55 records – page 2 of 3.

Interview with Gail Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4492
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (0:10:03 min)
Scope and Content
Track 2: This portion of the recording pertains to Gail’s organized activities, her best and worst childhood memories, recreation, shopping, her feeling about living in Burnaby and the changes she has observed. 0:00-3:18: Gail continues to talk about Brownies. She relates her worst childhood memor…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Growing Up in Burnaby subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (0:10:03 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Gail Yip Date of interview: May 9, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 2 Total length of all Tracks: 0:22:16
Scope and Content
Track 2: This portion of the recording pertains to Gail’s organized activities, her best and worst childhood memories, recreation, shopping, her feeling about living in Burnaby and the changes she has observed. 0:00-3:18: Gail continues to talk about Brownies. She relates her worst childhood memory, but can’t select a best. She describes how her activities were affected by living in the Marine Drive corridor, which was a difficult place to walk or cycle, or even cross the street. Gail mentions that her older sister encountered racial prejudice, but she can’t remember encountering any herself. 3:18-7:58: Gail discusses living in Burnaby, and the changes she has observed in the city. She describes the Kingsway corridor as busier and more congested now, but notes that there are improved opportunities for shopping . Gail recalls that her family did their grocery shopping at the Safeway at Royal Oak Avenue and Rumble St., and went to Woodward’s department store in New Westminster. She relates that although her family occasionally went to Chinatown in Vancouver, and that as a teenager she sometimes went to Vancouver to shop, she went to New Westminster more often, preferring the movie theatres there also. She notes that bus service on Marine Drive was infrequent, which affected her activities. Gail recalls that shopping days and hours were more restricted when she was a child. She describes how her family shopped by car, when her father was available to drive, until her mother began driving them later. 7:58-10:03: Gail shares her favourite things about living in Burnaby. She recalls being married at South Burnaby United Church, where she had gone to Sunday School, but not by a Chinese minister as she doesn’t speak Chinese.
History
Recording of an interview with Gail Yip recording by Tom Gooden on May 9, 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1950s and 60s.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Names
Yip, Gail
Accession Code
BV017.45.4
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Audio Tracks

Interview with Gail Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2, 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

Interview with Gail Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2, 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0004_002.mp3
Less detail

Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19635
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (87 min.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (86 min., 51 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks on July 26 2023. 00:00-12:02 Interview opens with introductions. Jenny Siormanolakis shares details about her parents Eugene and Europe Siormanola…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (87 min.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (86 min., 51 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis Location of Interview: Prado Cafe, 4321 Still Creek Dr., Burnaby Interview Date: July 26, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:26:60 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Ambient sound from cafe in background of interview
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks on July 26 2023. 00:00-12:02 Interview opens with introductions. Jenny Siormanolakis shares details about her parents Eugene and Europe Siormanolakis who were both born in Greece and immigrated to Vancouver. Jenny provides details about the history of Romana Pizza restaurant including; the restaurant partners, the various locations, her father’s work ethics of running the restaurant and the staff who worked there. Jenny provides details about her father's life, his ancestral background and family relations which lead him to immigrate to Vancouver. Jenny shares childhood memories of helping out in her parents’ restaurant and later working there. 12:03 – 26:41 Jenny describes various food dishes that have been on the menu of Romana Pizza and Steak House and Romana Pizza, how they've evolved over time, how her father learned to cook traditional Greek food and develop his own recipes and where he sourced his restaurant food supplies. Jenny conveys how they used social media to advertise the restaurant, describes the election pizza poll that Romana Pizza held during the federal and provincial elections and a baby poll that was held at the restaurant to guess the weight of her and her sister’s babies. 26:42 – 31:47 Jenny talks about her marriage and recollects how she got married in a civil ceremony at Romana Pizza. Jenny talks about her family life while her family was running the restaurant, their decision to sell the restaurant and describes the last days of running the restaurant. 31:48 – 46:33 Jenny conveys the background story of her business “Granpa J’s”. Jenny describes how her uncle Jimmy Voulides, created his own seasoning salt product and after he died in 2003, Jenny and her sister Nora purchased the business. Jenny describes how they developed their business, created new products, their struggles and how they became successful. Jenny describes how their products have been developed from family recipes and recalls how the actor Ryan Reynold’s helped their products become even more successful overnight. 46:34 – 55:38 Jenny talks about different community festivals and events that she’s been involved with including; Greek Day on Broadway (Vancouver) and the Hats Off Day event in North Burnaby. Jenny shares the background history of Greek Day in Vancouver and information about other Greek community events. Jenny talks about the importance of bringing the community together and the importance of knowing the history of your ancestors and where they came from. 55:39 - 1:04:35 Jenny talks about her involvement with the Greek community newspaper “Gnome” and provides details about; the former creator and editor Kostas Karatsikis, the newspaper's content, it's importance in the Greek community and the distribution. Jenny describes some of the articles that she’s written for the Gnome newspaper. 1:04:36 - 1:14:12 Jenny describes some pivotal moments that occurred over the years at Romana Pizza including; placing second in the Vancouver Sun newspaper contest for Best Pizza (1986) and having members of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team frequent their restaurant. Jenny conveys how the restaurant benefited from having a website and using social media as a marketing tools. 1:14:13 - 1:22:42 Jenny talks about her involvement with Kolanki Group West, Euro Find foods and her passion for Greek food and other European foods. Jenny describes some traditional Greek recipes, family recipes, talks about marketing Grandpa J's products and reflects on the menu of Romana Pizza. 1:22:43 - 1:26:51 Jenny reflects on the role of the Greek community, how food plays a roll, the future of the Greek community in Vancouver and Burnaby and the importance of engaging the younger generation. In closing Jenny provides a quote from an article that she wrote “Forgive the mistakes of the past, let it go and realize that we are all equals...”.
History
Interviewee biography: Eugenia "Jenny" Siormanolakis is the daughter of Eugene and Europe Siormanolakis. Jenny’s father, Eugene Siormanolakis immigrated to Canada from Greece in the late 1960’s and her mother Europe Siormanolakis immigrated in 1973. In April 1973, her father and five partners opened the restaurant “Romana Pizza and Steak House” (later renamed "Romana Pizza") located at 4660 Hastings Street in the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood. Jenny and her sister Eleanora Iliakis spent much of their childhood in the family owned restaurant and also worked at the restaurant as they become older. Jenny’s parents continued to own and operate the restaurant until 2014 when they decided to retire from the business. In 2004, an opportunity arose for Jenny and her sister Eleanora to buy their recently deceased uncle’s business Grandpa J’s Seasoning Inc. They launched their business of “Grandpa J’s” seasoning first selling to local restaurants and eventually adapted their product line to include other Greek seasoning products which they developed from their own recipes. They expanded their clientele to include retail outlets and in 2020, they got a boost to their sales when actor Ryan Reynolds promoted their seasoing product "Vancity Grind" on Instagram. Since launching their business they have been featured in many culinary and business publications and were nominated in 2022 as finalists for Product of the Year by BC Food and Beverage. Jenny is extremely passionate about food, her Greek heritage and is an advocate for food security for children and seniors and mental health. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
Businesses
Elections
Foods
Migration
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Persons - Greek Canadians
Names
Gnome Publications
Iliakis, Eleonara Siormanolakis
Karatsikis, Kostas "George"
Siormanolakis, Eugenia "Jenny"
Nikolaidis, "Eleni"
Nikolaidis, Stelios
Romana Pizza
Siormanolakis, Eugene
Siormanolakis, Europe
Voulides, Demetrios "Jimmy"
Responsibility
Binks, James
Geographic Access
Hastings Street
Street Address
4660 Hastings Street
Accession Code
BV023.16.13
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis, [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023

Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis, [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0013_003.mp3
Less detail

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4532
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (0:11:13 min)
Scope and Content
Track 2: This portion of the recording pertains to Ken’s university education and jobs, his activities as a youth with friends and in school, his parents’ backgrounds, and the family’s religious practices. Ken relates how his friends came to him, knowing how busy he was on the farm, and how he spen…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Growing Up in Burnaby subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (0:11:13 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Ken Yip Date of interview: May 9, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 5 Total length of all Tracks: 0:62:00
Scope and Content
Track 2: This portion of the recording pertains to Ken’s university education and jobs, his activities as a youth with friends and in school, his parents’ backgrounds, and the family’s religious practices. Ken relates how his friends came to him, knowing how busy he was on the farm, and how he spent the spare time he had. He describes going as far as Washington State and Mission to watch car racing with friends when he was older. Ken speaks of his family as nominally Buddhist through his mother, who was from China. He recalls that, despite this, he and his brother were bused to Sunday school at a church near Joffre Ave. He talks of the activities and trips the church had for the children, whom, because of the distance, he didn’t see otherwise. He describes travelling with the school band, their fundraising, and their billeting arrangements.
History
Recording of an interview with Ken Yip recording by Tom Gooden on May 9, 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1950s and 60s.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Names
Yip, Ken
Accession Code
BV017.45.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Audio Tracks

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2, 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2, 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0005_002.mp3
Less detail

