"England" found 34 records | Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Photograph of group posing in front of "Brooklands" monument near Weybridge, Surrey England. T. Boyd Haskell, Manager of Simpsons-Sears Burnaby is identified standing sixth from the left.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Series: Simpsons-Sears scrapbook series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of group posing in front of "Brooklands" monument near Weybridge, Surrey England. T. Boyd Haskell, Manager of Simpsons-Sears Burnaby is identified standing sixth from the left.

Names: Haskell, T. Boyd

Accession Code: BV021.26.126

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1958]

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph was removed from original scrapbook with newspaper clippings, photographs and ephemera

Images

Group in front of Brooklands monument, [1958] thumbnail

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray at 60th wedding anniversary

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription214

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Eward and Elizabeth (Fletcher) Wray seated together on a couch on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple immigrated to Canada from England in 1907, moved to British Columbia in 1909 and settled in Jubilee district of Burnaby in 1919.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w print

Material Details: inscribed in pencil, verso, t. "Mr. + Mrs. Edward Wray/ Mrs. Wray aged 85/ Mr. Wray aged 84", c. "This picture taken on their 60th Wedding Anniversary/ in 1957 (by the Province [underlined])", b. "Came to Jubilee district of Burnaby in 1919/ opened Jubilee Shoe Store + Post Office"; The photograph in BVM archive appears to be a copy print.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Eward and Elizabeth (Fletcher) Wray seated together on a couch on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple immigrated to Canada from England in 1907, moved to British Columbia in 1909 and settled in Jubilee district of Burnaby in 1919.

Subjects: Events - Anniversaries

Names: Wray, Edward; Wray, Elizabeth Frances Fletcher

Accession Code: BV985.439.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1957]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 16-Jan-24

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying

Images

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray at 60th wedding anniversary, [1957] thumbnail

In memoriam book

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4645

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 book

Scope and Content: Item consists of an "In Memoriam" guest book in memory of Herbert R. Parsons who died in South Burnaby May 23, 1957 at the age of 84 years. It is a hardcover book with plastic binding and contains handwritten notes in the first few pages noting the location of the service, officiating reverend, mus…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 book

Scope and Content: Item consists of an "In Memoriam" guest book in memory of Herbert R. Parsons who died in South Burnaby May 23, 1957 at the age of 84 years. It is a hardcover book with plastic binding and contains handwritten notes in the first few pages noting the location of the service, officiating reverend, musical selections and a list of family members.

History: Flossie Maude Parsons (nee Smith) was born to George Henry Smith, a farm labourer, and Harriet Ann Savage on February 13, 1896 in Ealing, England. She immigrated to Canada with some of her family members in the early 1920s. They lived in Winnipeg for a few years as an older brother had settled there in 1912. She married Herbert Russell Parsons on June 23, 1928. They first lived in Vancouver and finally bought a home at 7091 Jubilee Avenue, South Burnaby in the early 1930s. In 1943, Flossie was certified in Home Nursing. Herbert Parsons was active during the Second World War as a volunteer for Civil Defence in Burnaby and worked as a salesman for Woodwards. The couple had no children. Herbert passed away on May 23rd, 1957 (age 84) and Flossie passed away on April 6, 1996 (age 100).

Other Title Information: Title based on content of item

Accession Code: BV017.38.10

Date: 1957

Media Type: Textual Record

Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…

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: 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.

History: Interviewees' biographies: Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married his wife, Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. 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: Clothing; Foods; Indigenous peoples; Buildings - Religious - Temples; Food Processing Tools and Equipment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Unions

Names: Gill, Prem Kaur; Gill, Mohinder Kaur; Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh

Responsibility: Rajdeep; Malik, Anushay

Accession Code: BV022.29.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum; Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)

Audio Tracks

Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3

Digney Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10597

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1954 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of compilation of six films (including film clips) created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. 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 Alle…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps

Material Details: Films were digitized in 2019 from original 8 mm format

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of compilation of six films (including film clips) created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. 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.

History: 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 Simpsons-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.

