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Creator
- Adams, St. Clair, 1883- 2
- Burnaby Village Museum 1
- Dickie, D. J., 1883-1972 2
- Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer), 1883-1971 1
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- MacDonald, Wilbert Lorne, 1879-1966 1
- Malik, Anushay 1
The Book of Life Volume Five ; Bible poetry
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2484
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV975.23.25
- Call Number
- 220 HAL v.5
- Edition
- 3rd ed.
- Place of Publication
- Chicago, Ill.
- Publisher
- John Rudin & Company Inc.
- Publication Date
- c1925
- Physical Description
- 503 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm.
- Inscription
- Signed by "W.W ---" -- handwritten in ink on the first page
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Bible
- Bible--Study and teaching
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
The Canadian poetry book : a book of modern verse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary350
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Edition
- 3rd ed.
- Publication Date
- 1924
- Call Number
- 819.12 DIC Copy 1
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV989.9.24
- Call Number
- 819.12 DIC Copy 1
- Edition
- 3rd ed.
- Contributor
- Dickie, D. J., 1883-1972
- Place of Publication
- Toronto
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons
- Publication Date
- 1924
- Printer
- Ballantyne
- Physical Description
- 111 p. ; 18 cm.
- Inscription
- Front endpaper: "AØ/35" [written in pencil] "Ethel Anderson 938 Fullerton Ave. Victoria, BC" [written in pencil] "14 24 66." [written in pencil] Throughout book: Study notes written in the margins, in pencil.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Poetry
- Notes
- "Chosen and adapted by D.J. Dickie"
- Author's full name and dates as follows: Dickie, Donalda James, 1883-1972.
- "A supplementary volume to the Temple poetry books" -- t.p.
- Includes index.
- Copy 1 of 2.
The Canadian poetry book : a book of modern verse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6475
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV987.5.16
- Call Number
- 819.12 DIC 1922
- Contributor
- Dickie, D. J., 1883-1972
- Place of Publication
- London ; Toronto
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons
- Publication Date
- 1922
- Series
- The Temple poetry books
- Printer
- Ballantyne Press
- Physical Description
- 111 p. ; 18 cm.
- Inscription
- "Edith Jackson / 1660 - 17th Ave / Edmonds, BC / Edmonds St. School" [inside front cover]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- English literature--Textbooks
- Poetry
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Notes
- Dickie, D. J., editor and adaptor.
- "A supplementary volume to the Temple Poetry Books" -- t.p.
Facing forward : poems of courage
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1896
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV982.24.36
- Call Number
- 821.08 MOR
- Contributor
- Morris, Joseph, 1889-1947
- Adams, St. Clair, 1883-
- Place of Publication
- Toronto
- Publisher
- Ryerson Press
- Publication Date
- c1925
- Physical Description
- xii, 257 p. ; 19 cm.
- Inscription
- Front endpaper: "3 CUL 200" [written in pencil] "Frank B. Street" [written in black ink] "Frank, Merry Xmas and Happy New Year, Xmas 1925" [written in black ink]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- American poetry
- English poetry
- Notes
- "collected by Joseph Morris and St. Clair Adams"
- Includes index.
It can be done : poems of inspiration
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1895
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV982.24.35
- Call Number
- 821.082 MOR
- Contributor
- Morris, Joseph, 1889-1947
- Adams, St. Clair, 1883-
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- George Sully
- Publication Date
- c1921
- Physical Description
- xiv, 252 p. ; 20 cm.
- Inscription
- Front endpaper: "2.00" [written in pencil] "Frank B. Street" [written and underlined in pencil]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- English poetry
- American poetry
- Notes
- "collected by Joseph Morris and St. Clair Adams".
- Includes index.
The complete works of William Shakespeare
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary369
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV989.9.45
- Call Number
- 822.3 SHA
- Contributor
- Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer), 1883-1971
- Place of Publication
- London
- Publisher
- Collins' Clear-Type Press
- Publication Date
- 1923
- Physical Description
- lix, 1312 p., [24] pages of leaves : front., ill. (some col.). ; 19 cm.
