1299 records – page 4 of 65.

Gladys Killip subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58418
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1904-1998
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and graphic material
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of papers pertaining to the Killip family, primarily Gladys Killip's personal activism in the municipality of Burnaby and the causes she supported. Subseries also includes photographs of the Burnaby Council of Women taken during Gladys Killip's time as Publicity Co-Chairwoman du…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1904-1998
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Gladys Killip subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and graphic material
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1996-12
BHS1998-11
BHS2000-02
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of papers pertaining to the Killip family, primarily Gladys Killip's personal activism in the municipality of Burnaby and the causes she supported. Subseries also includes photographs of the Burnaby Council of Women taken during Gladys Killip's time as Publicity Co-Chairwoman during the 1967 Centennial Celebration festivity "100 Years of Progress in Women's Activities, Arts and Crafts" .
History
Gladys M. Yeomans married Alfred Charles “Charlie” Killip in St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church in Vancouver on August 16, 1947. They spent their honeymoon together at the Sunset Inn at Qualicum Beach. The Killips lived in the same house in South Burnaby for the greater part of their married lives. Their address began as 729 Marshall, changed to 729 Hazelmere Street in 1951 (due to bylaw 3133) and again to 7763 Hazelmere Street (due to 1958/1959 street re-numbering). The Killips were activists within Burnaby, writing letters to their member of Council when they felt that the citizens of Burnaby were not being treated fairly. An example of this is when they led the protest against Pacific Stage Lines for reducing its service on the Grandview Highway by making fewer stops and by changing its route. Gladys led their delegation to Council in June of 1964. Gladys was also involved in the activities of the Valley View Players and in Burnaby Little Theatre activities. She was part of the cast of “Crime at Blossoms” in 1951 and held a membership card from 1952 to 1959 for the Valley View Players Club. Among other roles, she was one of the principle actors in “You Can’t Take it With You” and “In the Shadow of the Glen” both performed in 1957. Gladys was the Burnaby Council of Women Publicity Co-Chairwoman. In this capacity she helped to organize such events as the "100 Years of Progress in Women's Activities, Arts and Crafts" for the Centennial Celebration in 1967 (the Burnaby Diamond Jubilee). She was also a founding member of the Century Park Museum Association, which created under the auspices of the Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee, to administer Burnaby's Centennial '71 Commemorative Project, Heritage Village. Both Gladys and Charles Killip were active members of the Monarchist League of Canada. Gladys’ hobby started with a small silver spoon commemorating King George VI taking the throne in 1936. Her collection includes items commemorating every Royal from Prince Edward, Queen Victoria's father, to a cup commemorating one of Prince Williams recent birthdays. Gladys opened the Silver Spoon collectors shop in Burnaby in 1974 and operated it until 1980 when she and her husband Charlie retired to Qualicum Beach and opened Chilham Village Antiques and Collectables in 1984. The Killips earned a Silver Badge of Service from the Monarchist League of Canada in 1992 for their significant contribution to the League’s work. As of November 2010, Ms. Gladys Yeomans’ collection of British Royal family memorabilia has grown so large, that she has countless of mugs, spoons, plates, t-shirts and pieces of poetry, filling a room in her basement and upstairs in her home in Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Killip, Gladys M. Yeomans
Killip, Alfred Charles “Charlie”
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
PC497, MSS125, MSS081, MSS085
Less detail

Canadian booklets

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58497
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1904-1949
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of two booklets. One is entitled "How to become a Canadian Citizen" published by the Canadian Citizen Branch Department of the Secretary of State. The other is entitled "Canadian History Notes" by Geo. E. Henderson and Chas. G. Fraser.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1904-1949
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Gladys Killip subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS085-025
Accession Number
BHS1998-11
Scope and Content
File consists of two booklets. One is entitled "How to become a Canadian Citizen" published by the Canadian Citizen Branch Department of the Secretary of State. The other is entitled "Canadian History Notes" by Geo. E. Henderson and Chas. G. Fraser.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

