Narrow Results By
Creator
- Baker, Edna Dean, 1883-1956 1
- Bate, Harry Stanley "Stanley" 1
- Bateman, Caroline Mary Wettenhall 1
- Betts, George Herbert, 1868-1934 1
- Blaisdell, Mary Frances, 1874- 1
- Brown, Donald N. "Don" 1
- Burnaby Village Museum 3
- Dickson, James P. 1
- Dickson, Jas. 1
- Eagles, Dr. Blythe 1
- Eagles, Dr. Violet 1
- Field family 1
![A man, woman and child in front of a stone structure, [between 1920 and 1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2007/2007_0020_0025_001.jpg?width=280)
A man, woman and child in front of a stone structure
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4402
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1920 and 1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Rhoda Jeffers fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 15.5 x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a man, woman and child posing in front of the remains of a brick structure. There is an opening in the middle and through it you can see an old car with it's door open. The man is wearing a dark suit and vest and hat. The woman is wearing a dark coat and hat. The little boy is wearin…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Rhoda Jeffers fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 15.5 x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a man, woman and child posing in front of the remains of a brick structure. There is an opening in the middle and through it you can see an old car with it's door open. The man is wearing a dark suit and vest and hat. The woman is wearing a dark coat and hat. The little boy is wearing a light coloured coat and holding a hat. The man and woman could be Albert and Eldora Jeffers.
- Accession Code
- BV007.20.25
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1920 and 1940]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 13/05/2018
- Notes
- Title based on content of photograph
- Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "By the / old oven / I thought / it was very / good"
Images
![A man, woman and child in front of a stone structure, [between 1920 and 1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2007/2007_0020_0025_001.jpg)
Attendance of Probation Officer at Child Welfare Conference
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport67198
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 59597
- Meeting Date
- 23-May-1927
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 59597
- Meeting Date
- 23-May-1927
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
![Beatrice Goodridge holding child, [between 1925 and 1935] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0015_0008_001.jpg?width=280)
Beatrice Goodridge holding child
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20282
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1925 and 1935]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 10 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Beatrice Goodridge holding a child outside the Goodridge grocery store on Hastings Street in Burnaby. The child could be Beatrice's or one of her sister's.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 10 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Beatrice Goodridge holding a child outside the Goodridge grocery store on Hastings Street in Burnaby. The child could be Beatrice's or one of her sister's.
- Accession Code
- BV023.15.8
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1925 and 1935]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 3200
- Scan Date
- 2023-09-21
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w contact sheet accompanying
Images
![Beatrice Goodridge holding child, [between 1925 and 1935] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0015_0008_001.jpg)
![Child by Union Street house, [between 1920 and 1922] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-769.jpg?width=280)
Child by Union Street house
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38182
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1920 and 1922] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 3.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child babysat by Mrs. I.R. King (nee Spraggon) standing beside a house on the 3900 block of Union Street, holding a toy.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1920 and 1922] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 3.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-769
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child babysat by Mrs. I.R. King (nee Spraggon) standing beside a house on the 3900 block of Union Street, holding a toy.
- Subjects
- Toys
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Negative has a pink cast
- Geographic Access
- Union Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
Images
![Child by Union Street house, [between 1920 and 1922] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-769.jpg)
![Child holding a toy, [1921] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-723.jpg?width=280)
Child holding a toy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39404
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1921]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.9 x 4.5 cm oval on page 24.5 x 32.5 cm (pasted in album)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child sitting in a wicker chair and holding on to a plush toy.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1921]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.9 x 4.5 cm oval on page 24.5 x 32.5 cm (pasted in album)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-723
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child sitting in a wicker chair and holding on to a plush toy.
- Subjects
- Toys
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Child holding a toy, [1921] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-723.jpg)
Child life and literature
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2177
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV978.59.10
- Call Number
- 800 HUF
- Author
- Huff, John S.
- Place of Publication
- Toronto, Ont.
- Publisher
- W. J. Gage & Company, Limited
- Publication Date
- c1920
- Physical Description
- 157 p. ; 19 cm.
- Inscription
- "Catherine Lillian Gibson 534 Third Ave. N. Saskatoon / Class D" -- handwritten in ink on flyleaf.
