15 records – page 1 of 1.

Southern Railway of BC Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription94306
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
February 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
16 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm + 1 computer disk ; 14 x 14 cm
Scope and Content
Photographs of properties owned by Scott Paper Ltd, including the Doman Sawmill property. Several of the photographs include zoning signs notifying the public that the property is to be developed or redeveloped for Heavy Industrial permitted use.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
February 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
16 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm + 1 computer disk ; 14 x 14 cm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-091
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of properties owned by Scott Paper Ltd, including the Doman Sawmill property. Several of the photographs include zoning signs notifying the public that the property is to be developed or redeveloped for Heavy Industrial permitted use.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Buildings - Industrial - Mills
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Young, Richard
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 94-100-O
Computer disk labelled "Railands.xsl / 2/93"
Less detail

3183 Norland Rd

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription94298
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
November 1993
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
44 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exterior of the two-storey industrial property located at 3183 Norland Avenue. Industrial Movers Ltd. and Pacific are the tenants of the property.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
November 1993
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
44 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-083
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exterior of the two-storey industrial property located at 3183 Norland Avenue. Industrial Movers Ltd. and Pacific are the tenants of the property.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 93-474-B
Photographer identified as "D.E."
Geographic Access
Norland Avenue
Street Address
3183 Norland Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Ardingley-Sprott Area
Less detail

3735-3765 and 3815-3835 First Ave

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93753
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 25, 1992
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
47 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of the commercial-industrial buildings and loading bays located at 3735-3765 and 3815-3835 1st Avenue.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 25, 1992
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
47 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-038
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of the commercial-industrial buildings and loading bays located at 3735-3765 and 3815-3835 1st Avenue.
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Buildings - Industrial
Transportation - Trucks
Transportation - Automobiles
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Young, Richard
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 92-139-B
Geographic Access
1st Avenue
Street Address
3735 1st Avenue
3815 1st Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
West Central Valley Area
Less detail

4200 Phillips Ave

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription94317
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
September 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
24 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exterior of a single-storey industrial building located at 4200 Phillips Avenue - an address that no longer exists.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
September 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
24 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-102
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exterior of a single-storey industrial building located at 4200 Phillips Avenue - an address that no longer exists.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 94-329-B
Photographer identified as "J.C."
Geographic Access
Phillips Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Government Road Area
Less detail

5324 Thorne Ave

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93762
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
June 12, 1992
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
120 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of an industrial property located at 5324 Thorne Avenue - an address than no longer exists.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
June 12, 1992
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
120 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-047
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of an industrial property located at 5324 Thorne Avenue - an address than no longer exists.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 92-224-I
Note adhered to 622-047-001 print reads: "11 / The manufacturing plant [illegible], southwest from the northweast corner of the site".
Note adhered to 622-047-5 print reads: "17 / view south along the east side of the property from Thorne Avenue".
Note adhered to 622-047-9 print reads: "18 / The canopy at loading area and shed addition of the [illegible] and of the building".
Note adhered to 622-047-13 print reads: "19 / View of the interior of the building looking towards to west".
Note adhered to 622-047-17 print reads: "23 / view east across the site immediately south of the building".
Note adhered to 622-047-21 print reads: "22 / view looking north west twoards the south facade".
Note adhered to 622-047-25 print reads: "8 / The freestanding office building adjacent to Thorne Avenue and Wiggins Street".
Note adhered to 622-047-29 print reads: "9 / View of its front entr [sid] and the office building".
Note adhered to 622-047-33 reads: "10 / View west towards the office building from the main vehicle entr [sic] at Thorne Avenue".
Note adhered to 622-047-37 print reads: "14 / View east across the north yard area".
Note adhered to 622-047-41 print reads: "12 / View of the north facade looking south."
Note adhered to 622-047-45 print reads: "13 / View west across the north yard area".
Note adhered to 622-047-49 print reads: "20 / The [illegible] building".
Note adhered to 622-047-53 print reads: "26 / View northeast from the west property line".
Note adhered to 622-047-57 print reads: "21 / View looking northeast at the south facade".
Note adhered to 622-047-61 print reads: "16 / View north along the west side of the manufacturing building".
Note adhered to 622-047-65 print reads: "15 / View of the north west corner of the manufacturing building".
Note adhered to 622-047-69 print reads: "3 / View west along Thorne Avenue from the east side of the property".
Note adhered to 622-047-73 print reads: "25 / View north from the southeast corner of the property".
Note adhered to 622-047-77 print reads: "30 / View of the dock looking southeast from the property".
Note adhered to 622-047-81 print reads: "24 / View north from the southwest corner of the property".
Note adhered to 622-047-85 print reads: "27 / The barge dock at the southwest corner of the site".
Note adhered to 622-047-89 print reads: "29 / View east along the river front".
Note adhered to 622-047-93 print reads: "28 / View of the dolphins and mooring area".
Note adhered to 622-047-97 print reads: "4 / View west along [illegible] Avenue past the entrance to the north parking lot".
Note adhered to 622-047-101 print reads: "2 / View southwest from Thorne Avenue".
Note adhered to 622-047-105 print reads: "5 / View west across the north parking lot".
Note adhered to 622-047-113 print reads: "6 / View southeast from the north parking lot".
Photographer identified as "D.E."
Geographic Access
Thorne Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Big Bend Area
Less detail

