88 records – page 4 of 5.

Letter from Sergeant Colin Fox to May Bateman

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15140
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
22 Aug. 1944
Collection/Fonds
E.W. Bateman family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
3 p. + envelope
Scope and Content
Item consists of a handwritten letter from Sergeant Colin Rhodes Fox of the Royal Canadian Artillery Service to Marianne "May" Bateman while serving overseas during World War II. Colin Fox served in the 13th Canadian Field Regiment, 44th Canadian Field Battery. In his letter, Colin tells how he is …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
E.W. Bateman family fonds
Series
Bateman family World War II letters series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
3 p. + envelope
Scope and Content
Item consists of a handwritten letter from Sergeant Colin Rhodes Fox of the Royal Canadian Artillery Service to Marianne "May" Bateman while serving overseas during World War II. Colin Fox served in the 13th Canadian Field Regiment, 44th Canadian Field Battery. In his letter, Colin tells how he is out of hospital and in a covalescent depot; his plans to visit his girlfriend in Bournemouth on his upcoming leave; his girlfriend's recent visit; a letter and family photo that he received from Catherine M. Bateman; how he's going to try and get some photographs taken while he's on leave and how he expects the war to be over soon.
Subjects
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Documentary Artifacts - Letters and Envelopes
Names
Fox, Colin Rhodes
Bateman, Marianne May
Accession Code
BV020.27.28
Access Restriction
Restricted access
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
22 Aug. 1944
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
10-Feb-2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Circular logo in blue ink on envelope reads: "KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS / WAR SERVICES / C.A.H."
Address on front of envelope reads: "Miss M. Bateman / c/o C.P.R. Land Dept. / Vancouver B.C. / Canada"
Post mark on front of envelope reads: "ARMY / ARMY POST OFFICE / -SC 11. / 23 AUG.44"
Return address on verso of envelope reads: "K19022 Sgt. C.R. Fox"
Images
Less detail

Marriage book for John Leonard Norton and Margaret Knight

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15316
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
27 Sep. 1947
Collection/Fonds
Margaret Norton fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 booklet
Scope and Content
Item consists of a twelve page marriage book that includes a certificate authenticating the marriage of John Leonard Norton to Margaret Knight at Vancouver Heights United Church on September 27, 1947 along with other details of the ceremony.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Margaret Norton fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 booklet
Material Details
textured card stock cover with six pages; printed both sides; folded in half and bound to cover with single cord at centre fold
Scope and Content
Item consists of a twelve page marriage book that includes a certificate authenticating the marriage of John Leonard Norton to Margaret Knight at Vancouver Heights United Church on September 27, 1947 along with other details of the ceremony.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Certificates
Names
Norton, Margaret Knight
All Saints Anglican Church
Accession Code
BV020.34.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
27 Sep. 1947
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
March 22, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
All Saints Anglican Church was located in Burnaby on Royal Oak Avenue
Images
Less detail

National Selective Service - Labour Exit Permit

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15104
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
13 May 1946
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card (double sided)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a Government of Canada National Selective Service Labour Exit Permit for Elmer Wilson Martin of 1111 Davie Street, Vancouver. Authorization to leave Canada and to remain outside of Canada indefinitely. Authorization includes date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, height, weigh…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
E.W. Martin military records and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card (double sided)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a Government of Canada National Selective Service Labour Exit Permit for Elmer Wilson Martin of 1111 Davie Street, Vancouver. Authorization to leave Canada and to remain outside of Canada indefinitely. Authorization includes date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, height, weight, hair colour, eye colour and finger print. Document is signed by E.W. Martin and authorized by John B. Cormick [sic] on May 13, 1946.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Cards
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Martin, Elmer Wilson
Accession Code
BV019.40.38
Access Restriction
Restricted access
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
13 May 1946
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Less detail

