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Construction of the St. Michael's Centre
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45354
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- January 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 24 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Reverend George Morrison of the United Church, Reverend Donald Grayson of the Anglican Church, and Father Dennis Luterback of the Catholic Church with hard hats on and shovels in their hands. They were participating in the sod turning ceremony for the then new combined care facility f…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- January 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 24 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-249
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Reverend George Morrison of the United Church, Reverend Donald Grayson of the Anglican Church, and Father Dennis Luterback of the Catholic Church with hard hats on and shovels in their hands. They were participating in the sod turning ceremony for the then new combined care facility for seniors being built by St. Michael's Centre Society in South Burnaby.
- Names
- St. Michael's Centre Extended Care and Hospice Facility
- Morrison, Reverend George
- Grayson, Reverend Donald
- Luterback, Father Dennis
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "DIGGING IN ... Sod turning ceremony for new 80-bed combined care facility for seniors being built by St. Michael's Centre Society was held recently. Participating in ceremony were, from left to right, Rev. George Morrison of United Church, Rev. Donald Grayson of Anglican Church, and Father Dennis Luterback of Catholic Church."
- Geographic Access
- Sussex Avenue
- Street Address
- 7451 Sussex Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Mark Turris with his grandmother
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45697
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1980, published January 28, 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 x 23 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby cartoonist Mark Turris standing in front of the exhibition of his work at the Place des Arts. His grandmother, Mrs. B. Turris, who's paintings are also in the show, is standing across from him. Mark Tunnis was known for his cartoon; "Father Dickens".
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1980, published January 28, 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 x 23 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-591
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby cartoonist Mark Turris standing in front of the exhibition of his work at the Place des Arts. His grandmother, Mrs. B. Turris, who's paintings are also in the show, is standing across from him. Mark Tunnis was known for his cartoon; "Father Dickens".
- Names
- Turris, Mark
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: CARTOONS ON SHOW... Burnaby cartoonist Mark Turris opened an exhibition of his work at Place des Arts in Coquitlam this week, accompanied by his grandmother, Mrs. B. Turris who also has paintings in the show. The Turris "Father Dickens" cartoon is now syndicated in several publications."
Images
Invitation to 50th birthday bash for James William Turner
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15419
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1984
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- textual record
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an invitation for "Suprise 50th Birthday Bash" for James William Turner on November 2, 1984 taking place at the Pioneer Credit Union Auditorium in Burnaby enclosed inside of an envelope with return address for the Burnaby 1984 B.C. Summer Games Society.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Series
- B.C. Summer Games series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- textual record
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an invitation for "Suprise 50th Birthday Bash" for James William Turner on November 2, 1984 taking place at the Pioneer Credit Union Auditorium in Burnaby enclosed inside of an envelope with return address for the Burnaby 1984 B.C. Summer Games Society.