- Inscription
- Front endpape: "149" [written in pencil]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- English drama--Early modern and Elizabethan
- English poetry
- Notes
- with biographical introduction by St. John Ervine.
- Contributer full name given as follows: Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer), 1883-1971
- includes Index to the Characters in Shakespeare's Dramatic Works
Friends
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1984
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV982.24.124
- Call Number
- 811 GUE
- Place of Publication
- Chicago
- Publisher
- Reilly & Lee
- Publication Date
- c1925
- Physical Description
- 30 p, ; 18 cm.
- Inscription
- Front fly leaf: "Board Ruth Alexander. May 10, 1932." [written in green ink] "To Helen: With best wishes for all your coming years & in memory of our trip to California, which I hope we will never forget. Lovingly Vera" [written in green ink]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- American poetry
- Notes
- Full author name given as follows: Guest, Edgar A. (Edgar Albert), 1881-1959.
- Book is enclosed in a paper gift box.
Narrative and lyric poems : third series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary466
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV987.18.7
- Call Number
- 821.8 STE
- Edition
- B.C ed.
- Contributor
- Stevenson, O. J.
- Place of Publication
- Toronto
- Publisher
- Copp, Clark
- Publication Date
- c1922
- Physical Description
- 55 p. ; 19 cm.
- Inscription
- Front endpaper: "Margery Dingman Divi" [written and underlined in blue ink] Back endpaper: "00 30" [written in pencil] "Nixon's Book Store New Westminster, B.C." [stamped in purple ink]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- English poetry
- Notes
- with annotations by O.J. Stevenson
- Contributer's full name given as follows: Stevenson, O. J. (Orlando John), 1869-1950.
Narrative English poems
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary468
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV987.18.9
- Call Number
- 821.8 MAC
- Place of Publication
- London, Toronto
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons
- Publication Date
- 1925
- Physical Description
- v-xiv, 276 p.
- Inscription
- "Margery Dingman" [Printed, black ink, inside front cover, top.]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Poets, English
- English poetry
- Notes
- "Edited by W.L. Macdonald, M.A., Ph.D., and F.C. Walker, M.A., Ph.D"
- Contributors' given name and dates: MacDonald, Wilbert Lorne, 1879-1966. Walker, Francis Cox., 1873-1966
The sugar plum tree
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6603
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Field, Eugene, 1850-1895
- Publication Date
- c1929
- Call Number
- 811.4 FIE
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- X3975
- Call Number
- 811.4 FIE
- Author
- Field, Eugene, 1850-1895
- Place of Publication
- Racine, Wisc.
- Publisher
- Whitman Publishing Company
- Publication Date
- c1929
- Printer
- Charles Scribner's Sons
- Physical Description
- 1 vol. : ill. (col.) ; 28 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Children's poetry
- Notes
- "Reprinted by permission of Charles Scribner's Son, New York
Tennyson's Idylls of the king
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1879
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV982.24.15
- Call Number
- 821.8 TEN 1922
- Contributor
- French, Charles Wallace, 1858-1920
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Publication Date
- 1922
- Series
- Macmillan's pocket classics
- Printer
- Norwood Press
- Physical Description
- xxiv, 434 p. : front ; 15 cm.
- Inscription
- Front endpaper: "Place stamp here" [written in pencil] "R.A. Pound 720 - Royal Ave New Westminster B.C. May 1 1925" [written in pencil] Back endpaper: "R.A.P. MB 60" [written in pencil] "Nixons Book Store New Westminster, B.C." [stamped in blue ink]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- English literature--Historical texts
- Poetry--historical texts
- Notes
- edited with introduction and notes by Charles W. French
- Includes index.
- Copy of book published in 1912 available.
Through fairy halls of my bookhouse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5112
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV004.106.2
- Call Number
- 808.8 MIL v.3
- Contributor
- Miller, Olive Beaupré
- Place of Publication
- Chicago
- Publisher
- Bookhouse for Children
- Publication Date
- 1928
- Series
- My bookhouse
- Physical Description
- 448 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm.
