Narrow Results By
Person / Organization
- British Columbia Ferry Services Incorporated 1
- Chan, Puy Yuen 1
- Chow, Josephine 1
- Cool, Irene Dorothy Rae Sommers 1
- Glenwood Elementary School 1
- Jong, Suey Kin "Annie" Jung 1
- Jung, Chung Chong 1
- Jung, Gee Shee 1
- Jung, Suey Cheung "Harry" 1
- Jung, Suey Ying "Laura" 1
- Jung, Suey Yook "Gordon" 1
- Lawrence, Myrna Sommers 1
card
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact17843
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV978.17.12
- Description
- Inspection Card - Immigration form -- [1909]. Inspection card for T. McNair when he immigrated to Canada from England in 1909. He sailed on the S.S. Corsican from Liverpool England. The inspection card was started on January 8, 1909. There are two stamps on the form, one for passing the Medical Inspection. The other stamp is from the Dominion Immigration Agency in St. John, New Brunswick stating that McNair passed inspection on January 17th, 1909. The back of the card advises that the card be kept for three years in case it is wanted by the Government. The phrase was translated in to eleven other languages.
- Object History
- Receipt belonging to Thomas Seaborn McNair, who was born on May 15 1888 to Francis McNair and Elizabeth Taylor at sea off New Zealand. He immigrated to Canada in 1909. He worked as an accountant and estate agent. He married Mary Vida McMillan in 1917. Thomas ran Edwards, McNair and Russell in Vancouver (presumably an accounting firm). Thomas McNair died in 1982.
Images
Rooted : Chinese Canadian stories in Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7646
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Digital Resource
- ISBN
- 978-0-9689849-2-5
- Call Number
- 971.133 ROO
- Contributor
- Fong, Denise
- Lemke, Jane
- Codd, Lisa
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- 2023
- Printer
- Metropolitan Fine Printers
- Physical Description
- 203 p. : ill. ; 30.5 cm
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Chinese Canadians--British Columbia--Burnaby--History
- Race discrimination -- Canada
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Agriculture
- Agriculture - Farms
- Persons - Families
- Rights
- Rights - Human Rights
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Notes
- There are two versions of the book: English and Simplified Chinese (left, below) and the other in English and Traditional Chinese (right, below).
- From the late 1800s to the present day, Chinese Canadians have made Burnaby into a more vibrant and livable city. Rooted: Chinese Canadian Stories in Burnaby brings together a collection of diverse stories and photographs from the community, celebrating the legacy and contributions of Burnaby’s Chinese Canadian community spanning over a century. This coffee-table book features oral histories and interviews with descendants of multigenerational family farms, green grocers, corner stores, restaurants, and places of worship. Also included are archival research and community perspectives on anti-Asian racism, community activism, courage, and resilience.
- The publication has been timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Chinese Exclusion Act by the Government of Canada in 1923. This federal legislation followed decades of discriminatory legislation by Canada’s federal, provincial and municipal governments that targeted Chinese Canadians by limiting opportunities to live, work and raise families in Canada. The Chinese Exclusion Act banned almost all migration from China and remained in place until 1947. Publishing this book in 2023 is an effort by the City of Burnaby to recognize the impact of discriminatory legislation on Chinese Canadians in our community, including discriminatory bylaws and practices implemented by Burnaby’s early municipal government.
- Edited by Denise Fong (Lead Researcher), Jane Lemke (Burnaby Village Museum Curator) and Lisa Codd (City of Burnaby Heritage Planner).
Images
Digital Books
leaflet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact34876
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV993.10.7
- Description
- Passport to Burnaby - Leaflet -- [1992]. A commemorative leaflet as part of the Burnaby Centennial Celebration. The goal was to promote travel to host centres to receive a stamp as part of a passport. When all stamps were collected the page could be entered into a draw. Participating Host Centres were C.G. Brown Memorial Swimming Pool, Cameron Recreation Centre, Confederation Centre, Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, Burnaby Municipal Hall, Burnaby Village Museum, Bob Prittie Metrotown Branch, The Burnaby Arts Centre, Still Creek Recycling Depot, and Bonsor Recreation Complex. The passport has been stamped for Burnaby Municipal Hall. The leaflet was produced by the Finance Department and the Centennial Committee. The leaflet measures 28cm x 21.5cm.
