Oakalla Prison administrative records
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription100562
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911-1953
- Collection/Fonds
- Oakalla Prison fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 6 cm. of textual records.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of administrative records related to the regular functions of the Oakalla Prison, including staff appointments, staff wages, the creation of staff uniforms, a comprehensive staff list from August 31, 1915, transfers of prisoners, and more. Featured in the file are details of staff req…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911-1953
- Collection/Fonds
- Oakalla Prison fonds
- Physical Description
- 6 cm. of textual records.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 66670
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2022-13
- Scope and Content
- File consists of administrative records related to the regular functions of the Oakalla Prison, including staff appointments, staff wages, the creation of staff uniforms, a comprehensive staff list from August 31, 1915, transfers of prisoners, and more. Featured in the file are details of staff required to go on leave in order to serve in World War I. The file also contains a report on the conditions of the prison from 1938.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Oakalla Prison fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription100561
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911-1953
- Collection/Fonds
- Oakalla Prison fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 6 cm. of textual records.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records created by the Oakalla Prison Farm, including administrative correspondence related to staff appointments and wages, and a staff shortage when employees left to fight in World War I. The records pertain only to staffmembers of the prison and are not directly related to any…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911-1953
- Collection/Fonds
- Oakalla Prison fonds
- Physical Description
- 6 cm. of textual records.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Record No.
- 66669
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2022-13
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records created by the Oakalla Prison Farm, including administrative correspondence related to staff appointments and wages, and a staff shortage when employees left to fight in World War I. The records pertain only to staffmembers of the prison and are not directly related to any prison inmates.
- History
- The Oakalla Prison Farm was a model prison farm on 185 acres (75 ha) of land next to Deer Lake, Burnaby. The Oakalla Prison Farm was a full-service facility that originally opened on September 2, 1912, and was initially designed to hold 150 men and women. The first inmate was William Daley, sentenced on July 31, 1912 to serve a year of hard labor for stealing some fountain pens valued at over $10. By April 30, 1913, some 328 prisoners had passed through the jail's doors. In 1916, the women's section officially opened, and in 1942, the women's unit opened on the grounds as a separate facility. It was renamed as the "Lakeside Correctional Centre for Women" in 1979. The original women's unit was expanded in 1953, and consisted of two cottage-style buildings. By the 1950s, the population was well over 1000. As a working farm, the prison had its own dairy, vegetable gardens, and livestock. Executions in British Columbia were primarily carried out in Oakalla; after 1919, it was the sole penitentiary where executions took place. The first execution was that of 25 year-old Alex Ignace on August 29, 1919. 44 prisoners were executed by hanging at Oakalla from 1919 until the death penalty was abolished in 1959. In 1959, the last execution in British Columbia took place at Oakalla, with the hanging of former sailor Leo Mantha, aged 33. Oakalla was also one of the locations that undertook the experiment of performing cosmetic surgery on inmates to remove deformities that made prisoners "more likely to offend". The experiment was led by Dr. Edward Lewison, and continued into the mid-1960s. Procedures were conducted on 450 inmates, voluntarily. In 1970, the prison was renamed as the Lower Mainland Regional Correctional Centre (LMRCC) The farm portion of the prison, providing work for the inmates and food in the prison, closed in 1979 and 64 acres of land were transferred to the City of Burnaby. This land was included in the existing Deer Lake Park that was adjacent to the prison. Originally designed to house a maximum of 484 prisoners, Oakalla's population peaked in 1962-1963 at 1,269 inmates. With population averages of over 600, overcrowding was always a problem. In the institution's final years, two nationally-spotlighted events occurred. 13 maximum security prisoners escaped on New Year's Day, 1988, following an uprising on December 27, 1987, and on November 22, 1983, a violent and costly riot took place. Rioters caused more than $150,000 damage in a two-day spree. Oakalla was closed down on June 30, 1991, and was developed into a new residential housing development and an expansion of the park. Prisoners from Oakalla were then moved to various other Correctional Facilities in British Columbia, including but not limited to the Vancouver Pretrial Services Centre (VPSC), the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre (FRCC), and the Alouette Regional Correctional Centre (ARCC), later Alouette Correctional Centre for Women. Source: https://wikimapia.org/8004045/Former-site-Lower-Mainland-Correctional-Centre-Oakalla-Prison-Farm Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakalla_Prison
