116 records – page 4 of 6.

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.
History
Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
Clothing
Crafts
Employment
Migration
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Occupations - Labourers
Occupations - Millworkers
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Names
Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
Manhas, Ghania Singh
Singh, Mayo
Manhas, Kashmir Singh
Manhas, Sher Singh
Manhas, Budhan Kaur
Manhas, Lashman Singh
Accession Code
BV022.29.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep
Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby
Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3
Less detail

Mary England fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12234
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1915-1934 (date of originals), copied 2020
Collection/Fonds
Mary England fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
5 photographs (tiffs) : b&w ; 600 dpi
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a small collection of photographs documenting the life of Mary England (nee Gooding). Photographs include the house of Mary and Alfred England on Royal Oak Avenue; Mary England's house on Griffiths Avenue and of Mary and Alfred England ca. 1915.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Mary England fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
5 photographs (tiffs) : b&w ; 600 dpi
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a small collection of photographs documenting the life of Mary England (nee Gooding). Photographs include the house of Mary and Alfred England on Royal Oak Avenue; Mary England's house on Griffiths Avenue and of Mary and Alfred England ca. 1915.
History
Mary England was born to parents Robert and Mary (nee Morgan) Gooding in Wales on March 30, 1879. Mary and her brother Robert Nathaniel Gooding came to Canada from the U.K. in 1905. While living in Canada, Mary met and married Alfred Henry England. The couple lived in a house on Hornby Street in Vancouver which they ran as a boarding house. In 1914, Mary and Alfred moved to a house located at 1906 Royal Oak Avenue and Victory Street in Burnaby (house number changed to7353 after 1958). Alfred worked in the composing room at the Vancouver Province until his untimely death in October 1917. Mary continued to reside in their home on Royal Oak until 1930 when she built and moved into a house on Griffiths Avenue in Burnaby. Mary was employed as an office clerk with the Municipality of the District of Burnaby. Mary England was an active member of the community including becoming the first president of the West Burnaby auxiliary of the Victorian Order of Nurses between 1915 and 1917 and a founding member of the Burnaby Civic Employees Union in 1919. She often spoke out about issues that impacted female workers, and felt that the wages for the inside workers, many of whom were women, were inadequate. Often on England’s motions, the Union from time to time brought to Council concerns about the treatment of women, including behaviour of managers in the general office, suspension of a young woman for her choice of clothes, and in 1931, health issues that warranted “accommodation…for the ladies in the Hall.” Mary served as president of the union from 1922-1923 and held leadership roles in the New Westminster Trades and Labour Council. Mary served as union secretary until 1934, after losing her position as municipal employee during the Great Depression. She and the union tried to fight her dismissal, but to no avail as they were told that the reasons were purely economic. The union honoured her with a Life time membership at St. Alban's Hall a few months later. Mary died in Burnaby in 1959 at the age of 79 years.
Responsibility
England, Mary
Accession Code
BV020.9
Date
1915-1934 (date of originals), copied 2020
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

Mary Forsyth Keepables

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88247
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1923-2006
Collection/Fonds
Mary Forsyth fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of various research records compiled by Mary Forsyth and includes; records from a Burnaby Historical Society photo presentation and contest held at Irving House; a letter to the directors of the B.C. Historical Society from Don N. Brown re: Accomodation for the Burnaby Historical Soci…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1923-2006
Collection/Fonds
Mary Forsyth fonds
Physical Description
2 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS185-045
Access Restriction
Open access
Accession Number
2014-27
Scope and Content
File consists of various research records compiled by Mary Forsyth and includes; records from a Burnaby Historical Society photo presentation and contest held at Irving House; a letter to the directors of the B.C. Historical Society from Don N. Brown re: Accomodation for the Burnaby Historical Society; a Corporation of the District of Burnaby Re: "Suggestions submitted to the Post War Rehabilitation Council" dated August 4, 1942; notes and information re: a natural resources map; genealogical notes for the Hern family; a copy of the 2003 Greater Vancouver Regional District Board of Directors for 2003; a Simon Fraser Week publication dated June 27, 1985 about the history of Simon Fraser University; Corporation of the District of Burnaby "A Sound Investment...Burnaby British Columbia Reverted Lands" with map 1926; a copy of a Deed of Gift letter from the Burnaby Historical Society for items donated to the archives dated January 5, 1989; pamphlets about B.C. Hydro rail and Burnaby's Central Park Tramline; National Housing Adminstration Sketch Designs for houses 1946; an invitation for Glenwood Elementary School 100th birthday; a family memoir from the Rorisons; a Victorian Order of Nurses home visit document in March 1923; Corporation of the District of Burnaby By Law No. 1354; 1991 Community Services Directory for New Westminster and Burnaby; Hudson's Bay Company Annual General Report 1947; typewritten history of the Gulf Islands and various Burnaby Now papers for 1990, 2001, 2004 and 2006. Biographical and historical information was compiled by Mary Forysth with the intention of publishing a book.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Less detail

