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Person / Organization
- Burquest 1
- Canada Way Food Market 1
- Cohn, Dr. Daniel E. 1
- Cohn, Shirley 1
- Cohn, Theodore H. "Ted" 1
- Fraser Merchants' Association 1
- Hillel Jewish Students Association 1
- SFURA walking and hiking group 1
- Simon Fraser University 1
- Simon Fraser University Retirees Association "SFURA" 1
- Stanley, Esther Love 1
- Temple Shalom 1
Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14728
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 49 photographs (jpgs) + 4 photographs (tiffs) + 1 drawing : wax crayon on pink construction paper + 26 videos (digital)
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of photographs, digital poetry and a child's drawing created by citizens living in Burnaby during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as photographs and short film clips created by the City of Burnaby's Marketing Department. The collection documents experiences while living through th…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 49 photographs (jpgs) + 4 photographs (tiffs) + 1 drawing : wax crayon on pink construction paper + 26 videos (digital)
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of photographs, digital poetry and a child's drawing created by citizens living in Burnaby during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as photographs and short film clips created by the City of Burnaby's Marketing Department. The collection documents experiences while living through the COVID-19 pandemic, how it has effected the City of Burnaby and it's citizens and how they've adapted.
- History
- The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the "Coronavirus" is a world wide pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The coronavirus was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and in January 2020, The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and by March 2020 it was declared a world wide pandemic. As of December 2020, more than 68 million cases have been confirmed and more than 1.56 million deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. In the spring of 2020, many provinces and territories within Canada declared a state of emergency or public health emergency. British Columbia declared a public health emergency on March 17 and a provincial state of emergency the next day, March 18. This state of emergency gives the provincial health authority the power to limit the sizes of gatherings and put restrictions on how businesses operate. The state of emergency order, which must be renewed every fourteen days, allows the province to implement any provincial emergency measures required such as securing the supply chain and prohibiting re-selling of essentials. During the pandemic British Columbia's provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided wise words to the public and coined the phrase "This is our time to be kind, be calm and be safe". Beginning in May 2020, Burnaby Village Museum put a call out to the community asking for their assistance in documenting and collecting experiences, stories and mementos regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Burnaby. Burnaby Village Museum put the word out through social media, their enewsletter, website, and word of mouth. The public was invited to share how COVID-19 was affecting them through physical objects, photographs, videos, recordings, letters, diaries and more. The City of Burnaby's Marketing Department also produced communications about the pandemic and changes throughout the City that residents need to be aware of. The goal of this collection is to document the effects that the pandemic has had on our community and our everyday lives and in turn preserve and make it accessible for future generations. Burnaby Village Museum continues to collect any items documenting everyday experiences related to this pandemic.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Accession Code
- BV020.18; BV020.19; BV020.20; BV020.21; BV020.23; BV020.24; BV020.26; BV020.30; BV021.2
- Date
- 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of collection
- Multiple accessions form part of this fonds: BV020.18; BV020.19; BV020.20; BV020.21; BV020.23; BV020.24; BV020.26; BV020.30; BV021.2
- Further accruals are expected
Esther Stanley (nee Love)
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9860
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1876 (date of original)-[1998]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of copies of marriage, birth and death certificates along with copies of biographical information from Pioneer Tales and related correspondence. Esther Stanley (nee Love) was born in 1896, married Frank Charles Stanley in 1921 and is the daughter of Jesse and Martha Love.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Jesse Love farmhouse series
- Subseries
- Love farmhouse research files subseries
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of copies of marriage, birth and death certificates along with copies of biographical information from Pioneer Tales and related correspondence. Esther Stanley (nee Love) was born in 1896, married Frank Charles Stanley in 1921 and is the daughter of Jesse and Martha Love.