Officer's mess card

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15099
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1944]
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card
Scope and Content
Item consists of an identification card made out to E.W. Martin, Wing Commander for Officer's Mess No. 5 Mannning Depot R.C.A.F. (Royal Canadian Air Force) Lachine, Quebec.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
E.W. Martin military records and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card
Scope and Content
Item consists of an identification card made out to E.W. Martin, Wing Commander for Officer's Mess No. 5 Mannning Depot R.C.A.F. (Royal Canadian Air Force) Lachine, Quebec.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Cards
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Royal Canadian Air Force
Martin, Elmer Wilson
Accession Code
BV019.40.23
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1944]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Less detail

R.C.A.F. train berthing card

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15101
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1940 and 1945]
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card
Scope and Content
Item consists of a "R.C.A.F. (Royal Canadian Air Force) Train Berthing Card issued to Wing Commander Martin, E.W.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
E.W. Martin military records and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card
Scope and Content
Item consists of a "R.C.A.F. (Royal Canadian Air Force) Train Berthing Card issued to Wing Commander Martin, E.W.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Cards
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Royal Canadian Air Force
Martin, Elmer Wilson
Accession Code
BV019.40.25
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[between 1940 and 1945]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Less detail

Recording of John Burton - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory211
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1920-1959
Length
0:09:54
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to John Burton's description of how various presses work, and their use by daily and weekly papers. He describes a press shop, most likely at the Burnaby Village Museum.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to John Burton's description of how various presses work, and their use by daily and weekly papers. He describes a press shop, most likely at the Burnaby Village Museum.
Date Range
1920-1959
Photo Info
Burton family home, [1945]. Item no. 216-002
Length
0:09:54
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
Printing Tools and Equipment
Scope and Content
Recording is of John Burton discussing the history of the weekly newspaper and of the types of printing presses that have been used in Canada, as well as exactly how their parts function. John appears to be describing printing presses that are in the room with him.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930. While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school. John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter. When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
Total Tracks
5
Total Length
0:46:18
Interviewee Name
Burton, John
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Recording of John Burton - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory213
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1850-1950
Length
0:09:14
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to John Burton's description of the galley press and the proofing process. He also discusses job printing (now referred to as commercial printing).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to John Burton's description of the galley press and the proofing process. He also discusses job printing (now referred to as commercial printing).
Date Range
1850-1950
Photo Info
Burton family home, [1945]. Item no. 216-002
Length
0:09:14
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
Printing Tools and Equipment
Scope and Content
Recording is of John Burton discussing the history of the weekly newspaper and of the types of printing presses that have been used in Canada, as well as exactly how their parts function. John appears to be describing printing presses that are in the room with him.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930. While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school. John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter. When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
Total Tracks
5
Total Length
0:46:18
Interviewee Name
Burton, John
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Royal Canadian Air Force identity card

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15081
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
24 Oct. 1944
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card (folded) with 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 4 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a Royal Canadian Air Force identification card for Elmer Wilson Martin and includes a photograph of E.W. Martin in military uniform.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
E.W. Martin military records and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card (folded) with 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 4 cm
Material Details
pink coloured card stock
Scope and Content
Item consists of a Royal Canadian Air Force identification card for Elmer Wilson Martin and includes a photograph of E.W. Martin in military uniform.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Cards
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Royal Canadian Air Force
Martin, Elmer Wilson
Accession Code
BV019.40.16
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
24 Oct. 1944
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Less detail

Royal Canadian Air Force identity card

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15082
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1944]
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card (folded) with 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 4 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a Royal Canadian Air Force identification card for Elmer Wilson Martin and includes a photograph of E.W. Martin in military uniform.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
E.W. Martin military records and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card (folded) with 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 4 cm
Material Details
blue coloured card stock
Scope and Content
Item consists of a Royal Canadian Air Force identification card for Elmer Wilson Martin and includes a photograph of E.W. Martin in military uniform.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Cards
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Royal Canadian Air Force
Martin, Elmer Wilson
Accession Code
BV019.40.17
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1944]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Less detail

