47 records – page 1 of 3.

Burnaby May Day celebrations

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3117
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 28, 1927
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 11 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the May Queen and her suite at Burnaby May Day. Girls in white dresses, capes and crowns are lined up in front of a stage with a man in the centre. There is a girl seated on a chair on the back of the stage, possibly the May Queen, and two men are standing at the front of the stage. T…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 11 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the May Queen and her suite at Burnaby May Day. Girls in white dresses, capes and crowns are lined up in front of a stage with a man in the centre. There is a girl seated on a chair on the back of the stage, possibly the May Queen, and two men are standing at the front of the stage. There are two flags flying: one is a Union Jack and the other flag is unidentified but includes a Union Flag on the upper left corner. People are gathered around the stage.
Subjects
Persons - Crowds
Symbols - Flags
Events - May Day
Geographic Access
Central Park
Imperial Street
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Accession Code
HV972.204.11
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 28, 1927
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Related Material
For other photographs from the same album, see HV972.204.3 - .14
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-04-25
Photographer
Lloyd, Frank Ernest
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Inscribed on the negative and printed on the photograph, bottom front: "#5 / Burnaby May Day Celebrations / 28/5/27 / Lloyd Studio, McKay B.C."
Images
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Burnaby May Day Celebrations

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3119
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 28, 1927
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 11 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the procession to the retiring Queen during Burnaby's May Day at Central Park. Young women in white dresses are being escorted across a field by men in three-piece suits. A crowd, maypoles, a water tower, and house rooftops can all be seen in the background.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 11 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the procession to the retiring Queen during Burnaby's May Day at Central Park. Young women in white dresses are being escorted across a field by men in three-piece suits. A crowd, maypoles, a water tower, and house rooftops can all be seen in the background.
Subjects
Events - May Day
Events - Parades
Geographic Access
Central Park
Imperial Street
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Accession Code
HV972.204.13
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 28, 1927
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Related Material
For other photographs from the same album, see HV972.204.3 - .14
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-04-25
Photographer
Lloyd, Frank Ernest
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Inscribed on the negative and printed on the photograph, bottom front: "#1 / Burnaby May Day Celebrations / 28/5/27 / Lloyd Studio, McKay. B.C."
Images
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May Day celebrations at a park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4805
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1920-1929
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; copy print ; 14 cm x 25.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of May Day celebrations at a park. A large crowd is watching children holding ribbons going around the maypole.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; copy print ; 14 cm x 25.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of May Day celebrations at a park. A large crowd is watching children holding ribbons going around the maypole.
Other Title Information
title based on content of photograph
Accession Code
BV017.47.1
Access Restriction
Restricted access
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1920-1929
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
300
Scan Date
29-Apr-18
Images
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Brackman-Ker Milling Co. Jubilee Picnic at Bowen Island

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2958
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
August 11, 1928
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; panorama 53 x 20.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph is a panorama of the "BRACKMAN-KER MILLING CO. JUBILE(sic) PICNIC / BOWEN ISLAND, B.C. AUG.11th, 1928". The photograph presumably shows the employees and families of the Brackman-Ker Milling Co. The adults are mostly posed standing in four rows. There are some children being held in…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; panorama 53 x 20.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph is a panorama of the "BRACKMAN-KER MILLING CO. JUBILE(sic) PICNIC / BOWEN ISLAND, B.C. AUG.11th, 1928". The photograph presumably shows the employees and families of the Brackman-Ker Milling Co. The adults are mostly posed standing in four rows. There are some children being held in the arms of adults, but most of the children in the photograph are seated on the ground along the front of the group. There is also a dog lying down on the ground to the right side of the group. The group is posed in a grassy area, with trees and the roof of a square building visible in the background.
Subjects
Celebrations - Jubilee
Names
Brackman-Ker Milling Company
Accession Code
HV971.1.35
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
August 11, 1928
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-23
Photographer
Stride, Charles Edgar
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Title on front of photograph read: "BRACKMAN-KER MILLING CO. JUBILE(sic) PICNIC / BOWEN ISLAND, B.C. AUG.11th, 1928" and "PHOTO BY THE STRIDE STUDIOS / NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C."
Images
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Diamond Jubliee Committee