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Operation Mink Farm
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription72207
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 24, 1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Planning Department fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film reel ( 6 min., 8 sec.) : col. , si. ; 16 mm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a silent motion picture civil defense film entitled, "Operation Mink Farm" produced by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby. The film footage was shot in Burnaby, B.C. on April 24th, 1955. A resolution was passed in February 1955 by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 24, 1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Planning Department fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film reel ( 6 min., 8 sec.) : col. , si. ; 16 mm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 566-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-08
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a silent motion picture civil defense film entitled, "Operation Mink Farm" produced by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby. The film footage was shot in Burnaby, B.C. on April 24th, 1955. A resolution was passed in February 1955 by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby to create a Civil Defense Board comprised of council members and appointees, whereby the Reeve would act as the chair of the board. Several municipal employees and council members went through Civil Defense training in preparation for an attack or catastrophe. The first portion of the film takes place at the old City Hall (the stone building) with uniformed Air Raid Precaution (A.R.P.) members performing civil defense exercises in the case of a nuclear war and how to care for and rescue injured civilians. Volunteers pose as the injured as they are cared for and transported on stretchers. In the second portion of the film, the local fire department and civil defense members endeavor to get a fire under control with water hoses. The film takes place at a former mink farm in North Burnaby as referred to in the title.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Scott, A.F.
- Notes
- Transcribed title
Images
Video
Operation Mink Farm, April 24, 1955
Operation Mink Farm, April 24, 1955
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/566-001.m4vPixie McGeachie fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10417
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1949] (date of originals), copied 2008 ; 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Pixie McGeachie fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 24 photographs (tiffs) : b&w + 1 membership card
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs from a McGeachie family album documenting a time that Jack and Pixie McGeachie spent at their log cabin on Mount Seymour and a membership card for the Century Park Museum Association. Jack McGeachie, Maurice Skinner and Jack Gannon built and maintained the cabin with f…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Pixie McGeachie fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 24 photographs (tiffs) : b&w + 1 membership card
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs from a McGeachie family album documenting a time that Jack and Pixie McGeachie spent at their log cabin on Mount Seymour and a membership card for the Century Park Museum Association. Jack McGeachie, Maurice Skinner and Jack Gannon built and maintained the cabin with friends on Mount Seymour from 1938 until after the Second World War. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Pixie McGeachie photographs series 2) Pixie McGeachie documents series
- History
- Doreen "Pixie" Johnson was born in 1922 and married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie in April 1942. Jack and Pixie McGeachie lived on Rosewood Street (formerly named Campbell Street pre 1951) in Burnaby from 1948 where they raised their two children; David and Kathi. Pixie was well known for her volunteer work in Burnaby. Pixie served for over 20 years as the volunteer archivist for the Burnaby Historical Society; served as president of the Century Park Museum Association and the Friends of the Interurban 1223 and a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission. Pixie was also a Burnaby historian and author who published a column in the Burnaby Examiner Newspaper entitled "Burnaby History" as well as three books about Burnaby History entitled "Bygones of Burnaby"; "Burnaby - A Proud Century" and "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." Due to her diligent volunteer work in Burnaby, Pixie was the recipient of many awards between 2002 and 2008. Awards included: 2002 - the Kushiro cup for Citizen of the Year; 2006 - Heritage BC project award for her work with Friends of the Interurban 1223 and in 2008 - Heritage BC - Ruby Nobb Award. Jack McGeachie passed away in 1981, at the age of 67 years and Pixie McGeachie passed away in August 2010 at the age of 88 years. On September 24, 2010, Pixie was honoured by the City of Burnaby when they dedicated the reading room of the City of Burnaby Archives by naming it the "Pixie McGeachie Reading Room".
