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Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

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

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

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

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

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

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

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

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

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

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

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

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

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

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

Accession Code: BV022.29.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

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

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

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

Documents

2022_0029_0005_004

Audio Tracks

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

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

Alexander E. E. "Bill" Vidal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82399

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 1903

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of a boy identified as Alexander E. E. "Bill" Vidal.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 1903

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-033

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of a boy identified as Alexander E. E. "Bill" Vidal.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Vidal, Alexander E. E. "Bill"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption accompanying photograph; Note in pencil on album page photograph reads: "2 yrs 2 mos / Aug 1903 / Alexander Vidal"; Note in black pen on verso reads: "2 yrs & 2 mos / Aug /03"; Note in pencil on verso reads: "Uncle Bill"

Images

Blanche Wilkinson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82374

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1896 and 1900]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10 x 6.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of Blanche Wilkinson.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1896 and 1900]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10 x 6.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-024

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of Blanche Wilkinson.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Wilkinson, Blanche

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption accompanying photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "Blanche Wilkinson / 1890's"; Note in pencil on verso reads: "Blanche Wilkinson / b. late 1890's"; Photograph stamp on verso reads: "John Barron, / Photographer, / Sarnia."

Images

Blanche Wilkinson, [between 1896 and 1900] thumbnail

Boy in a sailor suit

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1044

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [190-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia

Scope and Content: Photograph of a sitting room of a house, with an unidentified boy in a sailor suit seated on a chair. Another boy in a sailor suit is standing beside him, moving his head, and an unidentified woman is standing by a dresser behind the two boys.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia

Scope and Content: Photograph of a sitting room of a house, with an unidentified boy in a sailor suit seated on a chair. Another boy in a sailor suit is standing beside him, moving his head, and an unidentified woman is standing by a dresser behind the two boys.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Accession Code: HV973.110.58

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [190-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-05-30

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal Hill and Dorothy Kate Vidal Loomis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82401

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 9.5 x 12.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of two girls identified as Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal Hill and Dorothy Kate Vidal Loomis

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 9.5 x 12.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-034

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of two girls identified as Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal Hill and Dorothy Kate Vidal Loomis

Subjects: Geographic Features - Gardens; Persons - Children

Names: Hill, Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal; Loomis, Dorothy Kate Vidal

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption accompanying photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "Charlotte & Dorothy Vidal"; Note in blue pen on verso reads: "Aunt Dor / Mum"

Images

Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal Hill and Dorothy Kate Vidal Loomis, [1900] thumbnail

Charlotte Vidal and class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82427

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1908 and 1912]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.5 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard shows a class portrait of girls. Identified fifth from the left in the back row is Charlotte Vidal.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1908 and 1912]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.5 x 14 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-047

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard shows a class portrait of girls. Identified fifth from the left in the back row is Charlotte Vidal.

Subjects: Animals - Dogs; Persons - Children

Names: Hill, Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on note accompanying photograph and contents of photograph; Note at top of album page in pencil reads: "Charlotte Vidal (back row 5th from left)"

Images

Charlotte Vidal and class, [between 1908 and 1912] thumbnail

Child with dog

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19305

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [190-]

Collection/Fonds: Esther Love Stanley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a young child standing next to a dog outside in a yard. The child is dressed in a striped outfit and tall hat. Rows of trees are visible in the background. Child could be one of Jesse and Martha Love's children.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Esther Love Stanley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 7.5 cm

Material Details: Photograph is over exposed, washing out detail on the right

Scope and Content: Photograph of a young child standing next to a dog outside in a yard. The child is dressed in a striped outfit and tall hat. Rows of trees are visible in the background. Child could be one of Jesse and Martha Love's children.

Subjects: Animals - Dogs; Persons - Children

Accession Code: BV022.32.22

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [190-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-04-04

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)

Images

Dorothy and Alexander Vidal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82429

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1908 and 1912]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph shows a boy and a girl identified as Alexander Vidal and Dorothy Vidal, respectively.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1908 and 1912]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-049

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph shows a boy and a girl identified as Alexander Vidal and Dorothy Vidal, respectively.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Loomis, Dorothy Kate Vidal; Vidal, Alexander E. E. "Bill"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on note accompanying photograph; Note on album page in pencil reads: "Dorothy and Alex Vidal / Ioco, BC"; Note in blue pen on verso reads: "Aunt Dor / Uncle Bill / Ioco"

Images

Dorothy and Alexander Vidal, [between 1908 and 1912] thumbnail

Five children and a dog

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82563

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900-1930]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of three unidentified boys, two unidentified girls and a dog sitting on logs in a clearing of a forest.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900-1930]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-134

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of three unidentified boys, two unidentified girls and a dog sitting on logs in a clearing of a forest.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Animals - Dogs

