30 records – page 2 of 2.

Joseph H.C. Corsbie fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20275
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1941-1988]
Collection/Fonds
Joseph H.C. Corsbie fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
35 photographs + 1.5 cm textual records + 1 map + 1 book
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs and documents relating to Joseph (Joe) Hardcastle Cumberland Corsbie during his service with the RCAF during World War II (1942-1945) along with photographs and docments relating to his personal and professional life (. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Joseph H.C. Co…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Joseph H.C. Corsbie fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
35 photographs + 1.5 cm textual records + 1 map + 1 book
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs and documents relating to Joseph (Joe) Hardcastle Cumberland Corsbie during his service with the RCAF during World War II (1942-1945) along with photographs and docments relating to his personal and professional life (. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Joseph H.C. Corsbie RCAF records series 2) Joseph H.C. Corsbie personal and professional records series
History
Joseph “Joe” Hardcastle Cumberland Corsbie was born in 1913 in Peace River (Doe River) to parents Joseph Hardcastle Cumberland Corsbie and Winnifred Ann Mapleton Corsbie. As an adult Joe trained and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a navigator between 1942 and 1945. In 1945, while serving with the RCAF during World War II, Joe was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After World War II, Joe returned to Peace River where he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly serving as a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation MLA for one term between 1945 and 1948. In April 1948, Joe Corsbie married Margaret Carr in the Metropolitan United Church in Victoria followed by a reception held at the B.C. Legislature buildings. On their wedding day, the couple were honoured with a hand painted congratulatory certificate signed by members of the B.C. Legislature. In late, 1948, Joe lost the election and moved with his wife Margaret to Black Creek, B.C. to manage a co-op store. In 1949, the couple welcome their first child who they named Margaret after her mother. In 1950, Joe, Margaret and their daughter moved to a home on Charles Street in Burnaby and Joe began working as the General Manager of the Gulf and Fraser Fishermen’s Credit Union. In 1951, Joe and Margaret welcomed their second child, named Josesph after his father and in 1952, Joe, Margaret and family moved to 84 Springer Avenue, Burnaby where they lived until 1989. Between 1959 and 1976, Joe worked as a General Manager for the CU & C Health Services Society (later became Pacific Blue Cross). While working there, he focused on organizing both extended healthcare benefits and dental coverage for employee groups. In 1964, Joe Corsbie was elected to Burnaby Municipal Council and served one term between 1964 and 1968. Joe also served on the Burnaby Parks Commission (after 1968); served on the Board of Directors for Heritage Village, worked for a short period as a temporary curator for Heritage Village, represented the United Church in organizing and building St. Michael’s Care Centre and served on the Board of Director's. Joe Corsbie died in 1992 and his wife Margaret Corsbie died in 2004.
Creator
Corsbie, Joseph Hardcastle-Cumberland "Joe"
Accession Code
BV020.31
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1941-1988]
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Cartographic Material
Arrangement
Arrangement of fonds is based on the original arrangement by donor.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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Mary Forsyth fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription87823
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1893] (date of original) -2004
Collection/Fonds
Mary Forsyth fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
Textual records, graphic material and cartographic material
Scope and Content
Records consist of material created and collected by Mary Forsyth. Records include correspondence, photographs, a map, presentation notes, and reviews along with research for historical and biographical essays pertaining to pioneering families, organizations, and the geographical area of South Burn…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1893] (date of original) -2004
Collection/Fonds
Mary Forsyth fonds
Physical Description
Textual records, graphic material and cartographic material
Description Level
Fonds
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2014-27
Scope and Content
Records consist of material created and collected by Mary Forsyth. Records include correspondence, photographs, a map, presentation notes, and reviews along with research for historical and biographical essays pertaining to pioneering families, organizations, and the geographical area of South Burnaby. One of her major research projects consists of "A Walking Environment for South Burnaby," which also became a proposal to The Corporation of the District of Burnaby. Historical information and photographs pertaining to South Burnaby pioneer families and organizations were compiled from interviews with the intention of publishing a book.
