"Buildings" found 82 records | Heritage Burnaby

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

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory252

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1919-1955

Length: 0:06:06

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clear…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clearing is described in detail. Alfred also relates a story from 1920 involving early settlers E. Powell and J. Amos.

Date Range: 1919-1955

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:06:06

Subjects: Land Clearing; Buildings - Industrial - Mills

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

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

Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_2.mp3

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory256

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1919-1939

Length: 0:09:06

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's description of Commissioner Fraser taking power in Burnaby. Alfred mentions the Burnaby Housing Committee and the Willingdon Heights Subdivision before beginning reading his series of short stories. He reads "I ARRIVE IN BURNABY AND WE BUILD A…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's description of Commissioner Fraser taking power in Burnaby. Alfred mentions the Burnaby Housing Committee and the Willingdon Heights Subdivision before beginning reading his series of short stories. He reads "I ARRIVE IN BURNABY AND WE BUILD A SHINGLE MILL/ 1919/ Burnaby Lake" as well as "WE BUILD A HOME AND DIG A WELL. 1920", both written in 1963.

Date Range: 1919-1939

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:09:06

Subjects: Organizations; Buildings - Industrial - Mills

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood); Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Audio Tracks

Track six of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_6.mp3

All Saints Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11924

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "All Saints Church / Lot "A" BK 29 DL 98 GP1 N.W.D.". Watling Street is idenfied to the north of the church building and Royal Oak Avenue to the west.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "All Saints Church / Lot "A" BK 29 DL 98 GP1 N.W.D.". Watling Street is idenfied to the north of the church building and Royal Oak Avenue to the west.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: All Saints Anglican Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.46

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: ""All Saints Church / Lot "A" BK 29 DL 98 / Scale 1 inch = 20 feet"; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

Anglican Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11921

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Anglican Church / Lot 2 BK 37 DL69, GP.1, N.W.D. (15th Ave. (Dominion) is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2 and 3).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Anglican Church / Lot 2 BK 37 DL69, GP.1, N.W.D. (15th Ave. (Dominion) is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2 and 3).

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Accession Code: BV003.83.43

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "Anglican Church / Lot 2 Bk 37 DL69 / 1"=20' "; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

Armstrong Street School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11133

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Armstrong Street School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being a 2 acre portion of Lot 13 Group 1, & according to map 1722 which shows this as Lot E. Block 2 of subdivision of a portion, of Lot 13, Group 1, New Westminster District".

1 image 1 zoomable image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Armstrong Street School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being a 2 acre portion of Lot 13 Group 1, & according to map 1722 which shows this as Lot E. Block 2 of subdivision of a portion, of Lot 13, Group 1, New Westminster District".

Creator: Burnett, Geoffrey K.

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Armstrong Avenue School

Responsibility: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Geographic Access: Armstrong Avenue

Street Address: 8757 Armstrong Avenue

Accession Code: BV003.83.12

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cariboo-Armstrong Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; Note in black ink on verso of plan reads: "1746"; Oath on plan reads: "I, Geoffrey K. Burnett...and did personally superintend the survey represented..." "Completed on the 18th day of March 1915"; signed by Geoffrey K. Burnett and notarized by "K.A. Eastman", sworn "...19th day of April 1915"; "Burnett and McGugan., B.C. Land Surveyors. Etc.. New Westminster, B.C.."

Zoomable Images

Armstrong Street School site, 1915

Zoom into Image

Barnet School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11140

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 27, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Barnet School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being a portion of the west half of lot / 214, Group 1 / New Westminster District”.

1 image 1 zoomable image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Barnet School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being a portion of the west half of lot / 214, Group 1 / New Westminster District”.

Creator: McGugan, Donald Johnston

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Barnet School

Responsibility: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Geographic Access: Barnet Road

Street Address: 7820 Barnet Road

Accession Code: BV003.83.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: May 27, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; handwritten on back "Burnaby Schools" "23R" twice, "1783"; Oath on plan reads: "I, D.J. McGugan...and did personally superintend the survey..." "completed on the 27th day of May 1915"; signed by D.J. McGugan, notarized by "Walter Edmonds" "sworn "...29th day of May 1915" "Burnett and McGugan" "B.C. Land Surveyors Etc. New Westminster, B.C.";

Zoomable Images

Barnet School site, May 27, 1915

Zoom into Image

Broadview Presbyterian Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11927

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Broadview Presbyterian Church / Lot 6, BK 31, DL 69 / GP1 N.W.D." . Fourteenth Avenue (Manor) is identified to the north and Douglas Ave. to the east.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Broadview Presbyterian Church / Lot 6, BK 31, DL 69 / GP1 N.W.D." . Fourteenth Avenue (Manor) is identified to the north and Douglas Ave. to the east.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: Broadview Presbyterian Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.49

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "Broadview Presbyterian Church / Lot 6, BK 31, DL 69 / 1" = 20' "; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

Broadview Presbyterian Church, [ca.1910] thumbnail

Douglas Road School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11136

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: April 19, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Douglas Road School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lot 21, of Blocks 1-5 inc. 11 & 12 of the subd. of north half of Lot 80, Group 1, New Westminster District".