- Title
- Passport to Burnaby
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Leaflets
- Celebrations
- Celebrations - Centennials
Images
Lubbock photographs from album
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64493
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1945-1988
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 130 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm or smaller
- Scope and Content
- Photographs of the Lubbock family, including their riding stables and horses, family events, their pets, and landscape and travel photographs. These photographs were originally housed in a photographic album.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1945-1988
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Lubbock family subseries
- Physical Description
- 130 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm or smaller
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 342-046
- Access Restriction
- In Archives only
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- BHS1994-02
- Scope and Content
- Photographs of the Lubbock family, including their riding stables and horses, family events, their pets, and landscape and travel photographs. These photographs were originally housed in a photographic album.
- Names
- Lubbock, Ainsly
- Lubbock, Beatrice "Bea"
- Lubbock, Elizabeth
- Lubbock, Gordon
- Lubbock, John
- Lubbock, John Barker
- Lubbock, Mina
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 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
map
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact91126
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV011.44.10
- Description
- map brochure; cover on one side reads "VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / CANADA / VISITORS / GUIDE / AND MAP" and the other side reads: "GREATER VANCOUVER / CANADA / MOTEL / HOTEL / GUIDE / TRAVEL BY THE DOGOOD'" and includes the logo for "British Columbia / Motels & Resorts / Trailer Parks / Association" with dogwood in centre. One side of fold-out includes map titled "Guide Map of Greater Vancouver / Woodwards" and includes inset map of Downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park and inset map of Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley Vancouver and Vicinity along with a list of Greater Vanouver Area Motels and Hotels. The other side of the fold-out includes colour adds for tourist sites and amenities in Greater Vancouver including Capilano Suspension bridge; Heritage Village, Burnaby, B.C.; MacMillan Planetarium; Bloedel Conservatory; Grouse Mountain; Gastown; The Ship of the Seven Seas restaurant and Woodwards stores and shopping centres. Map was published in the public interest by Woodward's (Lower Mainland) department stores; B.C. Motels and Resorts Association Branch "C" whose members appear on the map inside.
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Documentary Artifacts - - Graphic Documents
- Object Term
- Cartograph, Map
- Measurements
- 45.5 x 70 cm folded to 22.5 x 10 cm
- Country Made
- Canada
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
Images
postcard; greeting card
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact32320
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV972.109.20
- Description
- Postcard, greeting card; embossed, white border, vertical; coloured illustration by Ellen H. Clapsaddle of boy in top hat, red coat, carrying suitcase and looking at large pocket watch which shows 12 o'clock; at train station, train approaching in background, night, snowing; copyright 1911; below in black, "Just in time for the Midnight Express, I can travel far in an hour or less, I will not say what my plans will be, But a lot of people are waiting for me. New Year Greetings"; on reverse in grey, "POST CARD"; double line down centre, at left "FOR CORRESPONDENCE", at right "FOR ADDRESS ONLY"; up left edge, "Series No. 2932"; globe logo "International Art Publ. Co." "NEW.YORK BERLIN" "PRINTED IN GERMANY"; dotted outline of rectangle at upper right, "PLACE A POSTAGE STAMP HERE."; all across card in brown ink, "Dear Francis Jack & Danny thank you for the cards. & they wish you a Happy New Year. how are getting along with the Piano. Lovingly Lena Talbot"; corners are worn; "109.20" in ink at lower right
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Country Made
- Germany
- Site/City Made
- Berlin
- Patent Date
- 1911
- Title
- New Year Greetings
Images
![Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0036_0004_001.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12337
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)
- Scope and Content
- Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Josephine Chow Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: February 7, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:43:19
- Scope and Content
- Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. The farm is situated in the Big Bend area along Marine Drive and is still in operation today. 0:00-08:45 Josephine Chow provides some historical background on the history of “Hop On Farm” and her family in British Columbia. She tells of how her grandfather Gay Tim Hong and three partners pooled money together to purchase twelve acres on Marine Drive in 1951. Prior to this, most of them farmed on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation Reserve for 20-30 years. It all began when her great grandfather Sui Wing Hong, first came to Canada from China and slowly brought over her grandfather, father and other members of the family. Her grandfather, Gay Tim Hong went back and forth between Canada and China at least four times since he and her grandmother had four children including her father, who was born in 1931. Her father came to Canada at 10 years of age to live with his father. Josephine’s great grandfather came to Vancouver from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). 8:46- 14:20 Josephine provides the names of her siblings from the eldest to the youngest; Pauline, Josephine (herself), Catherine, Noreen, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. She describes what life was like on the farm with her parents working from sunrise to sunset. The family farmed vegetable produce taking orders from local stores in the lower mainland. Often the children helped their parents with the orders starting at eight or nine years of age. Other workers on the farm travelled by bus from Vancouver’s Chinatown. She also tells of how her father was an animal lover and raised chickens, pigeons, geese, koy, goldfish and dogs. 14: 21 – 16:56 Josephine describes what Burnaby was like during the time that she grew up in the late 1950s. She explains that Burnaby was very quiet with nothing being open on Sundays. On the farm, she and her siblings would entertain themselves by playing games like soccer, baseball and kick ball or also by catching frogs, snails, caterpillars and ladybugs. There were neighbours living on Marine Drive and almost every house had someone who we went to the same elementary school. The neighbourhood children would often come to play with them on their farm. 16:56- 26:47 Josephine describes how when they were young there were farms all around them and how on Sunday drives with her father, they would go to feed horses or look at the cows. Josephine shares that her elder sister Pauline was the only one born in China and how when she first arrived that she lived on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nations Reserve with their parents before they moved to Burnaby. Josephine recollects that most of her friends were farmer’s kids from the neighbourhood but while in school, she had more Caucasian friends. Josephine and her siblings attended Glenwood Elementary on Marine Drive and later Junior Secondary at McPherson Park (grades 8-10) and Burnaby South Senior Secondary (grades 11-12. ). She shares some of her experiences while attending school. She said that there were about a dozen Asians in school with her, mostly from farming families in the “Flats”. 26:48- 30:45 Josephine describes what life was like for her and her siblings after school. They often helped on the farm when they got home, usually taking care of orders for green onions. Her mother made dinner and did all of the cooking for family and workers on the farm as well as working in the fields. Her father did all of the grocery shopping in Vancouver’s Chinatown two or three times per week where he purchased meat and fish. She says that her grandfather, often travelled by bus every Saturday or Sunday to meet up with friends in Chinatown. Extracurricular activities for her and her siblings included volley ball and soccer as long as it didn’t interfere with their work schedule on the farm. 30:46- 37:03 Josephine describes what occurred while living at home, the food they ate, shopping and attending Chinese school. Her mother cooked only Chinese food, she didn’t know how to cook “Western food”. For school lunches, the kids made their own sandwiches. She tells of a Chinese language school arranged by Mrs. Joe [sic] who lived on Gilley Road and was Canadian born Chinese. Mrs. Joe [sic] also arranged an English class for farmer’s wives on Tuesday nights in which her mother attended. Josephine recollects learning Mandarin from Mrs. Joe [sic] a few days a week after her regular school. Chinese school took place at Riverway School on Meadow Avenue in Burnaby. Mrs. Joe also taught them a lot about Chinese culture including Kung Fu, Chinese Dance and Chinese brush painting. 37:04- 39:39 Josephine describes Medical Care for her and her family in the 1950s and 1960s. She tells of a female Chinese doctor in Vancouver, Dr. Madeline Chung. Dr. Chung was responsible for delivering a lot of Chinese babies including Josephine. The family also visited herbalists in Vancouver Chinatown. They would often buy herbs for colds etc. Josephine also tells of how her parents stayed in touch with family in China by writing letters. Her mother’s family, including her parents and siblings were still in China while most of her father’s family were here in Canada. 39:40- 43:19 – In closing, Josephine shares how life is much busier now and of how she misses the quietness of her days growing up. She briefly describes her life on the family farm now and how different it is from when her parents worked the farm. She explains how farming methods have changed and how they don’t have to work as hard as her parents did.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Josephine Chow (nee Hong) is the second eldest child of Chan Kow Hong and Sui Ha Hong. In 1925, Josephine's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong immigrated to Canada from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). In 1952, her father, Chan Kow Hong joined his father, Gay Tim Hong and by 1953, he established "Hop On Farms" in the Big Bend area of Burnaby near Marine Drive. Josephine grew up on the farm with her parents and six siblings; Pauline, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. In 1969, Josephine's elder sister Pauline and her husband Jack Chan took over the family farm and in 1972 their father and grandfather moved to Kamloops to open a restaurant. As an adult, Josephine worked in several different areas including owning and running her own Aesthetics business. Josephine eventually retired and returned to the farm to assist her siblings. The farm is still in operation. 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
- Agriculture - Farms
- Education
- Buildings - Schools
- First Nations reserves - British Columbia
- Names
- Chow, Josephine
- Glenwood Elementary School
- McPherson Park Junior Secondary School
- ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)
- Responsibility
- Fong, Denise
- Geographic Access
- Byrne Road
- Accession Code
- BV020.6.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Big Bend Area
- Related Material
- See also BV017.36*
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 12/3/2017
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of interview
- Photograph info: Gary Hong and Chan Kow Hong harvesting celery at Hop-On Farms [1969]. BV017.36.4
Images
![Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0036_0004_001.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020
Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0001_001.mp3
autograph book
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact7129
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV985.407.6
- Description
- Autograph Book - Booklet -- [1915]. Autograph book produced by Rose & Co at 44 Above Bar, Southhampton. The book was a gift to Mrs. Orman from the Teachers and Children of All Saints Sunday School, Eastleigh, Southhampton, upon her departure to Canada. The first four pages lists all the teachers and children's names. The front cover of the book is green with two painted purple flowers and "Autographs" embossed in white on the bottom right.
- Object History
- This accession appears to be connected to the Orman family. Ada Leila Orman was born June 2, 1901 in Eastleigh, Hampshire, England. According to the 1915 Census, the Orman family came to Canada in 1911 and settled in Calgary. Father Willoughby Henry Orman is listed there as working as a C.P.R. foreman, while mother Daisy Marie (Harklett) Orman worked at home. Older sister Daisy Hilda (Targett) Orman, worked as a stenographer. At five years old Leila began a long fight with a crippling type of rheumatoid arthritis. By the time she was thirteen, she experienced completely ankylosed joints. Her family travelled all over hoping to find a cure, but to no avail. While living in Calgary, Leila developed an interest in painting, knitting, and composing her own poems. She began writing news articles for the Calgary Daily Herald in the 1930s, and her first sonnet published was in that paper on August 28, 1934. She had a strong interest in the arts, often writing about music and the visual arts. While living in Calgary, she became a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club as well as a member of the Canadian Author’s Association. Three members of the family moved to B.C. when Willoughby retired, ca. 1938. In the 1940 BC Directory, the family are listed as living at 407 Campbell Street, Burnaby. Willoughby died in Burnaby in 1945. Daisy Marie died in 1955 after living 15 years in Burnaby. Her address at the time of her death is listed as 407 Rosewood Avenue, Burnaby. Leila was living with her at that time. Older sister Daisy Hilda married Edgar Harold Targett in 1922. They moved to B.C. from Alberta some years after the other three members of the family (ca. 1962). Daisy Hilda died in 1972. Her address at the time of her death was 7969 Rosewood Avenue, Burnaby. Leila wrote on a typewriter with two sticks to type out the letters. She was an avid reader and was able to turn the pages with a special stick with elastic bands wound around the ends. Canadian novelist Maida Parlow French became her lifelong friend and encouraged her to write her own autobiography - unfortunately it was never finished. Leila wrote “The Giving Heart” in October of 1948. By 1952, she was writing a column for the British Columbia Saturday Magazine entitled “Across the Board” with the intention of inspiring other “incapacitated folk” to live up to their full potential, “If [she] could reach a few people, and encourage them to reach up and out, [she] should feel the effort well worthwhile.” A member of the St. Alban’s Prayer Healing Fellowship group, Leila wrote the “Christian Manifesto for World Peace” in 1963. The Prayer Group met twice monthly at one of the members’ homes and undertook to pray daily for the sick and for world peace. After Leila’s mother died in 1955, Leila’s friend Jeanie Brown kept house for her and was her constant companion. Jeanie Brown and Leila lived together for over thirteen years until an accident sent Leila to hospital and later to nursing home where she died on February 16, 1976.
Images
Harvest in Champion, Alberta
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19905
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1930
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman, two children and a dog in a field with harvest binders and tractor. Woman is identified as Orrie Sommers' mother and children are identified as Irene Sommeres (standing) and Myrna Sommers. Location is identified as Champion, Alberta.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman, two children and a dog in a field with harvest binders and tractor. Woman is identified as Orrie Sommers' mother and children are identified as Irene Sommeres (standing) and Myrna Sommers. Location is identified as Champion, Alberta.
