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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

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

Mary Queen of Scots

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82577

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900-1930]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 14 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard is a portrait of a woman identified as Mary, Queen of Scots.

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 : sepia postcard ; 14 x 9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-146

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard is a portrait of a woman identified as Mary, Queen of Scots.

Subjects: Persons - Royalty

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Recto reads: "Marie Reine D'Escos / School of Francois Clouet (d. 1572) / Mary, Queen of Scots / Oil painting on panel in the Jones collection / Victoria and Albert Museum / P. 76 / 625-1882"

Images

Mary Queen of Scots, [1900-1930] thumbnail

Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12337

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. …

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Josephine Chow Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: February 7, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:43:19

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. The farm is situated in the Big Bend area along Marine Drive and is still in operation today. 0:00-08:45 Josephine Chow provides some historical background on the history of “Hop On Farm” and her family in British Columbia. She tells of how her grandfather Gay Tim Hong and three partners pooled money together to purchase twelve acres on Marine Drive in 1951. Prior to this, most of them farmed on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation Reserve for 20-30 years. It all began when her great grandfather Sui Wing Hong, first came to Canada from China and slowly brought over her grandfather, father and other members of the family. Her grandfather, Gay Tim Hong went back and forth between Canada and China at least four times since he and her grandmother had four children including her father, who was born in 1931. Her father came to Canada at 10 years of age to live with his father. Josephine’s great grandfather came to Vancouver from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). 8:46- 14:20 Josephine provides the names of her siblings from the eldest to the youngest; Pauline, Josephine (herself), Catherine, Noreen, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. She describes what life was like on the farm with her parents working from sunrise to sunset. The family farmed vegetable produce taking orders from local stores in the lower mainland. Often the children helped their parents with the orders starting at eight or nine years of age. Other workers on the farm travelled by bus from Vancouver’s Chinatown. She also tells of how her father was an animal lover and raised chickens, pigeons, geese, koy, goldfish and dogs. 14: 21 – 16:56 Josephine describes what Burnaby was like during the time that she grew up in the late 1950s. She explains that Burnaby was very quiet with nothing being open on Sundays. On the farm, she and her siblings would entertain themselves by playing games like soccer, baseball and kick ball or also by catching frogs, snails, caterpillars and ladybugs. There were neighbours living on Marine Drive and almost every house had someone who we went to the same elementary school. The neighbourhood children would often come to play with them on their farm. 16:56- 26:47 Josephine describes how when they were young there were farms all around them and how on Sunday drives with her father, they would go to feed horses or look at the cows. Josephine shares that her elder sister Pauline was the only one born in China and how when she first arrived that she lived on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nations Reserve with their parents before they moved to Burnaby. Josephine recollects that most of her friends were farmer’s kids from the neighbourhood but while in school, she had more Caucasian friends. Josephine and her siblings attended Glenwood Elementary on Marine Drive and later Junior Secondary at McPherson Park (grades 8-10) and Burnaby South Senior Secondary (grades 11-12. ). She shares some of her experiences while attending school. She said that there were about a dozen Asians in school with her, mostly from farming families in the “Flats”. 26:48- 30:45 Josephine describes what life was like for her and her siblings after school. They often helped on the farm when they got home, usually taking care of orders for green onions. Her mother made dinner and did all of the cooking for family and workers on the farm as well as working in the fields. Her father did all of the grocery shopping in Vancouver’s Chinatown two or three times per week where he purchased meat and fish. She says that her grandfather, often travelled by bus every Saturday or Sunday to meet up with friends in Chinatown. Extracurricular activities for her and her siblings included volley ball and soccer as long as it didn’t interfere with their work schedule on the farm. 30:46- 37:03 Josephine describes what occurred while living at home, the food they ate, shopping and attending Chinese school. Her mother cooked only Chinese food, she didn’t know how to cook “Western food”. For school lunches, the kids made their own sandwiches. She tells of a Chinese language school arranged by Mrs. Joe [sic] who lived on Gilley Road and was Canadian born Chinese. Mrs. Joe [sic] also arranged an English class for farmer’s wives on Tuesday nights in which her mother attended. Josephine recollects learning Mandarin from Mrs. Joe [sic] a few days a week after her regular school. Chinese school took place at Riverway School on Meadow Avenue in Burnaby. Mrs. Joe also taught them a lot about Chinese culture including Kung Fu, Chinese Dance and Chinese brush painting. 37:04- 39:39 Josephine describes Medical Care for her and her family in the 1950s and 1960s. She tells of a female Chinese doctor in Vancouver, Dr. Madeline Chung. Dr. Chung was responsible for delivering a lot of Chinese babies including Josephine. The family also visited herbalists in Vancouver Chinatown. They would often buy herbs for colds etc. Josephine also tells of how her parents stayed in touch with family in China by writing letters. Her mother’s family, including her parents and siblings were still in China while most of her father’s family were here in Canada. 39:40- 43:19 – In closing, Josephine shares how life is much busier now and of how she misses the quietness of her days growing up. She briefly describes her life on the family farm now and how different it is from when her parents worked the farm. She explains how farming methods have changed and how they don’t have to work as hard as her parents did.

