More like 'Kingsway West School Choir'

100 records – page 1 of 5.

Burnaby South High school choir

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35454
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1930 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby South High School choir. Identified: (front row, 2nd from left) Grace Smith, teacher (later, Grace Pletcher). She was the daughter of James and Agnes Smith of Royal Oak Road.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1930 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-312
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby South High School choir. Identified: (front row, 2nd from left) Grace Smith, teacher (later, Grace Pletcher). She was the daughter of James and Agnes Smith of Royal Oak Road.
Subjects
Organizations - Choirs
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Pletcher, Grace Smith
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Southoaks Crescent
Street Address
6650 Southoaks Crescent
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Images
Less detail

Baseball Team

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38265
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1933
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 14.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of 16 unidentified men posing for a picture with a trophy and two basball bats arranged on the ground in front of them. The location of the photograph is unknown. This team may have been the Broadview area baseball team known as the Moosomin team that formed in the 1930s.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1933
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Margaret McCallum subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 14.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
375-027
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1986-42
Scope and Content
Photograph of 16 unidentified men posing for a picture with a trophy and two basball bats arranged on the ground in front of them. The location of the photograph is unknown. This team may have been the Broadview area baseball team known as the Moosomin team that formed in the 1930s.
Subjects
Sports - Baseball
Sports - Team Sports
Personal Symbols - Trophies
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph.
Images
Less detail

Burnaby Cougars lacrosse team

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription830
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1934 (date of original), copied 1976
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm, mounted on card 30.5 x 35.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby Cougar Girls lacrosse team, the winners of Reeve Grauer Cup in 1934. There are twenty girls in their uniforms, some holding lacrosse sticks, two men (coach and team manager) dressed in suits, and a young girl (team mascot) standing beside a tall trophy in front of the team…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm, mounted on card 30.5 x 35.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby Cougar Girls lacrosse team, the winners of Reeve Grauer Cup in 1934. There are twenty girls in their uniforms, some holding lacrosse sticks, two men (coach and team manager) dressed in suits, and a young girl (team mascot) standing beside a tall trophy in front of the team. Standing in the back row (from left) are; Bill Bayley (Coach), Hilda Higham, Elsie Thornton, Doris Elliot, Inez Brown and Bill Fowler (Manager). In the second row; Elsie Brown, Joan Bullock, Edna Winter, Phyllis Bayley, Betty Elliot, Edie Gilmore, Margaret Robertson and Laura Brown. In the third row; Irma Matthew, Dolly Atkinson, Doris MacLean, Florence Brown (Goalie), Bernice MacMillan, Dot Spring, Kay MacMillan and Alice Would. Audrey Elliot (Mascot) is standing at the front.
Subjects
Personal Symbols - Trophies
Sports - Lacrosse
Sports - Team Sports
Clothing - Uniforms
Names
Atkinson, Dolly
Bayley, Bill
Bayley, Phyllis
Nykyfork, Elsie Brown
Bevan, Florence Brown
Ervin, Inez Brown
Burnaby Cougars
Fowler, William "Bill"
Page, Hilda Higham
Dinsmore, Bernice MacMillan
Isherwood, Doris MacLean
Murphy, Margaret Robertson
Spring, Dorothy Austin
Johannson, Edna Winter
Francescini, Laura Brown
Steele, Joan Bullock
MacFarlane, Audrey Elliott
Curle, Betty Elliott
McInnis, Doris Elliott
Johnson, Edie Gilmore
Dodd, Kay MacMillan
Dyer, Irma Matthew
Scambler, Alice Would
Accession Code
HV973.34.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1934 (date of original), copied 1976
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600 dpi
Scan Date
1/6/2010
Scale
100
Photographer
Campbell Studios Limited
Notes
Photograph is reproduced in Pixie McGeachie's book, Bygones of Burnaby, p. 105
Photograph mount bears printed information on the bottom of the mount card, identifying each team member by name. Also, the photographer's signature is on the photograph, front, lower left
Images
Less detail