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4635
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
July 8 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (0:06:57 min)
Scope and Content
Track 1: This portion of the recording pertains to Jean’s early years. She was born August 16, 1915, to Joseph and Wilhelmina Wright. Jean recalls the house that her family lived in, at 3871 East Pender Street, until she was six years old. She describes the family’s move to a property one block awa…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (0:06:57 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Teresa Ballentine Interviewee: Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright (later Jean McCallum and later Jean Hogg) Total Number of Tracks: 6 Total Length of all Tracks: 1:09:29
Scope and Content
Track 1: This portion of the recording pertains to Jean’s early years. She was born August 16, 1915, to Joseph and Wilhelmina Wright. Jean recalls the house that her family lived in, at 3871 East Pender Street, until she was six years old. She describes the family’s move to a property one block away on the same street, their acquisition of a house which they had moved to that lot, and their additions to it. Jean also talks about her mother, and relates several incidents characteristic of her and of their relationship.
History
Recording is an interview with Jean Hogg conducted by her daughter Teresa Ballentine. Jean talks about her life as a resident of Burnaby from her childhood in the 1910s to widowhood in the 1960s. Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright was born in Burnaby in August 1915, two years after her family moved to 3871 East Pender Street. She was one of five children of Joseph Wright and Wilhelmina Williams. Her first husband was Walter Angus McCallum, who she was married to from 1940-1965; they raised two daughters: June and Teresa. Her second husband's last name was Hogg.
Creator
Ballentine, Teresa
Names
Wright Family
Hogg, Jean Wright McCallum
Accession Code
BV018.17.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
July 8 1992
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on content of sound recording
Label on audio cassette case reads: "Jean & Terry / Re / Jeans Memories & / Her Life History"
Label on Side A of audio cassette reads: "Jean Hogg - Memories / 1"
Label on Side B of audio cassette reads: "Jean Hogg Memories / 2"
Audio Tracks

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 1, July 8 1992

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 1, July 8 1992

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2018_0017_0001_001.mp3
Less detail

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4639
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
July 8 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (0:05:41 min)
Scope and Content
Track 5: This portion of the recording pertains to the living arrangements of various family members, the Wright’s religious practices, discipline, and favoured pastimes. Jean continues talking about life in the house in Kitsilano, and she recalls where her daughters lived at various times. She tal…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (0:05:41 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Teresa Ballentine Interviewee: Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright (later Jean McCallum and later Jean Hogg) Total Number of Tracks: 6 Total Length of all Tracks: 1:09:29
Scope and Content
Track 5: This portion of the recording pertains to the living arrangements of various family members, the Wright’s religious practices, discipline, and favoured pastimes. Jean continues talking about life in the house in Kitsilano, and she recalls where her daughters lived at various times. She talks of buying a house with Walter when they returned to Burnaby, and how later she lived with Terry for a while after Walter died. Jean notes that her mother was a Christian Scientist. She discusses going to the services and Sunday school the church offered, on Georgia Street in Vancouver. Jean describes how physical punishment was meted out for offenses in her family. She relates how she enjoyed looking at boats from the pier in downtown Vancouver, and begins to share a story about her father, but the tape ends.
History
Recording is an interview with Jean Hogg conducted by her daughter Teresa Ballentine. Jean talks about her life as a resident of Burnaby from her childhood in the 1910s to widowhood in the 1960s. Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright was born in Burnaby in August 1915, two years after her family moved to 3871 East Pender Street. She was one of five children of Joseph Wright and Wilhelmina Williams. Her first husband was Walter Angus McCallum, who she was married to from 1940-1965; they raised two daughters: June and Teresa. Her second husband's last name was Hogg.
Creator
Ballentine, Teresa
Names
Wright Family
Hogg, Jean Wright McCallum
Accession Code
BV018.17.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
July 8 1992
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on content of sound recording
Label on audio cassette case reads: "Jean & Terry / Re / Jeans Memories & / Her Life History"
Label on Side A of audio cassette reads: "Jean Hogg - Memories / 1"
Label on Side B of audio cassette reads: "Jean Hogg Memories / 2"
Audio Tracks

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 5, July 8 1992

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 5, July 8 1992

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2018_0017_0001_005.mp3
Less detail

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4640
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
July 8 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (0:22:04 min)
Scope and Content
Track 6: This portion of the recording pertains to the way life has changed since Jean was a child. Jean describes how chores were done, and how supplies were delivered. She and Terry discuss the amenities in the family’s houses, how mail was picked up, and how telephone messages were received and …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (0:22:04 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Teresa Ballentine Interviewee: Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright (later Jean McCallum and later Jean Hogg) Date of interview: July 8, 1992 Total Number of Tracks: 6 Total Length of all Tracks: 1:09:29
Scope and Content
Track 6: This portion of the recording pertains to the way life has changed since Jean was a child. Jean describes how chores were done, and how supplies were delivered. She and Terry discuss the amenities in the family’s houses, how mail was picked up, and how telephone messages were received and relayed. Terry shares a memory of her grandmother Wright. Jean recalls the house on Kitchener Street which she and Walter built. She and Terry talk about the MacLure bus service. Terry recalls Jean’s kindness to neighbors, and how they reciprocated. Jean shares her perspective about the friendliness and sharing among neighbors which were usual at that time. She describes the work involved in clearing the lot and building the house on Kitchener Street, and how she kept a kitchen garden and domestic animals there. Jean discusses how hair styling was done in her youth, and relates a story of how her mother had a poor result with colouring products. She mentions her father using a razor and strop, and how the strop was also a symbol of physical punishment, common at that time. She describes a punishment she received in school. Jean recalls making treats, and talks about push lawnmowers, wooden sidewalks, and gravel roads. She and Terry talk about the family’s pianos and their importance to the family. Jean recalls the piano teachers her family members took lessons from and Terry remarks that the last one, Edward Parker, is the father of Jon Kimura Parker, a noted pianist.
History
Recording is an interview with Jean Hogg conducted by her daughter Teresa Ballentine. Jean talks about her life as a resident of Burnaby from her childhood in the 1910s to widowhood in the 1960s. Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright was born in Burnaby in August 1915, two years after her family moved to 3871 East Pender Street. She was one of five children of Joseph Wright and Wilhelmina Williams. Her first husband was Walter Angus McCallum, who she was married to from 1940-1965; they raised two daughters: June and Teresa. Her second husband's last name was Hogg.
Creator
Ballentine, Teresa
Names
Wright Family
Hogg, Jean Wright McCallum
Accession Code
BV018.17.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
July 8 1992
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on content of sound recording
Label on audio cassette case reads: "Jean & Terry / Re / Jeans Memories & / Her Life History"
Label on Side A of audio cassette reads: "Jean Hogg - Memories / 1"
Label on Side B of audio cassette reads: "Jean Hogg Memories / 2"
Audio Tracks

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 6, July 8 1992

Interview with Margaret Jane (Jean) Wright 1992 - Track 6, July 8 1992

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2018_0017_0001_006.mp3
Less detail

Interview with Norman Dowad

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19638
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Norman Dowad Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: August 14, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information about his grandfather Samuel Dowad's immigration to Canada and his father Wilfred Dowad's military service and successes as a property developer. 00:14:39 – 00:17:26 Norm provides background information on his mother’s side of the family. 00:17:27 – 00:31:36 Norm talks about his childhood, growing up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, his early education in Burnaby and sports that he played. 00:31:37 – 00:39:59 Norm talks about his educational experiences attending Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Osgoode Hall law school and information regarding his law career. 00:40:00 – 00:45:03 Norm reflects on his childhood growing up in Burnaby and on his experiences and relationships as a student and in his career as a lawyer. 00:45:04 – 01:01:37 Norm talks about his siblings and shares information about family property development projects as well as career and business successes. In closing he talks about research that he’s done through Archives Canada on his grandfather Sam Dowad and father Wilfred Dowad.
History
Interviewee biography: Norm Dowad was born in Burnaby, December 1948 to parents Wilfred “Wilf” (1925-2011) and Cherry Dowad. His father, Wilfred (1925-2011) was born in Winnipeg to parents Samuel “Sam” (Salim in Arabic) Esper Dowad (1895-1969) and Martha (Shaheen) Dowad (1894-1955). Sam and Martha Dowad were both born in a province of the Ottoman Empire which is now present day Lebanon. In 1912, while trying to immigrate to Canada, several of Sam’s relatives including his mother died tragically as steerage passengers on the ill fated Titanic. In 1913, at the age of 18 years, Sam immigrated to Canada to join other family members who'd already arrived here safely. As a new immigrant in Canada, Sam worked with other Labanese immigrants in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the United States. In December 1921, Sam's wife, Martha immigrated to Canada arriving by ship in St. John, New Brunswick. Sam and Martha established their home in Winnipeg where they began to start a family. Their first two children died in infancy and son Wilfred was born in 1925 and daughter Kathleen was born in 1926. While living in Winnipeg, Sam worked as a grocer and in the 1930’s he got work as a farmer in a nearby town. In 1943, Wilf joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCVNR) and served as a gunner on merchant ships during World War II. In 1945, while Wilf was away serving, his parents, Sam and Martha moved to Burnaby. After discharge in 1945, Wilf joined his parents in Burnaby, began working at Fraser Mills and commenced his studies in construction and drafting. In 1949, with his father’s help Wilf acquired a lot next door to his parents’ home and built his first apartment block. After Martha died in 1954, Sam moved to Kelowna where he bought an orchard. Sam remarried in 1957 to Naomi “Mamie” (David) Dowad (1899-1978) who was also from a Lebanese family. Sam and Mamie lived in Kelowna until the mid 1960s when they moved to White Rock. While living in Burnaby, Wilf met and married Cherry Piggott and the couple had six children; Norm, Bruce, Michael, Kathie, Phil and Tom. In 1955, Wilfred Dowad established "W. Dowad Ltd." and over the years he was successful in developing and subdividing land to build housing and commercial developments in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Wilf was the first president of the Burnaby Winter club and was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce holding office at the local, provincial and national level. In 1970, Wilf purchased 238 acres of land bordering the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh River and relocated there the following year. While living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Wilf became actively engaged in local business and community affairs. Wilf was later remarried to Grethe Dowad and he died in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in 2011.Wilf's six children are the sole owners of "W.Dowad Ltd." and his daughter, Kathie Smillie is the president and CEO. While growing up in Burnaby, Norm Dowad attended Schou Street School, Douglas Road School, Kensington School and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School. Following graduation from high school, Norm attended Simon Fraser University for one year, travelled in Europe, attended University of British Columbia and obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Norman has been practicing law for 49 years and has his own law practice that he operates out of Vancouver. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Education
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Migration
Sports
Sports - Football
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Dowad, Norman W. "Norm"
Dowad, Samuel Esper "Sam"
Dowad, Wilfred "Wilf"
Dowad, Naomi "Mamie" David
Dowad, Martha Elias Shaheen
Dowad, Kathleen "Kay"
Rideout, Dr. John Anthony
Burnaby Central Secondary School
Douglas Road School
W. Dowad Limited
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Geographic Access
Buckingham Avenue
Deer Lake
Street Address
5533 Buckingham Avenue
Accession Code
BV023.16.16
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0016_002.mp3
Less detail

Interview with Shirley Cohn

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19597
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)
Scope and Content
File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
File
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Shirley Cohn Location of Interviews: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Dates: April 14, 2023 and September 6, 2023 Total Number of Tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 67 min., 33 sec. Digital master recording (wav) recording of second interview (50 min., 36 sec.) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on September 6, 2023: 0:00 – 16:09 Shirley Cohn shares background information about her parents who immigrated to Detroit from Hungary in the 1930’s. Shirley recalls what it was like for her parents being Jewish during World War II and how many of their relations were killed in the Holocaust. Shirley talks about her Jewish Hungarian heritage, what it was like growing up in Detroit, the Jewish community in Detroit and the Jewish holidays and traditions that her family celebrated. Shirley recalls her high school and University education and experiences, starting her career in social work and how she met her future husband, Theodore “Ted” Cohn. 16:10 – 18:27 Shirley shares the story about her father in law, Dr. Daniel E. Cohn who was Harry Houdini’s doctor at the time of his death in Detroit on Oct. 31, 1926. Shirley explains that she donated some of Dr. Daniel E. Cohn’s original documents pertaining to this event to the New York Public Library. 18:28 – 26:04 Shirley describes her experiences living and working in London Ontario while her husband was a professor at University of Western Ontario and Shirley worked as a social worker in family services. Shirley recalls experiences of anti-Semitism while living in London. Shirley talks about moving to Burnaby in 1977 after her husband took a job as a professor at Simon Fraser University. Shirley describes her experiences living in Burnaby, raising a family and working as a social worker at Burnaby General Hospital. 26:05 – 26:18 Shirley talks about her interests outside of work, her family’s involvement in the Burquest Jewish Community Association and being a member of Temple Shalom. Shirley conveys information about other Jewish synagogues in Greater Vancouver, describes Reform Judaism at Temple Shalom and some Jewish cultural practices that her family has been involved with. 26:19 – 33:12 Shirley describes her family’s experiences living in the Garden Village nieghbourhood in Burnaby, her involvement sharing Jewish cultural traditions at her children’s school and recalls her children’s experiences attending school in Burnaby. 33:13 – 40:46 Shirley conveys the career paths that her children took and talks about what she likes about living in Burnaby including; the walking and hiking trails, the cultural and art performances and her involvement in local politics. Shirley talks about her and her husband’s involvement in the SFU retirees association and the SFURA walking and hiking group. Shirley reflects on her husband’s academic career, experiences teaching at SFU and the role of the Hillel Jewish Students Association at the Simon Fraser University. Shirley talks about the difficulties of discussing political views about the State of Israel. Shirley describes some traditional Jewish foods, the roles that they play and a local bakery that carries Jewish bake goods. 40:47 – 50:36 Shirley describes her current daily life in Burnaby; working one day a week as a social worker, gardening, her involvement at Temple Shalom and the Jewish Community Centre and how she travels in Burnaby. Shirley recalls the changes that she’s encountered in Burnaby and in her career over the years, shares a story about her husband losing his thesis and describes what Burnaby was like while she was raising her family. Shirley shares what she thinks about the areas of development in Burnaby and conveys the importance of having parks and affordable housing. In closing, Shirley reflects on what is like to be a Jewish person living in Burnaby.
History
Interviewee biography: Shirley Tanner was born in Detroit in 1947. Her parents were both Jewish. Her mother fled Hungary as a refugee in 1939, while her father emigrated from there in 1934. Shirley attended public schools in Detroit, and then studied social work at the University of Michigan. After marriage, Shirley and Ted Cohn moved to Ontario where Ted had a faculty appointment at the University of Western Ontario in political science. Six years later they moved to Burnaby for Ted’s teaching position in political science at Simon Fraser University. While living in Burnaby, Shirley took care of a growing family while also practicing social work, mainly at Burnaby Hospital. The family enjoyed Burnaby’s libraries and parks. Shirley helped out at her children’s schools, became a Block Watch captain, and the family joined Burquest Jewish Community Association. The Cohns later became members of Temple Sholom Synagogue in Vancouver, while remaining in Burnaby. Beginning in 2009, Ted started an informal hiking group for retired Simon Fraser University staff. This group has been open to others, so now has a wide variety of members. Shirley has also helped lead hikes in the region. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Recreational Activities - Hiking
Organizations
Organizations - Societies and Clubs
Migration
Persons - Jewish Canadians
Religions - Judaism
Social Issues - Racism
Social Issues
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Cohn, Dr. Daniel E.
Cohn, Shirley
Cohn, Theodore H. "Ted"
Burquest
Hillel Jewish Students Association
Simon Fraser University
SFURA walking and hiking group
Simon Fraser University Retirees Association "SFURA"
Temple Shalom
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Accession Code
BV023.16.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Summary, recording and transcript of second interview available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0001_003.mp3
Less detail