- Names
- Stanley, Esther Love
- Accession Code
- BV018.41.71
- Access Restriction
- Subject to FIPPA
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproductions subject to FIPPA
- Date
- 1876 (date of original)-[1998]
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on content of file
E.W. Bateman family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15157
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1857]-[195-]
- Collection/Fonds
- E.W. Bateman family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 63 photographs + 6 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs of the family of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman and residences including Elworth house, along with letters written by Colin Rhodes Fox during World War II. Fonds is arranged into the following series: 1) Bateman family photographs series 2) Bateman family World War II lette…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- E.W. Bateman family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 63 photographs + 6 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs of the family of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman and residences including Elworth house, along with letters written by Colin Rhodes Fox during World War II. Fonds is arranged into the following series: 1) Bateman family photographs series 2) Bateman family World War II letters series
- History
- Edwin Wettenhall "E.W." Bateman was born in 1859 in Sandbach, Cheshire, to James and Caroline Mary Wettenhall Bateman (their home in Sandbach was called Elworth Cottage). When he was twenty-one, E.W. Bateman immigrated to Manitoba, Canada where he met Catherine “Cassie” Dale, daughter of George and Sarah Gillon Dale. They were married in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on November 9, 1886. Edwin and Cassie had seven children, the eldest Edna Caroline Annie (Corner) (1889-1969); George Edwin (1890-? ); Mamie (McWilliams) (1892-1979); Marianne “May” Bateman (1894-1990); Warren Stafford (1896-1954); Jessie (Fox Kemp) (1899-1978) and John Carey (1901-1945). Catherine “Cassie” (Dale) Bateman died in Portage La Prairie in 1909. After Cassie's death, Edwin was transferred to Vancouver by the Canadian Pacific Railway where he married Cassie’s younger sister Mary Dale (1896-1935). Edwin moved his six of his seven children to Vancouver (not including George). Edwin and Mary (Dale) Bateman first lived at 7th and Balsam Street in Vancouver and in 1920, they decided to move to the quieter atmosphere of the Burnaby Lake- Deer Lake area. By this time Edwin Wettenhall Bateman was a retired CPR executive. He moved his wife and daughter Marianne “May” Bateman to Deer Lake and commissioned architect, Enoch Evans to build 'Elworth' house (named after Edwin’s family home in Sandbach, Chesire). The house was completed by contractor William Dodson in 1922 and located at the site of what would become Heritage Village and later, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue. The Batemans lived at this location for thirteen years before moving back to Vancouver in May of 1935. Mary Dale Bateman died in July 1935 and sometime after, Edwin W. Bateman married Dora Coulton. Edwin W. Bateman died in 1957 at the age of 98. Edna Caroline Bateman married Raymond Westley Corner in 1920 and had a daughter named Catherine Mary (Levins). Edna and Raymond lived in Kelowna. George Bateman married Louise Agness Birss in January 1910 and continued to live in Manitoba. Mamie Dale Bateman married George Lloyd McWilliams in 1915. The couple had two children, Warren Finley McWilliams and Bruce McWilliams. Mamie and George McWilliams lived with their family on Douglas Road across the road from Elworth house in Burnaby. Warren McWilliams was on North Atlantic convoy duty during World War I from 1942 to 1944. Warren McWilliams died in 2004. Warren Stafford Bateman married Norah Withington in Burnaby in 1924; Winifred Dare Webster in Burnaby in 1932 and Dorothy Margaret Buchanan in New Westminster in 1949. Warren and Winnifred “Winnie” Webster celebrated their marriage at Elworth house in 1932. Warren served in World War I. Jessie Madeline Bateman married Ernest Denby Fox (1900-1945) in 1921. Jessie and Ernest Fox had three children, Colin Rhodes Fox (1921-2005); Mary “Betty” (Gludo) and Allan Fox. Jessie and Ernest Fox operated a small logging company near Powell River, B.C. Sometime after the death of her first husband, Ernest Denby Fox, Jessie married James Kemp. The youngest child of Edwin and Cassie, John “Carey” Bateman married Sophia Spak (1899-1977) in 1925. On September 10, 1939, the day that Canada declared war on Germany, Colin Rhodes Fox (eldest son of Jessie and Ernest Fox) enlisted in the army at the age of 18 years. Colin initially served in an anti-aircraft unit, but was soon transferred to the Field Artillery. During his service overseas, Colin wrote letters to family members including his aunt May Bateman who was living in Burnaby. Colin went through basic artillery training in Edmonton before heading overseas to the United Kingdom with his unit, the 13th Field Regiment , 44th Canadian Field Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery and later the 78th Canadian Field Battery in Germany and Holland . Colin was wounded on June 8, 1944 (two days after D-Day) but returned to serve in Holland and Germany until the war ended. Colin suffered bullet and shrapnel wounds while laying communication cable from the Normandy beachhead. In 1946, Colin married Susan Streika (Striha) of Pitt Meadows and he began a thirty five year career in the B.C. Telephone Company on Vancouver Island. Colin and Susan had three children; Gary, Elaine and Irene. Colin Rhodes Fox died in 2005. The E.W. Bateman house, "Elworth" is a heritage building on the site of the Burnaby Village Museum. The site is an important cultural feature for the interpretation of Burnaby’s heritage to the public. The E.W. Bateman House was purchased by Burnaby in 1970 and became the focal point for the development of the Museum. Both the interior and exterior of the house have been restored and interpreted to the date of original construction, including recreated room interiors and period furnishings.