Burnaby North High School soccer champions

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38672
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1930
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 15.5 x 20.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby North High School soccer team with their championship trophy. The seven team members and the two coaches are all unidentified.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1930
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
North Burnaby Board of Trade subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 15.5 x 20.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
476-015
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2005-8
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby North High School soccer team with their championship trophy. The seven team members and the two coaches are all unidentified.
Subjects
Sports - Team Sports
Sports - Soccer
Personal Symbols - Trophies
Names
Burnaby North High School
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Charlton and Rathburn
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Pandora Street
Street Address
4375 Pandora Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Less detail

Personal material

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82732
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1910-1978]
Collection/Fonds
Hazel Simnett collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlai…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1910-1978]
Collection/Fonds
Hazel Simnett collection
Series
Simnett personal papers series
Physical Description
9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS167-008
Accession Number
2013-22
Scope and Content
File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlain from Liverpool and a letter from the Office of the Mayor addressed to Mary Ann Simnett for her ninetieth birthday. Also included is a photograph (see item 559-001). Also included are newsclippings regarding Robert Burnaby and the "Bygones of Burnaby" book, a programme of the Robert Burnaby Commemorative Dinner, a photocopy of "The Argus" (Burnaby South High School's newspaper) from 1938, a programme from Madys Pridmore Brown's Variety Programme, "The Buzzer" Volume 40 Issue 16 advertising Vancouver street cars, New Vista Society certificate addressed to Hazel Simnett, an envelope of Fenwick Lansdowne bird prints from 1957 and a print of the Royal Family found in a cardboard envelope postmarked 1972.
Subjects
Arts - Paintings
Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
Performances - Concerts
Organizations - Societies and Clubs
Personal Symbols - Certificates
Transportation
Persons - Royalty
Names
Simnett, Hazel
Simnett, Frederick "Fred"
Simnett, Mary Ann
Lansdowne, James Fenwick
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Graphic Material
Notes
Title based on note accompanying file on folder ; The Argue was stapled together
Simnett personal papers series
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Clinton-Glenwood Area
Less detail

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…
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
1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.
History
Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Migration
Occupations - Teachers
Occupations - Grocers
Organizations
Organizations - Business Associations
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
Names
Toy, Christina
Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
Babey, Beverley
Canada Way Food Market
Fraser Merchants' Association
Responsibility
Fong, Denise
Geographic Access
Canada Way
Street Address
4694 Canada Way
Accession Code
BV023.16.19
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3
Less detail

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18947
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 13, 2005
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (0:07:37 min)
Scope and Content
Track 1: This portion of the recording pertains to Cice Brown talking about growing up in West Burnaby near Central Park, between West Burnaby and McKay tram station. Cice describes the area in which she lived; talks about attending school at Kingsway West and highschool at Burnaby South. Interview…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (0:07:37 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Cice Brown Date of interview: May 13, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 7 Total length of all Tracks: 0:40:19
Scope and Content
Track 1: This portion of the recording pertains to Cice Brown talking about growing up in West Burnaby near Central Park, between West Burnaby and McKay tram station. Cice describes the area in which she lived; talks about attending school at Kingsway West and highschool at Burnaby South. Interviewer asks about the types of activities she was involved while growing up. Cice recalls being a member of the school choir at Kingsway West, the music teacher and winning a competition. Cice talks about attending Burnaby South highschool at the start of World War II, her involvement with cadets as well as the "Hi-Y" club and playing outside in the Central Park neighbourhood.
History
Recording of an interview with Cice Brown, interviewed by Tom Gooden on May 13 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
Organizations - Adolescents' Societies and Clubs
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Organizations - Choirs
Names
Brown, Cice Chandler
Kingsway West School
Burnaby South High School
Central Park
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Accession Code
BV017.45.3
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 13, 2005
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Audio Tracks

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 1, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 13, 2005

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 1, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 13, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0003_001.mp3
Less detail

Kingsway West School Choir

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36931
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1938 (date of original), copied 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.8 x 11.4 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of Kingsway West School choir. The pianist was Miss Setter.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1938 (date of original), copied 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.8 x 11.4 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
315-389
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1994-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of Kingsway West School choir. The pianist was Miss Setter.
Subjects
Organizations - Choirs
Names
Kingsway West School
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Lloyd, Frank Ernest
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Sussex Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Images
Less detail