- Inscription
- MY BOOKHOUSE - THROUGH FAIRY HALLS / edited by Oliver Beaupre Miller
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Children's stories
- Children's poetry
- Fairy tales
- Notes
- edited by Olive Beaupré Miller
- Volume 3 of 6.
The treasure chest of my bookhouse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5115
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV004.106.5
- Call Number
- 808.8 MIL v.4
- Contributor
- Miller, Olive Beaupré
- Publisher
- Bookhouse for Children
- Publication Date
- 1928
- Series
- My bookhouse
- Physical Description
- 448 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm.
- Inscription
- MY BOOKHOUSE - THE TREASURE CHEST" / edited by Oliver Beaupre Miller
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Children's stories
- Children's poetry
- Notes
- edited by Olive Beaupré Miller
- Volume 4 of 6.
Up one pair of stairs of my bookhouse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5113
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV004.106.3
- Call Number
- 808.8 MIL v.2
- Contributor
- Miller, Olive Beaupré
- Place of Publication
- Chicago
- Publisher
- Bookhouse for Children
- Publication Date
- c1928
- Series
- My bookhouse
- Physical Description
- 448 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm.
- Inscription
- MY BOOKHOUSE - UP ONE PAIR OF STAIRS / edited by Oliver Beaupre Miller
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Children's stories
- Children's poetry
- Notes
- edited by Olive Beaupré Miller
- Volume 2 of 6.
The voice of Canada : a selection of prose and verse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary183
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV971.120.31
- Call Number
- 810.8 STE Copy 1
- Place of Publication
- London
- Toronto
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons Limited
- Publication Date
- 1926
- Physical Description
- xiii, 144 p. : ill. ; 18 cm.
- Inscription
- Front endpaper: "W15" [written and crossed out in black ink] "Peggy McKay" "409-15 Ave East" "Vancouver B.C." [written in blue ink] "Gertrude Gleave" "52B - __ Ave E." "Vancouver" "B.C." [written and crossed out in blue ink] "I wish I were ____ of bro- And you a l- health Some _____ ma- passing by Would bind us b- together Ame-" [written in black ink, endpaper is torn cutting off words] Front fly leaf: "I'm dreaming of that nite of love with you in ____ I thrilled with delight alone time that nite with you. Graby etc." [written in black ink] Drawing of a woman's face in pencil and black ink. "Ho Ho." "drawn by Lena Cade" [written in pencil] page iv: poem written in black ink. page 130: drawing of a woman's face in pencil and black ink. Back flyleaf: drawing of a woman's face in pencil. "Florence Nightingale Show" "St. Peter's Church "French Gramar" "English Girl Society" "Vancouver B.C. "Gertrude E.R.L Gleave" "G G.E.R.L.G" [written in pencil] Back endpaper: "Do not with to have money. for sad are the wealthy ones." [written in black ink]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Canadian literature
- Poetry
- Notes
- Includes bibliography
- selected by A.M. Stephen
- Illustrated by E. Wallcousins
- Copy 1 of 3
Gladys Killip subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58418
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1904-1998
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and graphic material
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of papers pertaining to the Killip family, primarily Gladys Killip's personal activism in the municipality of Burnaby and the causes she supported. Subseries also includes photographs of the Burnaby Council of Women taken during Gladys Killip's time as Publicity Co-Chairwoman du…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1904-1998
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gladys Killip subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and graphic material
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1996-12
- BHS1998-11
- BHS2000-02
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of papers pertaining to the Killip family, primarily Gladys Killip's personal activism in the municipality of Burnaby and the causes she supported. Subseries also includes photographs of the Burnaby Council of Women taken during Gladys Killip's time as Publicity Co-Chairwoman during the 1967 Centennial Celebration festivity "100 Years of Progress in Women's Activities, Arts and Crafts" .
