Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Municipal Council and members of the municipal hall staff sitting and standing in two rows outside the enlarged version of Burnaby's first Municipal Hall. Identified, seated (from left): L. Claude Hill, T.D. Coldicutt, J. Love, Reeve Peter Byrne, Duncan C. McGregor, John Rumble an…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 24.5 cm, mounted on card 35 x 37.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Municipal Council and members of the municipal hall staff sitting and standing in two rows outside the enlarged version of Burnaby's first Municipal Hall. Identified, seated (from left): L. Claude Hill, T.D. Coldicutt, J. Love, Reeve Peter Byrne, Duncan C. McGregor, John Rumble and Eber Stride. Behind, standing, fifth from the left is F.L. MacPherson.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Byrne, Peter; Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"; Coldicutt, Thomas D.; Love, Jesse, 1849-1928; McGregor, Duncan C., 1853-1929; Rumble, John; Stride, Eber; MacPherson, Frederick L. "Fred"; Burnaby City Hall

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Accession Code: HV973.40.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1910]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Related Material: According to earlier catalogue record, a plan for the conversion from the municipal hall to a community hall is in the the BVM archives.

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/8/2010

Scale: 100

Photographer: Broadbridge Commercial Photo Company

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on verso of original reads: "Burnaby Municipal Council in front of the first Municipal Hall on Kingsway"; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "The Broadbridge Commercial Photo Co. / 530 Homer St. Vancouver [illegible]"

Images

Municipal Council in front of the Municipal Hall, [1910] thumbnail

Opening of Hastings Street Tramline Extension

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57698

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 23, 1913

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the opening of the Hastings Street Tramline Extension, Capitol Hill. The man seen standing in the front row, near the centre of the photograph (with the light-coloured coat) and in front of the mounted police officer, has been identified as Joe Toffaletto (he headed up the BCER constr…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 23, 1913

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: J.W. Phillips subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Material Details: Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 487-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the opening of the Hastings Street Tramline Extension, Capitol Hill. The man seen standing in the front row, near the centre of the photograph (with the light-coloured coat) and in front of the mounted police officer, has been identified as Joe Toffaletto (he headed up the BCER construction team which built this line and who was also known as the anchor for the BCER tug-of-war team). Reeve McGregor is standing near the door to the tram, holding a pipe in one hand and a cane in the other (he is also the only man wearing a bow-tie) and Eber Stride is standing directly in front of the tram, wearing a three-piece suit with a white shirt and bowler hat. British Columbia Electric Railroad official R.H. Sperling and BCER general executive agent Fred R. Glover (his topcoat is open) are standing second from right and third from right respectively. The remainder of the men are unidentified although Councillors Coldicutt, MacDonald, Mayne and MacPherson, with municipal engineer MacPherson, British Columbia Electric Railroad chief engineer G.R.G. Conway and traffic agent for the city J.B. Rainey, solicitor A.E. Beck, chief inspector W. Whitenick, traffic superintendent James Hilton and Burnaby resident W.J. Holdom, Motorman C.C. Cameron and Conductor A. Sherman are said to be pictured.

Subjects: Events - Openings; Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Transportation - Electric Railroads

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company; Toffaletto, Joe; McGregor, Duncan C. (1853-1929); Stride, Eber

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Phillips, James William "Jim"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Opening of Hastings Street Tramline Extension, December 23, 1913 thumbnail

Peter Byrne

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38549

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.7 x 10 cm mounted on 9.4 x 13.2 cm page

Scope and Content: Photograph of Peter Byrne, Reeve of Burnaby from 1906 to 1910. Earlier, he also served as a member of Council from 1894 to 1895 and from 1898 to 1906. He was married to Priscilla Rowling Byrne.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: New Westminster Public Library subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.7 x 10 cm mounted on 9.4 x 13.2 cm page

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 459-009

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2003-19

Scope and Content: Photograph of Peter Byrne, Reeve of Burnaby from 1906 to 1910. Earlier, he also served as a member of Council from 1894 to 1895 and from 1898 to 1906. He was married to Priscilla Rowling Byrne.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Byrne, Peter