- Creator
- McGeachie, Doreen "Pixie"
- Accession Code
- BV008.17; BV013.4.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1949] (date of originals), copied 2008 ; 1976
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Pixie McGeachie photographs series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18934
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1949] (date of originals), copied 2008
- Collection/Fonds
- Pixie McGeachie fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 24 photographs (tiffs) : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of photographs from a McGeachie family album documenting a time that Jack and Pixie McGeachie spent at their log cabin on Mount Seymour. Jack McGeachie, Maurice Skinner and Jack Gannon built and maintained the cabin with friends on Mount Seymour from 1938 until after the Second Worl…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Pixie McGeachie fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 24 photographs (tiffs) : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of photographs from a McGeachie family album documenting a time that Jack and Pixie McGeachie spent at their log cabin on Mount Seymour. Jack McGeachie, Maurice Skinner and Jack Gannon built and maintained the cabin with friends on Mount Seymour from 1938 until after the Second World War.
- Accession Code
- BV008.17
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1949] (date of originals), copied 2008
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of series
Political records
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription77051
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1938-1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Brainerd family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 0.5 cm. of textual records.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of an election slip naming Lawrence Brainerd as agent for Ernie Winch, a Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) publication entitled "Policy for British Columba", a leaflet created in Vancouver for and about single, unemployed men staging a sit-in in the Post Office and Art Gallery en…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1938-1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Brainerd family fonds
- Physical Description
- 0.5 cm. of textual records.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- MSS172-002
- Accession Number
- 2013-05
- Scope and Content
- File consists of an election slip naming Lawrence Brainerd as agent for Ernie Winch, a Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) publication entitled "Policy for British Columba", a leaflet created in Vancouver for and about single, unemployed men staging a sit-in in the Post Office and Art Gallery entitled "Post Office / 'Sitdowner's' / Gazette" and a Korean War propaganda leaflet describing the strength of the United Nations position (written in Chinese).
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
Reverend Edward S. Gale fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18772
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1958-1990]
- Collection/Fonds
- Reverend Edward S. Gale fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 47 photographs + 2 architectural drawings
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs and architectural landscape plans of the Mervin Mawhinney house and grounds on Burris Street collected and created by Reverend Edward S. Gale. The fonds includes photographs of the interior and exterior of the house documenting it's history and changes over time. Photo…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Reverend Edward S. Gale fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 47 photographs + 2 architectural drawings
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs and architectural landscape plans of the Mervin Mawhinney house and grounds on Burris Street collected and created by Reverend Edward S. Gale. The fonds includes photographs of the interior and exterior of the house documenting it's history and changes over time. Photographs taken between 1962 and 1984 were taken by Michael Weller and photographs taken between 1984 and 1996 were likely taken by Reverend Gale. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Mawhinney house photographs series 2) Mawhinney house landscape plans series
- History
- Reverend Edward S. Gale owned the Mervin Mawhinney house located at 7667 Burris Street in Burnaby and lived there between 1984 and 1996. Reverend E.S. Gale was an Anglican Church priest of the Saint Mary and Saint Martha of Bethany Church. Part of the Mawhinney house was converted and used a chapel for church gatherings while Reverend Gale owned it. In 1906 Isaiah Mawhinney purchased District Lot 86 and built a large house which he named “Evergreen”. In 1911, following the sudden death of his wife Annie Holmes Mawhinney, Isaiah sold the house and moved to New Westminster. In 1912, Isaiah’s son Mervin Mawhinney used his share of the sale to build a new house on Burris Avenue across the road from “Evergreen”. The house was occupied by Mervin and his wife Marjorie until some time after World War One when they moved to Vancouver. In 1958, the house was purchased by the “Order of St. Clare”, a Roman Catholic Franciscan order of nuns. During their time of ownership they closed in the front porch to create a four part entrance to protect their vows. In 1962, Michael and Jean Weller purchased the house and lived in it until 1984. The original house had its front entrance steps and porch facing Douglas Highway (now Canada Way). While living in the house, the