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Bulldozer clearing a Forested Hill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [194-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.8 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a man operating a bulldozer clearing a forested hill. There appears to be a backhoe on the other side of the hill of fallen and upturned trees. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "342X."
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.8 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a man operating a bulldozer clearing a forested hill. There appears to be a backhoe on the other side of the hill of fallen and upturned trees. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "342X."
- Names
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Accession Code
- HV971.12.79
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [194-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-03-21
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Bulldozer clearing a lot
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [194-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.8 x 11.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified man operating a bulldozer and clearing the lot. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "345L."
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.8 x 11.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified man operating a bulldozer and clearing the lot. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "345L."
- Names
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Accession Code
- HV971.12.81
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [194-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-03-21
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Cabin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13061
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1973 (date of original), digitized in 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film reel (22 min., 22 sec.) : 24 fps, polyester, positive, col., sd. ; 16 mm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a film titled "Cabin" that is produced and directed by James Bizzochi. The film documents the building of a log cabin using pioneer tools. The building takes place at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum) and includes a commentary by the craftsman, Earl Carter. Opening foot…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film reel (22 min., 22 sec.) : 24 fps, polyester, positive, col., sd. ; 16 mm
- Material Details
- Producer and Director - James Bizzocchi
- Cabin building and narration - Earl Carter
- Editing- Justine Dancy
- Director of Cinematography - Selwyn Pullan
- Music- Ralph Dyck
- Titles - Carl Chaplin
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a film titled "Cabin" that is produced and directed by James Bizzochi. The film documents the building of a log cabin using pioneer tools. The building takes place at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum) and includes a commentary by the craftsman, Earl Carter. Opening footage includes historic photographs from the Vancouver Public Library Photographic collection.
- History
- Film director and producer James (Jim) Bizzochi is a moving image artist living and working in British Columbia. Jim created the film while working as a professor with Simon Fraser University. Cinematographer Selwyn Pullan is a distinguised Canadian photographer who specialized in building photography documenting B.C. mid-century modernism.
- Publisher
- Copyright 1973, Jim Bizzocchi. All rights reserved,
- Other Title Information
- Copyright 1973, Jim Bizzocchi. All rights reserved,
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Museums
- Buildings - Residential - Cabins
- Construction
- Construction Tools and Equipment
- Names
- Carter, Earl
- Bizzocchi, James
- Pullan, Selwyn
- Chaplin, Carl
- Dancy, Justine
- Dyck, Ralph
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.709
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1973 (date of original), digitized in 2020
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Pullan, Selwyn
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Copyright MCMLXXIII
- Film under copyright - for Fair Dealing Purposes only
- End Credits : "Thanks to / Heritage Village Museum - Burnaby / Simon Fraser University Film Workshop / Vancouver Public Library Photographic Collection"
Images
Video
Cabin, 1973 (date of original), digitized in 2020
Cabin, 1973 (date of original), digitized in 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2020_0005_0709_001.mp4Electric power transmission tower construction
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1618
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [194-?] (date of original), copied 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the construction of electric power transmission towers. There are two trucks and a few unidentified men working on the construction, and a tent is put up in front of trees to the right side of the photograph. Also to the right is a BC Electric Railyway company car, with a sign above t…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the construction of electric power transmission towers. There are two trucks and a few unidentified men working on the construction, and a tent is put up in front of trees to the right side of the photograph. Also to the right is a BC Electric Railyway company car, with a sign above the rear window that reads, "B.C. Electric Ry.Co." and "1252" on the door. A man in a suit is standing by driver's door. The people and location are unidentified.
- Accession Code
- HV976.251.23
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [194-?] (date of original), copied 1976
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scan Date
- 22/8/2006
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Empire Steam Donkey on Museum Train travelling exhibit
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4303
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1973]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Empire Steam Donkey on the Museum Train travelling exhibit on display at the Central Park siding in 1973. The Empire Steam Donkey is a small steam donkey with a capstan style pulley wheel, mounted on skids.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Empire Steam Donkey on the Museum Train travelling exhibit on display at the Central Park siding in 1973. The Empire Steam Donkey is a small steam donkey with a capstan style pulley wheel, mounted on skids.
- History
- This machine is owned by the BC Provincial Museum. There is also one at the UBC Demonstration Forest and another at the Forestry Museum in Duncan.
- Other Title Information
- Title based on content of photograph.
- Accession Code
- BV017.41.1
- Date
- [1973]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 05-Jun-2018
Images
Empire Steam Donkey on Museum Train travelling exhibit
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4304
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1973]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Empire Steam Donkey on the Museum Train travelling exhibit on display at the Central Park siding in 1973. The Empire Steam Donkey is a small steam donkey with a capstan style pulley wheel, mounted on skids. The photograph shows a close-up view of the capstan.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Empire Steam Donkey on the Museum Train travelling exhibit on display at the Central Park siding in 1973. The Empire Steam Donkey is a small steam donkey with a capstan style pulley wheel, mounted on skids. The photograph shows a close-up view of the capstan.
