"Planning" found 132 records | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…

1 audio

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) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).

History: Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. Interviewers' biographies: 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”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores; Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills; Buildings - Industrial - Factories; Education; Employment; Industries - Logging/lumber; Migration; Occupations - Engineers; Occupations - Millworkers; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Writers; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"; Kapoor Sawmills Limited; Siddoo, Kapoor Singh; Teja, Gurdial Singh; Parmar, Surjeet Kaur; Manhas, Ghania Singh; Singh, Mayo; Manhas, Kashmir Singh; Manhas, Sher Singh; Manhas, Budhan Kaur; Manhas, Lashman Singh

Responsibility: Malik, Anushay; Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Woodsworth Street

Accession Code: BV022.29.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area; Capitol Hill Area

Related Material: See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate; Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi; Transcript of interview available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Kalwant Singh

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3

Certificate of Title

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10409

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 22 Mar. 1860

Collection/Fonds: William Holmes fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 certificate

Scope and Content: Item consists of "Certificate of Title" to Mr. William Holmes for land in Burnaby/NE Westminster; "68 Acres", "Tenth Day of March AD 1860". Description reads: "On West Side of North Road to Port Moody Burrard Inlet, shown on the [?] Plan as Lots 2 / Group 1". The blue Provincial seal is affixed to…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: William Holmes fonds

Series: William Holmes family records series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 certificate

Scope and Content: Item consists of "Certificate of Title" to Mr. William Holmes for land in Burnaby/NE Westminster; "68 Acres", "Tenth Day of March AD 1860". Description reads: "On West Side of North Road to Port Moody Burrard Inlet, shown on the [?] Plan as Lots 2 / Group 1". The blue Provincial seal is affixed to the certificate and it is signed by R.C. Moody "Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works".

Accession Code: BV997.50.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 22 Mar. 1860

Media Type: Textual Record

Scan Resolution: 300

Scan Date: 06-May-2019

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

Certificate of Title, 22 Mar. 1860 thumbnail

Plot of Royal Engineers' Surveys - North Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11155

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1890]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 61 x 45 cm

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Plot of Royal Engineers' Surveys," "North Road."

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: Subdivision and survey plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 61 x 45 cm

Material Details: Scale 10 chains = 1 inch

Scope and Content: Survey plan of "Plot of Royal Engineers' Surveys," "North Road."

Geographic Access: North Road

Accession Code: BV003.83.34

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1890]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: December 2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; Handwritten notes on verso read: "Envelope 369", and mathematical calculat- ions

Images

Plot of Royal Engineers' Surveys - North Road, [1890] thumbnail

Agreement for sale of land between Joseph C. Armstrong and Jesse Love re District Lot 25

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18788

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 6 Oct. 1893

Collection/Fonds: Love family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 p. of textual records + 1 plan : red and black ink on linen ; 16 x 8.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of an Agreement for Sale of Land dated October 6, 1893 between Joseph C. Armstrong and Jesse Love for District Lot 25, Group one, New Westminster District and a small hand drawn plan showing District Lot 25, Cumberland Road and location of building. Land Agreement was registered Febru…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Love family fonds

Series: Love and Leonard land records series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 p. of textual records + 1 plan : red and black ink on linen ; 16 x 8.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of an Agreement for Sale of Land dated October 6, 1893 between Joseph C. Armstrong and Jesse Love for District Lot 25, Group one, New Westminster District and a small hand drawn plan showing District Lot 25, Cumberland Road and location of building. Land Agreement was registered February 13, 1894.

Accession Code: BV992.26.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 6 Oct. 1893

Media Type: Textual Record; Cartographic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Document dated Oct 6 1893; "ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT" between Joseph C. Armstrong and Jesse Love; one page, folded on buff, legal-sized paper with pink borders; black print; handwritten in faded brown ink; for a parcel of land in the New Westminster District, all that portion of Lot 25, Group I, from a point on the Easterly side 20 chains from the South Easterly corner, then from the South Easterly corner, then northerly and parallel with the Cumberland Road for 10 chains and 52 links, then southerly 10 chains, then Easterly 14 chains and 52 links, total 14 acres and 52/100; for $1161 in 17 instalments at 6% interest; signed by Jesse Love and J.C. Armstrong, witnessed by H.A. Eastman; two seals are missing, pink stains on paper; addition May 1900 signed by Jesse Love and H.A. Eastman; folds twice; when folded, panel showing is "AGREEMENT for Sale of Land." "on Cumberland road in Lot 25 Group I"; handwritten "H.A. Eastman" over printed "E.H. PORT & CO.", "REAL ESTATE BROKERS" "NEW WESTMINSTER BRITISH COLUMBIA"; back panel has blue stamping and pink additions, giving No. 546C, registered February 13, 1894, Charge Book Vol. 13, Folio 51, signed C.S. Corrigan? District Registrar; with hand-drawn plan on stained linen, pink ink with black additions, shows Cumberland Road and city limits.

Brookfield

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription988

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1896]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.1 x 17.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the house built about 1894 that Louis Claud Hill called "Brookfield." Mr. Hill was married that year to Annie Sara Kendrick, and they took up residence in the house until 1906 when they sold the property and built a new home in the vicinity of Buckingham and Sperling. Brookfield was…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.1 x 17.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the house built about 1894 that Louis Claud Hill called "Brookfield." Mr. Hill was married that year to Annie Sara Kendrick, and they took up residence in the house until 1906 when they sold the property and built a new home in the vicinity of Buckingham and Sperling. Brookfield was still on the property when the Burnaby Village Museum was planned in 1971 as Heritage Village, but it was torn down to make room for other buildings on the site. An acquisition record notes that this house stood immediately behind the Elworth House, and Colonel Peers' (the donor) mother was born in this house in 1898. Annotations on the back of the photo read, "1896 'Brookfield'" and "The residence of Mr.+Mrs. LC Hill, the first residence on the site of Heritage Court. It stood immediately behind what is now called the Manor House. Built about 1894."

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Street Address: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue

Accession Code: HV973.40.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1896]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-05-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Building plan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10552

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [c. 1900]

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 architectural drawing : blueprint on paper ; 36 x 48.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a building plan including a floorplan and front elevation for the Taishan/Toisan Middle School memorial pavilion, located in Taishan/Toisan county in Guangdong, China. The plan was issued to the Canada fundraising committee for the school construction project. All written informati…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Series: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. documents series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 architectural drawing : blueprint on paper ; 36 x 48.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a building plan including a floorplan and front elevation for the Taishan/Toisan Middle School memorial pavilion, located in Taishan/Toisan county in Guangdong, China. The plan was issued to the Canada fundraising committee for the school construction project. All written information on drawing is in Chinese characters, including signs on building.

Accession Code: BV985.5331.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [c. 1900]

Media Type: Architectural Drawing

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-01-17

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

All Saints Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11924

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "All Saints Church / Lot "A" BK 29 DL 98 GP1 N.W.D.". Watling Street is idenfied to the north of the church building and Royal Oak Avenue to the west.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "All Saints Church / Lot "A" BK 29 DL 98 GP1 N.W.D.". Watling Street is idenfied to the north of the church building and Royal Oak Avenue to the west.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: All Saints Anglican Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.46

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: ""All Saints Church / Lot "A" BK 29 DL 98 / Scale 1 inch = 20 feet"; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

St. Albans the Martyr

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11926

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "St. Albans the Martyr / Lots 45 & 46 North Part DL 28 / GP1 N.W.D." Edmonds Street is to the north, Douglas Road to the west and 19th Avenue to the south.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 40 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "St. Albans the Martyr / Lots 45 & 46 North Part DL 28 / GP1 N.W.D." Edmonds Street is to the north, Douglas Road to the west and 19th Avenue to the south.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: St. Alban's Anglican Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.48

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "St. Albans the Martyr / Lots 45 & 46 North Part DL 28 / 1" = 40' "; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

St. Albans the Martyr, [ca.1910] thumbnail

Broadview Presbyterian Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11927

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Broadview Presbyterian Church / Lot 6, BK 31, DL 69 / GP1 N.W.D." . Fourteenth Avenue (Manor) is identified to the north and Douglas Ave. to the east.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Broadview Presbyterian Church / Lot 6, BK 31, DL 69 / GP1 N.W.D." . Fourteenth Avenue (Manor) is identified to the north and Douglas Ave. to the east.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: Broadview Presbyterian Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.49

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "Broadview Presbyterian Church / Lot 6, BK 31, DL 69 / 1" = 20' "; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

Broadview Presbyterian Church, [ca.1910] thumbnail

St. Helen's Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11929

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "St. Helen's Church / Lots 11 & 12 BK 7 DL 186 / GP1 N.W.D." . Ingleton Ave is identified to the east and Pandora St. to the south.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "St. Helen's Church / Lots 11 & 12 BK 7 DL 186 / GP1 N.W.D." . Ingleton Ave is identified to the east and Pandora St. to the south.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: St. Helen's Catholic Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.51

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: ""St. Helen's Church / Lots 11 & 12 BK 7 DL 186 / 1" = 20' "; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

Dundonald United Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11930

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a building insurance plan of "Dundonald United Church / Lots 9, 10 BK 28 DL 159 GP 1 / N.W.D.". Clinton Street is identified to the north of Lots nine and ten.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of a building insurance plan of "Dundonald United Church / Lots 9, 10 BK 28 DL 159 GP 1 / N.W.D.". Clinton Street is identified to the north of Lots nine and ten.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: Dundonald United Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.52

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "_ _Church / Lots 9 & 10 BK 28 DL 159 / 1" = 20' "; Note in black ink on verso reads: "3704"

Images

Dundonald United Church, [ca.1910] thumbnail

Application note re registration of plan of subdivision Block 7 of Lot 1 District Lot 25

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18792

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [190-]

Collection/Fonds: Love family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 p. of textual records

Scope and Content: Item consists of a handwritten note on scrap of buff paper reading: "I hereby make application to register plan of subdivision of Blk 7 Lot I DL 25 NWG", signed "Jesse Love", "Registered owner".

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Love family fonds

Series: Love and Leonard land records series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 p. of textual records

Scope and Content: Item consists of a handwritten note on scrap of buff paper reading: "I hereby make application to register plan of subdivision of Blk 7 Lot I DL 25 NWG", signed "Jesse Love", "Registered owner".

Accession Code: BV992.26.12

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [190-]

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Handwritten in ink on one side, paper is part of a form with pink ruled columns; verso of note reads: "Total Weekly Expenditure." at bottom right with dotted line and dollar sign, also "Previously returned.", "Total to date of this Return.", and "NOTE.-- This Form to be correctly filled in and forwarded weekly by first mail"; watermark is B.C. crest of flag and sun with "SPLENDOR SINE OCCASU" on banner

Survey plan of District Lot 25

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18807

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [190-]

Collection/Fonds: Love family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink on linen ; 23 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a survey plan created by Provincial Land Surveyor Albert J. Hill with lots numbered one to six of District Lot 25, Lot 6 noted as owned by "Debeck", next to lot no. owned by "Newcombe", Lots numbered 11 to 13 on the other side of Cumberland Street.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Love family fonds

Series: Love and Leonard land records series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink on linen ; 23 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a survey plan created by Provincial Land Surveyor Albert J. Hill with lots numbered one to six of District Lot 25, Lot 6 noted as owned by "Debeck", next to lot no. owned by "Newcombe", Lots numbered 11 to 13 on the other side of Cumberland Street.

Creator: Hill, Albert James

Accession Code: BV992.26.27

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [190-]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Map: hand-drawn in black ink on small rectangle of linen; shows area of "CITY, SUBURBAN.", by Albert J. Hill, P.L.S.; Tenth Avenue, Third Avenue, Armstrong Street, Cumberland Street; lots 1-6 of L.25, dimensions given; L.6 is owned by "Debeck", next lot no number by "Newcombe"; lots 11 and 13 on other side of Cumberland St.; signature J.C. Armstrong; "4" in circle; L.1 is subdivided with pencilled lines

Images

Survey plan of District Lot 25, [190-] thumbnail

Anglican Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11921

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Anglican Church / Lot 2 BK 37 DL69, GP.1, N.W.D. (15th Ave. (Dominion) is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2 and 3).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "Anglican Church / Lot 2 BK 37 DL69, GP.1, N.W.D. (15th Ave. (Dominion) is identified to the north of Lots 1, 2 and 3).

