Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s description of the operation and location of the Olofson’s mink ranch, the challenges of raising mink, and when the family gave up the farm in 1950/51. She describes how she and her sister Anita Lea used a bicycle to go to school.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s description of the operation and location of the Olofson’s mink ranch, the challenges of raising mink, and when the family gave up the farm in 1950/51. She describes how she and her sister Anita Lea used a bicycle to go to school.

Date Range: 1942-1952

Length: 0:14:54

Names: Olofson, Axel; GAK Fur Farm; Sperling Avenue School

Subjects: Agriculture; Industries - Fur Trade; Occupations - Farmers; Transportation; Persons - Children

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Westridge Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: October 14, 2015

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Maureen Olofson conducted by Kathy Bossort. Maureen Olofson was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Maureen Olofson’s memories of growing up on her parent’s Burnaby Mountain mink ranch between 1942 and 1950 and about the operation of the farm. She also talks about her parents’ history, her teaching career, and her thoughts about the beauty and value of Burnaby Mountain’s natural area.

Biographical Notes: Maureen Olofson was born 1938 in Glote, Harjedalen, Sweden, to Axel (1906-1998) and Kerstin Margareta (1906-1980). Axel and Kerstin Olofson, who had separately immigrated to Canada in 1928 and 1913 respectively, married in Canada and then returned to Sweden where Maureen was born. They moved to Burnaby in 1942 with their daughters Maureen and Anita Lea, and bought land and a mink ranch on Burnaby Mountain with their partners Gus Skofteby and Karin Ericksson (Kerstin’s sister). The GAK Fur Farm, located in the old Hastings Grove subdivision on 4th Avenue near Curtis Street, was one of the largest mink ranches in BC, an award winning operation with over 1200 mink animals. In 1950 the partners sold the land and the Olofson family moved to rented homes on Sperling Avenue. In 1952 Axel sold the last of his minks and opened a sporting goods store on Hastings Street. In 1954 the family moved to North Vancouver where Axel Olofson reestablished his sports business. Maureen attended Sperling Avenue School from Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 and Burnaby North High School to Gr. 11, completing school in North Vancouver, before going to UBC where she trained as a teacher. She returned to Burnaby in 1977 to teach, retiring in 1997. She is a volunteer with the Swedish Canadian Rest Home Association and the Dania Homes Society. Maureen continues to enjoy activities on Burnaby Mountain and works toward preserving the natural beauty of the mountain.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 1:19:04

Interviewee Name: Olofson, B. Maureen

Interview Location: Maureen Olofson's home in Burnaby

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Maureen Olofson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-004/MSS196-004_Track_2.mp3

Central Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35089

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a boys baseball team at Central Park. A grandstand can be seen behind them.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Davies family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.4 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 190-009

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1986-41

Scope and Content: Photograph of a boys baseball team at Central Park. A grandstand can be seen behind them.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Athletic fields; Sports - Baseball; Sports - Team Sports

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Images

Central Park, [195-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Garage and mushroom house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription77192

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [before 1969] (date of original), digitally copied 2013

Collection/Fonds: Stiglish family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w copy-print ; 9 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the garage where Jack Stiglish repaired machinery and housed his tools, and the mushroom house beside it. A sign propped up between the two buildings reads "manure" with an arrow pointing to the right.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [before 1969] (date of original), digitally copied 2013

Collection/Fonds: Stiglish family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w copy-print ; 9 x 9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 552-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2013-07

Scope and Content: Photograph of the garage where Jack Stiglish repaired machinery and housed his tools, and the mushroom house beside it. A sign propped up between the two buildings reads "manure" with an arrow pointing to the right.