- History
- This machine is owned by the BC Provincial Museum. There is also one at the UBC Demonstration Forest and another at the Forestry Museum in Duncan.
- Other Title Information
- Title based on content of photograph.
- Accession Code
- BV017.41.2
- Date
- [1973]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 05-Jun-2018
Images
Empire Steam Donkey on Museum Train travelling exhibit
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4305
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1973]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Empire Steam Donkey on the Museum Train travelling exhibit on display at the Central Park siding in 1973. The Empire Steam Donkey is a small steam donkey with a capstan style pulley wheel, mounted on skids. The photograph shows a close-up view of the small engine mounted on the si…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Empire Steam Donkey on the Museum Train travelling exhibit on display at the Central Park siding in 1973. The Empire Steam Donkey is a small steam donkey with a capstan style pulley wheel, mounted on skids. The photograph shows a close-up view of the small engine mounted on the side of the vertical boiler.
- History
- This machine is owned by the BC Provincial Museum. There is also one at the UBC Demonstration Forest and another at the Forestry Museum in Duncan.
- Other Title Information
- Title based on content of photograph.
- Accession Code
- BV017.41.3
- Date
- [1973]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
Images
Erecting power line poles
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1617
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [194-?] (date of original), copied 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6 x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a power generator / station in the woods. A wire fence is put up around, and there are few unidentified men working on replacing or re-erecting older power line poles, using heavy machinery. There is a man in a suit watching over the operation. The people and location are unidentified…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6 x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a power generator / station in the woods. A wire fence is put up around, and there are few unidentified men working on replacing or re-erecting older power line poles, using heavy machinery. There is a man in a suit watching over the operation. The people and location are unidentified, but it is likely that the photograph is taken in Burnaby.
- Accession Code
- HV976.251.22
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [194-?] (date of original), copied 1976
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scan Date
- 22/8/2006
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Governor General Roland Michener in Heritage Village
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13807
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 19 November 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener inside The News and Art Printing shop (print shop) in Heritage Village during the official opening of Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum), November 19, 1971. Printer Jack Barclay is standing to the right of the Governor General and Heritage V…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Series
- Copan album series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener inside The News and Art Printing shop (print shop) in Heritage Village during the official opening of Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum), November 19, 1971. Printer Jack Barclay is standing to the right of the Governor General and Heritage Village Museum director Richard Lott is standing to the left.
- Accession Code
- BV005.54.608
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 19 November 1971
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 18-Aug-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Governor General Roland Michener printing Heritage Village News
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13575
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 19 November 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 8.9 x 8.9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener working with linotype operator Stewart Ballantyne to print off a copy of "The Heritage Village News" on opening day of Heritage Village Museum.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Series
- Copan album series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 8.9 x 8.9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener working with linotype operator Stewart Ballantyne to print off a copy of "The Heritage Village News" on opening day of Heritage Village Museum.
- Accession Code
- BV005.54.467
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 19 November 1971
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- August 11, 2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Governor General Roland Michener receiving autographed copy of Heritage Village News
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13576
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 19 November 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 8.9 x 8.9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener receiving an autographed copy of "The Heritage Village News" from pressman inside The News and Art Printing shop on opening day of Heritage Village Museum. Museum Director Richard Lott (dressed in grey suit) is standing next to Governor General Roland …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Series
- Copan album series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 8.9 x 8.9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener receiving an autographed copy of "The Heritage Village News" from pressman inside The News and Art Printing shop on opening day of Heritage Village Museum. Museum Director Richard Lott (dressed in grey suit) is standing next to Governor General Roland Michener (dressed in black overcoat).
- Accession Code
- BV005.54.468
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 19 November 1971
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- See also BV016.56.7
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- August 11, 2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Governor General Roland Michener with pressman in Heritage Village
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13806
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 19 November 1971
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener speaking with pressman inside The News and Art Printing (print shop) in Heritage Village during the official opening of Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum), November 19, 1971. The Governor General is receiving a copy of "The Heritage Village …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Series
- Copan album series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener speaking with pressman inside The News and Art Printing (print shop) in Heritage Village during the official opening of Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum), November 19, 1971. The Governor General is receiving a copy of "The Heritage Village News" which was printed from a Miehle Cylinder press inside the shop.
- Accession Code
- BV005.54.607
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 19 November 1971
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 18-Aug-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr - Track 6
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory222
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1485-1814
- Length
- 0:09:45
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's explanation of the connection between printers and unions throughout history. He also tells the story of the cylinder press being smashed by handpress workmen to protect their jobs at the London Times as well as his own experiences learning on…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's explanation of the connection between printers and unions throughout history. He also tells the story of the cylinder press being smashed by handpress workmen to protect their jobs at the London Times as well as his own experiences learning on the Linotype.