- Accession Code
- HV974.22
- HV974.90
- HV975.120
- HV976.37
- HV979.32
- BV985.1003
- BV986.21
- BV992.29
- BV994.22
- BV004.28
- BV004.84
- BV020.27
- Date
- [1857]-[195-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Related Material
- See also: Interview with Marianne May Bateman February 22, 1978 - Tracks 1-4. City of Burnaby Archives Item No. MSS137-014-1
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Harry Toy fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20339
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [197-]-2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- .5 cm of textual records + 6 photographs + 2 photographs (jpg)
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of business records and photographs relating to Harry Toy's store the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants' Association and his family.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- .5 cm of textual records + 6 photographs + 2 photographs (jpg)
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of business records and photographs relating to Harry Toy's store the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants' Association and his family.
- History
- Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use as a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present.
- Creator
- Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
- Accession Code
- BV023.25
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [197-]-2023
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Related Material
- See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
- For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19150
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1950-2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos interviews series 2) Jimmy Chow family photographs series 3) Property master photographs series 4) Property master records series
- History
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow and his mother, Gim Gee Chow (1913-1991) fled China to escape the Communist Revolution and to be reunited with his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow (1906-1990) who’d immigrated to Canada many years earlier. Jimmy’s elder sister Shao-Lin Chow stayed behind in China. Jimmy’s father, Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Canada in 1921 at 14 years of age and was forced to pay the Chinese head tax of $500. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother first fled to Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada and arriving in Vancouver. Jimmy Chow’s birth name is Hipman Chow but when he arrived in Canada, his father indicated that he needed an English name and he was given the name “Jimmy” but retained his birth name “Hipman Chow”. Over the years, Jimmy has also used the name “James H. Chow” and is often credited by this name in the film industry. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec where his father had work in hotels and restaurants. While living in Asquith, Saskatchewan Jimmy attended school and began to learn English. In 1954, Jimmy and his parents returned to Vancouver, first living in the area of Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant where they purchased a house located on 15th Avenue east of Main Street. While living in Mount Pleasant, Jimmy attended both elementary and high school. While attending high school, Jimmy began working at the local grocery store where he worked for many years living at home and saving his money. In 1970 while attending Vancouver City College, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos. Two years later, they moved in together, married in 1981 and started a family. Jimmy and Donna first lived in North Burnaby before purchasing a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they raised their three children. Growing up in a traditional Chinese Canadian family, Jimmy was always one who went against the grain. Although his father wanted him to get a business degree, Jimmy had aspirations for a different career path. Through the referral of a friend, he entered the film industry in 1973 working for CBC Vancouver. While working at the CBC, Jimmy gained valuable experience working on the set of the television series The Beachcombers, which launched his career in the film industry. Over a 45 year career, Jimmy worked on over 50 blockbuster movies, historical period films, science fiction films and fantasy films, where he honed in on his expertise as a set decorator, art director and property master. He built an international reputation through working with production companies, prop makers and antique sellers across the globe. As a property master in the film industry, Jimmy Chow has been responsible for designing, managing, and sourcing props for films such as: The BFG, Warcraft: The Beginning, X-Men 2, Fantastic Four, Watchman, Tron: Legacy, Little Women, Seven Years in Tibet, Shanghai Noon, The Shipping News, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Changeling, Man of Steel (Superman), Snow Falling on Cedars, Legends of the Fall, And the Sea Will Tell, Once a Thief and many more. With Jimmy's many years of professional experience in the film industry, he has been a union member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians...) from July 1979, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science from 2018 and has worked as a guest lecturer in film production at Capilano University and Langara University. He was also a key contributor to the Burnaby Village Museum’s 2014 temporary exhibition Burnaby Makes Movies. Donna Polos was born in Vancouver in 1949 to parents Mayme "May" Helen Tillikana Polos (1931-1977) and Donald James Polos (1926-2017). Donna’s maternal grandparents, Elvi Tienhara and Toiva Tillikana immigrated to Canada from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother, Pauline Chimiki Polos emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James "Jimmy" Kostopolus emigrated as an orphan from Sparta Greece at the age of 12 years. In 1908, he first immigrated to the United States where he was denied entry so immigrated to Canada, entering through Halifax at Pier 17. When immigrating, James changed his last name to "Polos". Jimmy Polos arrived in Halifax with only five dollars in his pocket. He lived in Halifax for many years before making his way to Vancouver where he established three restaurants and raised his family. James was the proprietor of three restaurants in Burnaby including; the Home Apple Pie Café (1941-1944) located on East Hastings near Princess Avenue; Jimmy’s Café (1945-1955) located on East Hastings near Hawks Avenue and another restaurant located near 10th Avenue and Alma Street. Donna grew up with her family in Vancouver, first living in the downtown eastside before moving to a home near Joyce Station. Donna attended elementary school and high school while growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. Donna moved out of her family home at 21 years of age and lived with roommates before moving in with Jimmy Chow in 1972. Donna attended Vancouver City College and the University of British Columbia where she obtained her teaching degree in 1974. Donna first taught at Gilmore Elementary School before being hired to teach at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. While raising their three children, Donna worked part time teaching in schools in Burnaby. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. This experience led her to experimenting with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. In 2008, Donna retired from teaching but continued her art career often working as an Artist in Residence at various schools and exhibiting her work. While living in Burnaby Donna has been politically active with a particular passion for heritage, housing and preserving the natural environment. Donna was instrumental in advocating and petitioning for the establishment of a tree bylaw in Burnaby which was eventually adopted by the City.