History: Interviewee biography: Josephine Chow (nee Hong) is the second eldest child of Chan Kow Hong and Sui Ha Hong. In 1925, Josephine's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong immigrated to Canada from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). In 1952, her father, Chan Kow Hong joined his father, Gay Tim Hong and by 1953, he established "Hop On Farms" in the Big Bend area of Burnaby near Marine Drive. Josephine grew up on the farm with her parents and six siblings; Pauline, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. In 1969, Josephine's elder sister Pauline and her husband Jack Chan took over the family farm and in 1972 their father and grandfather moved to Kamloops to open a restaurant. As an adult, Josephine worked in several different areas including owning and running her own Aesthetics business. Josephine eventually retired and returned to the farm to assist her siblings. The farm is still in operation. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Agriculture - Farms; Education; Buildings - Schools; First Nations reserves - British Columbia

Names: Chow, Josephine; Glenwood Elementary School; McPherson Park Junior Secondary School; ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Geographic Access: Byrne Road

Accession Code: BV020.6.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Related Material: See also BV017.36*

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12/3/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of interview; Photograph info: Gary Hong and Chan Kow Hong harvesting celery at Hop-On Farms [1969]. BV017.36.4

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0001_001.mp3

Three babies

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1437

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1910 and 1920]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 6.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of three unidentified babies in a row, lying down or sitting up on blankets laid out on grass. There are pillows and toys near the babies. Visible in the background are windows on the side of a building.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 6.5 cm

Material Details: inscribed in pencil, verso, c. "14"

Scope and Content: Photograph of three unidentified babies in a row, lying down or sitting up on blankets laid out on grass. There are pillows and toys near the babies. Visible in the background are windows on the side of a building.

Subjects: Toys; Persons - Children

Accession Code: BV985.5812.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1910 and 1920]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-02-27

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Three babies, [between 1910 and 1920] thumbnail

Elementary school students

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1257

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1912 and 1928]

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 21 x 27 cm, mounted on card 32.5 x 39 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of eighty-four boys dressed in uniform, seated and standing in formation in front of an elementary school with their ten teachers. Three Five Races Under One Union flags (national flag for the Republic of China) are prominently displayed.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Series: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 21 x 27 cm, mounted on card 32.5 x 39 cm

Material Details: Card mount has a decorative border

Scope and Content: Photograph of eighty-four boys dressed in uniform, seated and standing in formation in front of an elementary school with their ten teachers. Three Five Races Under One Union flags (national flag for the Republic of China) are prominently displayed.

Subjects: Clothing - Uniforms; Buildings - Schools; Symbols - Flags; Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company

Accession Code: BV985.5331.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1912 and 1928]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/7/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on verso of photograph is written in Chinese characters

Images

Elementary school students, [between 1912 and 1928] thumbnail

Children at Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34965

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [192-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby school children waiting in front of Burnaby Municipal Hall on Kingsway near Edmonds Street to welcome a dignitary (possibly Lord Willingdon or the Prince of Wales).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [192-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 167-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-15

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby school children waiting in front of Burnaby Municipal Hall on Kingsway near Edmonds Street to welcome a dignitary (possibly Lord Willingdon or the Prince of Wales).