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Accession Code: BV003.83.43

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "Anglican Church / Lot 2 Bk 37 DL69 / 1"=20' "; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

St. John the Divine

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11922

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "St. John the Divine / Lot "A" BK. 49 DL 35 GP1 N.W.D.". Kingsway is identified to the south of building.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : black ink and watercol. on paper ; 30.45 x 30.5 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 inch = 20 feet

Scope and Content: Item consists of building insurance plan of "St. John the Divine / Lot "A" BK. 49 DL 35 GP1 N.W.D.". Kingsway is identified to the south of building.

Creator: Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: St. John the Divine Anglican Church

Accession Code: BV003.83.44

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca.1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in pencil on verso reads: "St. John the Divine / Lot "A" BK. 49 DL 35 / 1"=20' "; Note in balck in on verso reads: "3704"

Images

St. John the Divine, [ca.1910] thumbnail

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…

1 document 1 audio

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

2022_0029_0005_004

Audio Tracks

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

Subdivision plan of Blocks 14, 7 and 4 of Lot 53

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11157

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1910]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 subdivision plan : blueprint ink on paper ; 54.5 x 64 cm

Scope and Content: “Subdivision plan of Blocks 14. 7. and 4. of Lot 53, Group 1" "New Westminster District" "; shows plan of lots in boundary of "First Ave." to "Fourth Ave." and "Seventeenth Street" , "Sixteenth Street"; two maps, one is "Index Plan" "City of New Westminster", other shows "Burnaby Heights" in relati…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: Subdivision and survey plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 subdivision plan : blueprint ink on paper ; 54.5 x 64 cm

Material Details: Scale 1 chain = 1 inch

Scope and Content: “Subdivision plan of Blocks 14. 7. and 4. of Lot 53, Group 1" "New Westminster District" "; shows plan of lots in boundary of "First Ave." to "Fourth Ave." and "Seventeenth Street" , "Sixteenth Street"; two maps, one is "Index Plan" "City of New Westminster", other shows "Burnaby Heights" in relation to Vancouver and New Westminster.

Accession Code: BV003.83.36

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1910]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Scan Resolution: 440

Scan Date: 22-Dec-2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of plan; handwritten on back, "001593", and two columns of numbers

Images

Subdivision plan of Blocks 14, 7 and 4 of Lot 53, [1910] thumbnail

Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription564

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1910 and 1914] (date of original), copied 1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.32 x 25.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph portrait of Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.32 x 25.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph portrait of Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr.

History: Dugald Campbell Patterson Sr. arrived in Burnaby in 1894. He worked for Armstrong Morrison & Balfour and later became foreman boilermaker for the Vancouver Engineering Works. He was the first postmaster of Edmonds in 1909, and was elected a school trustee in 1912. He was a Director of the British Columbia Electric and Water Heat Company and was a member of the New Westminster Board of Trade. He founded an insurance and real estate company in Burnaby and New Westminster. Dugald Campbell Patterson Sr. was born in Partick, Scotland on January 2, 1860. He attended the Glasgow common school, and worked as a ship joiner at Barclay Curle & Company (founded in 1818) in Whiteinch, Scotland. After some years of study, he was employed in the Anchor Line Shipyards (founded in 1856) in Partick. Dugald arrived in Canada on July 1, 1884, and would soon add a second "T" to the spelling of his last name (changing it from "Paterson" to "Patterson"). He married Frances Mabel Webb on February 7, 1891. Together they helped form the Central Park Horticultural Society.Known for his expertise in the field of engineering, Dugald accepted a unique commission at the beginning of World War One. He travelled overseas to supervise a group of Canadians in the construction of submarines on the Clyde River in Glasgow. It was here that he sustained an injury which left him in a wheel chair. Upon his return home, he remained active in both municipal affairs and the arts. He developed a plan that would preserve ravines as parks in Burnaby, and he published a book of poetry. Dugald also served his communty through his membership in the Knights of Pythias,the Canadian Order of Forresters and the Home Reunion Association. Dugald died in Vancouver, BC on June 25, 1931. [Biography provided by Raymond Reitsma].

Names: Patterson, Dugald Campbell, 1860-1931

Accession Code: HV977.99.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1910 and 1914] (date of original), copied 1977

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Photographer: Ritchie, Samuel J.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "B. Paterson's [sic] father (Dougal [sic] Campbell Patterson). Owner Vulcan Iron Works, New Westminster, B.C. (He also started real estate business at Edmonds and K'way [Kingsway]."; For more information on D.C. Patterson's family, see Michael Sone's book, "Pioneer Tales of Burnaby," pg. 60.; The photographer Samuel J. Ritchie was active in New Westminster from 1910 to 1914. For reference, see David Mattison's Camera Workers: The British Columbia Photographic Directory, 1858-1950 - R - Volume 2 (1901-1950)

Images

Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr, [between 1910 and 1914] (date of original), copied 1977 thumbnail

Municipal Council in front of the Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription990

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1910]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 24.5 cm, mounted on card 35 x 37.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Municipal Council and members of the municipal hall staff sitting and standing in two rows outside the enlarged version of Burnaby's first Municipal Hall. Identified, seated (from left): L. Claude Hill, T.D. Coldicutt, J. Love, Reeve Peter Byrne, Duncan C. McGregor, John Rumble an…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 24.5 cm, mounted on card 35 x 37.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Municipal Council and members of the municipal hall staff sitting and standing in two rows outside the enlarged version of Burnaby's first Municipal Hall. Identified, seated (from left): L. Claude Hill, T.D. Coldicutt, J. Love, Reeve Peter Byrne, Duncan C. McGregor, John Rumble and Eber Stride. Behind, standing, fifth from the left is F.L. MacPherson.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Byrne, Peter; Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"; Coldicutt, Thomas D.; Love, Jesse, 1849-1928; McGregor, Duncan C., 1853-1929; Rumble, John; Stride, Eber; MacPherson, Frederick L. "Fred"; Burnaby City Hall

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Accession Code: HV973.40.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1910]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Related Material: According to earlier catalogue record, a plan for the conversion from the municipal hall to a community hall is in the the BVM archives.

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/8/2010

Scale: 100

Photographer: Broadbridge Commercial Photo Company

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on verso of original reads: "Burnaby Municipal Council in front of the first Municipal Hall on Kingsway"; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "The Broadbridge Commercial Photo Co. / 530 Homer St. Vancouver [illegible]"

Images

Municipal Council in front of the Municipal Hall, [1910] thumbnail

Plan of Subdivision of Blocks 1,2.3,6,21 and 23 of District Lot 211

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11111

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1911 and 1912]

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : ink on waxed linen ; 60 x 52.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a "Plan of Subdivision of Blocks 1,2.3,6,21 and 23 / of District Lot 211. Group 1 N.W.D. / Burnaby Municipality"

1 image 1 zoomable image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: Subdivision and survey plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 plan : ink on waxed linen ; 60 x 52.5 cm

Material Details: Scale [1:1200]

Scope and Content: Item consists of a "Plan of Subdivision of Blocks 1,2.3,6,21 and 23 / of District Lot 211. Group 1 N.W.D. / Burnaby Municipality"

Creator: Hill & Burnett

Accession Code: HV984.57.4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1911 and 1912]

Media Type: Cartographic Material

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Scan Resolution: 400

Scan Date: Dec. 22, 2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title; Scale is measured "100 feet to one inch"; Credit on plan reads: "Hill & Burnett_BC_Land Surveyors_Civil Engineers_New Westminster_B.C."

Zoomable Images

Plan of Subdivision of Blocks 1,2.3,6,21 and 23 of District Lot 211, [between 1911 and 1912]

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Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

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Certificate of Title

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Plot of Royal Engineers' Surveys - North Road

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Agreement for sale of land between Joseph C. Armstrong and Jesse Love re District Lot 25

Brookfield

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Building plan

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All Saints Church

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St. Albans the Martyr

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Broadview Presbyterian Church

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St. Helen's Church

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Dundonald United Church

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Application note re registration of plan of subdivision Block 7 of Lot 1 District Lot 25

Survey plan of District Lot 25

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Anglican Church

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St. John the Divine

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Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

Documents

Audio Tracks

Subdivision plan of Blocks 14, 7 and 4 of Lot 53

Images

Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr

Images

Municipal Council in front of the Municipal Hall

Images

Plan of Subdivision of Blocks 1,2.3,6,21 and 23 of District Lot 211

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