Burnaby South High School orchestra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35458
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1930 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby South High School orchestra. Identified: (front row, 3rd from left) Grace Smith, teacher and band leader. Grace Smith (later Grace Pletcher) was the daughter of James and Agnes Smith.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1930 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-316
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby South High School orchestra. Identified: (front row, 3rd from left) Grace Smith, teacher and band leader. Grace Smith (later Grace Pletcher) was the daughter of James and Agnes Smith.
Subjects
Musical Instruments
Organizations - Orchestras
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Burnaby South High School
Pletcher, Grace Smith
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Southoaks Crescent
Street Address
6650 Southoaks Crescent
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Images
Less detail

Graduation records

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82734
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1930-1941]
Collection/Fonds
Hazel Simnett collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of two envelopes and one dictionary. One envelope is empty and is addressed to: "To Whom it May Concern" and is from: "Hugh M. Fraser High School / 2350 Kingsway / New Westminster, BC". It most likely contained the reference letter from May 12, 1941 written by the principal of Hugh M.…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1930-1941]
Collection/Fonds
Hazel Simnett collection
Series
Simnett personal papers series
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS167-013
Accession Number
2013-22
Scope and Content
File consists of two envelopes and one dictionary. One envelope is empty and is addressed to: "To Whom it May Concern" and is from: "Hugh M. Fraser High School / 2350 Kingsway / New Westminster, BC". It most likely contained the reference letter from May 12, 1941 written by the principal of Hugh M. Fraser Senior and Junior High Schools. The second envelope is addressed to "Miss Hazel Simnett / 4019 Kingsway / New Westminster, BC" from the Department of Education in Victoria, BC. It contains the reference letter as discussed previously, a University Entrance Examination certificate, a High School Graduation certificate from Burnaby South High School, a Grade Twelve Examination Junior Matriculation certificate and a purple and gold ribbon. The dictionary is a Nelson's "Highroads" English Dictionary. Inside an inscription reads: "Hazel Simnett / 4019 Kingsway / Burnaby / BSHS / Hazel Simnett / Kingsway West School".
Subjects
Personal Symbols - Certificates
Names
Simnett, Hazel
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Simnett personal papers series
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Garden Village Area
Less detail

Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).
History
Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
Buildings - Industrial - Factories
Education
Employment
Industries - Logging/lumber
Migration
Occupations - Engineers
Occupations - Millworkers
Occupations - Teachers
Occupations - Writers
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Names
Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
Kapoor Sawmills Limited
Siddoo, Kapoor Singh
Teja, Gurdial Singh
Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
Manhas, Ghania Singh
Singh, Mayo
Manhas, Kashmir Singh
Manhas, Sher Singh
Manhas, Budhan Kaur
Manhas, Lashman Singh
Responsibility
Malik, Anushay
Rajdeep
Geographic Access
Woodsworth Street
Accession Code
BV022.29.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Capitol Hill Area
Related Material
See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi
Transcript of interview available upon request
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Burnaby Sports Day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85204
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1936 and 1939]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of child…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1936 and 1939]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-002-3
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2012-15
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of children and Youth are showcased in sporting field events and competitions such as track and field sports, acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, leap frog, skipping, rugby.
Subjects
Events - Parades
Occupations
Occupations - Labourers
Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs
Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'May Day Events'
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Central Park
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video

Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]

Less detail

Labour parade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85205
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1936 and 1939]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (4 min, 23 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of a May Day labour parade for International Worker's Day. Men, women and children are seen marching with banners held high interspersed with a marching band with bagpipes. Some of the banners are identified as; The Communist Pa…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1936 and 1939]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (4 min, 23 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-002-4
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2012-15
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of a May Day labour parade for International Worker's Day. Men, women and children are seen marching with banners held high interspersed with a marching band with bagpipes. Some of the banners are identified as; The Communist Party of Canada, the Scandinavian Worker's Club, Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union, Ex-Servicemen's League, Canadian League Against War and Fascism, Fishermen's Legislative Program, Sailor's Union, B.C. Maritime Workers, Amalgamated Building Workers Union, Bakery and Confectionary Workers International Union of America and The Women's Labour League. Some of the banners in the parade read as follows; 'Support the White Lunch Strike', 'Abolish Deferred Pay', 'Builders of British Columbia- Bill Bennett', 'Communist Party of Canada', 'Free Grange and Molland'.
Subjects
Events - Parades
Occupations
Occupations - Labourers
Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs
Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Labour Parade'
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Images
Video

