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A brief manual directions for curing herring, cod, and salmon : taken from R.J. Duthie's "The art of fish-curing", published by the Rosemont Press, Aberdeen, Scotland, Bulletin no. 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5544
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- HV988.44.38
- Call Number
- 641.49 DUT
- Place of Publication
- Victoria, B.C.
- Publisher
- Provincial Fisheries Dept. of the government of British Columbia
- Publication Date
- 1919
- Printer
- William H. Cullin
- Physical Description
- 12 p.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Curing
- Fisheries
- Fishes
- Preservation
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Notes
- Compiled by: Babcock, John Pease, 1855-1936
- Bulletin No. 2
Horne-Payne Receiving Station
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark594
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Industrial building.
- Associated Dates
- 1913
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- 2nd Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1913
- Description
- Industrial building.
- Heritage Value
- Constructed as an electrical grid substation by the B.C. Electric Railway Company, the Horne-Payne substation was part of the expansion of this utility company to central Burnaby that occurred as a result of the opening of the Burnaby Lake Interurban line in 1911. The Receiving Station is intended to rearrange the company’s system of distributing power over the whole of the Burrard Peninsula. Power will come to the transformers there and be converted and distributed to the various substations in Vancouver, New Westminster and the suburbs...Work has already been started at the foundation for the new plant. (Vancouver Daily Province, April 29, 1913) When constructed the substation was situated within a forest clearing in a largely undeveloped section of northwest Burnaby. The area now surrounding the substation is heavily developed for semi-industrial purposes. This steel-frame and poured concrete structure was designed to be utilitarian, but with decorative detailing. The south-facing front of the structure features massed corners detailed with decorative relief panels at the roofline. Additionally, this well-balanced building displayed symmetrical fenestration with blind, and tall multi-paned steel-sash windows, some crowned with keystones. A tower added to the east side of the building’s front is the most substantial change made to the appearance of the Horne-Payne substation. This industrial structure was designed by prominent British Columbian architect, Robert Lyon (1879-1963). Born in Edinburgh, Lyon apprenticed and worked as an architect in Scotland until 1908 before moving to New York in 1909. In 1911, he began his career in Vancouver as an “architectural engineer,” with the B.C. Electric Company that lasted until 1918. After a short tenure in the lumber industry, Lyon returned to architecture, this time with his own firm in Penticton. Active in municipal politics, he was instrumental in the incorporation of Penticton as a city, and became its first mayor from 1948-1949. Lyon retired from architecture in 1958 and died in 1963. Lyon also designed the Central Park Gate in Burnaby.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- West Central Valley Area
- Architect
- Robert Lyon
- Area
- 47400.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 3700 2nd Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Hugh & Mary McCallum Residence
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark595
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Residential building.
- Associated Dates
- c.1912
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Regent Street
- Associated Dates
- c.1912
- Description
- Residential building.
- Heritage Value
- Typical of the Arts and Crafts style, the house has its original front gabled roof, triangular eave brackets, full open front verandah and pointed bargeboards. The house has received some alterations, including the addition of asbestos shingles over the original siding. It is one of the few surviving early homes of the Broadview subdivision which was established in 1911. This was the long-term home of Hugh McCallum Senior (1873-1960), a steam engineer from Scotland, and his wife Mary (née Baxter, 1875-1958). Hugh continued to live in the house after Mary’s death.
- Locality
- Broadview
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- West Central Valley Area
- Area
- 623.09
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 3838 Regent Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
James & Mary Herd Residence
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark604
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Residential building.
- Associated Dates
- 1910
- Other Names
- STRATHMORE
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- STRATHMORE
- Geographic Access
- Boundary Road North
- Associated Dates
- 1910
- Description
- Residential building.
