93 records – page 1 of 5.

Alfred Bingham fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97219
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913-1971
Collection/Fonds
Alfred Bingham fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
4 cm. of textual records and 1 audio reel.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham as well as an oral history tape provided by Alfred and his wife, M.J. "Ada" Bingham.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1913-1971
Collection/Fonds
Alfred Bingham fonds
Physical Description
4 cm. of textual records and 1 audio reel.
Description Level
Fonds
Record No.
MSS142
Accession Number
2010-09
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham as well as an oral history tape provided by Alfred and his wife, M.J. "Ada" Bingham.
History
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Angus McLean and Percy Little worked ten-hour days to build a shingle mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, a carpenter and millwright (and author of “The History of Burnaby”), also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lockdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920, Alfred married Mary Jane "Ada" Reynolds. Alfred and Mary Jane often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. The couple also had a dog named Bess. The Binghams were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth who were suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression. The Army was in operation for ten years and during that time, the members organised the credit union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union Act through the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started co-op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also the Secretary of the Burnaby Housing Committee. In 1946, he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane died on August 9, 1969. Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Media Type
Textual Record
Sound Recording
Creator
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds MSS142
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Ben Bradley collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85124
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1958]
Collection/Fonds
Ben Bradley collection
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
5 photographs : b&w ; 11.5 x 8.2 cm
Scope and Content
Fonds comprises five photographs of the land being cleared for the future site of the Brentwood Mall shopping centre.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1958]
Collection/Fonds
Ben Bradley collection
Physical Description
5 photographs : b&w ; 11.5 x 8.2 cm
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2013-30
Scope and Content
Fonds comprises five photographs of the land being cleared for the future site of the Brentwood Mall shopping centre.
History
Ben Bradley is a former citizen of Burnaby and served on the Burnaby Heritage Commission between 1999-2000. Mr. Bradley has a keen interest in the history of suburbanization in Canada.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Bradley, Ben
Notes
Title based on contents of collection.
Photo catalogue 564
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Brainerd family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription76949
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1926-1958; 2013
Collection/Fonds
Brainerd family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1 cm. of textual records + 4 photographs (copy-print)
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of receipts, agreements, and registry letter for family home on Harwood Street, along with an election slip, a labour publication, and a propaganda leaflet related to Lawrence Brainerd, as well as a newspaper clipping from 2013 and photocopied and copy-printed early photographs of th…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1926-1958; 2013
Collection/Fonds
Brainerd family fonds
Physical Description
1 cm. of textual records + 4 photographs (copy-print)
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2013-05
2013-06
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of receipts, agreements, and registry letter for family home on Harwood Street, along with an election slip, a labour publication, and a propaganda leaflet related to Lawrence Brainerd, as well as a newspaper clipping from 2013 and photocopied and copy-printed early photographs of the family.
History
Lawrence and Violet Brainerd came to Vancouver in 1925 or 1926. Lawrence purchased a small house on Harwood Street in North Burnaby for his wife and two children from her previous marriage. Roy Brainerd was born in 1928 at Royal Columbian Hospital. His sister Patricia Brainerd (later White) was born in 1931, also at Royal Columbian Hospital. Lawrence rebuilt and renovated the house to fit his growing family, planting abundant vegetable gardens and building a chicken coop, and paid off his taxes by doing roadwork for the municipality. Violet Brainerd supplemented her family's income by doing in-home nursing, as she'd been a nurse in France during the war. Roy Brainerd started at Douglas Road School in 1934 and then attended Hugh M. Fraser High School. Roy left his high school at 15 to work for Snap-On Tools, working his way up from pushing a broom to becoming a branch manager. He retired in 1983 after 41 years of service. Together with his wife, Carol, Roy raised three daughters.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Brainerd family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
MSS172, photo catalogue 551
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Building Department fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription13
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1926-2003
Collection/Fonds
Building Department fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
10 cm of textual records.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of historical building records from the Building Department.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1926-2003
Collection/Fonds
Building Department fonds
Physical Description
10 cm of textual records.
Description Level
Fonds
File Class
48100 05 (add. 2020; prev. D)
48100 10 (add. 2020; prev. D)
48100 11 (add. 2020; prev. D)
48100 12 (add. 2020; prev. D)
48100 14 (add. 2020; prev. D)
48100 18 (add. 2020; prev. D)
Reproduction Restriction
Reproductions subject to FOIPPA
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of historical building records from the Building Department.
History
In 2022, responsibility for Major Civic Projects was moved from the Planning and Building Department to the newly-created Lands and Facilities Department.
Media Type
Textual Record
Creator
City of Burnaby
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds.