Morris family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription90
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 1942
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
3 photographs
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs of the Dr. Morris family and home at Marine Drive and Boundary Road.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 1942
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Morris family subseries
Physical Description
3 photographs
Description Level
Subseries
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1992-08
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs of the Dr. Morris family and home at Marine Drive and Boundary Road.
History
Wesley Gardiner Morris was born in Summerside Prince Edward Island in 1884; his wife Laura Maude Weegar was born in Maxville, Ontario in 1886. Wesley graduated from McGill University in 1914, becoming a doctor, and received a gold medal in Chemistry. The couple was married in Maxville, Ontario in 1914 and lived in their first home in Chauvin, Alberta before moving to Burnaby in 1916. They lived on Imperial Street until their new home at 4265 Trafalgar Street (now 4241 Maywood Street) was built. Dr. Wesley Morris practiced medicine at his office at the corner of Kingsway and Sussex in part of Miss George’s Drugstore. During and following the Depression years, Dr. Morris was often paid in kind by his patients or they would pay off their bills by assisting with jobs around the family home. The couple lived in the home on Trafalgar Street raising their six daughters: Margaret, Betty, Dorothy, Jessie, Gertrude and Muriel until the Depression when they were forced to sell their home and move to ‘the ranch’ on Marine Drive. The ranch covered 13 acres of property on either side of Marine Drive from Boundary Road east including a ravine with a creek. Dr. Morris was known for his skill in setting fractures and due to his expertise he was called to an accident in the 1940s at the McMillan Bloedel mill on the Fraser River. Except for Gertrude (Ramage) all of their daughters graduated from Burnaby South High School. Following graduation from high school, Margaret (Sheldon) completed a business course, while both Betty (Purrot) and Dorothy (Johston) became nurses. Jessie (Hunter) joined the R.C.A.F. and after learning Morse code was posted to communications. Gertrude taught piano lessons and later received her real estate license. All of the girls were married in the 1950s and moved away from the property on Marine Drive with the exception of Muriel who was still in high school. Laura suddenly took ill in 1945 and died. Soon after her passing, Wesley purchased a lot at 4648 Marine Drive (DL 175) and built a small two bedroom home for himself and daughter Muriel. The old family home was rented, then sold, and later demolished around 1980. Dr. Wesley Morris died in 1960 and was buried alongside his wife Laura at Ocean View Memorial Cemetery in Burnaby. After her father died, Muriel continued to live in the small house later marrying Tom Di Guistini who settled there with her. Tom died in 1981 just two years before Muriel’s retirement as the secretary of Magee Secondary School in Vancouver. Soon after retirement, Muriel sold their home on Marine Drive and moved to a condominium near Central Park.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Morris, Dr. Wesley Gardier
Morris, Laura Maude Weegar
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
PC278
Less detail

Permission by V.O.N. to Hold Annual Drive for Funds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport63019
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
54696
Meeting Date
16-Mar-1931
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
54696
Meeting Date
16-Mar-1931
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