Wellers completed a number of interior renovations including; the relocation of the front entrance from the north to the east side and the conversion of a sawdust furnace to gas. In 1983, Michael Weller subdivided the original 1.75 acre lot into two lots of .5 and .75 acres. Weller built a new house on the newly subdivided lot to the south of the original Mervin Mawhinney house. In 1984, the Mervin Mawhinney house was purchased by Reverend Edward S. Gale who continued to own it until 1996. The house was renamed “Pax House” which was part of the Saint Mary and Saint Martha of Bethany Church of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada. While owning the house, Reverend Gale made several renovations to the house and re-landscaped the grounds. The original conservatory room inside of the house was converted to a chapel. Changes to the house were documented in the series of photographs taken by Michael Weller and Reverend Gale between 1962 and 1990. In 1960, the address of the house changed from 831 Burris Street to 7661 Burris Street. After the lot was subdivided in 1983, the address of the house was changed to 7667 Burris Street. Around 1996, Reverend Gale and the Wellers sold the property. The new owner later subdivided the westerly portion of the lot in conjunction with a two acre lot to the west, retaining the original Mervin Mawhinney house at 7667 Burris Street until 2018 when it was demolished and replaced. Reverend Edward S. Gale died sometime between 2015 and 2018.
- Accession Code
- BV018.9
- Date
- [1958-1990]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Architectural Drawing
- Arrangement
- Photographs that were removed from mounting boards were described in the order in which they were obtained along with loose photographs. Arrangement of photographs that were removed boards was created by Reverend Gale.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Sheila Minni fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58376
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consist of photographs showing St. Helen's Church in Burnaby Heights.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-04
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consist of photographs showing St. Helen's Church in Burnaby Heights.
- History
- In the first years of the 20th century, the hill overlooking the city of Vancouver was barely developed. This area, known as Vancouver Heights, commands a magnificent view of the city, the north shore mountains, and the sea. During the first decade, there was just a handful of people willing to brave the inconvenience of living in a remote area to dwell in such splendour. Among them were 10 Catholic families. They dreamt about establishing a Catholic community, a church, and perhaps even a school of their own. They knew it would take hard work and sacrifice to realize their dream. In 1912, the Second Narrows Bridge and several industrial plants were built in this area. Archbishop Neil McNeil, recognizing the potential for greater development, requested aid from Toronto's Catholic Extension Society, to help purchase property at the corner of Pandora and Ingleton to build a small church and home for the priest. The $6000 construction expense was donated by Mr. Justice Kelly, who requested that the church be named Saint Helen in memory of his daughter, Helen. On August 11, 1912, Saint Helen's church was blessed. 12 years later, in 1923, a second dream was realized with the construction of Saint Helen's School. The Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul would staff the school for over 50 years, dedicating their lives to the education of thousands of children. 1936 began an era of unprecedented growth under the leadership of Msgr. Daniel Carey. In 1948, despite post-war hardships, he was able to inspire his community to build a new school. He then turned his attention to the over-crowded church and, in 1956, to the delight of the parishioners, the new Saint Helen's Church was blessed. By 1973, the demographics of Saint Helen's Parish had experienced a dramatic change. From the Anglo-Irish parishioners of the early years, Saint Helen's was experiencing a huge increase in parishioners of Italian descent. Archbishop James Carney, realizing the need to better serve these immigrants, asked the Scalabrinian Congregation to take the parish under its care. The second era of physical growth and development in the parish would come under the direction of these missionary priests. The 1970s, with Father Joseph Ponti as pastor, would see the construction of a new rectory, a state-of-the-art hall/gymnasium, and a fully renovated school. Father Joe's dream was the construction of a church, with this in mind, he began to purchase the necessary land. Succeeding pastors Father Angelo Calandra and Father Peter Sordi continued to work towards this dream, accumulating land and initiating the process. Father Claudio Holzer, upon assuming the responsibilities of pastor, took a firm hold of the dreams of his predecessors and shaped them into the reality of the new Saint Helen's Church. From the beginning, St. Helen's Parish has been an active community participant in this area of Burnaby and continues to enjoy this participation not only here but in Metro Vancouver as well. On August 11, 2012, St. Helen's Catholic Church and Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary. -Information contributed by M. Tesan has been combined with information from the official website of the church.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Creator
- Minni, Sheila
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds.