History
Mary Gertrude (Bolton) Forsyth was born at her parents' home in Burnaby on March 5, 1923, and was the daughter of Richard Bolton and Gertrude (nee Hern). Mary's father, Richard, immigrated to Canada from Sunderland, England, in 1911. He lived with his brother George in New Westminster prior to purchasing property in South Burnaby in 1916 and built a bungalow located at 859 Marine Drive. Richard Bolton was employed as the municipal treasurer for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby and, in 1919, he returned to Sunderland with three months leave of absence to marry Mary Gertrude Hern, daughter of Captain and Mrs. John Hern. Mary grew up with her parents and sister Nancy in the house that her father built on Marine Drive. She married Lloyd Forsyth in 1946 and they had two children, Diane and Robert. Mary and her husband raised their family in Burnaby and built a house at 855 Marine Drive, on the lot originally purchased by her father, and moved later to a house located at 6457 Marine Drive. In 1964, after her children were grown, Mary completed her teaching degree at Simon Fraser University and went on to teach kindergarten at Nelson Elementary School. While a teacher within the Burnaby School District, Mary was instrumental in adopting ballet as part of the school curriculum. Mary was an active member of the Burnaby Historical Society, participating and leading local events and seminars. She was inspired by the idea of the 'Housewives Holiday', originally initiated by the Vancouver "Y’ S". In February 1960, she was integral in forming a committee in South Burnaby, working alongside Ruth Turner, Faye Treagh, and Dorothy Turnbull. The "Housewives Holiday" committee (a branch of the Clinton-Glenwood Recreation Association) planned several events at Bonsor Hall for Burnaby housewives from October 6 to December 8, 1960. After her retirement from teaching, Mary returned to Simon Fraser University to do further studies and, in 1983, she wrote an essay for an Environmental Education course, titled "A Walking Environment for South Burnaby". The essay was conducted as a feasibility study to provide a walking environment in her community and included a formal essay, a media book, a map, and a slide presentation which was presented to a variety of local community groups. In 1984, Mary was the recipient of the North Fraser Harbour Commission Award to further her work on this project. In October 1986, her essay was adapted as a proposal to The Corporation of the District of Burnaby for a walking and cycling trail system for South Burnaby. Her proposal was taken into consideration by council and was later adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mary was very much interested in the history of South Burnaby and spent time between 1990 to 2004 conducting research through the Burnaby Historical Society, The City of Burnaby Archives, and several pioneering families who agreed to share their family records and be interviewed. Mary compiled her research into short historical and biographical essays by geographical area, family name, and organization. Mary (Bolton) Forsyth lived her whole life in South Burnaby and was an active and committed member of her community. She died on November 10, 2010.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Cartographic Material
Creator
Forsyth, Mary
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo catalogue 572, MSS185
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Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1920-1990
Collection/Fonds
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
Textual records and photographs
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of textual records and photographs created by the Burnaby Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Records include files and photographs related to cultural services, administration, and delivery of special events, as well the records of the Parks and Recreation Commissi…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1920-1990
Collection/Fonds
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department fonds
Physical Description
Textual records and photographs
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
Subject to FOIPPA
Reproduction Restriction
Reproductions subject to FOIPPA
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of textual records and photographs created by the Burnaby Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Records include files and photographs related to cultural services, administration, and delivery of special events, as well the records of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
History
The Parks and Recreation Department changed its name to the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department in 1997 to better reflect the department's mandate to operate a major arts centre and heritage facility, and to provide extensive cultural services and support to organizations in addition to parks and recreation services. On January 1, 2023, the City renamed the department to Parks, Recreation and Culture to be consistent with other departments, grammatically correct, and reflective of the department "moving forward" to a better Burnaby. Mary Morrison-Clark has served as General Manager of the department since November 2022.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
City of Burnaby
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds.
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Pioneer Tales series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription159
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1979]-1987
Collection/Fonds
Mayor's Office fonds
Description Level
Series
Scope and Content
Series consists of records created during the preparation of the Pioneer Tales manuscript and photographs of the Pioneer Tales Tea event.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1979]-1987
Collection/Fonds
Mayor's Office fonds
Series
Pioneer Tales series
Description Level
Series
Accession Number
2001-02
Scope and Content
Series consists of records created during the preparation of the Pioneer Tales manuscript and photographs of the Pioneer Tales Tea event.
