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Correct composition : a treatise on spelling abbreviations, the compounding and division of words, the proper use of figures and numerals, italic and capital letters, notes, etc. with observations on punctuation and proof-reading
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary406
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV988.30.5
- Call Number
- 655.2 DEV
- Edition
- 2nd ed.
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- The Century Co.
- Publication Date
- 1904
- c1902
- Series
- The Practice of Typography
- Printer
- De Vinne Press
- Physical Description
- 476 p. : ill. : 19.5 cm.
- Inscription
- "T.A. L. Leach" [Handwritten in pencil on front flyleaf] "Jan. 30, 1912" [Handwritten in pencil on front flyleaf] "Lace 2.00 _ L" [Handwritten in pencil on back endpaper]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Typesetting
- Printing
- Printing--Study and teaching
- Object History
- Book originally owned by Thomas Albert Lorne Leach (1908-1995). Mr. Leach was a radio and television writer and broadcaster.
Naming Ceremony for the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room at the City of Burnaby Archives
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport57895
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 90049
- Meeting Date
- 20-Jun-2011
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 90049
- Meeting Date
- 20-Jun-2011
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Pixie McGeachie Reading Room
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport57711
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 78893
- Meeting Date
- 14-Mar-2011
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 78893
- Meeting Date
- 14-Mar-2011
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Reading and thinking. Book 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary297
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV971.170.7
- Call Number
- 428.6 WIL
- Contributor
- Wilson, Richard
- Litt, D.
- Place of Publication
- London, U.K.
- Publisher
- Thomas Nelson and Sons, Ltd.
- Publication Date
- 1900
- Series
- Reading and thinking
- Physical Description
- 143 p. ; ill. (some col.) ; 19 cm.
- Inscription
- "The Church High School" -- handwritten in ink under front cover. "s16" -- handwritten in pen on flyleaf. "1/8 10c" -- handwritten in pencil on flyleaf.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Readers
- Notes
- Includes index.
Swedish-English conversation teacher. Engelska talo¨fningar ja¨mte grundla¨ggande ordfo¨rra°d med uttalsbeteckning, extensive conversation vocabulary for both languages reading and speaking self-taught through a simplified course of easy lessons for learners of either language
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5968
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV007.40.8
- Call Number
- 439 STE
- Place of Publication
- Chicago
- Publisher
- M. A. Donohue & Co.
- Publication Date
- c1905
- Physical Description
- 127 p. : 19 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Dictionaries
- English language--Dictionaries--Swedish
- Swedish language--Dictionaries--English
Bylaws series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription136
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2010
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of all bylaws passed, signed and sealed by the municipal Council of Burnaby, as well as drafts of bylaws that did not receive final adoption or a final reading. Bylaws pertain to all aspects of municipal government, including, but not limited to, public works, land and building reg…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2010
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Series
- Bylaws series
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of all bylaws passed, signed and sealed by the municipal Council of Burnaby, as well as drafts of bylaws that did not receive final adoption or a final reading. Bylaws pertain to all aspects of municipal government, including, but not limited to, public works, land and building regulation, taxation, finance, licensing, public health and safety, and recreation and culture. Series also includes files of correspondence and other documents related to the development of individual bylaws and municipal bylaw elections, as well as appendices to bylaws, including maps, plans, and engineering related comprehensive development drawings (CD plans). Included also are bylaw record books, which list all bylaws and related information, such as dates of reading and final adoption dates. Bylaws are numbered sequentially and are arranged according to bylaw number.
- Formats
- Microfiche copies are available in the Clerk’s Department vault for bylaws number 1 to 10584.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
![Leopold Buxton aged 8, [1901] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/513/513-004.JPG?width=280)
Leopold Buxton aged 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64602
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1901]
- Collection/Fonds
- Buxton Family collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows Leopold George Buxton at age eight. Leopold was the son of George Searby Buxton and Mary Isabel (nee Nattriss). Born 28 Feb 1893 in Reading England, he came to Canada with his parents in ca. 1911. He was a painter by trade and was educated at Kendrick School Reading and Queen Ma…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1901]
- Collection/Fonds
- Buxton Family collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 513-004
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2010-05
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows Leopold George Buxton at age eight. Leopold was the son of George Searby Buxton and Mary Isabel (nee Nattriss). Born 28 Feb 1893 in Reading England, he came to Canada with his parents in ca. 1911. He was a painter by trade and was educated at Kendrick School Reading and Queen Mary's School Basingstroke Hants. Leopold enlisted in the Canadian Infantry BC Regiment 7th Battlion during World War One. He died on April 24, 1915 and is buried at the Menin Gates (Ypres) memorial Belgium.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Portraits
- Names
- Buxton, Leopold George
- Media Type
- Photograph
Images
![Leopold Buxton aged 8, [1901] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/513/513-004.JPG)
Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory243
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1892-1911
- Length
- 0:09:58
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husb…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.
- Date Range
- 1892-1911
- Photo Info
- Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
- Length
- 0:09:58
- Subjects
- Construction - Road Construction
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Interview Date
- November 17, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
- Biographical Notes
- Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 0:58:55
- Interviewee Name
- McMurray, Lillian Wray
- McMurray, Murdoch
- Interviewer Bio
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track one of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
Track one of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_1.mp3
Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory244
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1906-1975
- Length
- 0:09:00
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his fath…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his father's ranch of six acres, which grew mostly strawberries to sell in Vancouver.
- Date Range
- 1906-1975
- Photo Info
- Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
- Length
- 0:09:00
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
- Geographic Access
- Imperial Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area
- Interviewer
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Interview Date
- November 17, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
- Biographical Notes
- Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 0:58:55
- Interviewee Name
- McMurray, Lillian Wray
- McMurray, Murdoch
- Interviewer Bio
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
Track two of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_2.mp3
Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory245
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1904-1975
- Length
- 0:09:45
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) M…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.
- Date Range
- 1904-1975
- Photo Info
- Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
- Length
- 0:09:45
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Interview Date
- November 17, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
- Biographical Notes
- Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 0:58:55
- Interviewee Name
- McMurray, Lillian Wray
- McMurray, Murdoch
- Interviewer Bio
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track three of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
Track three of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_3.mp3
Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory247
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1904-1975
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.
- Date Range
- 1904-1975
- Photo Info
- Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Names
- McMurray, Bob
- Subjects
- Transportation - Sleighs
- Animals - Horses
- Interviewer
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Interview Date
- November 17, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
- Biographical Notes
- Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 0:58:55
- Interviewee Name
- McMurray, Lillian Wray
- McMurray, Murdoch
- Interviewer Bio
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track five of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
Track five of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_5.mp3![Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby, [1905-1909] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Cartographic_Material/1977/1977_0093_0024a_001.jpg?width=280)
Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6993
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1905-1909]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 11 plans : 8 plans : black ink on paper + 2 plans : graphite on paper + 1 plan : graphite and ink on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a large board of seven New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on one side and four New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Small subdivision plan of "Lot 2, Gr.1" drawn in black ink with annotation "Now Lot 1 of Subd of Lot 2 /…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 11 plans : 8 plans : black ink on paper + 2 plans : graphite on paper + 1 plan : graphite and ink on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
- Material Details
- Scales [between 1:1200 and 1:3600]
- Index number on edge of board reads: "24"
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a large board of seven New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on one side and four New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Small subdivision plan of "Lot 2, Gr.1" drawn in black ink with annotation "Now Lot 1 of Subd of Lot 2 / see Bd. 5". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) with "Scale 3 ch = 1 in" and signed by "Albert J. Hill / P.L.S." (in graphite). (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Plan of "Lot 43, G.1" north of Burnaby Lake and surrounded by Lot 59, Lot 44, Lot 42. Lot 43 identifies physical features including: " roads / beaver dam / cranberry bog / roads / large brook / cutting / spruce / cedar / vine paper and alder / cedar / light spruce". Lot 59 identifies physical features: "heavy timber / alder and cedar etc" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. "Plan / Shewing Subdivision of part of / Lot 156 G.1 / Burnaby / N.W.D. / BC / Scale 300 ft = 1 inch" Annotation at top of plan reads: "#1030_Deposited / in the Land Registry Office / at New Westminster BC / 24th February 1908 / C.S. Keith Dist Reg I / RB". Plan is signed by "Peter Byrne / Reeve" and "H.G. Youdall [sic] _ BCLS" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. "Plan / of / Subdivision of Part / Lot 25, Group 1, N.W.D. / Burnaby Municipality / Scale: 3 chains = 1 inch" (drawn in graphite). Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) and signed by "H.N. Smith" and "1024 / Deposited 25th / Jan. 1908 / Keith" (graphite) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 5. Handrawn plan in graphite is identified as "Lots 89 & 90 Gr.1" and intialed "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 7. Plan of "Lot 95 Gr. 1". Plan includes a portion of District Lot 95 near the intersection of centre line of B.C.E.R. and B.C.E.Ry - Vancouver Road. Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and initialed by "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 6. "Plan of Subdivision / of Sub Lot XI, Block 11 / DL 25, Gr.1 / (Burnaby) / N.W.D. / Scale 100 feet = 1 inch". Plan is dated "May 13, 1909" and signed by "W.R. Williams / Owner _ H.M. Smith" . Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) Side B: 1. "Plan / of Subdivision / of / Block "F" / in the Subdivision / of / Lot 29, Group 1. / New Westminster District / Scale 2chs = 1in" . Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C.". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Plan of "Portion Lot B Gr.1". Plan includes annotations in graphite reading: "See Board 52-8 & 56-53" / "Sketch / see orig. plan". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) 3. Untitled plan drawn in black ink showing the "Brunette River", the "V.W. & Y.RY" and "Gunn Road _Diversion" running through Lot 13, Lot 2 - H.Gunn, Lot 4 - A.Lewis, Lot 10 - Geo. Love and W. Leonard and Lot 40. Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and initialed by "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4."Plan / of / a Portion of the Foreshore / of / The North Arm of the Fraser River / Fronting / A Portion of Lot 166 Gr.1 / N.W. Dist. B.C. / Scale 100' = 1 " / Soundings taken from Map of D.P.W. Surveys". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) and includes annotations in red ink reading: "Office Copy" / "Plotted / Dec. 9th 1908 / G.K.B." (Geographic location: Burnaby)
- Creator
- Hill, Albert James
- Smith, H. Neville
- Accession Code
- HV977.93.24
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1905-1909]
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scale
- 72
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Scale is measured in chains and feet. (One chain equals 792 inches)
- The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot"
Images
![Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby, [1905-1909] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Cartographic_Material/1977/1977_0093_0024a_001.jpg)
Airship at New Westminster
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39568
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.2 x 10.8 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a large crowd gathering around an airship in a clearing in New Westminster. The craft bears a banner reading "Motor Boats Built by Hinton Electric Ltd. At Victoria." The airship was piloted by Harry Ginter and made twice daily flights over the 1909 exhibition.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.2 x 10.8 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-887
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a large crowd gathering around an airship in a clearing in New Westminster. The craft bears a banner reading "Motor Boats Built by Hinton Electric Ltd. At Victoria." The airship was piloted by Harry Ginter and made twice daily flights over the 1909 exhibition.
- Names
- Ginter, Harry
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on caption accompanying photograph
Images
Among ourselves : a schoolmaster with his friends at the round table
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1845
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV983.76.20
- Call Number
- 371.1 TAY
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- E. L. Kellogg & Co.
- Publication Date
- c1900
- Printer
- Robert Drummond
- Physical Description
- 149, [7] p.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Teaching
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
- 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
![BFG bag prop concept plan, [2015] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0021_0100_001.jpg?width=280)
BFG bag prop concept plan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19155
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [2015]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. laser print ; 28 x 43.5 cm with annotations
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a concept plan created by concept illustrator Brian Cunningham for a leather bag to be used as a prop in the film "The BFG". Ovelay of tape with actual measurements on surface of print for the creation of the leather bag. Concept plan was used by property master, Jimmy Chow to crea…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. laser print ; 28 x 43.5 cm with annotations
- Material Details
- Green masking tape and white duct tape adhered to surface of print
- Handwritten measurements in black ink written on surface of tape
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a concept plan created by concept illustrator Brian Cunningham for a leather bag to be used as a prop in the film "The BFG". Ovelay of tape with actual measurements on surface of print for the creation of the leather bag. Concept plan was used by property master, Jimmy Chow to create the bag as a prop. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 2016.
- Creator
- Cunningham, Brian
- Subjects
- Industries - Film
- Responsibility
- Beach, Chris
- Accession Code
- BV022.21.100
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [2015]
- Media Type
- Graphic Material
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Bottom right corner includes identifiers reading: "? / ...BFG 3 BAG_PROP CONCEPT / ... PROP BFG BAG CONCEPT / .../ Scale / 15:00:00 [sic] / ? / C_BEACH /? / B_CUNNINGHAM / ? / NONE [sic] / ? / PRP_C05 / ..."
- Drawing identifies, Brian Cunningham as concept illustrator and Chris Beach as [designer] (Art Director)
Images
![BFG bag prop concept plan, [2015] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0021_0100_001.jpg)
BHS minutes 2011
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98331
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 2011
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 0.5 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and reports, as well as the minutes of the annual general meeting. File also contains an invitation to the official plaque unveiling of the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room at the City of Burnaby Archives and event program.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 2011
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Series
- Administration series
- Physical Description
- 0.5 cm of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS205-055
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2020-06
- Scope and Content
- File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and reports, as well as the minutes of the annual general meeting. File also contains an invitation to the official plaque unveiling of the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room at the City of Burnaby Archives and event program.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from original file folder
Festivals Burnaby Grant Program Applications
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport79860
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 101539
- Meeting Date
- 29-May-2017
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 101539
- Meeting Date
- 29-May-2017
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
First Airship at New Westminster
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39566
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.3 x 7.7 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an airship flying above New Westminster. The craft bears a banner reading "Motor Boats Built by Hinton Electric Ltd. At Victoria." The airship was piloted by Harry Ginter and made twice daily flights over the 1909 exhibition.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.3 x 7.7 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-885
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an airship flying above New Westminster. The craft bears a banner reading "Motor Boats Built by Hinton Electric Ltd. At Victoria." The airship was piloted by Harry Ginter and made twice daily flights over the 1909 exhibition.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Air
- Advertising Medium
- Names
- Ginter, Harry
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on caption accompanying photograph
Images
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19348
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Anushay Malik Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Dr. Sadhu Binning Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 25, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:15:57) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future exhibits and for researchers to learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby. During the interview, Dr. Binning shares his ancestral background along with his relatives' and his own personal experiences as a South Asian immigrant living and working in British Columbia and Burnaby. Dr. Binning conveys that he’s a Burnaby resident who’s lived in Burnaby since 1973 and that his children were born here. Binning shares his ancestral heritage beginning with his uncle Dhana Singh who emigrated from Punjab to British Columbia in 1931 and began working in the forest industry. He explains how Dhana Singh and another partner owned, operated and worked in small sawmills in the vicinity of Kamloops, Williams Lake and also on Vancouver Island. Binning conveys that in the beginning Dhana Singh and many other South Asian immigrants were not legal residents until 1938. In 1938, about 350 South Asian immigrants (mainly Punjabi) gathered resources to hire a lawyer to obtain permanent residency. Binning mentions that one of the notable South Asians in the group who was also a close friend of his uncle, was Darshan Singh Sangha, a trade unionist who was a founding member of the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union and an active member of the Communist Party of Canada. Binning conveys how Darshan Singh Sangha returned to India in 1947 to be a part of the revolution, how he was very active in the communist movement in India. While in India, Darshan Singh Sangha, was known as Canadian and thereby adopted “Canadian” as his surname, becoming “Darshan Singh Canadian”. Binning further explains that his uncle Dhana Singh Sangha returned to India in 1951, married and came back to B.C. in 1957 bringing with him, his wife and children. In 1960, with the support of his uncle, Binning’s father, Jit Singh Binning immigrated to British Columbia and began working in sawmills in the lower mainland, Kamloops, Quesnel and on Vancouver Island. Binning clarifies that his uncle, Dhana Singh was able to immigrate to Canada with the support of his cousins from the Tarker Singh Bains family. Binning further describes Darshan Singh Sangha’s involvement with the Communist party and the IWA and how the majority of the members were from the forest industry. As an active and prominent member of the labour movement, Darshan Singh Sangha fought for the rights of South Asians and Chinese who working in the industry and facing racism, unfair wages and discriminatory practices. Binning describes how Darshan Singh Sangha wrote a book in English in 1943, titled “Rise of the New Asia”. Binning conveys how immigrants of Chinese and South Asian decent didn’t have the right to vote in British Columbia and how Darshan Singh Sangha was instrumental in obtaining the right to vote in British Columbia, although he was never given the credit. Binning describes his uncle Dhana Singh as a likeable guy with many friends, first living in Kamloops before moving to Vancouver. Binning imparts how the sport of wrestling is a popular Punjabi sport along with Punjabi kabaddi. He conveys that his uncle became involved in wrestling while working in sawmills. South Asian immigrants had to do physical labour working in sawmills, the work could be tough and could often lead to physical fights. A number of South Asian immigrants working in the mills already had experience as wrestlers from back home. Dhana Singh later left the lumber industry to work in the agriculture sector. Binning explains how immigration rules changed in the 1960s which lead to larger numbers of South Asians immigrating to Canada. Many of these new immigrants were educated and politically conscious. All of these new immigrants faced racism but being politically conscious from an independent India and with the ability to speak English they organized themselves to fight for their rights. Binning imagines the items that his uncle and his father may have brought with them in their suitcase when immigrating to Canada. Binning describes three items, including a rajai (a blanket with cotton inside that is sewn together), a bistra (small attaché case or trunk) and a piece of cloth to lie on. Binning further describes the roles in Indian society as caste divisions and that it was usually women’s work in making the rajais. Binning recollects the locations that his father and his family lived after coming to Vancouver. Binning explains that a few years after living together in Vancouver, he and his family moved to Burnaby in 1973 to be closer to his Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish Binning’s family. Dr. Binning and family lived in a house in Burnaby located on Irmin Street near Royal Oak between 1973 and 1987. While living at this house their children attended McPherson Park Junior High School and later Burnaby South Secondary School. Binning reflects on some of the racism that he and his family have faced while living in Burnaby which led him to write a poem that he published in 1994 titled “No More Watno Dur”. Binning explains the meaning of the title “Watan” meaning “country and everybody” “a country far way from the motherland”. Binning explains the origins of the magazine “Watan” that was started by a friend in 1973. The magazine got its roots in Vancouver in 1973 from an organization called the “Punjabi Literary Association”. Binning became the editor of the magazine in 1976 and his friend joined him as assistant editor in 1978. Binning continued to work as editor until 1983 or 1984 when he returned to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. Binning describes the origins of the “Vancouver Sath” that was formed by a small group of South Asians around 1982. Binning was a founding member of the organization and held meetings and rehearsals at his house in Burnaby. Vancouver Sath first started out as an informal discussion forum by a group of politically conscious Punjabi writers and activists. Binning talks about issues and problems that Vancouver Sath addressed including; racism as well as domestic violence in the South Asian community. Binning explains how he and Sukhwant Hundal wrote articles on these issues and others that were happening in the South Asian community in Canada. Binning talks about how in 1983, the group was inspired to begin performing theatrical works after consulting with Gursharan Singh who was from a well known theatrical group from Punjab who were performing in Vancouver. In the beginning the Vancouver Sath’s plays were focused on the problems in Punjab but they soon decided to address social issues in their own South Asian community here in Canada. Binning summarizes and draws attention to, some of the plays that Vancouver Sath has written and performed including; “Picket Line”, about Punjabi women farmworkers’ rights; “Lattan de Bhoot”, about domestic abuse; “A Crop of Poison”; “Kihda Viah” (English translation- “Whose Marriage”) about arranged marriage and others about social issues in the South Asian community. The plays were performed in public schools and community centres in Vancouver and Richmond, Simon Fraser University and some were also performed in Toronto, Calgary and Williams Lake. Binning mentions some of the traditional foods that he likes to eat and where he and his family have shopped to find ingredients. He recalls how his mother, Gurmaje Kaur Binning did all of the cooking and was often cooking all day long. In the sixties, the Binning family address on 13th Avenue in Vancouver was also used as a postal address for many friends and family who’d recently immigrated. When these friends dropped by to pick up their mail, his mother often provided them with tea and food. After Binning and his wife, Jagdish moved to their own home in 1973, he shared in some of the shopping and cooking but his wife did the majority of the work due to his busy schedule. The interview closes with Binning providing an explanation of how “Watno Dur” magazine changed it’s name to “Watan” magazine. Binning reflects on how this came to be, when he made the decision to get an education in Canada and to stay here, not just as a “Canadian” but as a “Punjabi Canadian.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur’ (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife Jagdish purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. 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
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Industries - Forestry
- Foods
- Migration
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Unions
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Performances
- Performances - Dramatic Performances
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Binning, Dr. Sadhu
- Binning, Gurmaje Kaur
- Binning, Jit Singh
- Binning, Jagdish
- Sangha, Darshan Singh
- Canadian Farmworkers Union
- Hundal, Sukhwant
- Sangra, Harjinder
- Singh, Dhana
- Vancouver Sath
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0003_004.mp3