"Transportation " found 35 records

Scope and Content: Photograph of BC Hydro engine no. 961, with the operator in the cab and two other crew men. One crew man is standing on the engine walkway and the other is standing beside the engine. Buildings are visible behind

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w print ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of BC Hydro engine no. 961, with the operator in the cab and two other crew men. One crew man is standing on the engine walkway and the other is standing beside the engine. Buildings are visible behind

Subjects: Transportation - Rail

Names: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Accession Code: BV012.36.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1 May 1964

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2022-07-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Handwritten note on verso of photograph reads: "May 1, 1964"

Images

B.C. Hydro engine no. 961, 1 May 1964 thumbnail

Burnaby Lk

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1000

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [before 1973]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.0 x 11.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a destination sign that reads "Burnaby Lk" on a British Columbia Electric Railway tram. Just below the sign is a label that reads, "BCER 1231-B48." An earlier catalogue record notes the nameplate would have been placed at the front or back of the tram that could have travelled betwe…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.0 x 11.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a destination sign that reads "Burnaby Lk" on a British Columbia Electric Railway tram. Just below the sign is a label that reads, "BCER 1231-B48." An earlier catalogue record notes the nameplate would have been placed at the front or back of the tram that could have travelled between Vancouver and Burnaby.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Accession Code: HV973.41.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [before 1973]

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For an earlier donation made by the same donor in regards to BCER tram, see accession HV972.202.

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-05-16

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Buses, trolleys & trams

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1427

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Dunbar, Charles, 1900-1993

Publication Date: c1967

Call Number: 388 DUN

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

Call Number: 388 DUN

Author: Dunbar, Charles, 1900-1993

Contributor: Maddren, Nicholas

Place of Publication: London, [U.K.]

Publisher: Hamlyn

Publication Date: c1967

Physical Description: 141 p. : ill. (part col.) ; 29 cm

Library Subject (LOC): Street-railroads; Transportation

Subjects: Transportation; Transportation - Buses

Code of operating rules

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6527

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Board of Transport Commissioners for Canada; Department of Commercial Transport for the Province of British Columbia

Edition: Revision of 1964

Publication Date: 1964

Call Number: 385 BOA 1964

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV012.18.17

Call Number: 385 BOA 1964

Edition: Revision of 1964

Author: Board of Transport Commissioners for Canada; Department of Commercial Transport for the Province of British Columbia

Place of Publication: [S.l]

Publisher: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Publication Date: 1964

Physical Description: 110 p. ; 16 cm

Library Subject (LOC): Transportation; Railroad law--Canada; Railroads; Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Subjects: Transportation

Names: Carson, Norman Thomas "Tom"; British Columbia Electric Railway Company; British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Notes: "Approved and prescribed by the Board of Transport Commissioners for Canada by General Order No. 113537 dated the 17th day of February, 1964"; "Approved and prescribed by the Department of Commercial Transport for the Province of British Columbia by Certificate 1149 dated the 27th day of April, 1964"; "EFFECTIVE 1st August, 1964"; "The rules in this book have the same numbers as the corresponding rules in "Uniform Code of operating Rules" approved by General Order of the Board of Transport Commissioners No. 873 dated 15th day of November, 1961."

Colour party

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4954

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca. 1960]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w 7 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of unidentified members of 4th Burnaby Guide Company carrying flags in the colour party of a parade. They are walking down an unidentified street in North Burnaby and walking next to the an automobile pulling the Sea Ranger Float.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w 7 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of unidentified members of 4th Burnaby Guide Company carrying flags in the colour party of a parade. They are walking down an unidentified street in North Burnaby and walking next to the an automobile pulling the Sea Ranger Float.