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Douglas Road School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lot 21, of Blocks 1-5 inc. 11 & 12 of the subd. of north half of Lot 80, Group 1, New Westminster District".

Creator: McGugan, Donald Johnston

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Douglas Road School

Responsibility: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4861 Canada Way

Accession Code: BV003.83.15

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: April 19, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; Note in black ink on verso of plan reads: "1747"; Oath on plan reads: "I, D.G. McGugan..." "...and did person- ally superintend the survey..." "...completed on the 3rd day of April 1915"; signed by D.J. McGugan, notarized by "H.A. Eastman", sworn "...19th day of April 1915" "Burnett and McGugan" "B.C. Land Surveyors Etc. New Westminster, B.C.."

Images

Douglas Road School site, April 19, 1915 thumbnail

Dundonald United Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11930

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a building insurance plan of "Dundonald United Church / Lots 9, 10 BK 28 DL 159 GP 1 / N.W.D.". Clinton Street is identified to the north of Lots nine and ten.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of a building insurance plan of "Dundonald United Church / Lots 9, 10 BK 28 DL 159 GP 1 / N.W.D.". Clinton Street is identified to the north of Lots nine and ten.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: Dundonald United Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.52

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "_ _Church / Lots 9 & 10 BK 28 DL 159 / 1" = 20' "; Note in black ink on verso reads: "3704"

Images

Dundonald United Church, [ca.1910] thumbnail

Edmonds Street School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11125

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: March 8, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Edmonds Street School Site" "Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lots 28 and 29 of the Subdivision of Lot 30, Group 1, New Westminster District";

1 image 1 zoomable image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale: 4 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Edmonds Street School Site" "Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lots 28 and 29 of the Subdivision of Lot 30, Group 1, New Westminster District";

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Edmonds Community School

Responsibility: Burnett and McGugan B.C. Land Surveyors, New Westminster

Geographic Access: Edmonds Street

Street Address: 7641 Edmonds Street

Accession Code: BV003.83.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: March 8, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; Oath in bottom left corner reads: "I, D.J. McGugan...and did personally superintend the survey..." "...completed on the 8th day of March 1915"; signed "D.J. McGugan", notarized by "S.F. Mark" "sworn...12th Day of April 1915"; handwritten on back, "1756"

Zoomable Images

Edmonds Street School site, March 8, 1915

Zoom into Image

Gilmour Avenue School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11129

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 27, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of Gilmore Avenue School site. Title on plan reads: "Gilmour Avenue School Site / Burnaby Municipality / Being Lots 1-10 inc. & Lots 27-36 inc. of Block 9 / of Subdivision of a Portion of Lot 187, GP.1 / New Westminster District". "Note. School site is as shown below, the original...am…

1 image 1 zoomable image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale: 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of Gilmore Avenue School site. Title on plan reads: "Gilmour Avenue School Site / Burnaby Municipality / Being Lots 1-10 inc. & Lots 27-36 inc. of Block 9 / of Subdivision of a Portion of Lot 187, GP.1 / New Westminster District". "Note. School site is as shown below, the original...amended" "by cancelling Lots 1-10 & 27-30 inc....order of court filed No.4938".

History: The school was named after Hugh B. Gilmour, but an error by a municipal clerk in the Street Naming Bylaw in 1912 (Bylaw Number 135) changed the spelling to "Gilmore" Avenue and the school name was spelled "Gilmore" Avenue School hereafter.

Creator: McGugan, Donald Johnston

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Gilmore Avenue School

Responsibility: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Geographic Access: Gilmore Avenue

Accession Code: BV003.83.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: May 27, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title taken from plan; Oath in bottom left corner reads: "I, D.J. McGugan...did superintend the survey", "...completed on the 27th day of May 1915" and noterized by Walter Edmonds" "sworn...29th Day of May 1915"; "Burnett and McGugan. B.C. Land Surveyors Etc. New Westminster. B.C."; Note in black ink on verso of plan reads: "1782"

Zoomable Images

Gilmour Avenue School site, May 27, 1915

Zoom into Image

Gordon Presbyterian Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11923

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1912]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Gordon Presbyterian Church / Blocks 1-2 BK 7 DL 30 GP1 N.W.D.". Arbutus Street is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2, & 3 and Humphries Avenue to the east.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Gordon Presbyterian Church / Blocks 1-2 BK 7 DL 30 GP1 N.W.D.". Arbutus Street is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2, & 3 and Humphries Avenue to the east.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: Gordon Presbyterian Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.45

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1912]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "Gordon Presbyterian Church / Blocks 1-2 BK 7 DL 30 / Scale 1 inch = 20 feet" "Total area Lot 1 / Portion exempted / Total area Lot 2 / Portion exempted"; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

Gordon Presbyterian Church, [ca.1912] thumbnail

Hamilton Road School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11139

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: April 27, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Hamilton Road School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being the westerly 2 acres of Block 2 of the subd. of a portion of Lot 8, Group 1"; "New Westminster District”.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Hamilton Road School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being the westerly 2 acres of Block 2 of the subd. of a portion of Lot 8, Group 1"; "New Westminster District”.