- Creator
- Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
- Polos, Donna
- Accession Code
- BV022.21
- BV023.11
- Date
- 1950-2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Graphic Material
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
![Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023 thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0001_001.JPG?width=280)
Interview with Shirley Cohn
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19597
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Shirley Cohn Location of Interviews: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Dates: April 14, 2023 and September 6, 2023 Total Number of Tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 67 min., 33 sec. Digital master recording (wav) recording of second interview (50 min., 36 sec.) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on September 6, 2023: 0:00 – 16:09 Shirley Cohn shares background information about her parents who immigrated to Detroit from Hungary in the 1930’s. Shirley recalls what it was like for her parents being Jewish during World War II and how many of their relations were killed in the Holocaust. Shirley talks about her Jewish Hungarian heritage, what it was like growing up in Detroit, the Jewish community in Detroit and the Jewish holidays and traditions that her family celebrated. Shirley recalls her high school and University education and experiences, starting her career in social work and how she met her future husband, Theodore “Ted” Cohn. 16:10 – 18:27 Shirley shares the story about her father in law, Dr. Daniel E. Cohn who was Harry Houdini’s doctor at the time of his death in Detroit on Oct. 31, 1926. Shirley explains that she donated some of Dr. Daniel E. Cohn’s original documents pertaining to this event to the New York Public Library. 18:28 – 26:04 Shirley describes her experiences living and working in London Ontario while her husband was a professor at University of Western Ontario and Shirley worked as a social worker in family services. Shirley recalls experiences of anti-Semitism while living in London. Shirley talks about moving to Burnaby in 1977 after her husband took a job as a professor at Simon Fraser University. Shirley describes her experiences living in Burnaby, raising a family and working as a social worker at Burnaby General Hospital. 26:05 – 26:18 Shirley talks about her interests outside of work, her family’s involvement in the Burquest Jewish Community Association and being a member of Temple Shalom. Shirley conveys information about other Jewish synagogues in Greater Vancouver, describes Reform Judaism at Temple Shalom and some Jewish cultural practices that her family has been involved with. 26:19 – 33:12 Shirley describes her family’s experiences living in the Garden Village nieghbourhood in Burnaby, her involvement sharing Jewish cultural traditions at her children’s school and recalls her children’s experiences attending school in Burnaby. 33:13 – 40:46 Shirley conveys the career paths that her children took and talks about what she likes about living in Burnaby including; the walking and hiking trails, the cultural and art performances and her involvement in local politics. Shirley talks about her and her husband’s involvement in the SFU retirees association and the SFURA walking and hiking group. Shirley reflects on her husband’s academic career, experiences teaching at SFU and the role of the Hillel Jewish Students Association at the Simon Fraser University. Shirley talks about the difficulties of discussing political views about the State of Israel. Shirley describes some traditional Jewish foods, the roles that they play and a local bakery that carries Jewish bake goods. 40:47 – 50:36 Shirley describes her current daily life in Burnaby; working one day a week as a social worker, gardening, her involvement at Temple Shalom and the Jewish Community Centre and how she travels in Burnaby. Shirley recalls the changes that she’s encountered in Burnaby and in her career over the years, shares a story about her husband losing his thesis and describes what Burnaby was like while she was raising her family. Shirley shares what she thinks about the areas of development in Burnaby and conveys the importance of having parks and affordable housing. In closing, Shirley reflects on what is like to be a Jewish person living in Burnaby.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Shirley Tanner was born in Detroit in 1947. Her parents were both Jewish. Her mother fled Hungary as a refugee in 1939, while her father emigrated from there in 1934. Shirley attended public schools in Detroit, and then studied social work at the University of Michigan. After marriage, Shirley and Ted Cohn moved to Ontario where Ted had a faculty appointment at the University of Western Ontario in political science. Six years later they moved to Burnaby for Ted’s teaching position in political science at Simon Fraser University. While living in Burnaby, Shirley took care of a growing family while also practicing social work, mainly at Burnaby Hospital. The family enjoyed Burnaby’s libraries and parks. Shirley helped out at her children’s schools, became a Block Watch captain, and the family joined Burquest Jewish Community Association. The Cohns later became members of Temple Sholom Synagogue in Vancouver, while remaining in Burnaby. Beginning in 2009, Ted started an informal hiking group for retired Simon Fraser University staff. This group has been open to others, so now has a wide variety of members. Shirley has also helped lead hikes in the region. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Recreational Activities - Hiking
- Organizations
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Migration
- Persons - Jewish Canadians
- Religions - Judaism
- Social Issues - Racism
- Social Issues
- Wars - World War, 1939-1945
- Names
- Cohn, Dr. Daniel E.