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Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4614
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1914-2009
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
22 scrapbooks : photographs + textual records + illustrations + digital files : col. (pdfs) + photographs : col. (tiffs) + col. (jpegs) + 222 photographs : b&w ; col. + 12 cm of textual records + ephemera
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a collection of scrapbooks containing photographs, textual records, illustrations and ephemera along with individual photographs and textual records related to Burnaby Girl Guides. Records document the activities and functions of Burnaby Girl Guides through histories, journals, ne…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
22 scrapbooks : photographs + textual records + illustrations + digital files : col. (pdfs) + photographs : col. (tiffs) + col. (jpegs) + 222 photographs : b&w ; col. + 12 cm of textual records + ephemera
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a collection of scrapbooks containing photographs, textual records, illustrations and ephemera along with individual photographs and textual records related to Burnaby Girl Guides. Records document the activities and functions of Burnaby Girl Guides through histories, journals, newspaper clippings, certificates, awards, programmes, photographs, illustrations and newsletters. Scrapbooks were created by Burnaby Girl Guides and Girl Guide leaders and deposited with the Burnaby Girl Guide Archivist prior to being donated to the Burnaby Village Museum. Record descriptions are available at both item and file level. Fonds is arranged into the following series: 1) Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series 2) Burnaby Girl Guides administrative records and histories series 3) Burnaby Girl Guides newsletters series 4) Burnaby Girl Guides memorabilia series
History
The Girl Guide Movement began in England in 1909 when girls in England demanded to take part in a Boy Scouts rally at the Crystal Palace in London, organized by Chief Scout and Boy Scout founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Following this event, Baden Powell asked his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell to help him start a similar organization for girls and Girl Guides was formed. Girl Guides came to Canada in 1910 and the first troop in British Columbia was registered in Victoria in 1912. In 1913 Amy Leigh moved to Burnaby from England and enquired about a Guiding company in her area and was disappointed to find none. On June 11, 1914 at the age of 17 years, Amy registered the 1st Burnaby Girl Guide Company and became the captain. On April 2, 1916 the 2nd Burnaby Guide Company registered and met at Edmonds School. In this same year, the very first Burnaby Girl Guide Rally event took place at Central Park and by 1920 another took place at the Burnaby Municipal Hall (Edmonds) and was attended by both Burnaby and New Westminster Guides. The First Burnaby Brownie Pack was registered on December 1922 with Mrs. W.J. Matherson as Brown Owl. The Brownie Pack met in a West Burnaby facility. The First Burnaby Land Ranger Co. was formed on November 29, 1923 and by 1924 Burnaby became a District with four Guide companies, four Brownie Packs and the Rangers. In 1923 records show Mrs. Gavin as commissioner, Mrs. C.F. Carter in 1924 and Miss Amy Leigh between 1926 and 1928. The first District camp was held near Sechelt in 1927 on the property of Mrs. Deal and Mrs. Nixon with annual camps held here until 1930 when the Guide camp at Wilson Creek was established. In 1929 Guides and Brownies began taking part in the Annual May Day Celebrations at Central Park. In 1930 Burnaby became a Division with Mrs. C.F. Carter as Division Commissioner and Mrs. G. Peel as District Commissioner for South Burnaby and in 1931 Miss Amy Leigh became the first North Burnaby Commissioner. The 5th Burnaby Girl Guide Company in North Burnaby began publishing a bulletin in 1935. In this same year Burnaby Girl Guides attended a rally for Lord and Lady Powell who were visiting Vancouver and Burnaby Girl Guides became affiliated with Greater Vancouver Girl Guide Council. The packs and companies of North Burnaby were attached to the eastern section of Vancouver while South Burnaby and South Vancouver District became another Division. Mrs. Pochin organized the Burnaby Lake District in 1943 becoming the first District commissioner (In 1927 Mrs. Peel had guides in this area). The first training classes for Girl Guides were held in 1943 in a hall on Buller Avenue at the BCER tracks and also Phillips Hall on McKay Avenue. By 1945 a training camp was held on Mrs. Pochin’s property on Deer Lake. South Vancouver, South Burnaby and Burnaby Lake Districts took part in the training which was a change over from war time service and the return of Pioneer camping. Miss E. Perition was in charge of camp which was attended by Mrs. J. Quinnell, Mrs. J. Albertson and many guiders. In 1946 Lady Baden Powel returned for a visit to Vancouver and there was a rally at Connaught Park and Chief Scout Lord Rowallyn held a rally at Brocton Point. In 1947 Mrs. J. Albertson became Division Commissioner for South Vancouver and South Burnaby. Districts of Burnaby Lake and South Burnaby each adopted a European child and undertook to send regular parcels and by 1948 these Districts became a Burnaby Division once more under Division Commissioner Mrs. W.M. Wall. In September 1949 the first Sea Ranger Crew “S.R.S. Royal Oak” was formed under the Skipper, Miss E. Periton. The S.R.S. Royal Oak met at All Saint’s Church Hall on Royal Oak Ave. In 1950 Packs and Companies in North Burnaby organized into a District under Mrs. Hebron and in 1953 Sperling District was organized by District Commissioner Mrs. Hancock. 1953 was also the same year that South Burnaby District was divided into three Districts: Central Park District under Commissioner Miss Perition, Douglas District under Commissioner Mrs. J. McKee Wilson and Kingsway under Commissioner Mrs. J.G. Fowler. A few years later, in 1955 the guides and brownies were out in force to welcome Lady Baden Powel at a rally held in the PNE Gardens building and by March 1956 Burnaby ceased to be a part of Greater Vancouver Area and was organized under two Divisions of the Province. The Sperling, Willingdon and Vancouver Heights Districts in North Burnaby became North Burnaby Division with Mrs. H. Hebron as Division Commissioner. With rapid population growth further decentralization became necessary and South Burnaby Division was split in two, adding the new division of Central Burnaby under Commissioner Miss E. Perition. Central Burnaby was composed of three Districts: Burnaby Lake, Central Park and a new District named “Windsor” under Mrs. C. Dumfries. South Burnaby was composed of three Districts: Kingsway, Edmonds and Lakeview (the latter two also referred to as Douglas with Mrs. McGeachie and Mrs. J. Park as the first commissioners of these two Districts). In 1957 Burnaby became an Area unto itself with three Divisions, and 9 Districts under Miss Periton as the first Area Commissioner. In February 1957, Burnaby entered into a contract with Vancouver Girl Guide Council to lease a part of the Wilson Creek campsite. Under the leadership of Area Commissioner, Miss Periton, work started on the development of the site with funds raised by both the Girl Guides, local citizens and associations. A camp committee was formed with representation from each Division and a lot of help from Miss Norah Weller, the Wilson Creek camp manager. Plans were laid for the site with a dining shelter, store room and cook stove contracted for while a subcommittee of men was appointed to purchase building supplies and organize work parties to build cabins, a staff house, water pipes and sanitary facilities. The site opened in May 1958 with $6000 expended on building and equipping the camp, while an official opening took place on June 8 and by July Girl Guides began camping on the site. The Burnaby Area Committee became a member of the Burnaby Community Council and a participant in Community Chest in 1958 and on May 1, the Burnaby Area office opened. By 1959, with further participation in North Burnaby, Sperling District was split to form Sperling and Hillview Districts and by 1960 Kingsway District of South Burnaby split to form Kingsway and Royal Oak Districts. By December 1960, Burnaby Area had 3 Divisions, 11 Districts with a total membership of 2, 331.
Creator
Girl Guides of Canada
Accession Code
BV015.35
BV015.36
BV016.49
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1914-2009
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Some scrapbooks are only available in digital formats
Accessions that form part of this fonds include: BV015.35; BV015.36; BV016.49
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Burnaby Historical Society fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97124
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1892-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
ca. 130 linear feet of textual records 30 linear feet of graphic and other material
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's administrative records and community archives collection.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1892-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Physical Description
ca. 130 linear feet of textual records 30 linear feet of graphic and other material
Description Level
Fonds
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's administrative records and community archives collection.