Elsie B. Wilson subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97446
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1904-1933
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of records documenting the piano career of Elsie B. Wilson. Records include concert programmes and newspaper clippings.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1904-1933
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Elsie B. Wilson subseries
Physical Description
Textual records
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of records documenting the piano career of Elsie B. Wilson. Records include concert programmes and newspaper clippings.
Media Type
Textual Record
Creator
Wilson, Elsie B.
Notes
Title based on creator of subseries
PC034, MSS002
Less detail

Interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon July 9, 1975 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory91
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1904-1932
Length
0:08:08
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles A. Purdon's employment history and first years of marriage to May E. Purdon.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles A. Purdon's employment history and first years of marriage to May E. Purdon.
Date Range
1904-1932
Length
0:08:08
Subjects
Transportation - Rail
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
July 9, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury July 9, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression and Canadian politics. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
May Eliza was born in London, England in 1907. She came out to Regina with her family when she was eleven. Charles A. Purdon was born February 28, 1904 in London, England. He came to Canada in 1925 from China where he had been working as an accountant for the previous three years. Charles first came to Vancouver and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) but within a week he was sent to Regina. This is where he met May. May and Charles got married in 1926 and Charles began working as an accountant for the Saskatchewan Wheat Growers, then for the Canadian Wool Growers before being laid off. In October of 1930, Charles and May left Regina for Vancouver Island. Charles drove himself out and May rode the train with her children; twin boys and a daughter, only one year apart. They settled at May’s parent’s second house in Coombs. The Purdons arrived in Burnaby in December of 1932 and rented a house on Edmonds Street. Charles was unable to do road work and instead found work through the Liberal Party and also with the Municipal engineers indoors on a number of projects. In 1938 the Purdons were able to get into a reverted house built by Ernie Winch at Maple Avenue (then Jubilee) and Nelson Avenue that had nine bedrooms. They paid ten dollars a month to the municipality for use of this property. May Eliza Purdon died April 6, 1983 at the age of seventy-six.
Total Length
1:40:03
Interviewee Name
Purdon, Charles A.
Purdon, May Eliza
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.
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon

Less detail

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory245
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1904-1975
Length
0:09:45
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) M…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.
Date Range
1904-1975
Photo Info
Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
Length
0:09:45
Names
McMurray, R.W.
Royal Oak Hotel
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
Interview Date
November 17, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
Biographical Notes
Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:55
Interviewee Name
McMurray, Lillian Wray
McMurray, Murdoch
Interviewer Bio
Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. 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. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
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 three of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

Less detail

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory247
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1904-1975
Length
0:09:26
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.
Date Range
1904-1975
Photo Info
Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
Length
0:09:26
Names
McMurray, Bob
Subjects
Transportation - Sleighs
Animals - Horses
Interviewer
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
Interview Date
November 17, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
Biographical Notes
Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:55
Interviewee Name
McMurray, Lillian Wray
McMurray, Murdoch
Interviewer Bio
Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. 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. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
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 five of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

Less detail

Anne Macey subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97456
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1905] (date of original)-[between 1940-1959]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Photographs
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs compiled by Anne Macey depicting Hart House (also known as "Avalon"), designed by architect Frank W. Macey, and one portrait of Frake W. Macey
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1905] (date of original)-[between 1940-1959]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Anne Macey subseries
Physical Description
Photographs
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1994-01
BHS2001-03
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs compiled by Anne Macey depicting Hart House (also known as "Avalon"), designed by architect Frank W. Macey, and one portrait of Frake W. Macey
History
Anne Elizabeth Stokes was born in Misson, BC and raised in Surrey, BC. She married Vancouver Police Department Constable Charles Boyes in 1947, and Major Rolf F. Macey in 1965. Anne and Rolf had two children: son Lane Macey and daughter Naomi Macey. Anne worked as a psychiatric nurse at Essondale Hospital and Director of Volunteer Services at Burnaby General Hospital. She volunteered her time for various clubs, including Save the Children and Dixon House. Anne passed away at Eagle Ridge Manor in Port Moody, BC in 2007.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Macey, Anne Elizabeth Stokes Boyes
Notes
Title based on creator of subseries
Less detail

Margaret McCallum subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription84
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1906 and 1908]]-1974
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Photographs and textual records
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs of the E.W. Nicholson Dairy in the Broadview District and May Day, as well as newspaper clippings and pamphlets that include maps and the history of Burnaby, with focus on the Broadview district.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1906 and 1908]]-1974
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Margaret McCallum subseries
Physical Description
Photographs and textual records
Description Level
Subseries
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1986-42
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs of the E.W. Nicholson Dairy in the Broadview District and May Day, as well as newspaper clippings and pamphlets that include maps and the history of Burnaby, with focus on the Broadview district.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
McCallum, Margaret
Notes
Title based on creator of subseries
PC375, MSS029
Less detail

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory244
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1906-1975
Length
0:09:00
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his fath…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his father's ranch of six acres, which grew mostly strawberries to sell in Vancouver.
Date Range
1906-1975
Photo Info
Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
Length
0:09:00
Subjects
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Geographic Access
Imperial Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Interviewer
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
Interview Date
November 17, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
Biographical Notes
Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:55
Interviewee Name
McMurray, Lillian Wray
McMurray, Murdoch
Interviewer Bio
Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. 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. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
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 two of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

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Letters of recommendation

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57765
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1933
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of letters of recommendation for George Jeffery as well as a 104th Regiment tax certificate and a certificate of discharge from the militia.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1933
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
George Jeffery subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS013-011
Access Restriction
Subject to FOIPPA
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
File consists of letters of recommendation for George Jeffery as well as a 104th Regiment tax certificate and a certificate of discharge from the militia.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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Silver family papers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57850
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1937
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of photocopied papers pertaining to the Silver family, including one of Hugh (son of Isabella and William) Silver's report cards from Kingsway West, as well as an application to register a motor vehicle, and a receipt from Ocean View Burial Park Company for a plot of land sold to W.F…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1937
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Silver family subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS025-001
Accession Number
BHS1986-22
Scope and Content
File consists of photocopied papers pertaining to the Silver family, including one of Hugh (son of Isabella and William) Silver's report cards from Kingsway West, as well as an application to register a motor vehicle, and a receipt from Ocean View Burial Park Company for a plot of land sold to W.F. Silver for $35.00 in 1937.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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Bancroft family papers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription63823
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1982
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of papers pertaining to the Bancroft family including three Blair's Canadian Drawing Series workbooks belonging to Rose Croucher (later Bancroft), as well as school work produced by two of her children, Rosie and George Brancroft.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1982
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Bancroft family subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS110-005
Accession Number
BHS2004-06
Scope and Content
File consists of papers pertaining to the Bancroft family including three Blair's Canadian Drawing Series workbooks belonging to Rose Croucher (later Bancroft), as well as school work produced by two of her children, Rosie and George Brancroft.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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Greeting cards