Personal material

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82732
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1910-1978]
Collection/Fonds
Hazel Simnett collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlai…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1910-1978]
Collection/Fonds
Hazel Simnett collection
Series
Simnett personal papers series
Physical Description
9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS167-008
Accession Number
2013-22
Scope and Content
File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlain from Liverpool and a letter from the Office of the Mayor addressed to Mary Ann Simnett for her ninetieth birthday. Also included is a photograph (see item 559-001). Also included are newsclippings regarding Robert Burnaby and the "Bygones of Burnaby" book, a programme of the Robert Burnaby Commemorative Dinner, a photocopy of "The Argus" (Burnaby South High School's newspaper) from 1938, a programme from Madys Pridmore Brown's Variety Programme, "The Buzzer" Volume 40 Issue 16 advertising Vancouver street cars, New Vista Society certificate addressed to Hazel Simnett, an envelope of Fenwick Lansdowne bird prints from 1957 and a print of the Royal Family found in a cardboard envelope postmarked 1972.
Subjects
Arts - Paintings
Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
Performances - Concerts
Organizations - Societies and Clubs
Personal Symbols - Certificates
Transportation
Persons - Royalty
Names
Simnett, Hazel
Simnett, Frederick "Fred"
Simnett, Mary Ann
Lansdowne, James Fenwick
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Graphic Material
Notes
Title based on note accompanying file on folder ; The Argue was stapled together
Simnett personal papers series
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Clinton-Glenwood Area
Less detail

Richard Bolton subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription108
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912 (date of original)-[1941]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and graphic material
Scope and Content
Subseries consist of material created by Richard Bolton, who worked for Burnaby from 1911-1951, in many capacities.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912 (date of original)-[1941]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Richard Bolton subseries
Physical Description
Textual records and graphic material
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1991-03
BHS1986-09
Scope and Content
Subseries consist of material created by Richard Bolton, who worked for Burnaby from 1911-1951, in many capacities.
History
Richard Bolton was born in Sunderland, England in the 1880s. He immigrated to Canada on May 26,1911. Later that year he was employed as an accountant by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby. He lived with his brother George in New Westminster before purchasing his own property on North Arm Road (now Marine Drive), building a bungalow that he moved into in the summer of 1916. During World War I, Richard was promoted to Municipal Treasurer, a position he held until he retired. In 1919, he received three months leave of absence to return to Sunderland to marry Mary Gertrude Hern, daughter of Captain and Mrs. John Hern. Richard and Mary had two daughters, Nancy (b.1920) and Mary (b. 1923), that they raised in their family home located at 859 Marine Drive in South Burnaby. Both daughters were born at home, assisted by the Victorian Order of Nurses and the local doctor. The V.O.N. were established in Burnaby in 1912 and Richard Bolton supported and helped the Order every opportunity he had until his death on November 16, 1962. During the heart of the Depression, the family home became the meeting place for friends and relatives who could not find employment. During this time, Richard had discussions with Ernie Winch and others about seniors housing in Burnaby. The first phase was constructed between 1949 and 1956. In 1938, Richard was appointed Justice of the Peace by the Provincial Government but never accepted any remuneration for his duties. During this time period, Burnaby was under commissionship and when Commissioner Hugh M. Fraser became ill, Richard assumed his duties. He filled the position as Acting Commissioner and treasurer, and converted back to treasurer when the Reeve and Councillors of the Corporation of the District of Burnaby were reinstated in 1943. In 1951, Richard retired as treasurer for the City but he continued to chair the Debt Retirement Board until it became redundant in the late 1950s. On June 24, 1959, Reeve Allan Emmott presented the Gold Key to Burnaby to Richard.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Bolton, Richard
Notes
PC159, PC249, MSS153
Title based on creator of subseries
Less detail

Brainerd family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription76949
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1926-1958; 2013
Collection/Fonds
Brainerd family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1 cm. of textual records + 4 photographs (copy-print)
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of receipts, agreements, and registry letter for family home on Harwood Street, along with an election slip, a labour publication, and a propaganda leaflet related to Lawrence Brainerd, as well as a newspaper clipping from 2013 and photocopied and copy-printed early photographs of th…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1926-1958; 2013
Collection/Fonds
Brainerd family fonds
Physical Description
1 cm. of textual records + 4 photographs (copy-print)
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2013-05
2013-06
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of receipts, agreements, and registry letter for family home on Harwood Street, along with an election slip, a labour publication, and a propaganda leaflet related to Lawrence Brainerd, as well as a newspaper clipping from 2013 and photocopied and copy-printed early photographs of the family.
History
Lawrence and Violet Brainerd came to Vancouver in 1925 or 1926. Lawrence purchased a small house on Harwood Street in North Burnaby for his wife and two children from her previous marriage. Roy Brainerd was born in 1928 at Royal Columbian Hospital. His sister Patricia Brainerd (later White) was born in 1931, also at Royal Columbian Hospital. Lawrence rebuilt and renovated the house to fit his growing family, planting abundant vegetable gardens and building a chicken coop, and paid off his taxes by doing roadwork for the municipality. Violet Brainerd supplemented her family's income by doing in-home nursing, as she'd been a nurse in France during the war. Roy Brainerd started at Douglas Road School in 1934 and then attended Hugh M. Fraser High School. Roy left his high school at 15 to work for Snap-On Tools, working his way up from pushing a broom to becoming a branch manager. He retired in 1983 after 41 years of service. Together with his wife, Carol, Roy raised three daughters.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Brainerd family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
MSS172, photo catalogue 551
Less detail