History
The Burnaby Historical Society was founded in 1957. The Historical Society developed a community archives by collecting, compiling and preserving various materials with historical value to the City of Burnaby. It gathered miscellaneous documents, photographs and other items while also soliciting and acquiring entire collections or groups of archival records. In 1991, the Historical Society was provided a permanent space to house their growing collection at the Burnaby Village Museum and they continued to collect and expand their holdings. After the creation of the City of Burnaby Archives in 2001, the Burnaby Historical Society and the City of Burnaby began discussing the possibility of uniting the two collections. In February 2007, an agreement was signed between the two institutions which resulted in the merger of the Society's Community Archives with the City Archives. All records and photographs that had been collected by the Historical Society were transferred into the custody of the City and were moved from the Burnaby Village Museum to the City Archives in the McGill Branch of the Burnaby Public Library. The Burnaby Historical Society disbanded in 2018.
Names
Burnaby Historical Society
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Sound Recording
Creator
Burnaby Historical Society
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18761
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1950-1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 film reels + 20 videcassettes + 1 avi video file + 17 video recordings (mp4)
Scope and Content
Collection consists of videos and films collected by Burnaby Village Museum from various sources. Items in this collection pertain to specific film projects about Burnaby or document people and historic events related to the history of Burnaby. Collection is arranged into the following series: 1) …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 film reels + 20 videcassettes + 1 avi video file + 17 video recordings (mp4)
Scope and Content
Collection consists of videos and films collected by Burnaby Village Museum from various sources. Items in this collection pertain to specific film projects about Burnaby or document people and historic events related to the history of Burnaby. Collection is arranged into the following series: 1) Burnaby historical reference collection series 2) Elders Digital Storytelling project series
Accession Code
HV971.30
BV005.8
BV005.48
BV012.37
BV014.39
BV016.37
BV017.11
BV020.5
Date
1950-1992
Media Type
Moving Images
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Some items in this collection have copyright restrictions and are not available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby. Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view content.
Further accruals expected
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Charles MacSorley fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55606
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1946-1960
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
49 b&w prints: 39 (approx. 20.5 x 25.5 cm); 1 (15 x 20 cm); 1 (17 x 25.5 cm); 1 (17.5 x 12 cm); 1 (9 x 9 cm); 6 (8 x 11 cm).
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs depicting Municipal events and publicity throughout the 1950s, during the tenure of Charles MacSorley as Council member (1946-1953; 1959-1964) and Reeve (1954-1957).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1946-1960
Collection/Fonds
Charles MacSorley fonds
Physical Description
49 b&w prints: 39 (approx. 20.5 x 25.5 cm); 1 (15 x 20 cm); 1 (17 x 25.5 cm); 1 (17.5 x 12 cm); 1 (9 x 9 cm); 6 (8 x 11 cm).
Description Level
Fonds
Record No.
39423
Accession Number
2005-14
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs depicting Municipal events and publicity throughout the 1950s, during the tenure of Charles MacSorley as Council member (1946-1953; 1959-1964) and Reeve (1954-1957).
History
Charles Willoughby MacSorley was born on October 2, 1895, as one of seven boys and three girls born to the MacSorley family of Picton, Ontario. When Charles was five, the family moved first to Manitoba. Three years later, they homesteaded at Asquith, Saskatchewan, where they settled for the remainder of Charles’ childhood. In 1916, Charles enlisted with the 65th Regiment from Saskatoon and served overseas throughout the course of the war in France and England. Upon returning home to Saskatchewan after the cessation of hostilities in Europe, Charles ran for and was elected to the local School Board, the first of what would become an impressive list of public offices he would hold throughout the next 50 years. In 1924, Charles married Grace Dobbs and they decided to move west, ending up in Burnaby, British Columbia. Employment opportunities were scarce during the 1920s and 1930s, but Charles worked a steady stream of jobs until he secured a position digging ditches for the Corporation of Burnaby. From 1929 until 1932, Charles worked for the Municipality and helped implement changes to improve working conditions for the labourers in the city, being an active member and later President of the Civic Employees’ Union and fighting to obtain a wage increase for the employees. When the Corporation of Burnaby fell into receivership in 1932, however, Charles was forced to find another job. He was soon hired by the Shell Oil Company and over the next decade, worked his way up from a labourer to engineer. Charles’ desire to serve the public good led him to run for office in 1945 and he was elected to serve as Councillor from 1946 until 1954, at which time he ran successfully for the position of Reeve of the Corporation. He served as Reeve until 1957. Charles then returned to hold a seat on Council once again from 1959 until the end of 1964. Concurrent with his terms in local government, Charles was also elected Chairman of the Greater Vancouver Water District (1956), Chairman of the Greater Vancouver Sewerage District (1957), President of the Union of BC Municipalities (1959) and a member of the Provincial Legislature (1963-1966), the first Social Credit Member of the Legislative Assembly elected from Burnaby. Charles MacSorley died on February 24, 1976.
Names
MacSorley, Charles W.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
MacSorley, Charles W.
Notes
BHS486
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Church of the Nazarene fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88387
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1955-1959
Collection/Fonds
Church of Nazarene fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
10 photographs: b&w
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a small collection of photographs documenting the Ferris family's time while Reverend Garfield James Ferris was a minister at the Church of the Nazarene, Burquitlam.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1955-1959
Collection/Fonds
Church of Nazarene fonds
Physical Description
10 photographs: b&w
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2014-41
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a small collection of photographs documenting the Ferris family's time while Reverend Garfield James Ferris was a minister at the Church of the Nazarene, Burquitlam.
History
Reverend Garfield James Ferris and his family moved to Burquitlam from Red Deer, Alberta, in July 1955 to obtain a posting at the Church of Nazarene. Reverend Ferris and his wife Tabea (both aged 34 years) moved together with their three children, Lorne Garfield (age 13), Sharron Rose (age 10), and Faye Muriel (age 6). This was Reverend Ferris' first full-time church posting after having completed his Ministerial training at Canadian Nazarene College in Red Deer, Alberta. The family moved themselves into the parsonage which was located right next to the Church of Nazarene at 577 Clarke Road, Burquitlam. The parsonage was a two-bedroom bungalow, so the three children shared a room with a bunk bed, single bed, and a peg board as a room divider. Tabea Ferris worked for their aunt Marion Johnston who ran the Buena Vista Senior's home in New Westminster and then the Salvation Army Sunset Lodge in New Westminter to augment her husband's salary of $30.00 per week from the church. Reverend Garfield James Ferris was part of the New Westminster Ministerial Association, an Ecumenical group who took turns doing morning daily devotions on CKNW radio. The Ferris children attended Mountain View school, Winslow Junior High School, and Como Lake High School before the family moved to Lulu Island (now Richmond) in 1959.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Church of the Nazarene
Notes
Photo catalogue 575
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City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription29
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1892-2021
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
130m of textual records and other material
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1892-2021
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Physical Description
130m of textual records and other material
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
Subject to FOIPPA
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.