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65735
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1981
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of Birthday, St. Valentine's, Easter and Christmas cards and postcards. The majority of the cards are addressed to James Cooter and George Biddick.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1981
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Constance Cooter subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
42658
Accession Number
BHS1999-21
Scope and Content
File consists of Birthday, St. Valentine's, Easter and Christmas cards and postcards. The majority of the cards are addressed to James Cooter and George Biddick.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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School files subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97358
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-2006
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of papers pertaining to schools in Burnaby collected by the Burnaby Historical Society for research and information purposes.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-2006
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
School files subseries
Physical Description
Textual records
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1992-57
BHS1997-04
BHS1999-10
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of papers pertaining to schools in Burnaby collected by the Burnaby Historical Society for research and information purposes.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on content of subseries
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Constance Cooter subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97414
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1981
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of greeting cards collected by Constance Cooter and the Cooter family.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1907-1981
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Constance Cooter subseries
Physical Description
Textual records
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1999-21
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of greeting cards collected by Constance Cooter and the Cooter family.
Media Type
Textual Record
Creator
Cooter, Constance
Notes
Title based on creator of subseries
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Burnaby Public Library photograph subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58147
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1908-1973
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Photographs
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of historical photographs of Burnaby collected by the Burnaby Public Library.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1908-1973
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Public Library photograph subseries
Physical Description
Photographs
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1989-22
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of historical photographs of Burnaby collected by the Burnaby Public Library.
History
Burnaby's first library was founded in 1927 as the North Burnaby Library Association. Its first library building was established in 1935 on Hastings Street. In 1954, Burnaby enacted Bylaw No. 3522 to establish the Burnaby Public Library (BPL) and in 1957 BPL merged with the North Burnaby Library Association. BPL's first permanent library was the McGill branch, built in North Burnaby in 1961 and named after North Burnaby Library Association volunteer Grace McGill. Following McGill, BPL then established the Kingsway branch, Central Park branch, and Cameron branch. Central Park was replaced by the Bob Prittie Metrotown branch in 1991 and Kingsway with the Tommy Douglas branch in 2009.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Burnaby Public Library
Notes
PC225, PC226, PC227, PC228, PC229, PC230, PC231, PC232, PC322, and PC427
Title based on creator of subseries
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Poultry farming publications

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64440
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1908-1921
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File of publications pertaining to poultry farming (many published by the Minister of Agriculture) including bulletins and journals. Also included in the file is a small number of receipts pertaining to the Bancroft's poultry farm.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1908-1921
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Bancroft family subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS110-028
Accession Number
BHS2004-06
Scope and Content
File of publications pertaining to poultry farming (many published by the Minister of Agriculture) including bulletins and journals. Also included in the file is a small number of receipts pertaining to the Bancroft's poultry farm.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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Brian Elder subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97415
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1908 (date of original)-1936 (date of original)
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of copies of records compiled by Brian Elder on the history of the British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1908 (date of original)-1936 (date of original)
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Brian Elder subseries
Physical Description
Textual records
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1996-23
BHS2001-01
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of copies of records compiled by Brian Elder on the history of the British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER).
History
Brian Elder was a restoration volunteer for Friends of Interurban 1223.
Media Type
Textual Record
Creator
Elder, Brian
Notes
Title based on creator of subseries
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Speech given by Jack Davy November 8, 1972 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory235
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1908-1957
Length
0:09:44
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Jack Davy's description of the first Edmonds Street School principal, school activities of the time to the demolition of what he describes as the old grey building.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Jack Davy's description of the first Edmonds Street School principal, school activities of the time to the demolition of what he describes as the old grey building.
Date Range
1908-1957
Length
0:09:44
Names
Edmonds Street School
Subjects
Education
Interview Date
November 8, 1972
Scope and Content
Recording is of a speech given by John "Jack" Davy on November 8, 1972 to the Burnaby Historical Society on the subject of Edmonds School. Jack Davy is introduced by Dr. Blythe Eagles.
Biographical Notes
John “Jack” Davy was raised in New Westminster and his family and the Eagles' family were close friends, with the grandparents and parents getting together regularly to play cards. As a child, Jack delivered the Columbian newspaper. Jack Davy worked for Burnaby schools for over fifty years; twenty-five of those years as principal at Edmonds Street School. During the depression, he worked as a principal of Kitchener Street School.
Total Tracks
3
Total Length
0:29:41
Interviewee Name
Davy, Jack
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.
Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of speech given by Jack Davy

Less detail

Grant family papers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58007
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1909-1964
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of papers pertaining to the Grant family. Included in the file is George Grant's Application (and Testimonials) for the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture (written in 1909), various certificates awarded to members of the Gr…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1909-1964
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
George Grant subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS048-002
Access Restriction
In Archives only
Accession Number
BHS1990-06
Scope and Content
File consists of papers pertaining to the Grant family. Included in the file is George Grant's Application (and Testimonials) for the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture (written in 1909), various certificates awarded to members of the Grant family, as well as a Coat of Arms and Emblems illustration for Canada and its Provinces.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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1299 records – page 4 of 65.