Janet and Stefanie Goh

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription80292
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 7, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of mother and daughter, Janet and Stefanie Goh.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 7, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-0734
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2012-11
Scope and Content
Photograph of mother and daughter, Janet and Stefanie Goh.
Names
Goh, Janet
Goh, Stephanie
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Bartel, Mario
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "1070 Bby"
Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Images
Less detail

Jennifer Branston with Carol McKenzie and Kyla

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79178
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 8, 1996
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mother’s Day contest winner Jennifer Branston with her daughter Kyla and her mother Carol McKenzie.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 8, 1996
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-0288
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2012-11
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mother’s Day contest winner Jennifer Branston with her daughter Kyla and her mother Carol McKenzie.
Names
Branston, Jennifer
McKenzie, Carol
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "1216 Bby"
Scan is cropped
Images
Less detail

Jesse Love family reunion

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10217
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
Dec. 27, 1990
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Love family reunion. Groups of senior members of the Love family are seated at dining room tables. Gona Whiting and Dick Whiting along with Les and Lousie Barnes are identified sitting across from each other near the window of the table on the right.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Jesse Love farmhouse series
Subseries
Love farmhouse restoration photographs subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
Material Details
Photocopy of photograph with notes in pencil and blue ink accompanies photograph. Notes read from left to right: "Edna Whiting / wife of Dick. / Dick Whiting / 80 years old. / his father Wallace / Whiting + mother / Annie Love. / (related to Claytons) / Les' 2nd wife, / Louise / Les Barnes" "Identification / 1990 by family / + notes by Curator / Colin Stevens"
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Love family reunion. Groups of senior members of the Love family are seated at dining room tables. Gona Whiting and Dick Whiting along with Les and Lousie Barnes are identified sitting across from each other near the window of the table on the right.
Accession Code
BV018.41.105
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
Dec. 27, 1990
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
24-Feb-19
Scale
96
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Joseph De Souza, Theresa De Souza and Gary Gartner

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription80215
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
April 6, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Joseph De Souza with his mother Theresa at Royal Columbian hospital receiving a teddy bear from Lions’ Club member Gary Gartner.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
April 6, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-0695
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2012-11
Scope and Content
Photograph of Joseph De Souza with his mother Theresa at Royal Columbian hospital receiving a teddy bear from Lions’ Club member Gary Gartner.
Names
De Souza, Joseph
De Souza, Theresa
Gartner, Gary
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Bartel, Mario
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "#783 Mario Bby / Bby p. 2 56%"
Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Images
Less detail