- Subjects
- Agriculture
- Agriculture - Farms
- Accession Code
- BV022.32.327
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1930
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-06-09
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)
- Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "This was 1930 / harvesting here at / home with the / binders. One binder / flew to pieces before/ they got finished. / I guess it was / travelling too fast. / Orries mother / Irene / Myrna & / the pup"
- Note in ink on lower recto of photograph reads: "HARVEST_1930"
- Note in white ink on album page reads: "Champion, ALTA"
Images
![Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0024_0027_001.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12338
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)
- Scope and Content
- Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Julie Lee Location of Interview: Home of Julie and Cecil Lee Interview Date: February 6, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:53:46
- Scope and Content
- Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some information about her father Puy Yuen Chan. 0:00- 01:47 Julie Lee provides background information on her families’ connection to Burnaby and conveys how her maternal grandparents farmed a five acre lot at Still Creek and Douglas Road. Her grandparents grew vegetable produce and operated a piggery at this location. Her mother, Suey Ying Jung (Laura) was the middle child between two older sisters, Maida and Annie and her two younger brothers Gordon and Harry. They were all born at home and educated at Edmonds Elementary School. 01:48- 11:47 Julie provides some background information about her mother, the friendships she made growing up, when she got married and places that she lived. She tells of her mother marrying in 1942 at age 30 years, moving to Fraser Mills and then onto Maillardville in 1958. There was easy access to the Interurban tram so her mother was able to have a social life with others in Vancouver’s Chinatown. She says that many of the only existing photographs of the family living on the farm at Still Creek and Douglas Road can be attributed to her mother’s friend Lil Mau [sic] who owned a camera. The farm was sold around 1949 when her grandparents moved to East Vancouver. While operating the farm, her grandparents only hired Chinese workers who spoke the same language and ate the same foods as them. Despite this, her grandparents made friends with the Collin’s family who assisted them in adjusting to the Canadian way of life. Julie tells that her mother’s sister Maida and brother in law lived with them at Fraser Mills. Her mother’s sister Maida had nine children so Julie’s mother helped her in raising them. 11:48 – 16:53 - Julie talks about racial prejudice towards the Chinese in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She says that for the most part, her mother’s family had a very insular life on the farm and mainly socialized only within the Chinese community. Julie tells of how she recently became aware of a memoir “The Way it Was”, written by Burnaby resident, Fannie Waplington. The memoir is held as part of the Burnaby Village Museum collection. In the memoir, Fannie Waplington tells of how she was forbidden from visiting Julie’s mother on their farm due to her ethnic background. Julie conveys that it seems like it was a missed friendship for both her mother and Fannie. 16:54 – 22:30 Julie describes what school life was like for her mother and what she may have done outside of school. Her mother attended Edmonds School in the 1920s up to Grade 7 or Grade 8. Julie explains that Asian girls were never offered the opportunity to pursue higher education while her mother’s brothers continued with their education attending Vancouver Technical School. Her mother continued to work on the farm until she was married cooking for workers and helping her mother. Outside of school, she may have helped with looking after nieces and nephews, played cards and mahjong. She says that her mother continued to play cards with her own children and was a skilled knitter into her 80s. 22:31 – 30: 53 Julie tells of what she knows about the Chinese workers on the farm and Fraser Mills and what they did on the weekends. She figures that many may have played card games to pass the time and at Fraser Mills gambling occurred. Fishing was a highlight for her father and she recalls him fishing sturgeon. Single workers may have gone into Vancouver on the weekends. Julie says that her parents had a hobby farm while living at Fraser Mills and that they grew enough garlic to sell in Chinatown. She thinks that before living at Fraser Mills, her mother must have went to Chinatown quite a bit, assisting with banking and enjoying a social life. Julie shares that her father, Puy Yuen Chan came to Canada from China at twelve years of age but working as a shingle packer, he never learned to speak English. She figures that her parents must have met at Fraser Mills while her mother was visiting her sister Maida. 