History
The City of Burnaby covers an area of approximately 98 square kilometers between the cities of Vancouver to the west, and Coquitlam and New Westminster to the east, Burrard Inlet to the north, and the Fraser River to the south. The municipality derived its name from Robert Burnaby, a prominent businessman and advisor to Sir James Douglas, the first Governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. Burnaby’s early development was closely tied to the development of the City of New Westminster. New Westminster became British Columbia’s capital in 1859, the year after the British Government proclaimed the establishment of British Columbia. Shortly thereafter, the Royal Engineers began exploring Burnaby to establish military defenses and secure natural resources. This involved the construction of a road linking New Westminster to Burrard Inlet for military purposes, which is present-day North Road. At this time, individuals and families began settling in Burnaby and were largely involved in agricultural and logging activities. Burnaby developed slowly until 1887, when the Canadian Pacific Railway was extended into Vancouver from the Port Moody terminal, causing a dramatic increase in traffic between New Westminster and Vancouver. To meet the new transportation demands, a tramline was built in 1891 connecting the two urban centers along what is now Kingsway. The creation and location of the tramline induced property owners to begin subdividing and selling their lands as early as October 1891. The property taxes the roughly 200 residents paid at this time went directly to the provincial government in Victoria. No local services were provided in turn, which prompted the formation of a committee to petition the provincial government for a municipal charter. As a result, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby was incorporated by letters patent on September 22, 1892. Burnaby’s first Council was elected by acclamation on October 15, 1892 and consisted of Reeve Charles R. Shaw and councillors William Brenchley, Arthur De Windt Hazard, L. Claude Hill, William McDermott, and John Woolard.* The first formal Council election was conducted three months later. Nicolai Shou became the first elected reeve of Burnaby by ballot. Council met at various locations, including the tramline’s power house, private homes, and offices until the first municipal hall was built at Kingsway and Edmonds in 1899. Council is ultimately responsible for the government of the City of Burnaby. The Mayor (formally called “Reeve” prior to 1968) and Council are elected by the residents of Burnaby to represent them in decisions with respect to the provision of public services and facilities. Additionally, the Mayor represents the citizens of Burnaby at various public functions and events. Burnaby was without Council representation during most of the Great Depression and part of the Second World War. Council was disbanded on December 31, 1932 as a result of financial difficulties. The Provincial Government appointed a Commissioner to take over the duties of Reeve and Council beginning in 1933. This system of government was retained until January 1943, when Burnaby residents could once again elect their local government officials. The following individuals have served as Mayor (or Reeve) of Burnaby: Charles R. Shaw 1892 Nicolai C. Schou 1893-1903 Charles F. Sprott 1904-1905 Peter Byrne 1906-1910 John W. Weart 1911-1912 Duncan C. McGregor 1913 Hugh M. Fraser 1914-1918 Thomas Sanderson 1919-1920 Alexander K. McLean 1921-1926; 1928-1929 Charles C. Bell 1927 William L. Burdick 1929 William A. Pritchard 1930-1932 William Tate Wilson 1943-1944 George A. Morrison 1945-1949 William R. Beamish 1950-1953 Charles W. MacSorley 1954-1957 Alan H. Emmott 1958-1968 Robert W. Prittie 1969-1973 Thomas W. Constable 1973-1979 David M. Mercier 1979-1981 William A. Lewarne 1981-1987 William J. Copeland 1987-1996 Douglas P. Drummond 1996-2002 Derek R. Corrigan 2002-2018 Mike Hurley 2018-present The following individuals have served as provincially appointed Commissioners for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby: John Bennett 1933 John Mahony 1933-1934 Hugh M. Fraser 1934-1940* R.S. Gilchrist 1941-1942* B.C. Bracewell 1942* *Richard Bolton was Acting Commissioner for most of 1940-1942. He refused to be a full-fledged Commissioner. Closely associated with the functions of Council is the City Clerk. The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for the statutory duties of the municipal clerk including the preparation and preservation of all minutes books and records of Council business, custody of City bylaws, administrative support to Council and its Committees, preparation of Council and Committee agendas and the conduct of local government elections. The Clerk’s Office is the communications link between Council and other City Departments and the general public, and provides assistance and advice to citizens with respect to Council and Council Committee processes, reporting procedures and decisions. At the time of Burnaby’s incorporation in 1892, the municipal Clerk had the responsibility to attend all meetings of Council, keep all records of Council, prepare and alter voters’ lists, conduct Council elections, collect revenue, as well as having the responsibility to prepare balance sheets and audits. An advertisement in a local newspaper for the appointment of the Clerk dated February 1, 1905 states the “united offices of clerk, collector and assessor” receive a salary of $65.00 per month. Originally the treasurer, assessor and records manager for the corporation, the Clerk eventually became the municipal Council liaison. The primary functions of the City Clerk over time have been the keeping of minutes for the meetings of City Council and related bodies; keeping the records of the City of Burnaby as required by the Local Government Act (formally Municipal Act); keeping all records related to City Council decision making; carrying out correspondence on behalf of Council; assembling voters’ lists and carrying out elections; providing communication, information, and public relations services, including responsibility for civic ceremonies/events, and the municipal archives. The following individuals have served as City Clerk: Alexander Philip 1892–1894 Alfred Smither 1894–1899 F.J.H. Shirley 1899–1901 Arthur De Windt Haszard 1901–1902 Walter J. Walker 1902–1905 Benjamin George Walker 1905–1908 Charles Thomas Saunders 1908–1911 W.M. Griffiths 1911–1912 Arthur G. Moore 1912–1933 Charles Boyer Brown 1933–1959 John H. Shaw 1959–1973* James Hudson 1974–1984 Charles A. Turpin 1984–1995 Debbie R. Comis 1995–2011 Anne Skipsey (Acting) 2011-2012 Maryann Manuel (Acting) 2012-2014 Dennis Back 2014-2018 Kate O'Connell 2018-2020 Blanka Zeinabova 2020-2022 *Deputy City Clerk T. Ward took over many of the Clerk’s duties from 1972 to 1973 due to Shaw’s ill health during these years.
Formats
Microforms exist for some records. See series descriptions.
