Mary Forsyth fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription87823
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1893] (date of original) -2004
- Collection/Fonds
- Mary Forsyth fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual records, graphic material and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- Records consist of material created and collected by Mary Forsyth. Records include correspondence, photographs, a map, presentation notes, and reviews along with research for historical and biographical essays pertaining to pioneering families, organizations, and the geographical area of South Burn…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1893] (date of original) -2004
- Collection/Fonds
- Mary Forsyth fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual records, graphic material and cartographic material
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-27
- Scope and Content
- Records consist of material created and collected by Mary Forsyth. Records include correspondence, photographs, a map, presentation notes, and reviews along with research for historical and biographical essays pertaining to pioneering families, organizations, and the geographical area of South Burnaby. One of her major research projects consists of "A Walking Environment for South Burnaby," which also became a proposal to The Corporation of the District of Burnaby. Historical information and photographs pertaining to South Burnaby pioneer families and organizations were compiled from interviews with the intention of publishing a book.
- History
- Mary Gertrude (Bolton) Forsyth was born at her parents' home in Burnaby on March 5, 1923, and was the daughter of Richard Bolton and Gertrude (nee Hern). Mary's father, Richard, immigrated to Canada from Sunderland, England, in 1911. He lived with his brother George in New Westminster prior to purchasing property in South Burnaby in 1916 and built a bungalow located at 859 Marine Drive. Richard Bolton was employed as the municipal treasurer for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby and, in 1919, he returned to Sunderland with three months leave of absence to marry Mary Gertrude Hern, daughter of Captain and Mrs. John Hern. Mary grew up with her parents and sister Nancy in the house that her father built on Marine Drive. She married Lloyd Forsyth in 1946 and they had two children, Diane and Robert. Mary and her husband raised their family in Burnaby and built a house at 855 Marine Drive, on the lot originally purchased by her father, and moved later to a house located at 6457 Marine Drive. In 1964, after her children were grown, Mary completed her teaching degree at Simon Fraser University and went on to teach kindergarten at Nelson Elementary School. While a teacher within the Burnaby School District, Mary was instrumental in adopting ballet as part of the school curriculum. Mary was an active member of the Burnaby Historical Society, participating and leading local events and seminars. She was inspired by the idea of the 'Housewives Holiday', originally initiated by the Vancouver "Y’ S". In February 1960, she was integral in forming a committee in South Burnaby, working alongside Ruth Turner, Faye Treagh, and Dorothy Turnbull. The "Housewives Holiday" committee (a branch of the Clinton-Glenwood Recreation Association) planned several events at Bonsor Hall for Burnaby housewives from October 6 to December 8, 1960. After her retirement from teaching, Mary returned to Simon Fraser University to do further studies and, in 1983, she wrote an essay for an Environmental Education course, titled "A Walking Environment for South Burnaby". The essay was conducted as a feasibility study to provide a walking environment in her community and included a formal essay, a media book, a map, and a slide presentation which was presented to a variety of local community groups. In 1984, Mary was the recipient of the North Fraser Harbour Commission Award to further her work on this project. In October 1986, her essay was adapted as a proposal to The Corporation of the District of Burnaby for a walking and cycling trail system for South Burnaby. Her proposal was taken into consideration by council and was later adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mary was very much interested in the history of South Burnaby and spent time between 1990 to 2004 conducting research through the Burnaby Historical Society, The City of Burnaby Archives, and several pioneering families who agreed to share their family records and be interviewed. Mary compiled her research into short historical and biographical essays by geographical area, family name, and organization. Mary (Bolton) Forsyth lived her whole life in South Burnaby and was an active and committed member of her community. She died on November 10, 2010.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Cartographic Material
- Creator
- Forsyth, Mary
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo catalogue 572, MSS185
George Grant subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription53
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1893-[196-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of records and photographs created by Burnaby magistrate and Freeman, George A. Grant and family.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1893-[196-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- George Grant subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- BHS1990-06
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of records and photographs created by Burnaby magistrate and Freeman, George A. Grant and family.
- History
- George Alford Grant was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on June 22, 1877. In 1907, George married Alice Taylor of Stonehaven, Scotland. Three of their children were born in Edinburgh: William (b. 1908), George Jr. (b. 1910), and Herriot (b. 1912). By 1912, George Grant had secured a job in Burnaby at a law office and brought his family to join him. He eventually established his own law firm, Grant and MacDougal. While in Burnaby, Alice and George Grant had two more children, Alastair and Millie. During World War I, George served in the 11th Irish Fusiliers of Vancouver and reached the rank of Captain. Upon returning to Burnaby, George had a long and distinguished career, serving for over 43 years in both official and unofficial offices in Burnaby – a record of service for which he received both local recognition and the Order of the British Empire. Between 1921 and 1931, George sat on the Burnaby School Board and also served as the Municipal Solicitor in the 1930s. Alice Grant became a life member of the Provincial Chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (as well as the Col. Hart McHarg Chapter) in 1935 and George was a Burnaby Police Magistrate for 13 years, until 1954. During this time, he was recognized for his patience and fairness and the BC Borstal Association benefited from his active interest for many years. George also served as chairman of the West Burnaby Liberal Association from 1925 to 1938, heading the New Westminster Federal Riding Association in 1938. In January 1955, he was presented with the Gold Key award by the Municipality of Burnaby. Alice Grant died in May of 1954 and George died ten years later on April 30, 1964.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- Grant, George Alford
- Notes
- Title based on contents and creator of subseries
- PC243, MSS048