- History
- Gladys M. Yeomans married Alfred Charles “Charlie” Killip in St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church in Vancouver on August 16, 1947. They spent their honeymoon together at the Sunset Inn at Qualicum Beach. The Killips lived in the same house in South Burnaby for the greater part of their married lives. Their address began as 729 Marshall, changed to 729 Hazelmere Street in 1951 (due to bylaw 3133) and again to 7763 Hazelmere Street (due to 1958/1959 street re-numbering). The Killips were activists within Burnaby, writing letters to their member of Council when they felt that the citizens of Burnaby were not being treated fairly. An example of this is when they led the protest against Pacific Stage Lines for reducing its service on the Grandview Highway by making fewer stops and by changing its route. Gladys led their delegation to Council in June of 1964. Gladys was also involved in the activities of the Valley View Players and in Burnaby Little Theatre activities. She was part of the cast of “Crime at Blossoms” in 1951 and held a membership card from 1952 to 1959 for the Valley View Players Club. Among other roles, she was one of the principle actors in “You Can’t Take it With You” and “In the Shadow of the Glen” both performed in 1957. Gladys was the Burnaby Council of Women Publicity Co-Chairwoman. In this capacity she helped to organize such events as the "100 Years of Progress in Women's Activities, Arts and Crafts" for the Centennial Celebration in 1967 (the Burnaby Diamond Jubilee). She was also a founding member of the Century Park Museum Association, which created under the auspices of the Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee, to administer Burnaby's Centennial '71 Commemorative Project, Heritage Village. Both Gladys and Charles Killip were active members of the Monarchist League of Canada. Gladys’ hobby started with a small silver spoon commemorating King George VI taking the throne in 1936. Her collection includes items commemorating every Royal from Prince Edward, Queen Victoria's father, to a cup commemorating one of Prince Williams recent birthdays. Gladys opened the Silver Spoon collectors shop in Burnaby in 1974 and operated it until 1980 when she and her husband Charlie retired to Qualicum Beach and opened Chilham Village Antiques and Collectables in 1984. The Killips earned a Silver Badge of Service from the Monarchist League of Canada in 1992 for their significant contribution to the League’s work. As of November 2010, Ms. Gladys Yeomans’ collection of British Royal family memorabilia has grown so large, that she has countless of mugs, spoons, plates, t-shirts and pieces of poetry, filling a room in her basement and upstairs in her home in Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of subseries
- PC497, MSS125, MSS081, MSS085
Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 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
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).
- History
- Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. 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
- Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
- Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
- Buildings - Industrial - Factories
- Education
- Employment
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Migration
- Occupations - Engineers
- Occupations - Millworkers
- Occupations - Teachers
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
- Kapoor Sawmills Limited
- Siddoo, Kapoor Singh
- Teja, Gurdial Singh
- Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
- Manhas, Ghania Singh
- Singh, Mayo
- Manhas, Kashmir Singh
- Manhas, Sher Singh
- Manhas, Budhan Kaur
- Manhas, Lashman Singh
- Responsibility
- Malik, Anushay
- Rajdeep
- Geographic Access
- Woodsworth Street
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Capitol Hill Area
- Related Material
- See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
- Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi
- Transcript of interview available upon request
Audio Tracks
Interview with Kalwant Singh
Interview with Kalwant Singh
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3Leila Orman papers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription62960
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925-1973
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of papers pertaining to Leila Orman. Included in the file is correspondence on paper, on photographic and hand-painted postcards, unused stamps, greeting cards, newspaper articles and newsletters. Also included is a notebook filled with poetry, a watercolour painting on mylar and a Ce…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925-1973
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Leila Orman subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS104-005
- Access Restriction
- In Archives only
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- File consists of papers pertaining to Leila Orman. Included in the file is correspondence on paper, on photographic and hand-painted postcards, unused stamps, greeting cards, newspaper articles and newsletters. Also included is a notebook filled with poetry, a watercolour painting on mylar and a Centennial commemorative medallion.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file