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Five children and a dog, [1900-1930] thumbnail

Hazel Peterson photographs

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription62794

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1880-2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: ca. 60 photographs : b&w and col. -- 2 prints : col. illustrations

Scope and Content: File consists of loose photographs of Hazel Peterson (nee Erickson), as well as photographs of her family and parents, Charles and Amanda Erickson, and her husband, Edwin Peterson. Photographs are from all stages of Hazel Peterson's life, including infancy and childhood and later years of her life,…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1880-2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Hazel Peterson subseries

Physical Description: ca. 60 photographs : b&w and col. -- 2 prints : col. illustrations

Material Details: Some photographs remain in frames or paper covers.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 504-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2000-08

Scope and Content: File consists of loose photographs of Hazel Peterson (nee Erickson), as well as photographs of her family and parents, Charles and Amanda Erickson, and her husband, Edwin Peterson. Photographs are from all stages of Hazel Peterson's life, including infancy and childhood and later years of her life, including a trip to Hawaii in 1982. File includes studio portraits, cartes de visites, postcards, and some illustrations.

Subjects: Travel; Persons - Children

Names: Peterson, Hazel; Peterson, Edwin

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on content of file; Note on verso of 504-022 reads: "This was taken several years ago / Your niece / Hazel Petersen (at left)"; Note on verso of 504-027 reads: "Hazel Erickson Peterson"; Note on verso of 504-028 reads: "all of us except Ethel" and identifies the siblings in the photo; Note on verso of 504-029 reads: "not such a bad picture considering" and identifies the people in the photo.; Note on verso of 504-030 reads: "Agnus McDonald" and "Touch up outline of deer"; Note on envelope for 504-039:504-041 reads: "Hazel Petersen resided at Dania Home, Burnaby, for 20 years before her death shortly before her 100th birthday."

Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory650

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1904-1940

Length: 0:11:22

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about her father’s immigration to the USA in 1904 at age 16, his return to Norway and marrying Martine, her parents emigration from Norway to Vancouver in 1930, her father’s purchase of an acre of land on Curtis Street and building a two ro…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about her father’s immigration to the USA in 1904 at age 16, his return to Norway and marrying Martine, her parents emigration from Norway to Vancouver in 1930, her father’s purchase of an acre of land on Curtis Street and building a two room house for the family, Reidun’s birth in 1931, and the family’s move to Curtis Street in 1932. She talks about her childhood memories of playing on a big stump and cedar log in the yard.

Date Range: 1904-1940

Length: 0:11:22

Names: Seim, Sjur; Seim, Martine

Subjects: Buildings - Residences - Houses; Land Clearing; Persons - Children

Geographic Access: Curtis Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: January 13, 2016

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Reidun Seim conducted by Kathy Bossort. Reidun Seim was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Reidun Seim’s memories about her parent’s farm on Curtis Street, events in her childhood, and the people who lived in or visited her neighborhood. She takes us on a tour of her neighborhood in the 1940s, telling us stories about families who lived on Curtis Street on and east of 7300 block, including people who lived on Burnaby Mountain in the old Hastings Grove subdivision above the end of municipal water service at Philips Avenue. She describes changes to Curtis Street, particularly after it provided access to Simon Fraser University in 1965. She also talks about her teaching career, and about how she values the green space and conservation area on Burnaby Mountain.

Biographical Notes: Reidun Seim was born in 1931 in Vancouver B.C. to Sjur and Martine Seim. Sjur and Martine Seim emigrated to Canada from Norway in 1930, and after settling in Vancouver, moved to an acre of land and a new home at the base of Burnaby Mountain in 1932. Sjur attended UBC to learn about poultry farming and began his own chicken and egg business in 1935. The farm animals and large garden also contributed to the family’s livelihood and self-sufficiency. The Curtis Street neighborhood was a lively place and extended well up Curtis Street on the west slope of Burnaby Mountain, where Reidun would babysit for families. Reidun attended Sperling Avenue Elementary School (Gr. 1-8), Burnaby North High School, and Vancouver Normal School for teacher training in 1950-1951. She began teaching primary grades in Port Coquitlam at James Park School. Most of her career was spent in North Delta, teaching at Kennedy and Annieville schools from 1954-1958, appointed Primary Consultant (1958-1960) and Primary Supervisor (1960-1985), before retiring in 1986. Reidun lived at home with her parents on Curtis Street, commuting to Delta, and continues to live in the original farmhouse.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 2:35:58

Interviewee Name: Seim, Reidun

Interview Location: Burnaby City Hall in the Law Library

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Reidun Seim

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-017/MSS196-017_Track_1.mp3

Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory442

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1893-1944

Length: 00:05:35

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.

Date Range: 1893-1944

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012

Length: 00:05:35

Names: Lewarne, Ethel Leer

Subjects: Recreational Activities; Persons - Children

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 14, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne 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 Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 1:34:40

Interviewee Name: Lewarne, William A. "Bill"

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 business computerization 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

Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_2.mp3

M. G. Hill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82537

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1899 and 1910]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of one man and five rows of boys. Identified fourth from the right in the back row is Minard G. Hill.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1899 and 1910]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-111

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of one man and five rows of boys. Identified fourth from the right in the back row is Minard G. Hill.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Buildings - Schools

Names: Hill, Minard Gerald "Gerry"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on note accompanying photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "M.G. Hill / (4th from right back row)"

Images

M. G. Hill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82538

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1899 and 1910]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of one man and five rows of boys. Identified fourth from the right in the back row is Minard G. Hill.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1899 and 1910]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-112

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of one man and five rows of boys. Identified fourth from the right in the back row is Minard G. Hill.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Buildings - Schools

Names: Hill, Minard Gerald "Gerry"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on note accompanying photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "M.G. Hill / (4th from right back row)"

Images

Pictures of Hazel, throughout her life

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93393

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1897-2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 album (19 photographs ; b&w and col.) + 1 accompanying letter

Scope and Content: Photograph album containing photographs of Hazel Peterson throughout her life, from her childhood in San Francisco to her later years. The album also held a letter attesting to Hazel Peterson's vaccination in 1902; there is a lock of hair and a photographic button pinned to the letter.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1897-2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Hazel Peterson subseries

Physical Description: 1 album (19 photographs ; b&w and col.) + 1 accompanying letter

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 504-045

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2000-08

Scope and Content: Photograph album containing photographs of Hazel Peterson throughout her life, from her childhood in San Francisco to her later years. The album also held a letter attesting to Hazel Peterson's vaccination in 1902; there is a lock of hair and a photographic button pinned to the letter.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Peterson, Hazel; Peterson, Edwin

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title taken from handwritten note inside the original album; Note on verso of 504-045-1 reads: "hair light blond / eyes violet blue / Mrs Erickson / [?]"; Note on verso of 504-045-10 reads: "Hazel Peterson, Dennis & Irene / Aug 18 1994"; Photographer's stamp on verso of 504-045-18 reads: "Souvenir Snaps / 401 W. Hastings St. / Vancouver, B.C. / Extra copies by number"

Two boys in sailor suits

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1511

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1900 and 1915]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of two unidentified young boys in sailor suits and caps taken in a photographic studio.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 13 cm

Material Details: inscribed in black ink, verso, l.r. "Mothers/ +/ Fathers"; The photograph is printed on a postcard paper

Scope and Content: Photograph of two unidentified young boys in sailor suits and caps taken in a photographic studio.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Accession Code: BV985.5887.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1900 and 1915]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-02-27

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Two boys in sailor suits, [between 1900 and 1915] thumbnail

Two unidentified girls

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82356

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1860-1900]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 4 x 6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of two unidentified girls, one perhaps being Blanche Wilkinson.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1860-1900]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 4 x 6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-018

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of two unidentified girls, one perhaps being Blanche Wilkinson.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "? and Blanche W.?"; Photograph stamp on verso reads: "Barron & Walker / Artist and Photographer / B & W"

Images

Unidentified girl

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82353

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1860-1900]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of an unidentified girl.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1860-1900]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of an unidentified girl.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Hill, Alice Maude Huggett "Maude"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "Maude?"

Images

Unidentified girl, [1860-1900] thumbnail

Woman and child at Agassiz

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription292

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1900 and 1905]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 7.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a woman holding on to a young girl's arms with both hands. They are standing outside in front of a fence. There is a telephone pole and mountains in the background. The location has been identified as Agassiz, British Columbia by the inscription on the photograph.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 7.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a woman holding on to a young girl's arms with both hands. They are standing outside in front of a fence. There is a telephone pole and mountains in the background. The location has been identified as Agassiz, British Columbia by the inscription on the photograph.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Accession Code: HV983.42.32

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1900 and 1905]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-09-12

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Martha's niece & I taken at Agassiz."

Images

Woman and child at Agassiz, [between 1900 and 1905] thumbnail

Young family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription63964

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [190-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 postcard : sepia ; 13.2 x 8.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of a man, woman and baby taken in a photographic studio.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [190-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Bancroft family subseries

Physical Description: 1 postcard : sepia ; 13.2 x 8.6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 507-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2004-06

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of a man, woman and baby taken in a photographic studio.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dewey, Grant

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on verso of photograph reads: "I am not so surly looking as the picture makes me out to be / Esther"

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Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 1

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Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 2

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