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Beamish family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35641

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1919 (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 Beamish family.William Randolph "Ran" Beamish (long-time Reeve of Burnaby later on); Ilma Beatrice Beamish (sister); Ethel Agnes Beamish (sister); (in window in background) Mrs. Agnes Beamish (mother). The photograph was taken in front of the family home at 277 17th Avenue (later …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1919 (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.: 204-499

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Beamish family.William Randolph "Ran" Beamish (long-time Reeve of Burnaby later on); Ilma Beatrice Beamish (sister); Ethel Agnes Beamish (sister); (in window in background) Mrs. Agnes Beamish (mother). The photograph was taken in front of the family home at 277 17th Avenue (later renumbered 8059 17th Avenue) in East Burnaby.

Subjects: Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Beamish, Agnes; Beamish, Ilma Beatrice; Beamish, William Randolph "Ran"; Derrick, Ethel Beamish

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: 17th Avenue

Street Address: 8059 17th Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Second Street Area

Images

Beamish family, 1919 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Inauguration of the water system at Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35938

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 16, 1912

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.9 x 14.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of Reeve Weart addressing a crowd gathered around the bandstand in Central Park for the inauguration of Burnaby Water Works. The Reeve is standing as he looks towards the crowd. Other men are seated in a semi-circle inside the bandstand. This was known as "Splash Day."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 16, 1912

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.9 x 14.0 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-798

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of Reeve Weart addressing a crowd gathered around the bandstand in Central Park for the inauguration of Burnaby Water Works. The Reeve is standing as he looks towards the crowd. Other men are seated in a semi-circle inside the bandstand. This was known as "Splash Day."

Subjects: Buildings - Recreational - Bandstands; Persons - Crowds; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Public Services - Utilities; Public Services - Public Works; Documentary Artifacts - Postcards

Names: Weart, R.W.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Annotation of back of postcard reads, "July 16 - 1912 / Inauguration of the water system at Burnaby"

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Inauguration of the water system at Burnaby, July 16, 1912 thumbnail

J.W. Weart

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34731

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1911 or 1912] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.0 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of John W. Weart, Reeve of Burnaby from 1911 to 1912.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1911 or 1912] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.0 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 126-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of John W. Weart, Reeve of Burnaby from 1911 to 1912.

Subjects: Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Weart, John W.

Media Type: Photograph

Images

J.W. Weart, [1911 or 1912] (date of original), copied [1995] thumbnail

T. Sanderson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34734

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1919] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.0 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of Thomas Sanderson, Reeve of Burnaby from 1919 to 1920.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1919] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.0 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 126-008

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of Thomas Sanderson, Reeve of Burnaby from 1919 to 1920.

Subjects: Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Sanderson, Thomas F.

Media Type: Photograph

Images

T. Sanderson, [1919] (date of original), copied [1995] thumbnail

Coffin with flag and wreaths

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2951

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [191-]

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 21 cm mounted on matt 25 x 30 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a coffin at graveside, draped in what could be a Red Ensign flag and covered with other military items including a bugle. There are several wreaths at the head of the coffin. The ground is covered with snow and forest in background. The deceased is unidentified and may be a member of…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 21 cm mounted on matt 25 x 30 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a coffin at graveside, draped in what could be a Red Ensign flag and covered with other military items including a bugle. There are several wreaths at the head of the coffin. The ground is covered with snow and forest in background. The deceased is unidentified and may be a member of the Royle family.

Subjects: Ceremonies - Funerals

Accession Code: BV006.39.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [191-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Date: 2024-01-08

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; There are pencil markings on the bottom of the mat but are illegible.