- Cohn, Shirley
- Cohn, Theodore H. "Ted"
- Burquest
- Hillel Jewish Students Association
- Simon Fraser University
- SFURA walking and hiking group
- Simon Fraser University Retirees Association "SFURA"
- Temple Shalom
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Summary, recording and transcript of second interview available on Heritage Burnaby
Images
![Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023 thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0001_001.JPG)
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023
Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0001_003.mp3
Learnings from the pandemic
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14748
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- Aug. 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (tiff) : col. ; 72 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of screenshots taken from an iPhone Apple Notes text application. The photographs consist of a piece of writing reflecting on the learnings of COVID-19 by Yimeng (Jane) Zhao. A transcription of the written work reads: "Before pandemic ¦Synchronization¦ The moment whe…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (tiff) : col. ; 72 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of screenshots taken from an iPhone Apple Notes text application. The photographs consist of a piece of writing reflecting on the learnings of COVID-19 by Yimeng (Jane) Zhao. A transcription of the written work reads: "Before pandemic ¦Synchronization¦ The moment when your local cafe plays the same song as you're listening to on your headphones When you arrive for your date with the girls and end up matching by accident After getting a new lipstick it made you decide to finally make the move (travel to a new place, land your dream job) Posted a similar WeChat moment/Instagram story as your dudes/gals When you walk into the men's washroom by accident then at the guitar class They taught you the song "yellow" during... Learnings 1. Drilling helps you relieve wrists pains especially if you are tech-addict or journal writers 2. Sudden stopping on the car happens often, don't forget the safety belts 3. Never ride with a complete strange driver unless you're with someone you trust 4. Don't pick wild flowers no matter how small they are 5. Put things back to where you found them 6. Your folks are just like children, spending time to listen 7. Slow to anger. Always respect 8. Smile 9. #blackoutTuesday 10. Your index finger can work wonders 11. So can a stylus 12. Try before actually buying/returning 13. Think before speaking/answering 14. Just do it 15. Action speak louder than words 16. Let music speak 17. A picture is worth a thousand words 18. Words can be weapons 19. #createdonthate 20. Do not take anything for granted 21. Family first 22. Don't cry or get angry if it doesn't help the situation 23. Laughing out loud cures mild depressed moods 24. So does exercise 25. And culinary arts 26. Painting/sketching too 27. Journal the things you want to complain, but be grateful for all that comes 28. Pray 29. Used aroma therapy 30. CBT 31. Eye drops are cheesy p"
- Creator
- Zhao, Yimeng (Jane)
- Subjects
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Accession Code
- BV020.23.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- Aug. 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on content of photographs
Images
![Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby
, [1861]-[1910] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Cartographic_Material/1977/1977_0093_0019a_001.jpg?width=280)
Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6988
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1861]-[1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 14 plans : 3 plans : black ink on paper hand col. + 7 plans : black ink on paper + 4 plans : graphite on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and ten New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan /of / Lots 166A, 166 and 167 /, Gr.1, N.W.D. / Showing Misconstructed Roads in Gree…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 14 plans : 3 plans : black ink on paper hand col. + 7 plans : black ink on paper + 4 plans : graphite on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
- Material Details
- Scales [between 1:2376 and 1:7920]
- Index number on edge of board reads: "19"
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and ten New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan /of / Lots 166A, 166 and 167 /, Gr.1, N.W.D. / Showing Misconstructed Roads in Green / 5 chs = 1 in.". (plan is drawn in black ink and hand coloured in red, green and orange ink). A section in the centre of the plan is coloured in red ink and identified as "C.S. Richmond" running from the North Arm of Fraser River to Wiggins Road and divided by "New Wiggins Rd. (as gazetted)" (coloured in orange ink) and two"Constructed Road(s)" (coloured in green ink). Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) 2. Plan of / Subdivision of / Lot 166 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 4 chs = 1 in. / Map No 524". Plan is drawn in graphite and signed by "Surrig [sic] Welhams [sic] / P.L.S." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) 3. Plan of "Survey / of Highway / For / Burnaby Council / in / Lots 13 _14 / Group One / Scale 4 chs = 1 in." Signed by "Albert J. Hill, P.L.S." Caribou Street and Caribou Road run through the centre of the plan. Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C.". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) 4. A Plan of Lots 166A, 166 and 167, Group One, New Westminster District (drawn in graphite). A section in the centre of the plan is identified as "C.S. Richmond" running from the North Arm of Fraser River and divided by "New Wiggins Rd. (as gazetted)" and two "Constructed Road(s)". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) Side B: 1. Small plan drawn in black ink (no title) identifying lots north of the "North Arm" of the Fraser River. Lots identified include: Lot 99, Lot 98, Lot 157, Lot 158, Lot 163, Lot 162, Lot 159, Lot 163, Lot 162, Lot 165, Lot 166A, Lot 155B, Lot 155A and Lot 159. "Scale 40 chains to one inch" . Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Small plan drawn in black ink (no title) identifying lots north of the North Arm of the Fraser River as "Lots 155, 155A, 155B, 155C, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166A and 167". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Small plan drawn in black ink (no title) which identifies "Lot 151 / Reserve/ for / Race Course"; "Reserve / 64 A / L. 152 G.1"; and other Lots: 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39. The plan is signed "Surveyor G.Turn [sic] July / 61 / from Vol 40 R.L. notes [sic]" Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Small plan drawn in black in with faded red colouring on centre lot identified as "Lot 34" running north from "Vancouver Road" . Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 5. Plan drawn in graphite and identified as "Lot 98, Gr.1," along with the intials "RB" [sic] (both are handwritten in blue crayon pencil on top of plan) The B.C.E.Railway is identified running through the plan along with Jubilee Road and Royal Oak Road. The plan is signed with the name "Wm. Murray" and the Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C.". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 6. Plan drawn in graphite identified as "Port Lot 13, Gr.1" along with the intials "RB" [sic] (both are handwritten in blue crayon pencil on top of plan) Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C.". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 7.Plan drawn in black ink and identified as "Lot 98 G.1" along with the intials "RB" [sic] (both are handwritten in blue crayon pencil on top of plan). A "Road Reservation" is identified running north between "Electric Tramway" and connecting with "Royal Oak Road". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 8. Plan drawn in black ink and divided into two sections, the upper plan is identified as "Portion / Lots 100 / area / 101, Gr.1" and the lower plan is identified as "Portion L. 3 G. 1" along with the intials "RB" [sic] (these identifiers are handwritten in blue crayon pencil on top of the plan). Portions of Lot 100 and Lot 101 are each divided into 6 sections and the Portion of Lot 3 plan is divided into 24 sections. The plan includes a note in black ink that reads: " Received from Wm Fromme [sic] / from Wm. Trapp / Nov. 28, 1895 / A. J. T...[sic]". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 9. Plan drawn in black ink (no title) identifying soil, buildings and geographic features in southern Burnaby. The plan is bordered by "New Westminster City" (Tenth Avenue and DL 172) to the south east and DL 173 to the south, DL 158 to the west and the B.C.E. Tramway to the north. Plan includes District Lots: 155A, 158, 159, 171, 160, 53 and 95 and identifies soil, marshland and ravines throughout. Plan identifies the following features: a "Team Road" running through Lots 158 and 159 along with "Fair Orchard Soil / Even Surface Throughout / No Ravines", "Gravel and Shingle" (bottom of Lot 158), "North Arm Road" crossing "Byrne Road" and connecting with "Power House Road" which runs north to connect with "Highland Park Station" and the B.C.E. Tramway, "Power Ho" in the northeast corner of DL 160, a "Brook" connected with a "Deep Ravine" running between DL 53, DL 95 and DL 160 along with "Good Soil" and "Fair Orchard Soil" identified nearby in DL 95. Scale is identified as "10 chs = 1 in." Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 10. Plan drawn in black ink (no title) with Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake at the centre. The plan is bordered by the following District Lots identified as: 117, 118 and 68 to the west, Lots 80, 79 and 85 to the southwest, Lots 11, 13, and 1 (City of New Westminster) to the south east, the North Road boundary to the east and Lots 8, 56, 57, 59, and 136 to the North. The lower right hand corner of the plan has a small inset which reads: "Burnaby Lake" and "Page 19 R.B. Notes". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby)
- Creator
- Hill, Albert James
- Accession Code
- HV977.93.19
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1861]-[1910]
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scale
- 72
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Scale is measured in chains. (One chain equals 792 inches)
- The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
- Some plans are stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and intialed: "RB" [sic]
Images
![Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby
, [1861]-[1910] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Cartographic_Material/1977/1977_0093_0019a_001.jpg)
![Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby, Port Moody, [1862-1908] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Cartographic_Material/1977/1977_0093_0026a_001.jpg?width=280)
Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby, Port Moody