The Louvris Family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription81024
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 10, 1998
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23.5 x 15.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the NewsLeader Mother’s Day contest winners, the Louvris family. The family includes children, Jane, Dean, George, Michael, Nicole and Helen, along with father Peter (top) and mother Desi.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 10, 1998
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23.5 x 15.5 cm
Material Details
This photograph has not been completely processed
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-1194
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2012-11
Scope and Content
Photograph of the NewsLeader Mother’s Day contest winners, the Louvris family. The family includes children, Jane, Dean, George, Michael, Nicole and Helen, along with father Peter (top) and mother Desi.
Names
Louvris, Dean
Louvris, Desi
Louvris, George
Louvris, Helen
Louvris, Jane
Louvris, Michael
Louvris, Nicole
Louvris, Peter
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "1021 Bby / 53% Bby p. 11"
Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Accompanying caption reads: "May 10, 1998 1021: / The Louvris family's entry in the NewsLeader's Mother's Day contest earned top marks this week. The family includes children Jane, Dean, George, Michael, Nicole and Helen, along with father Peter and top mom, Desi."
Images
Less detail

Steve Jensen fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58368
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1944-2009
Collection/Fonds
Steve Jensen fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photographs.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of one image depicting the Naud house in 2009 and one image of Steve Jensen's mother and her family ca. 1944.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1944-2009
Collection/Fonds
Steve Jensen fonds
Physical Description
2 photographs.
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2009-03
Scope and Content
Collection consists of one image depicting the Naud house in 2009 and one image of Steve Jensen's mother and her family ca. 1944.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Jensen, Steve
Notes
Photo catalogue 494
Less detail

Tara and Ruth Korber

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription80306
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 14, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23 x 15 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Tara Korber crawling toward her mother, Ruth, at the finish line of the diaper derby at Lougheed mall.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 14, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 23 x 15 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-0746
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2012-11
Scope and Content
Photograph of Tara Korber crawling toward her mother, Ruth, at the finish line of the diaper derby at Lougheed mall.
Names
Korber, Tara
Korber, Ruth
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Langdeau, Brian
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black and blue ink on recto of photograph reads: "32% pg 32 T/C / C TC Brian Also in colour 1145"
Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Images
Less detail

Vera Jackson papers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58352
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1946 (date of original) -1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists mainly of photocopied newspaper articles pertaining to the McKay branch of the Royal Bank armed robberies of 1946 and 1948 which Vera Jackson (later Pel) witnessed while she was working there as a clerk. Also included in the file are photocopies of photographs of her and her mother Fl…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1946 (date of original) -1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Vera Jackson Pel subseries
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS069-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1992-04
Scope and Content
File consists mainly of photocopied newspaper articles pertaining to the McKay branch of the Royal Bank armed robberies of 1946 and 1948 which Vera Jackson (later Pel) witnessed while she was working there as a clerk. Also included in the file are photocopies of photographs of her and her mother Florence and younger brother Ron (along with captions and identifying marks) along with various papers (mostly photocopies) pertaining to the history of the Royal Bank.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

Mother's Day contest winners

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98084
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w
Scope and Content
Photograph of two unidentified family members who were part of the NewsLeader's "My Mother's The Greatest" contest.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3164
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of two unidentified family members who were part of the NewsLeader's "My Mother's The Greatest" contest.
Subjects
Persons - Families
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on original file name
Collected by editorial for use in a May 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
Less detail