- Accession Code
- BV021.4.24
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1984
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- April 1, 2021
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
![Alderman Doug Drummond, [1986] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-940.jpg?width=280)
Alderman Doug Drummond
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46052
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1986]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Douglas P. Drummond taken in a photographic studio. Doug Drummond served as an Alderman from 1976 to 1996, and as Mayor from 1996 to 2002.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1986]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-940
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Douglas P. Drummond taken in a photographic studio. Doug Drummond served as an Alderman from 1976 to 1996, and as Mayor from 1996 to 2002.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Williams Brothers Photographers Limited
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer identifies photograph as no. 34709
Images
![Alderman Doug Drummond, [1986] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-940.jpg)
B.C. Summer Games recognition certificate
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15416
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- July 1984
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a 1984 British Columbia Summer Games recognition certificate awarded to Jeanine Torrance.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Series
- B.C. Summer Games series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a 1984 British Columbia Summer Games recognition certificate awarded to Jeanine Torrance.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Certificates
- Accession Code
- BV021.4.14
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- July 1984
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- April 1, 2021
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
B.C. Summer Games volunteer registration form
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15415
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1984
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p. (double sided)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a registration form for Burnaby 1984 B.C. Summer Games. The form has been filled in by Jeanine Torrance.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Series
- B.C. Summer Games series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p. (double sided)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a registration form for Burnaby 1984 B.C. Summer Games. The form has been filled in by Jeanine Torrance.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Forms
- Accession Code
- BV021.4.13
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1984
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Burnaby Advisory Planning Commission records
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82740
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1971-1996]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records ; 1 map ; 1 pin
- Scope and Content
- File consists of three letters, one envelope, a booklet, a map, a pin and a business card. The first letter found in the envelope from the Department of the Municipal Clerk is addressed to Hazel Simnett and approves her appointment to the Advisory Planning Commission in 1993. The second letter date…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1971-1996]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records ; 1 map ; 1 pin
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS167-010
- Accession Number
- 2013-22
- Scope and Content
- File consists of three letters, one envelope, a booklet, a map, a pin and a business card. The first letter found in the envelope from the Department of the Municipal Clerk is addressed to Hazel Simnett and approves her appointment to the Advisory Planning Commission in 1993. The second letter dated March 17, 1995 is addressed to Hazel Simnett and approves her reappointment to the Advisory Planning Commission. The booklet is of the Burnaby Procedure Bylaw 1971 (bylaw number 6023 to regulate the proceedings of the Municipal Council of The Corporation of the District of Burnaby). The map is a street map of the Burnaby Planning & Building Department from 1992. The second letter is typewritten by Hazel Simnett to Mayor W. Copeland in 1996 regarding her resignation from the Advisory Planning Commission. The pin reads: "Burnaby Advisory Planning Commission". The business card is of Donald G. Stenson, Director Planning and Building of the Burnaby Planning and Building Department.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Cartographic Material
- Notes
- Title based on note accompanying file
- Simnett political papers series
Certificate of Appreciation
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18960
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Waplington family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 certificate
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a certificate from the Corporation of the District of Burnaby awarded to Frances Waplington Fleming. Certificate awarded to Frances Waplington Fleming in appreciation for the story she wrote that appears in the book 'Pioneer Tales of Burnaby'. The certificate is signed by Burnaby …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Waplington family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 certificate
- Material Details
- Gold seal of the Corporation of the District of Burnaby in bottom left corner of certificate
- Image in background of text is a screened photograph of an image "Looking north from Burnaby Lake Pavillion"
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a certificate from the Corporation of the District of Burnaby awarded to Frances Waplington Fleming. Certificate awarded to Frances Waplington Fleming in appreciation for the story she wrote that appears in the book 'Pioneer Tales of Burnaby'. The certificate is signed by Burnaby Mayor William A. Lewarne.
- Creator
- City of Burnaby
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Certificates
- Accession Code
- BV016.46.49
- Date
- June 1987
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
Envelope addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Don Copan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15414
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- July 1984
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 envelope
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an envelope addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Don Copan / 4667 Highlawn Dr. / Burnaby B.C." with return address "Office of the Mayor / 4949 Canada Way / Burnaby, British Columbia / V5G 1M2" and postal stamp in red ink reading "BURNABY / HOME OF THE 1984 / B.C. SUMMER GAMES / JULY 19-22".
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Donald Copan collection
- Series
- B.C. Summer Games series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 envelope
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an envelope addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Don Copan / 4667 Highlawn Dr. / Burnaby B.C." with return address "Office of the Mayor / 4949 Canada Way / Burnaby, British Columbia / V5G 1M2" and postal stamp in red ink reading "BURNABY / HOME OF THE 1984 / B.C. SUMMER GAMES / JULY 19-22".