Subjects: Persons - Crowds; Events - Royal Visits

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Children at Municipal Hall, [192-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Div 1 Gilmore Avenue School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription22

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 17 Mar. 1920

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 11.1 x 16.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Division One class at Gilmore Avenue School (this information is written on a blackboard at the rear of the classroom). A male teacher is standing beside the blackboard and the class is seated at their desks (each desk is attached to the back of the chair in the front). There are …

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 11.1 x 16.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Division One class at Gilmore Avenue School (this information is written on a blackboard at the rear of the classroom). A male teacher is standing beside the blackboard and the class is seated at their desks (each desk is attached to the back of the chair in the front). There are 21 girls and 14 boys. The boys are dressed in sweaters or rough sports jackets, baggy trousers, and open-necked shirts. Their hair is generally moppish, or parted. The girls are generally wearing sweaters and wide skirts, with several wearing necklaces. Most have long hair, pulled back and tied, or parted and hanging. Identified: (3rd row of desks, 5th from left) Mary Warren; (1st row of desks, 4th from left) Lena Horne (later Lena McManus). Mary Warren was the daughter of John H. Warren and Mary W. Warren (nee Slaven) who settled in Burnaby and built a house on Union Street in 1912. Mary Warren later became Mary Anthony when she married Bill Anthony. The teacher may be Stanley Griffiths. A blackboard on the left of the picture has math problems written on it. Above, a row of prints hang, among the ones identifiable are Shakespeare and the Fathers of Confederation. The room is lit by dangling electric bulbs. Inscribed on the negative, lower left of the print: "272." An annotation in pencil on the back of the photograph reads, "Mr. Tom Browning." In 1912 Gilmore Ave. School was only a tent as blasting and clearing was being carried out. Later that year, a four-room building was completed and pupils moved in. By 1914, another four rooms were added to meet increased enrolment. Four rooms were added again in 1922, and four rooms and an auditorium were added in 1929. The school was renovated in 1954 and 1955. A library was added in 1964 and six more rooms were built in 1967. The school was named after Hugh B. Gilmour, but an error by a municipal clerk in 1912 changed the spelling to Gilmore.

Subjects: Buildings - Schools; Occupations - Teachers; Furniture; Persons - Black Canadians

Names: Gilmore Avenue School

Geographic Access: Gilmore Avenue

Street Address: 50 Gilmore Avenue

Accession Code: HV971.23.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 17 Mar. 1920

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-03-21

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Div 1 Gilmore Avenue School, 17 Mar. 1920 thumbnail

Beach

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription660

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 9.8 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of English Bay shoreline, Vancouver populated with people, many of whom are in the water. In view of the photograph, there is a large two-storey building called the Pavillion Bathhouse. Residential housing can be seen along the bank just above the beach as well. There is a paved foot …

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 9.8 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of English Bay shoreline, Vancouver populated with people, many of whom are in the water. In view of the photograph, there is a large two-storey building called the Pavillion Bathhouse. Residential housing can be seen along the bank just above the beach as well. There is a paved foot path running along the bank as well. "Marett & Reid Druggists" store can be seen on the left end of the photograph.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Beaches; Persons - Crowds; Buildings - Residential

Geographic Access: Vancouver

Accession Code: HV976.36.22

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 17/8/2006

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Yue Shan Society

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription895

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : 17 x 27 cm mounted on matt in frame 22 x 37.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of members of the Yue Shan Society gathered together in front of building on Fisgard Strett, Victoria, B.C. Society members are arranged together into four rows in front of building with a large banner with Chinese characters hanging above. A group of ten children are seated on the curb …

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Series: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : 17 x 27 cm mounted on matt in frame 22 x 37.5 cm

Material Details: guilded wood frame is chipped and scratched; glass is missing

Scope and Content: Photograph of members of the Yue Shan Society gathered together in front of building on Fisgard Strett, Victoria, B.C. Society members are arranged together into four rows in front of building with a large banner with Chinese characters hanging above. A group of ten children are seated on the curb in front of society members.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs

Names: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company

Geographic Access: Victoria

Accession Code: HV975.5.1456

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-01-12

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on verso of frame reads: "Yue Shan Society / on Fisguard St."