- Heritage Value
- Designed for James Herd (1863-1940) and his wife, Mary Jane Barrie Herd (née Fenton, 1870-1956), this house was described “as a fine new home valued at… $7,000” by The British Columbian in 1912. Named after Mrs. Herd’s birthplace in the Strathmore Valley, Scotland, this was one of the first homes to be built in the Vancouver Heights subdivision. A full width verandah takes advantage of remarkable views of downtown Vancouver and Burrard Inlet. Though the architecture of the house has been altered by the addition of stucco cladding and the replacement of the original windows, it remains an excellent example of the Craftsman style, with the triangular eave brackets, granite clad verandah piers, square support columns and varied roofline with broad eaves that are characteristic of the style. It was the long-time residence of Joseph Wellington Kelly (1876-1962), a stationary engineer, and his wife Margaret Ann Kelly (née Allan, 1880-1968), who were married in Vancouver in 1901. Their son, Allan C. Kelly (died 2001) was an architect, who worked for the architectural firm Townley & Matheson from 1928 until the 1970s. Among many other projects undertaken for the firm, Allan Kelly was the project architect for Vancouver City Hall.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Area
- 708.39
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 510 Boundary Road North
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
William & Rachael Karman Residence
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark657
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Residential building.
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- 14th Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Description
- Residential building.
- Heritage Value
- This house was built by East Burnaby pioneers William Karman (1866-1948) and Rachael Karman (1865-1933), both born in Scotland. The Karmans originally farmed a “fruit ranch” on Cumberland Road in the 1890s but retired to this home after selling their former farm for a residential subdivision. Rachel died in 1933, and William was remarried to Mary Selkirk (1904-1981). In pristine condition, this Edwardian-era home has a front gabled roof, with symmetrical saddlebag dormers and a gabled front porch. Cedar shingle cladding is used at the foundation level and in the gable ends, and lapped wooden siding on the main level.
- Locality
- East Burnaby
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Edmonds Area
- Area
- 696.46
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 8088 14th Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
![Dugald Campbell Patterson, Sr, [between 1910 and 1914] (date of original), copied 1977 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1977/1977_0099_0006_001.jpg?width=280)
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.
- 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].
- 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](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1977/1977_0099_0006_001.jpg)
Interview with Florence Strachan June 20, 1975 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory133
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1899-1931
- Length
- 0:09:59
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's early years, her move to Burnaby and her husband's employment at the Barnet Mill.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's early years, her move to Burnaby and her husband's employment at the Barnet Mill.
- Date Range
- 1899-1931
- Length
- 0:09:59
- Interviewer
- McLeod, Ross S.
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- June 20, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Florence Strachan by Ross S. McLeod and Bettina Bradbury, June 20, 1975. Major theme discussed is: The Depression. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Florence Strachan was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1899. She met and married her husband in Scotland before coming to Atlantic Canada by ship in 1922, then from Quebec to Vancouver by train. When Florence’s husband got a job at Barnet Mills in 1924, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented a house at 2551 East Hastings Street. In 1926, the Strachans bought a house at 290 Ellesmere Avenue and concentrated on paying it off as quickly as possible. By 1931 the Mill had shut down, leaving Florence’s husband out of work, and forced to go on Relief. By this time the couple had two children, one born in 1928, and the other in 1930. Florence and her husband marched and picketed with the unemployed throughout the Depression.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:28:43
- Interviewee Name
- Strachan, Florence
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- 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.
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Florence Strachan
Track one of interview with Florence Strachan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-09/100-13-09_Track_1.mp3Ronald G. Scobbie collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11914
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1890]-1932
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 55 plans + 2 architectural drawings + 1 map + graphic materials + 3 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of survey and subdivision plans, a map and records created by Provincial Land Surveyors Albert J. Hill and Geoffrey K. Burnett and Donald Johnson McGugan and collected by Ronald G. Scobbie. Records include subdivision and survey plans in New Westminster District Group 1 including Dis…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 55 plans + 2 architectural drawings + 1 map + graphic materials + 3 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of survey and subdivision plans, a map and records created by Provincial Land Surveyors Albert J. Hill and Geoffrey K. Burnett and Donald Johnson McGugan and collected by Ronald G. Scobbie. Records include subdivision and survey plans in New Westminster District Group 1 including District Lots in Burnaby along with various school sites and church plans; surveying records regarding North Road and a map of the Burnaby Municipality. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Subdivision and survey plans series 2) School and church plans series 3) Map series
- History
- Ronald G. Scobbie was born in Scotland. After graduating from high school, he worked in the mines of Scotland which led to a career as a land surveyor. Ron immigrated to Canada in 1965 and settled in North Vancouver. In 1967 he became a partner in the surveying company of Hunter, Crockford & Scobbie in New Westminster, eventually owning it under the title Scobbie and Associates between 1980 and 1995. Ron sold the business in 1995 and retired as a BC Land Surveyor in December 2003. Ron was an active member of the B.C. Land Surveyors Association and an avid collector of surveying equipment and maps and plans that document the history of surveying in British Columbia. Upon retirement, Ron donated many historical maps and plans to various repositories located in different geographical regions throughout B.C.
- Scobbie & Associates land surveying company dates back to 1890 when Albert J. Hill first established his practice as a land surveyor in New Westminster. The company went through a series of Surveyors (owners) between 1890 and 1995:
- Albert James Hill (A.J. Hill) [1890] to 1912
- Hill & Burnett 1911 to 1912
- Geoffrey K. Burnett 1912
- Burnett & McGugan 1912 to 1947
- Burnett, McGugan & Hunter 1947 to 1959
- Burnett, Hunter & Douglas 1959 to 1960
- Hunter, Douglas & Crockford 1960 to 1964
- Hunter, Crockford & Associates 1964 to 1965
- Hunter, Crockford & Aplin 1965 to 1967
- Hunter, Crockford & Scobbie 1967 to 1973
- Crockford, Scobbie & Associates 1973-1980
- Scobbie & Associates 1980 to 1995
- Responsibility
- Scobbie, Ronald G.
- Accession Code
- HV984.57
- BV003.83
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1890]-1932
- Related Material
- For other survey and subdivision plans created by land surveyors Albert J. Hill, Geoffery K. Burnett and Donald J. McGugan, see: Burnaby Village Museum Map collection - Survey and Subdivision plans series
- Notes
- Title based on contents of collection
Esther Love Stanley fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18841
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1896-[2015] (dates of originals)
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 2 photograph albums + 3 photographs + 128 photographs (tiffs & jpgs) + 1 cm textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of original photograph albums created by Esther (Love) Stanley as well as a collection of digital reproductions of photographs, documents and newspaper clippings pertaining to the Love, Stanley and Shankie families.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 2 photograph albums + 3 photographs + 128 photographs (tiffs & jpgs) + 1 cm textual records
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of original photograph albums created by Esther (Love) Stanley as well as a collection of digital reproductions of photographs, documents and newspaper clippings pertaining to the Love, Stanley and Shankie families.