- Accession Code
- BV021.4.22
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- July 1984
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- April 1, 2021
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
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…
- 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
- 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
- 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
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![Jim Gillis, [1979 or 1980] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/251/257-017.jpg?width=280)
Jim Gillis
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36395
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1979 or 1980]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 19 cm (sight) in mat 33 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby Chamber of Commerce President, Jim Gillis, taken in a photographic studio. He served as President for the 1979 - 1980 term.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1979 or 1980]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Chamber of Commerce subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 19 cm (sight) in mat 33 x 25 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 257-017
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1991-20
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby Chamber of Commerce President, Jim Gillis, taken in a photographic studio. He served as President for the 1979 - 1980 term.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Portraits
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Jim Gillis, [1979 or 1980] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/251/257-017.jpg)
Linda Bishop surrounded by books
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58917
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman identified as Linda Bishop with boxes and piles of books.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1370
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman identified as Linda Bishop with boxes and piles of books.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Books
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Linda Bishop"
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "Page 6 / Burnaby Today / PMT 100%"
Images
Lions Club Certificate of Membership
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19080
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 16 Jan. 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a Certificate of Membership for The International Association of Lions Club issued to Larry Lee as an elected member of the Lions Club of Vancouver Champlain Heights.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a Certificate of Membership for The International Association of Lions Club issued to Larry Lee as an elected member of the Lions Club of Vancouver Champlain Heights.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Certificates
- Accession Code
- BV022.19.9
- Date
- 16 Jan. 1980
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
Lochdale's finest recipes
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7192
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV017.25.1
- Call Number
- 641.5 LOC
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, BC
- Publisher
- Lochdale Community School
- Publication Date
- 1984
- Printer
- L. Rasmussen Co. Ltd.
- Physical Description
- 178 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
- Inscription
- Front cover bottom left: "BRENDT LUKINUK GRADE SIX' [printed in black ink]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cookbooks--1980-1989
- Cookbooks--British Columbia--Burnaby
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Cook Books
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale Area
- Object History
- The cook books are from her mother's kitchen.
Love farmhouse conservation work files subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9805
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1988-2000, predominant 1993-1997
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of conservation records pertaining to the acquistion, relocation, restoration, financing and preservation of the Love farmhouse at the Burnaby Village Museum. Records include copies of staff, department, commission, commitee and council reports; correspondence; research; budget s…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Jesse Love farmhouse series
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Material Details
- 32 cm of textual records + approx. 29 architectural drawings + 1 drawing + 1 photograph : col. laser print + 3 photographs : photocopies, hand col.
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of conservation records pertaining to the acquistion, relocation, restoration, financing and preservation of the Love farmhouse at the Burnaby Village Museum. Records include copies of staff, department, commission, commitee and council reports; correspondence; research; budget summaries; interior and exterior plans; contract agreements; proposals; interior and exterior finishing treatments including tin ceilings, paint and wallpaper and drainage issues.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Heritage
- Documentary Artifacts - Architectural Drawings
- Buildings - Residential
- Accession Code
- BV018.41
- Access Restriction
- Subject to FIPPA
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproductions subject to FIPPA
- Date
- 1988-2000, predominant 1993-1997
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Architectural Drawing
- Notes
- Title based on content of subseries
Man working at his desk
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58911
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified man working at a desk with a pile of papers and shelves of old, bound volumes behind him.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1366
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified man working at a desk with a pile of papers and shelves of old, bound volumes behind him.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Books
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "Page 1 / Burnaby Today / PMT 100%"
Images
Queen Scout ceremony photographs
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55152
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1961-1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 25 photographs : b&w ; 25 cm x 20 cm and smaller
- Scope and Content
- Photographs of the Queen Scout award ceremony and series of Scout troop group portraits.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1961-1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Scouts subseries
- Physical Description
- 25 photographs : b&w ; 25 cm x 20 cm and smaller
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 631-034
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1994-05
- Scope and Content
- Photographs of the Queen Scout award ceremony and series of Scout troop group portraits.
- Names
- Boy Scouts of Canada
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Gibson, Wilfred
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from envelope in which photographs were originally housed
- Photographer's stamp on verso of all photographs in file: "Gibson's Studio Photographers 819 Broughton St. Victoria, B.C."