Images

Group of young men

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1256

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm, mounted on card 30.5 x 35 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of seventeen unidentified young men seated and standing in three rows outside at an unidentified location. These men are believed to be Chinese Freemasons of British Columbia (previously named the Chee Kung Tong).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Series: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm, mounted on card 30.5 x 35 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of seventeen unidentified young men seated and standing in three rows outside at an unidentified location. These men are believed to be Chinese Freemasons of British Columbia (previously named the Chee Kung Tong).

Subjects: Organizations; Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company

Accession Code: BV985.5331.4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/7/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Notes on verso of photograph read: "[illegible] Chinese Freemason" and "Dr. Lam / [illegible] in San Diego" and "[not equal to] 1914"

Images

Burnaby South High School performance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3880

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1920 and 1930]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 16.5 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Group shot of the cast of a Burnaby South High School performance by students at a community hall. Student musicians are holding musical instruments and seated in front of the stage and five rows of student performers are dressed in costumes standing on the stage behind.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 16.5 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Group shot of the cast of a Burnaby South High School performance by students at a community hall. Student musicians are holding musical instruments and seated in front of the stage and five rows of student performers are dressed in costumes standing on the stage behind.

Subjects: Performances - Concerts; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Persons - Students

Names: Burnaby South High School

Accession Code: BV008.59.26

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1920 and 1930]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2022-03-08

Photographer: Campbell Studios Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "CAMPBELL STUDIO / 569 Granville Street / VANCOUVER, - B.C. / Sey. 2830".

Images

Burnaby South High School performance, [between 1920 and 1930] thumbnail

Wedding portait of Sui Seo Ngen and Lee Ding Quai

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4049

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca. 1920]

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : sepia ; 400 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sui Seo Ngen and Lee Ding Quai posing for their wedding studio portait. The couple is standing with Sui Seo Ngen wearing a flat hat and holding a purse; Lee Ding Quai holding a flat hat in left hand.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Series: Lee family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : sepia ; 400 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sui Seo Ngen and Lee Ding Quai posing for their wedding studio portait. The couple is standing with Sui Seo Ngen wearing a flat hat and holding a purse; Lee Ding Quai holding a flat hat in left hand.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Lee, Ding Quai; Lee, Sui Seo Ngen

Accession Code: BV017.24.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [ca. 1920]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 400

Scan Date: 01-Oct-2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Wedding portait of Sui Seo Ngen and Lee Ding Quai, [ca. 1920] thumbnail

Portrait of Chinese man

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4576

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 25 x 20 cm in matt 45 x 30 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a studio portrait of an unidentified man of Chinese origin. Matte has a cluster of Chinese characters on the bottom left corner and on the middle right side. Man is dressed in a suit and is wearing glasses. The portrait originates from the Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. shop on 1620 Gove…

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Series: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 25 x 20 cm in matt 45 x 30 cm

Material Details: Matte has a cluster of Chinese characters on the bottom left corner and on the middle right side. Chinese characters were translated into English in 2018.; On the right hand side, it is written ""for Mr. Wong Hong to keep"".; On the bottom of the left hand side, it is written the name of the photographer (last name is Lam). The last character of his name has no matching word in Chinese. One of the characters on the bottom left generally means younger brother (related by blood), but with close friends, the younger person may refer himself as such too. Since they had two different last name ""Wong"" and ""Lam"", therefore these two people could not be related.; The final character on the bottom left means ""a gift"".

Scope and Content: Photograph is a studio portrait of an unidentified man of Chinese origin. Matte has a cluster of Chinese characters on the bottom left corner and on the middle right side. Man is dressed in a suit and is wearing glasses. The portrait originates from the Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. shop on 1620 Government Street, Victoria.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company

Accession Code: HV975.5.61

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Portrait of Chinese man, [192-] thumbnail

Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12338

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some …

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Julie Lee Location of Interview: Home of Julie and Cecil Lee Interview Date: February 6, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:53:46