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3184
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
2 Jul 1927
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 13.5 x 24 cm (sight) in matt 30.5 x 39.5 cm in frame 41.5 x 49.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of The Committee of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. Group portrait is composed of a group of men in two rows, five seated in front row, seven men standing in back fow with young girl standing next to man on the right. Man in centre of front row is holding a photograph and has a meg…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 13.5 x 24 cm (sight) in matt 30.5 x 39.5 cm in frame 41.5 x 49.5 cm
Material Details
Photograph mounted in matt within an oak wood frame
Scope and Content
Photograph of The Committee of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. Group portrait is composed of a group of men in two rows, five seated in front row, seven men standing in back fow with young girl standing next to man on the right. Man in centre of front row is holding a photograph and has a megaphone between his legs. The group are assembled together in what might be a park in Burnaby. There are houses and telephone poles visible in the background.
Subjects
Celebrations - Jubilee
Organizations
Organizations - Societies and Clubs
Accession Code
BV985.5401.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
2 Jul 1927
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Lloyd, Frank Ernest
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Annotations on bottom of matt in white ink reads: "The Committee _Diamond Jubilee of Confederation, Burnaby July 2nd 1927 / Lloyd Studio / McKay, B.C."
Images
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HMS Delhi at Melbourne Harbour, Australia

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription272
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1924]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.2 x 13.4 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large military ship at a harbour in Melbourne, Australia. There are streamers decorating the ship that extend out to the harbour . There are men in navy uniforms on the boat, looking towards the people gathered at the dock. Most people are in suits and dresses. A crane can be see…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.2 x 13.4 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large military ship at a harbour in Melbourne, Australia. There are streamers decorating the ship that extend out to the harbour . There are men in navy uniforms on the boat, looking towards the people gathered at the dock. Most people are in suits and dresses. A crane can be seen in the lower right corner of the photograph.
Subjects
Transportation - Ships
Celebrations
Persons - Crowds
Structures - Piers and Wharves
Accession Code
HV984.51.56
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1924]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-10-31
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
An annotation on the front of the photo reads: "Leaving Melbourne 1924." Annotations on the back of the photo read: "Arthur Been E.R.A / H.M.S. Delhi / S.S.S. / Y.P.G" and "If it wasn't for trouble how could we appreciate Happinees / AB[underlined]."
Images
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A visitor from Jericoh

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20579
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 1925
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 7.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a plane flying overhead during May Day celebrations in New Westminster.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 7.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a plane flying overhead during May Day celebrations in New Westminster.
Subjects
Transportation - Air
Events - May Day
Accession Code
BV995.8.10
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 1925
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Notes
Transcribed title
Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 3
Inscription on page of photograph in album BV995.8.1 reads: "A visitor from Jerico / May Day - New Westminster 1925"
Images
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Boy Scouts at May Day in New Westminster

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20622
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1925
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two Boy Scouts standing together in formation at May Day celebrations in New Westminster.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two Boy Scouts standing together in formation at May Day celebrations in New Westminster.
Subjects
Organizations - Boys' Societies and Clubs
Names
Boy Scouts of Canada
Geographic Access
New Westminster
Accession Code
BV995.8.53
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1925
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Notes
Transcribed titled
Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 18
Illustrative designs in white ink around photographs on album page
Note in white ink on album page reads: "MAY DAY / NEW WESTMINSTER / 1925"
Images
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Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4614
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1914-2009
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
22 scrapbooks : photographs + textual records + illustrations + digital files : col. (pdfs) + photographs : col. (tiffs) + col. (jpegs) + 222 photographs : b&w ; col. + 12 cm of textual records + ephemera
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a collection of scrapbooks containing photographs, textual records, illustrations and ephemera along with individual photographs and textual records related to Burnaby Girl Guides. Records document the activities and functions of Burnaby Girl Guides through histories, journals, ne…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
22 scrapbooks : photographs + textual records + illustrations + digital files : col. (pdfs) + photographs : col. (tiffs) + col. (jpegs) + 222 photographs : b&w ; col. + 12 cm of textual records + ephemera
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a collection of scrapbooks containing photographs, textual records, illustrations and ephemera along with individual photographs and textual records related to Burnaby Girl Guides. Records document the activities and functions of Burnaby Girl Guides through histories, journals, newspaper clippings, certificates, awards, programmes, photographs, illustrations and newsletters. Scrapbooks were created by Burnaby Girl Guides and Girl Guide leaders and deposited with the Burnaby Girl Guide Archivist prior to being donated to the Burnaby Village Museum. Record descriptions are available at both item and file level. Fonds is arranged into the following series: 1) Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series 2) Burnaby Girl Guides administrative records and histories series 3) Burnaby Girl Guides newsletters series 4) Burnaby Girl Guides memorabilia series
History
The Girl Guide Movement began in England in 1909 when girls in England demanded to take part in a Boy Scouts rally at the Crystal Palace in London, organized by Chief Scout and Boy Scout founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Following this event, Baden Powell asked his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell to help him start a similar organization for girls and Girl Guides was formed. Girl Guides came to Canada in 1910 and the first troop in British Columbia was registered in Victoria in 1912. In 1913 Amy Leigh moved to Burnaby from England and enquired about a Guiding company in her area and was disappointed to find none. On June 11, 1914 at the age of 17 years, Amy registered the 1st Burnaby Girl Guide Company and became the captain. On April 2, 1916 the 2nd Burnaby Guide Company registered and met at Edmonds School. In this same year, the very first Burnaby Girl Guide Rally event took place at Central Park and by 1920 another took place at the Burnaby Municipal Hall (Edmonds) and was attended by both Burnaby and New Westminster Guides. The First Burnaby Brownie Pack was registered on December 1922 with Mrs. W.J. Matherson as Brown Owl. The Brownie Pack met in a West Burnaby facility. The First Burnaby Land Ranger Co. was formed on November 29, 1923 and by 1924 Burnaby became a District with four Guide companies, four Brownie Packs and the Rangers. In 1923 records show Mrs. Gavin as commissioner, Mrs. C.F. Carter in 1924 and Miss Amy Leigh between 1926 and 1928. The first District camp was held near Sechelt in 1927 on the property of Mrs. Deal and Mrs. Nixon with annual camps held here until 1930 when the Guide camp at Wilson Creek was established. In 1929 Guides and Brownies began taking part in the Annual May Day Celebrations at Central Park. In 1930 Burnaby became a Division with Mrs. C.F. Carter as Division Commissioner and Mrs. G. Peel as District Commissioner for South Burnaby and in 1931 Miss Amy Leigh became the first North Burnaby Commissioner. The 5th Burnaby Girl Guide Company in North Burnaby began publishing a bulletin in 1935. In this same year Burnaby Girl Guides attended a rally for Lord and Lady Powell who were visiting Vancouver and Burnaby Girl Guides became affiliated with Greater Vancouver Girl Guide Council. The packs and companies of North Burnaby were attached to the eastern section of Vancouver while South Burnaby and South Vancouver District became another Division. Mrs. Pochin organized the Burnaby Lake District in 1943 becoming the first District commissioner (In 1927 Mrs. Peel had guides in this area). The first training classes for Girl Guides were held in 1943 in a hall on Buller Avenue at the BCER tracks and also Phillips Hall on McKay Avenue. By 1945 a training camp was held on Mrs. Pochin’s property on Deer Lake. South Vancouver, South Burnaby and Burnaby Lake Districts took part in the training which was a change over from war time service and the return of Pioneer camping. Miss E. Perition was in charge of camp which was attended by Mrs. J. Quinnell, Mrs. J. Albertson and many guiders. In 1946 Lady Baden Powel returned for a visit to Vancouver and there was a rally at Connaught Park and Chief Scout Lord Rowallyn held a rally at Brocton Point. In 1947 Mrs. J. Albertson became Division Commissioner for South Vancouver and South Burnaby. Districts of Burnaby Lake and South Burnaby each adopted a European child and undertook to send regular parcels and by 1948 these Districts became a Burnaby Division once more under Division Commissioner Mrs. W.M. Wall. In September 1949 the first Sea Ranger Crew “S.R.S. Royal Oak” was formed under the Skipper, Miss E. Periton. The S.R.S. Royal Oak met at All Saint’s Church Hall on Royal Oak Ave. In 1950 Packs and Companies in North Burnaby organized into a District under Mrs. Hebron and in 1953 Sperling District was organized by District Commissioner Mrs. Hancock. 1953 was also the same year that South Burnaby District was divided into three Districts: Central Park District under Commissioner Miss Perition, Douglas District under Commissioner Mrs. J. McKee Wilson and Kingsway under Commissioner Mrs. J.G. Fowler. A few years later, in 1955 the guides and brownies were out in force to welcome Lady Baden Powel at a rally held in the PNE Gardens building and by March 1956 Burnaby ceased to be a part of Greater Vancouver Area and was organized under two Divisions of the Province. The Sperling, Willingdon and Vancouver Heights Districts in North Burnaby became North Burnaby Division with Mrs. H. Hebron as Division Commissioner. With rapid population growth further decentralization became necessary and South Burnaby Division was split in two, adding the new division of Central Burnaby under Commissioner Miss E. Perition. Central Burnaby was composed of three Districts: Burnaby Lake, Central Park and a new District named “Windsor” under Mrs. C. Dumfries. South Burnaby was composed of three Districts: Kingsway, Edmonds and Lakeview (the latter two also referred to as Douglas with Mrs. McGeachie and Mrs. J. Park as the first commissioners of these two Districts). In 1957 Burnaby became an Area unto itself with three Divisions, and 9 Districts under Miss Periton as the first Area Commissioner. In February 1957, Burnaby entered into a contract with Vancouver Girl Guide Council to lease a part of the Wilson Creek campsite. Under the leadership of Area Commissioner, Miss Periton, work started on the development of the site with funds raised by both the Girl Guides, local citizens and associations. A camp committee was formed with representation from each Division and a lot of help from Miss Norah Weller, the Wilson Creek camp manager. Plans were laid for the site with a dining shelter, store room and cook stove contracted for while a subcommittee of men was appointed to purchase building supplies and organize work parties to build cabins, a staff house, water pipes and sanitary facilities. The site opened in May 1958 with $6000 expended on building and equipping the camp, while an official opening took place on June 8 and by July Girl Guides began camping on the site. The Burnaby Area Committee became a member of the Burnaby Community Council and a participant in Community Chest in 1958 and on May 1, the Burnaby Area office opened. By 1959, with further participation in North Burnaby, Sperling District was split to form Sperling and Hillview Districts and by 1960 Kingsway District of South Burnaby split to form Kingsway and Royal Oak Districts. By December 1960, Burnaby Area had 3 Divisions, 11 Districts with a total membership of 2, 331.
Creator
Girl Guides of Canada
Accession Code
BV015.35
BV015.36
BV016.49
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1914-2009
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Some scrapbooks are only available in digital formats
Accessions that form part of this fonds include: BV015.35; BV015.36; BV016.49
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Burnaby May Day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4882
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 26, 1928
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ;11.5 x 17 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby May Day held in Robert Burnaby Park. Children are wearing white dresses and gathered around several may poles set up on a large field during the Burnaby May Day celebrations. The May pole on the left side of the photograph is surrounded by young girls in Girl Guide uniforms. A…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Series
Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ;11.5 x 17 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby May Day held in Robert Burnaby Park. Children are wearing white dresses and gathered around several may poles set up on a large field during the Burnaby May Day celebrations. The May pole on the left side of the photograph is surrounded by young girls in Girl Guide uniforms. A large crowd is gathered and is looking on.
Subjects
Events - May Day
Names
Girl Guides of Canada
Geographic Access
Robert Burnaby Park
Accession Code
BV015.35.240
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 26, 1928
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lakeview-Mayfield Area
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
January 4, 2021
Scale
100
Photographer
Lloyd, Frank Ernest
Notes
Title based on content of photograph
Type script in white on bottom of photograph reads: "Burnaby May Day / 26. 5.28 / Lloyd Studio / McKay B.C."
Stamp in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "Lloyd's Studio / 3966 Kingsway / McKay, B.C. Calr. 343R2"
Photograph is a part of scrapbook (page 25) "Burnaby Girl Guides. -- [1914]-1969, predominant ca. 1920" (BV.015.35.164)
Images
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Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19284
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1900-1928]
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 photograph album (429 photographs)
Scope and Content
Photograph album consists of photographs of various members of the Love family, relatives, friends and descendants including the members of the Brandrith, Stanley, Whiting and MacKenzie families. Album includes photographs taken by family members as well as portrait photographers that document even…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 photograph album (429 photographs)
Scope and Content
Photograph album consists of photographs of various members of the Love family, relatives, friends and descendants including the members of the Brandrith, Stanley, Whiting and MacKenzie families. Album includes photographs taken by family members as well as portrait photographers that document events, celebrations, gatherings, travels throughout British Columbia, various residences and vacation homes. Album and annotations were created by Esther Love Stanley and descendants.
Creator
Stanley, Esther Love
Names
Love Family
Stanley Family
Whiting Family
Brandrith Family
Accession Code
BV022.32.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1900-1928]
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of album
Individual photographs within album are described at item level BV022.32.2 to BV022.32.430
Duplicate photographs within album were not accessioned or described
Images
Documents
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May Queen and her suite

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3113
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 28, 1927
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 11 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the May Queen and her suite at Burnaby May Day. Girls in white dresses, capes and crowns are lined up in front of a stage with a man in the centre. There is a girl seated on a chair on the back of the stage, possibly the May Queen, and two men are standing at the front of the stage. T…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 11 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the May Queen and her suite at Burnaby May Day. Girls in white dresses, capes and crowns are lined up in front of a stage with a man in the centre. There is a girl seated on a chair on the back of the stage, possibly the May Queen, and two men are standing at the front of the stage. There are two flags flying: one is a Union Jack and the other flag is unidentified but includes a Union Flag on the upper left corner. People are gathered around the stage.
Subjects
Persons - Crowds
Symbols - Flags
Events - May Day
Geographic Access
Central Park
Imperial Street
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Accession Code
HV972.204.7
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 28, 1927
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Related Material
For other photographs from the same album, see HV972.204.3 - .14
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-04-25
Photographer
Lloyd, Frank Ernest
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Inscribed on the negative and printed on the photograph, bottom front: "#5 / Burnaby May Day Celebrations / 28/5/27 / Lloyd Studio, McKay B.C."
Images
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Scout leaders at May Day in New Westminster

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20621
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1925
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two Boy Scout leaders standing together at May Day celebrations in New Westminster.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two Boy Scout leaders standing together at May Day celebrations in New Westminster.
Subjects
Organizations - Boys' Societies and Clubs
Names
Boy Scouts of Canada
Geographic Access
New Westminster
Accession Code
BV995.8.52
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1925
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Notes
Transcribed titled
Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 18
Illustrative designs in white ink around photographs on album page
Note in white ink on album page reads: "MAY DAY / NEW WESTMINSTER / 1925"
Images
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The Royal Party procession

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20598
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 1925
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9.5 x 15.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Royal party of Burnaby's first May Day celebration. May Queen Suite and other attendants are in a procession at the first May Day celebration in Burnaby in 1925. The procession is being led by May Queen Ruth Bearn and escort followed by Jessie Gunzeon, Margaret McCallum, Agness K…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9.5 x 15.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Royal party of Burnaby's first May Day celebration. May Queen Suite and other attendants are in a procession at the first May Day celebration in Burnaby in 1925. The procession is being led by May Queen Ruth Bearn and escort followed by Jessie Gunzeon, Margaret McCallum, Agness Kilgour, Nellie Mitchell, Lucretia Adair and Louise Lister. Each girl in the suite is holding a flower basket and escorted by a man in a suit and matching hats. A flag flying in the back and a water tower can be seen from behind the procession.
History
Burnaby's first May Day celebration took place on Saturday May 23, 1925 in Central Park. The May Queen and her court were chosen by "lot" in Burnaby Muncipal Council chambers with candidates submitted from Burnaby's public and high schools. Names were placed in a silk hat and Burnaby Reeve Alexander K. McLean drew the successful candidates. Ruth Bearn from Riverway West School was chosen as queen and Agness Kilgour from North Burnaby High School was chosen as Princess Burnaby. Candidates chosen for the Queen's court included First Maid of honour, Jessie Gungeon (Kingsway West School); Second Maid of Honour, Margaret McCallum (Schou Street School) and Third Maid of Honour, Eileen Jacques (Armstrong Avenue School). Candidates chosen for the Princess Burnaby court included, First Maid of Honour, Nellie Mitchell (North Burnaby High School); Second Maid of Honour, Lucretia Adair (South Burnaby High School) and Third Maid of Honour, Louis Lister (South Burnaby High School). Frank Harcourt (Riverway East School) was selected as Earl Marshal; Leo Rowley (Douglas Road School) was selected as First Page; Bertie Telford (Schou Street School) was selected as Second Page; Victor Bennett (Capitol Hill School) was selected as First Herald and James Clogg (Edmonds Street School) was selected as Second Herald.
Subjects
Events - May Day
Names
McFarlane, "Agness" Nancy Galbraith McNeill Kilgour
Whittaker, Ruth Lavinia Bearn
Anderson, Jessie Gunzeon
McCallum, Margaret
Lister, Louise
McLellan, Nellie Mitchell
Weatherby, Lucretia Hazel Adair
Accession Code
BV995.8.29
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 1925
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Photographer
Stride, Charles Edgar
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 10
Script in white on bottom edge of photograph reads: "Stride Photo"
Note in white ink on page of album reads: "THE ROYAL PARTY" / ARRIVAL AT THE GROUNDS"
Images
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Burnaby May Day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription921
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 1926
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23.5 x 17.5 cm (sight), mounted in folder 33.5 x 55 cm folded to 33.5 x 24 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby May Queen Margaret Henderson wearing a pearl necklace and a 'crown of flowers' in her hair, in a photographic studio, surrounded by her suite. Surrounding the May Queen (from the left) are; her third Maid of Honour Doris Bearn, her second Maid of Honour Nellie Flemming and her…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23.5 x 17.5 cm (sight), mounted in folder 33.5 x 55 cm folded to 33.5 x 24 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby May Queen Margaret Henderson wearing a pearl necklace and a 'crown of flowers' in her hair, in a photographic studio, surrounded by her suite. Surrounding the May Queen (from the left) are; her third Maid of Honour Doris Bearn, her second Maid of Honour Nellie Flemming and her first Maid of Honour Violet Mackie.
Subjects
Events - May Day
Names
Henderson, Margaret
Fleming, Nellie
Haddock, Doris Edna Bearn
Palm, Violet Mae Mackie
Accession Code
HV974.29.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
May 1926
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
1/11/2010
Scale
100
Notes
Continuation of title: "... Celebration 1926"
Note typed in gold on recto of window mat reads: "BURNABY MAY DAY CELEBRATION, 1926 / CROWNED MAY 22ND, AT CENTRAL PARK, BURNABY / MISS MARGARET HENDERSON, MAY QUEEN / MISS DORIS BEARN 3RD MAID OF HONOUR / MISS NELLIE FLEMING 2ND MAID OF HONOUR / MISS VIOLET McKEE 1ST MAID OF HONOUR / WITH COMPLIMENTS OF THE MAY DAY COMMITTEE TO [handwritten in white ink] Mr. James Dickson, Chairman Drawing Committee"
Window mat (at interior of folder) has decorative embossing
Window mat and folder backing (provided by photographic studio) are glued together
Window mat signed "J. [Vanderpasch]"
Images
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Burnaby May Day Queen and her suite

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3547
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 1926
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23.5 x 17.5 cm (sight), in frame 56.5 x 46 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby May Queen Margaret Henderson wearing a pearl necklace and a 'crown of flowers' in her hair, in a photographic studio, surrounded by her suite. Surrounding the May Queen (from the left) are; her third Maid of Honour Doris Bearn, her second Maid of Honour Nellie Flemming and her…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23.5 x 17.5 cm (sight), in frame 56.5 x 46 cm
Material Details
Photograph and mat are housed in a wood frame
Window mat has decorative embossing
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby May Queen Margaret Henderson wearing a pearl necklace and a 'crown of flowers' in her hair, in a photographic studio, surrounded by her suite. Surrounding the May Queen (from the left) are; her third Maid of Honour Doris Bearn, her second Maid of Honour Nellie Flemming and her first Maid of Honour Violet Mackie.
Subjects
Events - May Day
Names
Henderson, Margaret
Fleming, Nellie
Haddock, Doris Edna Bearn
Palm, Violet Mae Mackie
Accession Code
BV985.5405.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 1926
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
See also HV974.29.5
Notes
Continuation of title: "... Celebration 1926"
Note typed in gold on recto of window mat reads: "BURNABY MAY DAY CELEBRATION, 1926 / CROWNED MAY 22ND, AT CENTRAL PARK, BURNABY / MISS MARGARET HENDERSON, MAY QUEEN / MISS DORIS BEARN 3RD MAID OF HONOUR / MISS NELLIE FLEMING 2ND MAID OF HONOUR / MISS VIOLET McKEE 1ST MAID OF HONOUR / WITH COMPLIMENTS OF THE MAY DAY COMMITTEE TO [handwritten in white ink] His Worship the Reeve and Councillors / Municipality of Burnaby"
Window mat signed "J. [Vanderpasch]"
Images
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First May Queen Ruth Bearn

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20595
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 1925
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby's first May Queen, Ruth Bearn dressed in May Day costume during Burnaby's first May Day celebration. Ruth Bearn was from the 1st Burnaby Girl Guide Company.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby's first May Queen, Ruth Bearn dressed in May Day costume during Burnaby's first May Day celebration. Ruth Bearn was from the 1st Burnaby Girl Guide Company.
History
Burnaby's first May Day celebration took place on Saturday May 23, 1925 in Central Park. The May Queen and her court were chosen by "lot" in Burnaby Muncipal Council chambers with candidates submitted from Burnaby's public and high schools. Names were placed in a silk hat and Burnaby Reeve Alexander K. McLean drew the successful candidates. Ruth Bearn from Riverway West School was chosen as queen and Agness Kilgour from North Burnaby High School was chosen as Princess Burnaby. Candidates chosen for the Queen's court included First Maid of honour, Jessie Gungeon (Kingsway West School); Second Maid of Honour, Margaret McCallum (Schou Street School) and Third Maid of Honour, Eileen Jacques (Armstrong Avenue School). Candidates chosen for the Princess Burnaby court included, First Maid of Honour, Nellie Mitchell (North Burnaby High School); Second Maid of Honour, Lucretia Adair (South Burnaby High School) and Third Maid of Honour, Louis Lister (South Burnaby High School). Frank Harcourt (Riverway East School) was selected as Earl Marshal; Leo Rowley (Douglas Road School) was selected as First Page; Bertie Telford (Schou Street School) was selected as Second Page; Victor Bennett (Capitol Hill School) was selected as First Herald and James Clogg (Edmonds Street School) was selected as Second Herald.
Subjects
Events - May Day
Names
Whittaker, Ruth Lavinia Bearn
Accession Code
BV995.8.26
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 1925
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 7
Inscription in white ink on page of album reads: "BURNABY'S FIRST MAYDAY / 1925 / PRINCESS BURNABY / THE FIRST MAY QUEEN / (RUTH BEARN 1ST BURNABY / COMPANY GIRL GUIDES)"
Images
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Interview 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
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
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
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May Day celebration in Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription231
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 1925
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the stage at the first May Day celebration in Burnaby in 1925. There are flower girls lined up along the steps up to the stage with a carpet running along the centre of the steps. The photographer is speculated to be Stride studio, because of the similarities with other 1925 Burnaby M…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the stage at the first May Day celebration in Burnaby in 1925. There are flower girls lined up along the steps up to the stage with a carpet running along the centre of the steps. The photographer is speculated to be Stride studio, because of the similarities with other 1925 Burnaby May Day photographs by Stride studio.
Subjects
Events - May Day
Geographic Access
Central Park
Imperial Street
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Accession Code
BV985.3137.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
May 1925
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2024-02-02
Photographer
Stride, Charles Edgar
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Images
Less detail

Princess Burnaby Agness Kilgour

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20594
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
May 1925
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Princess Burnaby Agness Kilgour dressed in May Day costume during Burnaby's first May Day celebration.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Princess Burnaby Agness Kilgour dressed in May Day costume during Burnaby's first May Day celebration.
History
Burnaby's first May Day celebration took place on Saturday May 23, 1925 in Central Park. The May Queen and her court were chosen by "lot" in Burnaby Muncipal Council chambers with candidates submitted from Burnaby's public and high schools. Names were placed in a silk hat and Burnaby Reeve Alexander K. McLean drew the successful candidates. Ruth Bearn from Riverway West School was chosen as queen and Agness Kilgour from North Burnaby High School was chosen as Princess Burnaby. Candidates chosen for the Queen's court included First Maid of honour, Jessie Gungeon (Kingsway West School); Second Maid of Honour, Margaret McCallum (Schou Street School) and Third Maid of Honour, Eileen Jacques (Armstrong Avenue School). Candidates chosen for the Princess Burnaby court included, First Maid of Honour, Nellie Mitchell (North Burnaby High School); Second Maid of Honour, Lucretia Adair (South Burnaby High School) and Third Maid of Honour, Louis Lister (South Burnaby High School). Frank Harcourt (Riverway East School) was selected as Earl Marshal; Leo Rowley (Douglas Road School) was selected as First Page; Bertie Telford (Schou Street School) was selected as Second Page; Victor Bennett (Capitol Hill School) was selected as First Herald and James Clogg (Edmonds Street School) was selected as Second Herald.
Subjects
Events - May Day
Names
McFarlane, "Agness" Nancy Galbraith McNeill Kilgour
Accession Code
BV995.8.25
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
May 1925
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 7
Inscription in white ink on page of album reads: "BURNABY'S FIRST MAYDAY / 1925 / PRINCESS BURNABY / AGNES KILGOUR"
Images
Less detail

47 records – page 1 of 3.