Media Type
Textual Record
Creator
City of Burnaby
Notes
Title based on creators of fonds
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City of Burnaby Archives photograph collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93710
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1920]-[1979]
Collection/Fonds
City of Burnaby Archives photograph collection
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
43 photographs (39 tiffs ; 2 jpegs ; 3 col. prints, 9 x 9 cm) and 3 p. of textual records
Scope and Content
Collection consists of photographs that were selected for preservation because of their relevance to documenting the heritage and development of the City of Burnaby. The items in this collection depict Burnaby citizens, locations, businesses, residences, geography, and events throughout the history…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1920]-[1979]
Collection/Fonds
City of Burnaby Archives photograph collection
Physical Description
43 photographs (39 tiffs ; 2 jpegs ; 3 col. prints, 9 x 9 cm) and 3 p. of textual records
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2010-01
2013-31
2016-24
2021-10
Scope and Content
Collection consists of photographs that were selected for preservation because of their relevance to documenting the heritage and development of the City of Burnaby. The items in this collection depict Burnaby citizens, locations, businesses, residences, geography, and events throughout the history of the City of Burnaby. The items in this collection are acquisitions of discrete items or small sets of items that do not form a discrete fonds or collection.
History
Burnaby’s first municipal archive officially opened on November 10, 2001, and is located in the McGill Branch Public Library at 4595 Albert Street. The City Archives functions as a branch of the Office of the City Clerk and operates as the official repository of Burnaby’s municipal records, containing records dating back to Burnaby’s incorporation in 1892. In 2007, the City of Burnaby Archives expanded its collection mandate to include private as well as public records. Types of records held at the Archives include City Records (Council minutes and reports, bylaws, departmental records and photographs) and records from private individuals and community organizations (correspondence, reports, minutes, photographs, moving images and sound recordings). The Archives storage area is equipped with the sophisticated environmental controls necessary to preserve Burnaby’s unique archival material into the future. The mandate of the City of Burnaby Archives is to identify, acquire, preserve and make accessible archival material in the form of civic and private records documenting the history of the City of Burnaby.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
City of Burnaby Archives
Notes
Title based on contents of collection.
Less detail

Digney Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85415
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936-19[61]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Dign…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936-19[61]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Digney in 2012. The 16mm film is divided into the following segments: the Oak Theatre in 1936 (construction and opening); the Royal Visit (from the King and Queen) in 1939; Burnaby Sports and May Day events (ca. 1937); and the Labour parade (ca. 1935). The 18 film segments contain footage of the Digney family at their home in Brandon, Manitoba, and Burnaby; views of the Oak Theatre and Digney Speedway in operation; and their travels throughout British Columbia and abroad. The 18 film segments are described at the item level and titled: Andy's first film; Brandon, Manitoba; Burnaby and Digney recreational events; Trip to Kamloops; Burnaby; Burnaby, Vancouver and the north shore; Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary; Travels to Ontario, Quebec and England; Travels to England #2; Travels to England #3; Parades; Digney family in Burnaby; Paul Digney and family; Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens; Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings; Building and opening the Digney Speedway; Digney family travel the praries; and San Francisco Trip.
History
Andy Digney was born in London, England, on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles. In 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore, Saskatchewan, and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty, Saskatchewan, where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry, Manitoba, where Andy worked selling lightning rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time, he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns, showing movies. Eventually, Digney purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba, where he purchased a restaurant, which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba, when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community, becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945, he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association [original name retained for historical accuracy], who were looking for a good location to race the smaller racing cars popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948, with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of this kind of racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951, Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over 40 cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s, the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Dig worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce, returned to Burnaby in 1953, moving into a 550-square-foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954, Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19, 1955, and Andy, Alice, Dig, and Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956, Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son Dig, which he paid for over time. Dig and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. Alice died on June 3, 1982, and Dig died on November 27, 2009.
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo/MI catalogue 562
Less detail

Digney Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10597
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1954 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of compilation of six films (including film clips) created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film content includes footage of members of the Digney family and friends in Burnaby; the Digney homes on Bonsor Avenue and Kaymar Drive; construction of the Digney Bowling Alle…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps
Material Details
Films were digitized in 2019 from original 8 mm format
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of compilation of six films (including film clips) created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film content includes footage of members of the Digney family and friends in Burnaby; the Digney homes on Bonsor Avenue and Kaymar Drive; construction of the Digney Bowling Alley and the Simpsons-Sears building; Lawn bowling at Central Park as well as various family events, gatherings, vacations and trips.
History
Andy Digney was born in London, England on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles and in 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore Saskatchewan and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty Saskatchewan where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry Manitoba where Andy worked selling lightening rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife, traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns showing movies. Eventually, he purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba where he purchased a restaurant which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1936 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945 he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a house at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (after 1959-6521 Bonsor Ave.) on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association, who were looking for a good location to race the smaller, racing cars, popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948 with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of midget racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951 Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over forty cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Ernest Digney (also known as Dig) worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce returned to Burnaby in 1953 moving into a 550 square foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954 Simpsons-Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19,1955 and Andy Digney, his wife Alice, son 'Dig' and daughter in law Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the Bowling Alley. In 1956 Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son 'Dig' which he paid for over time. 'Dig' and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in England in 1964 while on his world tour. His wife Alice died on June 3, 1982 and their son, Ernest ('Dig') died November 27, 2009.
Creator
Digney, Andy
Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
Accession Code
BV019.18
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[between 1954 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019
Media Type
Moving Images
Related Material
See also City of Burnaby Archives Digney Family fonds Photo/MI catalogue 562
Arrangement
Films are arranged and described at item level along with film clip segments. Master film footage numbered BV019.18.3 through BV019.18.8 were described in original order at item level. Digitized film content within the master film footage was also broken down into shorter film clips according to natural breaks within the original content and described separately as film clips (accession parts) in their original order: BV019.8.3.1 to BV019.8.3.28; BV019.8.4.1 to BV019.8.4.16; BV019.18.5.1 to BV019.8.5.7; BV019.18.6.1 to BV019.18.6.8; BV019.18.7.1 to BV019.18.7.15; BV019.18.8.1 to BV019.18.8.20
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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Disney Family collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97178
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1914-1963]
Collection/Fonds
Disney Family collection
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
6 architectural drawings : pencil and ink on paper ; 52 cm x 77 cm and smaller + 1 p. of textual records (40 cm. x 31 cm.) + 1 plan : col. ; 55 cm x 75 cm folded to 28 cm x 10 cm + 1 map : diazo print ; 39 cm x 28 cm.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of maps and plans created and collected by Jack Disney.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1914-1963]
Collection/Fonds
Disney Family collection
Physical Description
6 architectural drawings : pencil and ink on paper ; 52 cm x 77 cm and smaller + 1 p. of textual records (40 cm. x 31 cm.) + 1 plan : col. ; 55 cm x 75 cm folded to 28 cm x 10 cm + 1 map : diazo print ; 39 cm x 28 cm.