Secrecy order

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15100
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1940 and 1945]
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card (double sided)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a "Secrecy Order" published by the R.C.A.F. (Royal Canadian Air Force) with terms and prohibitions for all military during World War II. This card was issued to E.W. Martin.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
E.W. Martin military records and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card (double sided)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a "Secrecy Order" published by the R.C.A.F. (Royal Canadian Air Force) with terms and prohibitions for all military during World War II. This card was issued to E.W. Martin.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Cards
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Royal Canadian Air Force
Martin, Elmer Wilson
Accession Code
BV019.40.24
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[between 1940 and 1945]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Less detail

Vaccination card

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15102
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1939 and 1941]
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card
Scope and Content
Item consists of a vaccination card issued to Wing Commander Martin, E.W. Card is a record of vaccinations received by E.W. Martin during his military service with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
E.W. Martin military records and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 card
Scope and Content
Item consists of a vaccination card issued to Wing Commander Martin, E.W. Card is a record of vaccinations received by E.W. Martin during his military service with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Cards
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Royal Canadian Air Force
Martin, Elmer Wilson
Accession Code
BV019.40.26
Access Restriction
Restricted access
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[between 1939 and 1941]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Less detail

War staff college transcript

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15109
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1945]
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p. (double sided)
Scope and Content
Item consists of Appendix to Afro 734 - RCAF War Staff College transcript for Elmer Wilson Martin. The transcript includes information on Martin's education between 1925 and 1931 and details of his military service career between 1926 and 1945. Transcript is unsigned.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
E.W. Martin military records and photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p. (double sided)
Scope and Content
Item consists of Appendix to Afro 734 - RCAF War Staff College transcript for Elmer Wilson Martin. The transcript includes information on Martin's education between 1925 and 1931 and details of his military service career between 1926 and 1945. Transcript is unsigned.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Forms
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Martin, Elmer Wilson
Royal Canadian Air Force
Accession Code
BV019.40.42
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1945]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory465
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:08
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the location of the North Burnaby Fire Department fire hall and the location of the six fire halls subsequently built for the combined north and south department. He also talks about Fred Blake, Lewis Auvache and Henry Chapman, early member…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the location of the North Burnaby Fire Department fire hall and the location of the six fire halls subsequently built for the combined north and south department. He also talks about Fred Blake, Lewis Auvache and Henry Chapman, early members of the department who were also interested in the department's history.
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:08
Names
Blake, Fred
Auvache, Lewis
Chapman, Henry H.
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Buildings - Civic
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory466
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1927-1990
Length
00:04:05
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.
Date Range
1927-1990
Length
00:04:05
Names
Waddell, Gordon
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Buildings - Civic
Transportation - Fire Trucks
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory467
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1945-1990
Length
00:06:11
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the inhalator equipment used by the department starting in 1945. Al Nixon describes 50% of the calls received by the department as "pre-hospital care", and that the department is an emergency service rather than just a fire department. He also describes the 19…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the inhalator equipment used by the department starting in 1945. Al Nixon describes 50% of the calls received by the department as "pre-hospital care", and that the department is an emergency service rather than just a fire department. He also describes the 1990 department staffing and equipment level.