- Photo catalogue 495
South Burnaby Garden Club subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription121
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915-2009
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and 1 photograph
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of the administrative records of the South Burnaby Garden Club from their early beginnings as the Central Park Agricultural Association and Farmer's Institute (1901-1926), the South Burnaby Horticultural Association and Farmers Institute (1927-1957) to the early 2000s.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915-2009
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- South Burnaby Garden Club subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and 1 photograph
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1986-36
- BHS2008-17
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of the administrative records of the South Burnaby Garden Club from their early beginnings as the Central Park Agricultural Association and Farmer's Institute (1901-1926), the South Burnaby Horticultural Association and Farmers Institute (1927-1957) to the early 2000s.
- History
- The South Burnaby Garden Club as formed in 1901 after a group of Central Park residents met to form a Farmers’ Institute. They leased 17 acres of Central Park from the Provincial Government and with the support of government grants constructed a two-story building on the property. The building was constructed in time for the first annual Fall Fair in September 1901. In 1903 the Institute amalgamated with the South Vancouver and Burnaby Agricultural Society to become the Central Park Agricultural Association & Farmers Institute. In 1907 the membership doubled to 520 members. Increasing urbanization and the First World War saw the last exhibition in 1919. The lease on the building expired in 1921. The Society continued to meet and hold small exhibitions in rented halls under the South Burnaby Horticultural Association name. After several name changes, the association became the South Burnaby Garden Club in 1958 and continues to this day.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Creator
- South Burnaby Garden Club
- Notes
- PC223, PC488, MSS028
- Title based on creator and contents of subseries
![Staff reunion party, [between 1940 and 1950] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0038_0011_001.jpg?width=280)
Staff reunion party
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4646
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1940 and 1950]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a staff reunion floor party for employees of the dressmaking department at "The Bay" department store. Flossie Parsons can be seen seated near the centre of the photograph in the white sweater.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a staff reunion floor party for employees of the dressmaking department at "The Bay" department store. Flossie Parsons can be seen seated near the centre of the photograph in the white sweater.
- History
- Flossie Maude Parsons (nee Smith) was born to George Henry Smith, a farm labourer, and Harriet Ann Savage on February 13, 1896 in Ealing, England. She immigrated to Canada with some of her family members in the early 1920s. They lived in Winnipeg for a few years as an older brother had settled there in 1912. She married Herbert Russell Parsons on June 23, 1928. They first lived in Vancouver and finally bought a home at 7091 Jubilee Avenue, South Burnaby in the early 1930s. In 1943, Flossie was certified in Home Nursing. Herbert Parsons was active during the Second World War as a volunteer for Civil Defence in Burnaby and worked as a salesman for Woodwards. The couple had no children. Herbert passed away on May 23rd, 1957 (age 84) and Flossie passed away on April 6, 1996 (age 100).