Small family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91819
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1922-2016
Collection/Fonds
Small family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
75 photographs : b&w & col. + 1 plan
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs documenting the transformation of the Burnaby Lake area of Burnaby, B.C. from semi-rural in the 1920s to urbanized in 2016. Photographs depict the land and houses located on the corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street as the property was rezoned and its density quad…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1922-2016
Collection/Fonds
Small family fonds
Physical Description
75 photographs : b&w & col. + 1 plan
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
Open access
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2017-01
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs documenting the transformation of the Burnaby Lake area of Burnaby, B.C. from semi-rural in the 1920s to urbanized in 2016. Photographs depict the land and houses located on the corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street as the property was rezoned and its density quadrupled. Fonds also includes photographs of the Small family house being moved to 5496 Dominion Street and the original landscape plan for 5118 Douglas Road.
History
In 1915, John W. Roberts and his wife Mary Allen Roberts moved from the United States to Canada along with their daughter, Lauretta. On first moving to Canada, the family lived in a rented house in Vancouver and John worked as a movie projectionist in the city. The couple had three more children, all sons: John A., Edward, and Roland. Circa 1921, John purchased a large parcel of land at the corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street in Burnaby. This parcel encompassed the equivalent of at least six 66-foot lots along the south side of Dominion Street and the same along the north side of Norfolk Street. On their property, a barn and small living quarters were built. The family moved in, raising goats and growing potatoes to supplement their income. They also planted cherry, apple, and pear trees; hazelnut and walnut trees; raspberries; and a large vegetable garden, the fruits of which Mary preserved for year-round use. At this time, agricultural activities were common for families in the area: the Roberts' neighbours kept chickens for personal use and for selling eggs; grew mushrooms for commercial sale; and sold manure from an old buckboard drawn by Clydesdale horses. John built a new house in the middle of the Roberts’ lots on the southwest corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street. The house faced Douglas Road and overlooked a large, well-landscaped front yard to the east and a full-sized, clay tennis court to the north. The family moved into this new house in 1925. When the Roberts ceased raising goats, the barn and original living quarters were reduced to a double-car garage with storage space plus a sawdust-insulated “root cellar”. John also built a house on the northwest corner of the lot at Douglas Road and Dominion Street (3093 Douglas Road), which was purchased by the Hardy family. In 1957, part of this property (3071 Douglas Road) was sold to the Brocklebanks who built a house and lived there. In addition, John built a house at the northwest corner of Douglas Road and Norfolk Street (5106 Douglas Road). The original purchaser of this house is unknown, but in 1949, it was bought by the Meyers family. In 1952 or 1953, the Meyers sold part of this property and the Manahans built a house on it, facing Douglas Road. Several other lots that John owned were also sold off over the years. By the 1950s, John owned only five 66-foot lots from Douglas Road west, along the south side Dominion Street. In 1954, John sold the lot furthest from Douglas Road (5486 Dominion Street) to a builder who built a “ranch-style” house and put it up for sale. John retired from his career as a movie projectionist in the 1950s. He, Mary, and Lauretta retained their US citizenship all their lives, although they never returned to the USA except for brief visits. John A., Edward, and Roland who, as children of US citizens, also had US citizenship, eventually moved to the US, where they remained for the rest of their lives. In 1945, Lauretta married Frederick Small. The couple lived in a rented house in Vancouver for a few years before moving in with John and Mary in Burnaby. The couple had four children: Elizabeth, Kathryn, Charles, and Martin. In 1955, Frederick purchased the rancher at 5486 Dominion Street and the family moved in. The Small children grew up enjoying the freedom of having their grandparent’s large property in addition to their parent’s yard to play in. The back lane that ran between Dominion Street and Norfolk Street was filled with trees and bushes, creating a narrow bit of “forest” to explore. In 1957, John died. Mary died in 1969, as did Frederick. Lauretta was executor for her mother’s and husband’s estates. After much consideration, she decided to sell the house at 5486 Dominion Street and move back into her childhood home. By doing so, she was able to settle her mother’s estate to the satisfaction of her brothers. Elizabeth married and moved away. Over the next few years, the “Roberts” house was home to Lauretta, Kathryn, Charles, and Martin, with the three grown children moving in and out several times during the 1970s. In 1981, Lauretta died. Her children discussed at length how to divide up the property, which consisted of four 66-foot lots, according to her will. None of her children wanted to see the old family house destroyed but the house straddled two lots. They finally decided that if one of them wanted to pay to move the house to sit on one of the lots, the “value” of the house would not enter into the settlement of the estate. Kathryn chose to do this. In 1982, the old house was moved to 5496 Dominion Street and Kathryn continued to live in it. Martin died in 1982. Elizabeth and Charles each inherited one lot and the last lot, which would have gone to Martin, was sold, the funds divided equally between Elizabeth, Kathryn, and Charles. The three lots between 5496 Dominion Street and Douglas Road were subdivided into 33-foot lots and six new houses were built. In 1993, the Meyers property and the Manahan property were subdivided into 33-foot lots facing Norfolk Street and the old houses were torn down and four new houses were built.
Media Type
Photograph
Technical Drawing
Creator
Small family
Less detail

Diaper Derby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription80301
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 14, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 15.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified baby in the Mother’s Day “Diaper Derby” at Lougheed Mall.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 14, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 15.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-0742
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2012-11
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified baby in the Mother’s Day “Diaper Derby” at Lougheed Mall.
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Langdeau, Brian
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "D TC Brian Also in colour - 1145 / Red Jumper"
Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Images
Less detail

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
Less detail

55 records – page 2 of 3.