Home nursing certificate

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4644
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1943
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 certificate
Scope and Content
Item consists of a certificate for "Home_Nursing" awarded to Mrs. Flossie M. Parsons July 16, 1943.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 certificate
Scope and Content
Item consists of a certificate for "Home_Nursing" awarded to Mrs. Flossie M. Parsons July 16, 1943.
History
Flossie Maude Parsons (nee Smith) was born to George Henry Smith, a farm labourer, and Harriet Ann Savage on February 13, 1896 in Ealing, England. She immigrated to Canada with some of her family members in the early 1920s. They lived in Winnipeg for a few years as an older brother had settled there in 1912. She married Herbert Russell Parsons on June 23, 1928. They first lived in Vancouver and finally bought a home at 7091 Jubilee Avenue, South Burnaby in the early 1930s. In 1943, Flossie was certified in Home Nursing. Herbert Parsons was active during the Second World War as a volunteer for Civil Defence in Burnaby and worked as a salesman for Woodwards. The couple had no children. Herbert passed away on May 23rd, 1957 (age 84) and Flossie passed away on April 6, 1996 (age 100).
Other Title Information
Title based on content of item
Accession Code
BV017.38.9
Date
1943
Media Type
Textual Record
Less detail

Ross family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription114
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1922(date of originals)-[1998]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
2 files of textual records and 2 photographs
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of Ross family history, memories of the Burnaby Lake Interurban, Ross Service Station letterhead and photographs of the Ross Service Station.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1922(date of originals)-[1998]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Ross family subseries
Physical Description
2 files of textual records and 2 photographs
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS1998-05
BHS1999-14
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of Ross family history, memories of the Burnaby Lake Interurban, Ross Service Station letterhead and photographs of the Ross Service Station.
History
Frederick "Fred" Sullivan Ross was born 1887 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He took his apprenticeship in mechanics in Glasgow prior to 1911, following which he immigrated to Canada. During the First World War he returned to Britain and joined the Royal Navy. He was a Chief Petty Officer, working in the engine room of a mine sweeper in the North Atlantic. Margaret Binnie Dougal was in 1884 in Linlithgow, Scotland. She trained as a nurse before emigrating to Canada in 1911. She also returned to Britain during the war years, nursing at Boulogne in France and later Bristol before returning to Vancouver in 1919. She met Fred through a mutual friend, Agnes Rhind. Fred and Margaret married in 1920 in Vancouver, BC. Their first home was in North Vancouver and was where their first child, Ronald, was born. In 1921 or 1922 they moved to the Burnaby Lake area, buying a three-quarter acre parcel of land at 2974 Sprott Street and had two more children, Ian and Alistair. Fred built, owned and operated the Ross Service Station on Douglas Road, established in 1922 or 1923. The station property ran from Douglas Road up to the Douglas Road School’s fence line. After the municipality appropriated part of the property in the 1930s to create a junction for the new Grandview Highway and existing Douglas Road, Fred got permission to build an upper station with two more pumps. The driveway curved down to the station from where Sprott Street now joins Canada Way and rejoined that road near its junction with Douglas Road. At Ross Service Station, Fred did automobile repairs and used the family car, a Studebaker Commander, as a towing vehicle. He created a garden north of the service station on the upper level where he grew chrysanthemums and daises. In the 1930s, Terry Rowley worked at the service station as one of Fred’s assistants. Fred ran the station until he sold it in about 1949. Margaret died December 29, 1969 at the age of 85. Fred died on August 21, 1971 at the age of 84.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Ross family
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
PC58 and MSS146
Less detail

William Martin family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66694
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1927-1940 (date of originals)
Collection/Fonds
William Martin family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
26 photographs : 1 original photograph + 19 jpegs + 6 copy prints
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of the William and Ellen Martin family, pioneers of Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1927-1940 (date of originals)
Collection/Fonds
William Martin family fonds
Physical Description
26 photographs : 1 original photograph + 19 jpegs + 6 copy prints
Material Details
2 copy prints + 1 jpeg are duplicates to the original; 3 copy prints are duplicates to a larger copy print
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2011-11
2006-03
2012-03
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of the William and Ellen Martin family, pioneers of Burnaby.
History
William Martin and Ellen Ward met while attending school in Glasgow, Scotland. They married in 1916 while William was on leave from the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. After the war, they immigrated to Canada with their two-year-old daughter, Margaret. They spent a few years in Vancouver where three more daughters were born: Barbara (later Punnett); Juanita (later Safarik); and Sally (later Forbes). With their four small daughters, they moved to Los Angeles where William worked as a craftsman for Samuel Goldwyn Studios. In 1926, they returned to B.C., where William purchased five acres of land on Spruce Street in Burnaby. Much of the land had been logged but not cleared. Dynamite was used to remove the large, burnt stumps. While William prepared the land for a new house, the family lived in a temporary building that was later used for a garage. The seven-room house that William built was one of the first houses on Spruce Street. During this time, William and Ellen’s two sons, Bill and Jackie, were born. The Martins made good use of their property. They kept chickens, ducks, and a goat, planted fruit trees, and had a large raspberry patch. The children enjoyed their large playground, much of it still heavily forested. In the winter they walked to Deer Lake to ice skate. They hiked Burnaby Mountain and sometimes walked to Capitol Hill where there was a recreation centre. All six children attended Douglas Road School and South Burnaby Secondary School. Margaret became a schoolteacher; Juanita and Barbara did office work after attending Sprott Shaw Business School; Sally became a public health nurse; and Bill and Jackie became doctors. Margaret taught in Burnaby schools for 27 years. Before her marriage, Sally served as a public health nurse in Burnaby for three years. Bill had an ophthalmology practice in Burnaby until his retirement. Margaret married Jack Greenall, the eldest son of another Burnaby family who lived on Nursery Street on a large property with a garden, greenhouse, and chicken house. Margaret and Jack had three children: Dr. Martin Greenall, Sharon (later Ingalls), and Diane (later Macnair). Margaret later married Peter Andrusiak and had two sons: Gordon and Peter. All of her children were raised in New Westminster. Margaret was active in her community and was awarded the New Westminster Citizen of the Year award in 1992. She died July 26, 2006, at the age of 89.
Formats
Records from accession 2011-11 exist only in electronic format - copied 2011
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Martin family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo catalogue 525
Less detail

Alfred Bingham fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97219
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913-1971
Collection/Fonds
Alfred Bingham fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
4 cm. of textual records and 1 audio reel.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham as well as an oral history tape provided by Alfred and his wife, M.J. "Ada" Bingham.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913-1971
Collection/Fonds
Alfred Bingham fonds
Physical Description
4 cm. of textual records and 1 audio reel.
Description Level
Fonds
Record No.
MSS142
Accession Number
2010-09
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham as well as an oral history tape provided by Alfred and his wife, M.J. "Ada" Bingham.
History
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Angus McLean and Percy Little worked ten-hour days to build a shingle mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, a carpenter and millwright (and author of “The History of Burnaby”), also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lockdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920, Alfred married Mary Jane "Ada" Reynolds. Alfred and Mary Jane often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. The couple also had a dog named Bess. The Binghams were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth who were suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression. The Army was in operation for ten years and during that time, the members organised the credit union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union Act through the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started co-op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also the Secretary of the Burnaby Housing Committee. In 1946, he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane died on August 9, 1969. Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Media Type
Textual Record
Sound Recording
Creator
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds MSS142
Less detail