Other Title Information: Title based on contents of photograph

Subjects: Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs; Transportation - Parade Floats

Names: Girl Guides of Canada

Accession Code: BV015.35.290

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [ca. 1960]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 05/11/2018

Notes: Photograph is part of scrapbook BV015.35.166

Images

Colour party

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4955

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca. 1960]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w 7 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of unidentified members of 4th Burnaby Guide Company carrying flags in the colour party of a parade near the corner of Ingleton and Hastings Street. The Glenburn Restaurant can be seen in the background.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w 7 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of unidentified members of 4th Burnaby Guide Company carrying flags in the colour party of a parade near the corner of Ingleton and Hastings Street. The Glenburn Restaurant can be seen in the background.

Other Title Information: Title based on contents of photograph

Subjects: Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs; Transportation - Parade Floats

Names: Girl Guides of Canada

Accession Code: BV015.35.291

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [ca. 1960]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 05/11/2018

Notes: Photograph is part of scrapbook BV015.35.166

Images

Digney film 1 - Digney's on board a ship

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10603

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1964] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (1 min., 26 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of the Digney family, friends and relations on board a passenger freighter.They are gathered to toast and send off Andy Digney who is heading off on his world wide trip. Family members are identified as: Andy Digney, Andy's wife Alice Digney (nee Swan), their son Ernest Digney (Dig), Dig'…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (1 min., 26 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of the Digney family, friends and relations on board a passenger freighter.They are gathered to toast and send off Andy Digney who is heading off on his world wide trip. Family members are identified as: Andy Digney, Andy's wife Alice Digney (nee Swan), their son Ernest Digney (Dig), Dig's wife, Joyce Digney (in pink), Dig and Joyce's sons Paul and Bruce Digney and Sydney "Sid" Swan. Friends are identified as; Malcolm "Mel" and June Arthur with their two young daughters.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Transportation - Ships

Names: Digney, Andy; Digney, Joyce; Digney, Paul; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney, Bruce; Digney, Alice Swan; Swan, Sydney; Arthur, Malcolm "Mel"; Arthur, June

Accession Code: BV019.18.3.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1964] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)

Images

Video

Digney film 1 - Digney's on board a ship, [1964] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0003_006.mp4

Digney Film 5 - Okanagan, Mattick's Farm and world tour

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10661

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [196-] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (54 min., 1 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film footage is a combination of fifteen short segments taken at different times in various locations. The Film segments document the Digney family at their cottage on Okanagan Lake; a visit to Mattick's…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (54 min., 1 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film footage is a combination of fifteen short segments taken at different times in various locations. The Film segments document the Digney family at their cottage on Okanagan Lake; a visit to Mattick's Farm and minature railway in Victoria, British Columbia and parts of Andy Digney's world tour and ocean voyage on a passenger freighter where he travels to parts of Southeast Asia.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Transportation - Ships

Names: Digney, Joyce; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney, Paul; Digney, Bruce; Digney, Drew; Digney, Andy

Accession Code: BV019.18.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [196-] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film compilation; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film; Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view content

Electrician on aircraft carrier

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3727

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.8 x 21.6 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of Harold Winch with two men on board an aircraft carrier. One man's nametag says "W Dupre." This may be the aircraft carrier "Bonny" identified in photograph BV013.12.91. This photograph may be related to Harold Winch's work on one of three defence committees during the 1960s.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Series: Harold E. Winch photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.8 x 21.6 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of Harold Winch with two men on board an aircraft carrier. One man's nametag says "W Dupre." This may be the aircraft carrier "Bonny" identified in photograph BV013.12.91. This photograph may be related to Harold Winch's work on one of three defence committees during the 1960s.

Subjects: Public Services - Military Services; Emergency Measures - Civil Defence; Transportation - Air

Names: Winch, Harold Edward

Accession Code: BV013.12.84

Date: [196-]

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook Item BV013.12.11

Images

Electrician on aircraft carrier, [196-] thumbnail

Fire Prevention Bureau car

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1497

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [after 1955]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a 1955 Ford Meteor parked behind a house, near back porch and stairs. "FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU/ B.F.D. [Burnaby Fire Department]" is written on the Meteor's driver's side door.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a 1955 Ford Meteor parked behind a house, near back porch and stairs. "FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU/ B.F.D. [Burnaby Fire Department]" is written on the Meteor's driver's side door.

