10 records – page 1 of 1.

Rooted : Chinese Canadian stories in Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7646
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
2023
Call Number
971.133 ROO
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Material Type
Digital Resource
ISBN
978-0-9689849-2-5
Call Number
971.133 ROO
Contributor
Fong, Denise
Lemke, Jane
Codd, Lisa
Place of Publication
Burnaby
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
2023
Printer
Metropolitan Fine Printers
Physical Description
203 p. : ill. ; 30.5 cm
Library Subject (LOC)
Chinese Canadians--British Columbia--Burnaby--History
Race discrimination -- Canada
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Agriculture
Agriculture - Farms
Persons - Families
Rights
Rights - Human Rights
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Notes
There are two versions of the book: English and Simplified Chinese (left, below) and the other in English and Traditional Chinese (right, below).
From the late 1800s to the present day, Chinese Canadians have made Burnaby into a more vibrant and livable city. Rooted: Chinese Canadian Stories in Burnaby brings together a collection of diverse stories and photographs from the community, celebrating the legacy and contributions of Burnaby’s Chinese Canadian community spanning over a century. This coffee-table book features oral histories and interviews with descendants of multigenerational family farms, green grocers, corner stores, restaurants, and places of worship. Also included are archival research and community perspectives on anti-Asian racism, community activism, courage, and resilience.
The publication has been timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Chinese Exclusion Act by the Government of Canada in 1923. This federal legislation followed decades of discriminatory legislation by Canada’s federal, provincial and municipal governments that targeted Chinese Canadians by limiting opportunities to live, work and raise families in Canada. The Chinese Exclusion Act banned almost all migration from China and remained in place until 1947. Publishing this book in 2023 is an effort by the City of Burnaby to recognize the impact of discriminatory legislation on Chinese Canadians in our community, including discriminatory bylaws and practices implemented by Burnaby’s early municipal government.
Edited by Denise Fong (Lead Researcher), Jane Lemke (Burnaby Village Museum Curator) and Lisa Codd (City of Burnaby Heritage Planner).
Images
Digital Books
Less detail