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some information about her father Puy Yuen Chan. 0:00- 01:47 Julie Lee provides background information on her families’ connection to Burnaby and conveys how her maternal grandparents farmed a five acre lot at Still Creek and Douglas Road. Her grandparents grew vegetable produce and operated a piggery at this location. Her mother, Suey Ying Jung (Laura) was the middle child between two older sisters, Maida and Annie and her two younger brothers Gordon and Harry. They were all born at home and educated at Edmonds Elementary School. 01:48- 11:47 Julie provides some background information about her mother, the friendships she made growing up, when she got married and places that she lived. She tells of her mother marrying in 1942 at age 30 years, moving to Fraser Mills and then onto Maillardville in 1958. There was easy access to the Interurban tram so her mother was able to have a social life with others in Vancouver’s Chinatown. She says that many of the only existing photographs of the family living on the farm at Still Creek and Douglas Road can be attributed to her mother’s friend Lil Mau [sic] who owned a camera. The farm was sold around 1949 when her grandparents moved to East Vancouver. While operating the farm, her grandparents only hired Chinese workers who spoke the same language and ate the same foods as them. Despite this, her grandparents made friends with the Collin’s family who assisted them in adjusting to the Canadian way of life. Julie tells that her mother’s sister Maida and brother in law lived with them at Fraser Mills. Her mother’s sister Maida had nine children so Julie’s mother helped her in raising them. 11:48 – 16:53 - Julie talks about racial prejudice towards the Chinese in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She says that for the most part, her mother’s family had a very insular life on the farm and mainly socialized only within the Chinese community. Julie tells of how she recently became aware of a memoir “The Way it Was”, written by Burnaby resident, Fannie Waplington. The memoir is held as part of the Burnaby Village Museum collection. In the memoir, Fannie Waplington tells of how she was forbidden from visiting Julie’s mother on their farm due to her ethnic background. Julie conveys that it seems like it was a missed friendship for both her mother and Fannie. 16:54 – 22:30 Julie describes what school life was like for her mother and what she may have done outside of school. Her mother attended Edmonds School in the 1920s up to Grade 7 or Grade 8. Julie explains that Asian girls were never offered the opportunity to pursue higher education while her mother’s brothers continued with their education attending Vancouver Technical School. Her mother continued to work on the farm until she was married cooking for workers and helping her mother. Outside of school, she may have helped with looking after nieces and nephews, played cards and mahjong. She says that her mother continued to play cards with her own children and was a skilled knitter into her 80s. 22:31 – 30: 53 Julie tells of what she knows about the Chinese workers on the farm and Fraser Mills and what they did on the weekends. She figures that many may have played card games to pass the time and at Fraser Mills gambling occurred. Fishing was a highlight for her father and she recalls him fishing sturgeon. Single workers may have gone into Vancouver on the weekends. Julie says that her parents had a hobby farm while living at Fraser Mills and that they grew enough garlic to sell in Chinatown. She thinks that before living at Fraser Mills, her mother must have went to Chinatown quite a bit, assisting with banking and enjoying a social life. Julie shares that her father, Puy Yuen Chan came to Canada from China at twelve years of age but working as a shingle packer, he never learned to speak English. She figures that her parents must have met at Fraser Mills while her mother was visiting her sister Maida. 30:54 – 37:33 Julie describes her mother as the cook, caregiver and the “one man show”. She says that her mother enjoyed cooking traditional Chinese recipes. Julie talks of her own cooking and gardening skills which she may have inherited from her parents including her large patch of garlic. 37:34- 40:23- Julie is asked as to whether her mother attended Chinese school and says that she had some Chinese schooling. She could read and write a little but didn’t attend a formal school as far as she knows. Julie shares some background information on her own husband Cecil, who grew up in East Vancouver. She shares that Cecil’s family went back to China from 1931 until 1939 when they returned to Queensborough. Cecil attended Chinese school in New Westminster. 40:24 – 42:19 Julie speaks briefly about what type of medical care her mother and her family had. She relates that all births took place at home and they accessed a Chinese herbalist in Chinatown. Hospitals were accessed in 1950s—1960s. The family did use Western doctors that were insured under the medical system. She recalls growing up and having to drink a particular herbal brew at least once a month to stay well. 42:20- 46:47 Julie describes how her parents stayed connected with their families in China. She says that her mother’s family didn’t stay in touch with relatives in China and that her uncles rejected anything to do with the past. On her father’s side they maintained a connection with cousins. She recalls that her father, Puy Yuen Chan supported some of his relatives back home in China and stayed in touch with some. Her mother, Laura travelled to China in 1991 and 1992 and connected with some relations on Julie’s father’s side. 46:48- 53:46 In this segment, Julie speaks of her mother’s character being very self-assured, independent and goal oriented. She feels that her mother valued being surrounded by her family and friends and felt very comfortable growing up in Burnaby and with the relationships that she had. She feels that her mother adapted to her roles being the last of four children on the farm and that she was very self-sufficient and determined.

