby North Secondary School
Notes
Annual yearbook for Burnaby North High School for the school year 1949 to 1950.
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Carrying Natalia Lyshak's casket

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription77738
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 3, 1958
Collection/Fonds
Yanko family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of people carrying Natalia (Harasimowicz) Lyshak's casket in Brzeg, Poland.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 3, 1958
Collection/Fonds
Yanko family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13 cm
Material Details
Secured to album page with photo corners
Description Level
Item
Record No.
545-015
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2012-09
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of people carrying Natalia (Harasimowicz) Lyshak's casket in Brzeg, Poland.
Subjects
Ceremonies - Funerals
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph [not in English] - date: "Brzeg / 24 III '58"
Note written on album page reads: "grannie's sister Natalia 24 III 58"
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Natalia - Roman Lyshak's mother / mum's sister"
Images
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Correspondence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64758
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1898-1952
Collection/Fonds
Ernest Winch fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence from Ernest Winch sent from Canada to his mother and sister Carolyn (Carrie) in England. As well, correspondence from Ernest to his brothers Alfred and Walter, containing many of Ernest's early Socialist ideas.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1898-1952
Collection/Fonds
Ernest Winch fonds
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS129-004
Accession Number
2010-06
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence from Ernest Winch sent from Canada to his mother and sister Carolyn (Carrie) in England. As well, correspondence from Ernest to his brothers Alfred and Walter, containing many of Ernest's early Socialist ideas.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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Earl and Adell Philips family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18927
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1939-1969
Collection/Fonds
Earl and Adell Philips family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
22 photographs + 2 p. of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of Earl Gene and Adell Philips and family along with realestate listing slips for homes on Barker Avenue and Spruce Street in Burnaby.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Earl and Adell Philips family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
22 photographs + 2 p. of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of Earl Gene and Adell Philips and family along with realestate listing slips for homes on Barker Avenue and Spruce Street in Burnaby.
History
Earl Gene Philips (1915-1968) was born, Eugene William Phillips in Kamloops, British Columbia and Adell Philips (1915-2022) was born, Lilian Odell Greenwood in Jaffray, British Columbia. The couple met at Mac & Mac Hardware in New Westminster where Earl was working as a salesman and Adell was working as a secretary and bookkeeper. Earl and Adell were married on May 15, 1942 in New Westminster. The couple lived briefly in Mission while Earl was working for the Mackie Brothers and returned to New Westminster where they lived on Queens Avenue while Earl worked for the Nelson Brothers Fisheries. In 1943, their first child, Cory (Linda Anne Phillips) was born followed by; Lorayne (Donna Elaine Phillips) in 1944 and Judith (Diane Elizabeth Phillips) in 1949. In 1949, the family moved to 5877 Barker Avenue, Burnaby and Adell worked for MacDonald Realty as a legal secretary. In 1952, Earl became involved in numerology and changed his name from Eugene William Phillips to Earl Gene Philips (with one “l”). The names of his wife and children were also changed from; Lilian Odell Phillips to Adell Philips, Linda Anne Phillips to Cory Philips, Donna Elaine Phillips to Lorayne Philips and Diane Elizabeth Phillips to Judith Philips. In 1955, their fourth child Lea Philips was born. All four children attended schools in Burnaby including; Nelson Elementary, Kingsway West School, Suncrest Elementary School, Maywood Elementary School, Burnaby South High School, Moscrop Junior High School, Burnaby Central Secondary School and BCIT. In 1969, following the death of Earl (in 1968), Adell and her son, Lea moved from their home on Barker Avenue to a house located at 4085 Spruce Street. Lea lived with his mother Adell until 1978 when he was married. Adell continued to live on Spruce Street until 2021 when she moved to a care home at the age of 106. Adell died in 2022, just 3 weeks shy of her 107th birthday.