Oral history interview with Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19146
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
29 Jun. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)
Scope and Content
Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, pla…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Series
Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos interview series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Denise Fong Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewees: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos Location of Interview: Home of Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos on Victory Street, Burnaby Date of interview: June 29, 2022 Total Number of Tracks: 3 Total length of all Tracks: 02:06:53 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto 3 separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, places of residence, education, career history, how they met, Jimmy's experience working in the film industry, their home in Burnaby and their neighbourhood, their political activism in Burnaby, Robin Chung Dip's work in Vancouver’s' Chinatown, the gambling scene in Vancouver prior to legalized forms of gambling and their memories of supper clubs in Vancouver. 00:00 - 5:57 Opening introductions where Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos provide information on their full names, their birth places and their ancestral background. Jimmy clarifies that his birth name is Hipman Chow but that he was given the English name “Jimmy” by his father when he came to Canada. Jimmy shares that he was born in 1948, in the Village of Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China and immigrated to British Columbia with his mother, Gim Gee Chow in 1950 to escape the Communist Regime and to join his father who had already immigrated to Canada. Jimmy imparts that many Chinese immigrated to British Columbia in search of a better life, referring to it as “Gold Mountain” and that even though they faced extreme racial discrimination that many stayed since they felt that it was better than returning. Donna Polos shares ancestral information on both her maternal and paternal sides of the family. Donna’s mother’s family came from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James Kostopolus (renamed Polos) emigrated as a 12 year old orphan from Sparta, Greece to the United States but was denied entry so ended up going to Halifax and eventually made his way to Vancouver. Once in Vancouver, he became a restaurant proprietor and over the years, he owned and operated three restaurants in Vancouver, including; “Jimmy’s Café” (next door the Astoria Hotel); “Home Apple Pie Café” (Princess Avenue & Hastings Street) and a restaurant that was located on Alma Street. 05:58 - 13:28 Jimmy recollects in further detail, the many places that his family lived over the years. Jimmy’s father Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Vancouver at the age of 14 years and worked and lived in Victoria and Vancouver. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother fled China, first to Hong Kong and then to Vancouver to join his father. Soon after arriving in Vancouver, for the next four years, he and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec City where his father, Robin had work in restaurants and hotels. Jimmy attended school while the family lived in these different places and began to learn English. After four years, the family returned to Vancouver, first living in areas of Chinatown and Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Jimmy shares his memories of growing up in Strathcona and the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, schools that he attended and the friendships that he made. Jimmy recollects details about the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church that he attended and describes the demands of the education required to become a Lutheran minister. 13:29 - 15:47 Jimmy tells of how his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow had to pay the Chinese Head Tax of $500 when he arrived in Vancouver at 14 years of age (1921) and how his father had to work hard pay off the head tax over the years. Denise Fong and Jimmy Chow, talk about the origin of a photograph portrait of Jimmy Chow that was taken around 1954 and speculate whether it might have been taken by well known portrait photographer, Yucho Chow. 15:48 - 19:33 Donna Polos recollects the many locations that her family lived while she was growing up in Vancouver. First residing at various locations in the downtown east side of Vancouver before moving to a home near Joyce Station where she lived until 21 years old. After 21 years of age, Donna moved in with roommates in Vancouver before moving in with Jimmy in North Burnaby in 1972. In 1976 Donna and Jimmy purchased their home on Victory Street. Both Donna and Jimmy talk about their careers after high school. Jimmy talks about how he worked at the Supervalu grocery store near his house. Jimmy planned to use his savings from his job to travel but instead he used his savings for a down payment on a house with Donna. Donna imparts that after obtaining her teaching degree she began working in Burnaby schools, eventually teaching at Burnaby South. 19:34 - 32:08 Both Jimmy and Donna share their educational background and experiences growing up. Jimmy first attended Florence Nightingale elementary in Strathcona, then Mount Pleasant Elementary and later high school at 24th Avenue and Main Street. Donna lists the schools that she attended including; elementary school in Strathcona, Carlton Elementary School at Kingsway and Joyce, Windermere High School, Vancouver City College (Langara) and the University of British Columbia. Donna and Jimmy reflect on public transportation that was available during the time they were growing up. Donna recollects her childhood growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station, the freedom that she experienced playing outside in nature and what inspired her to become a teacher. Jimmy reflects on some of his mentors and about his first experience seeing movies as a young child at a cinema in Asquith, Saskatchewan. Donna communicates her own experiences of sexism throughout her high school, college and university education (1968-1972). 32:09 - 36:18 Donna talks about her career history and some of her major turning points. Donna recollects starting out as a Chemistry lab assistant, marking math papers before working as a teacher on call and eventually being hired as a teacher at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. Donna shares a memory of her first experience working as a teacher on call at Gilmore Elementary School and the fire that occurred there. After starting a family (Jimmy and Donna had three children) Donna worked part time teaching while Jimmy worked full time in film. Donna, shares that in 1991, after a near death experience, she became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. With this experience, Donna experimented with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. Donna tells of how she retired from teaching in 2008 but continued to participate in the schools as an Artist in Residence. 36:19 - 58:18 Jimmy talks about his work and career history. He shares memories of his experiences as a young boy delivering newspapers, working at a local pharmacy, stocking shelves at the local supermarket, and his experience working with troubled youth and of how he thought that he might like to become a social worker. Jimmy tells of how he was uncertain of what to do until he got a job with the CBC in 1973 which eventually launched his career as a property master in the film industry, becoming a member of IATSE and a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures. Jimmy describes in detail what it means to be a property master and the work that is entailed in the film industry. 58:19 - 1:07:45 Donna Polos describes her art practice and her connection to Burnaby. Donna recollects how she first started working with textiles and fabrics from a young age and how this later inspired her to develop her own watercolour techniques of painting on paper, canvas and fabrics. Donna describes how she first got started by taking art classes in Burnaby and now has over 31 years of experience working in watercolour. Donna has worked as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools, been a member of the Burnaby Arts Council, had her first show in 1997 and has been involved in many art projects over the years. Donna describes the style of her work, first starting with more figurative work, social commentary and still life and that now most of her work is landscape based. Donna coveys that as a political activist in Burnaby, she was an active participant in the development of a tree bylaw, has petitioned to protect renters from demo-evictions and the impacts of future development on the local environment. 1:07:46 - 1:07:59 Background discussion between Denise Fong and Kate Petrusa re interviews. 1:08:00 - 1:26:36 Jimmy provides information on his connection to the local film industry and the changes that have occurred over the years. Jimmy describes the first studios on the North Shore and the eventual establishment of Bridge Studios on Boundary Road. Jimmy shares that in 1988, he and some of his colleagues in the film industry put a proposal together to buy the Bridge Studios but it didn't go through. Since the Bridge Studios and other film studios have been established in Burnaby and Vancouver, the industry has grown exponentially. Jimmy became the 54th member of the local IATSE union. Jimmy describes some of his experiences working on various productions including "Seven Years in Tibet", provides a description of what a film studio is, how it is used and the differences between working in the film industry in the United States and British Columbia. 1:26:37 - 1:32:46 Jimmy and Donna recollect how they first met, buying a house in Burnaby, getting married and starting a family. The two share memories of their wedding in White Rock and Jimmy talks about the Chinese hair cutting ceremony in recognition of their first born child that took place in Chinatown in Vancouver. Jimmy tells of how his parents had hopes of him marrying a Chinese woman and his mother began introducing him to a few young Chinese women from the time he was 16 years old. Jimmy mentions that his parents rarely used Western Medicine and relied on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Donna and Jimmy talk about Jimmy's parents, when they died and how happy his parents were to have grandchildren. 1:32:47 - 1:40:13 Jimmy and Donna talk about their house on Victory Street which they purchased in 1976. They share information on the history of the house, how it was built in 1939 by Norm Clark, how they fell in love with the design of the house and the neighbourhood. 1:40:14 - 1:58:31 Jimmy and Donna share information on their family life in Burnaby, their neighbourhood and favourite places in Burnaby. Donna lists the schools that their three children attended including; Nelson Avenue School, Burnaby South High School and Burnaby Central High School. Both Donna and Jimmy convey that all of their children played soccer and the benefits that the sport provided them. Donna and Jimmy talk about how the neighbourhood has changed over the years, the benefits of where they live, their fondness for built heritage and the many parks and trees in Burnaby. 1:58:32 - 2:02:50 Jimmy begins to share information on his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow's employment history. Jimmy recalls that his father, Robin worked in a variety of jobs over the years and as a young child, Jimmy was uncertain of what his father's job was but thought that he worked in accounting. He mentions that his father stopped working at 45 years of age due to a problem with his Achilles tendon. Jimmy describes his father as an intellectual who worked at gambling houses in Vancouver's Chinatown where people played mah-jong and fan-tan. Jimmy recollects that these were large clubs with lots of employees. His father never gambled but he was good with money so he worked on the management side. Jimmy mentions that while working in the film industry, his father took him and some of his film colleagues into some of the gambling houses in Chinatown to assist them with a production that they were working on. 2:02:51 - 2:06:58 Donna shares her own family history regarding gambling. She mentions that her uncle worked as a high end "bookie" in Vancouver and how in 1968, her uncle was arrested but got let go with just a small fine. Jimmy describes what gambling was like in those days with various sweepstakes, not under the jurisdiction of the government like it is today. Both Donna and Jimmy recollect the popularity of supper clubs their memories of Vie's Chicken and Steak House that was located in Hogan's Alley. Jimmy laments the destruction of Hogan's Alley and the other proposals that were brought forward that would change Chinatown and Strathcona.
History
Interviewees biography: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow immigrated to Vancouver from China with his mother, Gim Gee Chow to join his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow who'd immigrated to Canada at 14 years of age in 1921. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec before returning to Vancouver around 1954. Jimmy and his family then lived and worked in Vancouver eventually settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. In the early 1970s, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos and they married in 1981. Donna Polos was born in 1949 to Donald James Polos and Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana Polos and grew up in Vancouver. Between the age of 5 and 21 years, Donna lived in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. In 1976, Jimmy and Donna purchased and moved into a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they still live today. While living on Victory Street, they've raised their three children. Donna received her teaching degree and taught in elementary schools for many years. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna developed an interest in drawing and painting and began experimenting with water colour painting on fabric. Donna has since exhibited her work widely, participated as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Jimmy entered the film industry in 1973, gaining experience and recognition as a property master and has worked on many films over a 45 year career. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
Buildings - Residential
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Education
Geographic Features - Parks
Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods
Government - Local Government
Industries - Film
Migration
Occupations
Occupations - Artists
Occupations - Grocers
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Occupations - Teachers
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Social Issues - Racism
Sports - Soccer
Names
Bridge Studios
Chow, Gim Gee Dang
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Chow, Robin Chung Dip
Polos, Donna
Polos, James "Jimmy", 1898-1962
Polos, Donald James
Polos, Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana
Geographic Access
Victory Street
Accession Code
BV022.21.1
Date
29 Jun. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of recording
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Inkwells to Internet: A History of Burnaby Schools