- Other Title Information
- Title based on content of photograph
- Accession Code
- BV017.38.11
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1940 and 1950]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 26-Mar-2018
Images
![Staff reunion party, [between 1940 and 1950] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0038_0011_001.jpg)
Timms family and Smith
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88166
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915 (date of original) -[199-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Mary Forsyth fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of one typewritten history, titled "The Timms family" by Mary Forsyth, handwritten notes about the Timms and Smith families, a copy of World War I Daily Orders from the 131st Westminster Overseas Battalion. C.E.F dated December 6, 1915 with the name Smith, C.H. (marked in pencil) and …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915 (date of original) -[199-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Mary Forsyth fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS185-021
- Access Restriction
- Open access
- Accession Number
- 2014-27
- Scope and Content
- File consists of one typewritten history, titled "The Timms family" by Mary Forsyth, handwritten notes about the Timms and Smith families, a copy of World War I Daily Orders from the 131st Westminster Overseas Battalion. C.E.F dated December 6, 1915 with the name Smith, C.H. (marked in pencil) and handwritten notes. Biographical and historical information was compiled by Mary Forysth with the intention of publishing a book.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Transcribed title
Vera Jackson Pel collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97233
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1949-1973
- Collection/Fonds
- Vera Jackson Pel collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 cm of textual records.
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of papers collected by Vera Jackson Pel related to her time as a clerk at the Royal Bank in Burnaby.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1949-1973
- Collection/Fonds
- Vera Jackson Pel collection
- Physical Description
- 1 cm of textual records.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Record No.
- MSS069
- Accession Number
- 2010-09
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of papers collected by Vera Jackson Pel related to her time as a clerk at the Royal Bank in Burnaby.
- History
- Vera Jackson’s parents Harold Joseph Jackson and Florence Colocott married in 1925 and bought a brown, wooden, shingled house at 3507 Booth Avenue, Burnaby, in 1926. Vera Rose Jackson was born at Mrs. Scott’s private hospital on Kingsway near Central Park on December 4, 1927. Her brother Ronald Harold Jackson was born on June 21, 1929. In 1934, the family moved to 2706 Cassie Avenue (later renumbered 6457). Vera attended Miss Edith Hall’s Kindergarten on Grange Street until she was old enough to enter Kingsway West as a grade one student. The family were members of the West Burnaby United Church and Vera and her brother Ron both went to Sunday school in the old Church basement. Vera attended Burnaby South High School where she met her future husband, Fred Pel. They married on April 13, 1951, and had four sons, David, Fred (Elsie), Jon (Nancy), Al (Steffany), and an adopted daughter, Angela. Vera and Fred faithfully attended First Christian Reformed Church. Vera was active in the church, leading Bible studies, as well as teaching ESL. Her students appreciated her and stayed in touch for many years. She also took on the role of archivist to help document the church's history. In 1944, Vera started a job at the Royal Bank in Burnaby. Besides the manager and the accountant, the entire staff at the branch were young women fresh out of school, as the men had left to serve during World War II. She worked at the Royal Bank from 1944 until 1952. During her time as clerk, she witnessed two armed robberies, one in May of 1946 and the other in January of 1948. Vera passed away on July 16, 2023.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Creator
- Pel, Vera Rose Jackson
- Notes
- Title based on contents of collection
- MSS069
Vera Jackson Pel subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription49
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1927 (date of original)-1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of photographs and textual records collected by Vera Jackson Pel. These records document Pel's personal life as well as her time as a clerk at the Royal Bank in Burnaby.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1927 (date of original)-1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Vera Jackson Pel subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1991-15
- BHS1991-37
- BHS1992-04
- BHS1992-46
- BHS1989-04
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of photographs and textual records collected by Vera Jackson Pel. These records document Pel's personal life as well as her time as a clerk at the Royal Bank in Burnaby.
- History
- Harold Joseph Jackson and Florence Colocott married in 1925. The couple bought a brown wooden shingled house at 3507 Booth Avenue in Burnaby in 1926. Vera Rose Jackson was born to Harold and Florence at Mrs. Scott’s private hospital on Kingsway near Central Park December 4, 1927. Her brother Ronald Harold Jackson was born June 21, 1929. In 1934, the family moved to 2706 Cassie Avenue (later renumbered 6457). Vera attended Miss Edith Hall’s Kindergarten on Grange Street until she was old enough to enter Kingsway West as a grade one student. The family were members of the West Burnaby United Church and Vera and Ron both went to Sunday school in the old church basement. Vera attended Burnaby South High School where she met her future husband, Fred Pel. In 1944, Vera started a job at the Royal Bank in Burnaby. Besides the manager and the accountant, the entire staff at the branch were young women fresh out of school, as the men had left to serve during World War II. She worked at the Royal Bank from 1944 until 1952. During her time as clerk, she witnessed two armed robberies: one in May of 1946 and the other in January of 1948.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- Pel, Vera Rose Jackson
- Notes
- Title based on contents and creator of subseries
- MSS053, PC256, PC274, PC305, MSS044, MSS069
Walker family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78708
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1948-1957 (date of originals); 2013
- Collection/Fonds
- Walker family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 38 photographs (7 jpeg : col., 300 dpi ; 7 jpeg : col., 96 dpi ; 10 jpeg : b&w, 300 dpi ; 12 jpeg : b&w, 96 dpi). 1 drawing (jpeg) : col., 300 dpi ; 2 maps (jpeg) : col. ; 96 dpi ; 397.67 KB of textual records.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of 41 jpegs of original photographs (some include annotation), maps, and newspaper clippings pertaining to Scotty Walker, his family and the Inter-City Driving Range that he created.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1948-1957 (date of originals); 2013
- Collection/Fonds
- Walker family fonds
- Physical Description
- 38 photographs (7 jpeg : col., 300 dpi ; 7 jpeg : col., 96 dpi ; 10 jpeg : b&w, 300 dpi ; 12 jpeg : b&w, 96 dpi). 1 drawing (jpeg) : col., 300 dpi ; 2 maps (jpeg) : col. ; 96 dpi ; 397.67 KB of textual records.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2013-15
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of 41 jpegs of original photographs (some include annotation), maps, and newspaper clippings pertaining to Scotty Walker, his family and the Inter-City Driving Range that he created.
- History
- Scotty Walker purchased the property at 974 12th Avenue in 1948 under the Veteran’s Land Act (VLA) grant from the government. He was in the Air Force during the Second World War. Previous to the purchase he ran a trucking business in New Westminster and lived at 1421 Nanaimo Street. The family consisted of Scotty, his wife Elizabeth, and three children, Alex, Barbara, and James. The land was overgrown with trees, scrub bushes, and a general swampy area. Scotty had the plan to build a Golf Driving Range, but it would take a lot of work. He owned three acres and leased three acres from the Lady of Mercy Church. Then they started working the land. The trees and scrub bush had to be removed and it was all done by hand. As the weather warmed and the swamp dried somewhat, Scotty got the idea to do selective burning. After many times doing this in small sections, the wind changed and the fire was headed for some houses on Tenth Avenue. The fire departments from New Westminster and Burnaby showed up and he was severely punished. It created other problems too. The land was swampy and when it dried, it was a peat bog, so the fire would burn down and turn up all over the place. That winter when the rains came, the land flooded and froze. The kids in the neighbourhood took advantage of the open spaces and brought out their skates. They had a great time. Some pigs were purchased with the idea that they could help dig up the roots and could be butchered later. Well they cleared the roots, but the kids all said they would not eat the pigs. The pigs were sold as they had become like pets. The land was then bulldozed into a berm on the 12th Street side of the land and a fence was built on top of the hill. The Walkers still had to clear the roots and branches that accumulated on the berm. The big problem was snakes. There were pits of water snakes that had been moved with the bulldozing. The family is not sure what happened with the snakes but eventually they moved. The area that would have been to the left of the property was still a swamp, so maybe they went there. The Walkers built drainage ditches through the land and let it drain to the natural slope toward Eighth Street. Construction on the Golf Range started and the grass was seeded. The “Inter-City Golf Range” opened on June 16, 1951. It had been a long hard