174 records – page 4 of 9.

Councillors and Wives

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55623
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1954
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of four unidentified woman standing side by side. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Councilers [sic] + wives 1954."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1954
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
486-017
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2005-14
Scope and Content
Photograph of four unidentified woman standing side by side. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Councilers [sic] + wives 1954."
Subjects
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Davis, W.T.
Notes
Title based on caption
Photographer's stamp on verso
Images
Less detail

Decorated wagon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35867
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[195-] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of (left, in white hat) Reeve Ran Beamish and (right) Ainsly Lubbock. The horses, Maggie and Jiggs, are pulling a 4-X Bakery delivery wagon decorated as a U.S. Mail stagecoach.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[195-] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-726
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of (left, in white hat) Reeve Ran Beamish and (right) Ainsly Lubbock. The horses, Maggie and Jiggs, are pulling a 4-X Bakery delivery wagon decorated as a U.S. Mail stagecoach.
Subjects
Transportation - Horses
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Transportation - Wagons
Names
Beamish, William Randolph "Ran"
Lubbock, Ainsly
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph.
A note with this photograph indicates that the old address of this property was 1 Arbor Lane
Geographic Access
Grandview Highway
Canada Way
Burris Street
Street Address
7803 Burris Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
Less detail

Don Jamieson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46190
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1957
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Don Jamieson, Alderman for the Burnaby Citizen's Association from 1958 to 1961.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1957
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1078
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of Don Jamieson, Alderman for the Burnaby Citizen's Association from 1958 to 1961.
Subjects
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Names
Jamieson, Donald H
Burnaby Citizens Association
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Drawing a ticket at Central Park garage opening

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55613
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1955]
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley reaching into a large ballot drum to draw a ticket in front of a crowd gathered at Burnaby's Central Park. An unidentified man stands beside him, smiling at the crowd. A caption written on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Drawing a tickett [sic] at Central…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1955]
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
486-007
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2005-14
Scope and Content
Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley reaching into a large ballot drum to draw a ticket in front of a crowd gathered at Burnaby's Central Park. An unidentified man stands beside him, smiling at the crowd. A caption written on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Drawing a tickett [sic] at Central Park garage opening."
Subjects
Events - Openings
Persons - Crowds
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Names
MacSorley, Charles W.
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Allan Studios
Notes
Transcribed title
Title based on caption
Photographer's stamp on verso
Geographic Access
Central Park
Imperial Street
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Images
Less detail

Edmonds School United Nations flag

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34816
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[195-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Edmonds School United Nations flag. Four young women and two men are unfolding it. Identified: Jack Davy (left) and Bill Good (right).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[195-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Helen Davy subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
138-007
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1985-08
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Edmonds School United Nations flag. Four young women and two men are unfolding it. Identified: Jack Davy (left) and Bill Good (right).
Subjects
Symbols - Flags
Officials
Names
Davy, Jack
Edmonds Community School
Good, Bill
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Allan, Ray
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Stamp on back of photograph reads, "Ray Allan / The Allan Studios / 3763 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC / Phone: Dex. 5766"
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Street Address
7641 Edmonds Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Edmonds Area
Images
Less detail

Edmonds School United Nations flag

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34817
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[195-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Edmonds School United Nations flag and officials. Identified (on back of photograph): Jack Davy, C.G. Brown, and Bill Good.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[195-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Helen Davy subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
138-008
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1985-08
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Edmonds School United Nations flag and officials. Identified (on back of photograph): Jack Davy, C.G. Brown, and Bill Good.
Subjects
Symbols - Flags
Officials
Names
Brown, Clifton Gilbert, 1889-1960
Davy, Jack
Edmonds Community School
Good, Bill
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Allan, Ray
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Stamp on back of photograph reads, "Ray Allan / The Allan Studios / 3763 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC / Phone: Dex. 5766"
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Street Address
7641 Edmonds Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Edmonds Area
Images
Less detail

Frank A. Whittall with Reeve Beamish

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46153
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1950 and 1953]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 24 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the President of Continental Can Co. of Canada Ltd., Frank A. Whittall with Burnaby Reeve, William Randolph Beamish at the ground breaking ceremonies of Continental Can Co. of Canada Ltd. Both men are wearing suits, but Reeve Beamish is also wearing a straw fedora.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1950 and 1953]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 24 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1041
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of the President of Continental Can Co. of Canada Ltd., Frank A. Whittall with Burnaby Reeve, William Randolph Beamish at the ground breaking ceremonies of Continental Can Co. of Canada Ltd. Both men are wearing suits, but Reeve Beamish is also wearing a straw fedora.
Subjects
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Names
Whittall, Frank A.
Beamish, William Randolph "Ran"
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Artray Limited
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

George A. Grant

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45274
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1949]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby Police Magistrate and Juvenille Court Judge George A. Grant.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1949]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-170
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby Police Magistrate and Juvenille Court Judge George A. Grant.
Subjects
Officials - Judges
Names
Grant, George Alford
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

George D. McLean

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46056
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1948 and 1959]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of George D. McLean, who was a Burnaby council member in 1948.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1948 and 1959]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-944
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of George D. McLean, who was a Burnaby council member in 1948.
Subjects
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Names
McLean, George D.
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

George Isherwood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45715
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1950 and 1953]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of George A. Usherwood. He was a member of Burnaby's city council from 1950 to 1953.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1950 and 1953]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-609
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of George A. Usherwood. He was a member of Burnaby's city council from 1950 to 1953.
Subjects
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Names
Isherwood, George A.
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Gerald Charlton

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46092
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1951 and 1956]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gerald Charlton, Burnaby council member from 1951 to 1956.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1951 and 1956]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-980
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gerald Charlton, Burnaby council member from 1951 to 1956.
Subjects
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Names
Charlton, Gerald
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Jennings, B.C.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Gerald Charlton

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46093
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1951 and 1956]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gerald Charlton, Burnaby council member from 1951 to 1956.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1951 and 1956]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-981
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of Gerald Charlton, Burnaby council member from 1951 to 1956.
Subjects
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Names
Charlton, Gerald
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Groundbreaking ceremony

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55642
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1955
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of four men standing in a field, preparing to overturn the first piece of sod during a groundbreaking ceremony for Lenkurt Electric. Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley can be seen holding the shovel, but the remainder of the men are unidentified.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1955
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
486-036
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2005-14
Scope and Content
Photograph of four men standing in a field, preparing to overturn the first piece of sod during a groundbreaking ceremony for Lenkurt Electric. Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley can be seen holding the shovel, but the remainder of the men are unidentified.
Subjects
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Ceremonies
Names
MacSorley, Charles W.
Lenkurt Electric Company
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Artray Limited
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photographer's stamp on verso
Photographer identifies photograph as no. 10584-7
Images
Less detail

Groundbreaking ceremony for Lenkurt Electric

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55641
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1955
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of nine men standing in a field, preparing to overturn the first piece of sod during a groundbreaking ceremony for Lenkurt Electric. Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley can be seen at centre, holding the shovel, but the remainder of the men are unidentified.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1955
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
486-035
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2005-14
Scope and Content
Photograph of nine men standing in a field, preparing to overturn the first piece of sod during a groundbreaking ceremony for Lenkurt Electric. Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley can be seen at centre, holding the shovel, but the remainder of the men are unidentified.
Subjects
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Ceremonies
Names
MacSorley, Charles W.
Lenkurt Electric Company
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Artray Limited
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photographer's stamp on verso
Photographer identifies photograph as no. 10584-3
Images
Less detail

International Mayors Conference

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55633
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1954
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of eight women sitting around a table eating dinner. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "International Mayors Con. Chicago 1954 (Ladies)."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1954
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
486-027
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2005-14
Scope and Content
Photograph of eight women sitting around a table eating dinner. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "International Mayors Con. Chicago 1954 (Ladies)."
Subjects
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on caption
Images
Less detail

Interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon July 9, 1975 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory94
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1932-1943
Length
0:07:55
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles and May Purdon's memories of the Burnaby government going into receivership. The Purdons discuss their neighbours' jobs and the employment situation at the time.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles and May Purdon's memories of the Burnaby government going into receivership. The Purdons discuss their neighbours' jobs and the employment situation at the time.
Date Range
1932-1943
Length
0:07:55
Subjects
Officials - Commissioners
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
July 9, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury July 9, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression and Canadian politics. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
May Eliza was born in London, England in 1907. She came out to Regina with her family when she was eleven. Charles A. Purdon was born February 28, 1904 in London, England. He came to Canada in 1925 from China where he had been working as an accountant for the previous three years. Charles first came to Vancouver and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) but within a week he was sent to Regina. This is where he met May. May and Charles got married in 1926 and Charles began working as an accountant for the Saskatchewan Wheat Growers, then for the Canadian Wool Growers before being laid off. In October of 1930, Charles and May left Regina for Vancouver Island. Charles drove himself out and May rode the train with her children; twin boys and a daughter, only one year apart. They settled at May’s parent’s second house in Coombs. The Purdons arrived in Burnaby in December of 1932 and rented a house on Edmonds Street. Charles was unable to do road work and instead found work through the Liberal Party and also with the Municipal engineers indoors on a number of projects. In 1938 the Purdons were able to get into a reverted house built by Ernie Winch at Maple Avenue (then Jubilee) and Nelson Avenue that had nine bedrooms. They paid ten dollars a month to the municipality for use of this property. May Eliza Purdon died April 6, 1983 at the age of seventy-six.
Total Length
1:40:03
Interviewee Name
Purdon, Charles A.
Purdon, May Eliza
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks

Track four of interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon

Less detail

Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory33
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1933-1942
Length
0:06:35
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's impressions of various Commissioners.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's impressions of various Commissioners.
Date Range
1933-1942
Photo Info
Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008
Length
0:06:35
Subjects
Officials - Commissioners
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
May 21, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:58:01
Interviewee Name
Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"
Interview Location
Walker Avenue
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Charles B. Brown

Less detail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory478
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1956-1990
Length
00:07:05
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Commi…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Committee (BBC), his election to Burnaby Council in 1972 with BVA, and his membership in and work for the federal NDP
Date Range
1956-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:07:05
Names
Emmott, Alan H
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Officials - Aldermen and Councillors
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Merrill Gordon

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Interview with Richard Liu

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20283
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) (153 min., 33 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (152 min., 59 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Richard Liu conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 11, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:26:39 Richard Liu shares biographical information about himself and his family in China. He talks about his family being forced…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) (153 min., 33 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (152 min., 59 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Richard Liu Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: September 11, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:33:33 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together into one track and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Richard Liu conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 11, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:26:39 Richard Liu shares biographical information about himself and his family in China. He talks about his family being forced out by the communist regime in the early ‘50s and their experiences immigrating to Hong Kong, Europe and Canada. 00:26:40 - 00:32:59 Richard talks about his parents’ experiences living in Toronto, Victoria and Burnaby and shares some of his father’s business accomplishments including establishing the first direct flight to Beijing in 1987 and the first sister city between China and Canada. 00:33:00 – 01:13:59 Richard talks about living in Burnaby and his educational experiences at Thomas More Collegiate. He recalls his experience of travelling to North Korea in 1988 and being a student at Peking University in Beijing during the student-led demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. 01:14:00 – 01:26:16 Richard talks about his education and reflects on how his experiences in Beijing influenced his education and career choices including working in the Prime Minister’s office on trade missions to China and talks about the importance of leaning French. 01:26:17 – 01:48:35 Richard shares his memories and experiences of; being on the Canadian Paralympic Committee during the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in China, supporting Rick Hansen during his visit to China for the 25th anniversary of the Man in Motion World Tour and working with Team Canada in China for the 2022 Olympic Games. 01:48:36 – 01:52:22 Richard talks about his life in Burnaby after moving back from China in 2014 and the changes he’s noticed since being away. Richard talks about his involvement with St. John Ambulance, his role as the Honorary Brigade Division President and his role as Heritage Commissioner for the City of Burnaby. 02:14:32 – 02:29:27 Richard talks about his investiture to the Order of Saint John in 2023 and reflects on the accomplishments of his great uncle Dr. Shin-Shu Liu (China’s first Ambassador to Canada). 02:29:28 – 02:32:59 In closing Richard imparts some words of wisdom for future generations.
History
Interviewee biography: Richard N. Liu was born in 1970 in Toronto and raised in British Columbia. Richard's family has distinguished Canada-China ties for three generations. His Great-Uncle, Dr. Liu Shih-shun, was China's first Ambassador to Canada in 1942 and his father, Dr. Liu Dun-ren, built relations in education, culture and tourism for three decades including establishing the first Twin Sister City between Canada and China with Victoria and Suzhou in 1980. Richard's maternal great-grandfather, Dr. Wu Han-chi (1872-1913) played an active role in uprisings that shaped the future of modern China, was an elected member of the lower house of the first formal parliament in 1913 and was assassinated on political grounds. Dr. Wu's daughter, Dr. Wu Chi-mei served Dr. Sun Yat-sen, was elected as a Guangzhou City Councillor and visited Vancouver in 1929 and 1932. After graduating from St. Thomas More Collegiate in Vancouver, Richard Liu moved to China to begin his studies at Peking University but in 1989, following the Tiananmen Square protest and massacre, he was evacuated from China and returned to Canada. While back in Canada, Liu completed a BA in East Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia and in 1993, he returned to China to continue his Chinese studies at Peking University and continued to live in China for twenty years. In 2008, Richard worked as Team Canada’s Attaché for the Paralympic Summer Games that took place in Beijing. In 2014, Liu returned to Canada and made his home in Burnaby with his wife and two children. In 2022, Liu returned to Beijing to serve as Mission Staff member for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics. Richard has also played a leading role with the Terry Fox Run, Special Olympics and Rick Hansen's visit to Beijing in 2011. Liu’s areas of expertize include; public relations, diplomacy, major events organization and education. Liu works as an advisor in East Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia and is a MA Candidate at Peking University. Richard founded the Canadian Alumni Network that connects over 16,000 alumni in China who’ve attended Canada's post-secondary institutions. Liu has been a commissioner with the City of Burnaby’s Heritage Commission (2018-2023) and sits on various boards advising companies and organizations on a variety of sectors pertaining to Asia. In 2019, Liu was appointed the Honorary Brigade Division President for St. John Ambulance and was among 13 UBC Alumni to be recognized and awarded the 2018-2019 UBC Alumni Builder Award “For his service, dedication, and contribution to UBC and its alumni community. For his long record of service fostering connections with alumni and students in Beijing and Asia as well as dedication to mentoring students in the Faculty of Arts.” On June 24 2023, Richard was formally invested into the Order of St. John, one of five national orders in the Canadian Honours System. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Migration
Officials
Education
Protests and Demonstrations
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Sports
Travel
Religions - Christianity
Names
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Chak, Dr. Po Tin
Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC
Liu, Richard N.
Liu, Dr. Dun-ren
Liu, Dr. Shih-Shun
Gigli, Beniamino
Hansen, Richard Marvin "Rick"
Olympic Games
Paralympic Games
Peking University
St. John Ambulance
St. Thomas More Collegiate
Tiananmen Square
University of British Columbia
Responsibility
Fong, Denise
Accession Code
BV023.16.17
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Richard Liu, [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023

Interview with Richard Liu, [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0017_004.mp3
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James H. Edwards

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45223
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1955]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 19.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby lawyer James H. Edwards, who was the Red Cross Campaign Chairman for Burnaby and ran in the 1956 provincial election as a Liberal Party candidate. Later he served on the Burnaby Council from 1959 to 1962 and again from 1964 to 1965 as a Burnaby Citizen's Associaton Alderman.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1955]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 19.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-119
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby lawyer James H. Edwards, who was the Red Cross Campaign Chairman for Burnaby and ran in the 1956 provincial election as a Liberal Party candidate. Later he served on the Burnaby Council from 1959 to 1962 and again from 1964 to 1965 as a Burnaby Citizen's Associaton Alderman.
Subjects
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Names
Edwards, James H.
Burnaby Citizens Association
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

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