Images

Coffin with flag and wreaths
, [191-] thumbnail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory464

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1911-1990

Length: 00:05:22

Summary: This portion of the interview is about how Al Nixon began collecting and saving photographs, records and stories about the history of the Burnaby Fire Department in the mid 1980's. Finding the first scrapbook of photographs lead to other discoveries that placed the beginning of the Burnaby Fire Dep…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about how Al Nixon began collecting and saving photographs, records and stories about the history of the Burnaby Fire Department in the mid 1980's. Finding the first scrapbook of photographs lead to other discoveries that placed the beginning of the Burnaby Fire Department in 1911.

Date Range: 1911-1990

Length: 00:05:22

Subjects: Public Services - Fire Protection; Documentary Artifacts - Photographs

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 21, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:43:35

Interviewee Name: Nixon, Al

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

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.

Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Al Nixon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_1.mp3

Ernest Winch

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64730

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1917

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 15 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch wearing a lapel pin which reads "L" and is believed to signify labour movement involvement.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1917

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 15 x 10 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 514-028

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2010-06

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch wearing a lapel pin which reads "L" and is believed to signify labour movement involvement.

Subjects: Officials - Elected Officials

Names: Winch, Ernest "Ernie"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Ernest Winch with Two Others

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64704

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1917]

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 12.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of three young men sitting and standing together at a photographic studio. Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch is sitting in a chair on the left. The other two men have not been identified, but all three men are wearing lapel pins which read "L" and are believed to signify labour movement…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1917]

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 12.5 x 7.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 514-023

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2010-06

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of three young men sitting and standing together at a photographic studio. Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch is sitting in a chair on the left. The other two men have not been identified, but all three men are wearing lapel pins which read "L" and are believed to signify labour movement involvement.

Subjects: Officials - Elected Officials

Names: Winch, Ernest "Ernie"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Ernest Winch with Two Others, [1917] thumbnail

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…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

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

History: Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores; Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills; Buildings - Industrial - Factories; Education; Employment; Industries - Logging/lumber; Migration; Occupations - Engineers; Occupations - Millworkers; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Writers; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"; Kapoor Sawmills Limited; Siddoo, Kapoor Singh; Teja, Gurdial Singh; Parmar, Surjeet Kaur; Manhas, Ghania Singh; Singh, Mayo; Manhas, Kashmir Singh; Manhas, Sher Singh; Manhas, Budhan Kaur; Manhas, Lashman Singh

Responsibility: Malik, Anushay; Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Woodsworth Street

Accession Code: BV022.29.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area; Capitol Hill Area

Related Material: See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate; Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi; Transcript of interview available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Kalwant Singh

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3

Dedication of the World War One Honour Roll

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37222

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 14, 1916

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 10 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the First World War Honour Roll dedication at the former Municipal Hall at Edmonds and Kingsway. The intention of this memorial was to "keep the record bright before the people of the municipality". At the conclusion of this war over 1,200 names of service men and women were listed in…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 14, 1916

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 10 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 339-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the First World War Honour Roll dedication at the former Municipal Hall at Edmonds and Kingsway. The intention of this memorial was to "keep the record bright before the people of the municipality". At the conclusion of this war over 1,200 names of service men and women were listed including over 90 "Heroic Dead" who paid the "ultimate sacrifice".

Subjects: Wars - World War, 1914-1918; Ceremonies; Monuments - War Memorials; Symbols - Flags

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Dedication of the World War One Honour Roll, July 14, 1916 thumbnail

Frank Bailey

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64473

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1916

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 4.9 cm on mat paper frame 23.5 x 9 cm folded to 23.5 x 22.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Frank Bailey in his Christening gown.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1916

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Bailey family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 4.9 cm on mat paper frame 23.5 x 9 cm folded to 23.5 x 22.6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 508-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1992-55

Scope and Content: Photograph of Frank Bailey in his Christening gown.

Subjects: Ceremonies - Baptisms

Names: Bailey, Frank

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Henderson's wedding day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35803

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 25, 1917 (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 Hendersons, Bertha Hutchings Henderson (bride) and Richard Henderson (groom) on their wedding day, Christmas, 1917.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 25, 1917 (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.: 204-661

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Hendersons, Bertha Hutchings Henderson (bride) and Richard Henderson (groom) on their wedding day, Christmas, 1917.

Subjects: Ceremonies - Weddings

Names: Henderson, Bertha Hutchings; Henderson, Richard

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Henderson's wedding day, December 25, 1917 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Holdom family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35548

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1911 (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 taken on the occasion of the wedding of Lilian Gledhill in Victoria, BC. Back, left to right: Lilian Gledhill, Charles Holdom, [unidentified man], and Henrietta Mary "Hetty" Holdom. Front, left to right: Walter J. Holdom and Minnie Turner. Lilian Gledhill, Henrietta "Hetty" Holdom and…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1911 (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.: 204-406

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph taken on the occasion of the wedding of Lilian Gledhill in Victoria, BC. Back, left to right: Lilian Gledhill, Charles Holdom, [unidentified man], and Henrietta Mary "Hetty" Holdom. Front, left to right: Walter J. Holdom and Minnie Turner. Lilian Gledhill, Henrietta "Hetty" Holdom and Minnie Turner are sisters. Charles Holdom and Walter J. Holdom are brothers.

Subjects: Ceremonies - Weddings

Names: Gledhill, Lilian; Holdom, Charles "Charlie"; Holdom, Henrietta Mary "Hetty" Turner; Holdom, Walter John; Turner, Minnie

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Holdom family, 1911 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Honour Roll Dedication

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34508

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1916

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 23.8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the dedication of Burnaby's Honour Roll at Burnaby Municipal Hall, Edmonds and Kingsway. A crowd is gathered inside the hall looking toward a decorated stage on which is the honour roll and group of men.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1916

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 23.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 029-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the dedication of Burnaby's Honour Roll at Burnaby Municipal Hall, Edmonds and Kingsway. A crowd is gathered inside the hall looking toward a decorated stage on which is the honour roll and group of men.

Subjects: Ceremonies; Monuments - War Memorials; Wars - World War, 1914-1918; Symbols - Flags

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Annotation on back of copy 7 reads, "1919 - Dedication of Honour Roll / War of 1914-18 / in old Mun. Hall (now Library)"

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Pioneer Days interviews September 22, 1971 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory268

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1918

Length: 0:08:35

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis's memories of her marriage to fellow Burnaby resident, Bertie Blaine Porter. Lillie is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum). The audience briefly discusses tram fare.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis's memories of her marriage to fellow Burnaby resident, Bertie Blaine Porter. Lillie is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum). The audience briefly discusses tram fare.

Date Range: 1918

Length: 0:08:35

Names: Porter, Bert

Subjects: Ceremonies - Weddings

Interview Date: September 22, 1971

Scope and Content: Recording is of interviews with Lillian May (Davies) Jones, Ada Evelyn (Lewis) Groves, Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter, and Elsie Wilson during the Pioneer Days celebration at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum) on September 22, 1971. Major themes discussed are: personal memories and occupations of interviewees family members.

