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Digney Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10597
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1934 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
7 mp4 videos (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps
Storage Location
Digital only
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of various short films created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Films include; a compilation of Burnaby content shot by Andy Digney and narrated by Lisa Codd (Curator of Burnaby Village Museum) along with a collection of six films shot on 8 mm film. Film content inclu…
More detail
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1934 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Code
BV019.18
Storage Location
Digital only
Physical Description
7 mp4 videos (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps
Material Details
Films were digitized in 2019 from original 8 mm format
Formats
mp4
Media Type
Moving Images
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of various short films created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Films include; a compilation of Burnaby content shot by Andy Digney and narrated by Lisa Codd (Curator of Burnaby Village Museum) along with a collection of six films shot on 8 mm film. Film content includes footage of members of the Digney family and friends in Burnaby; the Digney homes on Bonsor Avenue and Kaymar Drive; construction of the Digney Bowling Alley and the Simpsons-Sears building; Lawn bowling at Central Park as well as various family events, gatherings, vacations and trips. Films are arranged and described at item level.
History/Biography
Andy Digney was born in London, England on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles and in 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore Saskatchewan and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty Saskatchewan where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry Manitoba where Andy worked selling lightening rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife, traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns showing movies. Eventually, he purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba where he purchased a restaurant which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1936 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945 he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a house at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (after 1959-6521 Bonsor Ave.) on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association, who were looking for a good location to race the smaller, racing cars, popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948 with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of midget racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951 Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over forty cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Ernest Digney (also known as Dig) worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce returned to Burnaby in 1953 moving into a 550 square foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954 Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19,1955 and Andy Digney, his wife Alice, son 'Dig' and daughter in law Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the Bowling Alley. In 1956 Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son 'Dig' which he paid for over time. 'Dig' and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in England in 1964 while on his world tour. His wife Alice died on June 3, 1982 and their son, Ernest ('Dig') died November 27, 2009.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Subjects
Sports - Bowling
Sports - Badminton
Sports - Swimming
Construction
Names
Digney, Alice
Digney, Andy
Digney, Bruce
Digney, Dorothy
Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
Digney, Paul
Digney, Joyce
Geographic Access
Burnaby
Burnaby - 6521 Bonsor Avenue
Burnaby - Kaymar Drive
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Digney film 2 - Yard and back of house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10636
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1958 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (33 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
Storage Location
Digital only
Scope and Content
Film segment of the back porch and yard of Alice and Andy Digney's home at 7749 Kaymur Drive in Burnaby.
More detail
  1 Video  
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1958 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Accession Code
BV019.18.3
Storage Location
Digital only
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (33 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
Media Type
Moving Images
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Scope and Content
Film segment of the back porch and yard of Alice and Andy Digney's home at 7749 Kaymur Drive in Burnaby.
Notes
Title based on contents of film segment
Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)
Creator
Andy Digney
Names
Digney, Andy
Digney, Alice
Geographic Access
Burnaby - 7749 Kaymar Drive
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Suncrest Area
Video Tracks
Digney film 2 - Yard and back of house, [between 1958 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Less detail
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Digney film 1 - Digney family in their yard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10600
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1961 and 1962] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (54 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.
Storage Location
Digital only
Scope and Content
Film segment of members of the Digney family sitting in lawn chairs outside in Alice and Andy Digney's backyard on Kaymar Drive. Joyce Digney and sons Paul and Drew are seated along with Sydney Swan, Connie Swan, Alice Digney and Andy Digney. There is a black dog which belonged to Alice and Andy Di…
More detail
  1 Video  
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1961 and 1962] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Accession Code
BV019.18.2
Storage Location
Digital only
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (54 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.
Media Type
Moving Images
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Scope and Content
Film segment of members of the Digney family sitting in lawn chairs outside in Alice and Andy Digney's backyard on Kaymar Drive. Joyce Digney and sons Paul and Drew are seated along with Sydney Swan, Connie Swan, Alice Digney and Andy Digney. There is a black dog which belonged to Alice and Andy Digney.
Notes
Title based on contents of film segment
Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.2)
Creator
Andy Digney
Names
Digney, Andy
Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
Digney, Joyce
Digney, Paul
Digney, Bruce
Digney, Alice
Swan, Sydney
Swan, Constance "Connie"
Geographic Access
Burnaby - Kaymar Drive
Video Tracks
Digney film 1 - Digney family in their yard, [between 1961 and 1962] (date of original), copied 2019
Less detail
thumbnail

Digney film 1 - Digney's at Brentwood mall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10601
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1961 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (12 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.
Storage Location
Digital only
Scope and Content
Film segment of Andy Digney, Alice Digney and Joyce Digney walking along a sidewalk outside stores at Brentwood mall in Burnaby. The Brentwood Shopping Centre opened in August 1961.
More detail
  1 Video  
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1961 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Accession Code
BV019.18.2
Storage Location
Digital only
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (12 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.
Media Type
Moving Images
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Scope and Content
Film segment of Andy Digney, Alice Digney and Joyce Digney walking along a sidewalk outside stores at Brentwood mall in Burnaby. The Brentwood Shopping Centre opened in August 1961.
Notes
Title based on contents of film segment
Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.2)
Creator
Andy Digney
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Malls
Names
Digney, Andy
Digney, Alice
Digney, Joyce
Brentwood Shopping Centre
Geographic Access
Burnaby - 4567 Lougheed Highway
Burnaby - Lougheed Highway
Planning Study Area
Brentwood Area
Video Tracks
Digney film 1 - Digney's at Brentwood mall, [between 1961 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019
Less detail
thumbnail

Digney film 2 - Gathering at Alice and Andy Digney's

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10647
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1960 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (2 min., 3 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
Storage Location
Digital only
Scope and Content
Film segment documenting family and friends gathering in the living room of Alice and Andy Digney's home at 7749 Kaymar Drive in Burnaby. People identified include; June and Mel Arthur, Sydney Swan and Alice and Andy Digney.
More detail
  1 Video  
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1960 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Accession Code
BV019.18.3
Storage Location
Digital only
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (2 min., 3 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
Media Type
Moving Images
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Scope and Content
Film segment documenting family and friends gathering in the living room of Alice and Andy Digney's home at 7749 Kaymar Drive in Burnaby. People identified include; June and Mel Arthur, Sydney Swan and Alice and Andy Digney.
Notes
Title based on contents of film segment
Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)
Creator
Andy Digney
Names
Digney, Alice
Digney, Andy
Swan, Sydney
Arthur, Malcolm "Mel"
Arthur, June
Geographic Access
Burnaby - 7749 Kaymar Drive
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Suncrest Area
Video Tracks
Digney film 2 - Gathering at Alice and Andy Digney's, [between 1960 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Less detail
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Digney film 1 - Digney's on board a ship

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10603
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (1 min., 26 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.
Storage Location
Digital only
Scope and Content
Film segment of the Digney family, friends and relations on board a passenger freighter.They are gathered to toast and send off Andy Digney who is heading off on his world wide trip. Family members are identified as: Andy Digney, Andy's wife Alice Digney (nee Swan), their son Ernest Digney (Dig), D…
More detail
  1 Video  
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Accession Code
BV019.18.2
Storage Location
Digital only
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (1 min., 26 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.
Media Type
Moving Images
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Scope and Content
Film segment of the Digney family, friends and relations on board a passenger freighter.They are gathered to toast and send off Andy Digney who is heading off on his world wide trip. Family members are identified as: Andy Digney, Andy's wife Alice Digney (nee Swan), their son Ernest Digney (Dig), Dig's wife, Joyce Digney (in pink), Dig and Joyce's sons Paul and Bruce Digney and Sydney "Sid" Swan. Friends are identified as; Malcolm "Mel" and June Arthur with their two young daughters.
Notes
Title based on contents of film segment
Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.2)
Creator
Andy Digney
Subjects
Transportation - Ships
Names
Digney, Andy
Digney, Joyce
Digney, Paul
Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
Digney, Bruce
Digney, Alice
Swan, Sydney
Arthur, Malcolm "Mel"
Arthur, June
Video Tracks
Digney film 1 - Digney's on board a ship, [1964] (date of original), copied 2019
Less detail
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Digney Film 3 - Construction and opening of Digney bowling Alley, visit to Stanley Park and summer vacations

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10678
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1955 and 197_] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 mp4 video (20 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
Storage Location
Digital only
Scope and Content
Item consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film compilation documents the construction, opening and a tournament of the Digney Bowling Alley located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby along with family outings at Stanley Park and vacations at Birch Bay…
More detail
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1955 and 197_] (date of original), copied 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Accession Code
BV019.18.4
Storage Location
Digital only
Physical Description
1 mp4 video (20 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
Media Type
Moving Images
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Scope and Content
Item consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film compilation documents the construction, opening and a tournament of the Digney Bowling Alley located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby along with family outings at Stanley Park and vacations at Birch Bay and Okanagan Lake.
Notes
Title based on contents of film compilation
Three Film segments from this compilation are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby: BV019.18.4.1; BV019.18.4.2; BV019.4.3
Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content
Creator
Andy Digney
Subjects
Buildings - Recreational - Bowling Alleys
Sports - Bowling
Names
Digney, Andy
Swan, Sydney
Digney Bowling Alley
Digney, Drew
Digney, Joyce
Digney, Bruce
Digney, Paul
Geographic Access
Burnaby - 6521 Bonsor Avenue
British Columbia - Okanagan
United States of America - Washington State
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Less detail

Through the Lens of Andy Digney

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10099
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (12 min., 17 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., sd., stereo
Scope and Content
Burnaby resident Andy Digney captured footage of Burnaby and beyond from 1934 to 1964. This short, narrated film features a compilation of the Digney footage created and narrated by the Burnaby Village Museum. Highlights include the construction of the Oak Theatre, a Depression-era May Day workers’…
More detail
  1 Video  
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Accession Code
BV019.18.1
Physical Description
1 mp4 video file (12 min., 17 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., sd., stereo
Material Details
278 MB
Media Type
Moving Images
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Scope and Content
Burnaby resident Andy Digney captured footage of Burnaby and beyond from 1934 to 1964. This short, narrated film features a compilation of the Digney footage created and narrated by the Burnaby Village Museum. Highlights include the construction of the Oak Theatre, a Depression-era May Day workers’ parade, and visits to locations throughout the Lower Mainland, including Grouse Mountain, Burnaby’s Central Park, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
History/Biography
Andy Digney was born in London, England on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles and in 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore Saskatchewan and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty Saskatchewan where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry Manitoba where Andy worked selling lightening rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife, traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns showing movies. Eventually, he purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba where he purchased a restaurant which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945 he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association, who were looking for a good location to race the smaller, racing cars, popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948 with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of midget racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951 Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over forty cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Ernest Digney (also known as Dig) worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Andy and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce returned to Burnaby in 1953 moving into a 550 square foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954 Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19,1955 and Andy Digney, his wife Alice, son 'Dig' and daughter in law Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956 Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son 'Dig' which he paid for over time. 'Dig' and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. His wife Alice died on June 3, 1982 and their son, Ernest ('Dig') died November 27, 2009.
Notes
Title based on contents
City of Burnaby Archives holds the original Digney film masters (562.003) that this narrated segment was disseminated from
Creator
Andy Digney
Names
Digney, Andy
Digney Bowling Alley
Digney Speedway
Geographic Access
Burnaby - 6521 Bonsor Avenue
Burnaby - Kingsway
Video Tracks
Through the Lens of Andy Digney, [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
Less detail
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8 records – page 1 of 1.

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