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2016-03
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of maps and plans created and collected by Jack Disney.
History
John Howard "Jack" Disney served as Burnaby Surveyor from 1911 to 1919.
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of collection
MSS199
Less detail

Doreen Lawson fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58356
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1950-2002
Collection/Fonds
Doreen Lawson fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
18 cm of textual records + approx. 1000 photographs
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records created and received by Doreen Lawson during her career as Parks Commissioner (1965-1971), Burnaby City Council member (1972-1985, 1990-1999) and environmental advocate following her retirement from Council in 1999. Records include election campaign materials, congratulat…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1950-2002
Collection/Fonds
Doreen Lawson fonds
Physical Description
18 cm of textual records + approx. 1000 photographs
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2003-30
2015-15
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records created and received by Doreen Lawson during her career as Parks Commissioner (1965-1971), Burnaby City Council member (1972-1985, 1990-1999) and environmental advocate following her retirement from Council in 1999. Records include election campaign materials, congratulatory letters and correspondence, community speeches and slideshow presentations regarding the conservation of Burnaby Lake, the administrative papers of the Burnaby Centennial Rhododendron and Spring Flower Show Society, and photographs of Burnaby waterways and wildlife.
History
Doreen Anne Fowler Lawson was born July 8, 1928, to Eva Barnhill and Leonard Fowler. Her parents met in Alberta but decided to move to Vancouver where they got married and Doreen was born. The family moved to the north side of Claude Avenue in Burnaby when Doreen was a few months old. In 1931, they moved to a house with an acre of land directly across the street from their first house.
When Doreen was six, her family moved to Collingwood, Vancouver, near where her father grew up. This is where her brother Ron was born. The family moved again to County Line in Langley Prairie in 1944, which is where Doreen met Edward Lawson, her future husband. Soon after, they moved to a seven-acre plot in Burquitlam. Ed and Doreen Lawson’s eldest daughter, Linda, was born in 1954. Their second daughter, Wendy, was born in 1959 and their youngest, Lisa, was born in 1961. They lived in the Brentwood area, where all three daughters attended Brentwood Elementary School. Linda went on to Alpha Secondary School.
In 1945, Doreen began her first of several office jobs, and in the early 1950s she became the first woman to be elected into a vice-president position within the BC Trade Union Congress (now the BC Federation of Labour).
Doreen Lawson had a long and prolific political career, starting as Parks Commissioner in 1965, and serving as its chair from 1969 to 1971. She was instrumental in the selection and promotion of the rhododendron as the official flower of Burnaby in 1966. In 1971, she was elected to Burnaby City Council and, in 1972, Doreen proposed that Council take action to declare Burnaby Lake a wildlife sanctuary. After a 10-year campaign, she was able to convince Council to declare the park “a nature conservation area.” She put forward a policy of preservation for creeks and streams, as well as a proposal to preserve trees in subdivisions, both of which were adopted by Council. Doreen continued to serve on Council until 1985, during which time she initiated and chaired the Burnaby Information Committee, which designed the present Burnaby logo (and official flower pins) and established the Information Burnaby Newsletter. In 1979 Doreen Lawson won Vancouver Natural History Society’s Frank Sanford Award.
In 1984, Doreen was elected the first woman president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Doreen ran as a BC Liberal Party candidate in the new Federal Riding of Burnaby in 1979, and from 1985 to 1987, she served as the Executive Director of the British Columbia Liberal Party. As the B.C. Liberal Party Executive Director, her major responsibility was to work with both the Federal and Provincial Associations in implementing riding organizations and fundraising programs in preparation for election time. In the 1980s, Doreen was an active guest lecturer at Burnaby Elementary and High Schools as well as at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. Doreen was active in a variety of community clubs and organizations including: the Burnaby Library Board; Greater Vancouver Spinners and Weavers Guild; and Vancouver Natural History Society. She was an executive member of the Burnaby-New Westminster Canada Summer Games; the Burnaby Division of the United Way; Information Burnaby Committee; and the Brentwood Parent Teachers Association; as well as serving as the President of the Burnaby Voters Association from 1988-1990.
In 1990, Doreen was elected back to Burnaby Council and put forward the rejuvenation of Burnaby Lake which she saw completed before her final year on Council in 1999. Doreen continued to be a strong environmental advocate for the protection and rejuvenation of Burnaby Lake after she retired from council.
Doreen Lawson died October 11, 2003.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Creator
Lawson, Doreen A.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
MSS071, photo catalogue 605, photo catalogue 618
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Dorothy Atkinson fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17532
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1929-2004, predominant 1929-1940
Collection/Fonds
Dorothy Atkinson fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of school report cards and certificates belonging to Dorothy Atkinson (nee Mallett) along with a Vancouver Daily Province Pioneer's Honour Roll Certificate awarded to her parents, Percy and Alice Mallett (nee Lowry).
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Dorothy Atkinson fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of school report cards and certificates belonging to Dorothy Atkinson (nee Mallett) along with a Vancouver Daily Province Pioneer's Honour Roll Certificate awarded to her parents, Percy and Alice Mallett (nee Lowry).
History
Alice (nee Lowry) (1879-1954) and Percy Mallett (1882-1955) were married in Vancouver, British Columbia on January 26, 1910. Alice Lowry was born in Kinnear’s Mills, Quebec and Percy Mallett was born in Cornwall, England. Alice and Percy had four children Percival “Perc” (1916-1971), Alan (1919-2006), Dorothy (1923-2016) and a son who died in infancy. Alice and Percy resided in Vancouver until 1914. In 1915, they moved to 3965 Cambridge Street in Burnaby and lived there with their three children until 1934. The Mallett family lived at various other locations in Burnaby including 4119 East Hastings (1935-1937), 4075 Triumph Street (1938-1949) and 4211 Oxford Street (1950-1954). All three children attended Gilmore Avenue School and North Burnaby High School. After graduating from North Burnaby High School, Dorothy Mallett worked at B.C. Telephone and B.C. Electric in downtown Vancouver. Dorothy attended University of British Columbia for one year with her earnings from these jobs. While working at B.C. Electric, Dorothy met her future husband, Charles McDonald "Mac" Atkinson. In 1949, Dorothy Mallett married Charles McDonald “Mac” Atkinson at Willingdon Heights United Church in Burnaby with Dorothy’s brother, Reverend Percival Mallett officiating. In 1965, Dorothy and Mac moved to Nanaimo. Dorothy taught piano and was an accomplished singer and musician performing in various recitals. Dorothy died in 2016 and her husband Mac Atkinson died in 2012.