road for the whole family but it worked out quite well. There was no automatic machine picking up balls, it was all done by hand and washed in a washing machine. Eventually they got Shag Bags that helped some but it was a huge job. The Golf Range ran for a few years and then Burnaby had a very sunny summer and the sun was in the patrons' eyes. So Scotty decided to move the buildings to the 12th Avenue part of the land. The club house and coffee shop was moved. The family took the building apart board by board and reconstructed it at the other end of the land. This worked well. All this had been accomplished on a shoestring budget as there was no big money behind anything. The Walkers cut the grass with gas hand mowers, washed the balls with the washing machine, and worked very long hours. Then the Catholic Church decided not to renew the lease. The family had worked so hard and now Scotty’s dream was dashed. It was a devastating time. Eventually the property was sold to the Christian Brothers and the buildings to Gus Brown in Richmond. The church bought the land for $25,000, in 1957. The end of the dream was very hard on everyone. Eventually life went on. It is sad that Scotty was just so far ahead of his time. He was a small man about 5’6" and about 140 pounds but had dreams as big as anyone and worked like three men to accomplish his dream. The cleared land was eventually developed into Saint Thomas Moore School. Biography provided by B. Kromm
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Creator
- Walker family
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo catalogue 557
Westerman family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13679
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1917-1959]
- Collection/Fonds
- Westerman family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 17 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs documenting Walter "Wally" Westerman's life while growing up in Burnaby, his time spent in California while training as an engineer, his time in Montreal during his service with the R.C.A.F., Wally with his wife Gwendolyn (nee Brocklesby) Westerman and Wally in his lat…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Westerman family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 17 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs documenting Walter "Wally" Westerman's life while growing up in Burnaby, his time spent in California while training as an engineer, his time in Montreal during his service with the R.C.A.F., Wally with his wife Gwendolyn (nee Brocklesby) Westerman and Wally in his later years outside of his home in Burnaby.
- History
- Walter "Wally" William Westerman was born in London, Ontario in 1916. A few years later he moved with his parents to Vancouver. Around 1921 his parents, Albert Edwin and Louisa (nee Williams) Westerman bought a double lot at 4797 Georgia Street in District Lot 122 in Burnaby. On the lot they built a house and bowling green. Wally's father Albert worked as a proof reader for the Daily Province newspaper and retired in 1938. Walter attended Gilmore Avenue school and North Burnaby High School. After graduating from highschool he enrolled in engineering school in Glendale, California. Wally was married to Margot Florence Patry from 1943 to 1952. When World War II began, Wally joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Wally suffered from arthritis and after being declared unfit for combat he was discharged. He returned to Burnaby and became a foreman in the engineering department of Boeing Aircraft of Canada. In 1944, while employed by Boeing, Wally was recoginized with awards for his ingenuity of "Jig Design for Bomb Torpedo Adaptors" and "Bomb Release Scissors". When Wally's father Albert became ill and had to have his leg amputated, Wally attended to his needs and sold the family's Georgia Street house to a buy a house at 5277 Spencer Street in Vancouver. Wally's father died in 1944 and his mother died in 1966. Following his first marriage, Wally met Gwendolyn "Gwen" Brocklesby and they developed a long term relationship eventually marrying in 1969. Gwen had a daughter named Barbara from her first marriage and Wally became her step father. Between 1960 and 1963, Wally was admitted to membership in the Canadian Power Squadrons with qualifications in seamanship, engine maintenance and weather and Gwen was awarded a certificate of qualification in piloting and seamanship. In 1969 Gwen, Wally and Barbara moved to a brand new home at 2171 Duthie Avenue in Burnaby which was within walking distance to Lenkurt Electric on Lougheed Highway where Wally worked. Wally was a machinist and foreman of the sheet metal shop at Lenkurt and later at Microtel. Walter Westerman died in Burnaby in 2000 and his wife Gwen died in Burnaby in 2016.
- Responsibility
- Westerman, Walter "Wally"
- Accession Code
- BV020.17
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1917-1959]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds