"Biography" found 40 records | Heritage Burnaby

The autobiography of Dr. Alexander Carlyle of Inveresk, 1722-1805

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3106

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Carlyle, Alexander, 1722-1805

Edition: New ed.

Publication Date: 1910

Call Number: 922.5 CAR

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: HV972.165.73

Call Number: 922.5 CAR

Edition: New ed.

Author: Carlyle, Alexander, 1722-1805

Contributor: Burton, John Hill, 1809-1881

Place of Publication: London

Publisher: T. N. Foulis

Publication Date: 1910

Printer: Morrison & Gibb Limited

Physical Description: xix, 615 p., [32] leaves of plates : ports. ; 22 cm

Inscription: "W 60" [phrase crossed out and written in black in at top of front pastedown] Newspaper clipping of "The other Thomas Carlyle" glued to front paste down. Brief biography of Thomas Carlyle (1803-1855) a Scottish lawyer not to be confused with the author Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881).

Library Subject (LOC): Biography

Notes: "Edited by John Hill Burton"--title page; "New edition, with many addtional notes & thirty-two portraits of eminent men of the time in photogravure"--title page.

British Columbia from the earliest times to the present, volume 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary98

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Scholefield, E. O. S. (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919

Publication Date: 1914

Call Number: 971.1 SCH v. I

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: HV971.29.22

Call Number: 971.1 SCH v. I

Author: Scholefield, E. O. S. (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919

Place of Publication: Vancouver

Publisher: The S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.

Publication Date: 1914

Physical Description: xlvi, 688 p. : ill. : 27 cm.

Inscription: "S-10 d" [Handwritten and crossed out in black ink on pre title page] "S-12 d" [Handwritten and crossed out in black ink on pre title page]

Library Subject (LOC): British Columbia--History; British Columbia; British Columbia--Bibliography; Biography

Notes: "Volume I" -- title page; Includes index.; Includes list of authorities.; Author's full name: E. O. S. Scholefield (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919

British Columbia from the earliest times to the present, volume 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary97

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Howay, F.W. (Frederic William), 1867-1943

Publication Date: 1914

Call Number: 971.1 HOW v.2

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: HV971.29.21

Call Number: 971.1 HOW v.2

Author: Howay, F.W. (Frederic William), 1867-1943

Place of Publication: Vancouver

Publisher: The S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.

Publication Date: 1914

Physical Description: xiv,, 727 p. : ill. : 27 cm.

Inscription: "S-10 c" [Handwritten and crossed out in blue ink on pre title page] "S-12 c" [Handwritten and crossed out in black ink on pre title page]

Library Subject (LOC): British Columbia--History; British Columbia; British Columbia--Bibliography; Biography

Notes: "Volume II" -- title page; Includes index.; Other three volumes by: E. O. S. Scholefield (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919; Author's full name and dates: Howay, F. W. (Frederic William), 1867-1943

British Columbia from the earliest times to the present, volume 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary95

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Scholefield, E. O. S. (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919

Publication Date: 1914

Call Number: 971.1 SCH v.3

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: HV971.29.19

Call Number: 971.1 SCH v.3

Author: Scholefield, E. O. S. (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919

Place of Publication: Vancouver

Publisher: The S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.

Publication Date: 1914

Physical Description: 1161 p. : ill. : 27 cm.

Inscription: "S-10 a" [Handwritten and crossed out in black ink] "S-12a" [Handwritten and crossed out in black ink

Library Subject (LOC): British Columbia--History; British Columbia; British Columbia--Bibliography; Biography

Notes: "Volume III" -- title page.; "Biographical" -- title page.; Includes index.; Authors' full name and dates: Scholefield, E. O. S. (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919.

British Columbia from the earliest times to the present, volume 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary96

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Scholefield, E. O. S. (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919

Publication Date: 1914

Call Number: 971.1 SCH v.4

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: HV971.29.20

Call Number: 971.1 SCH v.4

Author: Scholefield, E. O. S. (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919

Place of Publication: Vancouver

Publisher: The S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.