5820 S.E. Marine Dr. Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription94301
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
February 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
19 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of the commercial property located at 5820 Marine Drive and along the 5800 block of Marine Drive.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
February 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
19 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-086
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of the commercial property located at 5820 Marine Drive and along the 5800 block of Marine Drive.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Buildings - Commercial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 94-015-B
Photographer identified as "K.H."
Geographic Access
Marine Drive
Street Address
5820 Marine Drive
Historic Neighbourhood
Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Big Bend Area
Less detail

6501 Sprott St

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93771
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
September 1992
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
48 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of the industrial property located at 6501 Sprott Street, which includestwo buildings and a parking lot.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
September 1992
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
48 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-055
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of the industrial property located at 6501 Sprott Street, which includestwo buildings and a parking lot.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 92-327-B
Photographer identified as "D.C."
Geographic Access
Sprott Street
Street Address
6501 Sprott Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Ardingley-Sprott Area
Less detail

6741 Cariboo Rd Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription94308
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
April 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of an undeveloped property, single-storey industrial building, and railroad crossing.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
April 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-093
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of an undeveloped property, single-storey industrial building, and railroad crossing.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Transportation - Electric Railroads
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Young, Richard
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 94-115-B
Geographic Access
Cariboo Road
Street Address
6741 Cariboo Road
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Less detail

7050 Buller Ave

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93884
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 1993
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of an industrial building located at 7050 Buller Avenue taken from Buller Avenue and Beresford Street.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 1993
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-067
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of an industrial building located at 7050 Buller Avenue taken from Buller Avenue and Beresford Street.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Geographic Features - Roads
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Young, Richard
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 93-109-B
Geographic Access
Buller Avenue
Beresford Street
Street Address
7050 Buller Avenue
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Less detail

7260 Winston St.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription94312
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
June 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
49 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exterior of Unisource, located at 7260 Winston Street.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
June 1994
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
49 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-097
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exterior of Unisource, located at 7260 Winston Street.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 94-214-B
Photographer identified as "K.H."
Geographic Access
Winston Street
Street Address
7260 Winston Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Government Road Area
Less detail

8503-8537 Eastlake dr / 2820-2880 Production Way / & 8500-8544 Baxter Place

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93889
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
October - November 1993
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
19 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exteriors of the commercial-industrial buildings located at 8503-8537 Eastlake Drive, 2820-2880 Production Way, and 8500-8544 Baxter Place.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
October - November 1993
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
19 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-072
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exteriors of the commercial-industrial buildings located at 8503-8537 Eastlake Drive, 2820-2880 Production Way, and 8500-8544 Baxter Place.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Buildings - Commercial
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 93-178-B
Photographer identified as "M.G."
Geographic Access
Eastlake Drive
Production Way
Baxter Place
Street Address
2800 Production Way
Planning Study Area
Lake City Area
Less detail

Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93751
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1991
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
43 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exterior of a single-storey industrial building and surrounding undeveloped property. A sign on the building reads "Bauer". The location of the building has not been identified.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1991
Collection/Fonds
Grover, Elliott & Co. Ltd. fonds
Physical Description
43 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
622-036
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2017-39
Scope and Content
Photographs of the exterior of a single-storey industrial building and surrounding undeveloped property. A sign on the building reads "Bauer". The location of the building has not been identified.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial
Land Clearing
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from envelope photographs were originally housed in
File no. 91-452-B
Less detail

Interview with Ron Smitherman by Eric Damer November 15, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory406
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1949-2012
Length
0:09:51
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Ron Smitherman's memories of changes to construction regulations over the years. Ron discusses Burnaby's industrial construction during the postwar era and beyond. He explains environmental and municipal regulations in relation to common practices within th…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Ron Smitherman's memories of changes to construction regulations over the years. Ron discusses Burnaby's industrial construction during the postwar era and beyond. He explains environmental and municipal regulations in relation to common practices within the construction industry.
Date Range
1949-2012
Photo Info
Ron Smitherman, [199-]. Item no. 549-065.
Length
0:09:51
Subjects
Construction
Buildings - Industrial
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
November 15, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Ron Smitherman conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, November 15, 2012. Major theme discussed: building construction and development in Burnaby.
Biographical Notes
Born in 1933 and raised in Vancouver, Ron Smitherman learned the construction trade from his father, upgrading his knowledge and skills as techniques and materials changed and improved. Ron built houses and commercial buildings in Burnaby and elsewhere during the nineteen-forties, fifties and sixties. In 1969 Ron and his family settled in Burnaby where he shifted his business to real estate.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:46:51
Interviewee Name
Smitherman, Ron
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Ron Smitherman

Less detail

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory538
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1950-1990
Length
00:06:16
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
Date Range
1950-1990
Photo Info
Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
Length
00:06:16
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Buildings - Civic
Buildings - Industrial
Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Lake City Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
April 4, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin 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 mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
Total Tracks
10
Total Length
00:56:44
Interviewee Name
Morin, Severin "Sev"
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
Less detail

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.
History
Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
Clothing
Crafts
Employment
Migration
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Occupations - Labourers
Occupations - Millworkers
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Names
Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
Manhas, Ghania Singh
Singh, Mayo
Manhas, Kashmir Singh
Manhas, Sher Singh
Manhas, Budhan Kaur
Manhas, Lashman Singh
Accession Code
BV022.29.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep
Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby
Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3
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