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6995
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1862-1908]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 9 plans : 6 plans : black ink on paper ; 57 x 36.5 cm or smaller + 1 plan : black ink and grahite on paper ; 46.5 x 49 cm + 1 plan : blueprint on paper ; 15.5 x 19.5 cm + cm + 1 plan : graphite on paper ; 25 x 17 cm ; mounted on both sides of board 76 x 102 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on one side and five New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion / of / Lot 87 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 4 chs…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 9 plans : 6 plans : black ink on paper ; 57 x 36.5 cm or smaller + 1 plan : black ink and grahite on paper ; 46.5 x 49 cm + 1 plan : blueprint on paper ; 15.5 x 19.5 cm + cm + 1 plan : graphite on paper ; 25 x 17 cm ; mounted on both sides of board 76 x 102 cm
- Material Details
- Scales [between 1:792 and 1:3600]
- Index number on edge of board reads: "26"
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on one side and five New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion / of / Lot 87 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 4 chs = 1 in". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and intialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon). Names two of the subdivisons of District Lot 87 are identified as, "L.E. Sprott" and "John Ledger". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. "Plan of Subdivision / of / Portions of / Lot 136, 131 and Lots 44 and 78 Gr.1 / New Westminster District / Scale 300 ft = 1 inch". Annotation above title reads: "No. 901 / Deposited in Land Registry Office / New Westminster / Aug. 19th 1905 / Charles S. Keith D. Reg." Annotations and signatures at bottom of plan read: "I, William Nelson Draper, / W.H.R. Collister / Charles E. Perkins / E.B. Morgan / make / Surveys / correct / representation / upon / the / Land Registry Act / (sgd) W.N. Draper, P.L.S.". Plan includes a handwritten title: "Lots 136, 131, 44 & 78" and is initialed: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. "Survey / of / a Portion / of / Lot 95, Gr.1 / Scale 1 ch = 1in." Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and is initialed : "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Blueprint plan of "Lot 396. Group One." with Scale : 3 chs = 1 in. A two acre portion of District Lot 396 is filled in with red ink." Plan is signed by "Albert J. Hill / B.C.L.S." (Geographic location: Port Moody) Side B: 1. Plan titled "District Lot 92 / Burnaby / Municipality / for sale by / Mahon / McFarland & / Mahon Ltd. / Vancouver, B.C. / Scale : 4 chains to one inch". District Lot 92 is subdivided into 161 lots and identifies roads: Norwich Road, Pole Line Road, Oakland Road, Stanley Road, Burford Road, Dalhousie Road, Brantford Road, Colborne Road, Roberts Road, Vancouver & Westminster Road, B.C. Electric Railway, Gilley Stn. and Burnaby (Power House). The bottom of the plan reads: "G.S. Dawson, P.LS. Vancouver, B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion / of / Lot 29 / Group 1 / New Westminster District / Scale 2 chs = 1 in". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Small handrawn plan (no title) identifying "Lot 84 / Hydes, Claim" at the centre surrounded by lots and features identified as: "Lot 85", "Lot 93", "Lot 94", "Lot 32", "Lot 82", "Lot 83", "Lot 79", "swamp" and a "Small Lake" (Burnaby Lake). Identifying marks in the right corner of the plan read: "Page 13 / Surveyed by G. Turner / May 62". Plan also includes surveyor's bearing measurements and trails to "Small Lake" (Burnaby Lake). (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Untitled plan showing District Lots west of North Road and north of Burnaby Lake including: Lots 2, 4, 6, 8, 15, 10, 56, 148, 57, 58, 40. and Lots 3, 5, 7 east of North Road (Coquitlam). Lots in Burnaby are identifed for timber including: "Heavily Timbered" (Lot 57), " "Some Fir and Cedar" (Lot 40), "Splendid Fir and Cedar" (Lot 143), "Heavy Fir etc" (Lots 143 and 148), " "Fine Cedar" (Lot 15), "Rough Light Timber" (Lot 56). Other features identified at the lower portion of the plan include "Burnaby Lake" and "Brunette River". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 5. Untitled plan drawn in graphite showing sections of District Lot 85 south of Burnaby Lake and north of Hazsard Road. Plan is signed: "Albert J. Hill / B.C.L.S." and dated "12/26/08". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby)
- Publisher
- Mahon, McFarland & Mahon Ltd
- Accession Code
- HV977.93.26
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1862-1908]
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scale
- 72
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Scale is measured in chains and feet. (One chain equals 792 inches)
- The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
Images
![Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby, Port Moody, [1862-1908] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Cartographic_Material/1977/1977_0093_0026a_001.jpg)
William Holmes fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10416
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1841]-1994
- Collection/Fonds
- William Holmes fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (calotype) + 1 photograph : b&w + 6 photographs : col. + 5 p. textual records + 1 newspaper clipping
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs pertaining to the William Holmes family, family grave markers in cemetery in Ireland along with original correspondence, land title certificates and a newspaper clipping. Fonds is arranged in series: 1) William Holmes family photographs series 2) William Holmes family…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- William Holmes fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (calotype) + 1 photograph : b&w + 6 photographs : col. + 5 p. textual records + 1 newspaper clipping
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs pertaining to the William Holmes family, family grave markers in cemetery in Ireland along with original correspondence, land title certificates and a newspaper clipping. Fonds is arranged in series: 1) William Holmes family photographs series 2) William Holmes family records series 3) Holmes family cemetery photographs series
- History
- William Holmes was the first non-Indigenous resident of Burnaby and was born in Kilkenny Ireland January 4, 1812. In 1833, at the age of 20 yrs, William Holmes immigrated to Canada from Ireland in with his parents, Joseph and Jane (McCullough) Holmes and ten other family members including two of his married brothers and their wives, two sisters with their husbands and two unmarried brothers. This was the first group of thirteen to leave Ireland and set up homesteads in Canada near the shores of Lake Huron. The family settled on land concessions in Huron County, Ontario about 14 km southeast of Goderich. The area in Huron County was first founded in 1832 by John and Samuel Holmes and the community was known as Holmes Hill before becoming Holmesville [ca. 1850]. In 1837, William Holmes is noted as owning Lot 23, Concession IX, Goderich Twp. Much of the village of Holmesville grew up around the five road concession near the border of his brother’s farm so William decided to open a store. The Holmesville post office opened on March 1, 1855 and William was appointed the first post master which he operated until May 1857. William met and married Mary Richardson in 1841 and the couple had three daughters: Jane (1844-1926) (married Charles Studdert Finlaison in New Westminster in 1863); Anne Maria (Annie) (1846-192?) (married John Gunther Jennings in New Westminster in 1865 and married Robert Johnson in New Westminster in 1877) and Elizabeth (1848-1934) (married Thomas Carrington of Lakes District in 1867). William’s wife, Mary (Richardson) Holmes died in Holmesville sometime between 1848 and 1853. Following the death of his first wife, Mary, William married Charlotte McCullough (McCulloch). The couple had four daughters; Arabella Charlotte Amelia (1854-1943) (married Arthur Robert Green in 1887); Laura (1855-1867); Arabella Henrietta (1857-1929) (married Clark Wesley Gillanders in 1880) and Mary (1863-1864). During the late 1850s, William became aware of the gold rush and opportunities opening up in British Columbia so left for the west coast in 1858 at the age of 46 yrs. In preparation for his move to the west coast of Canada, William obtained a letter of introduction from top government officials of Canada. William Holmes arrived in British Columbia in 1859. Upon arriving, he first worked running pack trains from Harrison Mills to Lillooet. After earning some money, he decided to re-invest it in land. His first pre-emption of land occurred on January 21, 1860 for 160 acres situated on North Road from the Military Camp to Burrard Inlet and distancing 25 chains south of the Brunette River and 20 chains south of the river with the land extending in a westerly direction. On March 17, 1860, Holmes received a Crown Grant for this and other land in the immediate area totalling 415 acres of which was known as Lot No. 1, Group 1, Rural Land, New Westminster District. The balance of land was situated on the east side of the Brunette River – Lot 13, with 344 2/3 acres of which he made an application to purchase on June 26, 1860, and a Crown Grant dated March 16, 1861 covering 86 acres. Holmes also pre-empted land in Port Moody and Pitt Meadows in 1860 and 1861. The name of “Brunette River” is officially attributed to William Holmes who referred to the river as “Brunette” due to it’s dark colour originating from the peat lands above the lake. Following his purchase of property, he sent for his wife Charlotte, their three daughters and her three step daughters (from William’s first marriage). Charlotte and the six children made the long trip to B.C. by ship and rail, crossing the Isthmus of Darien at Panama. They arrived in B.C. in October 1861 and moved into a one room log cabin built by William. The cabin stood on the North Road at the foot of Sapperton, on a bluff overlooking the Brunette River. Eventually the family moved to a larger dwelling but the original cabin remained on the site until the 1890s when it was burned after being used as a sick house. Mr. Holmes was instrumental in organizing the first Orange Lodge in British Columbia. He was a prominent Orangeman who joined the order in 1840 and was the first master in the order of the City of New Westminster when the Lodge No. 1150 was established there. Charlotte Holmes died in New Westminster in 1893 at the age of 70 years and William Holmes died in New Westminster September 11, 1907 at the age of 95 years.
- Responsibility
- Holmes, William
- Accession Code
- HV971.46
- BV997.50
- Date
- [1841]-1994
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Related Material
- See also: Reference file: Persons - Holmes, William
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds