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Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory247
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1904-1975
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.
- Date Range
- 1904-1975
- Photo Info
- Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Names
- McMurray, Bob
- Subjects
- Transportation - Sleighs
- Animals - Horses
- Interviewer
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Interview Date
- November 17, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
- Biographical Notes
- Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 0:58:55
- Interviewee Name
- McMurray, Lillian Wray
- McMurray, Murdoch
- Interviewer Bio
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track five of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
Track five of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_5.mp3Palm Springs Health Spa
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79241
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows a close up of the ornamental sign advertising the Palm Springs Health Spa, reading "2 memberships for the price of 1."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 556-219
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2013-13
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows a close up of the ornamental sign advertising the Palm Springs Health Spa, reading "2 memberships for the price of 1."
- Names
- Palm Springs Health Spa
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- McCarron, John
- Notes
- Scope note taken directly from BPL photograph description.
- 1 b&w copy negative : 10 x 12.5 cm accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 5500 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Windsor Area
Images
123 Cinema sign
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46283
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 15, 1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the 123 Cinema sign at Lougheed Mall which reads; "VOTE NOV 17 / DAVE MERCIER BVA / MAYOR".
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 15, 1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 9.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1171
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the 123 Cinema sign at Lougheed Mall which reads; "VOTE NOV 17 / DAVE MERCIER BVA / MAYOR".
- Names
- Lougheed Town Centre
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Hodge, Craig
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "Now showing: Strong support for Mercier."
- Geographic Access
- Austin Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cameron Area
Images
5486 Dominion Street
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91871
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Small family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 cm x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Small family's house at 5486 Dominion Street with a "For Sale" sign on the lawn. The house was put up for sale by Lauretta Small after she inherited the Roberts' house at 5538 Dominion Street in 1969. Lauretta, by then a widow, relocated back into the Roberts' house which was th…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Small family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 cm x 9 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 620-052
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No reproduction permitted
- Accession Number
- 2017-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Small family's house at 5486 Dominion Street with a "For Sale" sign on the lawn. The house was put up for sale by Lauretta Small after she inherited the Roberts' house at 5538 Dominion Street in 1969. Lauretta, by then a widow, relocated back into the Roberts' house which was the house she grew up in as a child.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from donor's notes
- Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P.14"
- Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "5486 Dominion St / Burnaby, B.C. / Fall '71"
- 5486 Dominion Street later subdivided into two lots: 5480 and 5488 Dominion Street
- Street Address
- 5486 Dominion Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Ardingley-Sprott Area
Images
Burnaby Mountain Park and Centennial Pavilion
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37408
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1970
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of the Burnaby Mountain Park sign a Centennial Pavilion. The caption on the back of the postcard reads: "The Centennial Pavilion was built in 1958 during British Columbia's Centenary. It is situated on Burnaby Mountain at an elevation of 1000 feet. Numerous footpaths througho…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1970
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Robert Prittie subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 369-007
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-01
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of the Burnaby Mountain Park sign a Centennial Pavilion. The caption on the back of the postcard reads: "The Centennial Pavilion was built in 1958 during British Columbia's Centenary. It is situated on Burnaby Mountain at an elevation of 1000 feet. Numerous footpaths throughout the beautifully landscaped grounds lead to interesting view points which provide magnificent scenery of Burrard Inlet, Coast Range Mountains, City of Vancouver, and other surrounding Municipalities."
- Subjects
- Symbols - Flags
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Buildings - Recreational
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- George Allen Aerial Photos Limited
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Centennial Way
- Street Address
- 100 Centennial Way
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Election sign
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46061
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- July 1972
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 19 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ralph Lambley and Bruce Govier walking past a Liberal party election sign prompting people to vote for Bernice McDonough.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- July 1972
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 19 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-949
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ralph Lambley and Bruce Govier walking past a Liberal party election sign prompting people to vote for Bernice McDonough.
- Names
- Lambley, Ralph
- Govier, Bruce
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Symonds, John
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "Election signs will soon be sprouting like summer flowers throughout B.C. Among the first signs to go up were New Westminster MLA Dennis Cocke's sign, left. Bernice McDonough's signs went up last week in Burnaby, even before the Aug.30 election was called. Looking over the McDonough sign are ralph Lambley and Bruce Govier."
Images
Governor General Roland Michener at Heritage Village
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46306
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 19, 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 18.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener handing a horseshoe to the farrier (a specialist in equine hoof care) at the opening of Heritage Village (later renamed Burnaby Village Museum). A horse's hind legs are visible in the foreground.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 19, 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 18.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1194
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener handing a horseshoe to the farrier (a specialist in equine hoof care) at the opening of Heritage Village (later renamed Burnaby Village Museum). A horse's hind legs are visible in the foreground.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto of photograph reads: "Roland Michener"
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
Governor General Roland Michener at Heritage Village
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46307
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 19, 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 23 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener watching intently as the farrier (a specialist in equine hoof care) puts new shoes on the rear hooves of a horse at the opening of Heritage Village (later renamed Burnaby Village Museum). Only the horse's hindquarters are visible in the photograph.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 19, 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 23 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1195
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener watching intently as the farrier (a specialist in equine hoof care) puts new shoes on the rear hooves of a horse at the opening of Heritage Village (later renamed Burnaby Village Museum). Only the horse's hindquarters are visible in the photograph.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto of photograph reads: "At Heritage Village - Gov. General watched smithy Roy Jeffrey shoe 'skittish' horse (who was allergic to flashbulbs)"
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area