Subjects: Transportation - Automobiles

Names: Burnaby Fire Department

Accession Code: BV999.55.46

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [after 1955]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Fire Prevention Bureau car, [after 1955] thumbnail

George Bergson fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19275

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1955-1995

Collection/Fonds: George Bergson fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 28 photographs : prints + slides + negatives

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of a selection of photographs taken by George Bergson that document interurban trams and the BCER, the construction of stage 4 at the Bridge Studios in Burnaby and views of Burnaby Village Museum.

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: George Bergson fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 28 photographs : prints + slides + negatives

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of a selection of photographs taken by George Bergson that document interurban trams and the BCER, the construction of stage 4 at the Bridge Studios in Burnaby and views of Burnaby Village Museum.

History: George Bergson became interested in photography after taking a photography course in high school and since then has created over 40,000 photographs. George's particular interest has been the BCER Interurban trams and rail transportation in British Columbia. In his eary years, George worked as a CNR electrical apprentice in Vancouver and before he retired in 1990, George worked as a maintenance supervisor at Bridge Studios. While working as a maintenance supervisor at Bridge Studios, he managed to get the siding off of the Great Northern Railway to Bridge Studios and after removing the ties and rails he donated them to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Railway Museum. Photographer, George Bergson and transportation historian, Henry Ewert, were the last people to take a ride on the BCER Interurban no.1203 on November 18, 1956. George has also donated hundreds of his photographs to the City of Vancouver Archives and the City of Coquitlam Archives.

Creator: Bergson, George

Accession Code: BV988.7; BV019.46; BV022.28

Date: 1955-1995

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds

Harold Winch on board a Canadian Navy craft

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3740

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.4 x 16.8 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of Harold Winch and a man in military uniform, on board what may be a Canadian Navy craft. This photograph may be related to Winch's work on one of three defence committees during the 1960s.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Series: Harold E. Winch photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.4 x 16.8 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a photograph of Harold Winch and a man in military uniform, on board what may be a Canadian Navy craft. This photograph may be related to Winch's work on one of three defence committees during the 1960s.

Subjects: Public Services - Military Services; Emergency Measures - Civil Defence; Transportation - Ships

Names: Winch, Harold Edward; Royal Canadian Navy

Accession Code: BV013.12.97

Date: [196-]

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook Item BV013.12.11

Images

Harold Winch on board a Canadian Navy craft, [196-] thumbnail

The how and why wonder book of railroads

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3834

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Scharff, Robert

Publication Date: c1964

Call Number: 625.1 SCH

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV004.20.21

Call Number: 625.1 SCH

Author: Scharff, Robert

Contributor: Zaffo, George J.; Wolf, Donald D.; Blackwood, Paul E., 1913-1997; White, Oakes A.

Place of Publication: New York, N.Y.

Publisher: Wonder Books

Publication Date: c1964

Series: How and why wonder books series, No. 5052.

Physical Description: 48 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.

Inscription: The How and Why Wonder Book of Railroads

Library Subject (LOC): Railroads; Railroad trains; Juvenile literature

Subjects: Transportation

Notes: Includes index.; White, Oakes A from Brookelyn Children's Museum, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Price: 59 cents.; "Illustrated by George J. Zaffo."; "Editorial producation" : Donald D. Wolf; "Edited under the supervision of Paul Everett Blackwood"; "Text and illustrations approved by Oakes A. White

Illinois ocean liner

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1695

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1967 or 1968]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of an ocean liner named "ILLINOIS" stationed at a dock. Two unidentified men in suits are visible standing by the ship a long with a pile of wooden crates (one or all of the crate(s) housed an x-ray unit).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of an ocean liner named "ILLINOIS" stationed at a dock. Two unidentified men in suits are visible standing by the ship a long with a pile of wooden crates (one or all of the crate(s) housed an x-ray unit).