- History
- Esther Love Stanley was born in Burnaby in 1896 to parents Jesse Love (1847-1928) and Martha Leonard (1858-1920). Esther's father, Jesse Love was born in Swindon, England and left England to work on a dairy farm in the Toronto area. While working on the farm in Toronto, Jesse met Martha Leonard and they married in 1879. While living in Toronto, Jesse and Martha had two children, George (1880-1974) and Annie Elizabeth (1881-1957). About one year after Annie was born, the Love family moved to North Dakota to grow wheat. While living there, they had two more children, Henry (1883-1956) and Edith Minnie (1885-1976). The family decided to move further west after hearing about the fairer weather conditions from Martha’s father, George Leonard, who had settled in Vancouver in 1885. On May 23, 1887, Jesse, Martha and their four children arrived in Vancouver after travelling across Canada from Winnipeg on the first transcontinental train. Soon after their fifth child, Thomas Robert (1887-1918) was born, the family moved to Lulu Island in Richmond where they lived growing vegetables and selling them to Vancouver hotels. While living and farming on Lulu island, the couple had two more children Martha (Dot or Dorothy) (1889-1972) and Sarah Marie (1892-1978). In October 1893, Jesse Love purchased land in District Lot 25, Burnaby and built a house between 1893 and 1894. A road was constructed and named Cumberland in 1905 and the address for the Love home was 1390 Cumberland Road (after 1960- 7651 Cumberland). While living in the house, Jesse and Martha had four more children, Phoebe Leonard (1894-1991), Esther (1896-1991), John Leonard (1899-1978) and Hannah Victoria (also known as Girlie) (1902-1976). Frank Charles “Stan” Stanley was born in London, England in 1891. Frank “Stan” Stanley is the youngest son of John Stanley and Mary (Conquest) Stanley. John and Mary had eleven children: Conquest John “Con”, George, Alice, Mary, Nelly, Mabel Annie, Percy William, Henry James, Ada Elizabeth, Arthur Ewart and Frank Charles. In 1912, Frank Charles Stanley immigrated to Canada. Frank Stanley served in the 29th Battalion (nicknamed Tobin's Tigers) during the First World War. He received a Military Medal for bravery while serving as lieutenant. Esther Love and Frank “Stan” Stanley maintained a relationship through letter writing during the First World War and in 1921 after he returned, they were married at St. Alban’s Church in Burnaby. Frank and Esther Stanley (nee Love) had four children, Mary Frances (Pearson) (d. 1986), Ina Esther (Shankie) (1924-2017), Frank Conquest and Joyce (Warner). Frank Charles “Stan” Stanley ran a service station on St. John's Street in Port Moody for many years and also served as mayor of Port Moody in the 1940s. Frank Charles Stanley died in 1975 and Esther Love Stanley died in 1991. In 1947, Ina Esther Stanley married Thomas Ramsay “Ram” Shankie (1920-1996). Ina and Thomas Ramsay Shankie had four children; David Shankie (b. 1951), Linda Shankie (Hanlon), Susan Shankie (Weston) and Kathryn Shankie. The family lived at 5351 Kalyk Avenue in Burnaby (later 3676 Kalyk Avenue). Thomas Ramsay Shankie is the son of Thomas Shankie (1872-1959) and Bertha Janet Shankie (nee Gray) (1891-1965). Thomas Shankie (Sr.) immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1905. In 1919 Thomas Shankie married Bertha Janet Gray at Henderson Presbyterian Church in West Burnaby. Thomas was the church organist and choir master of the church. Once married, the couple moved to a house located at 3718 Barker Avenue (later became 5515 Barker Avenue). Thomas and Bertha Shankie had two children, Thomas Ramsay Shankie (1920-1996) and Janet Isabella Shankie (Bower) (1923-2014). Around the age of 46 years, Thomas Shankie joined a gym and bought a bicycle to improve his health. By 1955 at the age of 83 years, Thomas Shankie had logged over two hundred thousand miles since buying his first bicycle. His motto was "ride a bicycle if you want to stay young and live long". Thomas also competed in many cycling races. Janet Isabella Shankie Bower (1923-2014) married Charles Franklin "Frank" Bower (1914-2004) in 1947. Janet and Frank Bower had two children; Gordon Franklin Bower (1951-2003) and Janet (Flintroy).
- Creator
- Stanley, Esther Love
- Accession Code
- BV015.40
- BV016.43
- BV022.32
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1896-[2015] (dates of originals)
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Arrangement
- Creator as well as descendants maintained original photograph albums along with digital copies of original family records. A selection of digital copies and originals were preserved in the order in which they were maintained and are reflected in the archival descriptions. When original photograph albums were acquired in 2022, some digital surrogates were deaccesioned.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- See also Love family fonds
- Items of ephemera are described as artifacts in the Burnaby Village Museum artifact collection.