Creator: Burnett, Geoffrey K.

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Hamilton Road School

Responsibility: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Geographic Access: Lyndhurst Street

Accession Code: BV003.83.18

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: April 27, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sperling-Broadway Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; handwritten on back, "1752" and mathematical calculations; Oath on plan reads: "I, Geoffrey K. Burnett...and did person- ally superintend the survey..." "...completed on the 27th day of April 1915"; signed by Geoffrey K. Burnett, notary illegible, sworn "...27th day of April 1915" "Burnett and McGugan" "B.C. Land Surveyors Etc. New Westminster, B.C."

Images

Hamilton Road School site, April 27, 1915 thumbnail

Howard Avenue School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11124

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: March 24, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Howard Avenue School Site" "Burnaby Municipality", "Being Lots 1-5 and 14-18 Inc. Block 5 of the Subd. of Easterly 3/4 of Lot 127. Group 1, New Westminster District";

1 image 1 zoomable image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale: 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Howard Avenue School Site" "Burnaby Municipality", "Being Lots 1-5 and 14-18 Inc. Block 5 of the Subd. of Easterly 3/4 of Lot 127. Group 1, New Westminster District";

Creator: McGugan, Donald Johnston

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Howard Avenue School

Responsibility: Burnett and McGugan B.C. Land Surveyors, New Westminster

Geographic Access: Howard Avenue; Georgia Street

Accession Code: BV003.83.4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: March 24, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; Oath in bottom left corner reads: "I, D.J. McGugan...and did personally superintend the survey..." "...completed on the 24th day of March 1915"; signed "D.J. McGugan", notarized on April 12th, 1915 by "R. Chapman"; handwritten on back, "1754"

Zoomable Images

Howard Avenue School site, March 24, 1915

Zoom into Image

Inman Avenue School site

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11128

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 3, 1915

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Inman Avenue School Site" "Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lots 3 -12 inc. Blk. C. of Subd. of Blks.5" "13-19 inc. & 21-28 inc. of Subd. of Westerly 80 Acres of, and portion of D.L. 34, Group One. New Westminster District".

1 image 1 zoomable image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm

Material Details: Scale: 40 feet = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Inman Avenue School Site" "Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lots 3 -12 inc. Blk. C. of Subd. of Blks.5" "13-19 inc. & 21-28 inc. of Subd. of Westerly 80 Acres of, and portion of D.L. 34, Group One. New Westminster District".

Creator: McGugan, Donald Johnston

Subjects: Buildings - Schools

Names: Inman Avenue School

Responsibility: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Geographic Access: Brandon Street

Street Address: 3963 Brandon Street

Accession Code: BV003.83.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: May 3, 1915

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Garden Village Area

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; Oath in bottom left corner reads: "I, D.J. McGugan...did...superintend the survey...", "...completed on the 3rd day of May 1915"; signed "D.J. McGugan", notariz- ed by "Walter Edmonds" "sworn...22nd Day of May 1915"; "Burnett and McGugan. B.C. Land Surveyors. Etc. New Westminster. B.C.";; handwritten note reads: "Note: Before using this Mon. see plan / of resubdivision of Lots 5 & 6 / of Block 'B' D.L. 34 / June 1945"; handwritten twice on back, "1776"

Zoomable Images

Inman Avenue School site, May 3, 1915

Zoom into Image

Interview with Alfred Bingham June 10, 1975 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory58

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1892-1919

Length: 0:07:22

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to Alfred Bingham's memories of his first years in the Lochdale district of Burnaby, including his first job building a sawmill on Burnaby Lake.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to Alfred Bingham's memories of his first years in the Lochdale district of Burnaby, including his first job building a sawmill on Burnaby Lake.

Date Range: 1892-1919

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:07:22

Subjects: Occupations - Lumberjacks; Buildings - Industrial - Sawmills

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Interviewer: Bradbury, Dr. Bettina

Interview Date: June 10, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is a taped interview with Alfred Bingham by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury June 10, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, Pioneers, and the Co-operative Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Angus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 1:57:27

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Interviewer Bio: Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.