History
On May 28, 1980 the Mayor and Council of Burnaby held a tea to honour Burnaby “pioneers.” The event was held as part of “Burnaby Funfest Days ‘80” and was meant to recognize members of the community who had resided in Burnaby prior to 1930 and acknowledge their contributions as pioneers of the City. Although approximately 100 people were expected, more than 500 actually attended. Each participant was asked to fill out a brief personal information form outlining their experiences in Burnaby’s earliest days - the response to which was so favorable that the idea of compiling a book to capture these memories was born. A writer was hired to help edit and organize the book, and writing contests were initiated to encourage senior residents to share their experiences. Other community members became involved in the project when the City enlisted the help of secondary school students to type manuscripts for those unable to do so and journalism students from the British Columbia Institute of Technology volunteered to conduct interviews with additional “pioneers.” It took several years for the project to come to fruition, but the book was eventually published in 1987.
Media Type
Textual Record
Less detail

S. Dale Standen fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88376
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2014
Collection/Fonds
S. Dale Standen fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1 cm. of textual records.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of one book, titled "Standens and McQueens: A Canadian Story of Migrant Families" written and published by S. Dale Standen.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2014
Collection/Fonds
S. Dale Standen fonds
Physical Description
1 cm. of textual records.
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2014-30
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of one book, titled "Standens and McQueens: A Canadian Story of Migrant Families" written and published by S. Dale Standen.
History
Sydney Drysdale (Dale) Standen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1942. That same year, his parents, Sydney (Sid) and Effie Standen (nee McQueen) moved his family west to Burnaby, following the McQueen family who moved here in 1941. Dale grew up with his family in South Burnaby from 1942 to 1963, first living on Miller Avenue and later at 3842 Imperial Street. His youngest brother Eric was born in Vancouver in 1947 and his two elder brothers Neil (born in 1939) and Phil (born in 1932) were born in Saskatchewan. His brother Phil died tragically during an RCAF training exercise in 1955 and was buried at Ocean View cemetery in Burnaby. Dale's parents were devoted to church work in West Burnaby United Church (formerly Jubilee Henderson Presbyterian Church) on Sussex Avenue. Dale's father, Sid, taught at Nelson Avenue School in 1949 and from 1950 at Burnaby South High School. After 1962, he taught at North Burnaby High School and then Burnaby Central High School as head of their math departments. He supplemented his teacher's income by marking Departmental exams in Victoria. He enjoyed coaching high school sports and was largely responsible for organizing high school boys curling in Greater Vancouver. Sid Standen retired from teaching in 1971. Dale graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia in 1963, a Masters of Arts degree from University of Oregon in 1965, and a PhD from University of Toronto in 1975. He was employed as an instructor at Vancouver City College from 1965 to 1967, a Professor at Trent University from 1971 to 2006, and Professor Emeritus of History from 2006 to present. At Trent, he served terms as Chair of the Department of History and Principal of Lady Eaton College. From 1986 to 1987, he was seconded to the History Division of the Canadian Museum of Civilization as Principal Historian, New France Section, and participated in the development of the Canada Hall exhibits. His research interests include the history of New France, particularly the fur trade and French Aboriginal relations, and applied/public history, especially museums. His interests have involved him in serving on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Canoe Museum and assisting the Design Team in the development of the Museum's millennium exhibits which were completed in 2001. He served a term as President of the French Colonial History Society, and is a past member of the Board of the Champlain Society. Dale's mother, Effie, died in Burnaby in 1965. His father, Sydney, remarried in 1967 to Gladys Marshall and they continued to live in the Standen home on Imperial Street until 1972. Dale inherited his family records and photographs following the death of his father in 1975 and, with some help from his brothers and other relatives, wrote a history of his parents’ families. Original family photos and records are held in the Trent University Archives.
Media Type
Textual Record
Creator
Standen, Sydney Drysdale "Dale"
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds.
MSS189
Original records are held with the Trent University Archives: the Standen-McQueen Family fonds 14-014; and the William Standen fonds 87-006.