Creator
Philips, Adell Greenwood
Philips, Earl Gene
Accession Code
BV022.11
Date
1939-1969
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Arrangement
Family records within fonds were compiled and arranged by Lea, Cora and Judith Philips and arranged and described at item level in the order in which they were donated to Burnaby Village Museum.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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Elaine A. Myers fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88370
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1948-1961 (date of originals)
Collection/Fonds
Elaine A. Myers fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
4 photographs (jpeg) : sepia ; 96 dpi
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of four digital copies of photographs; two are Elaine Myers' class portraits while attending Kingsway West and two are of Elaine's father, William Myers, next to the pulpit and the altar of St. Andrews Church.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1948-1961 (date of originals)
Collection/Fonds
Elaine A. Myers fonds
Physical Description
4 photographs (jpeg) : sepia ; 96 dpi
Material Details
Jpegs are copies created by the donor of sepia originals.
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2013-26
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of four digital copies of photographs; two are Elaine Myers' class portraits while attending Kingsway West and two are of Elaine's father, William Myers, next to the pulpit and the altar of St. Andrews Church.
History
Elaine Anne Myers was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, in 1939 and immigrated to British Columbia with her family in 1947. She was the eldest daughter of William Sefton and Edna (nee Howarth) Myers and sister to Hermione Christine, born in 1943. Her father, William Sefton Myers was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, in 1905 and was one of six children. He married Edna Howarth on July 29, 1933. Before immigrating to Canada, William worked as a purchasing agent at Walkers Tannery in Bolton and later became a cabinet maker in the 1930s, building and designing most of the family’s furniture. In September 1947, he and his family immigrated to Canada along with his younger brother, Hermann, and his wife and daughter. The family were granted landed immigrant status upon their arrival at Dorval airport in Montreal on September 25, 1947, and travelled to Vancouver by train, arriving in early October. They shared their first home on Imperial Street in Burnaby with William’s brother Hermann and family, but after several months were able to purchase their own new home on MacKay Avenue just below Victory in South Burnaby. William’s first job was working as a night janitor at the Woodwards Department store in Vancouver. He was later hired as a purchasing agent for the Seagrams Distillery in New Westminster, where he stayed until his retirement in 1970. Elaine’s mother, Edna (nee Howarth) Myers worked in the offices of Pacific Veneer Canadian Forest Products in New Westminster, retiring from there in 1967. The family moved again in the 1950s to a house on the corner of Sussex and Victory and Elaine and Christine attended a variety of Burnaby schools including; Kingsway West, Nelson Avenue and McPherson Park Junior High. The family were parishioners of All Saints Anglican Church in Burnaby where Elaine also attended Girl Guides. Elaine’s father fulfilled his dream of designing and building the family home when he purchased property on London Street in New Westminster. The family moved to New Westminster and lived in a small house on the property while William spent three years completing their new home. Elaine commuted to Burnaby by the Interurban train in order to complete her studies at McPherson Park Junior High before enrolling at Duke of Connaught and graduating from Lester Pearson in New Westminster in 1957. In 1961, William Myers built the sanctuary lectern, pulpit, and altar for St. Andrew’s Church on Smith Avenue in Burnaby his brother Hermann’s parish. By the mid-1960s, William and Edna Myers moved from their home in New Westminster to White Rock. Edna Myers died on April 23, 1969. William built the ambry for the church of St. Mark as a memorial. William remarried Ruth, a widow, in 1971, and they resided in White Rock until Ruth’s death in 1983. William died in White Rock March 26, 1991. Elaine Myers married Gordon Wilfred Atkinson in 1961; they had four children and lived in the Dunbar area of Vancouver before they separated ways in 1988. Elaine completed her Bachelor of Arts degree as a mature student at University of British Columbia in 1984 followed by the completion of her Master’s degree at University of Toronto in April 1996, and PhD (Doctorate of Philosophy) in 2007. She has lived abroad in Jerusalem and the United Kingdom, working on a variety of research projects. Elaine Anne Myers passed away on February 19, 2015.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Myers, Elaine A.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo catalogue 580
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120 records – page 2 of 6.