Publication Date: 1914

Physical Description: 1429 p. : ill. : 27 cm.

Inscription: "S-10 b" [Handwritten and crossed out in black ink on pre title page] "S-12 b" [Handwritten and crossed out in black ink on pre title page]

Library Subject (LOC): British Columbia--History; British Columbia; British Columbia--Bibliography; Biography

Notes: "Volume IV" -- title page; "Biographical" -- title page; Includes index; Author's full name: E. O. S. Scholefield (Ethelbert Olaf Stuart), 1875-1919

Bruce Patterson in his highlander uniform

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription565

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w print ; 25.2 x 20.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bruce Patterson dressed in his highlander uniform.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w print ; 25.2 x 20.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bruce Patterson dressed in his highlander uniform.

History: Charles Bruce Patterson was born in Victoria, BC on January 21, 1892. He was the eldest son of Dugald Campbell Patterson Sr., and Frances Mabel (Webb) Patterson. Bruce arrived in Burnaby at the age of two with his parents and younger brother, William Harold Patterson (called Bill). Bruce attended the West Burnaby School with several of his siblings in the late 1890’s. At the beginning of World War One, Bruce enlisted with the Seaforth Highlander’s but was discharged due to having flat feet. He spent the duration of the war building ships to help the war effort in the New Westminster Shipyards. His official letter of service from the shipyards was donated to the New Westminster Museum located at Irving House. Bruce was an avid photographer and captured many scenes of early Burnaby with his Kodak camera. Some of Bruce Patterson’s photographic collection was donated to the Burnaby Village Museum and can be viewed on this website. Bruce Patterson died on February 16, 1979. [Biography provided by Raymond Reitsma.]

Subjects: Clothing - Uniforms; Occupations - Military Personnel; Wars - World War, 1914-1918

Names: Patterson, Charles Bruce

Accession Code: HV977.99.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1977

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Bruce Patterson in his highlander uniform, [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1977 thumbnail

Bruce Patterson with his wife Elva

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription563

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1918] (date of original), copied 1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.2 x 20.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles Bruce Patterson and his first wife, Elva Patterson.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.2 x 20.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles Bruce Patterson and his first wife, Elva Patterson.; Charles Bruce Patterson (called Bruce) built many early homes in the Edmonds district of Burnaby. He also built the Sperling Avenue School in 1913. For a time he was put in charge of Vulcan Iron Works of New Westminster, a business owned by his father Dugald Campbell Patterson Sr. Bruce quickly developed a passion for wrought iron work which would last his entire lifetime. Some years after the Vulcan Iron Works property was absorbed into the Dominion Bridge Company, Bruce opened a smaller iron works operation in the Arrow Transfer building on Granville Island. He named this company Vulcan Metal Works Ltd. Here, he made a variety of artistic railings for homes, churches and apartment buildings and drew inspiration from both Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. In addition to his wrought iron railings, he also designed and created many other architectural pieces which included iron patio furniture, leaded glass window panels for French doors, headboards, and decorative designs for the exteriors of clocks. Bruce also built and renovated numerous homes throughout the lower mainland. Bruce married Elva Eleanore Elliott on July 17, 1918. After Elva’s death he married again at the age of 82. His second wife’s name was Martha May (Bird) Summers. [Biography provided by Raymond Reitsma.]

Names: Patterson, Charles Bruce; Patterson, Elva Eleanore Elliott

Accession Code: HV977.99.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1918] (date of original), copied 1977

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For another photograph of Elva Patterson, see HV977.99.4

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Bruce Patterson with his wife Elva, [1918] (date of original), copied 1977 thumbnail

Burnaby Girl Guides administrative records and histories series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18955

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1920]-2002

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Series

Physical Description: 5 cm of textual records + 33 photographs

Scope and Content: Series consists of administrative records and histories pertaining to the Burnaby Girl Guides. Records include correspondence, histories, biographies and cancelled warrants for Girl Guide commissioners.