30:54 – 37:33 Julie describes her mother as the cook, caregiver and the “one man show”. She says that her mother enjoyed cooking traditional Chinese recipes. Julie talks of her own cooking and gardening skills which she may have inherited from her parents including her large patch of garlic. 37:34- 40:23- Julie is asked as to whether her mother attended Chinese school and says that she had some Chinese schooling. She could read and write a little but didn’t attend a formal school as far as she knows. Julie shares some background information on her own husband Cecil, who grew up in East Vancouver. She shares that Cecil’s family went back to China from 1931 until 1939 when they returned to Queensborough. Cecil attended Chinese school in New Westminster. 40:24 – 42:19 Julie speaks briefly about what type of medical care her mother and her family had. She relates that all births took place at home and they accessed a Chinese herbalist in Chinatown. Hospitals were accessed in 1950s—1960s. The family did use Western doctors that were insured under the medical system. She recalls growing up and having to drink a particular herbal brew at least once a month to stay well. 42:20- 46:47 Julie describes how her parents stayed connected with their families in China. She says that her mother’s family didn’t stay in touch with relatives in China and that her uncles rejected anything to do with the past. On her father’s side they maintained a connection with cousins. She recalls that her father, Puy Yuen Chan supported some of his relatives back home in China and stayed in touch with some. Her mother, Laura travelled to China in 1991 and 1992 and connected with some relations on Julie’s father’s side. 46:48- 53:46 In this segment, Julie speaks of her mother’s character being very self-assured, independent and goal oriented. She feels that her mother valued being surrounded by her family and friends and felt very comfortable growing up in Burnaby and with the relationships that she had. She feels that her mother adapted to her roles being the last of four children on the farm and that she was very self-sufficient and determined.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Julie Lee (nee Chan) is the daughter of Suey Ying Jung (Laura) and Puy Yuen Chan. Her mother's family owned and operated a vegetable and piggery farm on Douglas Road near Still Creek in the early 1900s. Their farm was located in front of the Douglas Road interurban tram station. Her mother had two older sisters named Maida and Annie and two younger brothers Harry and Gordon. Her mother was born in 1912 and left the farm for Fraser Mills when she was married in 1942. Julie grew up with her parents and siblings on the Fraser Mills site during the 1940s and 1950s. 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
- Names
- Lee, Julie Cho Chan
- Chan, Puy Yuen
- Jung, Suey Ying "Laura"
- Wong, Suey Fong "Maida" Jung
- Jung, Suey Cheung "Harry"
- Jung, Suey Yook "Gordon"
- Jung, Gee Shee
- Jung, Chung Chong
- Jong, Suey Kin "Annie" Jung
- Responsibility
- Fong, Denise
- Geographic Access
- Douglas Road
- Accession Code
- BV020.6.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Related Material
- See also BV018.16.1
- Scan Resolution
- 1000
- Scan Date
- 01-Oct-2017
- Scale
- 96
- Notes
- Title based on contents of interview
- Photograph info: Suey Ying (Laura) with produce baskets [between 1940 and 1942]. BV017.24.27
Images
![Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0024_0027_001.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020
Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0002_001.mp3
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact48402
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV005.21.1
- Description
- Postcard: colour photo, glossy; horizontal; shows ferry, blue and white, in water, forested shoreline behind; on reverse in pink, "M.V. QUEEN OF BURNABY" "Province of British Columbia" "Ferry Division -- B.C. Ferries" "Victoria, B.C." "The Queen of Burnaby was built in 1965 with a capacity of 110 cars. In late 1972 her capacity was enlarged to 192 cars and 1208 passengers by cutting her in half and adding an 84 ft. section midships. The Queen of Burnaby travels daily between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay."; at lower left, "AF-1051" "Color Photo by Reggie Hibshman"; down centre on pink bar, "PUBLISHED, DISTRIBUTED AND c BY STAN V. WRIGHT LTD., VICTORIA, B.C."; at top, "Wright everytime"; at bottom, globe logo and "KS-5159"; at upper right, "Majestic POST CARD", outline of rectangle "POSTAGE STAMP"; four lines in address area; unused; wear on corners and edges
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Marks/Labels
- Queen of Burnaby / Majestic POST CARD / AF 1051 / Colour Photo by Reggie Hibshman / KS5159
- Maker
- Stan V. Wright Limited
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Site/City Made
- Victoria
- Title
- M.V. Queen of Burnaby AF-1051 KS-5159
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Transportation
- Transportation - Ferries
Images