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7551
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
978-0-9781979-2-6
Call Number
371 CAR
Author
Carter, David
Cooke, Rosemary
Pride, Harry, 1925-
White, Janet
Yip, Gail
Place of Publication
Burnaby
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
2020
Physical Description
vii, 35 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Burnaby (B.C.)--History
Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
Subjects
Education
Notes
"Includes index"
A history of the Burnaby school district and individual school buildings in Burnaby, BC, between 1893 and 2013.
The “First Nations cemetery” described on page 109 in Mary Johnson’s recollections was originally written as “Indian” and may refer to the Khalsa Diwan Society’s Sikh cremations at the Vancouver Cemetery.
Images
Digital Books
Less detail

Lucky Number: A Tribute to my Sisters

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9672
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
2016
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 video recording (mp4) (9 min., 8 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
Scope and Content
This film by Jadzia Prenosil follows the life of three sisters. They were born, educated and spent the first two decades of their lives in Communist (Czecho) - Slovakia. In August of 1968 the Warsaw Pact forces/Russian Army invaded the country in order to stop the spread of democracy lead by Presid…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
Series
Elders Digital Storytelling project series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 video recording (mp4) (9 min., 8 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
Scope and Content
This film by Jadzia Prenosil follows the life of three sisters. They were born, educated and spent the first two decades of their lives in Communist (Czecho) - Slovakia. In August of 1968 the Warsaw Pact forces/Russian Army invaded the country in order to stop the spread of democracy lead by President Dubcek. In fear of repercussions the family decided to leave their homeland. While they pondered over their fate in nearby Vienna, Austria they received an invitation from their aunt who lived in Vancouver. They were granted the status of refugee and were sponsored by the Canadian government. They arrived to Vancouver in October 1968. The film depicts their life in both countries ( Slovakia/Canada ) and tells a story of their strong relationship that spans for over half a century. It is this bond that helped them to overcome the many challenges and traumas they had to face throughout their lives.
History
Jadzia (pron. Ya-dja) Prenosil was born in Trnava, Czecho- Slovakia in 1951. She emigrated to Canada in 1968. After she acquired basic English skills at a night school she entered Grade 11 in Lord Byng High School in Vancouver. She completed her Bachelor degree in French and Spanish at UBC. In order to improve these two languages she spent some time in France to learn French and later travelled across Central and South America. This experience widened her view of the world. She remains an avid explorer, traveller to this day. After travelling and working at different jobs she obtained a teaching degree from SFU. In 1988 she began teaching French and ESL in Killarney Secondary School. For the next thirty years she had worked with refugees from all over the world and developed close friendships with many of them. Her own experience of being once an immigrant herself and learning English as a teenager allowed her to reach out to many students and helped them integrate into Canadian society. In 1991 she moved to an old (1931) character home in North Burnaby where she and her husband live happily to the present day.
Creator
Prenosil, Jadzia
Other Title Information
title supplied by film maker
Subjects
Migration
Names
Prenosil, Jadzia
Accession Code
BV016.37.3
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
2016
Media Type
Moving Images
Notes
Transcribed title
Images
Video