Responsibility
Atkinson, Dorothy Mallett
Accession Code
BV021.28
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
1929-2004, predominant 1929-1940
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

Douglas Stewart fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17249
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1924-1951
Collection/Fonds
Douglas Stewart fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
11 cm of textual records (4 volumes)
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of financial ledgers belonging to Douglas Stewart regarding his personal and business affairs including the operation of "Thistle Meat Market" and ownership of other properties located on Kingsway in Burnaby between the addresses of 4018 and 4032 Kingsway.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Douglas Stewart fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
11 cm of textual records (4 volumes)
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of financial ledgers belonging to Douglas Stewart regarding his personal and business affairs including the operation of "Thistle Meat Market" and ownership of other properties located on Kingsway in Burnaby between the addresses of 4018 and 4032 Kingsway.
History
Douglas Stewart (1886-1976) was born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland and began working as a butcher at age twelve years. In 1905, at age nineteen years, Douglas immigrated to Canada, first settling in Calgary, Alberta. While in Alberta, John was employed with Burns Meat abattoir, feeding cattle on cattle cars which helped pay his way to Vancouver. Douglas married Jessie Reekie (1888-1975) who was also born in Scotland and the couple had three children, Annie Stewart Shore, Douglas William and Robert Malcolm who were all born in Vancouver. After arriving in Vancouver around 1913, Douglas worked at various meat markets as a butcher. In January 1925, Douglas opened a meat market which he named Thistle Meat Market (also known as Thistle Meats) located near the corner of Kingsway and Cassie Street in Burnaby. The family continued to live in South Vancouver until 1926 when they moved to Burnaby, first residing at 4022 Kingsway with the shop located at 4020 Kingsway. Over the years, Douglas owned buildings with addresses located between 4018 and 4032 Kingsway in Burnaby renting them out as businesses with some residences above. Between 1927 and 1935, Thistle Meats relocated to 4018 Kingsway and between 1927 and 1935 the family relocated their residence to 4020 Kingsway, above a business that was located next door to the shop. Between 1936 and 1953 Thistle Meats relocated to 4028 Kingsway and between 1936 and 1951, Douglas and Jessie relocated their residence to 4030 Kingsway. In 1951, Douglas retired, sold the buildings that he owned along Kingsway and moved to Grafton Street, Burnaby with his wife Jessie. Thistle meats continued to operate at 4028 Kingsway until 1958 and from 1959-1960, it operated at 4534 Kingsway. After Douglas Stewart retired in 1951, H.W. Silzer managed Thistle Meat Market until 1960. Douglas Stewart was a Mason with St. James Lodge No 80 and lifetime member of Kilwinning Lodge No. 29, Kirkintilloch, Scotland. Douglas Stewart died in Burnaby at the age of 91 years and his wife, Jessie died at the age of 87 years.
Creator
Stewart, Douglas
Accession Code
BV999.10
Date
1924-1951
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

Eagles family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97217
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1919-1995
Collection/Fonds
Eagles family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
40 files of textual records and 1489 photographs (6 col. prints, 10 x 15 cm; 1,444 col. slides, 35 mm).
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records, correspondence, and photographs created by Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles related to their home and garden in the Deer Lake area of Burnaby. Also included in the collection are records pertaining the Burnaby Historical Society, the book "The Fraser's History from Glac…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1919-1995
Collection/Fonds
Eagles family fonds
Physical Description
40 files of textual records and 1489 photographs (6 col. prints, 10 x 15 cm; 1,444 col. slides, 35 mm).
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2008-10
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records, correspondence, and photographs created by Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles related to their home and garden in the Deer Lake area of Burnaby. Also included in the collection are records pertaining the Burnaby Historical Society, the book "The Fraser's History from Glaciers to Early Settlements" and the Eagles' visit to Robert Burnaby's grave.
History
Blythe Eagles's paternal grandparents, Charles and Maude Eagles, immigrated to New Westminster in 1887. Their son Jack married Amelia Jane Johnston, and Blythe Eagles was born in New Westminster in 1902. In 1918, Blythe enrolled at the University of British Columbia and took a Physiology class with eight other top students. His future wife, Violet Dunbar, was the lone woman in the class. Blythe graduated in 1922, winning the Governor General's Gold Medal as top student. He received his MA in 1924 and his PhD in 1926 from the University of Toronto. He then completed his post-doctoral study at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, England. In 1933, Dr. Eagles became head of the Department of Dairying (1936-1955), Chairman of the Division of Animal Science (1955-1967), and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (in 1949 until his retirement in 1967). In 1968, he received an Honorary Doctor of Science Award from UBC. Blythe was also one of the first appointments to the Burnaby Town Planning Commission. Violet Evelyn Dunbar was born September 29, 1899, in Ontario, the eldest child of John and Mary (Tompson) Dunbar. Violet obtained her BA in 1921 and MA in 1922 from the University of British Columbia. In 1922, she attended the Provincial Normal School and, within six months, had a teaching certificate and taught at Lord Hudson School in 1923. In September 1923, she was awarded a two-year scholarship to the University of Toronto, where she joined Blythe in the Bio-Chemistry Department. She received a second MA and a PhD in 1929. Her graduate studies entailed research in pure proteins and enzymes related to the commercial production of cheese. Through this work, she was recognized as one of the leading enzyme chemists in the country, being a senior lab instructor of biochemistry. Violet was one of the founders of the Burnaby Council of Women and active member of the International Council of Women. Blythe and Violet Eagles purchased property at Deer Lake in 1929 and began construction of their home shortly before their marriage on June 25, 1930. The Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles Estate is a unique expression of the talents and tastes of both the Eagles and Frank Ebenezer Buck (1875-1970), who was head of the Horticultural Department and the Campus Landscape Architect at U.B.C. and established the plan for the Eagles garden while Blythe selected many of the plantings. The Eagles themselves designed the house as a romantic cottage inspired by the British Arts and Crafts style. Violet was an enthusiastic amateur gardener, maintaining and continually developing the garden. The Eagles were active volunteers in the local community as well as at UBC. When Simon Fraser University opened in Burnaby, they became well-known for entertaining dignitaries and special guests of the university in their lavish garden. After Violet's death in 1993, the estate was sold to the City of Burnaby. The funds were used to establish a Chair in Agriculture at the University of British Columbia in their memory.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Other Title Information
Title was changed from Eagles family collection to Eagles family fonds to better reflect the nature of the materials.