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides administrative records and histories series

Description Level: Series

Physical Description: 5 cm of textual records + 33 photographs

Scope and Content: Series consists of administrative records and histories pertaining to the Burnaby Girl Guides. Records include correspondence, histories, biographies and cancelled warrants for Girl Guide commissioners.

Names: Girl Guides of Canada

Accession Code: BV015.35; BV016.49

Date: [1920]-2002

Media Type: Photograph; Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of series

The Canadian annual review of public affairs

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3710

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Hopkins, J. Castell (John Castell), 1864-1923

Publication Date: c1913

Call Number: 971.005 HOP

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV001.1.200

Call Number: 971.005 HOP

Author: Hopkins, J. Castell (John Castell), 1864-1923

Place of Publication: Toronto

Publisher: The Annual Review Publishing Co. Ltd.

Publication Date: c1913

Printer: William Briggs

Physical Description: 699 p. : ill., ports. ; 23 cm.

Inscription: "Rec' by mail / 16 July '13" -- Inside back cover.

Library Subject (LOC): Canada; Canada--Politics and government; Biography

Notes: Includes index.; Includes a "Special Supplement Containing Important Public Addresses of the year and Historical Data Regarding Canadian Interests and Institutions."

Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription564

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1910 and 1914] (date of original), copied 1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.32 x 25.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph portrait of Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.32 x 25.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph portrait of Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr.

History: Dugald Campbell Patterson Sr. arrived in Burnaby in 1894. He worked for Armstrong Morrison & Balfour and later became foreman boilermaker for the Vancouver Engineering Works. He was the first postmaster of Edmonds in 1909, and was elected a school trustee in 1912. He was a Director of the British Columbia Electric and Water Heat Company and was a member of the New Westminster Board of Trade. He founded an insurance and real estate company in Burnaby and New Westminster. Dugald Campbell Patterson Sr. was born in Partick, Scotland on January 2, 1860. He attended the Glasgow common school, and worked as a ship joiner at Barclay Curle & Company (founded in 1818) in Whiteinch, Scotland. After some years of study, he was employed in the Anchor Line Shipyards (founded in 1856) in Partick. Dugald arrived in Canada on July 1, 1884, and would soon add a second "T" to the spelling of his last name (changing it from "Paterson" to "Patterson"). He married Frances Mabel Webb on February 7, 1891. Together they helped form the Central Park Horticultural Society.Known for his expertise in the field of engineering, Dugald accepted a unique commission at the beginning of World War One. He travelled overseas to supervise a group of Canadians in the construction of submarines on the Clyde River in Glasgow. It was here that he sustained an injury which left him in a wheel chair. Upon his return home, he remained active in both municipal affairs and the arts. He developed a plan that would preserve ravines as parks in Burnaby, and he published a book of poetry. Dugald also served his communty through his membership in the Knights of Pythias,the Canadian Order of Forresters and the Home Reunion Association. Dugald died in Vancouver, BC on June 25, 1931. [Biography provided by Raymond Reitsma].

Names: Patterson, Dugald Campbell, 1860-1931

Accession Code: HV977.99.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1910 and 1914] (date of original), copied 1977

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Photographer: Ritchie, Samuel J.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "B. Paterson's [sic] father (Dougal [sic] Campbell Patterson). Owner Vulcan Iron Works, New Westminster, B.C. (He also started real estate business at Edmonds and K'way [Kingsway]."; For more information on D.C. Patterson's family, see Michael Sone's book, "Pioneer Tales of Burnaby," pg. 60.; The photographer Samuel J. Ritchie was active in New Westminster from 1910 to 1914. For reference, see David Mattison's Camera Workers: The British Columbia Photographic Directory, 1858-1950 - R - Volume 2 (1901-1950)