Creator: Digney, Andy; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"

Accession Code: BV019.18

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1954 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Related Material: See also City of Burnaby Archives Digney Family fonds Photo/MI catalogue 562

Arrangement: Films are arranged and described at item level along with film clip segments. Master film footage numbered BV019.18.3 through BV019.18.8 were described in original order at item level. Digitized film content within the master film footage was also broken down into shorter film clips according to natural breaks within the original content and described separately as film clips (accession parts) in their original order: BV019.8.3.1 to BV019.8.3.28; BV019.8.4.1 to BV019.8.4.16; BV019.18.5.1 to BV019.8.5.7; BV019.18.6.1 to BV019.18.6.8; BV019.18.7.1 to BV019.18.7.15; BV019.18.8.1 to BV019.18.8.20

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds

Rhoda Jeffers in front of a stone castle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4391

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1952]

Collection/Fonds: Rhoda Jeffers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 6.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Rhoda Jeffers standing in front of an old stone castle located on the side of a hill. Photograph may have been taken while Rhoda was an exchange teacher in England in 1952.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Rhoda Jeffers fonds

Series: Jeffers family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 6.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Rhoda Jeffers standing in front of an old stone castle located on the side of a hill. Photograph may have been taken while Rhoda was an exchange teacher in England in 1952.

Names: Jeffers, Rhoda Mae

Accession Code: BV007.20.14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1952]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 24/04/2018

Notes: Title based on content of photograph

Images

Rhoda Jeffers in front of a stone castle, [1952] thumbnail

Delegates in England

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3749

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1959

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.7 x 16.9 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of men and one woman sitting at tables. The photograph is labeled "England," and is likely related to an international governmental meeting or conference. Harold Winch is seen standing at the back left. Back of photograph is labeled "Time for a rest in Indonesia / 1959".

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Series: Harold E. Winch photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.7 x 16.9 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of men and one woman sitting at tables. The photograph is labeled "England," and is likely related to an international governmental meeting or conference. Harold Winch is seen standing at the back left. Back of photograph is labeled "Time for a rest in Indonesia / 1959".

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants

Names: Winch, Harold Edward

Accession Code: BV013.12.107

Date: 1959

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook Item BV013.12.11

Images

Woman posing in front of a stone castle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4385

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1952]

Collection/Fonds: Rhoda Jeffers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ;11 x 6.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a woman standing in front of a stone castle in England. There are other woman walking behind her. The stone building has two turrets and is about three stories high. There is a carving in the stone wall of a unicorn in a rectangular frame.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Rhoda Jeffers fonds

Series: Jeffers family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ;11 x 6.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a woman standing in front of a stone castle in England. There are other woman walking behind her. The stone building has two turrets and is about three stories high. There is a carving in the stone wall of a unicorn in a rectangular frame.

Accession Code: BV007.20.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1952]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 24/04/2018

Notes: Title based on content of photograph

Images

Woman posing in front of a stone castle, [1952] thumbnail

Statue of Admiral Nelson in Trafalgar Square

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4466

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Rhoda Jeffers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 11.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson in Trafalgar Square, London, England. The statue sits atop a Corinthian column. To the right of the column is a statue of Charles I on horseback. Fountains can be seen to the left. Several cars and pedestrians are visible in the foreground of the p…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Rhoda Jeffers fonds

Series: Jeffers family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 11.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson in Trafalgar Square, London, England. The statue sits atop a Corinthian column. To the right of the column is a statue of Charles I on horseback. Fountains can be seen to the left. Several cars and pedestrians are visible in the foreground of the photograph.

Accession Code: BV007.20.32

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [195-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 24/04/2018

Notes: Title based on content of photograph

Images

Statue of Admiral Nelson in Trafalgar Square, [195-] thumbnail

Mary Davis and her mother Edith Finney

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4938

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1950 and 1960]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 11.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Mary Davis and her mother Edith Finney walking hand and hand down a busy commercial street.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 11.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Mary Davis and her mother Edith Finney walking hand and hand down a busy commercial street.

History: Mary Davis was born February 3, 1910 in Stafford, England to Sam and Edith Finney and came to Canada as a child. Her family settled in Saskatchewan. She married her first husband, Clifford Reynolds Hamilton in 1940 in Rossland BC and was subsequently divorced in 1949 in Vancouver BC. She moved to Burnaby somtime between 1940 and the mid-1950's. Mary owned Davis Confectionary with her second husband (presumably named Davis) at the corner of Beresford and MacPherson. The store acted as a grocery store and also a drug store. Mary and her husband owned the store in the 1950's /1960's. Mary passed away in 2001, and had no children. Photograph was taken by famous Vancouver street photographer Foncie Pulice. Foncie began working as a street photographer in 1934 and retired in 1979. Foncie died in 2003.

Names: Finney, Edith; Davis, Mary

Geographic Access: Vancouver

Accession Code: BV017.50.4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1950 and 1960]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12-Jun-2018

Photographer: Pulice, Foncie

Notes: Title base on contents of photograph; Stamped on verso: "FONCIE'S FOTOS/ 505 GRANVILLE ST./ VANCOUVER, B.C."

Images

Mary Davis and her mother Edith Finney, [between 1950 and 1960] thumbnail

Davis Confectionery, Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4939

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1950-1960

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : black and white ; 9.5 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: A woman and young boy are out front of Davis Confectionery. There is a street sign visible at corner of MacPherson Ave. and Beresford St. There are two metal mail boxes at the corner of the building. In the window is a sign saying "Post Office" and another smaller sign "Farm Fresh Eggs".

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : black and white ; 9.5 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: A woman and young boy are out front of Davis Confectionery. There is a street sign visible at corner of MacPherson Ave. and Beresford St. There are two metal mail boxes at the corner of the building. In the window is a sign saying "Post Office" and another smaller sign "Farm Fresh Eggs".

History: Mary Davis was born February 3, 1910 in Stafford, England to Sam and Edith Finney and came to Canada as a child. Her family settled in Saskatchewan. She married her first husband, Clifford Reynolds Hamilton in 1940 in Rossland BC and was subsequently divorced in 1949 in Vancouver BC. She moved to Burnaby somtime between 1940 and the mid-1950's. Mary owned Davis Confectionary with her second husband (presumably named Davis) at the corner of Beresford and MacPherson. The store acted as a grocery store and also a drug store. Mary and her husband owned the store in the 1950's /1960's. Mary passed away in 2001, and had no children.

Publisher: 1960

Other Title Information: Title base on contents of photograph

Accession Code: BV017.50.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: 1950-1960

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12-Jun-2018

Images

Davis Confectionery, Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4940

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1950-1960

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : black and white ; 9 x 6 cm

Scope and Content: The corner of Davis Confectionery . There is a "CocaCola" sign visible on the store. There is also a sign at the doorway saying "On sale here Kodak film". There appears to be another two story building next to it. Tied to the fence at the side of the store in the foreground is a saddled horse graz…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : black and white ; 9 x 6 cm

Scope and Content: The corner of Davis Confectionery . There is a "CocaCola" sign visible on the store. There is also a sign at the doorway saying "On sale here Kodak film". There appears to be another two story building next to it. Tied to the fence at the side of the store in the foreground is a saddled horse grazing on some grass.

History: Mary Davis was born February 3, 1910 in Stafford, England to Sam and Edith Finney and came to Canada as a child. Her family settled in Saskatchewan. She married her first husband, Clifford Reynolds Hamilton in 1940 in Rossland BC and was subsequently divorced in 1949 in Vancouver BC. She moved to Burnaby somtime between 1940 and the mid-1950's. Mary owned Davis Confectionary with her second husband (presumably named Davis) at the corner of Beresford and MacPherson. The store acted as a grocery store and also a drug store. Mary and her husband owned the store in the 1950's /1960's. Mary passed away in 2001, and had no children.

Other Title Information: title based on content of photograph

Accession Code: BV017.50.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: 1950-1960

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12-06-2018

Images

Motor : April 1950, vol. 93, no. 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6857

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Adair, Neal G.

Publication Date: 1950

Call Number: 629.2 HEA vol. 93 no. 4

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Textual Record

Accession Code: HV972.35.101

Call Number: 629.2 HEA vol. 93 no. 4

Author: Adair, Neal G.

Place of Publication: New York

Publisher: Hearst Magazines

Publication Date: 1950

Physical Description: 238 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.

Inscription: "J.H. ROBINS 3525 DOVER ST BURNABY BC" [Handwritten in blue ink on front cover]

Library Subject (LOC): Automobiles--Equipment and supplies; Automobiles; Automobiles--Exhibitions

Object History: The tools included in this donation belonged to Samuel Robins. Samuel and his wife Sarah Ann Robins moved to Burnaby in 1918. Robins could not find work in England in 1912 so he set off for New Zealand to find work. The ship he was to have sailed upon was delayed, but he needed to arrive in New York in time for the train to connect for the ship to New Zealand, so he sailed on the Olympic -- the sister ship to the Titanic. Upon arrival in New York he wired Sarah Ann grandmother that he had arrived safely. Samuel was a stonemason who worked on many projects in the Lower Mainland, including constructing houses in Shaughnessy and he also worked in the Vancouver City Hall. The family lived on Dover Street. His granddaughter believes that he brought his tools with him when he came to Canada.

Notes: Roy surveyed for advertisements

Motor : February 1950, vol. 93 no. 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6858

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Adair, Neal G.

Publication Date: 1950

Call Number: 629.2 HEA vol. 93 no. 2

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Textual Record

Accession Code: HV972.35.102

Call Number: 629.2 HEA vol. 93 no. 2

Author: Adair, Neal G.

Place of Publication: New York

Publisher: Hearst Magazines

Publication Date: 1950

Physical Description: 200 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.

Inscription: "J.H. ROBINS 3525 DOVER ST BURNABY BC" [Handwritten in blue ink on front cover]

Library Subject (LOC): Automobiles--Equipment and supplies; Automobiles; Automobiles--Exhibitions

Object History: The tools included in this donation belonged to Samuel Robins. Samuel and his wife Sarah Ann Robins moved to Burnaby in 1918. Robins could not find work in England in 1912 so he set off for New Zealand to find work. The ship he was to have sailed upon was delayed, but he needed to arrive in New York in time for the train to connect for the ship to New Zealand, so he sailed on the Olympic -- the sister ship to the Titanic. Upon arrival in New York he wired Sarah Ann grandmother that he had arrived safely. Samuel was a stonemason who worked on many projects in the Lower Mainland, including constructing houses in Shaughnessy and he also worked in the Vancouver City Hall. The family lived on Dover Street. His granddaughter believes that he brought his tools with him when he came to Canada.

Notes: Roy surveyed for advertisements

Motor : August, 1950, vol. 94, no. 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6859

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Adair, Neal G.

Publication Date: 1950

Call Number: 629.2 HEA vol. 94 no. 2

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Textual Record

Accession Code: HV972.35.99

Call Number: 629.2 HEA vol. 94 no. 2

Author: Adair, Neal G.

Place of Publication: New York

Publisher: Hearst Magazines

Publication Date: 1950

Physical Description: 184 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.

Inscription: "J.H. ROBINS 3525 DOVER ST BURNABY BC" [Handwritten in blue ink on front cover]

Library Subject (LOC): Automobiles--Equipment and supplies; Automobiles; Automobiles--Exhibitions

Object History: The tools included in this donation belonged to Samuel Robins. Samuel and his wife Sarah Ann Robins moved to Burnaby in 1918. Robins could not find work in England in 1912 so he set off for New Zealand to find work. The ship he was to have sailed upon was delayed, but he needed to arrive in New York in time for the train to connect for the ship to New Zealand, so he sailed on the Olympic -- the sister ship to the Titanic. Upon arrival in New York he wired Sarah Ann grandmother that he had arrived safely. Samuel was a stonemason who worked on many projects in the Lower Mainland, including constructing houses in Shaughnessy and he also worked in the Vancouver City Hall. The family lived on Dover Street. His granddaughter believes that he brought his tools with him when he came to Canada.

Notes: Roy surveyed for advertisements

Mrs. James Richard (Dick) Whiting

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9848

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1947] (date of original)-[1998]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of copies of biographical and genealogical information and photocopies of photographs along with interview notes (November 6, 1997). File also includes a newspaper clipping "She was Named for the Municipality / Burnaby's first baby visiting from England" about Mrs. C.A. Whiting who wa…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Jesse Love farmhouse series

Subseries: Love farmhouse research files subseries

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of copies of biographical and genealogical information and photocopies of photographs along with interview notes (November 6, 1997). File also includes a newspaper clipping "She was Named for the Municipality / Burnaby's first baby visiting from England" about Mrs. C.A. Whiting who was the first white baby born in Burnaby ca. 1893. File includes information obtained from Florence Edna Whiting (Mrs. James Richard Whiting) who is the daughter in law of Annie (Love) Whiting and Wallace Whiting. Mrs. James Richard Whiting married Richard Whiting.