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Valley View Community Council fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18943
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1948-1968, predominant 1958-1967
Collection/Fonds
Valley View Community Council fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
9.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records of the Valleyview Community Council including minutes of meetings, constitution, reports, adminstrative records, general correspondence and newsletters.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Valley View Community Council fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
9.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records of the Valleyview Community Council including minutes of meetings, constitution, reports, adminstrative records, general correspondence and newsletters.
History
The Valley View Community Council formed as a society on February 10, 1948. The society was made up of two appointed delegates from the Central Burnaby Ratepayers & Citizen’s Association; the Burnaby Lake Men’s Community Service Club and the Women’s Community Club with the intention to build a community centre in central Burnaby. Founding members included: Orpha Laurie Nicol; Vernon Andrew Fines; Henry Hill; Herbert Frederick Salisbury; Alice Euphemia Peel and Blythe Alfred Eagles. The objects of the society: a) To coordinate the activities of public spirited organizations in the erection, equipping, maintenance, operation and administration of a community centre to be erected on Grandview Highway at Ledger Street. b)To provide opportunities in such centre and elsewhere in the community for wholesome recreation, education, and civic and other leisure-time activities of the community. c)To encourage cooperation in considered community undertakings. A site for the community centre was leased to the Valley View Community Council by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby on a portion of Lot 9 in District Lot 79 on Douglas Road and Ledger Street (offices located at 4443 East Grandview-Douglas Hwy; Community Centre located at 4050 Grandview-Douglas Hwy). The community centre served as a meeting place for various community groups and community events, including the Valley View Kindergarten which used it as a home between 1948 and 1967. On January 29, 1968, the Valley View Community Council was dissolved after their lease on the land expired with the Corporation of the District of Burnaby in the 1967. In the fall of 1968, the community centre building was taken over by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles who relocated the building to 1791 Douglas Road. The remaining funds of the Valley View Community Council society were donated to the Burnaby General Hospital for an incubator in the intensive care unit.
Creator
Valley View Community Council
Accession Code
HV978.90
Date
1948-1968, predominant 1958-1967
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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Victorian Order of Nurses fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97234
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912-1978
Collection/Fonds
Victorian Order of Nurses fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
143 cm of textual records (14 boxes) and 74 photographs (23 med. sepia prints; 15 small sepia prints; 6 small b&w prints; 7 med b&w print; 21 med. col. prints).
Scope and Content
Records consist of newspaper clippings, photographs, reports, minute books, correspondence, financial records, newsletters, promotional materials, membership lists, bylaws and scrapbooks related to the history and work of the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) in Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912-1978
Collection/Fonds
Victorian Order of Nurses fonds
Physical Description
143 cm of textual records (14 boxes) and 74 photographs (23 med. sepia prints; 15 small sepia prints; 6 small b&w prints; 7 med b&w print; 21 med. col. prints).
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2010-09
Scope and Content
Records consist of newspaper clippings, photographs, reports, minute books, correspondence, financial records, newsletters, promotional materials, membership lists, bylaws and scrapbooks related to the history and work of the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) in Burnaby.