- "Parrott's Saskatoon - Sask." -- stamped on flyleaf.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Literature--Study and teaching
- Notes
- Includes index.
Child life in tale and fable : a second reader
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3200
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV972.195.19
- Call Number
- 428.6 BLA
- Edition
- Rev. ed.
- Place of Publication
- New York, N.Y.
- Publisher
- The MacMillan Company
- Publication Date
- 1922
- Physical Description
- 159 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 19 cm.
- Inscription
- drawings on endpaper (front). "S 33" -- crossed-out on endpaper (front).
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Readers--1870-1950
- Fairy tales
- Notes
- Some illustrations by G.F. Browne and Sears Gallagher.
- Includes index.
Payment of Hospital Accounts for Child
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport71005
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 735457
- Meeting Date
- 10-May-1920
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 735457
- Meeting Date
- 10-May-1920
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
![Woman and child, [1922] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-664.jpg?width=280)
Woman and child
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39345
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1922]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.7 x 6 cm on page 24.5 x 32.5 cm (pasted in album)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman, seated, holding a baby. Both are unidentified.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1922]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.7 x 6 cm on page 24.5 x 32.5 cm (pasted in album)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-664
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman, seated, holding a baby. Both are unidentified.
- Subjects
- Furniture
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Woman and child, [1922] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-664.jpg)
![Woman and child, [between 1920 and 1925] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1983/1983_0042_0111_001.jpg?width=280)
Woman and child
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription371
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1920 and 1925]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.89 x 13.34 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified woman holding an unidentified young girl's hand, standing by the porch of a house. The woman is in a blouse and a skirt that goes just above her ankles. The girl is wearing a dress down to her knees, with pockets on the dress. She has a bow in her hair and is holding a…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.89 x 13.34 cm
- Material Details
- stamped on verso, c. "42"
- Photograph is cut into an oval shape.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified woman holding an unidentified young girl's hand, standing by the porch of a house. The woman is in a blouse and a skirt that goes just above her ankles. The girl is wearing a dress down to her knees, with pockets on the dress. She has a bow in her hair and is holding a doll in her right arm. The location is not identified.
- Subjects
- Toys - Dolls
- Accession Code
- HV983.42.111
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1920 and 1925]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-11-07
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Woman and child, [between 1920 and 1925] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1983/1983_0042_0111_001.jpg)
![Woman and child swimming, [1928] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-607.jpg?width=280)
Woman and child swimming
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39288
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1928]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.4 x 6 cm on page 24.5 x 32.5 cm (pasted in album)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alice Travers holding Robert Peers in the water.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1928]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.4 x 6 cm on page 24.5 x 32.5 cm (pasted in album)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-607
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alice Travers holding Robert Peers in the water.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Woman and child swimming, [1928] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-607.jpg)
The mental and physical life of school children
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2173
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Sandiford, Peter, 1882-1941
- Publication Date
- 1922
- Call Number
- 370.15 SAN
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV978.59.6
- Call Number
- 370.15 SAN
- Author
- Sandiford, Peter, 1882-1941
- Place of Publication
- London
- Publisher
- Longmans, Green and Co.
- Publication Date
- 1922
- Printer
- Robert Maclehose and Co. Ltd.
- Physical Description
- vii, 346 p. : ill. ; 19 cm.
- Inscription
- "250" in pencil "Gibson", "C L Gibson, 534 Third Ave. N., Saskatoon, Sask. Class D" stamped "Parrott's, Saskatoon - Sask." 1 handrwitten note found inside book
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Educational psychology
- Child development
- Notes
- Includes index.
Hill family and Vidal family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82116
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1850-1983]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 255 photographs : b&w and sepia and 9.5 cm of textual records : ill. (some col.)
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs and textual records from the Vidal and Hill family. Textual records include handwritten family trees, typed and handwritten biographical information of the Jones, Wright, Hyde, Vidal, and Hill families, copies of photographic prints, published works by J. H. Vidal and …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1850-1983]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 255 photographs : b&w and sepia and 9.5 cm of textual records : ill. (some col.)