Subjects: Industries - Shipping; Transportation - Ships

Accession Code: BV003.68.130

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1967 or 1968]

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: The photograph was received with item BV003.68.121, which is a file folder of documents relating to the shimpment of a x-ray unit to Thailand, 1967-68.

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Illinois ocean liner, [1967 or 1968] thumbnail

Interview with Bill Gruenthal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19636

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business,…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Bill Gruenthal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 31, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 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 Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business, his knowledge and interest in Judaism, places that he and his wife lived before moving to Burnaby, family life in Burnaby and his political involvement in running for the Burnaby school board. 00:27:02 – 00:42:50 Bill Gruenthal talks about the Burquest Jewish Community Association, it’s background and his involvement, experiences of discrimination in his career, a brief history of the Jewish people and some cultural traditions. 00:42:51 – 00:56:04 Bill Gruenthal mentions some of the charities that he supports including Burnaby Hospital, his volunteer work within the community and community organizations including the Nikkei Place Foundation and shares more details on his insurance career. 00:56:05 – 01:14:37 Bill Gruenthal shares information about his Burnaby neighbourhood and Jewish funeral customs and provides his impressions of new development at Brentwood, Burnaby Council and other development projects in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Bill Gruenthal was born in the British Mandate of Palestine, now Israel, in 1935 after his parents had fled Germany in advance of the then worsening political situation. Bill’s father died in 1942; some years later his mother remarried to an Irish-born senior civil servant in that government. He had a difficult and somewhat dangerous job. Soon after marriage, the family, including Bill’s older brother, Martin, immigrated to Canada in January 1947 on the strength of his step-father’s British Passport. They traveled via New York, where Bill’s uncle and his family resided and who put up the family. Later that month, the parents travelled by CP rail from Montreal to Vancouver, followed by Bill and his brother in March 1947 who travelled from New York to White Rock on an American railroad. While passing through the Fraser Valley Bill’s parents took an interest in Silverdale, a small hamlet west of Mission where the four eventually settled. Bill finished High School in Mission and soon joined the insurance industry. Bill connected with the Jewish Community in Vancouver where he met his soon-to-be wife. Upon marriage they were transferred to Calgary; after five years suffering its cold weather they were transferred back to Vancouver. They settled in Burnaby in 1966 as an affordable neighbourhood with easy access to his office downtown Vancouver. Outside work, Bill helped raise his family of three daughters who all graduated Burnaby High School (Alpha). They joined Temple Sholom in Vancouver, and he volunteered and still volunteers for a number of non-profits, including The Jewish Museum and Archives and Nikkei Place Foundation (Burnaby). He was an early long-term supporter and a past president of Burquest Jewish Community Association, mostly involving persons from Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Tri-Cities area (hence the name). He ran for political office in Burnaby in 1976 but was not elected. He delivers food in Burnaby for the Food Bank and is a donor to many worthy causes including Burnaby General Hospital. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Migration; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Transportation; Transportation - Rail; Religions - Judaism; Cemeteries; Organizations; Elections

Names: Gruenthal, Bill; Gruenthal, Noemi Yadlow; O'Connor, Herta Ingrid Gruenthal; O'Connor, John; Burquest; Jacobson, Max Alec; Temple Shalom; Brentwood Shopping Centre; Brentwood Park School; Alpha Secondary School; Burnaby School Board

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Planning Study Area: Brentwood Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0014_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Bill Gruenthal, [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0014_003.mp3

Interview with Bob Lowe 2005 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4498

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:05:45 min)

Scope and Content: Track 6: This portion of the recording pertains to Bob’s feelings about Burnaby as a place to live, and continues the subject of change. Bob talks of his property in Burnaby, which he purchased as acreage. He compares the Burnaby of his childhood to that of pioneers such as Tommy Irvine, describing…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:05:45 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Bob Lowe Date of interview: May 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 6 Total length of all Tracks: 0:43:36