Alfred Bingham subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57735
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913-1971
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
Photographs and other materials
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs, correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913-1971
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Alfred Bingham subseries
Physical Description
Photographs and other materials
Description Level
Subseries
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of photographs, correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham.
History
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Angus McLean and Percy Little worked ten-hour days to build a shingle mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, a carpenter and millwright (and author of “The History of Burnaby”), also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lockdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920, Alfred married Mary Jane "Ada" Reynolds. Alfred and Mary Jane often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. The couple also had a dog named Bess. The Binghams were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth who were suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression. The Army was in operation for ten years and during that time, the members organised the credit union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union Act through the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started co-op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also the Secretary of the Burnaby Housing Committee. In 1946, he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane died on August 9, 1969. Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
MSS001, MSS142, and PC 010
Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory252
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1919-1955
Length
0:06:06
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clear…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clearing is described in detail. Alfred also relates a story from 1920 involving early settlers E. Powell and J. Amos.
Date Range
1919-1955
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:06:06
Subjects
Land Clearing
Buildings - Industrial - Mills
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lochdale Area
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory253
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1903-1940
Length
0:09:46
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he t…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he took part in at Burnaby Mountain. Alfred also discusses early schools and mentions his wife, Ada Bingham.
Date Range
1903-1940
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:09:46
Subjects
Construction - Road Construction
Land Clearing
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory254
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1955
Length
0:07:38
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of B…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of Burnaby Lake and the "pleasure walk" along Douglas Road, from Vancouver to New Westminster.
Date Range
1892-1955
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:07:38
Historic Neighbourhood
Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory255
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1919-1939
Length
0:09:44
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's personal memories of first coming to Burnaby in 1919 and the work that the early settlers did for Burnaby, including a mention of woman's backbreaking labour. Alfred describes Burnaby as being organized around the two villages of Edmonds and V…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's personal memories of first coming to Burnaby in 1919 and the work that the early settlers did for Burnaby, including a mention of woman's backbreaking labour. Alfred describes Burnaby as being organized around the two villages of Edmonds and Vancouver Heights. He discusses the Army of the Common Good and the Credit Union movement of British Columbia.
Date Range
1919-1939
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:09:44
Subjects
Protests and Demonstrations
Organizations
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track five of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory256
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1919-1939
Length
0:09:06
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's description of Commissioner Fraser taking power in Burnaby. Alfred mentions the Burnaby Housing Committee and the Willingdon Heights Subdivision before beginning reading his series of short stories. He reads "I ARRIVE IN BURNABY AND WE BUILD A…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's description of Commissioner Fraser taking power in Burnaby. Alfred mentions the Burnaby Housing Committee and the Willingdon Heights Subdivision before beginning reading his series of short stories. He reads "I ARRIVE IN BURNABY AND WE BUILD A SHINGLE MILL/ 1919/ Burnaby Lake" as well as "WE BUILD A HOME AND DIG A WELL. 1920", both written in 1963.
Date Range
1919-1939
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:09:06
Subjects
Organizations
Buildings - Industrial - Mills
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track six of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory257
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1919-1939
Length
0:09:44
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads "WHAT THE LOCHDALE DISTRICT LOOKED LIKE IN 1919-20-21-22" and "1st and SECOND SETTLERS IN THE LOCHDALE DISTRICT" both written in 1963.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads "WHAT THE LOCHDALE DISTRICT LOOKED LIKE IN 1919-20-21-22" and "1st and SECOND SETTLERS IN THE LOCHDALE DISTRICT" both written in 1963.
Date Range
1919-1939
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:09:44
Subjects
Land Clearing
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track seven of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory258
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1963
Length
0:07:05
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads; "THE RUM RUNNERS AND BOOTLEG WHISKY IN BURNABY" and "BURNABY. NORTH. SOUTH. EAST? AND WEST 1892---1943" both written in 1963.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads; "THE RUM RUNNERS AND BOOTLEG WHISKY IN BURNABY" and "BURNABY. NORTH. SOUTH. EAST? AND WEST 1892---1943" both written in 1963.
Date Range
1892-1963
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:07:05
Names
Hawthorn, Mary
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track eight of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

Less detail

116 records – page 4 of 6.