Notes
Title based on contents of collection
BHS245, BHS331, BHS404, MSS032, BHS314, BHS482, MSS055
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Earl and Adell Philips family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18927
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1939-1969
Collection/Fonds
Earl and Adell Philips family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
22 photographs + 2 p. of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of Earl Gene and Adell Philips and family along with realestate listing slips for homes on Barker Avenue and Spruce Street in Burnaby.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Earl and Adell Philips family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
22 photographs + 2 p. of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of Earl Gene and Adell Philips and family along with realestate listing slips for homes on Barker Avenue and Spruce Street in Burnaby.
History
Earl Gene Philips (1915-1968) was born, Eugene William Phillips in Kamloops, British Columbia and Adell Philips (1915-2022) was born, Lilian Odell Greenwood in Jaffray, British Columbia. The couple met at Mac & Mac Hardware in New Westminster where Earl was working as a salesman and Adell was working as a secretary and bookkeeper. Earl and Adell were married on May 15, 1942 in New Westminster. The couple lived briefly in Mission while Earl was working for the Mackie Brothers and returned to New Westminster where they lived on Queens Avenue while Earl worked for the Nelson Brothers Fisheries. In 1943, their first child, Cory (Linda Anne Phillips) was born followed by; Lorayne (Donna Elaine Phillips) in 1944 and Judith (Diane Elizabeth Phillips) in 1949. In 1949, the family moved to 5877 Barker Avenue, Burnaby and Adell worked for MacDonald Realty as a legal secretary. In 1952, Earl became involved in numerology and changed his name from Eugene William Phillips to Earl Gene Philips (with one “l”). The names of his wife and children were also changed from; Lilian Odell Phillips to Adell Philips, Linda Anne Phillips to Cory Philips, Donna Elaine Phillips to Lorayne Philips and Diane Elizabeth Phillips to Judith Philips. In 1955, their fourth child Lea Philips was born. All four children attended schools in Burnaby including; Nelson Elementary, Kingsway West School, Suncrest Elementary School, Maywood Elementary School, Burnaby South High School, Moscrop Junior High School, Burnaby Central Secondary School and BCIT. In 1969, following the death of Earl (in 1968), Adell and her son, Lea moved from their home on Barker Avenue to a house located at 4085 Spruce Street. Lea lived with his mother Adell until 1978 when he was married. Adell continued to live on Spruce Street until 2021 when she moved to a care home at the age of 106. Adell died in 2022, just 3 weeks shy of her 107th birthday.
Creator
Philips, Adell Greenwood
Philips, Earl Gene
Accession Code
BV022.11
Date
1939-1969
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Arrangement
Family records within fonds were compiled and arranged by Lea, Cora and Judith Philips and arranged and described at item level in the order in which they were donated to Burnaby Village Museum.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

Elaine A. Myers fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88370
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1948-1961 (date of originals)
Collection/Fonds
Elaine A. Myers fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
4 photographs (jpeg) : sepia ; 96 dpi
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of four digital copies of photographs; two are Elaine Myers' class portraits while attending Kingsway West and two are of Elaine's father, William Myers, next to the pulpit and the altar of St. Andrews Church.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1948-1961 (date of originals)
Collection/Fonds
Elaine A. Myers fonds
Physical Description
4 photographs (jpeg) : sepia ; 96 dpi
Material Details
Jpegs are copies created by the donor of sepia originals.
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2013-26
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of four digital copies of photographs; two are Elaine Myers' class portraits while attending Kingsway West and two are of Elaine's father, William Myers, next to the pulpit and the altar of St. Andrews Church.
History
Elaine Anne Myers was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, in 1939 and immigrated to British Columbia with her family in 1947. She was the eldest daughter of William Sefton and Edna (nee Howarth) Myers and sister to Hermione Christine, born in 1943. Her father, William Sefton Myers was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, in 1905 and was one of six children. He married Edna Howarth on July 29, 1933. Before immigrating to Canada, William worked as a purchasing agent at Walkers Tannery in Bolton and later became a cabinet maker in the 1930s, building and designing most of the family’s furniture. In September 1947, he and his family immigrated to Canada along with his younger brother, Hermann, and his wife and daughter. The family were granted landed immigrant status upon their arrival at Dorval airport in Montreal on September 25, 1947, and travelled to Vancouver by train, arriving in early October. They shared their first home on Imperial Street in Burnaby with William’s brother Hermann and family, but after several months were able to purchase their own new home on MacKay Avenue just below Victory in South Burnaby. William’s first job was working as a night janitor at the Woodwards Department store in Vancouver. He was later hired as a purchasing agent for the Seagrams Distillery in New Westminster, where he stayed until his retirement in 1970. Elaine’s mother, Edna (nee Howarth) Myers worked in the offices of Pacific Veneer Canadian Forest Products in New Westminster, retiring from there in 1967. The family moved again in the 1950s to a house on the corner of Sussex and Victory and Elaine and Christine attended a variety of Burnaby schools including; Kingsway West, Nelson Avenue and McPherson Park Junior High. The family were parishioners of All Saints Anglican Church in Burnaby where Elaine also attended Girl Guides. Elaine’s father fulfilled his dream of designing and building the family home when he purchased property on London Street in New Westminster. The family moved to New Westminster and lived in a small house on the property while William spent three years completing their new home. Elaine commuted to Burnaby by the Interurban train in order to complete her studies at McPherson Park Junior High before enrolling at Duke of Connaught and graduating from Lester Pearson in New Westminster in 1957. In 1961, William Myers built the sanctuary lectern, pulpit, and altar for St. Andrew’s Church on Smith Avenue in Burnaby his brother Hermann’s parish. By the mid-1960s, William and Edna Myers moved from their home in New Westminster to White Rock. Edna Myers died on April 23, 1969. William built the ambry for the church of St. Mark as a memorial. William remarried Ruth, a widow, in 1971, and they resided in White Rock until Ruth’s death in 1983. William died in White Rock March 26, 1991. Elaine Myers married Gordon Wilfred Atkinson in 1961; they had four children and lived in the Dunbar area of Vancouver before they separated ways in 1988. Elaine completed her Bachelor of Arts degree as a mature student at University of British Columbia in 1984 followed by the completion of her Master’s degree at University of Toronto in April 1996, and PhD (Doctorate of Philosophy) in 2007. She has lived abroad in Jerusalem and the United Kingdom, working on a variety of research projects. Elaine Anne Myers passed away on February 19, 2015.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Myers, Elaine A.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo catalogue 580
Less detail

93 records – page 1 of 5.