Labour parade, [between 1936 and 1939]

Less detail

Interview with Eileen Kernaghan by Rod Fowler April 10, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory497
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1939-1990
Length
00:09:08
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Eileen Kernaghan’s childhood, her education and teaching career, her marriage to Pat Kernaghan and their move to Burnaby, his work at Oakalla Prison, the opening of their Neville Street bookstore, and changes in their neighbourhood
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Eileen Kernaghan’s childhood, her education and teaching career, her marriage to Pat Kernaghan and their move to Burnaby, his work at Oakalla Prison, the opening of their Neville Street bookstore, and changes in their neighbourhood
Date Range
1939-1990
Photo Info
Eileen Kernaghan standing in front of four poets at the Poetry Pocket Cafe in New Westminster, October 15, 1995. Item no. 535-0014
Length
00:09:08
Subjects
Education
Occupations - Teachers
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Clinton-Glenwood Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
April 10, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Eileen Kernaghan, conducted by Rod Fowler. Eileen Kernaghan was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Eileen Kernaghan’s activities with the Burnaby Writers’ Society and the Burnaby Arts Council, describing the history of these organizations between 1967 and 1990. She describes the financial and other challenges facing the arts community, the various programs initiated by the Arts Council, and the development of the Burnaby Arts Centre facilities at Deer Lake. She also talks about her education, writing career, the Neville Street neighbourhood, and her and her husband’s bookstore business. Ghosts believed to inhabit some of the Arts Centre's heritage buildings are also a topic of conversation. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Eileen Kernaghan was born January 6, 1939, to William Alfred Monk (1910-2003) and Belinda Maude Monk (1908-1996), and grew up on a dairy farm near Grindrod in the North Okanagan. She attended a two room school in Grindrod, completed Junior and Senior High School in Enderby, and at age 17 in 1956, left home to attend UBC. She taught school in the North Okanagan area in the late 1950s, during which time she married her husband Patrick Kernaghan. They moved to Vancouver in 1961, Burnaby in 1963, and settled on Neville Street in the South Slope area in 1966 with their three children. Pat Kernaghan worked at Oakalla Prison as a correctional officer until his retirement in 1988. Eileen and Patrick Kernaghan owned and operated a bookstore on Neville Street from 1987 to 1999. They later moved to New Westminster. Eileen Kernaghan began her writing career at twelve years old with a story published in the Vancouver Sun. After her youngest child began school, with more free time, she started writing again and has become an award winning author of fantasy and science fiction novels. She helped found the Burnaby Writers’ Society in 1967, taught writing workshops, and wrote its popular Newsletter for many years. In 1971 the Society put together a small handbook for BC writers, a venture that was expanded and published by Douglas MacIntyre in 1975 as “The Upper Left-Hand Corner: a writer’s handbook for the Northwest”. The book became a Canadian best-seller. During this same period Eileen Kernaghan began her successful “Grey Isles” trilogy. In 1967 she joined the Burnaby Arts Council, worked as its Coordinator from 1973 to 1984, and was a determined advocate for municipal government support for the arts in Burnaby.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:26:27
Interviewee Name
Kernaghan, Eileen
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Eileen Kernaghan