Lucky Number: A Tribute to my Sisters, 2016

Less detail

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47231
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.50.37
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.50.37
Description
Pin; green, gold, black, yellow; "Burnaby 1984"; flying bee holding a torch, "B.C. Summer Games"
Object History
The B.C. Games were established in 1977, and the first summer games were held in 1978. In 1984 the B.C. Summer Games was held in Burnaby. Premier W.R. Bennett's vision for this organization was "an opportunity to bring all parts of BC together, large and small communities, in the spirit of sport and friendship". Commemorative pin for the 1984 B.C. Summer Games held in Burnaby.
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Documentary Artifacts - - Memorabilia
Object Term
Pin, Promotional
Marks/Labels
Burnaby 1984 / B.C. Summer Games
Measurements
L: 2.9 cm x W: 2.1 cm
Subjects
Adornment
Adornment - Lapel Pins
Events - Competitions
Sports
Images
Less detail

Pioneer tales of Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5860
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
c1987
Call Number
971.133 SON COPY 4
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
096928280x
Call Number
971.133 SON COPY 4
Contributor
Sone, Michael
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
Corporation of the District of Burnaby
Publication Date
c1987
Physical Description
495 p. : ill. ; 31 cm.
Inscription
"TR687 - Bryburgh" / handprinted in pencil on frontend page
Library Subject (LOC)
Pioneers--British Columbia--Burnaby
Frontier and pioneer life
Biography
Object History
Early Burnaby as recalled by the settlers themselves who arrived from every corner of the world between 1888 and 1930, some witnessing incorporation of the district in 1892, all seeking a better life for themselves and especially for their children, all helping transform the wilderness into the modern municipality of today.
Notes
"Editor Michael Sone".
Includes index.
4 copies held: copy 4
Images
Digital Books
Less detail

Tram memories : in celebration of the restoration of Interurban 1223

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5863
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
McGeachie, Pixie, 1921-
Publication Date
c2007
Call Number
388.460971 TRA
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
Call Number
388.460971 TRA
Author
McGeachie, Pixie, 1921-
Contributor
Friends of Interurban 1223
Place of Publication
Burnaby
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
c2007
Printer
City of Burnaby Printshop
Physical Description
91 p. : ill., map ;,20 cm
Library Subject (LOC)
Electric railroads
Local transit
Street-railroads
Transportation
Subjects
Transportation
Transportation - Electric Railroads
Geographic Access
Vancouver
Name Access
British Columbia Electric Railway Company
Notes
Editor : Pixie McGeachie
Images
Digital Books
Less detail

Chinese Canadian history in Burnaby resource guide

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7608
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
[2022]
Call Number
971.1 CHI
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Material Type
Digital Resource
Accession Code
BV022.8.1
Call Number
971.1 CHI
Contributor
City of Burnaby
Place of Publication
Burnaby, BC
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
[2022]
Physical Description
36 p. ; ill. (some col.), maps, ports
Library Subject (LOC)
Burnaby (B.C.)--History
Burnaby (B.C.)--Social Life and Customs
Chinese Canadians--British Columbia--Burnaby--History
Chinese--British Columbia--History
Pharmacy--Canada
Pharmacy--United States
Pharmaceutical museums
Directories
Object History
Chinese Canadians have contributed to Burnaby’s growth for over a century. The long and intertwining histories between Chinese Canadians, Indigenous people and other communities have shaped the founding of Burnaby and British Columbia. This resource guide was created because their life experiences and important contributions to Burnaby’s development are not widely known.
Images
Digital Books
Less detail