History
The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) for Canada is a non-profit charitable organization created for the purposes of home care and social services established in 1898 to perpetuate the memory of Victoria the Good. Lady Aberdeen, founding president of the National Council of Women (and wife of Canadian Governor General Lord Aberdeen) was a great believer in the need for a nursing service in Canada, particularly for the less fortunate and recommended the organization be established. The Burnaby Branch of the Victorian Order of Nurses was established in 1912 with Miss Colhoun as its first nurse.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
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Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4648
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1908-1975
Collection/Fonds
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 folders of textual records + 180 photographs + ephemera + 1 map + 1 architectural drawing
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records acquired from the Chinese Herbalist shop “Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co” operating in Victoria from 1905 until 1968. Textual records include a few pieces of correspondence, receipts and ephemera addressed to "Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co.", Lim You and Lim Yau (Yew Long Lum) wh…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 folders of textual records + 180 photographs + ephemera + 1 map + 1 architectural drawing
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records acquired from the Chinese Herbalist shop “Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co” operating in Victoria from 1905 until 1968. Textual records include a few pieces of correspondence, receipts and ephemera addressed to "Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co.", Lim You and Lim Yau (Yew Long Lum) while the shop was in operation at 1620 Government Street in the 1940s. Some of the records are written in English while a portion are written in Cantonese and haven't been translated. Most of the photographs document the content of the original shop at the time of aquistion in 1975. Some photographs of unidentified people may be related to the owner or proprietor of the shop. A collection of other photographs document various Chinese Canadian organizations that were in operation in Victoria. Records are arranged into the following series: 1) Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series 2) Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. documents series
History
The Chinese Herbalist shop "Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co" operated in Victoria, BC from about 1905 until [1968]. The meaning of "Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co" can be translated as "Collection, Life, Source, Alive, Shop" although many interpretations can be taken since each Chinese character can have several meanings. Contents of the shop were purchased by the Burnaby Village Museum in 1975 and reassembled as a permanent display in the Burnaby Village Museum. The shop’s original owner was Ng Chee Fong who opened the shop ca.1905. In 1921, Ng returned to Hong Kong and sold the business to Lam Yuen and Wong Ying who were from Vancouver. Lam Yuen and Wong Ying employed Lum Chuck Yue to operate the shop. Lum Chuck Yue had formerly operated a small herbal counter in a Chinese apothecary store on the south side of Fisgard Street, Victoria. In 1924 Lam Yuen and Wong Ying purchased Wah Sun & Co. from Lee S. Yew and Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. moved into the Wah Sun premises at 1620 Government Street in the Lee Block . The furnishings and fixtures of both stores were combined, with the more elaborate fixtures from WSYWK remaining as part of the public part of the shop and the plainer fixtures of Wah Sun moved into the workroom and basement. In the 1930s Lum Chuck Yue took over the business and became the proprietor. In about 1934, Tan Yi Tang purchased the business and the shop reopened as Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. following renovations with Lum Yew Jong as the shop's proprietor. Lum Yew Jong continued to operate the shop until his death in 1967 at the age of 68 years. Following Lum’s death, the property and contents of the shop were purchased by Mr. J. Watson Marles, a local owner operator of an antique store at 1714 Government Street. The shop and contents went through a few more private owners including Rodney Pain before it was purchased by the Heritage Village Museum in 1975 with funds made available by the Vancouver Foundation and the Province of British Columbia. Contents of the original shop were reasembled in a reconstructed building as a permanent display on site at the Burnaby Village Museum.
Creator
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company
Accession Code
HV975.5
BV985.5331
BV017.7
Access Restriction
Restricted access
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1908-1975
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Cartographic Material
Architectural Drawing
Related Material
See also Artifacts under Accessions HV975.5; BV985.5331 and BV017.7
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19021
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1910-1975
Collection/Fonds
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
180 photographs
Scope and Content
Series consists of photographs that were part of the contents of the Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. business at 1620 Government Street, Victoria in 1975 as well as documentary photographs of the interior and exterior. Photographs of individuals, organizations and families are included along with photo…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
Series
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
180 photographs
Scope and Content
Series consists of photographs that were part of the contents of the Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. business at 1620 Government Street, Victoria in 1975 as well as documentary photographs of the interior and exterior. Photographs of individuals, organizations and families are included along with photographs of the interior and exterior of the shop documenting contents and furnishings in 1975 prior to being moved to Burnaby Village Musuem.
Accession Code
HV975.5
BV985.5331
BV017.7
Date
1910-1975
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
See also Artifacts under Accessions HV975.5; BV985.5331 and BV017.7
Notes
Title based on contents of series
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William Holmes fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10416
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1841]-1994
Collection/Fonds
William Holmes fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photographs (calotype) + 1 photograph : b&w + 6 photographs : col. + 5 p. textual records + 1 newspaper clipping
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs pertaining to the William Holmes family, family grave markers in cemetery in Ireland along with original correspondence, land title certificates and a newspaper clipping. Fonds is arranged in series: 1) William Holmes family photographs series 2) William Holmes family…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
William Holmes fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photographs (calotype) + 1 photograph : b&w + 6 photographs : col. + 5 p. textual records + 1 newspaper clipping
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs pertaining to the William Holmes family, family grave markers in cemetery in Ireland along with original correspondence, land title certificates and a newspaper clipping. Fonds is arranged in series: 1) William Holmes family photographs series 2) William Holmes family records series 3) Holmes family cemetery photographs series
History
William Holmes was the first non-Indigenous resident of Burnaby and was born in Kilkenny Ireland January 4, 1812. In 1833, at the age of 20 yrs, William Holmes immigrated to Canada from Ireland in with his parents, Joseph and Jane (McCullough) Holmes and ten other family members including two of his married brothers and their wives, two sisters with their husbands and two unmarried brothers. This was the first group of thirteen to leave Ireland and set up homesteads in Canada near the shores of Lake Huron. The family settled on land concessions in Huron County, Ontario about 14 km southeast of Goderich. The area in Huron County was first founded in 1832 by John and Samuel Holmes and the community was known as Holmes Hill before becoming Holmesville [ca. 1850]. In 1837, William Holmes is noted as owning Lot 23, Concession IX, Goderich Twp. Much of the village of Holmesville grew up around the five road concession near the border of his brother’s farm so William decided to open a store. The Holmesville post office opened on March 1, 1855 and William was appointed the first post master which he operated until May 1857. William met and married Mary Richardson in 1841 and the couple had three daughters: Jane (1844-1926) (married Charles Studdert Finlaison in New Westminster in 1863); Anne Maria (Annie) (1846-192?) (married John Gunther Jennings in New Westminster in 1865 and married Robert Johnson in New Westminster in 1877) and Elizabeth (1848-1934) (married Thomas Carrington of Lakes District in 1867). William’s wife, Mary (Richardson) Holmes died in Holmesville sometime between 1848 and 1853. Following the death of his first wife, Mary, William married Charlotte McCullough (McCulloch). The couple had four daughters; Arabella Charlotte Amelia (1854-1943) (married Arthur Robert Green in 1887); Laura (1855-1867); Arabella Henrietta (1857-1929) (married Clark Wesley Gillanders in 1880) and Mary (1863-1864). During the late 1850s, William became aware of the gold rush and opportunities opening up in British Columbia so left for the west coast in 1858 at the age of 46 yrs. In preparation for his move to the west coast of Canada, William obtained a letter of introduction from top government officials of Canada. William Holmes arrived in British Columbia in 1859. Upon arriving, he first worked running pack trains from Harrison Mills to Lillooet. After earning some money, he decided to re-invest it in land. His first pre-emption of land occurred on January 21, 1860 for 160 acres situated on North Road from the Military Camp to Burrard Inlet and distancing 25 chains south of the Brunette River and 20 chains south of the river with the land extending in a westerly direction. On March 17, 1860, Holmes received a Crown Grant for this and other land in the immediate area totalling 415 acres of which was known as Lot No. 1, Group 1, Rural Land, New Westminster District. The balance of land was situated on the east side of the Brunette River – Lot 13, with 344 2/3 acres of which he made an application to purchase on June 26, 1860, and a Crown Grant dated March 16, 1861 covering 86 acres. Holmes also pre-empted land in Port Moody and Pitt Meadows in 1860 and 1861. The name of “Brunette River” is officially attributed to William Holmes who referred to the river as “Brunette” due to it’s dark colour originating from the peat lands above the lake. Following his purchase of property, he sent for his wife Charlotte, their three daughters and her three step daughters (from William’s first marriage). Charlotte and the six children made the long trip to B.C. by ship and rail, crossing the Isthmus of Darien at Panama. They arrived in B.C. in October 1861 and moved into a one room log cabin built by William. The cabin stood on the North Road at the foot of Sapperton, on a bluff overlooking the Brunette River. Eventually the family moved to a larger dwelling but the original cabin remained on the site until the 1890s when it was burned after being used as a sick house. Mr. Holmes was instrumental in organizing the first Orange Lodge in British Columbia. He was a prominent Orangeman who joined the order in 1840 and was the first master in the order of the City of New Westminster when the Lodge No. 1150 was established there. Charlotte Holmes died in New Westminster in 1893 at the age of 70 years and William Holmes died in New Westminster September 11, 1907 at the age of 95 years.
Responsibility
Holmes, William
Accession Code
HV971.46
BV997.50
Date
[1841]-1994
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Related Material
See also: Reference file: Persons - Holmes, William
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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30 records – page 2 of 2.