112 records – page 1 of 6.

Hill family and Vidal family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82116
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1850-1983]
Collection/Fonds
Hill family and Vidal family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
255 photographs : b&w and sepia and 9.5 cm of textual records : ill. (some col.)
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs and textual records from the Vidal and Hill family. Textual records include handwritten family trees, typed and handwritten biographical information of the Jones, Wright, Hyde, Vidal, and Hill families, copies of photographic prints, published works by J. H. Vidal and …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1850-1983]
Collection/Fonds
Hill family and Vidal family fonds
Physical Description
255 photographs : b&w and sepia and 9.5 cm of textual records : ill. (some col.)
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2013-03
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs and textual records from the Vidal and Hill family. Textual records include handwritten family trees, typed and handwritten biographical information of the Jones, Wright, Hyde, Vidal, and Hill families, copies of photographic prints, published works by J. H. Vidal and William Cowper, newspaper clippings, and a New Testament.
History
Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill was born in Burnaby on July 31, 1893, to Marian (nee Berkeley) and Bernard Richard Hill. Marian was born in London, England. Bernard Hill, born in Bengal, India, in 1858 to Sir Richard Hill and Jane Ann (nee Rollinson) where his father worked for the East Indian Railway, was one of the early inhabitants of Burnaby. Despite their years of training as engineers, Bernard, along with his brother, Louis Claude Hill, became strawberry farmers and owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and halfway around Deer Lake. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. Bernard also served as a Burnaby trustee and as councilor of Burnaby in 1904, 1905, 1906, and 1909. Bernard and Marian had four children: A. Claude (born in England around 1885, married Marion “Mamie”), Frank L., Winnifred “Winnie” L., and Gerry. Gerry attended Miss Harriet Woodward’s kindergarten class, and went on to Edmonds School with Miss Ellen Lister as his teacher. He later went to Central High School in New Westminster, often on horseback. Gerry served in World War I, signing his recruitment papers on November 9, 1914. When he returned home, he worked felling trees, then as an apprentice surveyor and finally as a carpenter. His father, Bernard, died in Burnaby on March 27, 1939, at the age of 80. Bernard's brother, Louis, was one of the first members elected to the Burnaby council and served in 1892, 1893, 1894, and again from 1909-1910. Louis, born in 1860, married Annie Sarah Kendrick (born in 1896) and they moved to the Burnaby Lake area in the early 1890s. Together they had one child, Katherine “Kitty” Maude, born in 1898. The first Hill family home, “Brookfield,” was sold around 1907 and the family moved to their new home, “Broadview,” which was also built in the vicinity of Deer Lake. Kitty, their only child, married William “Bob” John Peers in 1925 and they went on to have three children: Robert C.K., Barbara (later Barbara Jeffrey), and Anne (later Anne Latham). Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal was born in 1897 in the United States to Louisa Sophia (nee Jones) and Herbert P. Vidal. Louisa Vidal (1871-1943) was a descendent of Jones of Exeter of England and the House of Llanio Cardigan of Wales. Herbert Vidal (1868-1934)’s father was Alexander Vidal (1819-1906). Alexander Vidal, born in Brocknell, England, immigrated to Upper Canada in 1835 and later served as a senator of Canada from 1873 to 1906. He married Catherine Louisa Wright, the daughter of Capt. William Elliot Wright. Both of Charlotte’s parents, Louisa and Herbert, were born in Ontario. Charlotte Vidal was sister to Dorothy Kate and Alexander E. E. Vidal. Gerry Hill (aged 27) and Charlotte E. Vidal (aged 23) married on September 28, 1920, in Vancouver. Gerry built a house for him and his wife about a thousand feet from his parents’ home. He also bought property at Yellow Point on Vancouver Island around this time. By the early 1930s, Gerry had moved to Yellow Point permanently and begun building the Yellow Point Lodge. Gerry and Charlotte bore three children: David, Lesley C. (born in 1929), and Gerald. Gerry was later remarried to Elizabeth (nee Holen) and had one child: Richard Grant McEwan Hill, born in Ladysmith. Lesley married M. Clarke and had two boys: Roy and Graham. She later married B. Durban and had four boys: Patrick, Michael, Gary, and Grant. Charlotte died on February 11, 1984, at the age of 87. Gerry died on January 30, 1988, in Ladysmith at the age of 93.
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Creator
Hill Family
Vidal family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo catalogue 550, MSS176
Less detail

Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1880-1980]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
ca. 1200 photographs and other material
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records, primarily photographs, compiled by various members of both the Hill and Peers families that document their lives during the early days of settlement in Burnaby. The fonds includes records of citizenship, wills and other official papers pertaining to the life and activitie…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1880-1980]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Physical Description
ca. 1200 photographs and other material
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records, primarily photographs, compiled by various members of both the Hill and Peers families that document their lives during the early days of settlement in Burnaby. The fonds includes records of citizenship, wills and other official papers pertaining to the life and activities of L. Claude Hill; photographs of the Peers family’s Burnaby Lake home, Greyfriars, and pictures taken by Arthur Peers during his work and travels throughout British Columbia in the first part of the 20th century; and photographs of the family of Claude Hill, early Burnaby Lake residents and scenes, and pictures Kitty took as an adult documenting the growth of her own family. Also included in this fonds are a number of photographs showing Yellow Point, Vancouver Island, where the Peers and Hill families often vacationed.
History
Bob Peers was born William John Peers, the son of real estate broker and early Burnaby resident, Francis John Peers and his wife Elizabeth Frisby. Originally from England, the family moved to Vancouver in 1905 and soon after settled at Burnaby Lake. The family included one daughter (Mary Elizabeth Dora) and four boys (Arthur Francis, William John “Bob”, Geoffrey Hugh, and Richard Dominic). When they arrived in Burnaby, Francis Peers purchased a piece of land from another early settler, Claude Hill, and built the family home “Greyfriars” near Deer Lake. The children attended school in the home of Miss Harriet Woodward, the first school to be held in the Burnaby Lake area. In 1925, Bob married Claude Hill’s daughter and another former pupil of “Miss Harry’s,” Kitty Hill. Kitty (born Katherine Maude Hill) was the only child of Burnaby pioneers L. Claude Hill and Annie Sara Kenrick. Having moved to the Burnaby Lake area in the early 1890s, Claude went on to operate a successful strawberry farm and soon became active in the political development of Burnaby – being elected to the first Burnaby Council and serving from 1892-1894 and again from 1909-1910. The first Hill family home, “Brookfield,” was sold around 1907 and the family moved to their new home, “Broadview,” which was also built in the vicinity of Deer Lake. In 1925, Bob and Kitty were married and they went on to have three children, Robert C.K., Barbara (later Barbara Jeffrey), and Anne (later Anne Latham).
Formats
All photographic records have been scanned and are saved in jpeg format on the City of Burnaby network. Archival master copies have also been produced in tiff format and have been burned to CD for preservation purposes.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Peers family
Hill family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

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
Less detail

Millway family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97224
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1898-1986
Collection/Fonds
Millway family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
4.5 cm. of textual records + 8 photographs (1 b&w , 18.5 x 23.5 cm ; 2 col. , 15 x 10 cm ; 5 col. , 10 x 30.5 cm) + 1 audio disc (66 min., 47 sec).
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of material collected and complied by Reginald and Betty Millway.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1898-1986
Collection/Fonds
Millway family fonds
Physical Description
4.5 cm. of textual records + 8 photographs (1 b&w , 18.5 x 23.5 cm ; 2 col. , 15 x 10 cm ; 5 col. , 10 x 30.5 cm) + 1 audio disc (66 min., 47 sec).
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2011-05
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of material collected and complied by Reginald and Betty Millway.
History
Reginald E. "Reg" Millway was born on December 20, 1915, at Milton Regis in the County of Kent. He graduated from London University (via Regent Street Polytechnic) and was appointed to the Air Ministry Technical Division in 1937, where he remained throughout World War II. Due to a hearing impairment he was unable to join the services and instead joined the Home Guard and served on fire bomb patrol in central London. Betty was born November 16, 1916, and married Reginald Millway in 1940. Together they had four daughters: Catherine; Penelope “Penny”; Jennifer; and Francis “Fran” (later Malcolm). Reginald left Britain with his family in March of 1948. They were on the last voyage of the Acquitania to Halifax, took a parlour car in a C.N. train to New Westminster and took up residence in South Burnaby. After two or three years, Reginald had established his own business, Marine Electronics. When the United Flower Growers Cooperative formed in the late 1950s, Reginald helped them assemble property at Roseberry and Marine Way in cooperation with the Director of Planning. A large auditorium was built there and Reginald helped them design, manufacture and install a complete electronic system. Modifications and additions have occurred along the way to the point that it is handling millions of dollars worth of flowers annually and it is the largest operation of its kind in Canada. Reginald ran in the Burnaby elections of 1957. Newly elected Mayor Alan Emmot offered him the chairmanship of the Zoning Board of Appeal (later the Board of Variance). He remained continuously chairman for the next 35 years. In 1962, Reginald joined the Rotary Club of Burnaby. He served as president in 1969 and remained a member for over 45 years. Betty was an accomplished writer and was the recipient of the 1984 Canadian Author’s Association Allan Sagster Award for long and meritorious service. Reginald was an early member of the Burnaby Historical Society and served as its president for three terms. He and Blythe Eagles went to Loughborough, England, on behalf of the Society to locate and clean up the site of Robert Burnaby's grave. Reginald was also on the committee that acquired the property and organised the establishment of the Burnaby Village Museum. Betty developed Robert Burnaby's family tree for the Historical Society and in the process made many contacts with prominent citizens of the Loughborough area, including the executive controller of the area, who introduced the Millways to the Mayor and Council. This formed the groundwork for a close relationship which Mayor Bill Lewarne formerly developed as a SisterCity relationship in 1985. The Millways were longstanding members of the Burnaby Beautification Committee and their garden was featured in Gardens West in the 1998 November/December issue. Betty died on July 21, 2005. Reginald died on November 7, 2010.
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Sound Recording
Creator
Millway, Reginald E. "Reg"
Millway, Betty
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
MSS157, PC 353
Less detail

Millway family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66632
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1898-1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and 1 photograph
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of material created and collected by Reginald and Betty Millway, including a map of the Municipal of Burnaby and research on Robert Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1898-1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Millway family subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and 1 photograph
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1997-12
BHS1999-11
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of material created and collected by Reginald and Betty Millway, including a map of the Municipal of Burnaby and research on Robert Burnaby.
History
Reginald E. "Reg" Millway was born on December 20, 1915 at Milton Regis in the County of Kent. He graduated from London University via Regent Street Polytechnic and was appointed to the Air Ministry Technical Division in 1937, where he remained throughout World War II. Due to a hearing impairment he was unable to join the services and instead joined the Home Guard and served on fire bomb patrol in central London. Betty was born November 16, 1916. She married Reginald in 1940. Together they had four daughters: Catherine, Penelope “Penny”, Jennifer and Francis “Fran”. The Millways left Britain in March 1948. They sailed on the last voyage of the Acquitania to Halifax, and then took a parlour car in a C.N. train to New Westminster and took up residence in South Burnaby. After two or three years, Reginald had established his own business, Marine Electronics. When the United Flower Growers Cooperative formed in the late 1950s, Reginald helped them assemble property at Roseberry and Marine Way in cooperation with the Director of Planning. A large auditorium was built there and Reginald helped them design, manufacture and install a complete electronic system. Modifications and additions have occurred along the way to the point that it is handling millions of dollars worth of flowers annually and it is the largest operation of its kind in Canada. Reginald Millway ran in the Burnaby elections of 1957. Newly elected Mayor Alan Emmot offered him the chairmanship of the Zoning Board of Appeal (later the Board of Variance). He remained chairman for the next 35 years. In 1962, he joined the Rotary Club of Burnaby; he served as president of the club in 1969 and was a member for over 45 years. Reginald was also an early member of the Burnaby Historical Society. He served as its president for three terms. He and Blythe Eagles went to Loughborough, England, on behalf of the Society to locate and clean up the site of Robert Burnaby's grave. Reginald was also on the committee that acquired the property and organised the establishment of the Burnaby Village Museum. Betty Millway was an accomplished writer and received the 1984 Canadian Author’s Association Allan Sagster Award for long and meritorious service. She developed Robert Burnaby's family tree for the Historical Society and in the process made many contacts with prominent citizens of Loughborough, including the executive controller of the area, who introduced the Millways to the Mayor and Council. This formed the groundwork for a close relationship which Mayor Bill Lewarne formerly developed as a Sister City relationship in 1985. The Millways were longstanding members of the Burnaby Beautification Committee and their garden was featured in Gardens West in the 1998 November/December issue. Betty Millway died July 21, 2005. Reginald E. Millway died November 7, 2010.
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Creator
Millway, Reginald E. "Reg"
Millway, Betty
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
PC353, MSS157
Less detail

Byrne family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription22
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[191-?] -1995
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Photographs and textual records
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of copies of photographs of the Byrne family and a photocopied essay entitled "Life on the North Arm of the Fraser River: The Experience of the Rowling Family" by Paula Cyr.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[191-?] -1995
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Byrne family subseries
Physical Description
Photographs and textual records
Description Level
Subseries
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1995-04
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of copies of photographs of the Byrne family and a photocopied essay entitled "Life on the North Arm of the Fraser River: The Experience of the Rowling Family" by Paula Cyr.
History
William Henry "Henry" Rowling was born February 9, 1826 in Truro, Cornwall, England. His wife, Mary Russell Rowling, was born November 19, 1832 in Strickland, Dorset, England. Their first child, Rosetta Mary "Rose" Rowling, was born August 8, 1858 in Plumstead, Woolwhich, Kent while Henry was in Esquimalt working as a Royal Engineer. The family then moved to New Westminster, and grew larger: James William Russell "Jim" Rowling born October 14, 1862; Henry Soar Rowling was born February 3, 1864; Priscilla Amelia Rowling (later Byrne) was born February 24, 1866; and William Henry Kemp Rowling was born September 2, 1867. The family settled at their farm on the North Arm of the Fraser River in September of 1868. They raised livestock and grew produce on their property for their family, which continued to grow. Thomas George Rowling was born on April 14, 1869 and Elizabeth Jane Russell Rowling was born on August 24, 1847. The Rowling children were raised Presbyterian but Priscilla later converted to Roman Catholicism when she married her husband, Peter Byrne, on May 15, 1892. As young adults, Priscilla and Peter lived on the North Arm, close to Priscilla's parents and youngest sister, Elizabeth. Her brother Henry moved his logging operations near the Byrne residence while James lived in South Vancouver with a family of his own. Their other siblings, Rose and Thomas, had passed away by this time. Peter and Priscilla had six children: Margaret Gladys Byrne, born February 28, 1893; twin daughters Mary and Norah; Kathleen; Ultan Patrick "Pat"; and Elizabeth Laura Byrne (later Cyr). After Henry and Mary Rowlings died in 1906, Elizabeth lived with her sister Priscilla and her nieces and nephews.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
PC316, MSS141
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Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory464
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1911-1990
Length
00:05:22
Summary
This portion of the interview is about how Al Nixon began collecting and saving photographs, records and stories about the history of the Burnaby Fire Department in the mid 1980's. Finding the first scrapbook of photographs lead to other discoveries that placed the beginning of the Burnaby Fire Dep…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about how Al Nixon began collecting and saving photographs, records and stories about the history of the Burnaby Fire Department in the mid 1980's. Finding the first scrapbook of photographs lead to other discoveries that placed the beginning of the Burnaby Fire Department in 1911.
Date Range
1911-1990
Length
00:05:22
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
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Richard Hardy family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97229
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912] (date of original) -1989
Collection/Fonds
Richard Hardy family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records; 27 b&w prints; 1 col. prints; 7 b&w neg.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of the Ward and Hardy famillies in their daily lives and work, including photographs of teachers and students at South Burnaby High School, and special events such as the Burnaby Civic employees union picnic, the Diamond Jubilee Parade, Princess Margaret's visit and Ma…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912] (date of original) -1989
Collection/Fonds
Richard Hardy family fonds
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records; 27 b&w prints; 1 col. prints; 7 b&w neg.
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2014-16
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of the Ward and Hardy famillies in their daily lives and work, including photographs of teachers and students at South Burnaby High School, and special events such as the Burnaby Civic employees union picnic, the Diamond Jubilee Parade, Princess Margaret's visit and May Day at Central Park. The fonds also includes ephemera documenting Katherine (Hardy) Raasheer's student life at a variety of Burnaby schools and programs from the opening of the Burnaby Municipal Hall in 1956 and a Corporation of Burnaby Service Awards ceremony in 1964.
History
Richard Hardy was born in Fishborn, Alberta, on November 3, 1910. In 1922, his family moved to the home of his maternal grandparents at 1127 Edmonds Avenue in Burnaby. His parents, John Harrison Hardy and Gertrude Hephezebarh (nee Ward) moved to Burnaby with their four children: Edith; Richard "Dick"; Geoffrey; and John Edward "Jack". Gertrude was born in Barrie, Ontario. John Harrison Hardy was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to Canada in 1899, settling at Pincer Creek area of Southern Alberta. In about 1910, Richard's grandparents, Col. James Edward Ward and his wife Hephzibah (nee Hale) moved from Alberta to Burnaby. Col. Ward was the postmaster in the Lozell's area of Burnaby and was a city councillor for the District of Burnaby in 1915. Dick was enrolled at Edmonds Street School for his elementary school years, and later attended Burnaby South High School for two years, taking a commercial course. The family attended St. Alban's Anglican Church. While Richard was a student, he and his brother Geoff delivered newspapers in the area, making about $12 per month. In 1911, Dick joined the Burnaby Boy Scouts and continued to be involved for the next 40 years. In 1927, at the age of 17 years, Dick began work for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby as an office boy in the Treasurer's Department and retired as Tax Collections Supervisor in 1973 after 45 years of service. From September 1942 until his discharge in 1946, Dick served in WWII in the Canadian Army. His brother, Jack, served in the Canadian Air Force and was killed in April 1943. In 1933, Dick's parents moved back to Alberta with three of their children, leaving him in the family home on Edmonds Street. In 1939, after courting, he and Mabel Lilian "Mabs" Young of New Westminster married. Prior to her marriage, Mabs was employed as a teacher at the Burnaby South High School. Mabs and Dick had two daughters, Lynne (b. 1941) and Katherine (b. 1947). The family lived on Edmonds Street until 1947 when they moved into their second home in Burnaby at 2006 Buller Avenue (now 7185 Buller Avenue). In 1960, Mabs and Dick moved to their third Burnaby home, located at 4337 Wildwood Crescent. Mabs died in 1980. Dick continued to live in Wilwood Crescent house until 1983, when he moved to an apartment for one year but, missing his garden, he bought a small house with a large yard located at 8452 16th Avenue. He stayed in this house from 1985 until 1998 when he could no longer live independently. He moved to assisted living at Canada Way Lodge then to the nearby George Derby Centre where he lived for a few months before dying in August 2001. Dick loved to hike and camp and enjoyed his family and his garden.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Notes
MSS183, photo catalogue 570
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Eagles family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912 -1995
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and photographs
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of records, correspondence, and photographs created by Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles related to their home and garden in the Deer Lake area of Burnaby. Also included in the subseries are records pertaining the Burnaby Historical Society, the book "The Fraser's History from Glacie…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912 -1995
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Eagles family subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and photographs
Description Level
Subseries
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1990-11
BHS1996-21
BHS2000-04
BHS1987-07
BHS1995-06
BHS1991-18
BHS1995-03
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of records, correspondence, and photographs created by Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles related to their home and garden in the Deer Lake area of Burnaby. Also included in the subseries are records pertaining the Burnaby Historical Society, the book "The Fraser's History from Glaciers to Early Settlements" and the Eagles' visit to Robert Burnaby's grave.
History
Blythe Eagles's paternal grandparents Charles and Maude Eagles immigrated to New Westminster in 1887. Their son Jack married Amelia Jane Johnston, and Blythe Eagles was born in New Westminster in 1902. In 1918, Blythe enrolled at the University of British Columbia and took a Physiology class with eight other top students; his future wife, Violet Dunbar, was the lone woman in the class. Blythe graduated in 1922, winning the Governor General's Gold Medal as top student. He received his MA in 1924 and his PhD in 1926 from the University of Toronto. He then completed his post-doctoral study at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, England. In 1933, Dr. Eagles became head of the Department of Dairying (1936-1955), Chairman of the Division of Animal Science (1955-1967), and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (in 1949 until his retirement in 1967). In 1968 he received an Honourary Doctor of Science Award from UBC. Blythe was also one of the first appointments to the Burnaby Town Planning Commission. Violet Evelyn Dunbar was born September 29, 1899 in Ontario, the eldest child of John and Mary (Tompson) Dunbar. Violet obtained her BA in 1921 and MA in 1922 from the University of British Columbia. In 1922 she attended the Provincial Normal School and within six months had a teaching certificate and taught at Lord Hudson School in 1923. In September 1923, she was awarded a two-year scholarship to the University of Toronto, where she joined Blythe in the Bio-Chemistry Department. She received a second MA and a PhD in 1929. Her graduate studies entailed research in pure proteins and enzymes related to the commercial production of cheese. Through this work, she was recognized as one of the leading enzyme chemists in the country, being a senior lab instructor of biochemistry. Violet was one of the founders of the Burnaby Council of Women and active member of the International Council of Women. Blythe and Violet Eagles purchased property at Deer Lake in 1929 and began construction of their home shortly before their marriage on June 25, 1930. The Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles Estate is a unique expression of the talents and tastes of both the Eagles and Frank Ebenezer Buck (1875-1970), who was head of the Horticultural Department and the Campus Landscape Architect at U.B.C. and established the plan for the Eagles garden while Blythe selected many of the plantings. The Eagles themselves designed the house as a romantic cottage inspired by the British Arts and Crafts style. Violet was an enthusiastic amateur gardener, maintaining and continually developing the garden. The Eagles were active volunteers in the local community as well as at UBC. When Simon Fraser University opened in Burnaby, they became well-known for entertaining dignitaries and special guests of the university in their lavish garden. After Violet's death in 1993, the estate was sold to the City of Burnaby. The funds were used to establish a Chair in Agriculture at the University of British Columbia in their memory.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Eagles, Dr. Blythe
Eagles, Dr. Violet
Notes
Title based on creator and contents of subseries
PC245, PC331, PC404, MSS032, PC314, PC482, MSS055
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Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory541
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1913-1990
Length
00:01:47
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s parent’s origins in France and immigration to Canada, a somewhat confusing explanation of Sev Morin’s parentage, and his work with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh FN.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s parent’s origins in France and immigration to Canada, a somewhat confusing explanation of Sev Morin’s parentage, and his work with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh FN.
Date Range
1913-1990
Photo Info
Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
Length
00:01:47
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
April 4, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
Total Tracks
10
Total Length
00:56:44
Interviewee Name
Morin, Severin "Sev"
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Kathleen Moore family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription75
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1918]-1985
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
4 photographs and 1 pamphlet
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of a photograph of the Moxham residence on 6th Street in Burnaby, photograph of Edmonds Street School class, and a pamphlet called "Gilmore Generations". Also included are two photographs of the Brook House at 7725 4th Street.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1918]-1985
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Kathleen Moore family subseries
Physical Description
4 photographs and 1 pamphlet
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1985-03
BHS1985-09
BHS1991-33
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of a photograph of the Moxham residence on 6th Street in Burnaby, photograph of Edmonds Street School class, and a pamphlet called "Gilmore Generations". Also included are two photographs of the Brook House at 7725 4th Street.
History
Kathleen Moxham was born in England in 1911. She emigrated from England with her family in 1912, settling first in New Westminster, BC. A year later, they moved to a large house on Sixth Street in Burnaby, BC. Kathleen’s father, Godfrey Moxham, worked as a contractor. He cleared land and built houses, including the Brook House (now the Normanna Rest Home). He died April 8, 1968. Kathleen attended Edmonds Elementary School and later Burnaby South High School. She remembers going on strike with fellow Edmonds Elementary students in 1919 when teachers refused to allow students a spring holiday after so much time had been lost to school closures brought on by the influenza epidemic earlier in the school year.
Names
Moore, Kathleen Agnes Moxham
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Moore, Kathleen Agnes Moxham
Notes
Title based on creator of subseries
PC 135, PC139, PC266, MSS156
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Eagles family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97217
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1919-1995
Collection/Fonds
Eagles family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
40 files of textual records and 1489 photographs (6 col. prints, 10 x 15 cm; 1,444 col. slides, 35 mm).
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records, correspondence, and photographs created by Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles related to their home and garden in the Deer Lake area of Burnaby. Also included in the collection are records pertaining the Burnaby Historical Society, the book "The Fraser's History from Glac…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1919-1995
Collection/Fonds
Eagles family fonds
Physical Description
40 files of textual records and 1489 photographs (6 col. prints, 10 x 15 cm; 1,444 col. slides, 35 mm).
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2008-10
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records, correspondence, and photographs created by Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles related to their home and garden in the Deer Lake area of Burnaby. Also included in the collection are records pertaining the Burnaby Historical Society, the book "The Fraser's History from Glaciers to Early Settlements" and the Eagles' visit to Robert Burnaby's grave.
History
Blythe Eagles's paternal grandparents, Charles and Maude Eagles, immigrated to New Westminster in 1887. Their son Jack married Amelia Jane Johnston, and Blythe Eagles was born in New Westminster in 1902. In 1918, Blythe enrolled at the University of British Columbia and took a Physiology class with eight other top students. His future wife, Violet Dunbar, was the lone woman in the class. Blythe graduated in 1922, winning the Governor General's Gold Medal as top student. He received his MA in 1924 and his PhD in 1926 from the University of Toronto. He then completed his post-doctoral study at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, England. In 1933, Dr. Eagles became head of the Department of Dairying (1936-1955), Chairman of the Division of Animal Science (1955-1967), and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (in 1949 until his retirement in 1967). In 1968, he received an Honorary Doctor of Science Award from UBC. Blythe was also one of the first appointments to the Burnaby Town Planning Commission. Violet Evelyn Dunbar was born September 29, 1899, in Ontario, the eldest child of John and Mary (Tompson) Dunbar. Violet obtained her BA in 1921 and MA in 1922 from the University of British Columbia. In 1922, she attended the Provincial Normal School and, within six months, had a teaching certificate and taught at Lord Hudson School in 1923. In September 1923, she was awarded a two-year scholarship to the University of Toronto, where she joined Blythe in the Bio-Chemistry Department. She received a second MA and a PhD in 1929. Her graduate studies entailed research in pure proteins and enzymes related to the commercial production of cheese. Through this work, she was recognized as one of the leading enzyme chemists in the country, being a senior lab instructor of biochemistry. Violet was one of the founders of the Burnaby Council of Women and active member of the International Council of Women. Blythe and Violet Eagles purchased property at Deer Lake in 1929 and began construction of their home shortly before their marriage on June 25, 1930. The Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles Estate is a unique expression of the talents and tastes of both the Eagles and Frank Ebenezer Buck (1875-1970), who was head of the Horticultural Department and the Campus Landscape Architect at U.B.C. and established the plan for the Eagles garden while Blythe selected many of the plantings. The Eagles themselves designed the house as a romantic cottage inspired by the British Arts and Crafts style. Violet was an enthusiastic amateur gardener, maintaining and continually developing the garden. The Eagles were active volunteers in the local community as well as at UBC. When Simon Fraser University opened in Burnaby, they became well-known for entertaining dignitaries and special guests of the university in their lavish garden. After Violet's death in 1993, the estate was sold to the City of Burnaby. The funds were used to establish a Chair in Agriculture at the University of British Columbia in their memory.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Other Title Information
Title was changed from Eagles family collection to Eagles family fonds to better reflect the nature of the materials.
Notes
Title based on contents of collection
BHS245, BHS331, BHS404, MSS032, BHS314, BHS482, MSS055
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Interview with Kay Zimmerman by Rod Fowler [February] 1990 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory530
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1920-1990
Length
00:07:37
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Burnaby growing from “a dreamy little community” with little business to transact in council, to a municipality providing many more services and planning for and supporting industrial, commercial and residential growth. She talks about the first malls at Brent…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Burnaby growing from “a dreamy little community” with little business to transact in council, to a municipality providing many more services and planning for and supporting industrial, commercial and residential growth. She talks about the first malls at Brentwood and Lougheed, the George Derby lands, and the return of Oakalla Prison lands to Burnaby.
Date Range
1920-1990
Photo Info
Kay Zimmerman, [1973]. Item no. 231-021
Length
00:07:37
Subjects
Government - Local Government
Taxes
Public Services
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
[February] 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Kay Zimmerman, conducted by Rod Fowler. Kay Zimmerman was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Kay Zimmerman’s political activities in Burnaby and her description of her Lochdale neighbourhood in the 1960s. She provides an excellent overview of the municipal political groups and important political issues in Burnaby from 1960 to 1980. She tells the story about an early and successful political action that convinced her that an individual can make a difference. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Kathleen “Kay” Zimmerman, her husband Gordon and their young son Rick moved to Burnaby from Vancouver in 1960 to a house on Curtis Avenue near Duthie Street (a second son Bruce was born in Burnaby). Kay Zimmerman worked 12 years at Royal Columbian Hospital in the admitting office, then 4 years (1974-1979) as special assistant to Senator Ray Perrault, followed by work as a judge on the Citizenship Court before retiring. Gordon Zimmerman worked at the Shell Refinery. A member of the Liberal Party and political activist before arriving in Burnaby, Kay Zimmerman continued her involvement in national and local politics. She campaigned for Ray Perrault during the Trudeau years, and was a founder and active member of the Burnaby Voters Association (BVA). Her political activities encompassed 30 years that saw major changes in Burnaby, including the building of SFU, creation of Heritage Village, an awakening environmental sensibility, and a dramatic increase in population and development in Burnaby.
Total Tracks
10
Total Length
01:04:36
Interviewee Name
Zimmerman, Kay
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of interview with Kay Zimmerman

Less detail

Easthope family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription99
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1924-1982
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Photographs and other material
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs, papers, and film footage related to the Easthope family, including George Jr. and Dorothy May's home at 6671 Halifax Street in Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1924-1982
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Easthope family subseries
Physical Description
Photographs and other material
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS2003-06
BHS2003-10
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs, papers, and film footage related to the Easthope family, including George Jr. and Dorothy May's home at 6671 Halifax Street in Burnaby.