![Forth Bridge, [1900-1930] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/550/550-143.jpg?width=280)
Forth Bridge
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82572
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows Forth Bridge in Scotland.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 550-143
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows Forth Bridge in Scotland.
- Subjects
- Structures - Bridges
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Postcard verso reads: "The Forth Bridge from South Queens Ferry. One of the greatest engineering glories of the age; was constructed by Sir William Arrol. Is about 1 1/2 miles in length, and its highest point is 450 feet from base. It took seven years to build (1883-1890) and cost 3 1/2 million pounds. It is on the main railway route of the L and N E Railway / New Color-crayon / Process from original drawing by Andrew Allan"
Images
![Forth Bridge, [1900-1930] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/550/550-143.jpg)
Grant family papers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58007
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909-1964
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of papers pertaining to the Grant family. Included in the file is George Grant's Application (and Testimonials) for the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture (written in 1909), various certificates awarded to members of the Gr…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909-1964
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- George Grant subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS048-002
- Access Restriction
- In Archives only
- Accession Number
- BHS1990-06
- Scope and Content
- File consists of papers pertaining to the Grant family. Included in the file is George Grant's Application (and Testimonials) for the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture (written in 1909), various certificates awarded to members of the Grant family, as well as a Coat of Arms and Emblems illustration for Canada and its Provinces.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory464
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1911-1990
- Length
- 00:05:22
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about how Al Nixon began collecting and saving photographs, records and stories about the history of the Burnaby Fire Department in the mid 1980's. Finding the first scrapbook of photographs lead to other discoveries that placed the beginning of the Burnaby Fire Dep…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about how Al Nixon began collecting and saving photographs, records and stories about the history of the Burnaby Fire Department in the mid 1980's. Finding the first scrapbook of photographs lead to other discoveries that placed the beginning of the Burnaby Fire Department in 1911.
- Date Range
- 1911-1990
- Length
- 00:05:22
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 21, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:43:35
- Interviewee Name
- Nixon, Al
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Al Nixon
Track one of interview with Al Nixon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_1.mp3
Interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine September 19, 1978 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory229
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Length
- 0:09:40
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of her former neighbour, Burnaby pioneer, Tom Irvine.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of her former neighbour, Burnaby pioneer, Tom Irvine.
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Photo Info
- Tom Irvine sitting with a young girl, 1919. Item no. HV975.33.3o
- Length
- 0:09:40
- Names
- Irvine, Tom
- Geographic Access
- Laurel Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Stevens, Colin
- Interview Date
- September 19, 1978
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Jean Scott conducted by Colin Stevens on September 19, 1978. Major themes include: Tom Irvine and Laurel Street.
- Biographical Notes
- Jean Scott came from Scotland to Burnaby with her family in 1913 when she was five years old. The Scott family settled on Laurel Street, at the northwest end of Burnaby Lake.
- Total Tracks
- 3
- Total Length
- 0:28:08
- Interviewee Name
- Scott, Jean
- 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 interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine
Track one of interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-005-2-1/MSS137-005-2-1_Track_1.mp3
Interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine September 19, 1978 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory230
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Length
- 0:08:56
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of Tom Irvine's house, next door to the Scott family's home on Laurel Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of Tom Irvine's house, next door to the Scott family's home on Laurel Street.
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Photo Info
- Tom Irvine sitting with a young girl, 1919. Item no. HV975.33.3o
- Length
- 0:08:56
- Names
- Irvine, Tom
- Geographic Access
- Laurel Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Stevens, Colin
- Interview Date
- September 19, 1978
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Jean Scott conducted by Colin Stevens on September 19, 1978. Major themes include: Tom Irvine and Laurel Street.
- Biographical Notes
- Jean Scott came from Scotland to Burnaby with her family in 1913 when she was five years old. The Scott family settled on Laurel Street, at the northwest end of Burnaby Lake.