Images

Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr, [between 1910 and 1914] (date of original), copied 1977 thumbnail

Elva Patterson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription562

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1914] (date of original), copied 1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.2 x 20.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a young woman seated on a chair taken in a photographic studio. She is wearing a dress with a square collar and ruffled wrist cuffs, and glasses. The accession register and inscription on the photograph identify the woman as Elva Patterson, the first wife of B. (Bruce) Patterson. The …

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.2 x 20.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a young woman seated on a chair taken in a photographic studio. She is wearing a dress with a square collar and ruffled wrist cuffs, and glasses. The accession register and inscription on the photograph identify the woman as Elva Patterson, the first wife of B. (Bruce) Patterson. The annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "B Paterson [sic] 1st wife Elva."; Elva Eleanore (Elliott) Patterson was a pioneer in the local film industry. After graduation from high school in 1914, Eva worked for Dominion Exclusives, a film distribution company, and the newly founded Fox Film Corporation Ltd. Both companies had offices on Granville Street in Vancouver. Elva’s title was “stenographer”, but she was given considerable responsibility at both offices. In addition to answering the phone and keeping the records, she was in charge of insuring that all films arrived at the proper movie houses for showings, and were returned to the appropriate film distribution centres in Hollywood, California.Elva Eleanore Elliott was born in Wardner, Idaho USA., on May 5, 1896. She moved to Vancouver with her parents and older brother in 1898. Elva met her husband Charles Bruce Patterson while attending charitable events in Burnaby and Vancouver with her local chapter of the Rebekah Lodge, the women’s division of the Odd Fellows Lodge. Elva married Bruce Patterson on July 17, 1918, at the Sixth Avenue Methodist Church in Vancouver. They lived for a time in New Westminster prior to their move to Vancouver. Elva and Bruce had two children Audrey Elva Patterson (1919-2003), and Doreen Nettie Patterson (1927-2000). [Biography provided by Raymond Reitsma, Grandson].

Names: Patterson, Elva Eleanore Elliott

Accession Code: HV977.99.4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1914] (date of original), copied 1977

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For another photograph of Elva Patterson, see HV977.99.5

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Elva Patterson, [1914] (date of original), copied 1977 thumbnail

Florence Nightingale : the wounded soldier's friend

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary194

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Pollard, Eliza F., 1840-1911

Publication Date: 1911

Call Number: 610.7309 POL

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: HV971.133.38

Call Number: 610.7309 POL

Author: Pollard, Eliza F., 1840-1911

Place of Publication: London

Publisher: S. W. Partridge & Co., Ltd.

Publication Date: 1911

Physical Description: ix, 11-160 p., 32 p. : ill., ports. ; 20 cm.

Inscription: "253" [stamped in blue ink on front pastedown] "Campbell" [faded and handwritten in black ink on front paste down]

Library Subject (LOC): Nurses--Great Britain; History of Nursing--19th century; Biography

Notes: "Fully illustrated" -- title page; 32 page catalogue of other books published by S.W. Partridge in the back.

The founder of New France : a chronicle of Champlain, v.3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5146

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Colby, Charles W. (Charles William), 1867-1955

Publication Date: 1915

Call Number: 971 CHR v.3

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV004.106.38

Call Number: 971 CHR v.3

Author: Colby, Charles W. (Charles William), 1867-1955

Contributor: Wrong, George McKinnon, 1860-1948; Langton, H. H. (Hugh Hornby), 1862-1953

Place of Publication: Toronto

Publisher: Glasgow, Brook & Company

Publication Date: 1915

Series: Chronicles of Canada, 3

Printer: T. and A. Constable

Physical Description: vii, 158 p., [6] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.). map, ports. ; 19 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Canada--History; Explorers--Canada; Biography

Notes: "Edited by George M. Wrong and H.H. Langton"; "In thirty-two volumes"; "Part II The Rise of New France"; Includes bibliographic references and index.; Author's given names and dates: Colby, Charles W. (Charles William), 1867-1955; Editor's given names and dates: Wrong, George McKinnon, 1860-1948; Editor's given names and dates: Langton, H.H. (Hugh Hornby), 1862-1953

Heroes of land and sea : selected from the works of Sir Henry Newbolt

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary272

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Newbolt, Henry John, Sir, 1862-1938

Publication Date: 1926

Call Number: 920.02 NEW

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: HV971.169.24

Call Number: 920.02 NEW

Author: Newbolt, Henry John, Sir, 1862-1938

Place of Publication: Toronto

Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co.

Publication Date: 1926

Printer: William Clowes and Sons, Limited

Physical Description: ix, 177 p. ; 19 cm.

Inscription: "D" [handwritten in black ink on front cover] "H" [handwritten in black ink on back cover] "H Ray" [handwritten in black ink on front endpaper] "Herbert Davidson" [handwritten in black ink on front endpaper] "Heritage Village S3 x" [handwritten in black ink on white label pasted onto contents page] Various drawings with captions and poems handwritten in pencil or black ink on every blank page, including the title page.

Library Subject (LOC): Heroes--Great Britain; Adventure stories; Biography

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.

History: Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. 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: Education; Migration; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Grocers; Organizations; Organizations - Business Associations; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores

Names: Toy, Christina; Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"; Babey, Beverley; Canada Way Food Market; Fraser Merchants' Association

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4694 Canada Way

Accession Code: BV023.16.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Related Material: See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0019_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3

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. …

1 image 1 audio

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

Audio Tracks

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

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 …

1 image 1 audio

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

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Agriculture - Farms; Education; Buildings - Schools

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

Audio Tracks

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

Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two 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 Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).

History: Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores; Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills; Buildings - Industrial - Factories; Education; Employment; Industries - Logging/lumber; Migration; Occupations - Engineers; Occupations - Millworkers; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Writers; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"; Kapoor Sawmills Limited; Siddoo, Kapoor Singh; Teja, Gurdial Singh; Parmar, Surjeet Kaur; Manhas, Ghania Singh; Singh, Mayo; Manhas, Kashmir Singh; Manhas, Sher Singh; Manhas, Budhan Kaur; Manhas, Lashman Singh

Responsibility: Malik, Anushay; Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Woodsworth Street

Accession Code: BV022.29.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area; Capitol Hill Area

Related Material: See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate; Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi; Transcript of interview available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Kalwant Singh

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3

Interview with Norman Dowad

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19638

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information …

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Norman Dowad Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: August 14, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information about his grandfather Samuel Dowad's immigration to Canada and his father Wilfred Dowad's military service and successes as a property developer. 00:14:39 – 00:17:26 Norm provides background information on his mother’s side of the family. 00:17:27 – 00:31:36 Norm talks about his childhood, growing up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, his early education in Burnaby and sports that he played. 00:31:37 – 00:39:59 Norm talks about his educational experiences attending Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Osgoode Hall law school and information regarding his law career. 00:40:00 – 00:45:03 Norm reflects on his childhood growing up in Burnaby and on his experiences and relationships as a student and in his career as a lawyer. 00:45:04 – 01:01:37 Norm talks about his siblings and shares information about family property development projects as well as career and business successes. In closing he talks about research that he’s done through Archives Canada on his grandfather Sam Dowad and father Wilfred Dowad.

History: Interviewee biography: Norm Dowad was born in Burnaby, December 1948 to parents Wilfred “Wilf” (1925-2011) and Cherry Dowad. His father, Wilfred (1925-2011) was born in Winnipeg to parents Samuel “Sam” (Salim in Arabic) Esper Dowad (1895-1969) and Martha (Shaheen) Dowad (1894-1955). Sam and Martha Dowad were both born in a province of the Ottoman Empire which is now present day Lebanon. In 1912, while trying to immigrate to Canada, several of Sam’s relatives including his mother died tragically as steerage passengers on the ill fated Titanic. In 1913, at the age of 18 years, Sam immigrated to Canada to join other family members who'd already arrived here safely. As a new immigrant in Canada, Sam worked with other Labanese immigrants in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the United States. In December 1921, Sam's wife, Martha immigrated to Canada arriving by ship in St. John, New Brunswick. Sam and Martha established their home in Winnipeg where they began to start a family. Their first two children died in infancy and son Wilfred was born in 1925 and daughter Kathleen was born in 1926. While living in Winnipeg, Sam worked as a grocer and in the 1930’s he got work as a farmer in a nearby town. In 1943, Wilf joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCVNR) and served as a gunner on merchant ships during World War II. In 1945, while Wilf was away serving, his parents, Sam and Martha moved to Burnaby. After discharge in 1945, Wilf joined his parents in Burnaby, began working at Fraser Mills and commenced his studies in construction and drafting. In 1949, with his father’s help Wilf acquired a lot next door to his parents’ home and built his first apartment block. After Martha died in 1954, Sam moved to Kelowna where he bought an orchard. Sam remarried in 1957 to Naomi “Mamie” (David) Dowad (1899-1978) who was also from a Lebanese family. Sam and Mamie lived in Kelowna until the mid 1960s when they moved to White Rock. While living in Burnaby, Wilf met and married Cherry Piggott and the couple had six children; Norm, Bruce, Michael, Kathie, Phil and Tom. In 1955, Wilfred Dowad established "W. Dowad Ltd." and over the years he was successful in developing and subdividing land to build housing and commercial developments in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Wilf was the first president of the Burnaby Winter club and was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce holding office at the local, provincial and national level. In 1970, Wilf purchased 238 acres of land bordering the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh River and relocated there the following year. While living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Wilf became actively engaged in local business and community affairs. Wilf was later remarried to Grethe Dowad and he died in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in 2011.Wilf's six children are the sole owners of "W.Dowad Ltd." and his daughter, Kathie Smillie is the president and CEO. While growing up in Burnaby, Norm Dowad attended Schou Street School, Douglas Road School, Kensington School and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School. Following graduation from high school, Norm attended Simon Fraser University for one year, travelled in Europe, attended University of British Columbia and obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Norman has been practicing law for 49 years and has his own law practice that he operates out of Vancouver. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms; Education; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Migration; Sports; Sports - Football; Wars - World War, 1939-1945

Names: Dowad, Norman W. "Norm"; Dowad, Samuel Esper "Sam"; Dowad, Wilfred "Wilf"; Dowad, Naomi "Mamie" David; Dowad, Martha Elias Shaheen; Dowad, Kathleen "Kay"; Rideout, Dr. John Anthony; Burnaby Central Secondary School; Douglas Road School; W. Dowad Limited

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Geographic Access: Buckingham Avenue; Deer Lake

Street Address: 5533 Buckingham Avenue

Accession Code: BV023.16.16

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0016_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0016_002.mp3

Interview with Shirley Cohn

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19597

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)