History
The Easthope family has lived in Burnaby since 1889, when Ernest and Ann Easthope emigrated from Wolverhapton, England with eight of their nine children and settled in the Edmonds district. They later moved to Vancouver where Ernest started Easthope Bros., a marine engine business on Georgia Street with two of his sons, Percy and George. George married Elizabeth Tisdale of Sapperton, BC in 1902 and in 1905, George Jr. was born, eventually having eight siblings. In 1926, the family moved to Lochdale, Burnaby, where the children attended St. Helen's Catholic private school, Capitol Hill School and Burnaby North High School. George Jr. married Dorothy May Parkes (b. 1903), and by 1930, they had built a house at 6671 Halifax Street in Burnaby where they lived for the rest of their married lives. George Jr. died in 1986.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Moving Images
Creator
Easthope family
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
PC451, MSS105, MI630
Less detail

Donald N. Brown subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1925 (date of original)-1995
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and other material
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs taken by Freeman Donald N. Brown while involved in Burnaby Historical Society activities and textual records pertaining to his career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Also included in the subseries are documents and photographs from his involvement with vari…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1925 (date of original)-1995
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Donald N. Brown subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and other material
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1987-03
BHS2003-04
BHS1992-20
BHS1995-09
BHS2000-10
BHS1991-41
BHS2001-12
BHS2004-01
BHS2004-12
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs taken by Freeman Donald N. Brown while involved in Burnaby Historical Society activities and textual records pertaining to his career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Also included in the subseries are documents and photographs from his involvement with various community groups including the Oakalla Lands Citizens' Committee, renovations of Burnaby Village Museum, and the restoration of Interurban tram no. 1223.
History
Donald Neil "Don" Brown was born in Birmingham, England. In 1922, while still an infant, he and his family moved to Winnipeg, Canada. On September 8, 1939, Don left his Senior Matriculation classes to join the Royal Canadian Engineers. Two weeks later, he eloped with his high school sweetheart, Helen J., just months before he was to be shipped overseas with the 3rd Contingent of Canadian Troops. He served in the army with the Royal Canadian Engineer’s 12th Field Company and saw action in both Sicily and Italy. In 1945, Don returned to obtain his Senior Matriculation and a year of university studies before re-enlisting in the army as a Second Lieutenant. He spent the next two years stationed in Chilliwack with Helen and their first child. In 1947, he left the army to join the ranks of the British Columbia Provincial Police force, embarking on a three-decade long career. His first assignment brought him to Burnaby where he served from 1947-1954, first as a member of the BC Police Department and then as a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman. In 1954, Don was transferred to Regina, Saskatchewan and then to Ottawa, Ontario to serve in the Crime Detection Laboratories. He became a qualified Examiner of Questioned Documents and provided expert testimony in handwriting, counterfeiting, graphic arts, and alterations. He attained the rank of first Corporal, and then Sergeant in the RCMP. He was transferred to Vancouver to be the Second in Charge of a new laboratory and head of the Document Section in July, 1963. On December 9, 1967, Helen Brown ran as an independent for the position of Alderman on the Burnaby Council. She was not elected. In May 1970, Don was promoted to Sub-Inspector and transferred to Edmonton to take command of the new Crime Detection Laboratory. By 1972, he was promoted to full Inspector. Transferred back to Vancouver in 1975, Don became the Officer-in-Charge of a new Crime Laboratory and took over the National Police Services pilot project for British Columbia. He was rewarded for this work with a promotion to Superintendent in September 1975. In 1976, after a distinguished 35 years combined service to the armed forces and the police, Don retired and founded his own laboratory to carry on his work in the field of questioned documents. He became a Fellow (Emeritus) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, a Life Member (Emeritus) and Past Director of the Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences, a Member of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners. After his retirement, Don became involved in local politics and, with the blessing of his wife and six children, joined the Burnaby Voters’ Association as their Secretary. In 1978 he was elected to a two-year term as a Burnaby School Trustee. During the next municipal election in November 1979, he successfully ran for Alderman. Don Brown served Burnaby as Alderman from 1979 to 1985. During this time, Don also became a member of the Community College for the Retired, the Horsemen’s Society and the Burnaby Historical Society. He also gave his support to Arts Council programs and numerous other community functions over the years and author "Why?: The Last Years of the British Columbia Policy 1858-1950" about the BC Provincial Police. In 1991, Don was appointed as Chair of the Burnaby Centennial Committee, dedicating himself to making Burnaby’s Centennial celebration a memorable success. His contributions were always supported by his wife Helen, and their work during the Centennial Year was just one example of the strength of their 66-year partnership. They were both formally recognized for their efforts when they were chosen to receive the Kushiro Cup and named the Citizens of the Year in 1992. Also that year, Don was a recipient of the Canadian 125 Medal and one year later, in March 1993, Donald Brown was awarded Burnaby’s highest honour and was made a Freeman of the City of Burnaby. Don passed away in 2009.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Moving Images
Creator
Brown, Donald N. "Don"
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
PC194, PC241, MSS098, MSS148
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Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory441
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1926-1989
Length
00:10:22
Summary
This portion of the interview is mainly about the start of the Lewarne family ice cream business in the Depression and its history under three generations of the family. He also remembers the hard times of the Depression, the schools he attended in South Burnaby, and Mr. Seller’s shetland ponies.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is mainly about the start of the Lewarne family ice cream business in the Depression and its history under three generations of the family. He also remembers the hard times of the Depression, the schools he attended in South Burnaby, and Mr. Seller’s shetland ponies.
Date Range
1926-1989
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
Length
00:10:22
Subjects
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Business
Geographic Access
Nelson Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 14, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.
Total Tracks
14
Total Length
1:34:40
Interviewee Name
Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Bill Lewarne

Less detail

Interview with William J. Copeland by Rod Fowler February 18, 1990 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory438
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1927-1990
Length
00:06:37
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Bill Copeland's childhood in Burnaby and Vancouver, his father's work as a miner, his war service, education, and his three children
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Bill Copeland's childhood in Burnaby and Vancouver, his father's work as a miner, his war service, education, and his three children
Date Range
1927-1990
Photo Info
Mayor Bill Copeland cutting the ribbon for the opening of the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts accompanied by Jack and Doris Shadbolt and Councillors Doug Drummond and Derek Corrigan, 1995. Item no. 535-0067
Length
00:06:37
Subjects
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Education
Industries - Mining
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 18, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with former Burnaby Mayor William J. Copeland conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Copeland was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Copeland’s education, career and experience as a Burnaby firefighter from 1955 to 1987, and his work for the union International Association of Fire Fighters. He talks about his early family life in Burnaby and Vancouver, war service, training with the Federal Fire Service, the organizations he has belonged to, and the careers of his three children. He briefly talks about Burnaby politics and his unexpected election to Mayor of Burnaby. Major themes of the interview, described by track: Track 1: Organizations - Unions; Public Services - Fire Protection; International Association of Fire Fighters; Track 2: Public Services - Fire Protection; Track 3: Elections; Track 4: family history and education; Track 5: Public Services - Fire Protection; Track 6: Elections
Biographical Notes
William John (Bill) Copeland (1927-2002) was born in Vancouver May 19, 1927. As a young child he lived with his parents on Southwood Street in South Burnaby on a chicken ranch. Bill’s father was a miner and was often away from home. The family moved to Pioneer Mines at Bridge River for a few years and then moved back to Vancouver in 1941 when his father contracted silicosis. Bill served in the navy for about a year near the end of WWII, was in the Canadian Merchant Marine and worked as a pipe fitter, before beginning his career as a fire fighter. He trained with the Federal Fire Service and worked two years at the Wireless Station in Delta. In 1955 he started work as Fire Fighter No. 53 in Burnaby, retiring 33 years later in 1987. Most of his career was spent at the Control Station or Number 1 Firehall, first located at Wiilingdon and Hastings (now No.5 Station) and later on Sperling near Canada Way. Bill worked as a first aid instructor, eventually moving into the training office, and retired as assistant chief. In 1987, shortly after retiring, Bill was asked to run for Mayor for the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). Much to his surprise he won. He served with distinction for three terms (1987-1996). Bill, his wife Ruth, and their three children, Doug and Dan (both firefighters) and Emily (a teacher), lived in North Burnaby on Cliff Avenue, the family home for about 35 years. Bill was active in many organizations including the Cliff Avenue soccer organization, St. John Ambulance, Burnaby Red Cross, and CNIB, among others. He began representing firefighters locally in the International Association of Fire Fighters in the early 1960s, eventually becoming President of the provincial association and then Vice President of the 6th District representing Western Canada.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:25:35
Interviewee Name
Copeland, William J
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of interview with William J. Copeland

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Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory466
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1927-1990
Length
00:04:05
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.
Date Range
1927-1990
Length
00:04:05
Names
Waddell, Gordon
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Buildings - Civic
Transportation - Fire Trucks
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory471
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1928-1990
Length
00:07:51
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon's father Basil Nixon, who was Provincial Fire Marshall, and his mother Agnes, whose father Thomas Douglas was murdered in 1934, perhaps for political reasons. He also talks about the Burquitlam neighbourhood where his Douglas grandparents lived in the…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon's father Basil Nixon, who was Provincial Fire Marshall, and his mother Agnes, whose father Thomas Douglas was murdered in 1934, perhaps for political reasons. He also talks about the Burquitlam neighbourhood where his Douglas grandparents lived in the heritage home "Seven Gables" on Sullivan Street. He relates some childhood events, including the train wreck on Burnette Creek in 1936.
Date Range
1928-1990
Length
00:07:51
Historic Neighbourhood
Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lyndhurst Area
Cameron Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Tom Mark by Eric Damer October 12, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory366
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1930-1995
Length
0:05:40
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Thomas "Tom" Mark's experiences as a care giver for his wife as well as a volunteer at the Burnaby Health Department. He mentions being awarded Burnaby's Kushiro Cup Citizen of the Year Award in 1995. Tom finishes his interview with a childhood story involv…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Thomas "Tom" Mark's experiences as a care giver for his wife as well as a volunteer at the Burnaby Health Department. He mentions being awarded Burnaby's Kushiro Cup Citizen of the Year Award in 1995. Tom finishes his interview with a childhood story involving his uncle's roadster.
Date Range
1930-1995
Length
0:05:40
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 12, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Thomas "Tom" Mark conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 12, 2012. Major theme discussed: being a volunteer.
Biographical Notes
Thomas "Tom" Mark was born in 1923 and grew up in New Westminster. In 1937 his family moved to Victoria, British Columbia where he finished his schooling and worked for a year in the shipyard before enlisting in the air force. He was stationed in England during the war, and in 1946 he bought a small house in East Burnaby for his English bride and himself. For three years Tom drove a heating fuel truck for Shell Oil and then became the agent for a Shell marine service station on the Fraser River, near the Patullo Bridge. His aviary garnered him the nickname “birdman of Burnaby.” His son attended St. Thomas Moore High School and then Simon Fraser University when it opened in 1965. In 1995 Tom Mark was awarded the Kushiro Cup for Outstanding Citizen of the Year for his volunteer work with the Burnaby Health Department.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:32:43
Interviewee Name
Mark, Thomas "Tom"
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Tom Mark

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