History of Burnaby and vicinity

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6890
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Green, George, 1872-1955
Publication Date
1947
Call Number
971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1
, Feb- 18th, 1908. B u r n a b y A d v e r t i s e r , August 4th, 1939. 2. Begg's H i s t o r y of B . C . , page 324. �Moody might expect to w o r k henceforth, and Burnaby, still r e t a i n i n g the w a r m friendship of Douglas, returned i n the following September to V i c - toria to reside. O n
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV017.17.1
Call Number
971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1
Author
Green, George, 1872-1955
Place of Publication
[S.l.]
Publisher
[s.n.]
Publication Date
1947
Printer
Shoemaker , McLean & Veitch
Physical Description
233 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.
Inscription
"Presented To my valued fried Rev. D. W. Scott. a former neighbor at Capitol Hill with best wishes of the author George Green Victoria March 1 1947" [handwritten in black ink on page opposing front pastedown] "BMMM-WU SIGNED 1st ED 50.00" [handwritten in pencil on page opposing front pastedown]
Library Subject (LOC)
Burnaby (B.C.)--History
Burnaby (B.C.)
Biography
Name Access
Green, George
Notes
Autographed by author
"By George Green, pioneer resident of Burnaby, and an ex-Councillor. Charter Member of the British Columbia Historical Association, Vancouver Branch, and an Executive Member."
Copy 2 of 2
Images
Digital Books
Less detail

Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12338
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)
Scope and Content
Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Julie Lee Location of Interview: Home of Julie and Cecil Lee Interview Date: February 6, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:53:46
Scope and Content
Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some information about her father Puy Yuen Chan. 0:00- 01:47 Julie Lee provides background information on her families’ connection to Burnaby and conveys how her maternal grandparents farmed a five acre lot at Still Creek and Douglas Road. Her grandparents grew vegetable produce and operated a piggery at this location. Her mother, Suey Ying Jung (Laura) was the middle child between two older sisters, Maida and Annie and her two younger brothers Gordon and Harry. They were all born at home and educated at Edmonds Elementary School. 01:48- 11:47 Julie provides some background information about her mother, the friendships she made growing up, when she got married and places that she lived. She tells of her mother marrying in 1942 at age 30 years, moving to Fraser Mills and then onto Maillardville in 1958. There was easy access to the Interurban tram so her mother was able to have a social life with others in Vancouver’s Chinatown. She says that many of the only existing photographs of the family living on the farm at Still Creek and Douglas Road can be attributed to her mother’s friend Lil Mau [sic] who owned a camera. The farm was sold around 1949 when her grandparents moved to East Vancouver. While operating the farm, her grandparents only hired Chinese workers who spoke the same language and ate the same foods as them. Despite this, her grandparents made friends with the Collin’s family who assisted them in adjusting to the Canadian way of life. Julie tells that her mother’s sister Maida and brother in law lived with them at Fraser Mills. Her mother’s sister Maida had nine children so Julie’s mother helped her in raising them. 11:48 – 16:53 - Julie talks about racial prejudice towards the Chinese in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She says that for the most part, her mother’s family had a very insular life on the farm and mainly socialized only within the Chinese community. Julie tells of how she recently became aware of a memoir “The Way it Was”, written by Burnaby resident, Fannie Waplington. The memoir is held as part of the Burnaby Village Museum collection. In the memoir, Fannie Waplington tells of how she was forbidden from visiting Julie’s mother on their farm due to her ethnic background. Julie conveys that it seems like it was a missed friendship for both her mother and Fannie. 16:54 – 22:30 Julie describes what school life was like for her mother and what she may have done outside of school. Her mother attended Edmonds School in the 1920s up to Grade 7 or Grade 8. Julie explains that Asian girls were never offered the opportunity to pursue higher education while her mother’s brothers continued with their education attending Vancouver Technical School. Her mother continued to work on the farm until she was married cooking for workers and helping her mother. Outside of school, she may have helped with looking after nieces and nephews, played cards and mahjong. She says that her mother continued to play cards with her own children and was a skilled knitter into her 80s. 22:31 – 30: 53 Julie tells of what she knows about the Chinese workers on the farm and Fraser Mills and what they did on the weekends. She figures that many may have played card games to pass the time and at Fraser Mills gambling occurred. Fishing was a highlight for her father and she recalls him fishing sturgeon. Single workers may have gone into Vancouver on the weekends. Julie says that her parents had a hobby farm while living at Fraser Mills and that they grew enough garlic to sell in Chinatown. She thinks that before living at Fraser Mills, her mother must have went to Chinatown quite a bit, assisting with banking and enjoying a social life. Julie shares that her father, Puy Yuen Chan came to Canada from China at twelve years of age but working as a shingle packer, he never learned to speak English. She figures that her parents must have met at Fraser Mills while her mother was visiting her sister Maida. 30:54 – 37:33 Julie describes her mother as the cook, caregiver and the “one man show”. She says that her mother enjoyed cooking traditional Chinese recipes. Julie talks of her own cooking and gardening skills which she may have inherited from her parents including her large patch of garlic. 37:34- 40:23- Julie is asked as to whether her mother attended Chinese school and says that she had some Chinese schooling. She could read and write a little but didn’t attend a formal school as far as she knows. Julie shares some background information on her own husband Cecil, who grew up in East Vancouver. She shares that Cecil’s family went back to China from 1931 until 1939 when they returned to Queensborough. Cecil attended Chinese school in New Westminster. 40:24 – 42:19 Julie speaks briefly about what type of medical care her mother and her family had. She relates that all births took place at home and they accessed a Chinese herbalist in Chinatown. Hospitals were accessed in 1950s—1960s. The family did use Western doctors that were insured under the medical system. She recalls growing up and having to drink a particular herbal brew at least once a month to stay well. 42:20- 46:47 Julie describes how her parents stayed connected with their families in China. She says that her mother’s family didn’t stay in touch with relatives in China and that her uncles rejected anything to do with the past. On her father’s side they maintained a connection with cousins. She recalls that her father, Puy Yuen Chan supported some of his relatives back home in China and stayed in touch with some. Her mother, Laura travelled to China in 1991 and 1992 and connected with some relations on Julie’s father’s side. 46:48- 53:46 In this segment, Julie speaks of her mother’s character being very self-assured, independent and goal oriented. She feels that her mother valued being surrounded by her family and friends and felt very comfortable growing up in Burnaby and with the relationships that she had. She feels that her mother adapted to her roles being the last of four children on the farm and that she was very self-sufficient and determined.
History
Interviewee biography: Julie Lee (nee Chan) is the daughter of Suey Ying Jung (Laura) and Puy Yuen Chan. Her mother's family owned and operated a vegetable and piggery farm on Douglas Road near Still Creek in the early 1900s. Their farm was located in front of the Douglas Road interurban tram station. Her mother had two older sisters named Maida and Annie and two younger brothers Harry and Gordon. Her mother was born in 1912 and left the farm for Fraser Mills when she was married in 1942. Julie grew up with her parents and siblings on the Fraser Mills site during the 1940s and 1950s. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Agriculture - Farms
Education
Buildings - Schools
Names
Lee, Julie Cho Chan
Chan, Puy Yuen
Jung, Suey Ying "Laura"
Wong, Suey Fong "Maida" Jung
Jung, Suey Cheung "Harry"
Jung, Suey Yook "Gordon"
Jung, Gee Shee
Jung, Chung Chong
Jong, Suey Kin "Annie" Jung
Responsibility
Fong, Denise
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Accession Code
BV020.6.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Related Material
See also BV018.16.1
Scan Resolution
1000
Scan Date
01-Oct-2017
Scale
96
Notes
Title based on contents of interview
Photograph info: Suey Ying (Laura) with produce baskets [between 1940 and 1942]. BV017.24.27
Images
Audio Tracks

Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020

Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0002_001.mp3
Less detail

10 records – page 1 of 1.