Scope and Content: File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on …

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Shirley Cohn Location of Interviews: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Dates: April 14, 2023 and September 6, 2023 Total Number of Tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 67 min., 33 sec. Digital master recording (wav) recording of second interview (50 min., 36 sec.) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on September 6, 2023: 0:00 – 16:09 Shirley Cohn shares background information about her parents who immigrated to Detroit from Hungary in the 1930’s. Shirley recalls what it was like for her parents being Jewish during World War II and how many of their relations were killed in the Holocaust. Shirley talks about her Jewish Hungarian heritage, what it was like growing up in Detroit, the Jewish community in Detroit and the Jewish holidays and traditions that her family celebrated. Shirley recalls her high school and University education and experiences, starting her career in social work and how she met her future husband, Theodore “Ted” Cohn. 16:10 – 18:27 Shirley shares the story about her father in law, Dr. Daniel E. Cohn who was Harry Houdini’s doctor at the time of his death in Detroit on Oct. 31, 1926. Shirley explains that she donated some of Dr. Daniel E. Cohn’s original documents pertaining to this event to the New York Public Library. 18:28 – 26:04 Shirley describes her experiences living and working in London Ontario while her husband was a professor at University of Western Ontario and Shirley worked as a social worker in family services. Shirley recalls experiences of anti-Semitism while living in London. Shirley talks about moving to Burnaby in 1977 after her husband took a job as a professor at Simon Fraser University. Shirley describes her experiences living in Burnaby, raising a family and working as a social worker at Burnaby General Hospital. 26:05 – 26:18 Shirley talks about her interests outside of work, her family’s involvement in the Burquest Jewish Community Association and being a member of Temple Shalom. Shirley conveys information about other Jewish synagogues in Greater Vancouver, describes Reform Judaism at Temple Shalom and some Jewish cultural practices that her family has been involved with. 26:19 – 33:12 Shirley describes her family’s experiences living in the Garden Village nieghbourhood in Burnaby, her involvement sharing Jewish cultural traditions at her children’s school and recalls her children’s experiences attending school in Burnaby. 33:13 – 40:46 Shirley conveys the career paths that her children took and talks about what she likes about living in Burnaby including; the walking and hiking trails, the cultural and art performances and her involvement in local politics. Shirley talks about her and her husband’s involvement in the SFU retirees association and the SFURA walking and hiking group. Shirley reflects on her husband’s academic career, experiences teaching at SFU and the role of the Hillel Jewish Students Association at the Simon Fraser University. Shirley talks about the difficulties of discussing political views about the State of Israel. Shirley describes some traditional Jewish foods, the roles that they play and a local bakery that carries Jewish bake goods. 40:47 – 50:36 Shirley describes her current daily life in Burnaby; working one day a week as a social worker, gardening, her involvement at Temple Shalom and the Jewish Community Centre and how she travels in Burnaby. Shirley recalls the changes that she’s encountered in Burnaby and in her career over the years, shares a story about her husband losing his thesis and describes what Burnaby was like while she was raising her family. Shirley shares what she thinks about the areas of development in Burnaby and conveys the importance of having parks and affordable housing. In closing, Shirley reflects on what is like to be a Jewish person living in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Shirley Tanner was born in Detroit in 1947. Her parents were both Jewish. Her mother fled Hungary as a refugee in 1939, while her father emigrated from there in 1934. Shirley attended public schools in Detroit, and then studied social work at the University of Michigan. After marriage, Shirley and Ted Cohn moved to Ontario where Ted had a faculty appointment at the University of Western Ontario in political science. Six years later they moved to Burnaby for Ted’s teaching position in political science at Simon Fraser University. While living in Burnaby, Shirley took care of a growing family while also practicing social work, mainly at Burnaby Hospital. The family enjoyed Burnaby’s libraries and parks. Shirley helped out at her children’s schools, became a Block Watch captain, and the family joined Burquest Jewish Community Association. The Cohns later became members of Temple Sholom Synagogue in Vancouver, while remaining in Burnaby. Beginning in 2009, Ted started an informal hiking group for retired Simon Fraser University staff. This group has been open to others, so now has a wide variety of members. Shirley has also helped lead hikes in the region. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Recreational Activities - Hiking; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Migration; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Religions - Judaism; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues; Wars - World War, 1939-1945

Names: Cohn, Dr. Daniel E.; Cohn, Shirley; Cohn, Theodore H. "Ted"; Burquest; Hillel Jewish Students Association; Simon Fraser University; SFURA walking and hiking group; Simon Fraser University Retirees Association "SFURA"; Temple Shalom

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of file; Summary, recording and transcript of second interview available on Heritage Burnaby

Documents

2023_0016_0001_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0001_003.mp3

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