- Note in blue ink on recto of 631-034-14 reads: "Reversed as for your [illegible] (new"). Note in blue ink on verso reads: "As you can see - everything is reversed. Whoever said the original prints were printed wrong are wrong themselves. Will Gilin" Note in pencil on verso reads: "Troop #3".
- Note in blue ink on recto of 631-034-15 reads: "New one." Note in blue ink on verso reads: "As per your request this print is reversed. As you can see every-thing is backward. Will Gilin." Note in pencil on verso reads: "Troop #1".
- Note in pencil on verso of 631-034-23 reads: "Scotish Jamoree 75-80?". Notes on verso in pencil and ink identify individuals in photograph: Fred Otte, Gary Otte, Roger Gallaway, Dennis Moore, Jan [illegible], Barkley Ellsworth, Louis MacKinnon, Nigel Tennesan, Ron Murdoch, Fred Smith, Craig Smith, JOhn Steeves, and Wayne Vogan.
Images
Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- 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
Interview with Kalwant Singh
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Environmental Issues
- Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Housing
- Occupations
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - Volunteers
- Persons - Jewish Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Religions
- Religions - Judaism
- Names
- Schwartz, William "Bill"
- Schwartz, Ellen
- City of Burnaby
- Polestar Communications
- British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Images
![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg)
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20395
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronak…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Details
- Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Alex Chronakis and Georgia Chronakis Location of Interview: Fraser Wilson Room, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:17:12 Digital master recordings (wav) were converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronakis, including their Greek background, migration to Canada, marriage, children, Louis’ career as a mechanic and gas station owner and owning restaurants in White Rock and Burnaby. 00:08:40 - 00:13:59 Georgia and her son Alex recall the great memories of owning and operating their restaurant Mionas Taverna and share details of their family life in Burnaby and White Rock. 00:14:00 - 00:19:15 Alex and Georgia talk about Louis Chronakis' work experience and how he became involved in the restaurant business. They share their experiences of operating Minoas Taverna including their opening in 1986. 00:19:16 - 00:36:59 Alex and Georgia describe some of the foods that were on the menu of Minoas Taverna, the design of the restaurant, the Minoan history that it’s based on, memories of running the restaurant and why they decided to close. 00:37:00 – 00:41:52 Alex talks about his involvement with Greek festivals in Vancouver and Alex and Georgia reflect on their life in the future now that the restaurant has closed.
- History
- Interviewees biographies: Georgia Giannias Chronakis was born in Selassia, Sparta, Greece in 1941 and when she was sixteen years of age she moved to Athens. In 1964 Georgia immigrated to Canada and lived in Montreal before moving to Vancouver a few years later. In 1966, while living in Vancouver, she met and married Ilias "Louis" Chronakis who was born in Crete, Greece. Soon after marrying, Georgia and Louis Chronakis bought a house located at 3823 Kingsway and welcomed their first child, Anna. Four years later, Georgia and Louis moved to White Rock but continued to own their house on Kingsway and rented it out. While living in White Rock, they had three more children named Virginia, Alex and Ellie. Louis was a trained mechanic working independently and for various companies including CP Air, BC Ferries and Esso before deciding to get into the restaurant business. He partnered with another businessman to open a Mr. Mike's franchise and later a cafe and Greek restaurant in White Rock. In 1986, Georgia, Louis and family moved back to Burnaby and moved into a house on Sandall Street and began converting their former home on Kingsway into a restaurant which they named Minoas Greek Taverna (Minoas Taverna). They opened the restaurant on May 1, 1986, just one day before Expo '86 was opened. In 2023, after 37 years of running their restaurant they sold their business but continued to own the land and building on Kingsway. Alex Chronakis is the son of Georgia and Louis Chronakis and was born in 1972. Alex has spent time working with his family running their restaurant and has been involved in the Greek Day Festival in Vancouver. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Foods
- Occupations
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Mechanics
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations
- Migration
- Persons - Greek Canadians
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Smith Avenue
- Street Address
- 3823 Kingsway
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.21
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis, [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023
Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis, [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0021_002.mp3