- Total Tracks
- 3
- Total Length
- 0:28:08
- Interviewee Name
- Scott, Jean
- 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 interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine
Track two of interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-005-2-1/MSS137-005-2-1_Track_2.mp3
Interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine September 19, 1978 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory231
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Length
- 0:09:31
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of Tom Irvine as well as the layout of his house, next door to the Scott family's home on Laurel Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of Tom Irvine as well as the layout of his house, next door to the Scott family's home on Laurel Street.
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Photo Info
- Tom Irvine sitting with a young girl, 1919. Item no. HV975.33.3o
- Length
- 0:09:31
- Names
- Irvine, Tom
- Geographic Access
- Laurel Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Stevens, Colin
- Interview Date
- September 19, 1978
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Jean Scott conducted by Colin Stevens on September 19, 1978. Major themes include: Tom Irvine and Laurel Street.
- Biographical Notes
- Jean Scott came from Scotland to Burnaby with her family in 1913 when she was five years old. The Scott family settled on Laurel Street, at the northwest end of Burnaby Lake.
- Total Tracks
- 3
- Total Length
- 0:28:08
- Interviewee Name
- Scott, Jean
- 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 interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine
Track three of interview with Jean Scott on the subject of Tom Irvine
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-005-2-1/MSS137-005-2-1_Track_3.mp3
Interview with Jean Scott September 19, 1978 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory232
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Length
- 0:04:24
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of her neighbourhood.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of her neighbourhood.
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Photo Info
- Tom Irvine sitting with a young girl, 1919. Item no. HV975.33.3o
- Length
- 0:04:24
- Geographic Access
- Laurel Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Stevens, Colin
- Interview Date
- September 19, 1978
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Jean Scott conducted by Colin Stevens on September 19, 1978. Major themes include: Burnaby Lake and Laurel Street.
- Biographical Notes
- Jean Scott came from Scotland to Burnaby with her family in 1913 when she was five years old. The Scott family settled on Laurel Street, at the northwest end of Burnaby Lake.
- Total Tracks
- 2
- Total Length
- 0:09:38
- Interviewee Name
- Scott, Jean
- 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 interview with Jean Scott
Track one of interview with Jean Scott
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-005-2-2/MSS137-005-2-2_Track_1.mp3
Interview with Jean Scott September 19, 1978 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory233
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Length
- 0:05:15
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of the houses in her neighbourhood. She also mentions participating in skating parties on Burnaby Lake.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Jean Scott's memories of the houses in her neighbourhood. She also mentions participating in skating parties on Burnaby Lake.
- Date Range
- 1913-1958
- Photo Info
- Tom Irvine sitting with a young girl, 1919. Item no. HV975.33.3o
- Length
- 0:05:15
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Stevens, Colin
- Interview Date
- September 19, 1978
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Jean Scott conducted by Colin Stevens on September 19, 1978. Major themes include: Burnaby Lake and Laurel Street.
- Biographical Notes
- Jean Scott came from Scotland to Burnaby with her family in 1913 when she was five years old. The Scott family settled on Laurel Street, at the northwest end of Burnaby Lake.
- Total Tracks
- 2
- Total Length
- 0:09:38
- Interviewee Name
- Scott, Jean
- 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 interview with Jean Scott
Track two of interview with Jean Scott
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-005-2-2/MSS137-005-2-2_Track_2.mp3Interview 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…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- 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
Interview with Kalwant Singh
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3
Kirkcudbright
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3494
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- September 2, 1919
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 8 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of a ship docked in the town of Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Tom Irvine's niece, Eva wrote a letter to her uncle on the back of the postcard.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 8 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of a ship docked in the town of Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Tom Irvine's niece, Eva wrote a letter to her uncle on the back of the postcard.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Ships
- Accession Code
- HV975.33.3ak
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Date
- September 2, 1919
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/2/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Handwritten on verso of photograph: “Kirkcudbright / Sept. 2, 1919. / Dear Uncle Tom, Just a card to let you know / we are all well + / enjoying ourselves. This / is a very pretty place / but I like Van. best. / We started school / this morning but / cannot tell how I / will be [sic] get on. I / wish you were here / we could have fine / times. Goodbye don’t / forget us. I will write / a long letter soon, / with love, / from / Eva.”