Less detail

Annie Forrest with her class at Kingsway West

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1324
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
June 1931
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of students at Kingsway West School standing in four rows on the front steps of the school. Their teacher, (Miss) Annie Forrest, is wearing a dark jacket over a polka dot shirt (and is standing to the left). The students are; top row (l to r): Harvey Hickenbotham, Bobby Nayes, Kenneth Ha…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of students at Kingsway West School standing in four rows on the front steps of the school. Their teacher, (Miss) Annie Forrest, is wearing a dark jacket over a polka dot shirt (and is standing to the left). The students are; top row (l to r): Harvey Hickenbotham, Bobby Nayes, Kenneth Harding, Allen Sharpe, Douglas Heywood, Frank Gilpin and Frank Fletcher. In the second row; Shirley Stibbs, Grace MacSorley, Edith McDonald, Kenneth Bradley, Robert Houlden, Richard Pickwell, Fred Slaney, Gordon Brawnlie, Eric Bliss, John Matheson and Fraser Robertson. In the third row; Joan Richards, Eileen Uychara, Margaret Douglas, Dorothy Graham, Lois McLeod, Eileen Currie, Edith Frith, Shirley Hamill, Lillian McKenzie, Patricia Peacock and Robert Magee. In the front row; Dorothy Wray, Renee Berg, Kathleen Boyd, Evelyn Webster, Isobel Copland, (Agnes Sollaway or Marion Braniff), Doreen Parks, Wanda Cullen, Rona Smith, Jean Gray, Janet Soda and Mary Webster.
Subjects
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Kingsway West School
Forrest, Annie Theresa
Hickenbotham, Harvey
Nayes, Bobby
Harding, Kenneth
Sharpe, Allen
Heywood, Douglas
Gilpin, Frank
Fletcher, Frank
Stibbs, Shirley
MacSorley, Grace
McDonald, Edith
Bradley, Kenneth
Houlden, Robert "Bobby"
Pickwell, Richard "Dick"
Slaney, Fred
Brawnlie, Gordon
Bliss, Eric
Matheson, John
Robertson, Fraser
Richards, Joan
Uychara, Eileen
Douglas, Margaret
Graham, Dorothy
McLeod, Lois
Currie, Eileen
Frith, Edith
Hamill, Shirley
McKenzie, Lillian
Peacock, Patricia
Magee, Robert "Bobby"
Woodman, Dorothy Eva Wray
Berg, Renee
Boyd, Kathleen
Webster, Evelyn
Copland, Isobel
Parks, Doreen
Cullen, Wanda
Smith, Rona
Gray, Jean
Soda, Janet
Webster, Mary
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Street Address
4800 Kingsway
Accession Code
BV999.2.12
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
June 1931
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Related Material
For other prints of the same image, see BV999.2.13 and .14
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
02-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Left to right 1930-1931 Top row. Harvey Hickenbotham, Bobby Nayes, Kenneth Harding, Allen Sharpe, Douglas Heywood, Frank Gilpin, Frank Fletcher / 2nd row. Shirley Stibbs, Grace MacSouley, Edith McDonald, Kenneth Bradley, Robert Houlden, Richard Pickwell, Fred Slaney, Gordon Brawnlie, Eric Bliss, John Matheson, Fraser Robertson/ 3rd row Joan Richards, Eileen Uychara, Margaret Douglas, Dorothy Graham, Lois McLeod, Eileen Currie, Edith Faith, Shirley Hamil, Lillian McKenzie, Patricia Peacock, Robert Magee / 4th row. Dorothy Wray, Renee Berg, Kathleen Boyd, Evelyn Webster, Isobel Copland, Agnes Sollaway, Doreen Parks, Wanda Cullen, Rona Smith, Jean Gray, Janet Soda, Mary Webster"
Images
Less detail

Annie Forrest with her class at Kingsway West

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1327
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1930]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : 11.5 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of students at Kingsway West School standing in three rows on the front steps of the school with their teacher, (Miss) Annie Forrest, crouched behind the top row (on the right). In the top row Richard Pickwell is fifth from the left, with Harvey Hickenbotham sixth, Bobby Nayes seventh, R…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : 11.5 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of students at Kingsway West School standing in three rows on the front steps of the school with their teacher, (Miss) Annie Forrest, crouched behind the top row (on the right). In the top row Richard Pickwell is fifth from the left, with Harvey Hickenbotham sixth, Bobby Nayes seventh, Robert Magee eighth and Eric Bliss last (twelfth). The second row begins on the far left with Fraser Robertson, with Allen Sharpe second and Edith Frith last (twelfth). The front row begins with Janet Soda on the far right, Patricia Peacock fourth, Eileen Uychara sixth, Jean Gray ninth, Dorothy Graham tenth and Grace MacSorley last (twelfth). There is a sign by the stairs that reads, "ANY PERSON HAVING BUSINESS IN THE SCHOOL MUST APPLY TO PRINCIPAL. NO CANVASSING PERMITTED."
Subjects
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Kingsway West School
Forrest, Annie Theresa
Hickenbotham, Harvey
Pickwell, Richard "Dick"
Nayes, Bobby
Magee, Robert "Bobby"
Bliss, Eric
Robertson, Fraser
Sharpe, Allen
Frith, Edith
Soda, Janet
Peacock, Patricia
Uychara, Eileen
Gray, Jean
Graham, Dorothy
MacSorley, Grace
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Street Address
4800 Kingsway
Accession Code
BV999.2.15
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1930]
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
02-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "1931"
Images
Less detail

Barnet School Class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34290
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1930 or 1931]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.5 x 17.6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Barnet School teacher and her class sitting and standing in rows outside the school. Annotation on back of photograph reads, "Barnet School, Barnet BC, 1928", however later information suggests that it is more likely 1930 or 1931.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1930 or 1931]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.5 x 17.6 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
016-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Barnet School teacher and her class sitting and standing in rows outside the school. Annotation on back of photograph reads, "Barnet School, Barnet BC, 1928", however later information suggests that it is more likely 1930 or 1931.
Subjects
Occupations - Teachers
Media Type
Photograph
Geographic Access
Barnet Road
Barnet Village
Street Address
7820 Barnet Road
Historic Neighbourhood
Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Less detail

Burnaby North High School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36683
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1937 (date of original), copied 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6.2 x 9.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Burnaby North High School.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1937 (date of original), copied 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6.2 x 9.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
315-038
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1994-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Burnaby North High School.
Subjects
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Burnaby North High School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Pandora Street
Street Address
4375 Pandora Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Less detail

Burnaby North High School Teachers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36719
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[193-] (date of original), copied 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 12.6 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby North High School Teachers. Top row, left to right: Mr. McFadden, Mr. MacLean, Mr. Cameron, and Mr. Stuart Burton. Front row, left to right: Mrs. Spencer, Mr. George B. Carpenter, and Miss Mary Buxton.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[193-] (date of original), copied 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 12.6 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
315-074
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1994-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby North High School Teachers. Top row, left to right: Mr. McFadden, Mr. MacLean, Mr. Cameron, and Mr. Stuart Burton. Front row, left to right: Mrs. Spencer, Mr. George B. Carpenter, and Miss Mary Buxton.
Subjects
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Burnaby North High School
Burton, Stuart
Buxton, Mary Isabel
Carpenter, George B.
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Pandora Street
Street Address
4375 Pandora Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Less detail

Burnaby South High School Staff

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription86670
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1936 or 1937]
Collection/Fonds
Richard Hardy family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12 x 17 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of staff from Burnaby South High School 1937-38 standing on stairs outside of the school. Staff are identified from left to right; back row: Bob, McKeown, C. Scott, Bill McKeown, Herb Fleming, Tom Chalmers, Fred Pratt, Norm McDonald; middle row: Alvin Mooney, George Grant, Hester Draper,…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1936 or 1937]
Collection/Fonds
Richard Hardy family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12 x 17 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
570-021
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2014-16
Scope and Content
Photograph of staff from Burnaby South High School 1937-38 standing on stairs outside of the school. Staff are identified from left to right; back row: Bob, McKeown, C. Scott, Bill McKeown, Herb Fleming, Tom Chalmers, Fred Pratt, Norm McDonald; middle row: Alvin Mooney, George Grant, Hester Draper, Emma Parks, Tom Sanderson, Jack Harkness; front row: Janey Findlay, Catherine Rees, Laura Swencisky, Mabel nee Young (Hardy), Olive Day, Helen Putnam and Betty Hammond.
Subjects
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Burnaby South High School
McKeown, Robert
Scott, C.
McKeown, B.A.
Fleming, Herb
Chalmers, Thomas "Tom"
Pratt, Fred
McDonald, Norm
Mooney, Alvin
Grant, George Jr.
Draper, Hester
Parks, Emma
Sanderson, Thomas "Tommy" James
Harkness, Jack
Findlay, Janey
Rees, Catherine "Cathy"
Swencisky, Laura
Young, Mabel
Hardy, Mabel
Martin, Olive Day
Putnam, Helen
Hammond, Betty
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on notes located on back of photograph
Note on verso of photograph reads: "Staff, Burnaby South HIgh School - Term 1937-38" and identifies the staff in the photograph.
Geographic Access
Southoaks Crescent
Street Address
6650 Southoaks Crescent
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Images
Less detail

100 records – page 1 of 5.