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs and textual records from the Vidal and Hill family. Textual records include handwritten family trees, typed and handwritten biographical information of the Jones, Wright, Hyde, Vidal, and Hill families, copies of photographic prints, published works by J. H. Vidal and William Cowper, newspaper clippings, and a New Testament.
- History
- Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill was born in Burnaby on July 31, 1893, to Marian (nee Berkeley) and Bernard Richard Hill. Marian was born in London, England. Bernard Hill, born in Bengal, India, in 1858 to Sir Richard Hill and Jane Ann (nee Rollinson) where his father worked for the East Indian Railway, was one of the early inhabitants of Burnaby. Despite their years of training as engineers, Bernard, along with his brother, Louis Claude Hill, became strawberry farmers and owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and halfway around Deer Lake. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. Bernard also served as a Burnaby trustee and as councilor of Burnaby in 1904, 1905, 1906, and 1909. Bernard and Marian had four children: A. Claude (born in England around 1885, married Marion “Mamie”), Frank L., Winnifred “Winnie” L., and Gerry. Gerry attended Miss Harriet Woodward’s kindergarten class, and went on to Edmonds School with Miss Ellen Lister as his teacher. He later went to Central High School in New Westminster, often on horseback. Gerry served in World War I, signing his recruitment papers on November 9, 1914. When he returned home, he worked felling trees, then as an apprentice surveyor and finally as a carpenter. His father, Bernard, died in Burnaby on March 27, 1939, at the age of 80. Bernard's brother, Louis, was one of the first members elected to the Burnaby council and served in 1892, 1893, 1894, and again from 1909-1910. Louis, born in 1860, married Annie Sarah Kendrick (born in 1896) and they moved to the Burnaby Lake area in the early 1890s. Together they had one child, Katherine “Kitty” Maude, born in 1898. The first Hill family home, “Brookfield,” was sold around 1907 and the family moved to their new home, “Broadview,” which was also built in the vicinity of Deer Lake. Kitty, their only child, married William “Bob” John Peers in 1925 and they went on to have three children: Robert C.K., Barbara (later Barbara Jeffrey), and Anne (later Anne Latham). Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal was born in 1897 in the United States to Louisa Sophia (nee Jones) and Herbert P. Vidal. Louisa Vidal (1871-1943) was a descendent of Jones of Exeter of England and the House of Llanio Cardigan of Wales. Herbert Vidal (1868-1934)’s father was Alexander Vidal (1819-1906). Alexander Vidal, born in Brocknell, England, immigrated to Upper Canada in 1835 and later served as a senator of Canada from 1873 to 1906. He married Catherine Louisa Wright, the daughter of Capt. William Elliot Wright. Both of Charlotte’s parents, Louisa and Herbert, were born in Ontario. Charlotte Vidal was sister to Dorothy Kate and Alexander E. E. Vidal. Gerry Hill (aged 27) and Charlotte E. Vidal (aged 23) married on September 28, 1920, in Vancouver. Gerry built a house for him and his wife about a thousand feet from his parents’ home. He also bought property at Yellow Point on Vancouver Island around this time. By the early 1930s, Gerry had moved to Yellow Point permanently and begun building the Yellow Point Lodge. Gerry and Charlotte bore three children: David, Lesley C. (born in 1929), and Gerald. Gerry was later remarried to Elizabeth (nee Holen) and had one child: Richard Grant McEwan Hill, born in Ladysmith. Lesley married M. Clarke and had two boys: Roy and Graham. She later married B. Durban and had four boys: Patrick, Michael, Gary, and Grant. Charlotte died on February 11, 1984, at the age of 87. Gerry died on January 30, 1988, in Ladysmith at the age of 93.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Creator
- Hill Family
- Vidal family
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo catalogue 550, MSS176
Interview with Ethel Lewarne and Beverley Burrell 24-Jun-75 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory50
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1899-1923
- Length
- 0:08:23
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Ethel Lewarne's childhood years living in Burnaby, through her first years of marriage.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Ethel Lewarne's childhood years living in Burnaby, through her first years of marriage.
- Date Range
- 1899-1923
- Photo Info
- Leer family; Ethel Leer Lewarne is standing on the far right, 1911. Item no. 204-052
- Length
- 0:08:23
- Subjects
- Occupations - Grocers
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- 24-Jun-75
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with Ethel (Leer) Lewarne and Beverley (Lewarne) Burrell by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury June 24, 1975. Major theme discussed is: the Depression. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Ethel Cecilia Leer was born in 1899 in London, England to George Frederick and Sarah Ann Leer. In 1908, the Leer family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada. George Frederick Leer began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Ethel’s younger brother George Leer was born about this time. A third child was born but unfortunately did not live past infancy. The Leers arrived in Burnaby in 1911 and bought two lots in Alta Vista at the corner of Portland and McGregor. George Frederick and Sarah Ann were active members of the All Saints Anglican Church on Royal Oak. Ethel went to Dundonald school from 1911 to 1913 with Miss Bowell as her teacher, then on to Britannia High School from 1913 to 1915. Ethel’s father, George Frederick Leer died March 23, 1919 at the age of forty-one. Ethel Cecilia Leer married Alfred Lewarne on December 26, 1921 in Burnaby. Alfred was born February 9, 1893 in Cornwall, England. Before marriage he worked for a creamery in Vancouver. After marriage, Alfred began his own ice cream business in Burnaby. The Lewarnes bought a lot along Nelson Avenue and built a house. Their first child Patricia "Tricia" (later McCleod) was born in 1923, their second was Beverley “Bev” (later Burrell). Their third child, William A. “Bill” Lewarne was born in 1926. Bill grew up to become one of the most popular Mayors in Burnaby’s history, serving from 1981 to 1987. He also served as a member of Council from 1973 to 1975 and 1977 to 1981. After Alfred Lewarne’s death on May 5, 1962 at the age of sixty-nine, Ethel continued living in the family home. Ethel’s mother, Sarah Ann Leer died May 11, 1963 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 1:00:59
- Interviewee Name
- Lewarne, Ethel Leer
- Burrell, Beverley "Bev" Lewarne
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Ethel Lewarne and Beverley Burrell
Track one of interview with Ethel Lewarne and Beverley Burrell
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-13/100-13-13_Track_1.mp3
Interview with Ethel Lewarne and Beverley Burrell 24-Jun-75 - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory57
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1929-1938
- Length
- 0:06:16
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Ethel Lewarne and Beverley Burrell's thoughts on how the Depression years impacted their family.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Ethel Lewarne and Beverley Burrell's thoughts on how the Depression years impacted their family.
- Date Range
- 1929-1938
- Photo Info
- Leer family; Ethel Leer Lewarne is standing on the far right, 1911. Item no. 204-052
- Length
- 0:06:16
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- 24-Jun-75
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with Ethel (Leer) Lewarne and Beverley (Lewarne) Burrell by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury June 24, 1975. Major theme discussed is: the Depression. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Ethel Cecilia Leer was born in 1899 in London, England to George Frederick and Sarah Ann Leer. In 1908, the Leer family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada. George Frederick Leer began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Ethel’s younger brother George Leer was born about this time. A third child was born but unfortunately did not live past infancy. The Leers arrived in Burnaby in 1911 and bought two lots in Alta Vista at the corner of Portland and McGregor. George Frederick and Sarah Ann were active members of the All Saints Anglican Church on Royal Oak. Ethel went to Dundonald school from 1911 to 1913 with Miss Bowell as her teacher, then on to Britannia High School from 1913 to 1915. Ethel’s father, George Frederick Leer died March 23, 1919 at the age of forty-one. Ethel Cecilia Leer married Alfred Lewarne on December 26, 1921 in Burnaby. Alfred was born February 9, 1893 in Cornwall, England. Before marriage he worked for a creamery in Vancouver. After marriage, Alfred began his own ice cream business in Burnaby. The Lewarnes bought a lot along Nelson Avenue and built a house. Their first child Patricia "Tricia" (later McCleod) was born in 1923, their second was Beverley “Bev” (later Burrell). Their third child, William A. “Bill” Lewarne was born in 1926. Bill grew up to become one of the most popular Mayors in Burnaby’s history, serving from 1981 to 1987. He also served as a member of Council from 1973 to 1975 and 1977 to 1981. After Alfred Lewarne’s death on May 5, 1962 at the age of sixty-nine, Ethel continued living in the family home. Ethel’s mother, Sarah Ann Leer died May 11, 1963 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 1:00:59
- Interviewee Name
- Lewarne, Ethel Leer
- Burrell, Beverley "Bev" Lewarne
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track eight of interview with Ethel Lewarne and Beverley Burrell
Track eight of interview with Ethel Lewarne and Beverley Burrell
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-13/100-13-13_Track_8.mp3Robert Leonard Love fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20335
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1922-1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Robert Leonard Love fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 13 cm of textual records + 29 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of Robert Leonard Love's Royal Canadian Air Force records and vital stats records relating to himself and his wife Margaret along with family photographs. Records are arranged in series: 1) Robert Leonard Love RCAF records series 2) Robert and Margaret Love personal records series 3)…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Robert Leonard Love fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 13 cm of textual records + 29 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of Robert Leonard Love's Royal Canadian Air Force records and vital stats records relating to himself and his wife Margaret along with family photographs. Records are arranged in series: 1) Robert Leonard Love RCAF records series 2) Robert and Margaret Love personal records series 3) Robert and Margaret Love family photographs series
- History
- Robert Leonard Love was born in Burnaby in 1922 to parents John "Leonard" Love (1899-1978) and Jenny (Kennedy) Love (1900-1986). Robert was the eldest child of Leonard and Jenny Love and had three younger siblings Catherine "Ruth" (Love) Boruck, Alice (Love) Buckle and Gordon Love. Robert grew up in Burnaby at his family home located at 3205 George Street (later became 6112 Sussex Ave.). Robert joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served as a Pilot Officer during World War II. In 1945, after the war, he married Margaret Giles at Lorne Park Anglican Church, Missauga, Ontario. After marrying, Robert and Margaret first lived in Burnaby on Edna Street before moving to East 52nd Street in Vancouver. Between 1940 and 1951, Robert worked as a banker with the Bank of Nova Scotia (except while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II). In 1949, Robert and Margaret welcomed their first child, Robert Mathew "Bob". In 1951, Robert and family moved to Oregon after Robert got work with the First National Bank. Soon after moving to Oregon, Robert and Margaret welcomed their second child Donald Leonard "Don". In 1969 Robert was appointed as Adminstrative Assistant of the First National Bank in Oregon (later became Sea-First National Bank) and moved his family to Port Angeles, Oregon. Robert was later appointed vice president of the Sea-First National Bank. Robert was an active member of the Port Angeles Rotary Club, Downtown Business Association, The Eagles Aerie No. 483, BPOE No. 353 and a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church . Robert died at the age of 60 in Port Angeles in 1983.
- Creator
- Love, Robert Leonard "Bob"
- Responsibility
- Love, Robert Leonard "Bob"
- Accession Code
- BV023.24
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1922-1986
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Stride family subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65848
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1900-1926
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of photographs and government records pertaining to the Stride family of Burnaby, including a tax demand and the booklet version of by-law no. 509.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1900-1926
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Stride family subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of photographs and government records pertaining to the Stride family of Burnaby, including a tax demand and the booklet version of by-law no. 509.
- History
- Eber Stride was born in Somerset England, one of three brothers, along with Albert and Sydney. Older brother Sydney came to Canada with Eber and Eber’s wife Mary in 1888 and settled in New Westminster. Both bricklayers by trade, Sydney soon began operating the brickyard at Queen’s Park. Mary McKinnon was born in Dorset, England on October 1, 1857. Her father, Hugh McKinnon worked as a coast guard. Mary worked as a school teacher in Somerset for nine years before marrying Eber Stride on April 28, 1888 and relocating to Canada. Eber and Mary were living at Royal Avenue in New Westminster when their first child Charles Edgar was born on February 24, 1890. Their second child, Edwin Hubert was born November 26, 1892. In May of 1893 the family of four moved to Burnaby. Their third child, Marguerite "Margaret" Ella, was born in Burnaby on April 2, 1895. The Stride family owned and operated Stride and Son Florist Green houses located at their residence at 1749 Kingsway (later renumbered 7434 Kingsway). Eber joined the municipal council a year after its incorporation and served for nineteen consecutive years; from 1894-1911 and again in 1913. Eber and Mary were life-long members of the St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Burnaby, dating back to the Churchs’ beginings. The Strides are considered Edmonds district pioneers. The Stride children attended Westside School and later Royal City High School. Both sons worked for the family florist business after they left school. Edwin continued working there, applying for a chauffeur licence renewal in September of 1916 at the age of twenty-three. Edwin and Eber operated the business together for over 40 years. Charles Edgar didn’t stay a florist long. Instead, he had a brief career building houses before travelling to San Francisco by bicycle with a friend to attend the World’s Fair. He continued on to Tijuana, Mexico before heading home to join the Reserves and head overseas. Once back in New Westminster, Charles Edgar opened a series of photographic studios along Columbia Street. His first studio was Universal Photographers, operating from 1918 to 1925. He opened Brighton Studios at 657 Columbia Street as well from 1924 to 1925. In 1926 he opened Stride Studios at 657 Columbia Street, which thrived until 1968 when an unfortunate fire in a neighbouring business destroyed most of his prints and negatives. In 1928 he bought Columbia Studio across the street at 624 Columbia Street and owned it anonymously until 1960. For thirty years, no one knew that he owned both businesses and was able to send disgruntled customers “across the street to the competition.” Margaret Stride married and became Margaret Hokanson. Mary Stride died September 24, 1933 at the age of 75. Eber died November 8, 1942 at the age of 84. Edwin died April 16, 1970 at the age of 77. Charles Edgar died February 29, 1972 at the age of 82. Stride Avenue in Burnaby was named after Eber Stride.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Creator
- Stride, Charles Edgar
- Stride, Eber
- Notes
- MSS004 and PC001
- Title based on contents of subseries
Field family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65767
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1915] - [1969]
- Collection/Fonds
- Field family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 31 photographs : tiffs ; 600 ppi + 0.5 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs of the Field family and their relatives, including the Sandersons, as well as notes used by Thomas Sanderson in preparation of an address he gave in 1934 titled "The Early Development of Our Lumber Industry with Historical Sketches."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1915] - [1969]
- Collection/Fonds
- Field family fonds
- Physical Description
- 31 photographs : tiffs ; 600 ppi + 0.5 cm of textual records
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession Number
- 2010-14
- 2012-24
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs of the Field family and their relatives, including the Sandersons, as well as notes used by Thomas Sanderson in preparation of an address he gave in 1934 titled "The Early Development of Our Lumber Industry with Historical Sketches."
- History
- William “Willie“ James Field was born to William and Rebecca (Chambers) December of 1881 in England. Laura Tonkin was born to John Charles and Amelia (Johns) February of 1887 in Wales. Her brother, Charles Henry “Harry” was born in 1888. In 1907, Laura Tonkin married Willie James Field. Their first child, Phyllis Laura, was born in 1910. In 1912, the young family of three immigrated to Canada, arriving firstly in Hamilton, Ontario, where Willie James ran a welding business. Both Willie’s youngest brother, Arthur Pearcy, and Laura’s only brother, Charles Henry “Harry”, joined them soon after. The extended family of five then moved west to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. But Arthur Percy soon returned to Hamilton, married Sara Umbach, and had their two children, Arthur and June. Laura and Willie returned to Wales with Phyllis to have their second child, William John “John”, in 1914. War broke out and they were stranded until 1919. Within that time, Harry also returned to England with his bride, Ethyl “Em.” In 1919, the Field and Tonkin families returned to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, before heading out west. Willie James Field or Harry Tonkin owned the Model T-Ford convertible that the extended family travelled west in, arriving in Central Park, Burnaby, around 1921. Amelia and John Charles Tonkin purchased a home on Wilson Avenue where they lived out the rest of their lives. Amelia died on March 6, 1944, at the age of 82. Harry and Em Tonkin bought property on Nelson Avenue and began their family with a son, Roy, who unfortunately, did not survive infancy. He had a sister, Marjorie, born 1927. Willie James and Laura bought property on Patterson Avenue and had two more children: Dorothy, born October 10, 1925, and Robert George, born September 6, 1927. In 1929, June Field was brought out from Ontario as tuberculosis had claimed both her parents. The Mackenzies of Central Park adopted her and she became June Mackenzie at the age of three. Her older brother Arthur stayed in a foster home in Ontario. When June lost both her adoptive parents, Arthur came to Burnaby and he and his sister became a members of the Patterson Avenue Field family. In 1937, Phyllis Field married Gordon John Sanderson, the son of Ellen Jane Garvin and former Burnaby Reeve Thomas Sanderson. William James Field died March 17, 1965, at the age of 83, his wife Laura died in 1968 at the age of 81. William John “John” and Margaret (Begg) Field had their daughter Lorraine in 1941 and Joyce shortly after. Robert George married Edna Schilthelm of Mandy Avenue in Burnaby, and had William George “Bill”, Elizabeth “Betty” Gorrie, Joan Katherine Nash and Susan Carol Hanniford. All live locally, except Joan who lives in Royston.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Creator
- Field family
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo catalogue 521, MSS168
Interview with Minard Hill February 9, 1978 - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory201
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1902-1920
- Length
- 0:10:36
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Minard Gerald "Gerry" Hill's memories of the Royal Oak Hotel and his former neighbours at the south side of Deer Lake.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Minard Gerald "Gerry" Hill's memories of the Royal Oak Hotel and his former neighbours at the south side of Deer Lake.
- Date Range
- 1902-1920
- Photo Info
- Minard Gerald Hill in uniform, 1914. Item no. 477-926
- Length
- 0:10:36
- Names
- Royal Oak Hotel
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Stevens, Colin
- Interview Date
- February 9, 1978
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Minard Gerald "Gerry" Hill conducted by Colin Stevens, February 9, 1978. Major themes discussed are: the Burnaby Lake Neighbourhood, Gilley Brothers Logging Company and his father, Bernard Hill.
- Biographical Notes
- Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill was born in Burnaby on July 31, 1893 to Marian (Berkeley) and Bernard Richard Hill. He was the youngest child in the family with older siblings Frank, Claude and Winnie. Bernard R. Hill was born in Bengal, India while his father worked for the East Indian Railway. He and his older brother Claude became strawberry farmers in Burnaby despite their years of training as engineers. Between them, the Hill brothers owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and half way around Deer Lake. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. He also served as Burnaby Councillor and School Trustee. Gerry attended Miss Harriet Woodward’s kindergarten class, and went on to Edmonds School with Miss Ellen Lister as his teacher. He later went to Central high school in New Westminster, often on horseback. Gerry served in World War I, signing his recruitment papers November 9, 1914. When he returned home, he worked felling trees, then as an apprentice surveyor and finally as a carpenter. Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill married Charlotte Elizabeth “Elizabeth” Vidal on September 28, 1920 and single-handedly built a house for him and his wife about a thousand feet from his parents’ home. He also bought property at Yellow Point, Vancouver Island around this time. By the early 1930s Gerry had moved to Yellow Point permanently and begun work building the lodge. Elizabeth and Gerry’s child, Richard Grant McEwan Hill was born at Ladysmith hospital. Charlotte Elizabeth “Elizabeth” (Vidal) Hill died February 11, 1984 at the age of eighty-seven. Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill died January 30, 1988 at the age of ninety-three.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 1:13:56
- Interviewee Name
- Hill, Minard Gerald "Gerry"
- Interview Location
- Yellow Point, Vancouver Island
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track eight of interview with Minard Hill
Track eight of interview with Minard Hill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-018-1/MSS137-018-1_Track_8.mp3Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. Interviewer biography: 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”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
- Clothing
- Crafts
- Employment
- Migration
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Occupations - Labourers
- Occupations - Millworkers
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Names
- Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
- Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
- Manhas, Ghania Singh
- Singh, Mayo
- Manhas, Kashmir Singh
- Manhas, Sher Singh
- Manhas, Budhan Kaur
- Manhas, Lashman Singh
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Related Material
- See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep
- Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby
- Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3