Scope and Content: Track 6: This portion of the recording pertains to Bob’s feelings about Burnaby as a place to live, and continues the subject of change. Bob talks of his property in Burnaby, which he purchased as acreage. He compares the Burnaby of his childhood to that of pioneers such as Tommy Irvine, describing himself as a relative newcomer. He speaks of the preservation of the Deer Lake and Burnaby Lake areas. Bob describes his disorientation in the more newly densified parts of Burnaby, and observes that traffic has increased on Burnaby streets. Bob recalls that he mostly travelled on foot or by bike. He notes that the Neville Transport Company operated the school bus he used as well as the only North-South bus route in Burnaby at that time. He mentions Pacific Stage Lines as a later operator through Burnaby.

History: Recording of an interview with Bob Lowe recording by Tom Gooden in 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1930s and 40s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Transportation - Buses; Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Lowe, Robert "Bob"; Irvine, Tom

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake; Deer Lake

Accession Code: BV017.45.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Tiltle based on cotents of item

Audio Tracks

Interview with Bob Lowe 2005 - Track 6, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0006_006.mp3

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…

1 image 1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.

History: Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Environmental Issues; Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection; Geographic Features; Geographic Features - Parks; Housing; Occupations; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Writers; Persons - Volunteers; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Religions; Religions - Judaism

Names: Schwartz, William "Bill"; Schwartz, Ellen; City of Burnaby; Polestar Communications; British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby

Images

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0006_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3

Interview with Janet White May 10, 2005 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4474

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1950-1959] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:06:28 min)

Scope and Content: Track 8: This portion of the recording pertains to socializing in Janet’s later teen years. She talks about dances at Lochdale Community Hall and Capitol Hill Community Hall, and informal gatherings in homes. She describes the attitudes and practices related to drinking and smoking at that time. Ja…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:06:28 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Janet White Date of interview: May 10, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 8 Total length of all Tracks: 0:31:34

Scope and Content: Track 8: This portion of the recording pertains to socializing in Janet’s later teen years. She talks about dances at Lochdale Community Hall and Capitol Hill Community Hall, and informal gatherings in homes. She describes the attitudes and practices related to drinking and smoking at that time. Janet also talks about the transportation options for young people, her parents’ occupations, and her memories of the Fraser River flood.

History: Recording of an interview with Janet White recording by Tom Gooden on May 10 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1950s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Natural Phenomena - Floods

Names: Gooden, Tom; White, Janet; Lochdale Community Hall; Capitol Hill Community Hall

Accession Code: BV017.45.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1950-1959] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Interview with Janet White May 10, 2005 - Track 8, [1950-1959] (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0001_008.mp3

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.

History: Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills; Clothing; Crafts; Employment; Migration; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Occupations - Labourers; Occupations - Millworkers; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Names: Parmar, Surjeet Kaur; Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"; Manhas, Ghania Singh; Singh, Mayo; Manhas, Kashmir Singh; Manhas, Sher Singh; Manhas, Budhan Kaur; Manhas, Lashman Singh

Accession Code: BV022.29.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Related Material: See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep; Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby; Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate

Documents

2022_0029_0005_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3

Research

Narrow Results By

B.C. Electric Railway crew with tram on Central Park line

Images

B.C. Hydro engine no. 961

Images

Burnaby Lk

Images

Buses, trolleys & trams

Code of operating rules

Colour party

Images

Colour party

Images

Digney film 1 - Digney's on board a ship

Images

Video

Digney Film 5 - Okanagan, Mattick's Farm and world tour

Electrician on aircraft carrier

Images

Fire Prevention Bureau car

Images

George Bergson fonds

Harold Winch on board a Canadian Navy craft

Images

The how and why wonder book of railroads

Illinois ocean liner

Images

Interview with Bill Gruenthal

Documents

Audio Tracks

Interview with Bob Lowe 2005 - Track 6

Audio Tracks

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

Images

Documents

Audio Tracks

Interview with Janet White May 10, 2005 - Track 8

Audio Tracks

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

Documents

Audio Tracks