Subjects: Agricultural Tools and Equipment; Agriculture - Farms

Names: Stiglish, F.J. "Jack"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "view of father's garage where his tools were + he repaired the machinery / sign saying bags of manure this way / mushroom house next to garage"; Original spelling of surname was "Stiglich"

Geographic Access: Keswick Avenue

Street Address: 3782 Keswick Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cameron Area

Images

Garage and mushroom house, [before 1969] (date of original), digitally copied 2013 thumbnail

View at back of mushroom houses

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription77191

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [before 1969] (date of original), digitally copied 2013

Collection/Fonds: Stiglish family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w copy-print ; 9 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the equipment at the back of the mushroom houses used to get compost ready to be used in the mushroom houses.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [before 1969] (date of original), digitally copied 2013

Collection/Fonds: Stiglish family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w copy-print ; 9 x 9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 552-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2013-07

Scope and Content: Photograph of the equipment at the back of the mushroom houses used to get compost ready to be used in the mushroom houses.

Subjects: Agricultural Tools and Equipment; Agriculture - Farms

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "curing [illegible] - with compost on for mushroom houses / at back of mushroom houses no 5 and no 6"; Original spelling of surname was "Stiglich"

Geographic Access: Keswick Avenue

Street Address: 3782 Keswick Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cameron Area

Images

View at back of mushroom houses, [before 1969] (date of original), digitally copied 2013 thumbnail

Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1683

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: January 16, 1956

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the demonstration of Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance; a 1000 G.P.M. (gallons per minute) nozzle mounted on pumper truck. Fire Chief Menzies is standing on the running board, looking towards Deputy Chief G. Monk and Chief Training Officer Fred Blake who are on th…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the demonstration of Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance; a 1000 G.P.M. (gallons per minute) nozzle mounted on pumper truck. Fire Chief Menzies is standing on the running board, looking towards Deputy Chief G. Monk and Chief Training Officer Fred Blake who are on the fire truck, holding on to the machinery (Blake is on the right). Councillor Fred Philps is standing on the ground, smiling, with his hand resting on the truck's ladder.

Subjects: Occupations - Fire Fighters; Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Transportation - Fire Trucks; Tools and Equipment

Names: Burnaby Fire Department; Menzies, William "Bill"; Monk, Gordon; Blake, Frederick "Fred"

Accession Code: BV002.75.5

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: January 16, 1956

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2/12/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Typed note on verso of photograph reads: B.F.D. First heavy stream/ appliance, 1000 G.P.M./ nozzle mounted on pumper./ Can also be removed and/ used from the ground./ Jan. 16, 1956"; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "JAN. 16, 1956 / L to R. CHIEF MENZIES DEP. CHIEF G. MONK CHIEF TRAINING OFFICER FRED BLAKE COUNCILLOR FRED PHILPS"; Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Mr F. Blake 4165 Pandora Street Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5C 2B2"

Images

Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance, January 16, 1956 thumbnail

Burnaby's first ladder fire truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1300

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1956 (date of original)

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, a LaFrance, 100 foot aerial ladder quintuplet. The ladder is fully extended with a firefighter standing at the very top, operating the hose.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, a LaFrance, 100 foot aerial ladder quintuplet. The ladder is fully extended with a firefighter standing at the very top, operating the hose.

Subjects: Occupations - Fire Fighters; Transportation - Fire Trucks; Tools and Equipment

Names: Burnaby Fire Department

Accession Code: BV998.31.15

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1956 (date of original)

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For another photograph of the same image, but cropped differently, see BV998.31.18

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Typed sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Burnaby's first ladder truck. La France 100 ft. aerial ladder quintuplet. 1956"; Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "MR & MRS F BLAKE 4165 PANDORA ST BURNABY BC V5C 2B2"

Images

Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, 1956 (date of original) thumbnail

Lubbock barnyard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37230

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958 or 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Lubbock barnyard, with cars from the 1930s and the 1950s parked along the side of the paddock and in front of the barn. Horses are visible in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958 or 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Lubbock family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 9.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 342-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1994-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Lubbock barnyard, with cars from the 1930s and the 1950s parked along the side of the paddock and in front of the barn. Horses are visible in the background.

Subjects: Buildings - Agricultural - Barns; Animals - Horses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Grandview Highway; Canada Way; Burris Street

Street Address: 7803 Burris Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Lubbock barnyard, [1958 or 1959] thumbnail

Interview with Diane Stiglish by Eric Damer December 4, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory412

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1943-1967

Length: 0:09:52

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Diane Stiglish's parents. Diane tells a story of her mother being suspected of a crime. She also mentions other mushroom growers in Burnaby and goes on to describe various activities undertaken by her parents (by sharing a number of photographs with the int…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Diane Stiglish's parents. Diane tells a story of her mother being suspected of a crime. She also mentions other mushroom growers in Burnaby and goes on to describe various activities undertaken by her parents (by sharing a number of photographs with the interviewer).

Date Range: 1943-1967

Photo Info: Diane Stiglish with her parents and older brother in New Westminster, 1955. Item no. 549-067.

Length: 0:09:52

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms; Occupations - Farmers

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: December 4, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Diane Stiglish conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, December 4, 2012. Major theme discussed: mushroom farming.

Biographical Notes: F.J. "Jack" Stiglish (originally spelt Stiglich) and his wife bought a Burnaby home in 1943 at Keswick Street, just south of the Lougheed Highway, and took up mushroom farming. By the time their daughter Diane was born five years later in New Westminster, the F.J. Stiglish mushroom farm was an established business. Mushrooms grown at the F.J. Stiglish farm were sent off to Money’s Mushrooms to be packaged and retailed. Later, mushroom growers bought out Money’s to form the Fraser Valley Mushroom Growers Co-op and nominated Jack Stiglish as their first president. Jack then entered a float in the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) parade and set up a mushroom booth at the fair. In 1969 Jack Stiglish sold the mushroom farm and he and his wife moved next to their trailer court business just down the road. Diane’s brother Allan Stiglich (his family name returned to the original spelling) moved to Langley to open a large mushroom farm of his own which he established with the help of his father. Diane Stiglish began a career with BC Tel.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:46:06

Interviewee Name: Stiglish, Diane

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum

Interviewer Bio: Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Diane Stiglish with her parents and older brother in New Westminster, 1955. Item no. 549-067. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Diane Stiglish

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-026/MSS171-026_Track_4.mp3

Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory652

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1934-1990

Length: 0:15:30

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about her father’s chicken farm. She describes the farm buildings, other animals on the farm, and how her father operated the chicken farm, especially his approach to keeping the chickens disease free. She also talks about cutting down the …

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about her father’s chicken farm. She describes the farm buildings, other animals on the farm, and how her father operated the chicken farm, especially his approach to keeping the chickens disease free. She also talks about cutting down the alder at the back of the property for the chicken run, and building rock walls and a driveway with rocks taken off the property. She also describes how the property was subdivided in the 1980s.

Date Range: 1934-1990

Length: 0:15:30

Subjects: Occupations - Farmers; Animals - Poultry

Geographic Access: Curtis Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: January 13, 2016

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Reidun Seim conducted by Kathy Bossort. Reidun Seim was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Reidun Seim’s memories about her parent’s farm on Curtis Street, events in her childhood, and the people who lived in or visited her neighborhood. She takes us on a tour of her neighborhood in the 1940s, telling us stories about families who lived on Curtis Street on and east of 7300 block, including people who lived on Burnaby Mountain in the old Hastings Grove subdivision above the end of municipal water service at Philips Avenue. She describes changes to Curtis Street, particularly after it provided access to Simon Fraser University in 1965. She also talks about her teaching career, and about how she values the green space and conservation area on Burnaby Mountain.

Biographical Notes: Reidun Seim was born in 1931 in Vancouver B.C. to Sjur and Martine Seim. Sjur and Martine Seim emigrated to Canada from Norway in 1930, and after settling in Vancouver, moved to an acre of land and a new home at the base of Burnaby Mountain in 1932. Sjur attended UBC to learn about poultry farming and began his own chicken and egg business in 1935. The farm animals and large garden also contributed to the family’s livelihood and self-sufficiency. The Curtis Street neighborhood was a lively place and extended well up Curtis Street on the west slope of Burnaby Mountain, where Reidun would babysit for families. Reidun attended Sperling Avenue Elementary School (Gr. 1-8), Burnaby North High School, and Vancouver Normal School for teacher training in 1950-1951. She began teaching primary grades in Port Coquitlam at James Park School. Most of her career was spent in North Delta, teaching at Kennedy and Annieville schools from 1954-1958, appointed Primary Consultant (1958-1960) and Primary Supervisor (1960-1985), before retiring in 1986. Reidun lived at home with her parents on Curtis Street, commuting to Delta, and continues to live in the original farmhouse.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 2:35:58

Interviewee Name: Seim, Reidun

Interview Location: Burnaby City Hall in the Law Library

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Reidun Seim

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-017/MSS196-017_Track_3.mp3

Blacksmith shops

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1947

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [194-?] (date of originals), copied [1971]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w composite ; 26 x 30.5 cm, mounted on cardboard 32 x 39 cm

Scope and Content: Composite photograph of various aspects of unidentified blacksmith shops including interiors, equipment and exteriors.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w composite ; 26 x 30.5 cm, mounted on cardboard 32 x 39 cm

Material Details: Composite is comprised of ten photographs

Scope and Content: Composite photograph of various aspects of unidentified blacksmith shops including interiors, equipment and exteriors.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial; Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Blacksmiths

Names: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV000.18.8

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [194-?] (date of originals), copied [1971]

Media Type: Photograph

Arrangement: Record appears to be a part of the Burnaby Centennial Committee or the Century Park Museum Associaton. Jon Newby was a board member of either of these committees.

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/8/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Blacksmith shops, [194-?] (date of originals), copied [1971] thumbnail

Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34682

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 25, 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building. Three men are working on a large pipe. Two signs read, "Danger / X-Ray Operating / Keep Out."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 25, 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 092-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building. Three men are working on a large pipe. Two signs read, "Danger / X-Ray Operating / Keep Out."

Subjects: Industries - Construction; Construction Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Dominion Bridge Company

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Printed on bottom of photo, "Dominion Bridge Co., Limited / Pacific Division"; Stamps on back of photograph read, "Dominion Bridge Company, Limited" and "Jan 25 1957"

Geographic Access: Henning Drive

Street Address: 3880 Henning Drive

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd., January 25, 1957 thumbnail

Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…

1 audio

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: 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.

History: Interviewees' biographies: Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married his wife, Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. 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”. 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: Clothing; Foods; Indigenous peoples; Buildings - Religious - Temples; Food Processing Tools and Equipment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Unions

Names: Gill, Prem Kaur; Gill, Mohinder Kaur; Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh

Responsibility: Rajdeep; Malik, Anushay

Accession Code: BV022.29.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum; Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)

Audio Tracks

Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3

Lorraine Murison

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45860

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1959

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 5.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Columbian newspaper fashion columnist Lorraine Murison wearing a gown with a fur stole and high heel sandals as she speaks into a microphone. (According to newspaper articles that accompany this photograph, Lorriane's last name is sometimes spelt Muirson, and sometimes Murison).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1959

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 5.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-754

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Columbian newspaper fashion columnist Lorraine Murison wearing a gown with a fur stole and high heel sandals as she speaks into a microphone. (According to newspaper articles that accompany this photograph, Lorriane's last name is sometimes spelt Muirson, and sometimes Murison).

Subjects: Occupations - Journalists; Sound Communication Tools and Equipment - Microphones

Names: Murison, Lorraine; The Columbian

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Watson Cedar Products Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34595

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of Watson Cedar Products Ltd. on Willard Street. Two men are working inside.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 065-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of Watson Cedar Products Ltd. on Willard Street. Two men are working inside.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Mills; Occupations - Labourers; Woodworking Tools and Equipment - Logging Machinery

Names: Watson Cedar Products Limited

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stride, Charles Edgar

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamped on back of photograph: "Photo by The Stride Studios / 657 Columbia Street / New Westminster, B.C." and "#7049[C or G]"

Geographic Access: Willard Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Images

Watson Cedar Products Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34596

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of Watsons Cedar Products Ltd. on Willard Street. Men are working inside. A box reads, "Optional Kolor Plan / Factory Stained Pryme - Shakes / (Genuine red cedar scored shakes)." Two other boxes read, "Zephers."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 065-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of Watsons Cedar Products Ltd. on Willard Street. Men are working inside. A box reads, "Optional Kolor Plan / Factory Stained Pryme - Shakes / (Genuine red cedar scored shakes)." Two other boxes read, "Zephers."

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Mills; Occupations - Labourers; Woodworking Tools and Equipment - Logging Machinery

Names: Watson Cedar Products Limited

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamped on back of photograph: "Photo by The Stride Studios / 657 Columbia Street / New Westminster, B.C." and "#7049F"

Geographic Access: Willard Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Images

J. Engelland Fuels truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35759

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1950 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a J. Engelland Fuels truck loading gravel at Stride pit. John Engelland began hauling gravel when the fuel business declined as people began using oil and electricity over wood, coal and sawdust.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1950 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-617

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of a J. Engelland Fuels truck loading gravel at Stride pit. John Engelland began hauling gravel when the fuel business declined as people began using oil and electricity over wood, coal and sawdust.

Subjects: Transportation - Trucks; Construction Tools and Equipment

Names: J. Engelland Fuels

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Planning Study Area: Stride Hill Area

Images

J. Engelland Fuels truck, 1950 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Decorated wagon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35867

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of (left, in white hat) Reeve Ran Beamish and (right) Ainsly Lubbock. The horses, Maggie and Jiggs, are pulling a 4-X Bakery delivery wagon decorated as a U.S. Mail stagecoach.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-726

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of (left, in white hat) Reeve Ran Beamish and (right) Ainsly Lubbock. The horses, Maggie and Jiggs, are pulling a 4-X Bakery delivery wagon decorated as a U.S. Mail stagecoach.

Subjects: Transportation - Horses; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Transportation - Wagons

Names: Beamish, William Randolph "Ran"; Lubbock, Ainsly

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.; A note with this photograph indicates that the old address of this property was 1 Arbor Lane

Geographic Access: Grandview Highway; Canada Way; Burris Street

Street Address: 7803 Burris Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Decorated wagon, [195-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Driving a horse-drawn buggy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37236

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 14, 1956

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the eldest of the Lubbock children, John Lubbock, driving a horse-drawn buggy with his friend in Grandview.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 14, 1956

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Lubbock family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 342-010

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1994-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of the eldest of the Lubbock children, John Lubbock, driving a horse-drawn buggy with his friend in Grandview.

Subjects: Transportation - Carriages; Transportation - Horses; Buildings - Commercial - Stores

Names: Lubbock, John

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Images

Driving a horse-drawn buggy, June 14, 1956 thumbnail

John and Elizabeth Lubbock

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37235

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w hand-tinted into col. ; 15.5 x 20.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of John Barker Lubbock driving in horse-drawn buggy with his wife Elizabeth Lubbock. A dalmatian dog has come to sniff the buggy, while it is stopped at the side of the road.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Lubbock family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w hand-tinted into col. ; 15.5 x 20.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 342-009

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1994-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of John Barker Lubbock driving in horse-drawn buggy with his wife Elizabeth Lubbock. A dalmatian dog has come to sniff the buggy, while it is stopped at the side of the road.

Subjects: Transportation - Carriages; Transportation - Horses; Animals - Dogs

Names: Lubbock, Elizabeth; Lubbock, John Barker

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

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