Accession Code: BV018.41.59

Access Restriction: Subject to FIPPA

Reproduction Restriction: Reproductions subject to FIPPA

Date: [1947] (date of original)-[1998]

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Transcribed title

Interview with Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19611

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1946- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 20 Jan. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (90 min., 21 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (90 min., 4 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shushma Datt and her son, Sudhir Datta conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik. 00:00 – 12:47 Interview opens with introductions. Shushma Datt shares information about; where she’s lived in Burnaby sin…

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) (90 min., 21 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (90 min., 4 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik Interviewees: Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta Location of Interview: Spice Radio, Norland Avenue, Burnaby Interview Date: January 20, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:30:21 Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shushma Datt and her son, Sudhir Datta conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik. 00:00 – 12:47 Interview opens with introductions. Shushma Datt shares information about; where she’s lived in Burnaby since immigrating in 1972 and her arranged marriage which lead her to immigrate to Canada. Datt provides detailed information about her family background in Kenya and her parent’s decision to move their family from Kenya to India in the 1960s and then to England in the 1965. Datt describes her family’s experiences living in Kenya and India in the 1960s and provides some context on the political unrest that happened in Kenya which lead her family to leave. 12:48 - 28:07 Datt talks about her time living in England and shares information on her family life and her employment experiences. Datt conveys an experience from her childhood that inspired her to become a broadcaster and shares her experiences working for the BBC oversees service in England (1965-1972). Datt describes some of the articles that she's written for various publications and the people that she's interviewed. Datt highlights a particular experience about writing a critical review about the controversial design on Jimi Hendrix’s album “Axis: Bold as Love” that depicted Hindu religious iconography. 28:09 – 34:47 Datt and Datta provide further details about Datt's arranged marriage which lead her to immigrate to Canada in 1972 and to work as a broadcaster in Canada. Datt recalls her experiences working as a radio station operator for CHQM, a radio broadcaster for CJVB and starting her own South Asian radio station Rim Jhim in 1987. 34:48 – 40:01 Datt and Datta share information on where they’ve lived in Vancouver and Burnaby. Datt and Datta recall pivotal family life events that impacted their lives in 1974. 40:02 – 45:53 Datt recalls the travel trunks and contents that she and her family brought with them when they left Nairobi. Datt describes the letters that her parents wrote. Datt and Datta describe photos of their family and convey the impacts to their family after two of Datt’s brothers died at 24 years of age. 45:54 – 50:56 Interview continues chronologically from 1974, after Datt’s son, Sudhir Datta was born. Datt describes how she had to work hard to help pay her bills and support her family. Datta describes his childhood growing up as a South Asian child living and attending school in Burnaby (1979-1992). Datt and Datta recall Datt’s graduation ceremony and Datta’s Order of British Columbia awards ceremony. 50:57 – 58:03 Datt and Datta talk about food and cooking and where they’ve shopped for traditional food supplies. Datta explains her family lineage as Hindus who eat meat and how she’s been a vegetarian for over 30 years. Datt and Datta share stories about Datt’s mother Leela Datta. 58:04 – 1:05:38 Both Datt and Datta reflect on what’s it’s been like living as South Asians in Burnaby. Datt conveys the message that she got from her mom, Leela Datta "not to assimilate but to integrate". They both reflect on how the ethnic and cultural diversity of neighbourhoods has changed over time and Datt describes his experiences as a student in Burnaby. 1:05:39 – 1:16:51 Datt and Datta talk about the role of religion in their lives, describe the purpose of Radio Rim Jhim and reflect on how the South Asian community has grown in Metro Vancouver and the disparities created within. They both recall how their lives were threatened and impacted in 1984 following an interview that Datt did with Indira Ghandhi. Datt talks about the origins of her and her son’s surnames. 1:16:52 – 1:26:11 Datt and Datta talk about and reflect on their own experiences of racism and discrimination. Datt talks about Spice Radio’s annual campaign “Raise your hands against Racism”. Datt and Datta provide background on the radio stations Rim Jhim and Spice Radio including; how they got started, their unbiased approach to broadcast content and their experiences in the complex realm of broadcasting a multi-cultural radio station. 1:26:12 – 1:30:04 In closing, Datt and Datta convey what they think that younger generations of South Asian Canadians should understand about the South Asian Community in British Columbia.

History: Interviewees biographies: Shushma Datt was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1946 and is the second eldest of six children. In the 1960s during the unrest in Kenya, her family moved to India. After about nine months of living in India, Datt's family decided to return to Kenya, leaving Datt and her brother to complete their education in India. While living in India, Datt studied at Delhi University and worked at the Indian newspaper. In 1965, Datt, her parents and five siblings decided to leave Kenya and immigrated to England. While living in England, Datt got work as a broadcaster with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) overseas service, producing her first program in 1969. During her time with the BBC, Datt has interviewed many influential artists including Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles as well as the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. In 1972, Datt immigrated to Canada and settled in Burnaby. In late 1973, Datt sponsored her mother who joined her in Burnaby. Datt joined the CJVB radio station in Vancouver working as the Punjabi and Hindi language broadcaster. Datt worked here until 1978 when she started her own radio station, Radio Rim Jhim. In 2005, Datt obtained her own AM radio band license for a multicultural radio station RJ1200 which was later rebranded "Spice Radio". In 2015, Datt launched Spice Radio's annual "Hands Against Racism" campaign which has won awards from the Government of British Columbia and the B.C. Association of Broadcasters. Datt has also been a producer for Omni TV and Shaw TV and was the first woman to obtain a broadcasting license from the Canadian Radio- Television Telecommunications Commission. In 1992, Shushma Datt was awarded the Order of British Columbia and is also the recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. Datt has been listed by the Vancouver Sun newspaper as among the 100 "most influential Indo-Canadians" and has been recognized by the Royal British Columbia Museum as one of the 150 "most influential British Columbians". Sudhir Datta is the only child of Sushma Datt and was born in Burnaby. Datta graduated with a computer science degree from Capilano University in 1995. Datta is the Vice President of Media Broadcasting (founded in 1984) creating television and radio programming for Canada's South Asian Community and has been the General Manager and Program Director of Spice Radio since 2006. Datta is also the author of many articles highlighting the South Asian community in Vancouver. 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”. Jane Lemke has worked in various museums in the Lower Mainland and has been the Curator at Burnaby Village Museum since 2019. Her educational background includes a Master of Arts degree in History and a Master of Museum Studies degree. Her research focus has been on trauma and memory and its role in shaping Canadian identity. She loves sharing memories and stories of Burnaby with the public. Jane sits on the Council of the BC Museums Association and is the Chair of the BC Museums Association Professional Development and Education Committee.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Migration; Occupations - Broadcasters; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Journalists; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Radio Stations; Religions; Religions - Hinduism; Religions - Sikhism; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Datt, Shushma; Datta, Sudhir; Datta, Lila Vati "Leela"; Spice Radio; Rim Jhim

Responsibility: Malik, Anushay; Lemke, Jane

Accession Code: BV023.1.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1946- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 20 Jan. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcript available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta, [1946- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 20 Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0003_003.mp3