- Date Range
- 1485-1814
- Photo Info
- Burton family home, [1945]. Item no. 216-002
- Length
- 0:09:45
- Subjects
- Printing Tools and Equipment
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with John Burton at his residence in Surrey by Lynda Mauve Orr, August 24, 1989. This interview focuses on the history of newspaper and printing presses in Canada.
- Biographical Notes
- John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930. While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school. John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter. When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 0:58:44
- Interviewee Name
- Burton, John
- 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 six of interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr
Track six of interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-001-4/MSS137-001-4_Track_6.mp3Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married his wife, Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. 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
- Clothing
- Foods
- Indigenous peoples
- Buildings - Religious - Temples
- Food Processing Tools and Equipment
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Migration
- Occupations
- Organizations - Unions
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
- Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)
Audio Tracks
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3Interview with Ron Smitherman by Eric Damer November 15, 2012 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory403
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1945-1979
- Length
- 0:08:43
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Ron Smitherman's memories of his early years in construction. Ron discusses what it was like to be in construction during the postwar era. He also discusses his father's work as a carpenter and the changes that occurred with the introduction of electric car…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Ron Smitherman's memories of his early years in construction. Ron discusses what it was like to be in construction during the postwar era. He also discusses his father's work as a carpenter and the changes that occurred with the introduction of electric carpentry tools.
- Date Range
- 1945-1979
- Photo Info
- Ron Smitherman, [199-]. Item no. 549-065.
- Length
- 0:08:43
- Subjects
- Construction Tools and Equipment
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- November 15, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Ron Smitherman conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, November 15, 2012. Major theme discussed: building construction and development in Burnaby.
- Biographical Notes
- Born in 1933 and raised in Vancouver, Ron Smitherman learned the construction trade from his father, upgrading his knowledge and skills as techniques and materials changed and improved. Ron built houses and commercial buildings in Burnaby and elsewhere during the nineteen-forties, fifties and sixties. In 1969 Ron and his family settled in Burnaby where he shifted his business to real estate.
- Total Tracks
- 6
- Total Length
- 0:46:51
- Interviewee Name
- Smitherman, Ron
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks
Track one of recording of interview with Ron Smitherman
Track one of recording of interview with Ron Smitherman
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-025/MSS171-025_Track_1.mp3Irvine house being installed
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1877
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- April 6, 1975
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). Men surround the house as it sits on a gooseneck trailer stationed inside a fence.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). Men surround the house as it sits on a gooseneck trailer stationed inside a fence.
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Drive
- Accession Code
- BV005.14.31
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- April 6, 1975
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 11-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "April/75"
Images
Irvine house being installed
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1878
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- April 6, 1975
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). The house is raised on a cribbing and surrounded by workmen. A truck parked next to it has a sign that reads, "L.W. ZEBIAK HOUSE RAISING COMPLETE BASEMENTS."
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). The house is raised on a cribbing and surrounded by workmen. A truck parked next to it has a sign that reads, "L.W. ZEBIAK HOUSE RAISING COMPLETE BASEMENTS."
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Tools and Equipment
- Transportation - Trucks
- Occupations - Labourers
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Drive
- Accession Code
- BV005.14.32
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- April 6, 1975
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 11-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "April/75"
Images
Irvine house being installed
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1880
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- April 6, 1975
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). Three people are visible at the basement side entrance looking in. The house's foundation is made of horizontal wood planks and there is a pile of lumber visible in the foreground.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). Three people are visible at the basement side entrance looking in. The house's foundation is made of horizontal wood planks and there is a pile of lumber visible in the foreground.
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Drive
- Accession Code
- BV005.14.34
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- April 6, 1975
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 11-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "April/75"
Images
John Burton working on linotype machine
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17238
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [197-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of museum interpreter, John Burton working on the linotype machine inside Heritage Village Museum News and Art Printing Shop (later became the Burnaby Post).
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of museum interpreter, John Burton working on the linotype machine inside Heritage Village Museum News and Art Printing Shop (later became the Burnaby Post).
- Accession Code
- BV020.4.1276
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [197-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Louisa Killam Richardson
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription109
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Louisa Killam Richardson holding a medium format camera (with bellows) at her waist with both hands. She looks to be standing on her property near Kentville, Nova Scotia.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Louisa Killam Richardson holding a medium format camera (with bellows) at her waist with both hands. She looks to be standing on her property near Kentville, Nova Scotia.
- Accession Code
- BV988.50.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Date
- [1940]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- Some of the dresses and textile works in the accession BV988.50 were made by and belonged to Louisa Killam Richardson.
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 01-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Louisa K Richardson"
- Note in blue pen on verso of photograph reads: "BACK IN NOVA SCOTIA"