History: Interviewee biography: Julie Lee (nee Chan) is the daughter of Suey Ying Jung (Laura) and Puy Yuen Chan. Her mother's family owned and operated a vegetable and piggery farm on Douglas Road near Still Creek in the early 1900s. Their farm was located in front of the Douglas Road interurban tram station. Her mother had two older sisters named Maida and Annie and two younger brothers Harry and Gordon. Her mother was born in 1912 and left the farm for Fraser Mills when she was married in 1942. Julie grew up with her parents and siblings on the Fraser Mills site during the 1940s and 1950s. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Agriculture - Farms; Education; Buildings - Schools

Names: Lee, Julie Cho Chan; Chan, Puy Yuen; Jung, Suey Ying "Laura"; Wong, Suey Fong "Maida" Jung; Jung, Suey Cheung "Harry"; Jung, Suey Yook "Gordon"; Jung, Gee Shee; Jung, Chung Chong; Jong, Suey Kin "Annie" Jung

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Geographic Access: Douglas Road

Accession Code: BV020.6.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Related Material: See also BV018.16.1

Scan Resolution: 1000

Scan Date: 01-Oct-2017

Scale: 96

Notes: Title based on contents of interview; Photograph info: Suey Ying (Laura) with produce baskets [between 1940 and 1942]. BV017.24.27

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0002_001.mp3

Hints in passing - first class tests

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20618

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a boy and girl standing with bicyle on shore of body of water. The boy and girl could be children of Harold George Llewellyn and Madeline Llewellyn.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a boy and girl standing with bicyle on shore of body of water. The boy and girl could be children of Harold George Llewellyn and Madeline Llewellyn.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Llewellyn family

Accession Code: BV995.8.49

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Notes: Transcribed titled; Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 18; Illustrative designs in white ink around photographs on album page; Note in white ink on album page reads: "HINTS IN PASSING / FIRST CLASS TESTS"

Images

Hints in passing - first class tests

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20619

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an uidentified girl standing with bicyle on shore of body of water. A pile of lumber visible in the background.The girl could be a child of Harold George Llewellyn and Madeline Llewellyn.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an uidentified girl standing with bicyle on shore of body of water. A pile of lumber visible in the background.The girl could be a child of Harold George Llewellyn and Madeline Llewellyn.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Llewellyn family

Accession Code: BV995.8.50

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Notes: Transcribed titled; Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 18; Illustrative designs in white ink around photographs on album page; Note in white ink on album page reads: "HINTS IN PASSING / FIRST CLASS TESTS"

Images

Hints in passing - first class tests

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20620

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an uidentified boy with satchel standing next to a pile of lumber and building.The boy could be a child of Harold George Llewellyn and Madeline Llewellyn.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an uidentified boy with satchel standing next to a pile of lumber and building.The boy could be a child of Harold George Llewellyn and Madeline Llewellyn.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Llewellyn family

Accession Code: BV995.8.51

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Notes: Transcribed titled; Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 18; Illustrative designs in white ink around photographs on album page; Note in white ink on album page reads: "HINTS IN PASSING / FIRST CLASS TESTS"

Images

Charlotte and David Hill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82590

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1921 or 1922]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 13.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of Charlotte Hill holding baby David Hill.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1921 or 1922]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 13.5 x 8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-157

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of Charlotte Hill holding baby David Hill.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Hill, Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal; Hill, David O. E. "Dave"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on note accompanying photograph and contents of photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "Charlotte & David 1922"; Note in pencil on verso reads: "Charlotte, David / 1921"

Images

Charlotte and David Hill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82591

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1921 or 1922]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 13.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph shows Charlotte Hill holding baby David Hill.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1921 or 1922]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 13.5 x 8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-158

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph shows Charlotte Hill holding baby David Hill.

Subjects: Persons - Children

Names: Hill, Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal; Hill, David O. E. "Dave"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on note accompanying photograph and contents of photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "Charlotte & David 1922 / Burnaby 1922"

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