Biographical Notes: Lillian May Davies was born June 28, 1891 to George and Rachel (Mills) Davies. She was one of four children. George Davies married Rachel Mills September 12, 1888 in Winnipeg and headed west to make their home. George’s brother Richard Davies had already bought property at the corner of 16th Street and 3rd Avenue (now 12th Avenue) when Rachel and George moved in and built a house next door. George Davies went to work for Gilley Bros. Logging Co. in Burnaby. Lillian May Davies married John Henry Jones on July 29, 1909 at the Methodist Church in Burnaby which had opened only a few weeks before (the Joneses were the first couple to be married there). Their reception was held in the Davies’ family garden. On June 3, 1910, Lillian and John’s first child, Arnold Jones was born. In 1919 they adopted their second child, John Sheldon Jones whose birth parents had died of influenza. John and Lillian built a home on the lot next to Lillian’s parents and lived there for forty-eight years. After her husband’s death in 1956, Lillian moved one lot over and remained living there for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine. Ada Evelyn Lewis was born on September 11, 1899. She was one of nine Lewis children. Ada's father came to Victoria BC from San Francisco. He met his wife in Victoria and moved to New Westminster where he was a typesetter on the first edition of the Columbian newspaper. He continued to work for the Columbian until his retirement. Her family owned the East Burnaby Fruit Farm at 17th Avenue between 2nd and 4th Street where they harvested apples, plums and pears. Ada attended East Burnaby School in 1905 and remembers being a pupil of Miss Draper. Ada E. Lewis married and became Mrs. Ada Evelyn Groves. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis was born in 1896 to William Henry and Emma (Smith) Lewis at the family farm at 4th Street and 18th Avenue. The family grew to nine, eldest to youngest; Albert, Lizzie, Minnie, Walter, Ernest, Lillie and Evelyn. Lillie’s mother, Emma (Smith) had the distinction of being the first girl of European descent to be born at Fort Victoria. Lillie’s father, William Henry Lewis helped to print the very first edition of the Vancouver Province in 1898. Lillie attended Douglas Road School and remembers being a pupil of Ellen Lister. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis married Bertie Blaine Porter at Lulu Island on November 7, 1918. They lived in Vancouver for a short time before returning to Burnaby to raise their four children. For most of his working life Bert operated a steam roller for the municipality. Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter died May 18, 1988 at the age of ninety-two. Elsie Wilson was born August 16, 1898 to Annie and her second husband William Wilson. Annie’s first husband Samuel W Walmsley died December 20, 1895 at the age of thirty-five, leaving Annie a widow at twenty-seven with two young children Annie age four and Samuel age six. Annie Walmsley married her second husband William Wilson on April 17, 1897. Elsie attended West Burnaby public school (later Kingsway West elementary) and remembers picking raspberries at various Burnaby farms for seven seasons.

Total Tracks: 4

Total Length: 0:24:19

Interviewee Name: Jones, Lillian May Davies; Wilson, Elsie; Porter, Lillie Lewis; Groves, Ada Evelyn Lewis

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of Pioneer Days interviews

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-020/MSS137-020_Track_3.mp3

Sarah Love Parker

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16712

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 20 Aug. 1913

Collection/Fonds: Love family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 25 x 20 cm in mat 34.5 x 25.5 with 24 x 16 cm (oval, sight)

Scope and Content: Photograph of bride, Sarah Parker (nee Love) on her wedding day. Sarah Love married William Micheal Parker at St. Alban's Church in Burnaby, August 20, 1913.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Love family fonds

Series: Love family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 25 x 20 cm in mat 34.5 x 25.5 with 24 x 16 cm (oval, sight)

Scope and Content: Photograph of bride, Sarah Parker (nee Love) on her wedding day. Sarah Love married William Micheal Parker at St. Alban's Church in Burnaby, August 20, 1913.

Subjects: Ceremonies - Weddings

Names: Parker, Sarah Maria Love

Accession Code: BV008.20.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 20 Aug. 1913

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: June 14, 2021

Scale: 100

Photographer: Ritchie, Samuel J.

Notes: Title based on content of photograph; Embossed label on matt reads: "Ritchie / New Westminster B.C."

Research

More like 'Fire fighters at memorial service for Mayor Bill Copeland'

Narrow Results By

Duncan C. McGregor

Images

Municipal Council in front of the Municipal Hall

Images

Opening of Hastings Street Tramline Extension

Images

Peter Byrne

Images

Beamish family

Images

Inauguration of the water system at Burnaby

Images

J.W. Weart

Images

T. Sanderson

Images

Coffin with flag and wreaths

Images

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 1

Audio Tracks

Ernest Winch

Images

Ernest Winch with Two Others

Images

Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

Audio Tracks

Dedication of the World War One Honour Roll

Images

Frank Bailey

Images

Henderson's wedding day

Images

Holdom family

Images

Honour Roll Dedication

Images

Pioneer Days interviews September 22, 1971 - Track 3

Audio Tracks

Sarah Love Parker

Images