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

Track one of interview with Alfred Bingham

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-1/100-13-20-1_Track_1.mp3

Interview with Harry Royle June 20, 1975 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory112

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1919-1945

Length: 0:10:17

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to Harry Royle's memories of returning from the war and setting up his general store at Capitol Hill.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to Harry Royle's memories of returning from the war and setting up his general store at Capitol Hill.

Date Range: 1919-1945

Photo Info: Harry Royle smiling, in a suit and tie, photographed by Chidwich Studio [193-]. Item no. BV005.20.20

Length: 0:10:17

Names: Harry's

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - General Stores

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Interviewer: McLeod, Ross S.; Bradbury, Dr. Bettina

Interview Date: June 20, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Harry Royle by Ross S. McLeod (and Bettina Bradbury) June 20, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression and the running of a grocery store. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Harry Royle was born in Gibraltar in 1898 to a Spanish mother and an English father (all of the Royle children except for one were born in Gibraltar). Harry's father served in the army for twenty-one years and because of that, the family moved regularly. While Harry was still a young baby, the Royle family moved to Ireland for six years, where he began his first years of schooling at the age of four. His dad retired from the army in 1907 and was sent to Canada with the BC Electric Company (the London General Army Buses Company). The rest of his family followed two years afterward in 1909 and settled in South Vancouver. Harry and his three brothers joined the army and were sent overseas as part of the second division. Luckily, they all returned home to Vancouver in 1919. Harry worked at the Hudson's Bay Company "counter jumping" before opening his own store in 1924 at 5527 Hastings Street and Ellesmere Avenue, a confectionery and general hangout for neighbourhood children."Harry's" was only twenty-five foot square and carried groceries obtained mainly from Kelly Douglas wholesalers. Most of Harry's customers worked at the mill at Barnet. Those that worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway were the few that still held jobs during the Depression. The store continued to serve the people of Capitol Hill throughout the Depression and war years, until Harry closed shop in 1945.

Total Tracks: 7

Total Length: 1:01:43

Interviewee Name: Royle, Harry

Interviewer Bio: Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.

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

Harry Royle smiling, in a suit and tie, photographed by Chidwich Studio [193-]. Item no. BV005.20.20 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Harry Royle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-12/100-13-12_Track_2.mp3

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 Jack McGeachie June 18, 1975 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory35

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1914-1922

Length: 0:09:27

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie's early childhood including the reasons why his family moved to Burnaby, the small pox house at the border of New Westminster and stories of the unfinished family home at Formby Street.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie's early childhood including the reasons why his family moved to Burnaby, the small pox house at the border of New Westminster and stories of the unfinished family home at Formby Street.

Date Range: 1914-1922

Photo Info: McGeachie family; John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie is the eldest child, standing second from the right, 1925 (date of original). Item no. 204-464

Length: 0:09:27

Subjects: Buildings - Residences - Houses

Geographic Access: Formby Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood); East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area; Second Street Area

Interviewer: Bradbury, Dr. Bettina

Interview Date: June 18, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is a taped interview with John A."Jack" McGeachie by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury June 18, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation) and farming in Burnaby. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: John Aloysius “Jack” McGeachie was born January 14, 1914 in Little Mountain, Vancouver to Helen and John McGeachie. Helen and John had four children; John Aloysius “Jack”, Florence Mary, Thomas Joseph “Tom” and Roderick Noel “Rod.” In 1922 the McGeachie family moved from Vancouver to East Burnaby where the children attended Edmonds School. John Sr. became ill and died, leaving the eldest Jack as the main breadwinner of the family when he was still just a teenager. He began his working life at a chicken farm, later learning his trade while working for the Hudson Bay Company. Jack McGeachie married Burnaby Historian Doreen Pixie Johnson. He and Pixie raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:51:13

Interviewee Name: McGeachie, John Aloysius "Jack"

Interview Location: Rosewood

Interviewer Bio: Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

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

McGeachie family; John Aloysius thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Jack McGeachie

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-10/100-13-10_Track_1.mp3

Research

Narrow Results By

Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

Audio Tracks

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 2

Images

Audio Tracks

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 6

Images

Audio Tracks

All Saints Church

Images

Anglican Church

Images

Armstrong Street School site

Zoomable Images

Barnet School site

Zoomable Images

Broadview Presbyterian Church

Images

Douglas Road School site

Images

Dundonald United Church

Images

Edmonds Street School site

Zoomable Images

Gilmour Avenue School site

Zoomable Images

Gordon Presbyterian Church

Images

Hamilton Road School site

Images

Howard Avenue School site

Zoomable Images

Inman Avenue School site

Zoomable Images

Interview with Alfred Bingham June 10, 1975 - Track 1

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Harry Royle June 20, 1975 - Track 2

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy

Documents

Audio Tracks

Interview with Jack McGeachie June 18, 1975 - Track 1

Images

Audio Tracks