Date Range
1945-1990
Length
00:06:11
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Emergency Measures
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
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Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory470
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:34
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:34
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Archives
Buildings - Civic - Museums
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory471
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1928-1990
Length
00:07:51
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon's father Basil Nixon, who was Provincial Fire Marshall, and his mother Agnes, whose father Thomas Douglas was murdered in 1934, perhaps for political reasons. He also talks about the Burquitlam neighbourhood where his Douglas grandparents lived in the…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon's father Basil Nixon, who was Provincial Fire Marshall, and his mother Agnes, whose father Thomas Douglas was murdered in 1934, perhaps for political reasons. He also talks about the Burquitlam neighbourhood where his Douglas grandparents lived in the heritage home "Seven Gables" on Sullivan Street. He relates some childhood events, including the train wreck on Burnette Creek in 1936.
Date Range
1928-1990
Length
00:07:51
Historic Neighbourhood
Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lyndhurst Area
Cameron Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17810
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-] (date of originals) - 2012
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
238 photographs + 3 audio cassettes + 2 sound recordings (mp3) + 6 videocassettes + 8 video recordings (mp4)
Scope and Content
Series consists of records created and adminstered by the Burnaby Village Museum pertaining to the history, acquistion, restoration, preservation and documentation of the C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel. Series have been arranged into the following subseries: 1) Carousel photographs subseries 2) Caro…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
238 photographs + 3 audio cassettes + 2 sound recordings (mp3) + 6 videocassettes + 8 video recordings (mp4)
Scope and Content
Series consists of records created and adminstered by the Burnaby Village Museum pertaining to the history, acquistion, restoration, preservation and documentation of the C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel. Series have been arranged into the following subseries: 1) Carousel photographs subseries 2) Carousel sound recordings and films subseries
History
"The C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel was built in 1912 in Leavenworth Kansas by the Charles Wallace Parker Company. It was the one hundred and nineteenth carousel made by the company and was so named the C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel. In 1913 the carousel was sold to Mr. F.K. Leggett of Houston Texas for $5,886.00 and was originally equipped with a steam engine and ""wishbones/grass-hopper/jumping horse"" mechanisms. It toured Texas for two years with the Lone Star Circus until 1915 when the machine was shipped back to the factory. It is believed that the machine was rebuilt by the factory with fancier horses and heavier rounding boards referred to as the “Superior” style. Some of the horses were built around 1917 and some between 1920 and 1922. The factory records consulted do not tell for certain where the machine went between 1915 and 1936, possibly to San Jose, California from 1918 until 1922 and then to San Francisco California, or Tacoma, Washington. Accounts from the family of James W. "Jimmy" Robertson, supervisor of rides for Happyland, tell of him travelling with his wife Dora Robertson to Washington, Oregon and California in the fall of 1935 or early 1936 to pick up a new carousel for Happyland. By May 1936, the C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel was in operation in Happlyland inside Hastings Park. The Parker #119 carousel was installed in a pavilion in Happyland which had been built in 1928 by a rival company (Philadelphia Toboggan Company - P.T.C.) and was located next to the "Shoot the Chutes" ride in Hastings Park. Here it remained until Happyland was demolished in 1957. The C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel was then moved to a new small pavilion in Playland until that too was demolished in 1972. From 1972 to 1990, the C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel was operated outdoors inside Playland, and was put away each winter. In 1989 it was announced that the carousel would be sold off horse by horse at an auction in New York. Venus Solano and Doug McCallum and other local people came together to save the carousel and formed The Lower Mainland Association of Friends of the Vancouver Carousel (also known as "Friends of the Carousel"). The first directors of the society consisted of, President and Chairman, Venus Solano; Secretary, Doug McCallum; Director, Keith Jamieson and Director, Nina Freid Rhodes. In May 1989, the Friends of the Carousel approached the Burnaby Village Museum Association who agreed to provide a home for the carousel, pending the approval of Burnaby Municipal Council. Don Wrigley who was president of the Burnaby Village Museum Association joined the board of The Friends of the Carousel as a liaison. The Friends of the Carousel first acquired two horses from the carousel, who were named Julius and Belle. These two carousel horses were used in fundraising over the summer of 1990, at which time the carousel was operating again for a short time inside Playland. The carousel horse named Julius was restored by William Dentzel III (a descendant of one of North America’s original carousel manufacturers) and the carousel horse named Belle was partially stripped and repaired. These carousel horses served as before and after examples of restoration. In June 1990 Don Wrigley was elected as president of The Friends of the Carousel and they set about raising the $350,000 to purchase the carousel and begin restoration work. With a lot of hard work, the help of the Government of British Columbia and the support of the Municipality of Burnaby, the carousel was purchased. Funds were also raised by The Friends of the Carousel to pay for the restoration, and Burnaby agreed to build a new pavilion for it as a Centennial project. Keith Jamieson, a carousel expert, was brought in to coordinate the rebuilding project and restoration work. The Centennial Parker Carousel (C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel) and the Don Wrigley Pavilion where the carousel is housed, opened at Burnaby Village Museum on March 25, 1993.
Accession Code
BV013.19
BV019.21
BV019.39
BV020.5
BV020.12
BV022.2
X5124
X5125
Date
[190-] (date of originals) - 2012
Media Type
Photograph
Moving Images
Sound Recording
Related Material
Lower Mainland Association of the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel fonds
Keith Jamieson fonds
Faye Diamond fonds
See also: Burnaby Village Museum artifacts for the C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel as well as souvenir memorabilia from Lower Mainland Association of Friends of the Vancouver Carousel
Arrangement
Records have been created by various staff members of Burnaby Village Museum during the acquistion and research of the carousel. Some records were compiled together into a collection by subject and arranged according to their general material designations within the Burnaby Village Museum archival collection.
Notes
Title based on contents of series
Further accruals are expected
Contact Burnaby Village Museum to access sound recordings and moving images
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Esther Love Stanley fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18841
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1896-[2015] (dates of originals)
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photograph albums + 3 photographs + 128 photographs (tiffs & jpgs) + 1 cm textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of original photograph albums created by Esther (Love) Stanley as well as a collection of digital reproductions of photographs, documents and newspaper clippings pertaining to the Love, Stanley and Shankie families.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photograph albums + 3 photographs + 128 photographs (tiffs & jpgs) + 1 cm textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of original photograph albums created by Esther (Love) Stanley as well as a collection of digital reproductions of photographs, documents and newspaper clippings pertaining to the Love, Stanley and Shankie families.
History
Esther Love Stanley was born in Burnaby in 1896 to parents Jesse Love (1847-1928) and Martha Leonard (1858-1920). Esther's father, Jesse Love was born in Swindon, England and left England to work on a dairy farm in the Toronto area. While working on the farm in Toronto, Jesse met Martha Leonard and they married in 1879. While living in Toronto, Jesse and Martha had two children, George (1880-1974) and Annie Elizabeth (1881-1957). About one year after Annie was born, the Love family moved to North Dakota to grow wheat. While living there, they had two more children, Henry (1883-1956) and Edith Minnie (1885-1976). The family decided to move further west after hearing about the fairer weather conditions from Martha’s father, George Leonard, who had settled in Vancouver in 1885. On May 23, 1887, Jesse, Martha and their four children arrived in Vancouver after travelling across Canada from Winnipeg on the first transcontinental train. Soon after their fifth child, Thomas Robert (1887-1918) was born, the family moved to Lulu Island in Richmond where they lived growing vegetables and selling them to Vancouver hotels. While living and farming on Lulu island, the couple had two more children Martha (Dot or Dorothy) (1889-1972) and Sarah Marie (1892-1978). In October 1893, Jesse Love purchased land in District Lot 25, Burnaby and built a house between 1893 and 1894. A road was constructed and named Cumberland in 1905 and the address for the Love home was 1390 Cumberland Road (after 1960- 7651 Cumberland). While living in the house, Jesse and Martha had four more children, Phoebe Leonard (1894-1991), Esther (1896-1991), John Leonard (1899-1978) and Hannah Victoria (also known as Girlie) (1902-1976). Frank Charles “Stan” Stanley was born in London, England in 1891. Frank “Stan” Stanley is the youngest son of John Stanley and Mary (Conquest) Stanley. John and Mary had eleven children: Conquest John “Con”, George, Alice, Mary, Nelly, Mabel Annie, Percy William, Henry James, Ada Elizabeth, Arthur Ewart and Frank Charles. In 1912, Frank Charles Stanley immigrated to Canada. Frank Stanley served in the 29th Battalion (nicknamed Tobin's Tigers) during the First World War. He received a Military Medal for bravery while serving as lieutenant. Esther Love and Frank “Stan” Stanley maintained a relationship through letter writing during the First World War and in 1921 after he returned, they were married at St. Alban’s Church in Burnaby. Frank and Esther Stanley (nee Love) had four children, Mary Frances (Pearson) (d. 1986), Ina Esther (Shankie) (1924-2017), Frank Conquest and Joyce (Warner). Frank Charles “Stan” Stanley ran a service station on St. John's Street in Port Moody for many years and also served as mayor of Port Moody in the 1940s. Frank Charles Stanley died in 1975 and Esther Love Stanley died in 1991. In 1947, Ina Esther Stanley married Thomas Ramsay “Ram” Shankie (1920-1996). Ina and Thomas Ramsay Shankie had four children; David Shankie (b. 1951), Linda Shankie (Hanlon), Susan Shankie (Weston) and Kathryn Shankie. The family lived at 5351 Kalyk Avenue in Burnaby (later 3676 Kalyk Avenue). Thomas Ramsay Shankie is the son of Thomas Shankie (1872-1959) and Bertha Janet Shankie (nee Gray) (1891-1965). Thomas Shankie (Sr.) immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1905. In 1919 Thomas Shankie married Bertha Janet Gray at Henderson Presbyterian Church in West Burnaby. Thomas was the church organist and choir master of the church. Once married, the couple moved to a house located at 3718 Barker Avenue (later became 5515 Barker Avenue). Thomas and Bertha Shankie had two children, Thomas Ramsay Shankie (1920-1996) and Janet Isabella Shankie (Bower) (1923-2014). Around the age of 46 years, Thomas Shankie joined a gym and bought a bicycle to improve his health. By 1955 at the age of 83 years, Thomas Shankie had logged over two hundred thousand miles since buying his first bicycle. His motto was "ride a bicycle if you want to stay young and live long". Thomas also competed in many cycling races. Janet Isabella Shankie Bower (1923-2014) married Charles Franklin "Frank" Bower (1914-2004) in 1947. Janet and Frank Bower had two children; Gordon Franklin Bower (1951-2003) and Janet (Flintroy).
Creator
Stanley, Esther Love
Accession Code
BV015.40
BV016.43
BV022.32
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1896-[2015] (dates of originals)
Media Type
Photograph
Arrangement
Creator as well as descendants maintained original photograph albums along with digital copies of original family records. A selection of digital copies and originals were preserved in the order in which they were maintained and are reflected in the archival descriptions. When original photograph albums were acquired in 2022, some digital surrogates were deaccesioned.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
See also Love family fonds
Items of ephemera are described as artifacts in the Burnaby Village Museum artifact collection.
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Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19610
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview…
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
4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewers: Kate Petrusa and James Binks Interviewees: Rajinder and Raj Pandher Location of Interview: Love farmhouse, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 4 Total Length of all Tracks: (3:06:01 min) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto four separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview begins on January 10. Rajinder Pander provides information on where he was born and where he grew up and shares details regarding his family and his childhood including; his elementary and high school education and experiences and his involvement and interest in the sport of field hockey. 08:53 – 23:24 Raj Pander provides information on where she was born and shares details regarding her family and education. Raj recalls details of her family life in India including her family farm, her father’s service in the Indian National Army and other ancestor’s involvement in the military. Rajinder assists with the details regarding Raj’s father’s military service and explains how he was highly decelerated for his heroic actions. Rajinder conveys further information in reference to the Sikh Empire. 23:25 – 35:53 Rajinder and Raj share information on their formal education. Raj explains how she learned English and talks about the other spoken languages that her family used while she was growing up. Rajinder and Raj recall how they first met which lead them to marry in 1971. Rajinder provides information about his older brothers who left India before him. He explains how his elder brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1970 and provides details on his other brother who lived in Malaysia and England before coming to Canada in 1975. Rajinder conveys how after his brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher arrived in Canada, he lived in Campbell River and worked at the saw mill there. 35:54 – 1:01:38 Rajinder and Raj share their immigration stories including details of; what lead them to immigrate, their immigration route, what they brought with them and where they lived and worked. Rajinder and Raj tell of how they both faced discrimination in finding work that they were qualified for and describe some of the jobs that they worked at before obtaining their Real Estate licences. 1:01:39 – 1:13:09 Rajinder and Raj share information on where they’ve purchase traditional food supplies in Burnaby and Rajinder provides further details on his employment and recalls how they were able to purchase their first home in Burnaby. 1:13:10 - 1:19:33 Rajinder describes how he began writing for the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”. Rajinder shares how he first started printing small pamphlets of Sikh Cultural history in 1975 and how he’s been volunteering with the National Democratic Party (NDP) since 1973. 1:19:34 - 1:38:24 Second part of interview continues on January 24, 2023. Rajinder provides further information about the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”, provides an historical summary of the Sikh Empire and the Sikh religion and describes a book that’s he’s written about his culture and the village he lived in India. 1:38:25 - 1:52:24 Raj describes some of the traditional textiles that she’s created including a dury, embroidered cloth (pakha and pakhi) and clothing. Raj shares a story of a train derailment in India in which her father survived. 1:52:25 - 2:14:53 Raj Pandher talks about her father’s letters and diaries, Rajinder talks about receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service and they both talk about their daughter Amanjit’s education and career accomplishments. Raj describes her involvement in the community council of her children’s school and both Raj and Rajinder describe their involvement in multicultural education and events that they were involved with in Burnaby and New Westminster. Interviewer lists Rajinder Pandher’s many volunteer awards and accomplishments. 2:14:54 - 2:39:53 Raj and Rajinder describe some of their family photographs as well as personal items from India including decorative arts and textiles. They talk about celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary and the origin of their Sikh names. Rajinder describes a visit to Paldi in 1977 when the whole family was baptized at the Sikh temple and provides informaton about Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Sikh child born in Canada. Rajinder discusses what he thinks a cookhouse looked like, his friendship with former Mayor William J. Copeland and wages of South Asians working in sawmills. 2:39:54 - 3:06:01 Raj and Rajinder talk about food including where they’ve purchased traditional South Asian foods and what they grow in their home garden. Rajinder provides details about the Burnaby Multicultural Society, talks about South Asian work ethics and housing and shares some of the cultural and religious traditions of Sikhs and celebrations that take place in Vancouver and Burnaby.
History
Interviewees biographies: Rajinder Pandher was born five years prior to the Partition of India in the Village of Jhamat, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Raj Pandher was born in 1948 in the Village of Chapar, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Rajinder played field hockey while living in India and is passionate about the sport. Both Rajinder and Raj Pahndher attended college in India and were married in India in 1971. Rajinder Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1972 and his wife, Raj Pandher joined him in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Rajinder Pandher started working at a sawmill in Campbell River but didn't like the work and moved to Vancouver to find better employment opportunties. In 1976, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented until they could buy a home a year later. They raised two children who attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School in Burnaby. Rajinder and Raj Pandher were both very involved with multicultural efforts at their childlren's schools including turban tying and sari demonstrations and Rajinder was a founding member of the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Interviewers biographies: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013. James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Housing
Employment
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Persons - Volunteers
Religions - Sikhism
Migration
Organizations
Organizations - Societies and Clubs
Social Issues - Racism
Social Issues
Celebrations
Sports - Field Hockey
Names
Pandher, Raj
Pandher, Rajinder
Copeland, William J.
Pandher, Harman
Pandher, Amanjit
Burnaby Multicultural Society
The Western Sikh Samachar
Responsibility
Petrusa, Kate
Binks, James
Accession Code
BV023.1.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcripts available upon request
Audio Tracks

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0002_003.mp3
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88 records – page 4 of 5.