- Image from personal photograph album of Tom "Tommy" Irvine (HV975.33.3)
Images
Ramsey family subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription106
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1916 (date of original) -1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual record and graphic material
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of a photocopied certificate of birth for Eva Lilian Ramsey [Ramsay] as well as handwritten accounts of Ramsey family history and two family photographs.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1916 (date of original) -1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Ramsey family subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual record and graphic material
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-19
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of a photocopied certificate of birth for Eva Lilian Ramsey [Ramsay] as well as handwritten accounts of Ramsey family history and two family photographs.
- History
- Edwin Ramsey came to Canada from Scotland when he was about 11 years old. He was given farmland and quickly became an avid farmer. Edwin Ramsey married Annie Plummer circa 1893. This was Annie Plummer’s second marriage. In the early years of their marriage, Edwin and Annie lived in Orange Ridge, Manitoba and operated a store and post office. Their first child, Queenie, was born November 11, 1895. Albert Edwin "Bert" Ramsey was born January 27, 1898. Eva Lilian Ramsey was born January 24, 1900. Jessica “Jessie” Ramsey was born two years later. The Ramseys then headed to New Westminster. By 1905 they had bought "the Park” (what is now Robert Burnaby Park) from Mr. Wintermute for $4,000 cash. They moved into a large house already constructed on the property. The park was full of apple trees, a garden, pigs, two cows, horses and a buggy and wagon with a barn near the second street entrance. By now, the eldest, Queenie was enrolled at Burnaby’s first school. Twins Ernest “Ernie” and Dorothy “Doll” were born in 1906. Eva started at Edmonds School in 1908 when it was just built. Her siblings Queenie, Bert, Jeanie, Ernie and Doll all attended the school as well. In 1909 the Ramseys sold the park to Mr. Vidal of New Westminster and his syndicate along with a portable mill to Pemberton & Sons and received enough money to buy six lots on 12th Avenue where they built a large house. Gordon “Gord” Ramsey was born in that house in 1909. Soon after, they sold the house and moved to Blaine for six months, then on to Bellingham where they remained until Edwin and Annie divorced in 1914. Edwin moved alone to Alberta and Annie moved back to Burnaby with their children. Bert began attending the University of British Columbia where he studied to become a doctor. He joined the army in May of 1916, went to war and was killed at Vimy Ridge on April 12, 1917 at the age of 19. As Mr. Vital and his syndicate were to go to war as captains, Mr. Vital gave up the park property and Annie was able to take it back. Unfortunately, the new initiative of taxing wild lands caused Annie to lose the park property through tax sale proceedings. She then entered into a lease agreement with Burnaby which allowed her to stay on at "the Park." With twelve years of piano training, Annie was considered a talented musician and played the piano at St. Alban’s church for many years. Annie Ramsey died on October 3, 1926. Jessica, Dorothy and Queenie all moved to the United States. Gordon married a woman named Irene. Eva married William “Bill” Anderson at the St. Stephen’s Church in New Westminster on July 7, 1919. She and Bill were the first couple to marry there. They held their wedding reception at “the Park.” In 1921, Bill and Eva bought a home at 723 Second Street for $2450. They had one daughter, Dorothy "Dot" Anderson. Dot later married Robert V. “Bob” Douglas. Eva died in 1995.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- Ramsay, Eva Lillian
- Notes
- PC399 and MSS154
- Title based on contents of subseries
- Certificate reads "Ramsay" although the family continuously spelt their name "Ramsey"