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19610

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview…

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: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Kate Petrusa and James Binks Interviewees: Rajinder and Raj Pandher Location of Interview: Love farmhouse, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 4 Total Length of all Tracks: (3:06:01 min) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto four 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 Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview begins on January 10. Rajinder Pander provides information on where he was born and where he grew up and shares details regarding his family and his childhood including; his elementary and high school education and experiences and his involvement and interest in the sport of field hockey. 08:53 – 23:24 Raj Pander provides information on where she was born and shares details regarding her family and education. Raj recalls details of her family life in India including her family farm, her father’s service in the Indian National Army and other ancestor’s involvement in the military. Rajinder assists with the details regarding Raj’s father’s military service and explains how he was highly decelerated for his heroic actions. Rajinder conveys further information in reference to the Sikh Empire. 23:25 – 35:53 Rajinder and Raj share information on their formal education. Raj explains how she learned English and talks about the other spoken languages that her family used while she was growing up. Rajinder and Raj recall how they first met which lead them to marry in 1971. Rajinder provides information about his older brothers who left India before him. He explains how his elder brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1970 and provides details on his other brother who lived in Malaysia and England before coming to Canada in 1975. Rajinder conveys how after his brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher arrived in Canada, he lived in Campbell River and worked at the saw mill there. 35:54 – 1:01:38 Rajinder and Raj share their immigration stories including details of; what lead them to immigrate, their immigration route, what they brought with them and where they lived and worked. Rajinder and Raj tell of how they both faced discrimination in finding work that they were qualified for and describe some of the jobs that they worked at before obtaining their Real Estate licences. 1:01:39 – 1:13:09 Rajinder and Raj share information on where they’ve purchase traditional food supplies in Burnaby and Rajinder provides further details on his employment and recalls how they were able to purchase their first home in Burnaby. 1:13:10 - 1:19:33 Rajinder describes how he began writing for the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”. Rajinder shares how he first started printing small pamphlets of Sikh Cultural history in 1975 and how he’s been volunteering with the National Democratic Party (NDP) since 1973. 1:19:34 - 1:38:24 Second part of interview continues on January 24, 2023. Rajinder provides further information about the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”, provides an historical summary of the Sikh Empire and the Sikh religion and describes a book that’s he’s written about his culture and the village he lived in India. 1:38:25 - 1:52:24 Raj describes some of the traditional textiles that she’s created including a dury, embroidered cloth (pakha and pakhi) and clothing. Raj shares a story of a train derailment in India in which her father survived. 1:52:25 - 2:14:53 Raj Pandher talks about her father’s letters and diaries, Rajinder talks about receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service and they both talk about their daughter Amanjit’s education and career accomplishments. Raj describes her involvement in the community council of her children’s school and both Raj and Rajinder describe their involvement in multicultural education and events that they were involved with in Burnaby and New Westminster. Interviewer lists Rajinder Pandher’s many volunteer awards and accomplishments. 2:14:54 - 2:39:53 Raj and Rajinder describe some of their family photographs as well as personal items from India including decorative arts and textiles. They talk about celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary and the origin of their Sikh names. Rajinder describes a visit to Paldi in 1977 when the whole family was baptized at the Sikh temple and provides informaton about Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Sikh child born in Canada. Rajinder discusses what he thinks a cookhouse looked like, his friendship with former Mayor William J. Copeland and wages of South Asians working in sawmills. 2:39:54 - 3:06:01 Raj and Rajinder talk about food including where they’ve purchased traditional South Asian foods and what they grow in their home garden. Rajinder provides details about the Burnaby Multicultural Society, talks about South Asian work ethics and housing and shares some of the cultural and religious traditions of Sikhs and celebrations that take place in Vancouver and Burnaby.

History: Interviewees biographies: Rajinder Pandher was born five years prior to the Partition of India in the Village of Jhamat, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Raj Pandher was born in 1948 in the Village of Chapar, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Rajinder played field hockey while living in India and is passionate about the sport. Both Rajinder and Raj Pahndher attended college in India and were married in India in 1971. Rajinder Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1972 and his wife, Raj Pandher joined him in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Rajinder Pandher started working at a sawmill in Campbell River but didn't like the work and moved to Vancouver to find better employment opportunties. In 1976, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented until they could buy a home a year later. They raised two children who attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School in Burnaby. Rajinder and Raj Pandher were both very involved with multicultural efforts at their childlren's schools including turban tying and sari demonstrations and Rajinder was a founding member of the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Interviewers biographies: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013. James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Housing; Employment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Persons - Volunteers; Religions - Sikhism; Migration; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues; Celebrations; Sports - Field Hockey

Names: Pandher, Raj; Pandher, Rajinder; Copeland, William J.; Pandher, Harman; Pandher, Amanjit; Burnaby Multicultural Society; The Western Sikh Samachar

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate; Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.1.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcripts available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0002_003.mp3

Staff reunion party

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4646

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1940 and 1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a staff reunion floor party for employees of the dressmaking department at "The Bay" department store. Flossie Parsons can be seen seated near the centre of the photograph in the white sweater.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a staff reunion floor party for employees of the dressmaking department at "The Bay" department store. Flossie Parsons can be seen seated near the centre of the photograph in the white sweater.

History: Flossie Maude Parsons (nee Smith) was born to George Henry Smith, a farm labourer, and Harriet Ann Savage on February 13, 1896 in Ealing, England. She immigrated to Canada with some of her family members in the early 1920s. They lived in Winnipeg for a few years as an older brother had settled there in 1912. She married Herbert Russell Parsons on June 23, 1928. They first lived in Vancouver and finally bought a home at 7091 Jubilee Avenue, South Burnaby in the early 1930s. In 1943, Flossie was certified in Home Nursing. Herbert Parsons was active during the Second World War as a volunteer for Civil Defence in Burnaby and worked as a salesman for Woodwards. The couple had no children. Herbert passed away on May 23rd, 1957 (age 84) and Flossie passed away on April 6, 1996 (age 100).

Other Title Information: Title based on content of photograph

Names: Parsons, Flossie Maude Smith

Accession Code: BV017.38.11

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1940 and 1950]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 26-Mar-2018

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